Baptist News Global

The Baptist Bonhoeffer

Political party leaders around the globe, including Donald Trump, are openly flirting with fascism to consolidate power by exploiting economic and cultural conflicts. When considering how to respond to these troubling developments, many Christians rightly turn to the example of…

We’ve lost two trailblazing women in ministry in one week

I’m not sure if Esther Burroughs and Joy Fenner knew each other, but I suspect they must have. Both were trailblazing women in Southern Baptist life. Now they have died within four days of each other, causing an old-timer like…

As long as MAGA evangelicals are in power, sexual ethics will be in exile, but that’s not the end of the story

During Thanksgiving week, I watched two movies: Wicked and Gladiator II. Both movies reminded me of evangelicals up to their television satellites and steeples in secular politics. I watched the citizens of Oz pour into the streets, singing, “The wicked…

Falun Gong’s Shen Yun sued and investigated for child labor violations

Shen Yun Performing Arts, the traveling dance troupe behind elaborate performances that show “China before Communism,” has been sued by a former dancer and also is being investigated over its allegedly abusive child labor practices, which were previously reported by…

This Christmas, let’s make Jesus more than our mascot

A statement recently has emerged on social media saying, “Jesus was a liberator of the oppressed, not a mascot for the powerful.” Certainly, Jesus was a defender and advocate for the poor, vulnerable and oppressed. He came to the aid…

Vertical and horizontal morality

There’s been a lot of talk recently about “vertical and horizontal morality.” Most of these recent posts and conversations are from people trying to make sense of the recent election, trying to understand the differences between “conservative” and “liberal” perspectives….

I’m an evangelical who believes mass deportations are not the answer

Inauguration Day is coming and if President-elect Trump’s actions match his pre-election rhetoric, one of his first actions will be clamping down on immigration and ramping up mass deportations. While his new border czar has declared the administration’s initial focus…

Circles of joy

There’s always a story behind designing a holiday card. For me, it’s a spiritual experience in itself, and I anticipate learning about Christmas and the beauty of the season with a fresh vision from God. Looking back, every year I’ve…

Larnelle Harris is still making music

After 50 years in ministry, Larnelle Harris still feels called to make music. Harris has garnered accolades for his music, including four Grammy Awards, 11 Dove Awards (three for Male Vocalist of the Year) and a Stellar Award for Best…

ABHMS gets $1.25 million Lilly grant

American Baptist Home Mission Societies has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. Over five years, grant funds will help ABHMS establish and execute its Nurturing Children Initiative, a…

Mary the rosebud

Each time a new baby was born, a single red rosebud was placed on the altar in the sanctuary of my home church. My youngest child was born after I returned to serve there, and 12 years ago, her red…

City Elders declare themselves God’s anointed for government

Tulsa, Okla., is the home base of a relatively new organization that wants evangelical Christians to take over all levels of government and reign as “elders” anointed by God. City Elders, which now is a trademarked name, describes itself as…

Rise of American authoritarianism demands a choice, Perryman says

Shaving Dad goodbye

The Enhanced Games were another MAGA grift

It’s bad interpretation, not the Bible, limiting female pastors