Baptist News Global

Not So Sorry explores the question: Should victims always forgive their abusers?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer railed against cheap grace that’s given “without asking questions or fixing limits.” Kaya Oakes targets “quick forgiveness,” a form of spiritual abuse practiced by powerful, charismatic and sexually predatory Christian leaders who pressure victims to quickly forgive, forget,…

Being a ‘missional’ church is now redundant

In a recent Google search, I discovered more than 304 million results when I typed the term “missional.” I even came across several seminaries promoting master’s degrees in “missional leadership,” “missional theology,” “missional Christianity” and “missional multiplication” (whatever that means)….

Justice is always coming

I have spent much time processing the outcome of the presidential election. The results left me downcast and perplexed. Not because the outcome was opposite of the way I voted, but because of the swiftness and definitiveness with which the…

As White House chief of staff, Andy Card sought to model optimism

Andy Card, the second longest-serving White House chief of staff in American history, sees one word in the U.S. Constitution as most important. “We live in a great country, and the most important word in our Constitution happens to be…

Yes, truth matters

As one who writes and creates with words, fact-checking and truth are second nature. Double-checking credible sources brings us closer to understanding the issue. Unlike writing a diary, I aim to reach the reader and make a connection. Well-chosen words…

Are we still of any use?

“And so it begins.” As nominations for leadership of government agencies are announced by the newly elected American president, the words of Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written around Christmas 1942, seem startlingly relevant: We have been silent witnesses of evil…

Rising secularism isn’t good for democracy, scholar explains

Many Americans believe increased secularization will minimize religious and political tensions, simmer the culture wars and reduce threats to democracy, author and political scientist John Compton said. Some mainstream commentators argue the continuing move away from religious belief and belonging…

How whiteness protected itself in America’s election

As we close the book on the 2024 election cycle, we should look beyond the campaign promises and headlines to understand what truly fueled this election. It wasn’t just about the economy, gas prices or immigration policies, although these were…

‘Pro-family’ groups like Trump’s controversial nominees to cabinet

In the week since Donald Trump’s election victory, he has announced a number of key appointments — some of them highly controversial — that will shape his administration in a way that pleases “pro-family” evangelical groups. In theory, that will…

The slippery slope of unchallenged lies

The day after the election, a good friend who is a conservative Republican called to check on me, realizing I would be in a puddle of disbelief. My friend, who is a seminary-educated Southern Baptist and very smart, told me…

First Baptist Dallas fire was not arson

Arson was not the cause of the July blaze that gutted the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Dallas. A Nov. 13 message to the church from Executive Pastor Ben Lovvorn says: “The on-site portion of the investigation is…

A divinity student’s post-election playlist: Hymn-singing through times of tension

Amid all the feelings this past political week has drawn out, several of my friends and colleagues lack words. Or have too many words to make sense of. Or fear their words have been ignored or will be silenced as…

Except for white evangelicals, Americans have soured on Trump’s leadership

CBF approves $16 million budget, leaders challenge more mission

The Black Church was not meant to save America

Caner sues Truett-McConnell for wrongful firing