Baptist News Global

Ecumenical group says stimulus package should include the poor

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The nation’s most broadly ecumenical Christian group is urging the new administration of President-elect Obama to include help for the poor in any economic-stimulus package. Leaders of Christian Churches Together in the USA met with journalists, members…

Liberals, evangelicals call for common agenda on abortion, sexuality

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Progressive and evangelical leaders have joined together to propose shared policy solutions on issues that have long divided left and right in the so-called culture wars. Two years ago Third Way, a non-profit think tank that supports…

Survey: Protestants no more loyal to denomination than toothpaste brand

PHOENIX (ABP) — Protestants in the United States are about as loyal to their brand of toothpaste as their denomination, according to one research firm. A new poll by Ellison Research asked churchgoers who attend worship services at least once…

Happy Birthday, Baptists

Some Christians before 1609 held what many refer to as distinctively Baptist beliefs. Baptists in 1609 practiced believer's baptism, but they didn't immerse. Even so, most church historians agree Baptists emerged as a distinct movement 400 years ago. From their…

Baptist history a continuing search for the New Testament church

Some Baptists stress evangelism, and others emphasize the social gospel. Some believe Christ died for all people; others say Christ died only for the elect whom God predestined to salvation. Historically, some defended slavery; others championed civil rights. Even a…

Scholars disagree on Anabaptist, Baptist connection

DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — While much writing about Baptist history in the 20th century focused on what distinguishes Baptists from other Christians, a group of contemporary scholars believes the Baptist movement now needs to reconnect to its ecumenical roots. Most…

Who founded the Baptist movement — John Smyth or John the Baptist?

Baptists who celebrate the 400th birthday of their denomination in 2009 miss the mark by about 1,600 years, some Baptists insist. Since Jesus founded his church during his earthly ministry and promised “the gates of hell shall not prevail against…

Historians debate reasons for rise of Landmarkism in 19th century

All Landmark Baptists believe in church succession, at least to some degree, but not every Baptist holding that position is — or was — a Landmarker, according to Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection. Neither J.M. Carroll,…

Baptists celebrate past with an eye to the future

In 400 years, the Baptist movement has grown to 200,000 churches with more than 50 million members in countries around the world. But even though Baptists globally continue to show statistical growth, the largest Baptist group in the United States…

How to celebrate in the future?

As Baptists plan 400th anniversary celebrations, Bob Dale, author and recently retired associate executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, suggests they think ahead to the kind of celebration they want to have a generation from now. Casting…

Baptist influence on history of U.S., world a mixed bag, historians say

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists' signal contribution to American and world history and political thought, historians almost unanimously agree, is their uncompromising emphasis on religious liberty. But, they hasten to add, the doctrine of soul freedom that grounds Baptists' belief in…

Wide variety of Baptists found in 111th Congress

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The various Baptist churches represented in the incoming 111th Congress are emblematic of America's broad array of Baptists. There are 66 self-identified Baptists in the new Congress, according to a study by the Pew Forum on Religion…

An American experiment: 250 years of trying

10 reasons America is not a ‘Christian nation’

American Dominion traces deep roots of Seven Mountain Mandate

Lindsey Graham and the history of ‘widow’s succession’