Baptist News Global

Church historian Richard Hughes reflects on a lifetime of ‘Troublesome Questions’

In his latest book, The Grace of Troublesome Questions: Vocation, Restoration, and Race, historian Richard Hughes shares his intellectual and spiritual journey, inviting readers to consider how they treat their neighbors and where their allegiance as Christians lies. Now in…

Reverend Roboto: Artificial intelligence and pastoral care

“Write a sermon on this week’s lectionary text.” “Write a Country and Western song about Job.” “Write a prayer for Reddit.” “Write a Bible song about ducks.” “Add a prayer to go with that sermon.” “Write a worship song about…

What churches could learn from the Pub Choir phenomenon

Have you noticed hardly anyone at your church sings the congregational songs anymore? I have. And I visit quite a few churches around the place. The singers and the band on stage seem to be really into it, but the…

Southwestern Seminary student arrested for alleged ‘felony sexual assault’

A Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary student was arrested last week by a suburban Fort Worth, Texas, police department on charges of felony sexual assault. In Texas law, “felony sexual assault” is a specific term meaning rape. Sexual assault in Texas…

Trial date set for Patterson and Southwestern versus Jane Roe

After years of delays and contention, a trial date has been set for Jane Roe v. Leighton Paige Patterson et al. On Jan. 19, U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan signed an order saying jury selection and trial will begin at…

Living into lament: A white response to the killing of Tyre Nichols by police

I’m learning it is hard to feel the impact of the violence. It is difficult to make it real, to bring it close enough to sense its cold shadow. It passes by the window, like the neighbor who briefly triggers…

Faith groups must fight online hate, Interfaith Alliance urges

Sermons urging social media fasts or sabbaticals from screen time are woefully inadequate attempts to combating the racial and religious hatred individuals and faith groups are increasingly experiencing online, Interfaith Alliance President Paul Brandeis Raushenbush said. Religious leaders and communities…

Of church cemeteries, pulpit committees, crafts and sweet potato casserole

The first church I served was Bethel Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, N.C. “Bethel” in Hebrew means house of God. The church had many fine people in it, but even though it was in Chapel Hill it could have been…

Colorado cake maker back in court, this time for refusing service to a transgender woman

Jack Phillips went all the way to the United States Supreme Court to avoid making a cake for a same-sex wedding, and now he’s in court once again wanting to avoid decorating a cake for a gender transition celebration. Phillips,…

Of Margie, mountains and ‘El Shaddai’

I learned a lot of things in seminary, like how to perform baptisms and administer Communion, why understanding cultural context is important when reading and interpreting Scripture, and the importance of sneaking Amy Grant lyrics into almost any theological conversation….

For every critic of Jesus and John Wayne there are many more positive responses Du Mez says

Some conservative Christian leaders continue to blast Kristen Kobes Du Mez for writing Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, the Calvin University historian said during a recent webinar on evangelicalism in the…

What I learned from meeting Martin Luther King in Louisville and Josie in Hopkinsville

I watched a movie one night recently called Selma. It was about the 1965 freedom march in Selma, Ala., led by Martin Luther King Jr. Given all of the turmoil now roiling our country regarding Black Lives Matter, I wanted…

Supreme Court slides into partisanship

Before the fireworks, be careful what you drink

The contemptible case of Clarence Thomas

The permanent paradoxes of Christian thinking about war