Baptist News Global

HPUMC case tests limits of United Methodist connectionalism

If a Methodist church does not recognize the authority of its regional conference or its bishop, is that congregation still a United Methodist church? In its legal dispute with the Horizon West Conference of The United Methodist Church, Highland Park…

Robert Jeffress, apostate

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Dallas, is no stranger to controversy. He has denigrated Christian ethics by openly proclaiming political power as more important than personal character when choosing political candidates. Time and again he’s asked…

There’s a Texas GOP candidate worse than Ken Paxton

Believe it or not, there’s a Republican candidate for public office in Texas who is worse than Ken Paxton. Bo French is so bad that even Sen. John Cornyn called him out on social media this weekend. That’s right, Cornyn,…

What’s so upsetting to evangelicals about Kristin Du Mez?

“Do you know where we are?” I asked my 16-year-old son as we turned onto the main road that goes near my parents’ house. “No,” he replied. “My awareness of the city is like disconnected bubbles. Gramma’s neighborhood is one…

One year later, Charlie Kirk still isn’t a martyr

One year after Charlie Kirk’s death, I am increasingly concerned that parts of the American church have forgotten the difference between mourning and canonization. We have a word for remembering those who have died: Mourning. We have a word for…

Groups seek to prevent Trump from sending armed agents to polling places

A new lawsuit seeks to prevent the Trump administration from violating federal law by sending armed federal agents into polling places during the midterm elections. The litigation comes in response to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s recent comments…

Trump admin has admitted zero persecuted Christians this year

Donald Trump is about to have the distinction of being the first president in possibly 45 years not to permit the resettlement of a persecuted Christian or other religious minority through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. This is from a…

Presence and pain at Ground Zero

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I twice visited the World Trade Center site with young adult friends and family who were new to the city and wanted to pay their respects to those who died there. The first visit, coming…

When the worst happened, many gave their best

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in American history. On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in a series of terrorist attacks that changed our nation and, in many ways, changed…

Human trafficking, evangelicals and the ‘lifestyles’ of survivors

Recently, I attended a human trafficking seminar put on by a local hospital and hosted at a megachurch. Speakers discussed at length the impact of health care workers and other serving professions on victims and survivors of human trafficking. For…

On living hopefully in a despairing, destitute world

Immediately after the dastardly terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I sat at a computer screen — in the secretary’s office of Austin Heights Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas, far from home — for the better part of a day…

Attorney says she was fired for not doing Trump favor for Mel Gibson

A former U.S. pardon attorney fired for not restoring the gun rights of actor and director Mel Gibson has sued the Justice Department claiming unlawful termination. Elizabeth Oyer alleges she was fired because Gibson, who lost firearm rights due to…

Talarico pledges support for church-state separation

Muslim panelists say Islamophobia makes no sense to them

Federal judge allows religious charter school in Oklahoma — for now

Coalition urges care for freedom of religion and speech