Baptist News Global

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? The damaging Christian ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ at the heart of the American identity crisis

Ahead of the Fourth of July earlier this year, I wrote a column for Religion News Service about two competing plot lines in the stories we Americans tell about ourselves: an egalitarian narrative that draws on the Declaration of Independence’s…

As nationwide COVID vaccination rates increase, a few are still seeking religious exemptions, often with difficulty

Two weeks ago, as the St. Louis County Council was about to pass an ordinance requiring all employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, one resident stood up and told wary city employees how to avoid the mandate: “If you don’t…

Lessons from Coach Ted Lasso

I benefit from working with folks whose bulbs are brighter than my own. Initially, I thought that grades, test scores or advanced degrees from impressive institutions measured intellectual prowess. But as years pass, I learn that there are additional ways…

As a religious abuse survivor, this is my message to Baptist pastors

I shrank into the pew, wincing every time the preacher behind the pulpit raised his voice. I was just a child, terrified that I was evil and a sinner beyond redemption. At 7 years of age, I converted and believed…

Were there baby dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark, and how does that relate to COVID?

With their fundamental denial of evolutionary science, young earth creationists helped set the stage for the evangelical rejection of vaccines and mask-wearing to combat COVID-19, college biology teacher and Christian Janet Kellogg Ray said. “We are without a doubt reaping…

An ode to the exile generation

A few weeks ago, I had an epiphany. It sprang from an odd source: Episode 178 of a podcast called The Bible for Normal People, “Pete Ruins Isaiah.” Pete Enns is an Old Testament scholar determined to bridge the great…

With mass murders of Christians and persecutions of other religious minorities, should Nigeria be redesignated a Country of Particular Concern?

In the past six decades since gaining independence from Britain, Nigeria — Africa’s most populous country — has faced one crisis after the other that threatened to undermine its corporate existence. While the country was able each time to survive…

Why I see COVID-19 vaccines as a sign of God’s grace

I used to tell the Hardin-Simmons University students in my freshman biology class that scientific knowledge is a gift from God, but we have to do the hard work of discovering it and learning how to use it. For example,…

Explaining mainliners and evangelicals at Bubba-Doo’s

If you’ve ever stepped into a place and gotten the feeling there were two or three people laying low for you, you’ll understand the vibe that met me the other day. I stopped by my favorite country store, Bubba-Doo’s. It’s…

Religious minorities and others at grave risk in Afghanistan and urgent action needed, U.S. panel declares

The United States and the global community must pressure the Taliban to cease persecuting Afghanistan’s religious and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ communities and even Muslims, said a virtual panel of experts convened Oct. 6 by the U.S. Commission on International…

The one thing that most predicts a pastor’s success

Of all the things I’ve learned through a few decades of mentoring young writers and pastors, one predictor of success stands out above all. This one thing rises above raw talent, education or privilege — all of which may play…

Ministry jobs and more

Baptist News Global provides a free listing of ministry-related jobs for Baptist churches, theological institutions and organizations across the United States. Each free posting is for 30 days and is limited to 150 words. Postings may be extended another 30…

Jane Roe case against Patterson dropped before trial

Republican leaders worried ICE murders will damage their agenda

When the president targets Muslim kindergartners, families like mine also pay the price

Trans protections targeted after Supreme Court ruling