Wayne Flynt is a Baptist minister whose calling frequently lands him in controversy. “My role is to move the Kingdom of God one step closer, day by day,” says Flynt, 78, an acclaimed author and teacher on Alabama politics, Southern…
Jeff Sessions’ heckler influenced by Baptist ‘tradition of protest’
A Baptist minister removed earlier this week as a heckler during a speech on religious liberty by Attorney General Jeff Sessions is a graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and former intern for the Baptist Joint Committee…
Baptist leader says ‘one-sided’ religious liberty task force falls short
The head of a Baptist organization specializing in matters involving church and state gave low marks to a new White House initiative to promote the administration’s views on religious liberty.
‘Zero-tolerance’ support thrusts Sessions into Methodist justice process
The political uproar over the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the southern border may have halted the Trump administration policy. There are even reports that some families have been reunited. But the theological uproar created when Attorney…
Baptist leaders accuse Justice Department of twisting scripture to defend separating children from families at U.S. border
Baptist leaders joined a chorus of voices criticizing U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions for using the Bible to defend the Trump administration’s practice of separating children from migrant parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. Addressing criticism by church leaders of the…
Church-state experts voice concern about new religious-liberty guidelines
A church-state specialist says Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ 25-page memorandum outlining the scope of religious liberty protections reflects “a decided tilt” toward concerns about the free exercise of religion while giving short shrift to the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
Psychologists have a name for the emotional impact of a Trump presidency. Pastors offer a cure.
Pastors are seeing a surge in church members, colleagues and friends emotionally battered from months of relentless dread generated by national politics. Psychologists have even coined a term for it: Trump anxiety. Julie Pennington-Russell has seen plenty of it. Recently,…
Franklin Graham says God uses ‘extreme vetting,’ welcomes confirmation of attorney general
Evangelist Franklin Graham, on his way to Puerto Rico for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s first Festival of Hope event in 2017, said Wednesday on social media that God uses “extreme vetting” in deciding who gets into heaven. “I’m on…
Baptist senator breaks tradition to testify against attorney general nominee
A Baptist senator broke with Senate tradition Jan. 11, becoming what is believed to be the first sitting senator to testify against a colleague at a confirmation hearing for a Cabinet position. Sen. Corey Booker (D-N.J.) said some fellow senators…