Christians often have been reminded that some of their forebears supported slavery, but many do not know Christians ended slavery in the United States. Southern Baptists, in particular, frequently are reminded their convention began amid the defense of slavery. Yet…
Democracy and religious freedom
This is the fifth in a BNG series of articles on Christianity and democracy that will lead toward the July 4 celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The series has been curated by Carol McEntyre, senior minister at First Baptist Church…
Hey, Fifth Circuit: Keep John Leland’s Name Out of Your Mouth!
On Tuesday (April 21), the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned previous rulings to say the state of Texas can force public schools to post a highly edited version of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The 9-8 ruling is particularly atrocious since the…
Imagine this great cloud of Baptist witnesses around the Resolute Desk
Two images crowd into my mind. One is of President Donald Trump sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, surrounded by a group of evangelical leaders. The other image is the cover artwork of Margaret M. Mitchell’s The…
Church/state mandates then and now: A tenuous freedom
Church/state mandates began early in the American colonies. On July 19, 1651, three Baptists — John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes and John Crandall — traveled from Newport, R.I., to Lynn, Mass., and the home of William Witter, who requested their visit…
Religion Notes: Millennials tell researchers evangelism is wrong
-MACBF to honor ministry partner in Annual Meeting
-Gift gives $2 million boost to Baylor’s global presence
I’m a clergy who opposes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
The British Catholic apologist G.K. Chesterton once said that America is “the only nation founded on a creed.” I wonder if that’s why the great Virginia Baptist John Leland opposed ratifying the United States Constitution, forcing James Madison’s father to…