Members of a Jacksonville, Fla., Baptist church have until March 19 to sign a statement on “biblical sexuality” or be removed from membership. All members of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville are required to sign a form that indicates their…
Dear Dr. Gushee: Can sexual orientation ever be considered grounds for divorce?
I get lots of messages that follow up on my 2014 book, Changing Our Mind. That book, aiming to reach evangelical Christians, argued for an end to Christian stigma and rejection of LGBTQ people and an incorporation of same-sex relationships…
With gratitude for the Respect for Marriage Act, we’ve still got Advent work to do
Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act, providing federal protection for same-sex and interracial marriages. Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi beamed on the House floor as she emphasized the importance of this legislation, the culmination…
Mary, Our Mother (for Baptists): I don’t think that word means what you think it means
This is the third in a four-part series BNG will publish every Monday during Advent. I, like many of you, was in at least one Christmas pageant as a child growing up in the Baptist church. Sadly, I can distinctly…
Supreme Court hears case of wedding website designer who won’t serve same-sex couples
While the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court appears ready-made to support a Colorado wedding website designer who doesn’t want to serve same-sex couples, other justices grilled her attorney hard about why she should be allowed to discriminate on…
Why does Al Mohler claim the Respect for Marriage Act opposes the ‘moral order’ and religious freedom despite specific provisions protecting religion?
Al Mohler does not like the Respect for Marriage Act. In fact, he believes it is an offense to the “moral order” of creation. The Respect for Marriage Act is a federal bill that passed the Senate this week and currently…
Australian Baptist association requires agreement on its statement on marriage for all affiliated churches and ministers
A Baptist association in Australia has voted to require not only its member churches but all clergy accredited by the association to affirm a belief in marriage as “a covenant relationship ordained by God as a lifelong faithful union of…
Should adultery and homosexuality be illegal? Mohler weighs in
“Should adultery be illegal? What about homosexuality?” These were questions posed to Al Mohler from a Christian schoolteacher who passed along ideas from a class discussion with his students. Four days before today’s mid-term elections, Mohler answered these questions in…
12 insights on navigating marriage and ministry
In her book Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, Anne Lamott suggests, “A good marriage is where both people feel like they’re getting the better end of the deal.” However, I can readily identify with Winston Churchill’s assessment: “My most…