British and American evangelicalism was largely politically progressive during the 19th century. During the first half of the 20th century evangelicalism was mostly nonpolitical. Throughout the 1980s many American evangelicals “switched sides” and supported conservative politicians.
Packing in the pews
The latest challenge facing some congregations is deciding whether open carry gun laws should extend to church property — including the sanctuary.
Opponents see indicators that death penalty on its way out in U.S.
Melissa Browning was drawn deep into the anti-death penalty movement when the state of Georgia was trying to kill Kelly Gissendaner last year. There were plenty of ups, including multiple delays in her execution date. And there were downs, too,…
Is opposition to death penalty a non-negotiable for Christians? Yes, says one theologian
A Baptist theology professor said in a blog March 7 that authentic Christians must oppose the death penalty, even if it leads to division in the church. Roger Olson, professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, said there…
Calling out “Calling out ‘American Evangelicalism'”
Calling out “Calling out ‘American Evangelicalism’” On January 19 (2016) moderate Baptist writer and editor John Pierce published a column entitled “Calling out ‘American Evangelicalism’” at https://baptiststoday.org/calling-out-american-evangelicalism/ . Pierce is editor ofNurturing Faith Journal—“the signature publication of Baptists Today, Inc.”
A call for American evangelical leaders to confront evangelicalism’s lunatic fringe
A Call for American Evangelical Leaders to Confront Evangelicalism’s Lunatic Fringe Every religious movement that grows sufficiently large has a lunatic fringe; extremists attach themselves to religious (and other) movements to gain respectability and a “voice”-to influence the movement and…
Thanksgiving thoughts
Thanksgiving Thoughts In the United States this Thursday, November 26 (2015) is a holiday called “Thanksgiving Day.” I won’t bore with the history except to say it commemorates the survival of the English settlers, usually called “Pilgrims,” of Plymouth Colony,…
The power of negative thinking
In some ways it has been the curse of my life, a genuine burden and even bane of my existence. For as long as I can remember I’ve tended to see problems everywhere I look. To my way of thinking,…
Baptist scholar says Mormonism becoming more Christian
By Bob Allen While political alliances between Southern Baptists and Mormons on issues like same-sex marriage are nothing new, a Baptist scholar says the two camps have more in common theologically than many assume. Roger Olson, a theology professor at…