By Bob Allen Better police training about how to interact with people with mental health conditions and developmental disabilities can prevent needless tragedy, an American Baptist official told a Senate panel April 29. “Recent high-profile tragedies demonstrate the need for…
Motives matter
If a random Google search is anything to go by, it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who originated this clever quip, albeit in a slightly altered form: “I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not…
‘Most Bible-minded city’ status doesn’t impress Baptist pastors
By Jeff Brumley Leading a church in a city recently described as the most “Bible-minded” in America does have its advantages, Thomas Quisenberry said. Mainly: not a lot of necessity to explain the backstory during sermons and Scripture discussions, said…
Rethinking the death penalty
The death penalty is at the forefront of our news cycles once again. First the Tennessee legislature, due to a shortage of the standard execution drug, approved the return of the electric chair. Then, while experimenting with a new drug combination,…
Faiths can build bridges of understanding, BJC’s Walker tells Harvard audience
By Marv Knox Rights, responsibility and respect provide the infrastructure for bridges of understanding between faith groups, Baptist religious-liberty advocate Brent Walker stressed in a symposium at Harvard University May 1. Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for…
SBC leader says Christians should support death penalty
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary president says Christians should support the death penalty, but not necessarily how it is administered in the United States today. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in a CNN commentary…
Church-state groups skeptical about Hobby Lobby Bible curriculum
By Bob Allen A group that advocates for separation of church and state says Hobby Lobby owner Steve Green’s new high school Bible curriculum is likely unconstitutional and warns that school districts that use it risk getting sued for violating…
In the midst of Ukraine crisis, Baptists offer witness to unity, says leader
By Robert Dilday As the crisis between Ukraine and Russia continues to bedevil world leaders, Baptists in the two countries have offered a profound witness to unity as Christian believers, a European Baptist said April 28. “Obviously it is a…
In search of more Acts 10 moments
One of my favorite Bible verses appears in the story of Peter visiting Cornelius’ house in Acts 10. In verses 34-35, Peter says, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every…
SBC leaders warn book by gay Christian ‘not faithful to Scripture’
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist Convention seminary cranked out a 90-page rebuttal to a recently released book making waves in evangelical circles with claims that the Bible is not anti-gay. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, described…
SBC leader says cake-decorating mom helped shape his religious liberty views
By Bob Allen Southern Baptists’ top spokesman for public policy says he knows from personal experience that religious-liberty concerns such as whether a cake decorator can refuse service for a same-sex wedding are anything but trite. Russell Moore, head of…
Sexual sin not just problem for men, says woman at Baptist summit
By Bob Allen When it comes to sexuality, many women are suffering, the lone female plenary speaker at a Southern Baptist summit on sex said during the final session of the three-day gathering. “Some women are suffering, and some women…