In case you missed this, the Southern Baptist Convention has announced that the federal investigation into the Convention’s treatment of sexual abuse survivors has come to an end. Here is Liam Adams at The Tennessean: A historic federal investigation into […]
Southern Baptists
Russell Moore on Jimmy Carter’s salvation
Back In December, a podcaster asked Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, if Jimmy Carter was a “born-again Christian.” Jimmy Carter always said he was a born-again Christian, but the podcaster’s question seemed to […]
Albert Mohler “hopes and prays” that Jimmy Carter is saved
I don’t have two hours and forty minutes to listen to Sean DeMars’s interview with Albert Mohler, so I am glad that Mark Wingfield did. Here are a few snippets of his piece at Baptist News Global: Toward the end […]
Southern Baptists offer Trump advice on his VP pick
Politico reporters Adam Wren and Megan Messerly asked Southern Baptist messengers in Indianapolis who they think Trump should pick as his running mate. Here is a taste of their piece: “I think evangelicals will generally, by and large, vote for […]
Mike Pence on Joe Biden: “I can’t think of a thing he’s done that I agree with”
Mike Pence spoke to the Southern Baptists in Indianapolis today. Here is Adele Banks at Religion News Service: Former Vice President Mike Pence addressed Southern Baptists at a luncheon event focused on public service where he criticized President Joe Biden, […]
Who will be the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention?
Next week Southern Baptists will head to Indianapolis for their annual meeting. Religion News Service profiles the presidential candidates: The six candidates are vying for one of the most influential volunteer jobs in American religion. Though unpaid, the SBC president […]
Goodbye Nashville (for now)
I’ve spent a little over a month in Nashville in 2024. In mid-January I was in the Music City during a snowstorm that paralyzed the city. I managed to get a little research done on my current book project during […]
The Southern Baptist Convention: Who’s in charge?
We covered the sexual assault amicus brief controversy here and here for those who need to get up to speed. The disarray in the Southern Baptist Convention reached new “heights” this week, prompting one Virginia pastor to ask “who’s driving […]
Mike Johnson wins first round of GOP Speaker of the House voting, but he doesn’t have a majority
The House GOP is trying to pick another Speaker nominee after Tom Emmer dropped out of the race earlier today. In the first round of closed-door voting, Louisiana’s Mike Johnson garnered the most votes: Since Fleischman received the lowest number […]
Former Southern Baptist seminary president Adam Greenway’s $11k espresso machine was actually only $5,952.67
OK, I feel much better now. 😉 Back in June we called your attention to the drama at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. It appears that president Adam Greenway was a big spender. He spent $1.5 million […]
“Just war” evangelical leaders issue a statement supporting Israel
The letter calls for “the salvation and peace of the people of Israel and Palestine.” It distinguishes between the people of Palestine and Hamas. It also invokes Just War theory. Here is Bob Smietana at Religion News Service: Addressing policymakers […]
Here’s the latest Southern Baptist controversy
I’ll let religion journalist Bob Smietana explain: Willie McLaurin, the acting president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, resigned suddenly on Thursday after admitting he had falsified his résumé. “While considering McLaurin as a candidate for Floyd’s permanent replacement, […]
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools sanctions Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
The sanctions are related to financial improprieties at the Southern Baptist seminary. (Remember Adam Greenway’s $11,000 espresso machine?) Here is Liam Adams at The Tennessean: An accreditor sanctioned Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on Wednesday, escalating an already dramatic saga marked […]
Southern Baptist pastor Linda Barnes Popham speaks out: “Why now?”
Everyone in the Southern Baptist world and beyond was talking this week about Rick Warren and Saddleback Church. But what about Linda Barnes Popham and Fern Creek Baptist Church? Fern Creek Baptist is in Louisville, Kentucky, the city that is […]
Did the Rick Warren-Saddleback controversy at the SBC Annual Meeting detract attention from abuse reform?
Here is Kate Shellnut at Christianity Today: The issue that once dominated Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meetings—sexual abuse in churches—almost receded into the background at this year’s gathering, which was overrun by debates around women serving as pastors. Only […]
Will more congregations with women pastors leave the Southern Baptist Convention?
It appears the answer is yes. Here is a press release from First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Georgia: Dear Church Family, Our storied congregation has, throughout its history, partnered with organizations that complement the unique identity and work of First […]
What happened on day 2 of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting?
Some of the best religion reporters in the business are in New Orleans this week. Here is what they have to say about what happened on the second and final day of the meeting. These tweets are (roughly) in chronological […]
Rick Warren vs. Al Mohler on the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans (video)
Get up to speed here Here’s how it all went down: As far as I can tell, a decision has yet to be made on whether Saddleback will return to the Southern Baptist Convention. (6:32pm). In other Southern Baptist Convention […]
Jimmy Carter: “Niebuhrian Southern Baptist”
As Carter moves into hospice care, biographer Kai Bird reflects on his presidency. Here is a taste of his New York Times piece, “Jimmy Carter’s Presidency Was Not What You Think“: Mr. Carter remains the most misunderstood president of the […]
Pope Francis: “I think Benedict’s death was instrumentalized”
I recently read a blog post from Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, that used the death of Pope Benedict to score political points. Here is a taste of that post: Ratzinger was a great […]