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A strong majority of Americans, and majorities of many religious groups, still broadly support LGBTQ rights.

This issue of A Public Witness digs into the recent Paul Pressler news and responses from leaders to investigate the roots of the SBC’s “conservative resurgence” and consider a more appropriate response than just continuing to water the tree.

Catholics, including El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, have rallied around the volunteer-run network of migrant shelters, describing Ken Paxton’s legal actions as violating religious freedom.

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Dangerous Dogma

Church

Two years after being placed on probation by its accrediting body, Southwest Baptist University’s accreditation status has been reaffirmed. The probation period for the school in Bolivar, Missouri, came after years of conflict over theology and control.

ABCUSA’s new leader stands out, as only 13% of ABCUSA churches are pastored by women, and 86% of women in Baptist churches still report facing obstacles in their ministry because of their gender.

In 2015, Tim Carey was appointed lead artist for a stained-glass window more than 90 feet long and nearly 40 feet high for the largest United Methodist congregation in the U.S.

Nation

The U.S. Constitution doesn’t mention Christianity or any specific religion. Yet large numbers of Americans believe the founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation, and many believe it should be one.

The vice president sat down with Barber and the Rev. Kazimir Brown, head of Repairers of the Breach, to discuss poverty and Israel's ongoing assault into the Gaza Strip.

This issue of A Public Witness explores the wild Superbowl dreams of Lance Wallnau — a key figure in the New Apostolic Reformation movement — to consider the heresy of the MAGAchurch world.

World

This issue of A Public Witness looks at the unethical calls for leveling Gaza and how the Christian community in that land is responding during this time of tribulations.

As Israeli forces prepare to mount a ground invasion of Gaza following last week’s Hamas attack on thousands of civilians, Christians across the Holy Land called for both sides to de-escalate.

There are currently 1,300 Christians in the Northern Gaza Strip seeking refuge in churches who refuse to leave because they don’t know where to go.

Editorials

Editor Brian Kaylor reflects on getting his second COVID-19 vaccine and recent polling showing that White evangelicals are the least likely demographic to get vaccinated. Thank God, love neighbors, and get vaccinated!

Editor Brian Kaylor tells the Good Friday story as if set this year in Richmond, Virginia. As the Bible tells the story, Barabbas and the two men crucified along with Jesus are insurrectionists (not thieves).

Editor Brian Kaylor reflects on the Ever Given container ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal. And he connects this modern parable to biblical stories about Egyptian pharaohs and other rulers seeking more wealth and power.

Word&Way Voices

Ethicist, pastor, author, and advocate David P. Gushee reflects on the recent Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly and what makes the denomination distinct from the Southern Baptist Convention.

Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall reflects on both the heartbreaks and triumphs she encountered on the winding road to finding a new denominational family.

Contributing writer Greg Mamula walks us through the recent denominational gathering of the most ethnically diverse and politically balanced denomination in the United States.

E-Newsletter

While historian Jemar Tisby has been canceled from many conservative White Christian spaces, other Christians are willing to listen. So this issue of A Public Witness takes you to a special class session to learn about the need for churches to fight institutional racism.

This issue of A Public Witness looks at the unethical calls for leveling Gaza and how the Christian community in that land is responding during this time of tribulations.

In a region that unfortunately needs advocates for peace and justice now more than ever with the outburst of another war, this issue of A Public Witness takes you to the holy land of Lebanon to see the inspirational work of God's people.

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Podcasts

In episode 39 of Dangerous Dogma, Brian Zahnd, lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, talks about his book When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes. He also discusses reading the Bible, fundamentalism, beauty,

In episode 38 of Dangerous Dogma, George Marsden, emeritus professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, talks about the new edition of his classic book Fundamentalism and American Culture.

In episode 37 of Dangerous Dogma, Mark Chancey, professor of religious studies at Southern Methodist University, talks about issues involved in teaching the Bible in public schools. He mentions his study of how Texas school districts taught the Bible.

In episode 36 of Dangerous Dogma, Lisa Sharon Harper, author of Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World — and How to Repair It All, talks about her new book on history, racism, and her family. She also discusses

Books

In "Corpse Care: Ethics for Tending the Dead," Cody Sanders and Mikeal Parsons spark new conversations that reclaim responsibility for faith communities from the funeral directors and other deathcare providers that professionally process our corpses without much reflection on their

In "We Will Be Free: The Life and Faith of Sojourner Truth," Nancy Koester brings to life the powerful story of a complicated woman whose voice still needs to be heard — especially at this moment when so many Christians

In "Elusive Grace: Loving Your Enemies While Striving for God’s Justice," Scott Black Johnston brings healing to the divides present in our congregations so that together we might become agents of justice and voices of healing.

In "Resisting Apartheid America: Living the Badass Gospel," Miguel A. De La Torre challenges readers and makes a strong case that EuroChristianity, defined by White Supremacy, is the greatest threat to the United States.