Eric Black

3 weeks ago | baptiststandard.com | Eric Black

Christian nationalism? Many think it mere patriotism. Christian nationalism has evolved in the last 20 years into a fight, mostly from the left, where the term is now a pejorative in the fight against a kind of Christian imperialism. On the far left, the 1619 Project controversially claims a racial root to America’s origins. On the far right, several try to force-feed a false Christian foundation to the United States.

3 weeks ago | baptiststandard.com | Eric Black

“Can you explain how your work contributes to evangelism?”This is a question I often hear when I share about our work supporting international religious freedom. It reveals an assumption—that advocacy and evangelism are separate disciplines, and that the latter is the calling of the church. This is far from accurate. I believe defending religious freedom is part of the mission of God. Throughout Scripture and church history, the growth of the church often has been accompanied by persecution.

3 weeks ago | baptiststandard.com | Eric Black

Today, we give thanks for the life of Walter Brueggemann—one of the most sacred and salty voices the church ever has known. His death today marks the end of a remarkable earthly journey, but his words, his courage and his prophetic witness will live on far beyond his years. For me, The Prophetic Imagination was the beginning. It was the first of his works I encountered, handed to me by faithful professors at Baylor University in the early 1990s.

3 weeks ago | baptiststandard.com | Eric Black

Southern Baptists will practice their religious freedom June 8-11 by gathering in downtown Dallas for their annual meeting. They will visit exhibits and friends, hear reports and sermons, celebrate mission and ministry, and conduct business. Adopting resolutions will be part of that business. At least one of the proposed resolutions contains a puzzle for religious freedom. Eight resolutions have been proposed for consideration during the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

3 weeks ago | baptiststandard.com | Eric Black

Questions of gender and identity are front and center these days. For many Christians, it’s a time of cultural tension. Rather than responding with silence or self-righteousness, what if the church led with compassion? For those who are transgender or born intersex, the church too often has offered judgment instead of understanding. Yet, the gospel calls us to walk with those who are hurting, offering truth without abandoning love.