Evangelism vs. Missions Southern Baptists contemplate unleashing the IMB at home. July issue. For 164 years, the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention has focused on taking the gospel overseas. But in May, the 16 million-member denomination’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force recommended removing restrictions on the IMB’s missions work in the United States and Canada—long the territory of the convention’s North … Continue reading Evangelism vs. missions

Moroccan Crackdown Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists. May issue. Six years ago, a delegation of evangelical leaders visited the Kingdom of Morocco and hailed it as “open to evangelical Christian outreach.” In 2005, country officials even invited the Newsboys, Phil Keaggy, and other Christian artists to stage a three-day music festival in the city of Marrakech.The North African country is apparently open no more. In … Continue reading Moroccan crackdown: Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists

Politics vs. PersecutionPush for Iran sanctions concerns missiologists. April issue. The high-profile group Christian Leaders for a Nuclear-Free Iran is demanding increased economic sanctions against the Islamic regime. But other Christians worry that sanctions could backfire against Iranian believers. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, readily acknowledges the clash of perspectives. “That is why Southern Baptists deliberately separate … Continue reading Politics vs. persecution

Beyond Believers Religion is now the hottest topic for American historians. March issue. The study of religion is too important to be left in the hands of believers. So claims David A. Hollinger, a professor of American history at the University of California at Berkeley, in his response to religion emerging as the hottest topic of study among members of the American Historical Association (AHA). … Continue reading Beyond believers