The ERLC's Jason Thacker, Miles Mullin, and Alex Ward discuss the 40th anniversary of the book The Naked Public Square: Religion and Democracy in America by Richard John Neuhaus and how it can inform our understanding of bringing our faith into the public square....
Political chaos and noisy rhetoric are hard to escape during an election season. So, it’s no surprise that even well-meaning Christians get caught up in the fray. Some withdraw from political engagement, feeling as if their voices couldn’t possibly be loud enough to make a difference. Others give in to the temptation to vilify those with whom they disagree. Neither is the most constructive way to use whatever measure of influence the Lord has given us to seek the welfare of our earthly home. As ...
Many of us sense that politics are contentious and messy. They often leave us feeling weary about the future of our country and its leaders. This was certainly the case in the 2020 presidential race. As our nation prepares for yet another presidential election in November, it’s helpful for us to be aware of what’s happening in our culture and have clear expectations for the season ahead so that, as Christians, we can be “salt and light” in our communities and engage politics with the hope of the...
Are you weary from the current state of American politics? Does the noisy rhetoric by some political candidates and the lack of meaningful action leave you tempted to retreat from political engagement altogether? Know you’re not alone. Like you, we feel these tensions and want to explore ways that we can bring hope to the public square, together. And, we believe this starts in our own communities, which is why the ERLC produced an extensive state policy agenda for the first time this year, highl...
2024 is a big year for politics. If you ask any person you pass on the street why this is the case, their answer would likely be because of the presidential election; one that, sadly, looks like it will be a contentious repeat of 2020. And they wouldn’t be wrong. Federal politics are important. But, most Americans don’t give much thought to political issues beyond the national level. This causes us to miss out on the good we can effect at the state and local levels through political engagement. ...
Do you sense that American politics is in trouble? Are you frustrated by our inability, even as Christians, to dialogue and disagree across party lines and other differences? In 2019, the ERLC, the Fetzer Institute, and LifeWay Research conducted a study on civility in the public square. The study found that “the single most common adjective” evangelical leaders used to describe the current political discourse was “toxic.” Sadly, not much has changed over the last several years. At the ERLC, we ...
The reproductive medical technology known as in vitro fertilization, or IVF, has been in the news lately because of a crucial decision by the Alabama Supreme Court that clearly affirmed the personhood of human embryos. IVF is the procedure through which a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are harvested and then fertilized outside of the womb. An embryo is created and implanted into the woman’s womb in hopes of leading to a pregnancy. IVF has enabled many couples wrestling with infertility to realize...
Psalm 139:14 says that each life is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God. Out of all of his creation, Genesis tells us that human life alone is made in His image. Because of this truth, we bear a responsibility to help preserve and protect all lives. This is why the work of pregnancy resource centers across the country and abroad is vital. The individuals in these centers commit themselves to the work of proclaiming the dignity of preborn lives, doing all they can to give them a chance at lif...
As part of the ERLC Podcast, we will feature special episodes from the Research team from time to time to help equip you to think deeply about the most pressing questions we face in the public square. As we continue our series on life, the Research team is bringing you a special interview today with Scott Klusendorf, the author of The Case for Life . Scott is a respected pro-life speaker and advocate, best known for his work with the Life Training Institute which prepares Christians to be able t...
We believe it’s clear in God’s Word that his perfect design is for many people to eventually unite as one man and one woman in a lifetime of marriage. That marriage, in many cases, leads to the blessing of children and establishes a family that glorifies God and benefits society. Unfortunately, in a fallen world, reality is messy. Marriage is put off and misunderstood. Families are broken and difficult. Infertility is faced far too often. And children are vulnerable and in need. That’s where ado...
The mission entrusted to the ERLC by the Southern Baptist Convention includes applying Christian principles to moral and social problems and questions of public policy and promoting religious liberty. One of the ways we do this is through our public policy advocacy, both in Washington, D.C., and throughout individual states. Every year, we compile and release a public policy agenda, highlighting the key pieces of federal legislation our staff is watching and working on within our four categories...
God’s Word, from the very beginning, affirms the dignity of all human life. Genesis 1 tells us that at the end of the creation process, “God said, ’Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.' … 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This reveals to us that every person is made in the imago Dei, the image of God. And this means that every life, regardless of age, ability, or any other feature, has infinite value that ca...
Throughout this series, we’ve been seeking biblical answers and practical wisdom to apply to questions of gender and sexuality swirling around in our culture, our churches, and in our hearts. It’s been a joy to explore these issues with you and spur one another on to hold fast to Christ and love our neighbors. On this last episode in our series, we’re going to focus more on pastors and how they can shepherd their people to better understand the biblical sexual ethic and how to apply that to thei...
We began our gender and sexuality series by examining what the Bible teaches us about these important topics. And as we close out this series with two more episodes, we’re going to concentrate on the Church and how pastors and leaders can disciple their members to wrestle with and hold fast to God’s good design for us. Because gender confusion has disproportionately affected younger generations, we’ll spend a lot of time today focusing on discipling those at the forefront this ideological assaul...
On our previous episode about gender and sexuality, we looked at the family and how parents can approach these important topics with their children. Today, we’re turning our attention to an issue that has caused anxiety for some parents: gender and sexuality in schools and how to direct our children as they are confronted with teaching and examples that contradict what the Bible says. As we discuss these important topics, you might have additional questions. We’d love to hear from you. Please e-...
So far in our gender and sexuality series, we’ve learned what the Bible teaches about God’s design, we’ve traced the sexual revolution in our society, and we’ve heard a powerful testimony of honoring God in the midst of a struggle with sexual sin. Today, we’re going to talk about the family. As we discuss these important topics, you might have additional questions. We’d love to hear from you. Please e-mail us at erlcpodcast@erlc.com and let us know how you’re processing this conversation. On thi...
So far in this series, we’ve learned what the Bible teaches about gender and sexuality, how the fall affects our perception of ourselves and God, and what role the sexual revolution played in where we are today as a culture. Today, we will hear an incredible testimony from a man who has learned to honor God with his sexuality. We’re also going to hear how we can respond when someone we love struggles with sexual sin and gender confusion. Joining us on the podcast today for the first time is Chri...
On Oct. 7, we woke up to the news that Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group, launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,400 people in what has been referred to as Israel’s 9/11. In the days following, we have seen the horrendous images, heard the horrifying stories, and learned more about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. To help us understand these events and how we can think clearly about them is Paul D. Miller . Dr. Miller is a professor in the Practice of International Affairs a...
A few weeks ago, we learned that Genesis 1 teaches God created us male and female in his image. Because we’re created, God gets to set the boundaries for our lives. But, the fall and our sin nature affects how we view ourselves and our bodies. We also heard about the sexual revolution and how it feeds us the same lie the serpent did in the garden: Did God really say? Today’s discussion is going to explore the sexual revolution more in depth and how Christians can think about it. You are going to...
Many of our listeners have expressed a desire to better understand the ERLC’s public policy work. September is the perfect time to share about this area of our ministry assignment because it’s an important month in our nation’s Capitol and a busy time for our D.C. team, specifically. Hannah Daniel, our ERLC policy manager who works in our nation’s capital, and our president Brent Leatherwood will break down the what, how, and why of our D.C. advocacy. We would love to hear from you. We want to k...
During this episode, you will hear from expert voices about: What it means to be made in the image of God; God’s good design for all people; How the world was corrupted by the fall in Genesis 3; and How to live out countercultural beliefs about gender and sexuality. The ERLC podcast is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. It is produced by Jill Waggoner, Lindsay Nicolet, and Elizabeth Bristow. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by M...
We’ve been working behind the scenes and are excited to announce an all new ERLC Podcast. While the format is new, our goal for the podcast remains the same. The ERLC seeks to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. We’ve been listening to you to better understand the questions you’re facing and how the ERLC can help on matters related to marriage and family, life, religious liberty, and human dignity. On this updated format of the ERLC Podcast, we want to give you brief, inform...
On this episode of the ERLC Podcast, Brent Leatherwood invites you to take our quick podcast survey as we prepare for a new ERLC Podcast. Take the survey here . Connect with us on Twitter @ERLC @LeatherwoodTN @LindsNicolet Sponsors Racial unity | If we, as Southern Baptists, can be willing to listen and have good conversations about race, we will see fruit that will draw us closer together. That's why we believe that A Conversation with Pastor Jon Nelson will be a helpful resource for you and yo...
On this episode, Lindsay Nicolet gives an important update about exciting things coming for the ERLC Podcast. Connect with us on Twitter @ERLC @LeatherwoodTN @LindsNicolet Sponsors Racial unity | If we, as Southern Baptists, can be willing to listen and have good conversations about race, we will see fruit that will draw us closer together. That's why we believe that A Conversation with Pastor Jon Nelson will be a helpful resource for you and your congregation. Watch this NEW video at ERLC.com/r...
On this episode, Lindsay Nicolets talks with Palmer Williams about her work at the ERLC, the realities of politics, and future Supreme Court rulings. They also discuss Palmer’s hopes for the SBC. Connect with us on Twitter @ERLC @LeatherwoodTN @LindsNicolet Sponsors Racial unity | If we, as Southern Baptists, can be willing to listen and have good conversations about race, we will see fruit that will draw us closer together. That's why we believe that A Conversation with Pastor Jon Nelson will b...
On this episode, Lindsay Nicolet talks with Hannah Daniel about the Tennessee governor’s Order of Protection proposal. They also discuss several important Supreme Court developments including the religious postal worker case and the abortion pill Content Te nnessean : SBC public policy president, a Covenant parent, backs Lee's gun law proposal Explainer: Tennessee governor’s Order of Protection proposal Groff v. DeJoy: Religious postal worker case Rundown of oral arguments Abortion pill at the S...
On this episode, Lindsay Nicolet talks with Hannah Daniel about the importance of the Supreme Court in today’s society. They also discuss what’s new with the rapidly moving abortion pill case. Content The abortion pill case Explainer: How a case makes it the Supreme Court Explainer: What you should know about Supreme Court decisions Connect with us on Twitter @ERLC @LeatherwoodTN @LindsNicolet @hannahedaniel Sponsors Racial unity | If we, as Southern Baptists, can be willing to listen and have g...
On this episode, Lindsay Nicolets talks with Hannah Daniel about Supreme Court opinions she’s anticipating this summer and what implications they will have for free speech and religious liberty. Related content 303 Creative : Explainer Groff v. Dejoy The “Lemon Test” Nathan Finn with 3 reasons Baptists should hold to religious liberty for all Connect with us on Twitter @ERLC @LeatherwoodTN @LindsNicolet @hannahedaniel...
In this episode, Lindsay talks with Dana Hall McCain about her career as a writer, the intersection of faith and public policy, and how Christians can contribute to a healthy public square. They also discuss social media, pro-life issues, and what’s important for Southern Baptists in this particular culture. ERLC Content Evan Lenow with How parents can engage local public schools: 4 ways to build healthy relationships and care for your children Policy staff with Explainer: Title IX expanded to i...
On this episode, we'll hear the installation address of President F. Brent Leatherwood. In his message, he shared his gratitude for this stewardship, his hope for the SBC, and his vision for the ERLC. Connect with us on Twitter @ERLC @LeatherwoodTN @LindsNicolet Sponsors Racial unity | If we, as Southern Baptists, can be willing to listen and have good conversations about race, we will see fruit that will draw us closer together. That's why we believe that A Conversation with Pastor Jon Nelson w...
