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  Editorial: Remembering James Dunn, who said he changed my diapers

  Fireworks flashed a little less brightly and boomed a little less loudly this Fourth of July. Earlier that day, James Dunn left America for heaven. Our republic is a little less free and a smidge less strong for his passing.

  07/08/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Changing culture, a drama in three acts

  The stunning rapidity of American society’s shift toward homosexual rights—embodied particularly in the Supreme Court’s affirmation of same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges—sets the stage for a drama in three acts.

  07/03/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial for the Fourth: To restore America, humbly seek the greater good

  Our nation celebrates its 239th birthday this week. Wave your tiny flag if you perceive the pow has gone out of the firecrackers and believe the boom has gone out of the bottlerockets. Something is wrong with America, and just about everybody senses it.

  06/27/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Same-sex marriage—church divided, but liberty protected

  Same-sex marriage is the law of the land. Outcries to the contrary, the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision did not herald the demise of religious liberty in America.

  06/26/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: A quarter-century after the SBC holy war

  This past week marked the 25th anniversary of the final battle in the Southern Baptist holy war. The former combatants noted the occasion appropriately: They got on with current business.

  06/18/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Juneteenth—celebration & metaphor

  Texans will mark a vital—although historically embarrassing—milestone this week. We’ll celebrate the 150th anniversary of the freedom of Texas slaves.

  06/12/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Kill the death penalty

  Nebraska became the 19th state—and the first conservative state in 40 years—to eliminate the death penalty. Texas—long the leader in executing criminals—should follow suit.

  06/05/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Irish gays, U.S. religion & the future of faith

  One the surface, Ireland’s vote to legalize same-sex marriage and the Pew Research Center’s recent survey of American religion may not have much in common. But together, they describe the church’s enormous challenge confronting secular culture.

  05/29/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Religious landscape isn’t as bleak as the numbers appear

  The latest paint-by-numbers picture of the Texas religious landscape looks similar to, but subtly different than, the national mural. What you see in them depends upon how you look at them.

  05/21/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: The BGCT’s divide—not what you think

  Serving on and working for the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Executive Board always has been challenging. It’s getting harder year-by-year.

  05/15/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Church involvement; how much is enough?

  How much of themselves should laypeople give to their church? This is more than an idle question. The answer will determine whether U.S. Christianity attempts to fulfill the Great Commission or declines into obscurity.

  05/08/2015 - By John Rutledge

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  Editorial: Race, class, equal opportunity & the church’s job

  Baltimore rarely crosses Texans’ consciousness, except when the Orioles or the Ravens play our ball teams. But it’s been on our minds lately.

  05/01/2015 - By John Rutledge