SBC committees move forward on sexual abuse investigations​

This month two SBC committees, the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), held meetings in which they addressed concerns related to sexual abuse.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill titled the “Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021” This bill removes any restrictions for abortion providers and those who seek abortions, and allows for abortions to occur up to the birth of the baby. Additionally, the bill eliminates all pro-life protections at the federal and state level, and also removes states’ ability to legislate on abortion.

Speaker Pelosi is bringing this bill to the House floor as a direct response to the lifesaving Texas Heartbeat bill that went into effect at the beginning of September.

The ERLC is strongly opposed to this bill and any effort to legalize abortion. We will always advocate for life before Congress, the courts, and in the public square. We are working toward a day when abortion is both unnecessary and unthinkable.

From The Public Square

Supreme Court to hear 'direct challenge to Roe v. Wade' on Dec. 1
The Week

On Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear its "most important set of abortion-related oral arguments ... since 1992" in a case that's a "direct challenge to Roe v. Wade," report CNN and HuffPost.

Probe of Southern Baptist sex abuse response moves forward
Associated Press

Appointed by new SBC President Ed Litton, the seven-member task force of pastoral, legal, counseling and advocacy professionals is charged with overseeing an outside firm’s probe of allegations that the Executive Committee mishandled abuse cases, resisted reforms and intimidated victims and advocates.

Texas doctor who defied state's new abortion ban is sued
Associated Press

A San Antonio doctor who said he performed an abortion in defiance of a new Texas law has been sued by two people seeking to test the legality of the state’s near-total ban on the procedure.

Trans rights challenged in Texas' third special legislative session
ABC News

Texas legislators are heading into their third special session Monday with several controversial topics on the agenda, including transgender student participation in sports and gender-affirming health care for trans youth.

What You Need to Read

​Brad Hambrick with What Joseph’s story teaches us about abuse, forgiveness, power differentials, and wisdom

Most Christians are familiar with the story of Joseph in Genesis as a powerful example of forgiveness and restoration. It is that. But it is not a simple, flat story. It is a complex story that spans a lifetime. It involves family drama, multiple betrayals, and political theatre. It is not a story we can apply as simply as Aesop’s fable The Fox and The Grapes. The story of Joseph is no simple children’s story.

Daniel Patterson with How to approach parenting with wisdom, grit, and gospel focus

“Parenting isn’t for wimps.” That’s how Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins open their book, Full Circle Parenting: A Guide for Crucial Conversations. In the chapters that follow, they show you why. But more importantly, they show you how to approach parenting with wisdom, grit, and gospel focus.

Jason Thacker with What online pornography debates teach us about morality and governance

When you build public morality off of carnal desire rather than transcendent principles, you will be left with a system that is not only unable to stand under its own weight but also one that will not produce the type of virtue desired for society. While there may be legitimate debate within the Christian community over the wisdom of government bans, private companies choosing to exclude pornographic content from their platforms is a clear win for public morality and the common good.

This Week at the ERLC

Featured Podcasts

On the ERLC Podcast, Lindsay and Brent recap the SBC Executive Committee trustee meeting, the FDA approval of Pfizer booster, and our newest content on gospel parenting and online governance.

Digital Public Square with Jason Thacker is launching this Monday and will feature weekly episodes on theology, ethics, and philosophy in the public square.