Current Theme | March 2025

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Conundrum

What is the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission? What role does it play in the Southern Baptist Convention? And what can the ERLC do to regain the trust of Southern Baptists? These were some of the questions that came out of the SBC’s 2024 annual meeting. Seeking answers to those questions, Christ Over All will offer biblical, historical, and practical reflections on how Christians, and specifically Baptists, have and should engage the public square. We hope this month initiates a serious discussion about the ERLC and its ministry in the SBC and beyond. While this month focuses on our convention, all are welcome to think practically with us about our public ethics and political engagement.

What Do We Do with the ERLC? An Open Letter to Southern Baptists

By David Schrock • Longform Essay • March 3
The Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the SBC needs to provide clear answers to the pressing questions their convention is asking.

4.10 David Schrock • Reading • “What Do We Do with the ERLC? An Open Letter to Southern Baptists”

By David Schrock • Longform Reading • March 3
The Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the SBC needs to provide clear answers to the pressing questions their convention is asking.

February Intermission: From the Doctrine of Sin to the ERLC

By David Schrock • Concise Article • March 5
Join us in March as we turn from February's discussion of the doctrine of sin and focus our attention on the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission.

Whither the ERLC (or ePP*C*)?

By Mark Coppenger • Concise Article • March 7
They are called the Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission. But is that what they do?

A Century-long Look at the Southern Baptist Commissions on Ethics (Part 1)

By Tom J. Nettles • Longform Essay • March 10
Before the ERLC was named the ERLC, what were the major cultural issues that it addressed from the early 1900s to the 1960s?

4.11 Tom J. Nettles, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Interview • “A Century-long Look at the Southern Baptist Commissions on Ethics”

By Tom J. Nettles, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Interview • March 10
Listen in as David Shrock and Stephen Wellum interview Tom J. Nettles on his Christ Over All essay: “A Century-long Look at the Southern Baptist Commissions on Ethics"

The Gospel’s Irreducibly Political Message

By Levi Secord • Concise Article • March 14
Christians must reject the so-called "secular/sacred" divide, embracing Christ's—the King of kings—authority over all of life.

A Century-long Look at the Southern Baptist Commissions on Ethics (Part 2)

By Tom J. Nettles • Longform Essay • March 17
This essay chronicles the last fifty plus years of the ERLC from the 1970s onward, with a particular focus on the leadership of Richard Land, Russell Moore, and Brent Leatherwood.

4.12 Tom J. Nettles • Reading • “A Century-long Look at the Southern Baptist Commissions on Ethics”

By Tom J. Nettles • Longform Reading • March 17
Listen to a combined reading of parts 1 and 2 of Tom J. Nettles' longform essay on the antecedents and history of the ERLC.

Transparency, Trust, and the Great Commission: It’s Time to Open the Books of the ERLC (and SBC)

By Rhett Burns • Concise Article • March 18
If the ERLC and other executives and entities report to SBC churches and not vise-versa, why can't the convention fully access the financials?

Table of Contents

Upcoming

Transparency and the Finances of the ERLC and SBC

By Rhett Burns • Concise Article

Evangelism, Islam, Border Security, and National Identity

By Alex Kocman • Concise Article

A Biblical-Theological Case for Christian Lobbyists

By Levi Secord • Concise Article

Women on the Church’s Leadership Team?

By Doug Ponder • Concise Article

What Religious Liberty Requires

By Michael Carlino • Concise Article