Bruce Barron

Bruce Barron

Bruce Barron has had a varied career that included investigating the charismatic movement, dominion theology, political campaigning and public policy in the USA. From 2015-2024 he volunteered for the World Evangelical Alliance as a communications aide and was executive editor of the WEA's theological journal from 2018-2024. Among other activities, he directs editorial services for the Society of Christian Scholars. Bruce writes a regular Substack blog, which can be subscribed to here: https://brucebarron.substack.com.

Articles by Bruce Barron

  • Can a European evangelical statement change the world?
    Europe Church & Missions

    Can a European evangelical statement change the world?

    By Bruce Barron

    Few statements from Evangelicals make a wide impact, but the latest from the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) promises to help people everywhere understand who Evangelicals are, contrary to the caricature created from the media's experience of evangelicals in the USA. Here is an introduction to the helpful EEA statement about Evangelicals in public life.

  • Nepal's uncertain but hopeful future
    Asia Church & Missions Religious Freedom

    Nepal's uncertain but hopeful future

    By Bruce Barron

    It is widely understood that Nepal has a rapidly growing Christian population. As it starts to stabilize and mature, the Church in Nepal is seeking official status and protections for their many congregations. The Nepal Christian Grand Trust now provides a pathway for official recognition, while theological, spiritual, and practical leadership development remains an urgent need.

  • Spiritual formation must precede social action
    US & Canada Society & Culture

    Spiritual formation must precede social action

    By Bruce Barron

    If Christians simply act out of a felt need to “do something,” their resulting actions could be unhelpful or even counterproductive, like Simon Peter’s pointless, rash aggression in removing the ear of a servant. Wes Granberg-Michaelson's Soulwork of Justice provides much wisdom for Christian social activists. Lent is a perfect time to contemplate it.

  • A call to debate your enemies, not shoot them
    US & Canada Society & Culture Church & Missions

    A call to debate your enemies, not shoot them

    By Bruce Barron

    Conservatives and liberals in the United States (and increasingly elsewhere in the world) are accusing each other of creating an environment that contributes to political violence. We need to be very careful about making cause-effect connections. However, if we legitimize violence as a way to solve problems, we should not be surprised if others turn to violence also. If we sow the wind, we should not be surprised about reaping the whirlwind.

  • Is medical assistance to die really compassionate?
    US & Canada Society & Culture Bible & Theology

    Is medical assistance to die really compassionate?

    By Bruce Barron

    Compassion is unquestionably a Christian virtue. But sometimes, good words like compassion get hijacked by not-so-good ideas—euthanasia is a case in point. "Medical assistance in dying" is becoming increasingly accepted in the Western world under the guise of compassion (and other euphemisms) informed by radical ideologies of individual autonomy. Followers of Jesus have a very different perspective.