As Southern Baptists Gather, Right-Wing Faction Sounds Alarms

 Southern Baptists filled a cavernous hotel ballroom Sunday to hear a warning: Don't cooperate or compromise with the Devil. And this week, as their huge denomination gathers for its annual meeting and to elect a new president, the urgent warning was aimed at their fellow Southern Baptists. "You don't advance the kingdom of God by lining up with the kingdom of Satan," John MacArthur, a dean of conservative evangelical preaching, told the audience, referring to issues including the role of women and addressing racism. "You will never advance the kingdom of God by being popular with the world. If you think you will, you're doing the Devil's work. How can you negotiate with people who hate Christ, hate God, hate the Bible and hate the Gospel?"