Jonathan Merritt and Al Mohler: Have Southern Baptists Lied About Homosexuality? by Peter Lumpkins

    I recently published a piece on Jonathan Merritt’s provocative strategy for reaching the gay community entitled “Jonathan Merritt, Evangelicalism, and God’s New Game Plan for Reaching Gays.” From all appearances, it seems Merritt’s views on social ethics edge farther and farther away from his biblically conservative father, James Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church, Duluth, Georgia, a church where Jonathan himself is on staff as college/singles minister...>>>

One of my chief complaints in the piece I published had to do with Merritt’s bold affirmation that Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, Al Mohler essentially agreed with Merritt's new game plan to reach gays by flat-lining all sin and consequently toning down the rhetoric against homosexuality, as if homosexual practice is no better or worse than say, gossip or lying—sins Merritt dubs as evangelicalism's “respectable sins.” In Merritt’s own words, while “Homosexual practice is sin according to scripture,” it is also true that “gossip, lying, pride, most divorces and the many other "respectable sins" that run rampant in our church hallways” are sins as well. The obvious implication is, if we allow those “respectable sins” to “run rampant” in our churches, why do we so judgmentally pronounce homosexuality as wicked while giving ourselves a free pass, so to speak?

It was at this juncture Merritt appealed to Al Mohler’s words as essentially in agreement with his position, words I could not find in my own pillaging around the net (more on that below). Merritt claims Al Mohler bluntly said:

“We’ve lied about the nature of homosexuality and have practiced what can only be described as a form of homophobia,” Mohler says. “We’ve used the ‘choice’ language when it is clear that sexual orientation is a deep inner struggle and not merely a matter of choice” (//link)

Presumably Mohler is allegedly referring to evangelicalism in general but, for our purposes, that he is surely referring to Southern Baptists in particular cannot be reasonably disputed. Hence, Southern Baptists, under whose authority Al Mohler remains, are entitled to an explanation of his alleged words. 

Though I was emphatic in my original post, I need to be clear once again: I do not believe Al Mohler said either evangelicals generally or Southern Baptists particularly have “lied about the nature of homosexuality” and have practiced “homophobia” apart from serious qualifications, qualifications so serious, in fact, as to moot any legitimate use Jonathan Merritt could have gleaned from their use without contorting the original usage.

Complicating matters is Jonathan Merritt’s defense in using Al Mohler’s words. Merritt offered a “clarification” on this site. Defending his use of the Mohler quote, he writes:

“…Dr. Mohler's quote was from an interview I conducted with him personally. He and I have corresponded since the piece was published, and while he was not in full agreement with the angle of the piece, he did not mention that his quote was taken out of context” (//link, embolden mine)

According to Merritt, he conducted an interview with Al Mohler, an interview which stood as the basis of his quotations. Obviously, that’s why I could not find Mohler’s quotation on the net. I queried Jonathan about the possibility of a copy of the Mohler interview upon which he offered a curious reply: “If I desired to spend my time jumping through others hoops, I'd join the circus” (//link). Jonathan then strangely informs me that providing context for the quotes he publicized from Mohler was and remains entirely unnecessary.

Pardon me, Jonathan. 

But you, my young brother, have placed Dr. Mohler in a precarious conundrum. Nor do I think you grasp the weight of it. Al Mohler is now on public record saying, evangelicals—Southern Baptists—have lied about the nature of homosexuality. Evangelicals—Southern Baptists—openly practice homophobia. Evangelicals—Southern Baptists—have exploited “choice” language to wrongly denigrate homosexuals when they have known all along sexual orientation is not merely a matter of choice. 

A precarious conundrum indeed.

Somebody better start explaining.

If Jonathan Merritt refuses to offer the context, then so far as I am concerned  Dr. Mohler is obliged to offer it to Southern Baptists.

This is not going away.

Nor would I be surprised if this issue makes it to the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention if it is not addressed before June.

With that, I am…

Peter

Comments

[Bill]

This is the second time Jonathan Merritt has been in the news for making questionable statements. Do you remember a few years ago when he tried to lead the SBC in a more environmentally friendly direction? I remembering him saying then that not caring for Creation was like tearing a page out of the Bible. I think the bigger issue here is him having a well-connected father which has given him access in SBC life that he is not prepared for.

Bill

[Christiane]

If it IS true that Mohler made that statement, then I should be very surprised, as it would out of character and inconsistent with his many other statements.

I think it would take a very profound event to get Mohler to even re-think his position on the issue . . . or maybe he has taken to reading the Patristic Fathers, some of whom speak to the judgmental qualities of those who seek to change the wrong behaviors of others:
This sort of writing as seen from St. Ambrose does tend to give pause:

"For he who endeavours to amend the faults of human weakness ought to bear this very weakness on his own shoulders, let it weigh upon himself, not cast it off. For we read that the Shepherd in the Gospel Luke 15:5 carried the weary sheep, and did not cast it off. And Solomon says: "Be not overmuch righteous;" Ecclesiastes 7:17 for restraint should temper righteousness. For how shall he offer himself to you for healing whom you despise, who thinks that he will be an object of contempt, not of compassion, to his physician?

Therefore had the Lord Jesus compassion upon us in order to call us to Himself, not frighten us away. He came in meekness, He came in humility, and so He said: "Come unto Me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you." (Matthew 11:28) So, then, the Lord Jesus refreshes, and does not shut out nor cast off, and fitly chose such disciples as should be interpreters of the Lord's will, as should gather together and not drive away the people of God. Whence it is clear that they are not to be counted among the disciples of Christ, who think that harsh and proud opinions should be followed rather than such as are gentle and meek; persons who, while they themselves seek God's mercy, deny it to others"

[James]

Jonathan is a problem and an embarrassment for Cross Pointe. He needs to go off and make his own name and quit riding on his father's coattails. 90% of the membership of CP are against his views on homosexuality, and myself and about 400 others will leave immediately, if he is made teaching pastor or God forbid, take over for his father down the road, we will leave and CP will cease to be a viable Southern Baptist Church.

[Tim Rogers]

Brother Bill,

Not disputing what you are saying because I believe you are correct Merritt said that page out of the Bible statement. However, he was quoting a professor at SEBTS that he took Systematic Theology under that made the statement in class.

Blessings,
Tim

[peter lumpkins]

James,

I feel for your church. And, I do hope the problem can be resolved. May the Lord bless CP with guidance and gracious ability to see things through.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Heartbroken for the suffering]

My heart is very heavy at reading this and reading Merritt's piece. The Word of God IS sharper than any two-edged sword. It convicts. The truth hurts, but it should be painful for both those who deliver the truth and those who hear the truth--if indeed we are moved by compassion for those who seemed trapped in sin by their own choice or predisposition (and this is something Mohler explained in several columns at various points throughout his ministry).

Better to deliver/hear the truth and experience a moment of pain than a lifetime of misery that the sin of homosexuality or any sexual sin -- or other sin, delivers. We are called to be salt (which stings) and light. Not just light. Our churches must preach the Word unhindered by any popular "strategies" that underexpose the harsh truth.

[Heartbroken for the suffering]

Let me add this. In reading the original article, Merritt claims people will change their stand on this because they know/accept/have family members who are gay. I have friends, colleagues, family members and finally, a child who said they were gay. With the child, who also said they were a Christian, ironically, I gave them a file folder some years ago with pieces by Mohler and others. I told them while I would always love them, always welcome them home, I would never accept that they were gay as being God's plan. That family member found deliverance and wonderful support in Exodus Ministries. My views never changed because the issue was so close to me. We cannot change our biblical convictions when family members slip into sin, any more than we can change the unchanging Word of God.

[Chris Gilliam]

Peter,

As a Pastor, I too have helped several see the light of the gospel and the reality of their sin. I concur with "heartbroken", I can love without compromising. This Love does win when really shown and shared.

[peter lumpkins]

Chris,

I too concur with 'heartbroken' and believe we love when we do not necessarily compromise.

Blessings.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Casey]

I'm not sure Jonathan under his supposedly 'conservative' dad, James, is that, conservative. At Snellville, James knew of drinking(alcohol) SS teachers, deacons and leaders and DID NOTHING about it. He set a pattern to his son of 'not dealing with sin'. Now Jonathan is doing the same thing.....only the subject material has changed.
We need CONSERVATIVE RESURGENCE 2....now, more than ever.

[JND]

So the son is on his father's ministerial staff? Is that good practice?

[peter lumpkins]

Well, not so far as I am concerned. However, CP is an autonomous congregation and may, therefore, call whom they'd wish to serve their church.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Jayne]

Jonathan,

Please remember that we as Christians cannot be "lukewarm", we cannot serve two masters. Either you believe that the word of God is complete and infallible, or you say that some parts are out of date...that destroys your witness. I believe that every word of the Bible (God's Holy word) is truth for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Remember Revelation 22:18,19-

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

Jonathan, as your sister in Christ I plead with you to retract the words that are not from God's word, and instead sow love by a humble and repentant spirit in order to bring Glory to God, because we as Christians make mistakes.

Jayne