Is Racism embedded all over the Southern Baptist Convention?

I've been trying to stay away from denominational politics. Honest! At times, however, it's impossible to stay on the wagon. Indeed as my good friend, Chris Gilliam, indicated in the Facebook thread (see below), one gets tired of the simplistic rhetoric. 

Below is a brief commentary I pecked out on my cell phone in response to an article detailing Russell Moore's indictment of widespread racism allegedly embedded within the Southern Baptist Convention. A Facebook friend asked me to post it on my blog so he could point his friends to the commentary. Except for a few links I provided, the commentary stands unedited as it is written on my Facebook page.¹

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Recently Southern Baptist churches got another tongue lashing by the president of our ERLC for fostering racism in our ranks. Dr. Moore indicated to his audience at Southeastern seminary that Southern Baptists are just too White, and many of the seminarians were informed they would face persecution by mean and cantankerous racist church folk who opposed anyone (especially Blacks) joining their church who was not White.

I've been pastoring since 1981. While I've dealt with racist remarks and notions from several individuals through the years, I've encountered nothing coming close to what Moore suggests is embedded all through our convention. My question is, just how many grassroots churches has Moore been in since he became president of ERLC? Or, even when he was professor at Southern for that matter? I'd bet a week's worth of Starbucks it could be counted by fingers on one hand. I get the distinct impression many of our leaders have become similar to Washington politicians who couldn't tell you the price of a gallon of milk. They have no real connection with what's going on in the real world. They're all about abstract, theory, and ideology cold as steel.

Moore seems to think Southern Baptist churches are too White. For argument's sake, let's grant him to be correct.

Consider, however, if Moore personally lives up to his own ideal. If you click on the ERLC website and scan the staff most of whom Moore hired after becoming President, what you'll find is that the overwhelming majority of the ERLC staff are young, White males. Ethnic Diversity is all but absent.

Consider further the faculty of the very seminary to which Moore was speaking (Southeastern). It too is almost exclusively White male.²

Finally, consider Southern seminary's faculty where Moore taught before becoming President of the ERLC. It too is almost exclusively White male.³

Those three Southern Baptist institutions where Moore's influence remains considerable all should be in Moore's sights as deplorable examples of the ethnic diversity he insists is absent from Southern Baptist churches. Instead he slams churches.

What is more, since churches depend on voluntary attendance, churches have no control on ethnic diversity in its membership. In short, many factors control whether churches become ethnically diverse, factors including worship style, music choice, demographics, preaching, etc.⁴

Contrarily, not one single obstacle prohibits either an educational institution or an entity like the ERLC from becoming broadly ethnically diverse EXCEPT THE LEADERS WHO DO THE HIRING.

Here's the reality: if Dr. Moore thought Ethnic Diversity was so important, why did he hire virtually all young, White males when he was absolutely free to create an entirely new staff broadly ethnically diverse?⁵

 

¹I also added a few explanatory footnotes

²Russell Moore is also listed as Adjunct Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern, a school hardly displaying the ethnic diversity for which Moore indicts Southern Baptist churches.

³After being commissioned as President of the ERLC, Dr. Moore remains at Southern seminary as Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics. Nonetheless, as one may observe, Southern remains virtually White. Or, said another way, Moore ignores the absence of Ethnic Diversity at his employer while scolding churches for what he sees as lack of Ethnic Diversity.

⁴Serving for several years as Senior Pastor of a church in an increasingly ethnically transitional area of metropolitan Atlanta, I can speak first-hand of the excruciatingly difficult task churches and pastors face in successfully making ethnic transitions work. Rarely do churches simplistically decide to become ethnically diverse, a decision Moore implies is about all that's involved for churches to become ethnically diverse. Rather they must commit to being so, a visionary commitment which begins afresh each and every day, year in and year out by a leadership who themselves have "seen the light" and remain unapologetically committed to "sharing the light."   It's a comprehensive paradigm shift if you will, a shift which can neither be hurried along by sound-bite, condemnatory rhetoric like Moore employs nor by do-nothing organizations that preach diversity but practically dance to the tune of another--ethnic homogeneity. To the puzzlement of my ministry comrades, I recall once ordering several sermon series via video by T.D. Jakes. Albeit Jakes' theological affinity with historic Modalism, I was not interested in his theology. Instead I wanted to analyze his amazing rhetorical presentations (i.e. his preaching style) in order to learn, if I could, insight into African-American congregational expectations. In short, I hoped to better communicate to the overwhelming diversity we faced in our community. At the time, we had a private Christian academy--a thousand students strong--an academy the demographic make-up of which was from 2/3 to 3/4 minority children. And, I can tell you this: the cheap rhetorical shots concerning the racial make-up of Southern Baptist churches presently fired from Moore and the ERLC would have turned me off as much then as now. We were in the trenches...doing transitions...dealing with the extraordinary difficulties...solving problems every church faces who see themselves as a church of all nations. Office-chair rhetoric or cleverly spun soundbites marketed to culture and media offer nothing substantial to assist in eradicating racist tendencies of any form. Even so, with interest we continue listening as many SBC leaders passionately implore us to be gentle, kind, and sympathetic to illegal immigrants on one hand and homosexuals on the other. After all, homosexuality cannot be switched off and on like a typical light bulb. Let's be patient and loving, they demand. Then, they turn around and imply racial notions and resistance to racial diversity most certainly can be turned on and off like typical light bulbs, and those who don't stand condemned by God. No patience. No love. Just condemnation. SIDENOTE: Why is it many of our SBC leaders reserve only the harshest, insulting contempt for Southern Baptists while giving culture a free pass so to speak? They come across as if they represent Jesus, and we are the scribes and Pharisees. As I've indicated elsewhere, it's a confusing time to be a Southern Baptist.         

⁵The difficulty I perceive in this is, Dr. Moore's tunnel-vision apparently inhibits him from understanding the raw moral duplicity in working for at least three Southern Baptist organizations that self-consciously and deliberately neither display nor practice virtually any Ethnic Diversity on the one hand, but then publicly slapping Southern Baptist churches on the other for their supposed lack of Ethnic Diversity. The truth is, Dr. Moore had the perfect opportunity--not to mention undeniable authority-- to stack the ERLC with an ethnically diverse rainbow of credible scholars when he became president. Instead he chose to bring in his closest acquaintances from Southern seminary and The Gospel Coalition almost all of whom are young, White males. I'm sorry. The way I see it, Moore fairly well forfeited any moral power he possessed in convincingly criticizing the racial make-up of Southern Baptist churches when he single-handedly hired an ERLC cabinet which, in essence, looks exactly like him. In short, Dr. Moore's rhetoric and practice appear in every way a significant part of the very problem he condemns in others. 

Comments

[JND]

"Southern Baptists are just too white"

Hey! I'm just like Lady Gaga. I was born that way.

[Mary]

I thought there were no African Americans in positions of authority in the SBC because AA tend to not be Calvinists. Now Moore admits that he, Mohler, and the other leaders are really just racists. It's good that Moore is recognizing this shameful sin in his life.

[Scott Shaver]

Moore obviously spent little time as a Southern Baptist pastor. If so, I don't think he ever really understood them or appreciated them. I've read this guy calling out everybody from his childhood
Sunday school teacher to Donald Trump for "racism".

Even with his pedigree I don't think Russell Moore actually knows the difference between a racist and a rabbit.

He thinks the seed bed of racism lies withi the churches he represents? Why does he hesitate to resign and hook up with the Christian denomination on the planet he thinks is doing a better job in this area. He doesn't show much confidence in the power of Christ who resides in the hearts of those he so casually chastises for their "racism".

Deal with your own guilt, Russell, and spare those of us who dropped that bag of bricks at the feet of Jesus...DECADES AGO.

You would think a person of his "caliber" and profile would see the spiritual wisdom in growing up.

[Scott Shaver]

If anyone has visited the campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville lately, can u tell us whether or not Boyce and Broadus are still adorning the halls and memorials?

If so, don't need a word from either Moore or Mohler on racism. Not after some of their public grandstanding on the issue. This is political, not spiritual.

[Scott Shaver]

They can't control "the religious right" with the tired rhetoric any longer so they can't keep their popularity with GOP handlers in Washington.

Divide Christians along red herring religosocial possible in hopes of affecting a vote is a desperate move.

Wonder why?

[Rick Patrick]

Richard Land spoke truths believed by Southern Baptists to the culture. Russell Moore speaks truths believed by the culture to Southern Baptists. I find this reversal in mission annoying. No matter the topic—prolonging white guilt, attacking the Republican front-runner, denouncing homosexual reparative therapy, or urging Roy Moore to resign rather than resist—Moore is less interested in changing the world and more interested in changing Southern Baptists. How do we place term limits on the ERLC President?

[Scott Shaver]

Seems best way to impose term limits are public rebuttals of his egocentric views by those he claims to represent.

[Lydia]

About 10 years ago, Moore's big message was that comps are wimps and we need more Patriarchy. I double dog dare him to go national with that one using his ERLC position.

the guy is going for low hanging fruit to win friends in the right places and get his name in the media.

Again, I challenge him to use his position to publicly rebuke the SBC about their comps really being wimps and that the SBC needs more patriarchy. Come on, Moore. Have you changed your mind? Or do your principles change according to the platform and audience? IOW, Moore is not a principled ideologue on doctrine. He is an opportunist.

Russ Moore: Let's see how popular you would be with the establishment hawking your Patriarchy position. (wink)

[Lydia]

"If anyone has visited the campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville lately, can u tell us whether or not Boyce and Broadus are still adorning the halls and memorials?"

Exactly. Isn't that sort of like having diversity repellent all over campus? Have Moore's principles changed from his days as Dean at SBTS but having no problem working in a place that promoted pro chattel slavers as "great men of God"? NOW he complains about the lack of diversity in the SBC? Why wasn't he concerned about this during his time at SBTS?

Is this one of those: "Just ignore the obvious", situations? Yes, it is.

[Lydia]

Not sure where Moore has been but things seem to have changed. Perhaps that came with promoting the SBC "Founders" pro chattel slavers as "great men of God"?

My SBC SS teacher at age 6 was an African American women. No one gave it a second thought. That sort of thing was no big deal back then as we did not have quotas-- we had relationships.

[Mary]

What's really funny is that over at Pravda they're having a discussion about David Barton and 'Murica not being exceptional because - racism. 'Murica evil and this and that. But these same fools are the ones who will give a pass to the SBC Founders as men of their time. That whole racism card gets played selectively by those white men who pass themselves off as superior like Moore. What I've found is that men like Moore and those white people screaming racism the loudest tend to be people who start their conversations about race "I once knew a black man." For those of us who actually lived/live in "ethnicaly diverse" neighborhoods you can tell these guys have no clue about real racism or matters regarding race. It's all just ivory tower nonsense that they read about.

[Lydia]

Mary, I was thinking similar but thought perhaps they were raised to see AA's as inferior so think everyone else was, too. I remember over at Pravda on this subject being told that all white people are racist even if they don't know it. This fits with the Neo Cal view of total depravity/inability and bragging about being horrible sinners. They see thus as piety. They have no volition to change. And if God does not force the change, what can be done but admit you are a racist?

As to Moore, I think he is just a hypocritical opportunist considering his stint at the pro Founders SBTS az Dean. Has he denounced Boyce yet from his ERLC platform? Or the SBC embracing Boyce to the point of naming a college after him as recently as ths 1990's?

As to the more indoctrinated followers of that movement, I think they buy into the premise because they are all about bragging about their sinner status instead of striving to live out the kingdom here and now.

A project I am working on now has an AA lead. It did not even occur to me until I read your comment. I think a focus on skin color instead of the individual IS racist.

[hariette]

To Rick Patrick: "Richard Land spoke truths believed by Southern Baptists to the culture. Russell Moore speaks truths believed by the culture to Southern Baptists. ...Moore is less interested in changing the world and more interested in changing Southern Baptists. How do we place term limits on the ERLC President?"
AMEN. How do we change this? selahV

[Scott Shaver]

"White Guilt"?

I don't HAVE ANY, my ancestors fought for the North.

And even if they didn't, I have no retroactive influence or responsibility for "the sins of the fathers". Moore can kiss-up to the culture and stay ahead of the political correctness curve to his heart's content. But he doesn't have to impugn the rest of SBs while pursuing his personal pipe-dreams and political interests.

Cultural appeasement seems to be His game, especially race-baiting in the SBC. Al Sharpton would be proud.

[Alex Guggenheim]

The body of Christ is a spiritual construct. It's DNA is found only in his children, those belonging to Christ via "the new birth". Paul is emphatic, we are a new spiritual species. Thus, our doctrine (thinking) and culture in this construct, the ecclesiastical construct of the body of Christ, is not humanism, it is Christ.

And Christ reveals that, diversity in the body of Christ (and be sure Paul addresses diversity) is that of what differentiates us via spiritual gifts.

There no longer is Greek nor Jew. That is, we no longer do a census in the body of Christ based on anthropological properties (race, ethnicity and so on) but spiritually, of those saved and unsaved.

Russell Moore, along with The Gospel Coalition and the co-opted SBC leadership, have bought into the tenets of the Humanist Manifestos which all teach that religion is to promote the brotherhood of man.

The church is not for that. It is to teach the adoption of man by God through faith in Christ and the fellowship of the saints.

It is Moore and company's wrongful elevation of racial, ethnic and cultural "censusing" instead of the elevation of Christ and the spiritual transformation thus, unity, of all saints, regardless of their anthropological properties that is leading to exacerbated racial, ethnic, cultural conflicts in the church and not their being subdued by the greater spiritual order of God's children.

Anthropological properties do have relevance but in an anthropological context such as marriage, family or social institutions but not one which is spiritual in its construction.

[Scott Shaver]

Nice Alex.
Have said all along they make the so-called "liberal/moderates" of the CR days look like also-rand in the area of "liberalism"...that's even with the whole codified Pandora's box of "inerrancy" to make sure they don't..."drift" 😜

[Max]

Scott wrote "... Pandora's box of "inerrancy" ..."

It should be obvious to all by now that the "Conservative Resurgence" was really a "Calvinist Resurgence" ... inerrancy may have been the battle cry, but some of the brethren had a different victory in mind. It has proven to be one of the smoothest takeovers in church history; mainline Southern Baptists hardly fired a shot as SBC entities surrendered one by one. New Calvinism has accomplished what SBC's old guard reformed could not ... Calvinization of the largest non-Calvinist denomination in America. It's the darnedest thing I've ever seen!

[Lydia]

Max, a lot of this focus on such popular culture low hanging fruit might be an attempt at image rehab after the national scandals of their ministry partners such as, CJ Mahaney, Driscoll and Chanlder's, "you must stay married to pedophile' discipline. They really are that bold and deceptive.

Who can argue with diversity, they ask? Of course most people reading Moores quotes in the media are not going to see the hypocrisy. They frame the discussion so if one disagrees they can accuse of them being racist. And these are what passes for SBC "scholars".

[Scott Shaver]

These are not scholars....they're actors.

[Max]

Lydia writes "And these are what passes for SBC "scholars"."

New Calvinism's superior intellect has been greatly overrated! Education (I should say indoctrination) does not produce one ounce of revelation. It's the age old battle of intellect vs. Spirit ... following teachings of men vs. being led by the Spirit. This battle of the mind has darn near taken a whole generation of young Southern Baptists. It's great to see the 20s-30s back in church, but sad to see them involved with this. When the New Calvinist masses become disillusioned with the reformed movement, it will be tough getting them to consider church again.