When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? When did those who have yet to hire multiple Black or brown faculty at their seminaries assume ethical authority on the subject
With Joe Biden replacing Donald Trump as president, and with vaccines eventually expected to ease the threat of COVID-19, the challenges for faith leaders in 2021 will shift. Here’s a look at some important storylines to keep an eye on in the coming year for
Ralph West, founder of the Church Without Walls, is the latest to criticize six Southern Baptist seminary presidents who said Critical Race Theory was incompatible with their faith.
J. Alfred Smith Sr. is not happy with the six Southern Baptist Convention presidents, who recently issued a declaration against Critical Race Theory. Read full piece
Anthea Butler writes that when White evangelicals ignore race as the motivating issue, she doubts their witness. Their handwringing, the self-abnegation, is meant to assuage their own discomfort, rather than the discomfort, violence, and continual distress of Black people in America.
The president of the National African American Fellowship told Baptist Press the SBC seminary presidents’ statement created concerns among African American pastors.
At a recent annual meeting, seminary presidents in the Southern Baptist Convention reasserted the SBC’s dismissal of Critical Race Theory. Jim Wallis argues that opposing CRT as bad sociology is bad theology.
Last week’s statement from the presidents of six SBC seminaries opposing critical race theory isn’t good for the denomination. I don’t think they understand how problematic it is to have six White men meeting to discuss race without having anyone of color in the room
At this point, it is clear this is who the SBC is. The SBC remains committed to the very racism and hatred that instigated its founding. Read full piece
Whether things that emerge from outside the church can be put into service for the work of the gospel is a perennial question in Christian history. Read full piece