Despite calls from some members for a harsh condemnation of critical race theory, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution on racial reconciliation that was more broad and general.
The resolutions committee’s statement “on the sufficiency of scripture for race and racial reconciliation” says Southern Baptists “reject any theory or worldview that finds the ultimate identity of human beings in ethnicity or in any other group dynamic.”
The Rev. James Merritt, chairman of the resolutions committee, made a direct appeal for the 15,680 messengers to not focus on critical race theory.
“If some people were as passionate about the gospel as they are about critical race theory, we’d win this world to Christ tomorrow,” Merritt said.
“I didn’t find CRT in the Bible,” Merritt said. “Wait, I did. It’s Christ Returns Triumphantly.”
The resolution emphasizes the need to focus on the Bible, he said.
“We reject any theory that goes against the worldview that our problem is anything other sin and the solution is anything other than salvation,” Merritt said.
“There is a world watching out there,” he said.
“It doesn’t take a lot of effort to blow up a bridge. One stick of dynamite will do it. To build a bridge, it takes hard work.”
Kevin Apperson, a messenger from North Las Vegas Baptist Church, had approached a microphone and called the resolution on racial reconciliation “vague” and “nebulous,” and argued for a direct critique of critical race theory. He said the resolution “never has the courage to call it by its name” while making indirect reference to critical race theory.
“If we do not have the courage to call a skunk a skunk, let’s not say anything,” Apperson said.
At the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, the last time the denomination met, they passed a statement on critical race theory that did not condemn it but said such theories of systemic racism must never supersede the gospel.
Here is the statement that passed on Tuesday:
RESOLUTION 2: ON THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE FOR RACE AND RACIAL RECONCILIATION
WHEREAS, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17); and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states, “All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy” (Article I); and
WHEREAS, “God created man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27); and
WHEREAS, “From one man [God] has made every nationality to live over the whole earth” (Acts 17:26); and
WHEREAS, In his prophetic vision John saw “a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-10); and
WHEREAS, “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned”
(Romans 5:12); and
WHEREAS, “Through faith [we] are all sons of God in Christ Jesus … There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you
are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28); and
WHEREAS, “God … has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18); and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states, “Christians should oppose racism” (Article XV); now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, June 15–16, 2021, affirm the
sufficiency of Scripture on race and racial reconciliation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our agreement with historic, biblically-faithful Southern Baptist condemnations of racism in all forms; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That we reject any theory or worldview that finds the ultimate identity of human beings in ethnicity or in any other group
dynamic; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reject any theory or worldview that sees the primary problem of humanity as anything other than sin against God and
the ultimate solution as anything other than redemption found only in Christ; and be it further
RESOLVED, We, therefore, reject any theory or worldview that denies that racism, oppression, or discrimination is rooted, ultimately, in
anything other than sin; and be it further
RESOLVED, That, understanding we live in a fallen world, we reaffirm the 1995 Resolution On Racial Reconciliation On The 150th
Anniversary Of The Southern Baptist Convention, which includes, “That we apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and/or
perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime; and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether
consciously (Psalm 19:13) or unconsciously (Leviticus 4:27),” applying this disposition to every instance of racism; and be it finally
RESOLVED, We affirm that our reconciliation in Christ gives us the opportunity and responsibility to pursue reconciliation with others so
that we can display and share the hope of the gospel with the world.
"direct" - Google News
June 16, 2021 at 05:15AM
https://ift.tt/35nkIly
Southern Baptists sidestep direct attack on critical race theory - AL.com
"direct" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2zVRL3T
https://ift.tt/2VUOqKG
Direct
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Southern Baptists sidestep direct attack on critical race theory - AL.com"
Post a Comment