J.D. Greear Statement Response Lauds Critical Race Theory, Affirmative Action in SBC
Southern Baptist president J.D Greear has offered up a response to the progressive resolution JUSTICE, REPENTANCE, AND THE SBC. The only thing you really need to know about it is that the original signatories were Rev. David Bumgardner- that young pastor-wannabe kid who voted for Biden, and Dwight McKissic, a notorious liberal who should have been kicked out of the SBC 20 year ago. The statement offers no resolutions, no arguments, no solutions, and no definition of terms. It is useless and vague, but that’s probably the point.
The whole resolution can be boiled down to these two paragraphs:
Many people deny the existence of systemic injustice (and systemic racism) as a reality. Many who recognize systemic injustices are labeled as “Marxists,” “Liberals,” and “Critical Race Theorists,” even though they are theologically orthodox and believe in the total sufficiency of Scripture…
Further, we stand firmly in opposition to any movement in the SBC that seeks to distract from racial reconciliation through the gospel and that denies the reality of systemic injustice. To deny systemic injustice would be to ignore the effects that sin has on both individuals, societies, and institutions.
Naturally, JD Greear, who might as well have been chugging thirty red bulls a day and dancing in the CRT Klubs all night for how woke he’s become, has some thoughts on the matter. They’re about what you’d expect from someone who never saw a police interaction between white police and a black person that he didn’t pronounce to be racist, and who has essentially become the “Al Sharpton for Evangelicals.”
Greear has three main takeaways:
1. Slavery of the 19th century has left a “long trail of destruction” that is “corrupting our institutions and subtly shaping our perspectives.” He further writes “Wherever we find damage caused by the legacy of sin, we must be committed to pursuing healing and restoration.”
This is to say, no matter how many times you repent of it, it won’t go away. Racism and white supremacy is alive and well in the SBC and is pervasive. It’s what prompted Beth Moore to say that “White Supremacy has held tight in much of the church for so long because the racists outlasted the anti-racists.” Everything is stained by the legacy of sin, and that trail of destruction manifests right now. There is never any escaping it. Think of it as the SBC’s shadow- it’s always there casting shade over every interaction between the races.
2. Far from condemning Critical Race Theory, he suggests that it isn’t that bad, and that “there are often things we can learn from questions raised and observations made.” He says that we shouldn’t resist those who are looking into the benefits of CRT or ” default to labeling believers who parse certain questions differently as “Marxist” or “racist.”
Ie. CRT is a useful tool, and you’re being “uncharitable, sinful, and intellectually lazy” if you name names and label proponents of it to be theologically suspect and question why they are so bent on protecting the use of it.
3. Greear believes the SBC needs more “affirmative action” and has been personally accomplishing this by rounding up the black folk and promoting them based on the color of their skin. He says: “Our leadership should reflect the diversity of our communities and proclaim the diversity of Christ’s coming kingdom (Acts 13:1–2; Revelation 7:9). To that end, I have aggressively sought to appoint people of color into trustee spots and other positions of influence.”
If you’re white and equally as qualified, tough luck. You’re free to dolezol yourself up a little to get that edge for the next appointment, but so long as your melanin count is a little low, J.D Greear will be passing over you.
All in all, his statement is what you’d expect from a racist-baiting marxist. About as clear as mud and twice as convincing.
About Author
Again I suggest that people like Mr Greear and Beth Moore are unable to purge themselves of their racism. They are terrified of confession and are unable to vomit up what they really are for God and everyone to see. Every time it pops up they push it down as deep as they can and try to bury it in their own consciousness. The easiest “out” is to say that it’s not ME, it’s everyone around me, you see. WE, corporately, are guilty, not ME. They even decide to be a ‘hero’ for Jesus; they’re going to purge his church of all those awful OTHER PEOPLE; those horrible sinners over there. They expect a gold star and much fanfare when they get to heaven. They are not prepared to be made transparent. It’s also the reason they will not condemn LGBT, abortion, etc,-it makes them feel duplicitous.
Let us consider David’s struggle when denying his own sin and how the Lord called him through his guilty conscience to face up to it in Psalm 32, a psalm of confession:
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sins.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found, surely the rising mighty waters will not reach them.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
There’s an underlying problem caused because many American Christians have lost sight of: Apostolic Christianity. We are not grounded in anything! Having lost sight of what the apostles and prophets teach through the Word of God, we have decided that we can better interpret the Bible. We, who are Evangelicals are completely devoid of moorings. Creeds and Confessions were cast aside as every believer was a walking confession, Immersed in the Word, Expanding the Kingdom, Walking in Holiness. Now, many have set aside the wisdom of God as found in the Bible. We will reinterpret how we should Worship, how we should preach, how to attract the ungodly. The woman question again! The race question again! We try to appease the ungodly among us because we are not knowledgeable enough to realize when someone is a wolf, false teacher, messenger of satan. We give and give in more- no appeasement, idols will never be satisfied with our sacrifices, they want more, craving, not satisfied. They malign the Bride of Christ, they malign the Head, our Lord. Let’s wake up and contend for the Church.
The world is watching the Church — the body of Christ! Racism has been so ingrained in some white “Christians,” so much that they do not recognize it. Being mean spirited and a Christian does not line up.