You may have heard that some among our Southern Baptist Convention are intent on bearing false witness against Russell Moore and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Dr. Moore is accused of pushing a progressive agenda at the ERLC. He must be stopped, it is argued.
Well, the ERLC has just released their 2018 Legislative Agenda. If this is the new progressive agenda, then sign me up! I am hoping that someone with contacts to Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi can pass it along to them so they will know what things to work toward in 2018. I’m not sure they know that they are supposed to be supporting things like the sanctity of human life and religious liberty.
Here are some samples from the ERLC agenda. I hope you will consider reading the whole thing.
On the Sanctity of Human Life…
Scripture teaches that every person is an image bearer of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Moreover, Scripture is clear that the womb is God’s domain, and that his knowledge of the unborn even precedes the creative act of conception (Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139:13). It is estimated that over 3,000 abortions take place in the United States every day. These are precious human lives denied both personhood and protection by an on-demand abortion culture. This year, we continue our fight on behalf of the most vulnerable among us, beginning with our annual Evangelicals For Life conference in Washington, D.C. Additionally, with the current congressional makeup, we are hopeful regarding a number of key pro-life legislative initiatives: Conscience Protection Act, Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, The Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Defund Planned Parenthood, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, (opposition to) Physician-assisted Suicide.
On Religious Liberty…
We learn from Romans 13:1–7 that governments and rulers have authority because that authority is given by God. God alone is the Creator of the universe and Lord of the conscience, and recognizing God’s authority also means recognizing man’s authority is never all-encompassing but limited and to be exercised within the parameters set by God. The American Founders understood this basic reality when crafting Article Six and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which provides religious freedom for American citizens by limiting the power of government. Baptists have always stood at the forefront, both among Christians insisting on religious freedom as a biblical teaching and in the public square contending for religious freedom for all. The ERLC will continue our work to defend the free exercise of faith for all believers.
On Family and Marriage…
Marriage is a gift from God. It serves as the basic human social structure (Gen. 2:18-25), provides stability for raising children (Prov. 1:8), and, most importantly, illustrates the relationship between Christ and his Church (Eph. 5:22-33). Marriage is an essential, foundational institution for human life and flourishing. We will work in the coming year to defend God’s design for marriage amidst related policy items.
On Justice…
Scripture unequivocally teaches that God is just (Deut. 32:4). And as Christians we rightly bear the call to reflect the justice of God as we seek to be faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. That mandate can been seen most clearly in the words of the prophet Micah: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) In our advocacy for fair and impartial judgment, and equitable treatment of the unjustly oppressed and marginalized, we bear witness to a God who is ultimately the just Judge, and a gospel that saves indiscriminately and without partiality.
On International Engagement…
Just as the ERLC is focused on advocating for human dignity, religious liberty, the family, and justice issues in the United States, we advance the same agenda internationally. In so doing, we respond to the call of the Scriptures to “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Prov. 31:8). The ERLC’s international work is focused on the most vulnerable, such as religious minorities and victims of human trafficking.
As you can see, the idea that the ERLC is left-leaning or progressive under the leadership of Russell Moore is an absolutely ridiculous assertion. You do not have to agree with Dr. Moore and his team on the specifics of every single issue of public policy to realize that this looks nothing like a progressive agenda.
For my part, I will simply continue to remind those who are intent on telling outright lies about Dr. Moore and the ERLC that the 9th Commandment is still in the Bible.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
