A DEFINING MOMENT FOR THE NATION AND THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION
Ten Reasons Why American Baptist College President Forrest Harris Should Rescind Lesbian Bishop Yvette Flunder’s, Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Invitation
By William Dwight McKissic, Sr.
Discussions, deliberations and decisions, regarding the legality and morality of same-sex marriage—have wound their way through courts of justice, halls of Congress, city councils and county governments, local school districts, voting booths and the office of the President of the United States. These discussions have been a part of American families’ table talks for many, many years, because many American families are impacted personally by an immediate or extended family member who is engaged in a same-sex relationship, or contemplating and evaluating their sexual identity.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America is scheduled to debate the legal fate of same-sex marriage in the United States on April 28 (http://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-arguments-on-april-28-1425573877). They are likely to issue an opinion before they adjourn this summer. Consequently, gay marriage could be legal throughout the length and breadth of America by the end of June. The Supreme Court’s decision on gay marriage will be a defining moment for our nation; and their decision will have a trickle-down effect, and incredible influence and impact on every other sector in society. Gay marriage will then be the law of the land.
Not only are these discussions, deliberations and decisions taking place in the secular realms of society—they have also landed on the doorsteps of America’s churches and denominations, Christian colleges and universities. Needless to say, these are serious and often uncomfortable conversations for the Christian community to hold and process. Nevertheless, the changing culture in our society has made these discussions, deliberations and decisions absolutely necessary.
The Southern Baptist Convention has gone on record many, many times, officially, by way of resolution, declaring a non-negotiable, non-compromising, emphatically clear position that marriage is between one man and one woman. President William J. Shaw and President Julius Scruggs (immediate past presidents) have gone on record declaring personal convictions in writing, that the NBC believes that marriage biblically is between a man and a woman; but there has never been an official declaration, voted on by the NBC in their annual session that specifies that the NBC believes that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman. I was present in Jackson, MS, at the NBC Mid-Winter Board Meeting, this past January when the newly elected President (September 2014) of the NBC, Dr. Jerry Young, announced that he will appoint or already had appointed a resolutions committee to develop a resolution/position statement to be voted on by the NBC later this year, on the subject of same-sex marriage. It is certainly high time that the largest organized body of Black Christians anywhere in the world take a definitive, official stand on this subject.
Previously, the NBC had issued a statement instructing its’ chaplains to only perform marriages between a man and a woman. I am so grateful and proud of President Young for making a decision to lead the NBC to adopt an official position on same-sex marriage. I anticipate that we will get an update on this resolution in June in Detroit, at the Annual National Baptist Congress gathering, or in September of this year, in Memphis, at the Annual Session of the NBC. We certainly need to be in prayer for President Young as he guides our beloved NBC through these turbulent and unchartered waters related to developing a resolution/policy on same-sex marriage.
In the meantime, Dr. Forrest Harris, President of American Baptist College in Nashville, TN—a school we are often told during the NBC Annual Session, is owned and operated by the Convention—has very aggressively made his decision regarding affirming persons in same-sex marriages. For the second consecutive year, Dr. Harris has invited lesbian bishop, Yvette Flunder, to serve as a guest lecturer and worship leader at the 58th Annual Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series, held on the campus of ABC, and in the World Baptist Center facility, that’s owned by the NBC.
The land that ABC and the World Baptist Center sit on in Nashville, TN, was purchased by Negro Baptists in the first quarter of the 20th Century. The Black Baptists of that era were adamantly opposed to same-sex relationships based on biblical grounds. It is a dishonor, and an act of disrespect to those sainted souls, for President Harris to now host a lesbian bishop on those hallowed grounds.
Bishop Yvette Flunder, the lesbian bishop invited by Dr. Harris, and Dean Emilie Townes, the lesbian Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, where Dr. Harris also works, are both on record stating that the Bible does not address consensual same-sex relationships. It is disheartening to discover that Dr. Harris is introducing this false and heretical teaching to the campus of ABC. By extension, he is associating and influencing the Baptist students at ABC, and all the NBC churches to Flunder’s, Townes’ and Harris’ point of view that the Bible does not address same-sex relationships. This is a very serious matter. Bishop Flunder is expected to lead worship, preach and deliver a luncheon lecture on March 17-18, on the NBC, ABC campus. What a horrible day to trample on the history of those who sacrificed to buy the land for ABC, and to validate the heretical teaching of Flunder and Townes, that the Bible does not address homosexual relationships.
Bishop Flunder’s UCC denomination validates same-sex marriages. Emilie Townes’ Vanderbilt School of Divinity affirms same-sex marriage and homosexual relationship. Forrest Harris’ American Baptist College has not sanctioned same-sex marriages, nor has the NBC, that Harris is accountable to. Dr. Harris’ NBC constituency does not sanction and support gay marriage as does Flunder’s and Townes’ affiliations; therefore, the NBC must hold them accountable for this breach of trust.
There are ten reasons why Dr. Harris ought to rescind the invitation of Bishop Flunder to speak at ABC. It is also my prayer that Bishop Flunder would respect the history and biblical traditional beliefs of the NBC on this subject and voluntarily refrain from fulfilling Dr. Harris’ invitation.
- Bishop Flunder’s presence and preaching at ABC gives a false legitimacy to gay theology, gay apologetics, and gay exegesis. Her false views regarding what the Bible says and does not say regarding same-sex relations are validated by her welcome and acceptance at ABC.
- Bishop Flunder is legally married to Shirley Miller. Her presentation at ABC as a partner in a same-sex marriage makes an “incarnational” powerful statement to the students at ABC that her lifestyle is accepted and affirmed by the ABC administration and their denominational affiliation—NBC.
- Consequently, Bishop Flunder’s presence raises serious questions about the belief system, doctrine, and practices of the NBC constituency with regard to same-sex relationships. It is not a stretch to believe that Bishop Flunder would not be invited unless her “marriage” was thought to be approved of by the NBC.
- Bishop Flunder’s presence advances the gay agenda within and outside of the church. Does the NBC really want to play a role in that advancement? If practicing homosexuality is approved by the Black Baptist church—and her presence implicitly says that it is –on what basis then do we proclaim that fornication and adultery is wrong?
- Bishop Flunder’s presence presents a model of family life that the Bible does not support.
- Bishop Flunder’s presence exposes a lack of accountability structures in place within the NBC. Almost without exception, every NBC pastor, including our President Dr. Jerry Young, does not support Bishop Flunder’s appearance; yet, we are all powerless to stop it. That’s a huge problem and one that needs to be fixed in short order.
- Bishop Flunder’s coming represents a departure from the faith of our fathers, including Martin Luther King. King wrote a statement disapproving of same-sex relationships that can be accessed here: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/16/what-did-mlk-think-about-gay-people/.
- Bishop Flunder’s presence as a lecturer reinforces the false notion that gay-rights, civil rights, and justice issues are synonymous and compatible. ABC is aiding and abetting the gay community to hijack the language of the Civil Rights Movement with their affirmation of Bishop Flunder’s same-sex marriage.
- Bishop Flunder is scheduled to address the subject of AIDS at the prestigious Nannie Helen Burroughs Luncheon. Does ABC really believe that a person who affirms and advocates same-sex relationships is the most qualified person to address this subject?
- Bishop Flunder’s presence calls into question, if ABC and NBC could affirm the following statement adopted by Erskine college after two male athletes on their campus involved in a same-sex relationship became public knowledge:
“Christ affirms that marital union is to be between a man and woman (Matt 19:4-6). The Bible teaches that monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is God’s intended design for humanity and that sexual intimacy has its proper place only within the context of marriage (1 Thes. 4:3-5, Col. 3:5-7). Sexual relations outside of marriage or between persons of the same sex are spoken of in scripture as sin and contrary to the will of the Creator (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:9-11).
We believe the Bible teaches that all sexual activity outside the covenant of marriage is sinful and therefore ultimately destructive to the parties involved. As a Christian academic community, and in light of our institutional mission, members of the Erskine community are expected to follow the teachings of scripture concerning matters of human sexuality and institutional decisions will be made in light of this position.” (Emphasis mine)
Our current structure and system can’t stop a college president who does not believe that homosexuality is sin, from advancing his non-biblical views and pro-gay agenda on the students at ABC. Many of those students will become pastors and staff members at our churches. They will ultimately bring a different viewpoint to the people in the pews, than what National Baptists have historically believed. That is why Bishop Yvette Flunder’s coming is an ill-thought idea. Perhaps Bishop Flunder will do ABC and the NBC family a great favor and save us from this national embarrassment and scandal, by simply deciding that she will not appear at the Lecture Series at ABC. And prayerfully, the resolution/position statement that the NBC will adopt will convey to the College a clear position that the NBC does not in any way, shape, form or fashion endorse gay marriage. Consequently, if the College respects the position/statement of the NBC, “institutional decisions will be made in light of this positon” and this kind of decision will never happen again. If Dr. Forrest Harris insists on following through with the invitation of Bishop Flunder, he needs to be forced to resign or be fired by the Board of ABC for violating the trust, the Bible and beliefs of the vast majority of National Baptists. Contrary to the thinking of Dr. Harris, Bishop Flunder and Dean Townes, the Bible is crystal clear on the subject of same-sex relationships by comparing the Civil Rights Movement with the gay rights movement; they are comparing one people’s sin with another people’s skin. To do so is tragic, sinful and shameful. And this is what Forrest Harris is leading the American Baptist College to do, partially funded by NBC dollars. National Baptists need to rise up and let their voices be heard on this issue.
Dwight, thank you for standing firm and bringing attention to this issue. May your calls for biblical faithfulness be heeded.
Brent,
The prayers of the righteous, availeth much. As the Lord lays this matter upon your heart, please remember to pray that correction would come to this matter.
Dwight,
Question. If this invitation is not rescinded and/or the NBC does not take a clear, unambiguous and definitive stand regarding same-sex marriage – what would be the recourse for you and other pastors and churches who also hold to biblical (and real) marriage?
Tarheel,
It’s usually not wise to answer a “what if” scenario, especially one that is unlikely to take place. But, you’ve baited me, so here goes. First of all, I am thoroughly convinced that the NBC will adopt, hopfully in September of this year, at their annual session, a resolution that is definitive, clear, and unequivocal that marriage is between a man and a woman. I have no doubts about that. Secondly & finally, if for some strange reason they don’t, I know for certain that myself, and many, many, other pastors will disassociate themselves from the NBC. I know for certain, that failure to take a stand, or to take a compromising stand, would lead to major hemmoraging from the convention. What alternative course of action they might take is a question that I simply don’t have the answer to.
Baiting you? That was not my intent – I was just asking what the end game is should it not go the right way.
Thanks for your answer – I pray you’re successful.
“Baiting you”-:)
Can’t you take a joke? I didn’t intend to convey that thought as a criticism. Thanks for your prayers.
Oh, ok – cool. I misinterpreted the remark – my bad.
I certainly think that the SBC is ready to welcome any and all brothers and sisters in the NBC if they need to find a new home.
Louis,
I’m sure you’re right. The different focus and views related to “Justice” though, I’m afraid would cause many pastors/churches to pause before they joined the SBC. The NBC and the SBC are miles apart on the subject of justice.
Yes, you are right…and both could stand some correction.
Thanks, Dwight. My prayers are with you.
Mark,
This matter is a matter of spiritual warfare. It must be handled with prayer. Thanks for remembering this matter in prayer as the Holy Spirit brings it to your memory. I appreciate you, Mark. I’m getting older and more emotional. Sometimes, you and I have gone at it, arguing different sides of an issue. At times, I have communicated to you to harshly, and not in love. Please forgive me. I appreciate your encouragement.
Dwight, of course, I forgive you. Please accept the same from me, as I admit, I have not always communicated in brotherly love as I should have. We’re on the same team, but just fallible at reading the playbook.
Mark,
I accept your statement. Thank you for accepting mine. I feel like we are brothers. I’m sure we will argue different sides again. But, as the Scripture says, we must “speak the truth in love” in the future. Thanks for forgiving me.
Amen!
1 Corinthians 13:1
Amen, and soldier on, Dwight.
Bart, Thanks. Everyone who is involved in trying to bring correction to this disorder( and there are many of us) appreciate the encouragement and prayers. As a Baptist historian, you will probably find the unusual cooperation between the NBC and SBC in the orgin, development, and oversight of ABC quite interesting. I find it fascinating. I’ve not seen that kind of working relationship between the two groups in the past 20 or so years. Growing up in our native state of Arkansas, we often had certain interaction with the SBC coordinated by Dr. Robert Ferguson, a distinguished and stately White gentleman who was employed by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. The moderates were much better at race relations. I gratefully acknowledge that the Luter election was a huge step in the right direction by conservatives. I think Russell Moore is really helping to bridge the gaps on justice issues. I really appreciate Russell Moore. He makes it possible for me to say, I’m proud to be a part of the SBC. Finally, I was blessed to spend a couple of wonderful and memorable couple of hours with Paige Patterson the last Monday in February, when school was cancelled because of the snow and ice. I’d ask Dr. Patterson to meet Dr. Jamal Domonique Hopkins, the only Black Dead Sea Scroll scholar in the world. Dr. Patterson honored our appointment, in spite of the weather. He hosted us in his home, rather than his office. That was a very special time listening to those two scholars dialogue. When we walked over to the chapel to view some Dead Sea Scroll items, Dr. Patterson worked hard at escorting me, and inviting/allowing me to lean on him, in order to keep from falling walking on ice and snow. It tickled me that a man whose probably close to 15 yrs. older than I am, was genuinely looking out for my safety, to the extent of risking his own. Dr. Hopkins is 42, so I guess Patterson thought I needed someone to lock shoulders with and lean on for safety and not Hopkins. I’ve never taken a selfie in my life. But, I regret that I didn’t get a selfie of Patterson & I, two now relatively old SBC brothers, troddling along in the snow, trying to keep each other from falling. Those were two hours with Paige Patterson that I will always treasure.… Read more »
Dwight,
Yes, I’ve studied the history of our relationship with the ABC before. It is fascinating, and part-and-parcel with the bewildering story of race in the Southern Baptist Convention. Alongside Liberia, the ABC is an exemplar of people in the SBC who cared about black brothers and sisters but struggled to know exactly what to do about it, carried away by the fact that politics is the art of the possible.
So, you see, it was hard to mobilize Southerners to embrace black Christians as fellow church members and fellow citizens. Some addressed the latter by trying to get Southerners to support black Christians in the establishment of their own country. Some addressed the former by trying to get Southerners to support black Christians in their own schools, churches, and conventions. In both cases, they enjoyed some measure of success, but today we dare wish that they had prophetically pushed for better arrangements more reflective of how the gospel has torn down the dividing wall.
I’ll take a look at Dr. Hopkins’s information. Thanks for letting me know about him.
Dwight, Thank you for continuing to expose and bring light to this subject. This matter is close to home, literally, as this is taking place in my own backyard…so to speak. The perpetrators against God have skillfully and silently exploited the campus of ABC for political and misguided fortune.
The best action, in my opinion, is to work with the board of college and discuss their leadership choices. It is the board that has created this set of circumstances, and it is a board that understands that it abides by a charter, and historical precedent.
I see no reason for the President or Flunder to back down from this provocation. This is the game they were looking for. It is a game that they planned, and that they are working to advance. A continued light shining on ABC, its BoD’s, and leaders will be the lasting change. It is my prayer, that the president of NBC can assist by articulating God’s Word relative to how Christ has made it abundantly clear for man and woman to exist in this world.
Faith without works is a dead faith,…thank you again for putting living faith into action.
Chris,
Flunder did not invite herself. President Harris must be held accountable and the board needs to hold him accountable. The real problem here is that the board has allowed Forrest Harris to turn ABC into a school that is promoting the gay agenda. It is a policy at the Vandbilt Divinity School that all professors there be “open and affirming.” Harris is also a professor at Vanderbilt. His requirements at Vanderbilt to affirm the gay lifestyle are in conflict with the assumptive views of the NBC. And it was ABC’s trustees who’ve permitted this. ABC’s trustees have left the gate open to influence those students with gay theology, gay married speakers. They need to hurriedly close the gate.
I’ll help pull together some “locals” to help send the right message.
Chris,
We will be doing a press conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville next Tuesday March 17, at 10 am. The room will seat 40 and we would like to fill it up.
http://baptistnews.com/culture/social-issues/item/29889-american-baptist-college-criticized-for-inviting-lesbian-preacher
We’ve never met Dwight, but enjoyed defending your position against one critic in particular on Baptist News Global yesterday.
Way to hang tight!
Scott,
Thanks. Hope that we will meet before we meet in heaven.
I looked it up and ABC is accredited by ABHE. Could ABHE pull their accreditation because of this? We all know that money talks and if ABC is in danger of losing their student aid, that might cause them to feel the heat, even if they don’t see the light.
Im not sure how The accrediting agency could rip accreditation based on this – unless they have other documentation that requires schools adhere to the biblical explanation of sexuality. The only thing I could find on their website that member schools must agree to is this:
https://www.abhe.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Affiliate-Tenets-Disclosure.pdf
And it doesn’t address Sexuality.
I highly doubt the US department of education would allow an approved regional accrediting agency to take such action against an otherwise compliant institution. This is why I have always thought that regional accreditation is the wrong path for Christian universities and seminaries.
“The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. The U.S. Secretary of Education also recognizes State agencies for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education and nurse education. ”
–http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
Reminds me of the Down-Grade Controversy that specifically Charles H. Spurgeon and his friend Robert Shindler addressed in “The Sword and the Trowel”. I’m including a link to the spurgeon.org archives on the subject “Spurgeon and the Down-Grade Controversy”
Please note: yes, Spurgeon was a Calvinist. But that isn’t the point in linking to this article. I have no intention to address that subject if it is raised and would politely request no one else do so in response to my comment. It’s not relevant to the similarity between the situation Shindler and Spurgeon were addressing and the situation Dwight is addressing.
Funny. I was just having a conversation with a Moderate friend this morning who made the same accusation as the President of the college mentioned above. My friend was quite dogmatic (a moderate and dogmatism should be a contradiction in terms). He said believers inverbal inspirations are Bibleolaters. When I asked him what books he had on the subject, he said he had the Bible. I answered that I had a whole shelf of books written by scholars in defense of verbal inspiration and not a one of them advocated worshipping the Bible, only the God whom the Bible presents to us. My take on the issue is that Postmodernism is based on deconstructionist approaches, that it is lazy, that it does not read the sources, that it is anti-intellectual, that the reason some are beginning to write about the hostility of present day leaders in thought, leaders who are ready to do in the believers as ignorant fundies. A well-studied and firm understanding of the truths of God’s written word will provide an answer to the present skeptics. In fact, the intellectual depths of Scripture are of such nature as to be always contemporary and relevant. After all, if as we find the Bible presents, Holy Writ is inspired by Omniscience, it follows logically that the depths of it must be commensurate with the source, the wisdom must be reflective of such an origin. This is a day when the leaders who grasp both the intellectual and the practical will triumph; they will win by persuasion, persuasion by reason based on evidence and proof. In fact, we are going to find that the Book presents not only a logical, reasoned case, but a supralogical and suprarational intellectual that can and does and will answer every age and its worldviews in a fashion which wins the day, wins a thousand generations, even multitudes from one end of THE heaven to the other (Mt.24:31).
Dr. W.,
Amen. Agreed. Thanks for weighing in here.
Dear Dr. McKissic: It is always a pleasure and a privilege to give support to the truth and to the person who is promoting it as you are.
Note line four from the bottom of the above comment should read “intellectualism” instead of “intellectual.”