It’s not the time of year we would normally talk about resolutions. But I don’t think I ever posted this two years ago when our state convention passed it. Unanimously, by the way. This was months after the 2017 SBC when we ultimately passed a resolution condemning the Alt-right. Between the SBC’s actions in Phoenix (June 2017) 
and the November annual meeting of the SBC of Virginia, the “Unite the Right” rally was held in Charlottesville. This resolution deals with the intersection of those events.
Dwight McKissic’s call for the SBC to speak against the Alt-right and White Supremacist movements proved prophetic. Not only as seen in Charlottesville, but now in other events as well, including the recent shooting in El Paso. But not only in individual events. I continue to believe emboldened white supremacist ideologies are one of the greatest threats our society faces today.
I was able to serve on the Resolutions Committee for the state convention that presented this resolution. If you followed the events at the SBC in 2017, you may notice that the resolution combines some aspects of the resolution passed at the national level, some aspects of Dwight McKissic’s original resolution, as well as some material original to our committee.
Take a few minutes, read the words, and heed the call to action that is contained in this resolution. Underlined sections my emphasis.
ON CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE SIN OF RACISM
WHEREAS, Scripture teaches, “From one man [God] has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live” (Acts 17:26); and
WHEREAS, The Psalmist proclaimed, “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord” (Psalm 24:1); and
WHEREAS, The Apostle Peter said, “God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him” (Acts 10:34–35); and
WHEREAS, Our justification before God is based on faith in Christ Jesus alone and not in our ethnicity (Galatians 3:27–28);
WHEREAS, Scripture proclaims that Jesus is purchasing by His blood believers “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9); and
WHEREAS, Throughout eternity we will gather with a “multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language” in worship of our risen Savior (Revelation 7:9); and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 conveys that all Christians are obligated to make the will of Christ supreme in their own lives and in human society, opposing all forms of racism, selfishness, and vice, and bringing government and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love; and
WHEREAS, Racism and ideologies of racial supremacy are, sadly, not extinct but present all over the world in various movements, including white supremacist movements, “white nationalism” or the “alt-right”; and
WHEREAS, these movements in the United States represent a growing threat to political order and justice that seeks to reignite social animosities, reverse improvements in race relations, and divide the people of our country, and
WHEREAS, these movements must be opposed for the totalitarian impulses, xenophobic biases, and bigoted ideologies that infect the minds and actions of its disciples and are contrary to Jesus’ command that we “love one another,” (John 13:34); and
WHEREAS, these racist philosophies are now influencing public discourse in America in ways that are contrary to Christian teaching (Galatians 3:28, Titus 1:9), and are, therefore, negative to our country, our colleges, our online communities, and, potentially, some of our churches; and
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2017, the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, overwhelmingly passed a resolution “On The Anti-Gospel Of Alt-Right White Supremacy,”
WHEREAS, white supremacists have gathered for rallies in May, August, and October of 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, these rallies were held to propagate white supremacist ideology and to attempt to intimidate those who oppose it, especially racial minorities, by making use of historical symbols, behavior, and slogans; and
WHEREAS, these rallies have gained national attention through media coverage, especially due to the deaths of two Virginia State Police Troopers, Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, and the death of Charlottesville resident Heather Heyer by a white supremacist who drove his car into a crowd gathered in Charlottesville in an act of domestic terrorism; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the SBC of Virginia Homecoming, meeting in Colonial Heights, Virginia, November 12–14, 2017, extend our love and compassion to those in Charlottesville devastated by these events; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we decry every form of racism, including and specifically alt-right white supremacy, as antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:34-43); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we denounce and repudiate every form of racial and ethnic hatred as a scheme of the devil intended to bring suffering and division to our society (1 Peter 5:8); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we denounce every form of nationalism that violates the biblical teachings with respect to race, justice, and ordered liberty (Philippians 3:20); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we acknowledge that we still must make progress in rooting out any remaining forms of intentional or unintentional racism in our midst and we repent for failing to do so sooner (Mark 1:15); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we will guard our hearts and minds from consuming or embracing this evil ideology (Romans 12:2) ; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we will stand with ethnic minorities and anyone else targeted for intimidation so that the attempt to devalue our fellow image bearers results in a bold witness of the sacrificial love to which Christ calls us (Galatians 2:11-13); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we strongly urge any and all groups in our nation opposed to the alt-right and white supremacist movements, to only employ peaceful, non-violent means in their protest of these groups; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we will encourage churches of the SBC of Virginia to prayerfully consider increasing diversity among local church and denominational leadership (Acts 10:34-35); and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we earnestly pray, both for those who advocate racist ideologies and those who are thereby deceived, that they may see their error through the light of the Gospel, repent of these hatreds, and come to know the peace and love of Christ through redeemed fellowship in the Kingdom of God, which is established from every nation, tribe, people, and language (Revelation 5:9, 7:9).
Apparently, the El Paso, TX murderer was Right Wing; the Dayton, OH murderer was Left Wing.
Just shows evil, hate, extremism can come from the Right, or the Left. Let’s all watch out.
David R. Brumbelow
Thank for David. I agree.
Has the SBC considered doing a resolution on toxic masculinity based on its long term support of patriarchy? Has sexual abuse and domestic abuse been enabled by the extreme belief in patriarchy that was so pronounced historically in the SBC ? If the rationale that the SBC must address and readdress and pass many resolutions denouncing racism, white nationalist groups etc. why not address and clarify the SBC position on women in the church and state our opposition to patriarchy now that we have evolved .
Steve,
Patience. That’s coming.
There is no left-wing threat comparable to white supremacy. Please stop with the false equivalencies.
David B: And this is why we still have racism in this country. White people saying “No it isn’t.”
Before someone starts to argue: let me expand. On the left, there is nothing comparable to white supremacy in size, scope, history, devastation, and present threat.
Brent Hobbs, you are correct on these points history yes for sure, example SBC 1845 Civil War, Jim Crow etc , historically white racism major factor in history. Present threat , I do not agree with the idea that white supremacy is gaining in influence, size or power. American Nazi Party , a bunch of losers , small in number. I believe that for whatever reason the notion that white supremist anything more than a stupid , small group of misfits that have no real following. I know that it all gets conflated into a mix of White, Christian, Nationalist who are by definition of being White, Nationalist and Christian are now deemed racist. I am white, I am a Christian and I believe in the foundational principles and concept of America, I am what use to be called a patriot now I am a nationalist . Words and word smiths have power, nationalism is now really code word for racist, throw in white and Christian , now you branded me. Unlike some brave provost college executives I will not admit that I am indeed a racist and always will be because I am white, I cannot change , it is impossible. I just will not admit it. Have I got it right?
Simply , I believe that racist , white supremacy groups get far more press than they should die to it diverts us from real issues like really solving racial inequality and injustice. KKK , David Duke is a joke , only a threat to those who conjure it up. Gangs in South and East Chicago are a bigger threat to the citizens there than white racist will ever be.
America is the least racist, most diverse and still the country that people flock to , why are all willing to come here? Because they know it is the least racist , more fair and a country trying to live up to its principles.
Christopher Wray speaking to congress in April specifically stated that white supremacy/nationalism was one of the greatest growing threats we face today. He’s a Republican appointed by a Republican and he told the truth.
Abortionists?
Brent,
I disagree. There are multiple cultural and dignity of life issues that face our country and denomination. Racism is but one and an important one. And white Supremacy is but one manifestation/form of racism and one that mustn’t be ignored – buf not overly elevated either. Nor must other manifestations of racism be ignored.
As to your comment that white supremacy being a greater threat than leftest ideas and agendas is an interesting one to say the least. First, I think we need to stop with the talking point that white supremacy (or racism in general) is relegated to the right wing… I have grown up and lived in the south my entire life and I can tell you unequivocally that there are lots of left wing racist *and* white supremists. Friends from very blue states tell me the same thing regarding liberals in the north. Racism exists in all political stripes.
Secondly, left wing movement posses some pretty serious threats.
For example, the size and scope and devastation of the left wing abortion industry (based in eugenics, btw) is profound and devastating – railing against (and giving platform they wouldn’t otherwise have) a small number of avowed white supremacists and attaching it to political discourse with which one disagrees with reckless abandon when babies are killed by the millions seems strange to me.
Left wing ideations like marxism – and its many tentacles – is brazenly on the march in the USA and even in the SBC and it is seeming to be becoming quite sizable and devastating as well…..
Historically marxism and its fruit has been quite devastating in scope (dignity of all human life) for all the people it has ever touched.
I oppose White supremacy with every fiber of my being… And I also oppose CRT and intersectionality equally as strong – both of which are racist and sexist ways of insisting on seeing skin color/gender/“identity” etc… as basis for favor (necessarily above others who don’t posses the favored skin tone,gender, identity, etc) – for the same reasons I oppose white supremacy.
Brent,
I respect your passion on this issue but none of us is in a position to make a statement such as that. Opinion and passion is not fact. Not denying racism as an issue, specifically in the church, but our complex culture today has many critical issues and while we can choose what issue is most important to us, we are not in a position to declare for our entire denomination or nation the greatest threat.
Abortion, religious freedom, moral depravity. There are so many.
Remember we don’t have to downplay or diminish other issues to promote our own. Acknowledge them all. Fight for yours as God leads, But no one has the moral authority to tell others what the greatest threat is. I doubt you have received some special dispensation so let’s pray and work for them all.
And at the risk of politicizing the issue, but certainly not the first to do so here, I am not a Trump supporter, didn’t vote for him, and like some others here, may or may not next time.
Bless you my brother and proud of what God has done and is doing in your life and ministry.
The police in Dayton haven’t established a motive or a political connection for that particular shooter. Trump’s tweet about him having supported Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren was one of his off the top of his head lies. There’s no evidence of that which has, to this point, turned up. That shooter seemed to be more immersed in violent fantasy and obsession with violent video games rather than having a political motive. Of course, Trump tweets whatever he thinks he needs to in order to get ahead of a potential problem. But that’s just his allegation, not a fact.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/07/politics/donald-trump-dayton-shooting-el-paso/index.html
CNN with more fake news!
Appears the only facts in your comment Lee is that you are wrong in everything you just said about the shooter.
https://dailycaller.com/2019/08/05/dayton-shooter-twitter/
First of all, the Daily Caller Crap you cited doesn’t cite the Dayton police, who have yet to make a determination. Second, it doesn’t match the lie that Trump told, nor includes support for Sanders and Warren. If and when the Dayton police make that determination, I’ll believe it but not because some extremist right wing rag wants to try and buffer the impact of the white supremacist shooter that listened to Trump’s dog whistle, cited him from his rallies and went to El Paso to kill Latinos.
There is an indication that he was researching and exploring “violent ideologies” and that he was fascinated by violent video games. But no connection to “left wing politics” or any candidate or political perspective, as Trump tweeted. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/crime-and-courts/2019/08/05/dayton-shooting-oregon-district/1917620001/
It certainly does include a tweet supporting Warren… Saying “I will vote for her”.
As well as numerous instances of left wing rhetoric. Even refers to himself as a leftist.
I think it is really sad that these shootings have become so common that they are not as shocking as they were when some of the ones that felt like the “first” ones occurred.
I think it is good for our convention to regularly condemn racism also. I was thankful for this resolution then and now.
Posted in wrong place