As with millions of Black teenagers across America, Rev. Jackson instilled in me a sense of “somebodyness” with his simple, but penetrating, speech to the last generation living in a Jim Crow Society, designed to remind you of your inferiority and less-than status: “I Am Somebody.” A biography of Jesse Jackson somehow made its way into my hands at about age 19 or 20; and my most salient remembrance from reading it was that Jesse Jackson, according to the book, did not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Faced with the temptations to do both at that age, it was Jackson’s lifestyle of … [Read more...] about Reflections on Life Intersections with Rev. Jesse Jackson (William Dwight McKissic)
My Appreciation and Challenges with John MacArthur Results in Blessing for Pastor Coleman (Dwight McKissic)
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to give my John MacArthur collection to this young pastor and fellow SWBTS graduate, as well as current student. Approximately 15-20 individuals expressed an interest in receiving these books. But for some reason, this gentleman stood out to me. Perhaps in part because of his proximity to me, and his willingness to actually come and pick up the books, which reduced the workload of my “overworked” assistant. I feel good having met him; and giving him these books as a very young pastor which was about the age I was as a young pastor in Arkansas … [Read more...] about My Appreciation and Challenges with John MacArthur Results in Blessing for Pastor Coleman (Dwight McKissic)
“Making Sense” of Al Mohler and His “Nonsense” (Dwight McKissic)
For those unaware, Southern Seminary president Al Mohler was recently seated at a panel hosted by the Kenwood Institute. The topics covered contentious issues in SBC life, including the abuse and financial crises, along with the issue of women serving in ministry and how it relates to the proposed “Law Amendment.” When asked by discussion moderators and CBMW members Colin Smothers and Denny Burk about the role of women pastors in SBC churches, Mohler would suggest, “The idea that you would have the word ‘pastor’ applied to a woman in the Southern Baptist Convention—to the vast majority of … [Read more...] about “Making Sense” of Al Mohler and His “Nonsense” (Dwight McKissic)
Q&A: Southern Seminary’s Slave Contribution Memorial Marker
My answers below are a broader version concerning the plaque posted in the lobby of Broadus Chapel in remembrance of the enslaved whose exploitation of their labor funded the early years of Southern Baptist Seminary. The questions are from Andy Wolfson, a longtime reporter in Louisville at the Courier Journal. My answers address the plaque and a discussion in Word & Way of whether Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has fulfilled its pledge to erect a "major marker" on the campus which acknowledges the sin of American slavery and the contributions made to the seminary by enslaved Black … [Read more...] about Q&A: Southern Seminary’s Slave Contribution Memorial Marker
Why I Will Leave the SBC if they Rescind Resolution 9, Affirming Limited Beneficial Aspects of Critical Race Theory
When one reflects on the history and current reality of systemic injustice in America, there are some tenets that have been handed down to us that are beneficial in discussing and assessing structural racism in America. Structural racism in America today is not as potent and prevalent, or as visible and vicious as it was in previous generations, but it still exists. Therefore, it must be prophetically, educationally, and legally addressed and readdressed. We see it present in real estate appraisal differences based on color, prison sentencing differences based on color, job hiring … [Read more...] about Why I Will Leave the SBC if they Rescind Resolution 9, Affirming Limited Beneficial Aspects of Critical Race Theory
Rutledge Letter vs. the Patterson Letter
Last Monday I posted a letter I received from John V. Rutledge, that was clearly racist and expressed low regard for the intellectual capacities and Christian understanding and commitment to the biblical faith. A common response to the Rutledge letter from some Southern Baptists (SB) was that he was not representative of the SBC, and he has not been active in the SBC for the past 20 years (although he was active for 50 years). The reason I posted the Rutledge letter was to make people aware that racist attitudes exist among some SB; and I raised the question, “what percentage of the SBC is … [Read more...] about Rutledge Letter vs. the Patterson Letter
We Are Getting OFF the Bus (Dwight McKissic)
In 2006, Dr. Jim Richards, the recently retired (2020) executive director of the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention (SBTC), made a startling statement regarding pastors in the SBT—which included me—who believed in the continuation of all the gifts of the Spirit listed in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and I Peter 4, and their practice in the life of believers and churches today, gifts that are particularly often exercised in private worship. The backdrop of Dr. Richard’s comment was in response to a sermon that I preached in chapel at Southwestern Seminary in August 2006 entitled, … [Read more...] about We Are Getting OFF the Bus (Dwight McKissic)
From Boys to Men: My Response to the SBC Seminary Presidents’ CRT Statement
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.” (I Corinthians 13:11 CSB) I am often asked the question, why do I remain in the Southern Baptist Convention? A recent joint statement on race made by the six seminary presidents of the SBC has brought that question back into discussion once again. The crux of the seminary presidents’ statement is as follows: In light of current conversations in the Southern Baptist Convention, we stand together on historic Southern Baptist condemnations of racism in … [Read more...] about From Boys to Men: My Response to the SBC Seminary Presidents’ CRT Statement
Conversation with Dr. Mohler Addressing Concerns
I am grateful for the $5,000,000 scholarship commitment named in honor of Garland Offfutt, the first African American graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. It certainly represents fruit worthy of repentance. It speaks to the past and to the future. Hats off to Dr. Mohler and the trustee board for this historic decision that is a step toward healing. It remains my deep conviction that there is a moral inconsistency with the orthodox Christian Faith that cannot reconcile the celebration and honoring of men stealers and child abusers with the inerrant and infallible Word of … [Read more...] about Conversation with Dr. Mohler Addressing Concerns
James Petigru Boyce, “An Ultra Pro-Slavery Man”: A Response to Dr. Tom Nettles
When the Past Meets the Present By William Dwight McKissic, Sr. “Sitting in Broadus Chapel waiting for my Christian Preaching Class to begin. Oddly enough the man who this chapel is named after would have likely observed me as an individual that he just had to deal with or even in his own words, ‘one who belongs to a very low grade of humanity.’ As I’ve walked across the campus today, I realize that an unfortunate reality is that the attitude and heart of John A. Broadus still exists. Nevertheless, I know who I am. I know what I am. I know who I belong to. I know what I’ve been called to do … [Read more...] about James Petigru Boyce, “An Ultra Pro-Slavery Man”: A Response to Dr. Tom Nettles