The New Orleans Baptist Association this morning published a letter titled Hard-Pressed But Not Beaten: A Word of Support for Dr. Russell Moore and the ERLC. The letter was signed by a group of pastors and leaders from the New Orleans area: past SBC President Fred Luter, Jr., David Crosby, Chad Gilbert, Page Brooks, Mike Miller, Anna Palmer, Geovanny Gomez, Jay Adkins, Larry Johnson, and Jack Hunter.
The letter is not only a well-articulated argument for Russell Moore’s effectiveness as ERLC President (they say “Moore is especially well-suited to engage the culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and, as such, is ideal for this post.”) but is also notable as a response to some Louisiana Baptist leaders who have been publicly critical of Moore and the ERLC in recent months. Full text is reprinted below with permission, original post is here.
Hard-Pressed But Not Beaten: A Word of Support for Dr. Russell Moore and the ERLC
As reported in recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and Christianity Today, Dr. Russell Moore is again the focus of criticism among some Southern Baptists for positions that he took during the Presidential campaign, things that he said, and the way that he said them.
At the 2016 meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Executive Board took under advisement a motion to “study the recent actions of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission with regard to issues of concern to Louisiana Baptists.”
We are pulling for Dr. Moore. Here’s why.
Dr. Moore speaks with a prophetic voice to our faith community about how to live for Christ and his kingdom in our culture. We don’t expect him to gauge our opinions on social, political, and economic issues and then promote our consensus position. He’s a leader raised up by God to help guide us in this new day.
He doesn’t speak just to us. He also speaks to our culture and to those who shape it. Should we be embarrassed that Dr. Moore has rebuked the behavior of persons who have risen to positions of political power? Should we de-fund the ERLC because a person whose character he’s criticized has achieved the highest office in the land, besting another candidate whose behavior and policies he also rebuked?
Dr. Moore has demonstrated that he will not “go along” in order to “get along” with persons in political office. Are there Southern Baptists who expect this of the person who leads the ERLC? We don’t. Moreover, we believe that Dr. Moore is especially well-suited to engage the culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and, as such, is ideal for this post.
Some note that Dr. Moore’s tone has been, at times, direct, sharp, and critical, and that it hasn’t always been as statesmanlike as perhaps it could have been. If, in his zeal for righteousness, Dr. Moore has offended brothers in the cause of Christ, then he should reflect, confess, and seek to make amends, where appropriate. We were not surprised to read just such an apology from Dr. Moore in his Christmas letter. You may read it in its entirety here.
Dr. Moore has also been a zealous advocate on behalf of the unborn, the family, the vulnerable, the weak, and the strangers among us, and vigorous in his defense of religious liberty and against racism. We commend him for his leadership, and pray that God will continue to grant him wisdom to know the right, strength to stand for it, and voice to speak it.
Southern Baptists also will be held to account for how we respond to the prophetic voices that God has given us.
Martin Luther King was another during our lifetime that spoke with a prophetic voice on important issues of social justice. He, too, was a Baptist preacher. Many in the mainstream rejected his message and despised him. Despite the opposition, he did not shrink back. As a faith community, we have still not made up the ground that we lost decades ago because of our rejection of his message of justice.
Dr. Moore speaks with a prophetic voice to this generation. We may not like everything that he says, but we fear what our faith community may become if we lose his voice.
Our allegiance is not to a political party or majority opinion, but rather to the person of Jesus Christ and to his kingdom. We are grateful for the clarion voice that God has given Dr. Russell Moore. He has helped us navigate the intersection of the faith once given to the saints and contemporary culture.
We’re praying that Dr. Moore’s heart will be kept humble before God and his people, and that he will continue to call us to Christ and the gospel despite this latest round of criticism.
For Christ and his kingdom,
Fred Luter, Jr. Chad Gilbert
David Crosby Page Brooks
Mike Miller Anna Palmer
Geovanny Gomez Jay Adkins
Larry Johnson Jack Hunter
This is a wonderful declaration of support.
Not every offence is a fireable offence. Dr. Moores offence is possibly less offensive than criticisms many pastors who are calling for his head have said about the church members we have been called to serve. The difference is, he made his statement in the public square. We were protected by our comments were made behind closed doors… never to be heard by the masses. Bottom line… we are just as guilty.
If his offence is an offence to have him removed, would any of us who have made just as caustic comments in the shadows or thought them without remorse be willing to quit our ministry now? I doubt it.
While Moore is clearly a brilliant thinker, speaker and an fairly good manager, his primary problem is that he lacks the humility to lead an agency that serves as varied a constituency as the members of the churches of the SBC. He has shown no ability to engage with those who disagree with him (i.e. the faceless, “powerless” laity that he has routinely tossed fireballs at). There’s an arrogance with him that has been carefully nurtured over the years and one that while not impossible to overcome will require an attitude opposite of his recent non-apology apology that is more befitting a politician than a servant leader in the SBC.
I would prefer that he not be removed as head of the ERLC but if he is unwilling (unable?) to actually publicly address his shortcomings as a leader who is almost fully funded by the laity that he has used as target practice over the years, his presence as an agency head will act as a virus that will continue to erode the credibility with the laity (i.e. those who provide the funding) of any associated SBC entity.
This is the wrong time in history for this level of leadership arrogance. Unfortunately, Moore is just the latest high profile example.
I wonder if the anti-Moore backlash would be as prominent if Trump had lost. I wonder if the pro-Trump-anti-Moore folks think they are now on the right side of history since Trump won.
IMO, if anything – it’d be worse.
He and other #nevertrumpers would be blamed in a almost gleeful excoriating fashion for every single progressive action of HRC – I think the road to his “firing” would be much easier paved and driven if Trumpmania was on the losing side.
In fact there would probably be “help” from the Donald himself.
Bill Mac, if they do think they are on the right side of history they would be absolutely no different than you.
Incorrect.
There is a huge difference Dean. Huge.
Bill Mac, Do you believe that when history has run its course that the nevertrumpers will be vindicated? I am convinced from reading you comment on every move Trump makes as he establishes his cabinet that you plan on punishing Trump supporters for ever mistake, sin, dumb idea Trump has for the next four years.
You believe you are on the right side of history and you are giving a play by play as the march toward your vindication takes place.
I’ll jump in here with my response to this as a NeverTrumper. I intend to show respect – I’ve dialed back my rhetoric about Mr. Trump.
I will wait and see. I’ve liked a few of the things he’s done and I continue to be horrified at others.
I’m happy Obama is leaving – can’t come too soon – and that Hillary isn’t. I continue to be afraid of Trump’s ego and temperament.
My biggest concern remains some of the Trump supporters who seem to be more,about payback than making the country work.
In no uncertain terms I continue to believe Trump was a bad choice for America and I hope he proves me wrong.
The anti-Trump press tends to make me more sympathetic.
Someone needs to disable the man’s Twitter.
If Trump turns out to be as bad as I fear he can be, then the whole country loses, so no, I hope I am not vindicated by history. But if Trump turns out to be a good president, as unlikely as I think that will be, I will not regret the stand I took against his candidacy, which was a matter of conscience, not expediency.
Other than by voting, I have no way of punishing Trump or his supporters, I reserve the right to have opinions about what I think he does right and what I think he does wrong. I have never been a party sycophant and I think it is far more important to be critical of our own party than it is to be critical of the opposition. I think the Republican party would be far better off if it had more members who aren’t blind loyalists.
Bill M, the question was not what you hoped for but believed. You have been crystal clear that anyone would be better than Trump. You have written blogs and commented ad nauseam how horrible of a candidate DT is and how bad a president he will make, “he is unfit” were your words. You even lampooned those who supported him.
Even in your reply you indicate you believe you are on the right side of history, “as unlikely as I think that will be” speaking of Trump being a good pres.
Even people who voted for Trump agreed that he is unfit to be president. Yes, I think he was a horrible candidate. I was and am sorry and ashamed that he was chosen to be the Republican candidate.
My question about being on the right side of history was whether Trump supporters feel vindicated because he won. I think my non-support of Trump was right, of course I do. But I don’t think my “rightness” is dependent upon whether he won or lost, or whether he turns out to be a good president.
I understand, Bill, the Trump supporters believe they are on the right side of history; you know you are right.
Not much difference from where I sit.
the Trump supporters believe they are on the right side of history
Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. That’s why I asked the question. They think they are right in their support of Trump, just as I think I was right in not supporting him. I’m wondering if they think Trump’s win proves they were right. That’s the difference I think you are missing.
Bill M, I read your comment as accusative and not inquisitive. If I thought the worst and not the better of you I apologize.
Dean: No problem. I had to think through the distinction myself.
It is very encouraging that New Orleans Baptist Association is willing to offer up a public, reasoned and godly response to the hoopla.
Good stuff.
In publishing the letter does that mean that NOBA agrees with it?
just asking
Since it’s published on the associational website and signed by the executive director of the association – it’s probably safe to assume that it’s an official associational statement.
TY Tarheel
I doubt this should be seen as an official statement by the association – which likely would have required approval and vote by a group or the entire association. The fact that it’s signed by specific individuals leads me to interpret the statement as their own that the NOBA was willing to publicize for them, just as we were willing to publicize the statement as well.
In fact as I look back at my title and article description, it probably would have been more accurate to describe it as “A Group from NOBA Statement…” but that seems a little wordy for a title. I haven’t asked anyone if it should be taken as an official statement, this is my interpretation. If it’s a question that someone would like answered, I’d be glad to pass on the question for you.
“””Dr. Moore has also been a zealous advocate on behalf of the unborn, the family, the vulnerable, the weak, and the strangers among us, and vigorous in his defense of religious liberty and against racism.”””
It doesn’t seem to me that this is what Moore’s detractors are against or upset with.
Jack,
Many of his detractors deny that he has done most of that….or at least not to their liking.
It’s surreal that Dr. Moore would have to offer an apology for criticizing a presidential candidate who calls women fat pigs, brags about his genitals during a live presidential debate, and suggests that the numerous women who accuse him of sexual assault are not pretty enough for him to consider groping.
Several leaders from within NOBA made this statement rather than the association itself. As Brent commented, NOBA would have had to officially affirm the statement by vote for it to be an “official statement.”