SBTS president Al Mohler spoke at the “Pray, Vote, Stand” conference where he talked about the “discipleship of the vote” and stated that failing to vote or voting wrongly means being “unfaithful.” Watch the clip yourself:
A few additional thoughts - from a lifelong SBC insider and 30+ year pastor and missionary - I think Mohler is actually misreading the way the wind is blowing in his denomination but is reading well a vocal, angry, largely aging minority that is seeking to claw their way back into power after being privileged for so long. That's why he lost the election for SBC president so heavily two years back and why the backlash group keeps losing (most) votes at our national conventions.
The SBC tide is shifting, getting younger and more diverse and is definitively far less tied to one political party. That's who writers like Patrick Schreiner, Adam Wyatt, and others are representing. Theologically conservative, strongly anti-abortion, but far more holistically (and biblically) pro-life regarding immigration, the treatment of women, racial justice, etc.
Mohler and many in his generation (not just chronologically but also sociologically) are lost in this new world. They spent their lives fighting for "conservatism" and can't understand those who don't equate political conservatism / the republican party with a scripture shaped worldview. The weaknesses, blind spots and areas of political collusion of theological conservatives are being exposed as is their inability to self-critique. They often can't seem to see or ignore the weakness of unchecked capitalism and they minimize the dangers of Christian Nationalism, misogyny, sexual abuse and systemic racism.
Unless God grants greater grace, as we all need for true transformation, they will likely continue to pursue the re-establishment of the heyday of their power and influence. They will continue to beat the same drumbeat of politically conservative agendas and ideas. When frustrated, their rhetoric and behavior will likely accelerate (witness Kevin DeYoung's descent into defense of patriarchy) - perhaps even advocating or permitting violence to that end.
One further note - Mohler may be preparing himself for a run for political office - he certainly is hitting all the "right" conferences, etc.
May God grant greater mercy and grace to our churches!
I'm not SBC nor have I lived in the USA, but I've read enough to know that Mohler has done this sort of thing before.
I recall, many years ago, him saying that complementarianism was "an issue of basic obedience" to God's word. (I can provide a link but I'm not sure if you encourage them in comments.) He may not necessarily see it as a first-line issue on the level of the Trinity, but when one is female, it's first-line regardless — it's basically telling me how I must live my life. How can that possibly be a secondary issue?
Interestingly, he was originally an egalitarian. He apparently changed his mind virtually overnight when someone told him he'd better rethink it. The same question came up then as now: was the change due to expedience rather than a serious, unhurried reconsideration of the matter?
Thank you for your article! I wholeheartedly agree that it is dangerous to judge one's faith or faithfulness by one's vote. Having said that I submit the following:
1. Even liberal minded jurists believe that it is constitutional to challenge the outcome of an election. Democrats have done so in the past, and rightfully so.
2. Progressive ideas are sometimes against Scripture such as their views on abortion or their disdain of the Judeo-Christian ethic, the view of what constitutes a family, their pushing of unbiblical sexual practices and gender designations.
3. They are trying to remake America and silence anyone who differs with them. They want to, as I have heard them say, rewrite the constitution to do away with free speech and freedom of religion as our forefathers understood it. We are in a battle for the very soul of our nation.
4. Progressives are not the progressive leaders like Theodore Roosevelt. They want ed to unlawfully remove Trump. Eminent liberal scholar Alan Dershowitz felt strongly that Trump, both times he was impeached, was not impeached for constitutionally acceptable reasons.
5. Christians must submit to the governing authorities even if we believe them to be borderline treasonous and we must not be violent or lawless in our fight. But I am fearful that we are losing our country. I am personally a mixture of conservative and the old fashion liberal. I care deeply for the poor and immigrants, but am also concerned about the sex-trafficking, the fentanyl, and as some countries are telling us, the criminals they are sending across our border. We need the prayers of the saints around the world. Both sides of the issue give simplistic solutions to very complicated issues.
I believe the election was properly challenged by Senator Cruz in the meeting of Congress to certify the election. There is also a growing body of evidence that there was significant fraud causing some state legislatures to agree. As to January 6th, that was an embarrassing, wrongful, despicable act against our democracy. I have struggled with the concept that the American Revolution was even right or just in the sight of God.
A challenge in the US Congress can be part of contesting the election in accordance with the law, as were the various attempts to allege widespread fraud in courts.
However, many of those court cases failed due to a lack of credible evidence. It will be interesting to see if such can be produced at this late date.
The courts (including the Supreme Court) refused to hear the evidence, I heard Alan Dershowitz say, that is quite different from saying that the challenges lacked credible evidence.
One final statement. The election is over, and I personally believe that we need to move forward and let the past be the past. On a different note, I agree with Dr. Bird's contention that we cannot worship a political entity. I loved Ronald Reagan, but God and God alone must heal our broken nation. He is my only Lord and Savior.
A few additional thoughts - from a lifelong SBC insider and 30+ year pastor and missionary - I think Mohler is actually misreading the way the wind is blowing in his denomination but is reading well a vocal, angry, largely aging minority that is seeking to claw their way back into power after being privileged for so long. That's why he lost the election for SBC president so heavily two years back and why the backlash group keeps losing (most) votes at our national conventions.
The SBC tide is shifting, getting younger and more diverse and is definitively far less tied to one political party. That's who writers like Patrick Schreiner, Adam Wyatt, and others are representing. Theologically conservative, strongly anti-abortion, but far more holistically (and biblically) pro-life regarding immigration, the treatment of women, racial justice, etc.
Mohler and many in his generation (not just chronologically but also sociologically) are lost in this new world. They spent their lives fighting for "conservatism" and can't understand those who don't equate political conservatism / the republican party with a scripture shaped worldview. The weaknesses, blind spots and areas of political collusion of theological conservatives are being exposed as is their inability to self-critique. They often can't seem to see or ignore the weakness of unchecked capitalism and they minimize the dangers of Christian Nationalism, misogyny, sexual abuse and systemic racism.
Unless God grants greater grace, as we all need for true transformation, they will likely continue to pursue the re-establishment of the heyday of their power and influence. They will continue to beat the same drumbeat of politically conservative agendas and ideas. When frustrated, their rhetoric and behavior will likely accelerate (witness Kevin DeYoung's descent into defense of patriarchy) - perhaps even advocating or permitting violence to that end.
One further note - Mohler may be preparing himself for a run for political office - he certainly is hitting all the "right" conferences, etc.
May God grant greater mercy and grace to our churches!
Thanks Christopher, intresting thoughts from the inside!
I'm not SBC nor have I lived in the USA, but I've read enough to know that Mohler has done this sort of thing before.
I recall, many years ago, him saying that complementarianism was "an issue of basic obedience" to God's word. (I can provide a link but I'm not sure if you encourage them in comments.) He may not necessarily see it as a first-line issue on the level of the Trinity, but when one is female, it's first-line regardless — it's basically telling me how I must live my life. How can that possibly be a secondary issue?
Interestingly, he was originally an egalitarian. He apparently changed his mind virtually overnight when someone told him he'd better rethink it. The same question came up then as now: was the change due to expedience rather than a serious, unhurried reconsideration of the matter?
Always back expedience and survival when it comes to changes of belief.
Thank you for your article! I wholeheartedly agree that it is dangerous to judge one's faith or faithfulness by one's vote. Having said that I submit the following:
1. Even liberal minded jurists believe that it is constitutional to challenge the outcome of an election. Democrats have done so in the past, and rightfully so.
2. Progressive ideas are sometimes against Scripture such as their views on abortion or their disdain of the Judeo-Christian ethic, the view of what constitutes a family, their pushing of unbiblical sexual practices and gender designations.
3. They are trying to remake America and silence anyone who differs with them. They want to, as I have heard them say, rewrite the constitution to do away with free speech and freedom of religion as our forefathers understood it. We are in a battle for the very soul of our nation.
4. Progressives are not the progressive leaders like Theodore Roosevelt. They want ed to unlawfully remove Trump. Eminent liberal scholar Alan Dershowitz felt strongly that Trump, both times he was impeached, was not impeached for constitutionally acceptable reasons.
5. Christians must submit to the governing authorities even if we believe them to be borderline treasonous and we must not be violent or lawless in our fight. But I am fearful that we are losing our country. I am personally a mixture of conservative and the old fashion liberal. I care deeply for the poor and immigrants, but am also concerned about the sex-trafficking, the fentanyl, and as some countries are telling us, the criminals they are sending across our border. We need the prayers of the saints around the world. Both sides of the issue give simplistic solutions to very complicated issues.
Thank you for listening!
Respectfully!
Stanton, I think the Dem claim that Russia stole the election from Hillary was the set the example of saying that the Dem's stole it from Trump
Yes, elections can be challenged but within legal systems and with some basis in facts.
Of course the U.S. got its start with a violent revolution against established order, so the impulse may be a feature rather than a bug.
True
I believe the election was properly challenged by Senator Cruz in the meeting of Congress to certify the election. There is also a growing body of evidence that there was significant fraud causing some state legislatures to agree. As to January 6th, that was an embarrassing, wrongful, despicable act against our democracy. I have struggled with the concept that the American Revolution was even right or just in the sight of God.
A challenge in the US Congress can be part of contesting the election in accordance with the law, as were the various attempts to allege widespread fraud in courts.
However, many of those court cases failed due to a lack of credible evidence. It will be interesting to see if such can be produced at this late date.
The courts (including the Supreme Court) refused to hear the evidence, I heard Alan Dershowitz say, that is quite different from saying that the challenges lacked credible evidence.
One final statement. The election is over, and I personally believe that we need to move forward and let the past be the past. On a different note, I agree with Dr. Bird's contention that we cannot worship a political entity. I loved Ronald Reagan, but God and God alone must heal our broken nation. He is my only Lord and Savior.