Russell Moore and SBC Infighting

Shortly after the election, I mentioned, in passing, the Fundamentalist failure to decry Donald Trump's racism and religious bigotry. One name stood out among the rest: Russell Moore, the president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Think of him as the SBC's chief lobbyist.

Moore was the most prominent Fundamentalist voice criticizing Donald Trump -- and he was largely alone. Moore was among the few willing to criticize the president-elect not only for Trump's adultery but also for his verbal attacks on women, people of color, immigrants, and Muslims.

Moore stood alone as most of his colleagues caved in: Wayne Grudem, Jerry Fallwell, and Richard Land (Moore's predecessor at the helm of the ERLC).

Now Moore is facing the predictable back-lash.

The Religion News Service is reporting:

[...]The Wall Street Journal reported some of Moore’s critics are considering withdrawing support for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, which Moore has led since 2013. 

The Journal quoted Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at First Baptist Dallas and a Trump supporter, who said members of his church don’t believe the ERLC “represents our church’s beliefs.” 

Some SBC members fear Moore’s stances will limit their access to the new administration. And Louisiana Baptists have asked their leaders to study recent actions of the ERLC, though the convention’s executive director, David Hankins, called defunding the agency “a last resort.”

Moore, for his part, is apologizing if Baptists thought he was attacking their faith (a marginal courtesy he has not extended to those of us who support LGBT rights).

Evangelical columnist Jonathan Merritt's take on the controversy is well worth reading in full, but here's the gist:

Apparently, funds should go toward mission efforts unless they can buy Baptists access to the president. 

Many Southern Baptists believe Trump represents their best hope at social dominance, or at least social renewal. They naturally want someone who is well-positioned to capitalize on their political agenda, not someone sitting in the bleachers watching it from afar. But unlike these Southern Baptists, Moore will not trade his principles and positions for a seat at the president’s table.

 I disagree with Russell Moore on no shortage of issues, but I applaud his bold willingness to stand up to the political hungry voices of his own denomination.