Somewhat of a stir was created within the last week when the Gospel Coalition published an article by the nationally prominent Southern Baptist pastor from Durham, J.D. Greear. Recall that his Summit Church is large with multiple sites; and that it has “birthed” numerous other churches including Mercy Hill in Greensboro. Recall also that Greear has been a key national figure tilting the Southern Baptist Convention further to the left. He is a former president of the Convention and has continued to have influence.
His article, “Why I’m Not A Christian Nationalist”, is found here.
He says he doesn’t like Christian Nationalism because he doesn’t want a certain brand of Christianity to be privileged above his own. But in fact, that has already happened. The worldview of liberal mainline Protestantism– i.e., secular liberalism– has been encoded within governmental institutions for many decades. Moreover, those advancing Christian Nationalism are not arguing that government should endorse a certain denominational entity.
He admits that law is based upon some conception of morality, but decides that biblical Christians should not organize to assert their OWN conception of morality in the public square. He claims that, if we do so, we would be turning over the keys that God gave to the church.
He says Christians should run for office and that he wants as much Christianity in the government as possible. But then he makes the assertions contained within the previous two paragraphs.
He claims to oppose religious tests for office. But his own state– North Carolina– has a provision in its state Constitution that bars from public office those who “deny the being of Almighty God”. Has he called for the elimination of that provision in his own backyard?
He denies that government should promote the Christian religion despite the excellent biblical cases for doing so that have been shared by folks like James Baird and Stephen Wolfe. He states his own hope is in the church preaching the gospel. And yet he fails to observe what has happened to the country over the years in spite of churches preaching the gospel.
The Gospel Coalition ought not be trusted, nor should the judgment of JD Greear. He has grown his own church over the years and spawned others. Many are within his “universe” and influenced by him. But we ought not regard his pronouncements as dispositive. He preaches the gospel of church growth while diminishing the “salt and light” influence that organized groups of biblical Christians should have at all levels of government.
J.D. Greear wants a certain brand of Christianity to be privileged above his own. But in fact, that has already happened. The worldview of liberal mainline Protestantism– i.e., secular liberalism– has been encoded within governmental institutions for many decades. Moreover, those advancing Christian Nationalism are not arguing that government should endorse a certain denominational entity.
He admits that law is based upon some conception of morality, but decides that biblical Christians should not organize to assert their OWN conception of morality in the public square. He claims that, if we do so, we would be turning over the keys that God gave to the church.
He says Christians should run for office and that he wants as much Christianity in the government as possible. But then he makes the assertions contained within the previous two paragraphs.
He claims to oppose religious tests for office. But his own state– North Carolina– has a provision in its state Constitution that bars from public office those who “deny the being of Almighty God”. Has he called for the elimination of that provision in his own backyard?
He denies that government should promote the Christian religion despite the excellent biblical cases for doing so that have been shared by folks like James Baird and Stephen Wolfe. He states his own hope is in the church preaching the gospel. And yet he fails to observe what has happened to the country over the years in spite of churches preaching the gospel.
The Gospel Coalition ought not be trusted, nor should the judgment of JD Greear. He has grown his own church over the years and spawned others. Many are within his “universe” and influenced by him. But we ought not regard his pronouncements as dispositive.
And it’s a good thing that Willy Rice is president of the SBC.
Yes, it IS a good thing, Fred. What a refreshing change at a critical moment!