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Everything Bart says here, plus... It is obvious from the task force report that the issue at hand here is not based in policy but in GOP politics. The report states that the @ERLC should only advocate on issues for which the SBC has passed resolutions. So let’s dive in. https://twitter.com/bartbarber/status/1356368998384988167
The report claims that some members are uncomfortable with the ERLC’s stance on immigration. But a 2018 resolution fully backs up the ERLC’s advocacy and statements on immigration. @drmoore and the ERLC have acted in cooperation with this resolution. https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-immigration/
Another thing that is directly implied but not overtly stated is @drmoore’s repeated denunciation of the Jan 6 insurrection and his alleged lack of response to the looting, violence, and destruction of property in the summer of 2020. First, Dr. Moore did make one statement.
After former President Trump used tear gas on protestors to hold up a Bible in front of a DC church that had been set on fire by protestors, Dr. Moore released a statement (I cannot find the original statement despite my best efforts): https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/amid-protests-us-faith-leaders-engage-racism-and-politics
Now, you may be thinking “that’s not enough”. But who would Dr. Moore be speaking to in such a situation? Dr. Moore is in a position to speak to A) the government, and B) Southern Baptists. Would condemning riots be in the purview of his position with the ERLC? Not at all.
Also, the report wants to hold the ERLC and staff to speaking on issues that the SBC has already passed resolutions on. That means Moore couldn’t speak about any of these issues. The last resolution speaking to looting/rioting was... you may be able to guess the year... in 1968.
Here it is. And guess what it says. “Call upon all citizens to support their local police...by...insisting upon responsible use of force, and creating open communication”. It sounds like the ERLC was doing exactly as the task force wants. https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/resolution-on-violence-disregard-for-law/
Btw, another little thing I found in there: SBCers called for Congress to “pass laws to bring the insane traffic in guns to a halt”. This is the only mention of gun legislation in a resolution. So the ERLC should be limited to advocating *in favor* of gun control, I assume.
My point, in case I haven’t been clear: the task force report reeks of political motivations, not Biblical ethics. The ERLC should be free to advocate as they and their trustees see fit, w/in Biblical grounds. Big churches w/ deep pockets should not have the power to change that.
