An Open Letter to the Six Presidents of Southern Baptist Convention Theological Seminaries
By Rev. Brandon A. A. J. Davis, Contributing Writer
To the Presidents of:
Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Since the announcement of the decision to not teach (CRT) Critical Race Theory and to condemn its theological and philosophical implications to understand the underlying framework of whiteness, white privilege, and religiously sanctioned white supremacy – has enlarged the adverse effects on people of color in pursuit of accredited theological education. It has also created spaces for concerted conversations to identify the church’s role within society as truth-tellers, specifically the Southern Baptist Convention and its theological centers for Christian education.
The rejection of (CRT) and the ambiguous yet codified language and objections regarding racism certify the Christian community’s united protestation. Discrimination and racial violence have deep roots within the formation of this denomination. For years SBC bred the racial and ungodly environment that has given rise to the angst of hurt and mistreated people of color. Furthermore, this action misappropriates the actual teachings of Jesus Christ and misrepresent the essence of Christianity. As stated by leading Baptist historian, Leon McBath slavery was a central issue that led to the 1845 schism within the Baptist Church, giving rise to the Southern Baptist Convention’s birth in the same year in Augusta, Georgia. Over time, this schism cultivated evil, immoral, and anti-religious thoughts and practices that warrant such vital teaching as Critical Race Theory.
The historical and willful ambivalence of the SBC regarding the root cause of an orchestrated racial divide in America stems from this institution’s propitiated version of equality. The epiphenomena of the decision to not teach (CRT) and the rejection of its value as a theological and philosophical framework has alerted the larger community of Christian thinkers to question the sincerity of the SBC’s stance on race relations in America.
It is widely known the deep and ancestral ties to white supremacy in the SBC as an institution, the legacy of white supremacy is still a reality – proven by the 53% of white mainline protestants who voted for Donald Trump in 2020. Robert P. Jones, CEO, and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), author of “White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity,” and a product of the Southern Baptist Convention, asserts the following statement: “The link between political leaders and prominent white churches was not just incidental; these religious connections served as the moral underpinning for the entire project of protecting the dominate social and political standing of whites.”
Without question, the SBC and its several institutions would benefit significantly from the use of (CRT). The five tenants of CRT speak directly to the infected area of change, especially regarding current race problems in America. The urgency for teaching (CRT) is identified through the insurrection on January 6, 2020. More than ever, special consideration for (CRT) demands of this organization who profess Christian ideals and aims, yet whose well-documented history have since 1844 failed to articulate its commitment to black equality. The collective stance regarding the teaching of (CRT) can only suggest this ill-faded house’s desire to remain obscure to God concerning black people’s social condition. Thus, the insistence that these institutions do not teach (CRT) gives credence to the views of Basil Manly, Sr., who believed white Christians are God’s chosen plan to civilize the world. Such erroneous heresy can only be debunked by accepting Critical Race Theory and proper integration of liberation theological teachings.
On a personal note, any professing Christian denies the influence of white evangelicals and white mainline protestants’ role in inciting malicious acts of racial violence and supports the oppressing injustice of too long subjugated and criminally targeted people of color are void of the love of God. More importantly, they deny ever knowing the love and grace of a sovereign God as understood as salvation. To continue on this wise is to repudiate the covenant and vows made to God in exchange for whiteness and white privilege.
Too many leaders and associates like John V. Rutledge, who typified the openly practiced racist rhetoric of SBC, targeted Pastor Dwight McKissick of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, for separating from SBC over its stance on (CRT). Such characteristics and actions rebuff the truth of God’s love, which is the fruit of justice. They fail to identify with God who delights to do justice, and before whose throne, righteousness and justice lay the foundation for faithful love, truth, and fellowship with ALL humankind.
I urgently employ you to invest in the quality of your student’s education by teaching Critical Race Theory. The only way to combat the crisis of racism and white supremacy is to educate the prophetic voices whose responsibility as truth-tellers are formally equipped with the necessary tools to teach and disciple Christian believers in a more excellent way. The pathways toward racial inclusivity must be paved with truth regardless of its embarrassing or deleterious past. Historical seminaries’ future will constitute its positions in moments when truth mattered more than its bygone longevity. Lastly, as a measure of full devotion to God and people of color seek repentance, earnestly, for the sin of refusing to accept the truth found in CRT and the role SBC has played concerning race hate the practice of white supremacy. Such sins committed by commission, blind omission, both historically and present.
