The Southern Baptist Convention Leaders
And Their Affirmation of the “Gay Christian”
Posted 21 August 2019 / Updated 18 May 2022
My husband and I attended the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, held in Birmingham, Alabama, as messengers for our small church in Mississippi. This was the first time we attended one of these meetings, and it was quite a revealing experience.
There have been some major battles taking place among the leadership in the SBC churches, but people seem to be totally unaware of the “apostasy” that is taking place! I just don’t know how long God will allow men to blaspheme His Holy Name.
1 Peter 4:17-18 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
Things are not always the way they seem, and sometimes you have to look deeper to really understand where people are coming from and where they are headed. As I see it, the SBC leadership has been “progressively” steering churches away from God, and His truth! As members of an SBC church, or follower of Jesus Christ, we can flow with it, or stand against it!
God has said in 2 John 1:9-11 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
When the gospel of Jesus Christ is compromised, or the Word of God is maligned, I AM adamantly opposed to those who do that! This article reveals why I am absolutely against the leaders in the churches, colleges, and SBC entities that participate in, or allow, the teaching of false doctrine. I hope you will prayerfully consider some of the facts that I have gathered, and other research material.
Beth Moore is a popular author, SBC Bible teacher, and evangelist. She is the founder of Living Proof Ministries, and in conjunction with LifeWay Christian Resources—the publishing arm for the SBC—she conducts her conferences. Since the SBC leadership closed all 170 LifeWay stores this year, Moore is prominently advertised at LifeWay.com.
There has been much controversy surrounding Beth Moore regarding her preaching to men, but in this article I am mainly concerned about her affirmation of those who have an affinity towards “same sex attraction”—SSA. In other words, she affirms and condones the homosexual “gay” lifestyle among those who claim to be a Christian or fellow believer.
Here’s a revealing statement (published 29 July 2019) from an excerpt of one her “talks,” where Beth Moore says gay celibacy is a sacrifice. Notice she tries to equate skin color with SSA advocates!
Beth Moore: “I have deliberately started following and reading works of— Far more of Christians of color. And my world, and my heart, has just exploded. I am so thankful. I have come— This is the world we live in.
Let’s not be scandalized by what I am about to say. I have also started following, reading articles and books by our fellow believers who are singles that have, with much dignity and humility, testified to having life-long same sex attraction (SSA), but they have chosen in their fellowship with Christ, to fellowship with him in the tremendous sacrifice of celibacy. That this how they believe I want to follow him. And this is what I believe the scriptures say. And this is how I want to follow him.
And I’ve been so blessed by just reading, getting to know my culture. Getting to understand it through the lens of the gospel. This—We were entrusted to this world…”
Update 18 May 2022:
Beth Moore told Religion News Service in an interview on 5 March 2021 that she is “no longer a Southern Baptist.” She has cut ties with the SBC, and attends an Anglican Church. However, her books are still available for sale at Lifeway the publishing arm of the SBC.
Russell Moore is a theologian, ethicist, and preacher. He has been the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), since 2013. Moore previously served at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, one of six seminaries of the SBC, as dean of the School of Theology, senior vice president for academic administration, and as professor of Christian theology and ethics.
Russell Moore has also been an outspoken defender of Beth Moore (no relation). Prior to when the messengers met for SBC 2019 annual meeting, Russell Moore was on a panel discussion in Birmingham, (which also included Beth Moore). He said, “An SBC that doesn’t have a place for Beth Moore, doesn’t have a place for a lot of us.” (10 June 2019)
Updated 18 May 2022:
Russell Moore left the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), after eight years, and he announced on 18 May 2021 that he will take on a new role with Christianity Today. There’s much that has been said about Mr. Moore’s beliefs, but his support of false teachers says it all.
James Merritt is a preacher and American religious leader, and was President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Merritt is currently pastoring at Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, GA; and is the host of “Touching Lives,” which is broadcast by TBN—Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Update 18 May 2022:
James Merritt is still the senior pastor of Cross Pointe Church as of today. He was forced to resign from the SEBTS, due to his post at Twitter on 22 November 2021:
“I don’t agree with my loved son @JonathanMerritt on everything to be sure. But I encourage you to listen to his message on Mark 13. It is both brilliant and faithful to the gospel and the coming of Jesus!” (Jonathan Merritt’s sermon was preached at Good Shepherd New York on 21 November 2021.)
On 28 November 2021, the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel Akin announced on Twitter that James Merritt would be resigning his position at SEBTS.
Akin said: “Today my dear friend @drjamesmerritt asked me to allow him to decline serving as a visiting professor @SEBTS, not wanting to be a distraction to the school,” Akin said. “I have honored his request. His integrity, character & love for the gospel is a model for us all.”
Jonathan Merritt
Jonathan Merritt, the son of James Merritt, posted the following statement on his Instagram page dated 13 June 2019:
Jonathan Merritt @JonathanMerritt “To all who are celebrating #pride, I wish you joy, grace, peace, and safety. May you find the courage to share your stories and know that your life is worth celebrating.”
On 14 June 2019, Laura Ingraham Interviews Anti-Gay Activist and Jonathan Merritt regarding Drag Queen Story Hour, which Merritt defends. Here’s a link to the article from “The Capstone Report” entitled: Progressive Christian writer, son of former SBC President promotes Drag Queen Story Events
On 1 July 2019, Jonathan Merritt is sitting in a yoga position and makes the following statement on his Instagram account:
“I came to understand this a few years ago when I was reeling from chronic pain, vibrating with anxiety, and deep in depression. After trying all kinds of medications and therapies, I started researching on the mind-body connection and the latest research on the way my psyche, spirit, and physiology are tethered.
Today, I practice mindfulness meditation every morning and evening. It has improved my health and overall well-being as much as anything else I tried. I couldn’t survive without it. In this month’s @guidepostsmagazine, I wrote a personal, vulnerable account of my journey. Read the “The Prayer Practice That Helped Me Heal” at the LINK IN BIO.”
On 17 July 2019, Jonathan Merritt posted on Twitter account:
“Growing up my dad taught me that a TRUE FRIEND will walk into your house when the whole world has just walked out. @BethMooreLPM is a true friend. She is the real deal and walks the talk…”
(As of 18 August 2019, the posts are live, but may be taken down in the future.)
On 18 July 2019, James Merritt commented on his sons statement:
James Merritt @drjamesmerritt “Thx @BethMooreLPM for being the real deal. I might add my son @JonathanMerritt practices what he preaches. I have seen his real friendship in action many times. I’m glad he is my #BFF!”
On 20 July 2019, James Merritt comments again regarding his son:
James Merritt @drjamesmerritt Replying to @AlanaCHolmes @BethMooreLPM and 2 others “Agree w/all you said and more!! I cannot get over the honor I have for being his dad and having him as one of my BFF. @JonathanMerritt is a treasure!!”
From Panama City Beach, FL·Twitter for iPhone
SBC Pastor James Merritt claims that he is BFF (Best Friend Forever) with his son Jonathan Merritt even though Jonathan is “gay affirming.” I have not found anywhere online that James Merritt, the pastor of Cross Pointe Church, renounces “Same Sex Attraction” (SSA), the new term they want people to use. And this is the pastor of Rick Gage of Go Tell Ministries, an evangelist promoted by SBC leaders.
Updated 18 May 2022:
Not only is Jonathan “gay affirming,” he openly admitted, on 4 August 2021, that he is gay.
Evangelist Rick Gage, sometimes called “the Billy Graham of small towns,” is scheduled to conduct a crusade in the heart of Mississippi on 20-23 October of this year. According to the Baptist Press, “Gage has been involved in more than 500 crusades, revivals, and conferences in small towns all across America, witnessing more than 250,000 decisions for Christ. His GO TELL Ministries, based in Duluth, Ga., include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals and overseas missions trips.”
Rick Gage, along with James Merritt, has connections with Trinity Broadcasting Network. Merritt currently has programs on that network, but Gage, from what I see, only has a link to his older interview on TBN. Yes, the interview was some ten years ago, but Gage shows his support for this apostate entity by virtue of the fact that he links to that interview from his website Today. As of 18 August 2019, his link to TBN is still active on his website.
I am not calling into question the faith and sincerity of any true Christian that is seeking to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with this lost and dying world that desperately needs Him, but I see any connection with TBN, their false teachings, or anyone affiliated with false teachers as an “unholy alliance,” and as a way for God’s people to compromise the truth, and be a participant in something that God expressly forbids in His word.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
TBN founders, Jan and Paul Crouch (now deceased), promoted the “prosperity gospel,” and irrespective of their professions of faith, they were not followers of Jesus Christ! Some of their guests are known heretics, such as Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard Brown, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen, and many other Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Word of Faith adherents, some of whom claim to be “little gods.”
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
The great Apostasy is right now! I know that people have been taught that the Church is going to be raptured out of here before things get really bad, but I honestly do not believe the “Left Behind” fallacy. Some of those same false teachers are pushing OSAS, CRT—Affirmative action in the SBC, and some even teach the false narrative that King James, of all people, was Gay/SSA! That rumor, which was initiated by an enemy of the King, was absolutely unsubstantiated; but when spoken by a trusted person in authority, it can cause innocent people to doubt the Word of God, especially if they are not knowledgeable about the “Bible Version Debate.” And sadly, learned and unlearned men, alike, are believing, and passing on that wicked lie, sometimes purposefully, and sometimes quite innocently, in defense of the “modern versions” of the Bible.
Updated 18 May 2022:
Not sure if Rick Gage is still a member of Cross Pointe Church with James Merritt as his pastor, but he supports him through his Go Tell Ministry website. This link reveals he was a member, and may still be, even after all the controversy.
The Nashville Statement was drafted two years ago, in late August 2017, during the annual conference of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. (Please note: Russell Moore is the president of that SBC entity.) The “statement” was published online on August 29, 2017, and to date they have garnered 22,000 + signatures.
Please consider the following statement from Article 8 of “The Nashville Statement.” It is quite revealing, and demonstrates an absolute departure away from the truth of the Gospel!
“ARTICLE 8
WE AFFIRM that people who experience sexual attraction for the same sex may live a rich and fruitful life pleasing to God through faith in Jesus Christ, as they, like all Christians, walk in purity of life.”
You may wonder how can so many professing Christians agree to such an outrageous blasphemous statement! But it is just ANOTHER “sign of the times.”
Never forget: If good men do nothing, the enemy WILL take over! And make no mistake, Satan’s objective is “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” whomsoever he can deceive and lure into his trap!
If the devil can deceive, delude, or distract the leaders in the churches and families, his corrupting influence will prevail! And that is what has been happening!
This one verse reveals exactly how the churches have been compromised, and why the Devil has been able to corrupt the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 13:25 “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”
Here’s a select list of some of the initial Signatories of The Nashville Statement. And please note, this was their titles and positions at the time they put their names to this document some two years ago.
Select Signatories of The Nashville Statement
Jonathan Merritt, the son of James Merritt did not sign “The Nashville Statement,” but he wrote an article about it.
Here’s a quote expressing his opinion of this “statement” that his father and many other religious leaders signed.
“Absence of Repentance: Let’s look at the content itself. The Nashville Statement fails as soon as it starts, not because of its assertions but because of its omissions. The statement fails to acknowledge, much less apologize for Christians’ sinful mistreatment of the LGBT community.”
According to the SBC Constitution, the SBC leaders who signed “The Nashville Statement,” has caused their churches to not be in “friendly cooperation” with the Southern Baptist Convention, and they should either step down from their positions, or their churches should vote to strip them of their titles and positions of leadership. And if they refuse the SBC should disfellowship with these churches.
It is time for faithful followers of the LORD Jesus Christ to renounce this systemic sin that is rampant within the SBC leadership!
“Article III. Composition: The Convention shall consist of messengers who are members of Baptist churches in cooperation with the Convention. The following subparagraphs describe the Convention’s current standards and method of determining the maximum number of messengers the Convention will recognize from each cooperating church to attend the Convention’s annual meeting.
1. The Convention will only deem a church to be in friendly cooperation with the Convention, and sympathetic with its purposes and work (i.e., a “cooperating” church as that term is used in the Convention’s governing documents) which:(1) Has a faith and practice which closely identifies with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith. (By way of example, churches which act to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior would be deemed not to be in cooperation with the Convention.)”
End of excerpt.
One last bit of information that exposes the delusion of those who are responsible for passing the “gay affirming” resolution at the 2019 SBC annual meeting.
Here’s the last paragraph from “Resolution 5 – ON SEXUALITY AND PERSONAL IDENTITY that was passed on June 12, 2019 at the Southern Baptist Convention.
“Resolved, That we call on Southern Baptist churches to call sinners to repentance while ministering, encouraging, fostering hospitality, and extending Christlike love toward those brothers and sisters who experience same-sex attraction.“
Beth Moore, a main money maker for LifeWay, is a heretic! Russell Moore, the head of the ERLC—the political arm of the SBC, is a heretic! The newly re-elected President of the SBC, JD Greear, is a heretic! (And by the way, no other man stepped up, and Greear was unopposed during the recent election for the position of SBC President. So, he was elected by just one man! Messengers were not even given the opportunity to say yea or nay!)
The overriding problem with the leadership at LifeWay, the publishing arm for the SBC, and certain leaders in Southern Baptist Convention churches, is their LOVE of money, power, and pleasure; rather than a love for God and His Truth!
JD Greear and company may tout the theme “Gospel Above All,” but these men are guilty of preaching another “gospel” besides the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
We are living in such an “evil time” where we need to be so watchful, and if you are not aware of the battles raging amongst the SBC leadership, and some of the leaders in the churches, it’s time to be informed and be willing to make a stand for the Truth, or get swept up in the flood!
The following passage reveals what God thinks about those who would corrupt the Word of God and the gospel of Christ!
Galatians 1:8-9 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
I want to share an excerpt from my book, “Walking With the Enemy,” that I hope you will seriously think about. And by the way, this IS the heart of the gospel of Christ!
“Everything you have learned here has been tainted with evil, and you can’t hold on to any of it. The only thing that you can hold on to is the fact that Jesus Christ died for you, and by His mighty power, God raised Him from the dead.
And if you believe that in your heart, and claim Him as Lord, He will put the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead inside of you to lead you and guide you into the truth!
Light will overshadow darkness, and darkness will not be able to stand in the presence of God!” Amen!
My Dearly Beloved Friend and fellow servant of Jesus;
It is always so sad to see how subtle the “Church” drift away from the pure Word of God by mixing Truth with error in words that are well thought and beautifully arranged. I was also surprised to see some names in the signatories, of the authors I read and respected from over the years of my Bible school days and early ministry! Our world is indeed ripe for judgment, and the return of our LORD is at hand!
May we will keep ourselves true to the WORD of GOD, and follow HIS guidance and direction even if people may not recognize us, or even some of them mock us to scorn be cause they thought we have not grown, and learned to adapt…
Thank you for your faithfulness, and efforts to expose these departure from the ONLY GOSPEL of the Lord Jesus Christ! Keep yourself strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!
Very grateful fellow soldier of the Cross;
pastor arnie
28 December 2021
My Dear Pastor Arnie and Fellow Servant of the Most High God,
I am so thankful for you and your stand for the Truth! It may seem that we are alone in our concern for the churches, but we must continue to defend the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, without mixture!
I wrote that article over two years ago, and the world, (including the church world), has changed so drastically! And not for the better! (Actually all of this is a fulfillment of the Scriptures.)
God will judge much more harshly pastors, leaders, and teachers who led God’s people astray, in Jesus’ name!
I want to encourage you, and other faithful believers in the LORD Jesus Christ, with this comforting, yet convicting, passage. And realize this was written to professing Christians, which absolutely blows away the Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) Theory.”
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 10:30 For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.
Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
May we remain faithful unto the end! And by God’s grace we will continue to stand for our LORD Jesus and His Truth!
God bless and keep you and your dear family and loved ones—always!
All praise, honour, glory, power and might be unto the LORD our God! Amen!
C.Read
I think you should reconsider how you are interpreting the wording of article 9 of The Nashville Statement. From the rest of the document, it is clear to me that they are NOT saying that you can can have a homosexual lifestyle AND life a rich life that is pleasing to God. I think what they are saying is that it is possible for a homosexual to find a rich life if they are saved and follow God. I see this as implying that they forsake the homosexual lifestyle when they are saved and trade that lifestyle with a lifestyle of following Jesus. Just want to warn you to make sure you understand what they meant. It is easy to take a sentence is twist it to mean just about anything. I’ll have to admit, it wasn’t the best worded sentence and I could see how someone could interpret it both ways. It is clear from the rest of the document that they are not condoning or affirming that the homosexual lifestyle is biblical, but is NOT biblical and will not lead to life.
18 January 2024 / 7 Shevat 5784
Mr. Brian,
Leaders, especially those in the church, should choose their words very carefully, especially for official documents. Based on what so many men and women affirmed in the “Nashville Statement,” and Resolution 8 at the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, they claim that a person who is attracted to the opposite sex (a.k.a. SSA) can be a Christian brother and sister.
Here’s the last paragraph from “Resolution 5 – ON SEXUALITY AND PERSONAL IDENTITY that was passed on June 12, 2019 at the Southern Baptist Convention.
“Resolved, That we call on Southern Baptist churches to call sinners to repentance while ministering, encouraging, fostering hospitality, and extending Christlike love toward those brothers and sisters who experience same-sex attraction.“
From the Nashville Statement:
“ARTICLE 8
WE AFFIRM that people who experience sexual attraction for the same sex may live a rich and fruitful life pleasing to God through faith in Jesus Christ, as they, like all Christians, walk in purity of life.”
I absolutely reject these statements that so many Christian leaders have affirmed! Woe be unto those who call themselves Christians, yet do not follow Christ!
For all who are in Christ, and Christ in them, you are not the same as you were before. You will hate sin, and love righteousness! No, perfection has not yet come, but our perspective in life has been completely changed. And God WILL give us power over sin as we submit ourselves to Him!
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
I believe there are a lot of pastors, preachers, and teachers who “hold the truth in unrighteousness,” and have become “vain in their imaginations,” and have “changed the truth of God into a lie;” so God has just given them over to a reprobate mind and their vile affections, and “gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves.”
They know this abominable sin is wrong, but they are powerless to do anything about it. This is why so many “Christians” are trying to make SSA acceptable. There comes a time when God’s judgment will come down upon those who continue to teach lies in the name of Jesus Christ!
Romans 1:26-27 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
Hebrews 10:3 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
I just pray that God’s people will reject the lies spoken in His Name, and stand up for the Truth!
C. Read