Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention Diverse African American and White Perspectives

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has a historical stain. The SBC once affirmed slavery and openly opposed and condemned abolitionists. Even though the convention repented of this sin publicly, a profound divide between the white majority and the black and brown minority still exists for many churches.

This stain is more than historical fact; it prohibits Southern Baptist churches from embracing the one new man in Christ promised in Ephesians 2:11–22 and from participating in the new song of the saints from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation in Revelation 5:9.

The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ commands all his followers to do our part in removing racism from our midst. Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention is a powerful and practical call to sacrifice, humility, and perseverance—along with a relentless commitment to Christian unity—for the sake of the gospel and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Kevin M. Jones is associate dean of academic innovation and professor of teacher education at Boyce College in Louisville, KY.
 
Jarvis J. Williams is associate professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and author of numerous books and articles.

Dedication
 
Contributors
 
Abbreviations
 
Selected Southern Baptist Convention Resolutions on Race from 1845 to 2007 

Preface

Foreword

Chapter 1 - Introduction: Conceived in Sin, Called by the Gospel: The Root Cause of the Stain of Racism in the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 2 - Historical Causes of the Stain of Racism in the Southern Baptist Convention 

Chapter 3 - Biblical Steps toward Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 4 - Theological Steps toward Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 5 - The Role of Ethics in Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 6 - “Play the Men”: Preaching and Pastoral Steps toward Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 7 - Administrative Steps toward Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 8 - Educational Steps toward Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 9 - Publishing for Church Leaders to Remove the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Chapter 10 - Are We There Yet? Concluding Thoughts about Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Epilogue 1 - Why the Stain of Racism Remains in the Southern Baptist Convention: An African American Pastor’s Perspective

Epilogue 2 - Why the Stain of Racism Remains in the Southern Baptist Convention, An Anglo Seminary President’s Perspective 

Postscript

Appendix 1: Suggested Reading List on Race and Race Relations
 
Appendix 2: Sample Syllabus for Southern Baptist Educators Teaching on Race
 
Bibliography