Some say the SBC isn't woke & there's nothing to be alarmed about. Don't be so sure.
Paul said "a little leaven leavens the lump."
The broader SBC may not be full-blown woke, but some places are.
A friend recently shared notes from a SEND Philly training.
See for yourself🧵
My friend attended a training who's purpose was "to assist planters, pastors, ministry leaders and lay persons with a heart to serve those within the urban context."
The "urban context" is defined according to progressive priorities using leftist buzzwords.
Page 8 describes "marginalized" people as "the other."
They are subject to:
* Systemic racism
* System disparity
* Modern day slavery and
* Environmental oppression
Jesus' ministry is presented as a social justice crusade to empower "the least of these."
This is a misuse of that text. The "least of these" in Mt25 refers to Christians who are socially ostracized because of their faithfulness to Jesus. It doesn't teach social activism.
The biblical justification they provide is simply to accept the social justice framing as valid and then quote texts where Jesus ministers to people who fit those categories.
* Poor
* Women
* Disabled
* Strangers
* Prostitutes
* Criminals
Jesus is the "marginalized savior"
Ministry leaders are instructed to do "incarnational ministry" like Jesus (dubbed "biblical justice") by focusing on marginalized peoples.
The definition of biblical justice is provided by Ron Sider, a well known progressive social justice advocate.
What does this kind of incarnational ministry look like in practice? A buffet of buzzwords.
* Opposing systemic oppression
* Protest events
* Recognizing inequity
* Use your power/privilege to be a voice
* Advocate for the oppressed
Preaching the gospel is barely acknowledged.
The pastor's #1 task is to preach Christ & him crucified.
Trainings like this take a church planter's zeal & guilts them into using worldly means to accomplish spiritual ends.
They're taught that Jesus is more of an activist than savior.
It's a false gospel that cannot save.
According to Linked in, the author of this training material is still employed by NAMB.
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