Is Mohler "Purging the Conservatives" from SBTS?
Tuesday, three Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professors were laid off. A fourth may be laid off soon, but his employment status is not yet definite.
These layoffs come on the heels of Monday's (4/20/2020) executive meeting of the SBTS Board of Trustees. In this meeting, significant structural and budget changes were made that included an unprecedented "budget reduction of 30 percent, which includes a 15 percent tuition decrease -- but also cuts in staff and other unspecified structural changes." The reasons given for this shift is the financial and social impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused.
Though SBTS is a large, well known, and highly regarded institution, it should not be a surprise that these kinds of changes are being made. Other schools have made similar changes, and thousands of businesses are making radical and innovative changes to their structure and budget to adjust to the current crisis. Sadly, many companies are either dramatically cutting staff or closing altogether.
The staff cuts at SBTS happened the day after this meeting. Russell Fuller, Theodore Cabal, and Jim Orrick have reportedly been laid off, and Ken Magnuson may be laid off in the future, but it is unclear at this time.
Alarmingly, some within fundamentalist Baptist circles are using these very tragic staff cuts as an opportunity to sow discord and division. As I have written elsewhere, I am not a baptist, I do not share many theological ideas with Albert Mohler and other leading Reformed Baptist voices, and I also have my own fair share of criticisms of Mohler, the ERLC, and other figures in that arena. However, I want to offer a word of correction to those chomping at the bit for a scandal.
Be slower to speak (James 1:19).
Some Christian marketed tabloids are claiming that Albert Mohler personally fired "the only remaining" conservative professors. Claims are being made that the remaining professors are "liberal" or "Marxist" and that this amounts to a "purging" of conservatism at SBTS. These "discernment" publications make a living off of click-bait titles and see themselves as the true remnant of "real" Christianity. I won't link to them as I don't want to add to their traffic. They are not difficult to find. I'll also not delve too deep into the debates rampaging through the SBC. My own quick take is that some criticisms of Mohler/SBTS are legitimate, but to then act as if these men are heretics or enemies of the Gospel is to go from a man offering a faithful correction to a shrieking man of division and discord. I do have grave concerns with the fundamentalist crowd as many have adopted heterodox, ahistorical, and anti-creedal views on the Godhead. These errors on such a vital topic feed into many other theological and social issues. If we do not get God right, I won't have much confidence in other matters. Still, regarding Mohler and many in the SBC, I don't have many kind words for Critical Race Theory, and though I support a compassionate approach to sexual ethics, we should strive to be very clear on sexual identity. Things have not always been very clear. I also strongly disagee with Mohler’s idea of voting for our unfit and adulterous president. In short, both "sides" need to go to their rooms and not come out until they work out their own issues. Something about a camel and a gnat comes to mind, and I think both have a bit more than a gnat to fit through that needle (Matthew 23:24).
Regardless of your view or the side you take in this SBC kerfuffle, we should understand a few things about the Ninth Commandment. The Ninth Commandment does not only forbid willfully lying but also (according to the Westminster Larger Catechism) "prejudicing the truth." What this means is that if you are showing prejudice with how you are reading into current events, interpreting news releases, or generally assuming ill intent, you are prejudicing truth. This is often done because of a predisposition to think wrongly of someone you are at loggerheads with. God's Law/Word forbids this kind of political partiality.
The Ninth Commandment also forbids "[prejudicing] the good name of our neighbors." For example, the entire Board of Trustees at SBTS, the several conservative voices still at that institution, Dr. Mohler, and many others. To assume evil intent on these brothers and sisters is sin. This too, is forbidden by the Law/Word of God.
The Ninth Commandment also forbids "giving false evidence" and "raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports." This includes the dissemination of tabloid articles filled with sensational conjecture, speculation, and click-bait hype. This includes approvingly sharing Facebook posts that spread lies, deceptions, misinformation, and tarnishes the good reputation of our brothers and sisters. This also includes sharing information quickly in the hopes that the information can be verified at a later date. This too, is forbidden by the Law/Word of God.
I do not want to leave out that the son of one of the men laid off has publicly stated on social media that he believes that the firing of his father was unjust. I do not want to belittle or malign the son of a recently unemployed man, but I will say that I completely understand why a son would be upset over being laid off. It is even more so understandable given that this professor, Dr. Russell T. Fuller, has reportedly had a theological dispute with Provost Matthew Hall. However, it should be noted that while I understand a loyal son being upset, Dr. Fuller himself has not commented yet. It should go without saying that this social media post should be taken with a grain of salt.
It should also be stressed that even if Dr. Fuller feels as if the layoff was malicious (I want to stress that he has not said this), his personal feelings and attitude regarding the intentions of the Board of Trustees is not actual evidence of the intentions of the Board of Trustees. I have also been laid off before, and though I can speculate on why I was chosen instead of someone else, professionalism and Christian charity would forbid me from speaking my speculations and feelings in such a way that warms the reputation of another person or institution.
Though the other professors have not yet commented, Dr. Cabal posted a short, level-headed, and charitable note regarding the gossip, speculations, and conjecture surrounding the layoffs.
"Due to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary made the difficult decision this week to cut its budget by 30%. Staff and faculty layoffs were part of this cut and included me. I would normally have no need to address this issue, especially at a time when people are losing even loved ones.
But yesterday persons unknown to me described online my layoff as a purge of the last theologically conservative faculty at Southern. The idea that those remaining are heterodox shocked and angered me. The rest of the piece got worse, presenting many Southern Baptists I love and respect as if they were heretics. Before day's end other bloggers repeated the falsehoods, but none consulted me regarding any of their content. I affirm my SBTS colleagues and the others I know to be exceedingly fine Christians in purity of life and doctrine. To besmirch them in this way is to reveal ignorance and/or dishonesty."
So what do we know for certain?
We know that one of the professors (who is supposed to be a victim of persecution) is taking a strong stance against the fundamentalist uproar
We know that the staff cuts were made along with major budget cuts and restructuring
We know that the budget and staff cuts were a decision of the Board of Trustees and not a rogue act of Mohler or Hall.
We know that thousands of businesses and institutions are making similar drastic cuts
We know that the SBC is in the midst of a contentious scandal with many loud, dramatic, and zealous personalities
We know the son of one laid-off professor is not happy with the layoff and believes it's unjust. However, we only have his feelings regarding this
We also know these things about Christian character and ethics.
Christians should not lean into sensational click-bait hype
Christians should be very slow to condemn their brothers and sisters
Christians should be wait until all sides are considererd
Christians should speak slowly until concrete evidence (or any evidence at all) is provided
Christians should attempt to be aware of their biases and should seek to check themselves
Christians should show discernment when sharing publications that feed on controversy and strife; even when those publications post something true
Christians should show charity and give the benefit of a doubt when it comes to the personal motivations of theological opponents
So, what's our conclusion?
Did Mohler and Company "purge the seminary of the last remaining conservatives"?
No. He did not. Many, as Dr. Cabal makes clear, conservatives remain, including leadership roles. If you think SBTS only has four conservative professors, I have some beautiful oceanfront property in Oklahoma to sell you.
Were these specific layoffs unrighteously motivated by a theological or political bias?
We do not know. We simply do not know, and unless some actual evidence surfaces that speak to the motivations of the Board of Trustees, we cannot know for certain.
What we do know is that there is a Christian obligation not to think the worst of our brothers and sisters. It could turn out to be a devious plot, but we should be much slower in coming to that conclusion than those spending all of their energy eager to cause further strife and division. Are you yearning for your brother to do evil so you can Tweet about it and win points? If so, brothers and sisters, examine your heart far more than you’re examining SBTS.
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. - Titus 3:10-11