Evangelical theologian Dr. Albert Mohler will join U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Marco Rubio along with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the upcoming National Conservatism Conference.
Mohler is well known for his Presidency of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and high-profile speaking engagements. Stephanie Martin of Church Leaders writes that his appearance in the company of fellow conservative leaders is nothing new, although it is controversial among other right-wing pastors and activists.
Martin continues:
The National Conservatism Conference โbrings together public figures, journalists, scholars, and students who understand that the past and future of conservatism are inextricably tied to the idea of the nation, to the principle of national independence, and to the revival of the unique national traditions that alone have the power to bind a people together and bring about their flourishing.โ
On August 17, North Carolina Pastor Ben Marsh tweeted an image of the conference lineup, featuring three Republican politicians: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Other speakers include Peter Thiel, a gay right-wing billionaire, and Christian Adams, a conservative activist who warns about voter fraud.
In sharing the image, Marsh expressed concerns about the seminary president’s participation in the event. Others expressed concerns about the light in which it may paint the Southern Baptist Convention.
Marsh writes: โLook at this pic man. I canโt get over it. @SBTS is this what youโre all about? Election deniers, COVID hoaxers, all politics all the time. Iโm saddened. We have a shortage of pastors as it is, and now weโre training them to care more for politics than Christ.โ
Texas Pastor Dwight McKissic, who has pushed back against the SBCโs denunciation of critical race theory as incompatible with Christianity, retweeted Marshโs post. McKissic writes: โThis picture makes me cringe for the SBC. Itโs extremely unappealing for multiple thousands I engage with. Not because theyโre RepublicansโCondi Rice, Colin Powell, E.V. Hill were Republicans. But, for all the reasons mentioned in this tweet+adherence to Christian Nationalism.โ
Marsh and McKissic add to the online conversation, with Marsh tweeting: โWho knowsโ Maybe Southern Seminary President Al Mohler will stand up and say: โFor the sake of truth we must admit that Jesus is Lord. That means Donald Trump is not.
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