In this final thought on the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, I want to discuss one of the resolutions that brought about the most debate and discussion from the floor. Upon picking up the first day’s bulletin which contained the proposed resolutions, it was clear that this specific resolution would stir up strong emotions among many of the gathered messengers. In short, the resolution called upon SBC churches to prayerfully consider whether they should continue with any displays of what is commonly known as the Confederate battle flag. While it may seem strange to us in Battle Creek, MI that any churches would be displaying such a symbol, many churches throughout the South have long histories that are sometimes closely entwined with the Confederacy. For instance, the majority of cemeteries – particularly in more rural areas – are maintained by churches, not municipalities, and those cemeteries have many Confederate soldiers buried in them. Since many of the Southern states still have Confederate Memorial Days as state holidays, these flags are planted at the graves of such veterans. However, we have also seen how this particular flag has come to be emblematic of deep prejudice and racism, used by both hate groups like the KKK and mass murders like Dylann Roof.
Some messengers argued against the resolution, claiming that it would lead to a slippery slope where we would eventually be disassociating ourselves from any of the Founding Fathers of this nation who owned slaves and that it was really nothing more than kowtowing to political correctness run amok. There were many of us who were concerned that the wording of the resolution was actually not strong enough and allowed too much wiggle room for those who would want to continue celebrating this symbol, but we were happy to get at least this resolution as a step forward in removing a stumbling block to the Gospel among many (in fact, I was standing at one of the microphones prepared to speak in favor of the resolution to this effect). However, Dr. James Merritt, former president of the SBC and the pastor of Cross Pointe Church in the Atlanta, GA area, offered an amendment to the resolution that strengthened it significantly. Merritt’s personal history (the great-grandson of two different Confederate veterans, buried in Confederate cemeteries in the South) provided him with the unique ability to speak the words that needed to be said: that it was long past time to put this flag to rest, not only within the church, but within society as a whole. The amendment and the amended resolution passed by an overwhelming majority.
The truth of the matter is the Confederate battle flag has long been associated with those whose desire is to elevate themselves over others who were different from them, whether in terms of ethnicity, religion, or any number of outward characteristics. It illustrates an aspect of our fallen nature, one that seeks to degrade and eradicate the image of God from others. While some might view this as a symbol of heritage, history, or heroics (and I’ve heard all these arguments pretty much all my life), for those of us who are believers in Christ we must constantly be evaluating anything in our lives that might be a stumbling block to people coming to Christ. As Merritt rightly declared, all the Confederate flags in the world are not worth a single human soul. With all the hatred we’re witnessing right now, it was refreshing to see our Convention take a solid step forward toward reconciliation in the name of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What symbols are we holding onto that might be stumbling blocks for others in coming to Christ? Are they worth more to you than the soul of a lost person? Just something to think about…
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