SEBTS Professor Promotes Black Liberation Theology

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alexandermsmith

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Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology and Associate Vice President for Diversity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Walter R. Strickland II appeared in the below podcast (in 2016 I think, the video has been doing the rounds on social media) promoting the writings of black liberation theologian J. Deotis Roberts. There is a particularly worrying discussion from around 13:40mins about what it means to be saved and what is justice. Whilst in reference to James Cone's eschatology, in distinction to Roberts', the lack of Biblical clarity is very troubling. In the latter half of the discussion Strickland also appears to advocate a racialised understanding of God and "restoration".

This is what is being taught in supposedly conservative seminaries. Along with the recent cover-up by SBTS and Al Mohler of self-professed racist Matthew Hall's outrageous statements it's clear something is deeply wrong in "conservative" Christianity.

 
Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology and Associate Vice President for Diversity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Walter R. Strickland II appeared in the below podcast (in 2016 I think, the video has been doing the rounds on social media) promoting the writings of black liberation theologian J. Deotis Roberts. There is a particularly worrying discussion from around 13:40mins about what it means to be saved and what is justice. Whilst in reference to James Cone's eschatology, in distinction to Roberts', the lack of Biblical clarity is very troubling. In the latter half of the discussion Strickland also appears to advocate a racialised understanding of God and "restoration".

This is what is being taught in supposedly conservative seminaries. Along with the recent cover-up by SBTS and Al Mohler of self-professed racist Matthew Hall's outrageous statements it's clear something is deeply wrong in "conservative" Christianity.

The only true liberation theology is that if
Pauline Justification, applied towards all saved sinners, not just ,Blacks!
 
Despite being a Southern Baptist (at least at present) and having benefited from the changes at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as an older student during that latter 1990's and early 2000's, I sometimes wonder about the long term effects of the "conservative resurgence" in the SBC. That video, it seems to me, could have come from an SEBTS or SBTS professor of the 1980s. Even trying to put it in the most positive light, it is deeply troubling.
 
Listened a little bit from the 13:40 mark onward.

Is that accurate to what Black Liberation Theology is? That to be black is to be oppressed as Jesus was in His blackness, therefore you are saved simply for identifying what that same blackness?
 
Listened a little bit from the 13:40 mark onward.

Is that accurate to what Black Liberation Theology is? That to be black is to be oppressed as Jesus was in His blackness, therefore you are saved simply for identifying what that same blackness?
Having read parts of Cone, it seems accurate. Basically, it is believed certain groups are more Christlike or closer to Christ having been oppressed.
Obviously the most historically ignorant 'theology' to have ever come about.
 
Listened a little bit from the 13:40 mark onward.

Is that accurate to what Black Liberation Theology is? That to be black is to be oppressed as Jesus was in His blackness, therefore you are saved simply for identifying what that same blackness?

I think (and Strickland himself does say this) that is the "extreme" of black liberation theology. My main concern with that segment wasn't even so much that idea itself (Cone was a racist heretical demagogue we all know that) but that the idea was just presented as the "extreme" end and that Roberts (who, remember, was being extolled in the discussion) didn't go quite that far. There was no presentation of the Biblical teaching on salvation, atonement and restoration.
 
Basically, it is believed certain groups are more Christlike or closer to Christ having been oppressed.
It sounded to me like he was saying that salvation is achieved though oppression, and by being black you are automatically oppressed and therefore saved. He then goes on to double down and deny PSA... all very disturbing to say the least.
 
It sounded to me like he was saying that salvation is achieved though oppression, and by being black you are automatically oppressed and therefore saved. He then goes on to double down and deny PSA... all very disturbing to say the least.

Perhaps not by "being black" but by identifying with the oppressed (in this case "black") is part of the process of being saved. Regardless, it is very disturbing, indeed.
 
Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology and Associate Vice President for Diversity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Walter R. Strickland II appeared in the below podcast (in 2016 I think, the video has been doing the rounds on social media) promoting the writings of black liberation theologian J. Deotis Roberts. There is a particularly worrying discussion from around 13:40mins about what it means to be saved and what is justice. Whilst in reference to James Cone's eschatology, in distinction to Roberts', the lack of Biblical clarity is very troubling. In the latter half of the discussion Strickland also appears to advocate a racialised understanding of God and "restoration".

This is what is being taught in supposedly conservative seminaries. Along with the recent cover-up by SBTS and Al Mohler of self-professed racist Matthew Hall's outrageous statements it's clear something is deeply wrong in "conservative" Christianity.

Personally, I’m kinda tired of the faux ignorance...

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/05/a_closer_look_at_the_church_of_woke.html


“Strickland recently acknowledged that when relating to conservative white congregations, he refrains from mentioning Cone by name, "because I don't want to put unnecessary stumbling blocks in their way."
 
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Personally, I’m kinda tired of the faux ignorance...

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/05/a_closer_look_at_the_church_of_woke.html


“...opportunists like Walter Strickland, a professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, have devoted their academic careers to the subtle promotion of James Cone and critical race theory. Strickland recently acknowledged that when relating to conservative white congregations, he refrains from mentioning Cone by name, "because I don't want to put unnecessary stumbling blocks in their way."

Agreed!
 
So, if the gospel is about revoking white privilege, how does that practically go down? Is it similar to taking a back seat in making a better place for gender dysphoria? Are they using Christian compassion against itself as a sledgehammer to remove the biblical core? This type of gospel can only be implemented via a totalitarian state.
 
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So, if the gospel is about revoking white privilege, how does that practically go down? Is it similar to taking a back seat of our privileged gender to make a better place for gender dysphoria? Are they using Christian compassion against itself as a sledgehammer to remove the biblical core? This type of gospel can only be implemented via a totalitarian state.

It seems to be an attempt to guilt white Christians into submission. That this is getting a foothold in a doctrinally-deficient denomination is unsurprising, in my opinion.
 
Also, Strickland isn’t Reformed, correct? It seems like he’s promoting a social gospel. I’m not sure why the PCA would buy into that in any way...

SBC is a whole other story obviously.
 
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