Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said the church’s claim not to have made a decision on homosexuality “is theologically, biblically, morally and even logically incoherent. The church certainly did make a decision regarding homosexuality.” Mohler wrote in a blog post that SBC moderates’ refusal to affirm the doctrine of scriptural inerrancy in the late 20th century set the stage for actions like that of First Baptist years later.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (BP) — The South Carolina Baptist Convention has asked a Greenville church to either reverse its decision to open marriage ceremonies, church membership and ordination to homosexuals or withdraw from the state convention.

First Baptist Church, whose pastor in 1845 was elected the Southern Baptist Convention’s first president, voted to cease cooperation with the SBC in 1999, according to the church’s website. But South Carolina’s Baptist Courier newsjournal reported First Baptist still cooperates with the state convention but not with the local Greenville Baptist Association. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is listed among the church’s “affiliations” on its website.

Meanwhile, a Southern Baptist seminary president has argued the church’s position on homosexuality illustrates the result of Baptist moderates’ rejection of inerrancy decades ago and the trajectory of the CBF — an organization founded by moderates in 1991 when it became evident conservatives would gain control of the SBC.

First Baptist voted in May to adopt a “consensus statement” declaring, “In all facets of the life and ministry of our church, including but not limited to membership, baptism, ordination, marriage, teaching and committee/organizational leadership, First Baptist Greenville will not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Upon learning of First Baptist’s newly-adopted policy regarding homosexuality, the SCBC sent the church a letter requesting withdrawal from the convention or reversal of the policy and an affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message’s definition of marriage as “the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.” The convention asked First Baptist to respond to its request by Sept. 10.

The Baptist Courier reported First Baptist likely “has no intention of recanting its position,” which may trigger a motion to withdraw fellowship from the congregation at the SCBC’s annual meeting in the fall.

Richard Harris, interim SCBC executive director-treasurer, said, “We cannot accept, approve or condone those kind of beliefs. Our stance is clearly stated in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. We cannot walk in agreement with a church that accepts those beliefs,” the Baptist Courier reported.

SCBC President Tommy Kelly said, according to the Courier, “While Southern Baptists embrace such principles as local church autonomy and the priesthood of individual believers, these principles should never trump biblical authority. According to Matthew 19:4-5, marriage is between one man and one woman within a covenant relationship. As SCBC president, I do not support the decision endorsed by Greenville [First Baptist] to marry, ordain and allow transgendered or homosexual people to serve in church leadership. It is in direct opposition to biblical precedent and standard.”

First Baptist pastor Jim Dant wrote in the church’s newsletter that not all members agree with the congregation’s nondiscrimination policy. But he said First Baptist will remain united amid its diversity of opinions.

In adopting the consensus statement, “we made no decision regarding the issue of homosexuality — members hold different convictions,” Dant wrote. “We did make a statement on what it means to be church — diverse and respectful of God’s unique work in the life of every member, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

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