Faith

Southern Baptist Convention Set to Elect First Black President

Rev. Fred Luter Jr. Poised to Become First Black Pastor of Southern Baptist Convention

Rev. Fred Luter, pastor of the Franklin Ave. Baptist Church, delivers a sermon during Sunday Services at the Church in New Orleans, Sunday, June 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (The Blaze/AP) — Four months ago, two African-American pastors stood in a hallway of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Nashville headquarters looking at a row of white faces.

The portraits of the 56 convention presidents since the denomination’s 1845 founding are in large picture frames holding several portraits each. The final frame holds empty slots.

“They got a space for Fred, right there,” one of the men said. “Got a space picked out for him.”

“Fred” is the Rev. Fred Luter Jr., the man poised to become the first African American president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination when convention delegates vote next week in New Orleans.

It’s a big step for a denomination that was formed out of a pre-Civil War split with northern Baptists over slavery and for much of the last century had a reputation for supporting segregation.

In recent years, faced with growing diversity in America and declining membership in its churches, the denomination has made a sincere effort to distance itself from that past. Many Southern Baptists believe the charming and charismatic Luter is the man who can lead them forward.

Luter’s rise through the Southern Baptist ranks has been a slow and steady process, the result of the hard work, leadership and creativity that allowed him to turn a struggling inner-city church of 50 members into the largest Southern Baptist church in Louisiana by weekly attendance.

The 55-year-old grew up in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward, the middle of five children raised by a divorced mother who worked as a seamstress “not to make ends meet, but just to make them kind of wave at each other,” he said.

The family walked to a local Baptist church every Sunday and Luter’s mother made sure all the children attended.

English: Vectorized Southern Baptist Conventio...

Luter drifted away from religion after leaving home for college, but at age 21 he found himself making a promise to God that he has kept to this day.

After a near-fatal motorcycle accident landed him in the hospital, “I said, `God, if you save my life, I’ll serve you for the rest of my life,’” Luter said.

He survived and soon began preaching on street corners every Saturday with a group of friends from church.

“We had no training,” he said. “We were just really excited about what God was doing in our lives and we wanted to share it with others. We got ridiculed a lot.”

Luter kept it up for nine years before someone suggested he apply to become the pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. Formerly a white church, the membership had changed to African-American with changing demographics of the neighborhood.

“When I came to Franklin Avenue it was a bunch of women and kids,” Luter said. “You could count the number of men on one hand.”

So Luter bought a pay-per-view TV boxing match between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns and told the women in his church to invite every man they knew.

About 25 men showed up, some of whom didn‘t realize they were coming to the pastor’s house, Luter said. Nonetheless, they happily dumped their beer to go in and see the match. Afterward, Luter invited them to come to church.

Rev. Fred Luter Jr. Poised to Become First Black Pastor of Southern Baptist Convention“The boxing match was on a Friday night and the following Sunday five of those guys were at church,” Luter said. He recognized them during the service and all the women started applauding. After church, they lavished attention on the men.

“The next Sunday there were more men,” Luter said. “Once we started the men’s program we found that men draw not only other men, but men draw women. Word started spreading.”

Luter also began an outreach program called “frangelism,“ for ”friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.” One week, members asked to bring a friend to church, the next week a relative, and so on.

“We told them, `If God has done something in your life, you are obligated to share it.‘ We’ve never been on TV or the radio, never put up any billboards. The church grew through word of mouth.”

As the church grew and began leading the state in baptisms, Luter started to draw notice. In 1995, he was invited to preach at the pastor‘s conference held in the two days before the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual business meeting.

James Merritt, who would later become SBC president, had never met Luter or heard him preach when he brought him to the conference on a recommendation from a colleague. Merritt was simply trying to add diversity to the event. He got much more than he had hoped for.

Watch Luter discuss race in America on PBS earlier this year, below:

Merritt was on the speaker’s platform facing the audience of 15,000 to 20,000 when Luter began to preach.

“They were electrified,” he said. “You could tell by their body language he had them in the palm of his hand.”

As Luter tells it, that conference put him on the map and he soon started getting invitations to preach all over the country. Some members of his congregation worried he would leave them for a better offer, but Luter has remained devoted to Franklin Avenue.

Many Southern Baptist leaders, when speaking of Luter, mention how respected he is for his determination to stay in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, destroying Franklin Avenue and scattering its members.

Luter said the disaster shook his faith and he didn’t know at first if the church could recover. A photograph from that time shows Luter on a helicopter tour of the city, wiping tears from his eyes as he gazed at the flooded buildings and vans of his church.

Rev. Fred Luter Jr. Poised to Become First Black Pastor of Southern Baptist Convention

He told the Baptist Press the tragedy showed him that “life is like a vapor on this side of eternity. What you have today could be gone tomorrow. You can’t put your trust in earthly things.”

Despite the loss of his home and church, Luter never missed a Sunday preaching and soon began driving a circuit to reach his scattered flock.

“Everywhere I went I would see people from my church and it was like a family reunion, with me crying and wiping snot from my nose,” he said.

Those members still in New Orleans started meeting at a white church, First Baptist New Orleans, where the two congregations soon formed close ties that remained even after Franklin Avenue reopened in 2008. First Baptist pastor David Crosby will nominate Luter for president at the SBC meeting.

The tragedy even resulted in two new Franklin Avenue churches being formed, one in Houston and one in Baton Rouge, La., both cities where many former members remain.

Despite huge membership losses at Franklin Avenue in New Orleans after Katrina, about 5,000 people attend services each week and a recent Sunday found people standing along the walls with the sanctuary filled to capacity. To cheers and applause, Luter invited them all to come to the city’s convention center and witness a historic moment where their pastor would be elected as the first African-American president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

His election is not guaranteed, but with the SBC’s annual meeting a week away, Luter so far has no challengers for the position.

Although his likely election will be historic for Southern Baptists, Luter’s many admirers say he is in no way a token.

As Crosby, of First Baptist New Orleans, puts it: “It’s such a note of grace and favor from God that a man of this caliber would step forward to become first African-American president of the SBC.”

Comments (106)

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  • On The Mark
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:22pm

    I hope this joker is not allowed to become president of anything. He’s essentially confessed to being racist by claiming that opposition to the anti-American Communist Obama is racist and by claiming that all previous presidents have been shown respect. What a maroon.

    Report Post »  
  • ainthurtinnobody
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:49pm

    What could be better. Everyone must adapt including Southern Baptist. My father also was a Baptist Minister and his favorite preacher was a black man from Fort Worth Texas. Said he was the best preacher he had ever heard. Said he spoke directly from his heart. Athough Americans, Black people grew up under different conditions than the rest of America and it carved out a depth of heart that only a few people have. Naturally not all black folks have this trait. But many black people do. There’s a certain patience, warmth and socialability many black folks have that endears them to everyone. Give the brother a pat on the back and wish him well.

    Report Post »  
  • conservativewoman
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:45pm

    Since many black pastors are throwing away their beliefs against gay marriage, in order to support Obama, I wonder what this man’s leadership will be like in the Baptist Church.

    I know it was protestant churches that were first to approve contraception back in the 30′s.

    Report Post » conservativewoman  
  • JQCitizen
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 5:29pm

    Okay, com’on. George W. Bush got RESPECT from his opponents????

    GET REAL!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • JQCitizen
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:28pm

      Ha! Had to reply to my own post and point out to the Right Reverend Luter another one of the examples of the many acts of RESPECT that George Bush enjoyed!!!

      Yes, indeed, George Bush was disagreed with , but treated with RESPECT!!!

      NOT!!! What ROCK has this man been living under for the LAST 20 YEARS????

      Report Post »  
    • JQCitizen
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:34pm

      The example I was referring to is the George Bush head on a stick in a video game, posted just today! Yes, we all aspire to be “RESPECTED” in such a way, Aye?

      Report Post »  
  • Treaty
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 5:15pm

    I’m a Southern Baptist. Wasn’t really aware of the church supporting segregation years ago. A lot has changed. We welcome all races in our church – God doesn’t see color. As long as he stays true to our fundamental principles then he is welcome.

    Report Post » Treaty  
    • black9897
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:30pm

      Yeah I am to. Never knew it either. My dad is a southern baptist pastor and he goes to these conventions all the time. We‘ve always welcomed those of other ethnicity’s. No place in God’s word for hate towards others or segregation.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:41am

      Maybe God doesn’t see color–but this preacher does! Did you watch the video??? All he talks about is how bad Obama is being treated, because he’s black!! Gimme a break!

      Report Post » girlnurse  
    • TEARS FOR AMERICA
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:14am

      Exactly Treaty…God is tired of the expensive clothes, cars and homes with which some SBC pastors have surrounded themselves…are they true to God’s Word? Are they compromising The Faith like many leaders who have prostrated themselves to political correctness? Satan can keep an audience captive, folks, Rev. Luter may be spell-bounding, but is he real in Jesus Christ? I pray so.

      Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 12:18pm

      Most people don’t really know that much about the history of the church, lots of changes over the years, som good, some bad. Just study the history.

      Report Post »  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 5:23pm

      oh yeah, baptist vote on sin, could vote that gay is not sin in a few years, just never know, fasten your seatbelt, sin isn’t determined by how we vote, determined by God, don’t worship the creation worship the creator folks.

      Report Post »  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 5:53pm

      this article “SBC sets the record straight on convention’s abortion stance” talks some about the sbc an how they vote on things, says some things about previous positions held on issues, fits the topic.

      http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=16151

      Report Post »  
  • FSM_47
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:51pm

    Southern Baptist Churches I have attended don’t use the term Reverend for a Pastor. Only God is Revered.

    Report Post » FSM_47  
  • Git-R-Done
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:33pm

    I hope this guy preaches about the Biblical truths and not some political agenda. I can‘t stand the ridiculous white guilt that’s occurring in this country.

    Report Post »  
    • JQCitizen
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:41pm

      Couldn’t agree with you more! I’ve got enough things in my life to work on that are REALLY MY PROBLEMS without someone heaping False Guilt on me!

      I REJECT the supposed idea of White Guilt! NOT GUILTY as Charged!!!

      Report Post »  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 4:39pm

      amen to that

      Report Post »  
  • bay horse 1
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:03pm

    My father was a Deacon in the Southern Baptist for over 50 years, I am 74 years old and and grew up in the church, attended Baptist High School and I tell now this move will destroy the church within 25 years…….

    Report Post »  
  • RealBlackMan
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:46pm

    I think this is a shame. Come on man, he needs to quit selling out and being an uncle Tom

    Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 5:08pm

      Yeah all we need is another Obamabot in a leadership position.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:44pm

      Welcome RealBlackMan! I see you are a member since like … today!

      You should troll here more often! We miss the liberal talking points. :)

      Report Post »  
  • Nanaswords
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:35pm

    All Denominations today should be wise… to make Leadership choices by a persons…Character and the Principles that they Live By ! It is so easy to research and make “Wise Choices” ! America is awakening and learning from our past mistakes. It seems as though this Pastor Luter has been “Walking his Talk” for the Lord and the area he has been given to shepherd !!! In spite of all the past trials, there has been much“ pressing on ” for the Lords’ Kingdom” ! Can not fight those obvious situations from the past and now the present ! The Lord Always Blesses those that are obedient to His Directions !!! Victors Never Victims !!!

    Report Post »  
  • girlnurse
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:11pm

    This guy needs to see things through the eyes of God–NOT the eyes of RACE.
    Something else that “has never happened” is many of the blatant Marxism and utter disrespect for the office of Presidency that we have now…like our President coming out for “Gay marriage”….
    It’s about God preacher….NOT RACE!

    Report Post » girlnurse  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:10pm

      Girl nurse your right it is about right versus wrong. I used to respect Colin Powell and Condeleza Rice until the put away their princables and played the race card and Voted for Obama the crossed the aisle for race proving racism wins out over right versus wrong. And Obama is one of those that left this country in debt the democrates ran the senate and congress so the debt is as much their fault as Bush.

      Report Post »  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:37pm

      Yea Rick–Im not a fan of organized religion but this is really disgusting.
      Someone needs to tell this preacher Obviously we don’t care what color his skin is…Americans voted him in office (whites and blacks) by a mojority and NOW we see what he‘s like and we don’t like what we’re seeing, so are we supposed to be blind to the most evil Marxist dictator we have ever had because he’s 1/2 Black!? I don’t think so….

      Report Post » girlnurse  
    • dennisS
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 7:21pm

      I think that this man is just another Sharpton and Jackson. He‘s a racist and has no business calling himself a ’man of God’. Any Christian that supports obama in any way is delusional and needs some serious therapy (Ted Nugent, where are you?)

      Report Post »  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 7:58pm

      Right DENNIS! as you say; supports Obama “in ANY way”…..
      To be honest, I don’t see how ANYBODY could vote for the man in the first place..but many did.

      Report Post » girlnurse  
    • iampraying4u
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:01am

      Amen girlnurse

      Report Post »  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 4:40pm

      to that right

      Report Post »  
  • by faith
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:55pm

    When they say “the nation’s largest Protestant denomination” is that only counting Southern Baptist, or does that include all 78 types of US Baptist?

    Report Post » by faith  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:18pm

      Interesting, I wonder what (if any) impact this will have on the SouthernBaptist positions on abortion and gay marriage?

      Report Post » snooop1e  
    • Centurian
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:11am

      The SBC has already been on record on their stances on both issues. In fact, they have voted on both issues and have soundly said no to the acceptance of both.

      Please understand, though, that while a church may be a member of the SBC, they do not necessarily have to abide by everything agreed upon. Each church is considered autonomous and thus can choose what they will preach. This has happened; but when it does, they are quick to be pointed out.

      Report Post » Centurian  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:23am

      The SBC was in favor of abortion before they were against it. They vote on issues such as abortion and occasionally the doctrine changes based on the votes. So abortion wasn’t a sin and then they voted and it was a sin. To me it was always sin, consensus doesn’t determine objective truth. What happens if 10 years from now they vote and gay marriage is no longer a sin? If they did it with abortion they can do it with gay marriage. Something to ponder. God Bless

      Report Post » snooop1e  
  • TRUTHSENSE
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:05pm

    Luter may be a great preacher and man of God and he may make an excellent president for the Southern Baptist Convention, but if he thinks that President Obama has been disrespected more than Ronald Regan or George W. Bush he’s been stuck to the mainstream media too much. He needs more exposure to other news outlets, and just as I attempt to see things from a black persons perspective, he needs to try to see things from a white conservative perspective, and no, “conservative” is not a code word for racist as some have charged. I do agree with him that the office of the President deserves more respect, and the Bible tells us that we should be praying for those who have authority over us, but one side is just as guilty as the other.

    Report Post » TRUTHSENSE  
  • mcsledge
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:38pm

    In Biblical times, prophets, apostles and other ecclesiastical leaders were called by God and ordained by those with authority. Today, men elect each other for such roles. Where did men go wrong?

    Report Post » mcsledge  
    • makamae
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:49pm

      MCSLEDGE – There’s nothing wrong, here… these men and women are acting (at least ostensibly) at the leading of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every true believer.

      Report Post » makamae  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 5:11pm

      well first of all 2 tim 3:16-18 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work“ in scripture a ”man of God” referred to those appoint by God to be religious leaders (moses, abraham etc) so the scripture was never intended that every single yayhoo should pick up scripture and read it and begin teaching others, even in the jewish days only the me of God had the scriptures not ever single person in town so that was the first mistake, taking Gods holy word and given it to whoever to start their own churches. scripture says don’t give your pearls to swine, now everyone is confused, scripture was only meant for the teachers and “men of God” not everyone in scripture is called a ‘man of God, only the leaders, the apostles were “men of God, not every disciple could just start preaching on his own, the apostles preached, you couldn’t just read scripture and leave the apostles back then that was not allowed, get back to basics folks, only men of God should be reading and interpreting of scripture and not women either, scripture is clear on that, they should be quiet in church.

      Report Post »  
  • stockpicker
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:34pm

    Another phoney. They all seem to think coming to the Lord is something they do.

    Report Post »  
    • makamae
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:38pm

      Interesting post, stockpicker… I guess we should all start praying to you. Since you‘re able to see into this man’s heart & mind, you must be god.

      Report Post » makamae  
    • gsplgtr
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:55pm

      Stock what makes him a phony? He faced death and realized he needed a Savior. He made a promise to god and has kept it.Sounds like salvation to me.

      Report Post »  
  • jackact
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:30pm

    How coincidental.
    Just as America prepares to pronounce “the first black president to not get re-elected”.
    So many ‘firsts’ how exciting!

    Report Post »  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:14pm

    And Bush got so much respect from the NeoLibs?

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:33pm

      What’s the point of this post, except to bash Bush?

      What does either Bush or Neo-Libs have to do with this?

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:11pm

    “…the first African American president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination …..”

    News flash people. Baptist are not Protestants. Protestants came from the catholic church. Baptists have never been a part of the catholic church. I’m not bashing Protestants, I’m just pointing out a historical fact. The first true Baptist church was started in Providence R.I. ironically enough by a man named Roger Williams. A great man of God that is worth every American (christian or not) research. He helped to start the first Jewish American Synagogue which still stands next to the church he started.

    There’s a book called “The Trail of Blood” the gives a great historical account of the Baptist church’s lineage all the way back to Christ. Also, “Foxes Book of Martyrs” is a good historical book about the non-catholic church’s history.

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:19pm

      To clarify, there are Baptist denominations who claim to be Protestants. The origianal Baptist churches in America were from the doctrinal lineage of the Ann-Baptists in Europe which were considered heretics by the catholic church and the church of England. I’m an Independant Fundamental Baptist and we are from the Anna-Baptists lineage and through the Roger Williams theological Baptist doctrine.

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • SEC777
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:22pm

      Wow. I’m a Baptist pastor and you could not be more wrong. You simply must do research on people like Chelčický, Karlstadt, and Muntzer. The book “Trail of Blood” that you mention is absolutely historical fiction. I’m proud to be a Baptist, but I can still believe in historical fact, and I wish that more people would do the same.

      Report Post »  
    • SEC777
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:27pm

      You absolutely should read more about the Anabaptist movement. Might I suggest, “The Anabaptist Story” by Ested. I would also recommend a book called, “Dissident Discipleship,” by Augsberger which looks at Anabaptist theology in a contemporary context. It’ll strengthen your Baptist beliefs and place them in their correct historical context.

      Report Post »  
    • makamae
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:34pm

      You’re seriously splitting theological and historical hairs. “Protestant” has come to mean any “Christian” denomination that isn’t Catholic.

      Report Post » makamae  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:39pm

      Erm… Baptists are in fact Protestant. I understand the technicality that you’re trying to argue, but the fact is that the extremely vast majority (as in, nearly every one) of Baptist pastors agree with Martin Luther’s indictment of the Catholic church.

      Now, to Rev. Luter, I’ll say this: As a lifelong Southern Baptist, I commend you, sir, on your ministry, your faith in God, and welcome you to the presidency of the Convention.

      Lead us, sir. We’re ready to follow.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:41pm

      With all due respect pastor, just because you claim it fiction doesn’t make it so. I have spent much time researching the history of the Baptist church.

      “The book “Trail of Blood” that you mention is absolutely historical fiction.” And you can back up this claim how? By pointing at some website or book that I can call fiction?

      Roger Williams is an American historical figure as well as as historical church figure as he did hold public office for a time and is easily researchable. Anna-Baptists of Europe are easily researchable as well as John Calvin and Jean Wycliff.

      Before questioning my intelligence by insinuating I don’t “believe historical fact” and offering up ad-hominem responses “brother”, I suggest you either provide some fact or research it yourself. I clarified that there are different denominations of Baptists. But I know the history of my church and from whence it came.

      I’m curious, what other historical fact do you believe? Big bang or evolution? An old earth? The Biblical transcripts other than the “Receptus Textus”? Just checking to see if we are even on the same playing field.

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • IbelongtoHIM
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:44pm

      Awesome to see this comment! We, in our home, are also Fundamental Independent Baptists. Our Sunday School class has a ministry of distributing the “Trail of Blood” to churches all over the world so that more Baptists may know their history.

      Report Post »  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:51pm

      I agree with Martin Luthor’s indictment of the Catholic church too. Protestants, by definition consider themselves members of the universal (catholic) church and claim that they are holding to the true faith of the church and “Protest” the doctrinal errors of catholocism. Of course, you know that Martin Luthor was a catholic priest.

      But, Lutherans still practice infant baptism which is in complete opposition of Baptists doctrine. Lutherans and Methodists and other protestants still hold to some of the creeds of the catholic church. Again, I’m NOT saying Lutherans, Methodists, Presbytarians, etc are not christians.

      As to “splitting hairs” comment. Then why do you care? Move on……

      Finally, the condencending tone in which the good pastor recommends I enlighten myself is un-becoming. Again, I don’t care if you disagree with me. Just disagree with me by offering facts, not haughty implications that your intelligence and knowledge vastly exceeds mine.

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • Locked
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:18pm

      “News flash people. Baptist are not Protestants.”

      “Prot·es·tant   [prot-uh-stuhnt or, for 4, 6, pruh-tes-tuhnt]
      noun
      1. any Western Christian who is not an adherent of a Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Church.
      2. an adherent of any of those Christian bodies that separated from the Church of Rome during the Reformation, or of any group descended from them.
      3. (originally) any of the German princes who protested against the decision of the Diet of Speyer in 1529, which had denounced the Reformation.”

      You know, I think I’ll go with the definition of Protestant over what a guy in the comments section says…

      “There’s a book called “The Trail of Blood” the gives a great historical account of the Baptist church’s lineage all the way back to Christ.”

      … especially when he offers up Dr. Carroll’s discredited 1931 booklet on the highly rejected Baptist Successionism doctrine as a “great historical account.” It’s an interesting read, but as far as history goes it has more holes than Swiss cheese.

      Report Post »  
    • SEC777
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Agreed, @Locked

      Report Post »  
    • by faith
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:22pm

      Squid,
      I have tried to post several time JM Carrol’s retraction of his claims in Trail of Blood.
      Apparently Blaze filters don’t like the way I type.
      Look up a book called Baptist Successionism: A Crucial Question in Baptist Histoy – 1994
      in that book Carroll admitts his previously held belief about the origins of the Baptist church are “untenable”
      He concludes with:
      “Baptist arose in the 17th century in Holland and England. They are Protestants, heirs of the reformenrs”

      Report Post » by faith  
    • by faith
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:29pm

      Squid

      look up a book: Baptist Succession: A crucial Question in Baptist Histoy (1994)
      Carrol revises his earliest claims. and says Baptists are “protestans, heirs of the reformers”

      I would type it here for you, except Blaze censors are blocking my attempts

      Report Post » by faith  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:29pm

      While you are reading and studying you might want to check out St Augustine, St Ignatius, St Clement, St Iranaeus, St Polycarp and basically the first 400 years of Christianity you won’t find anything about the Baptist church but you will learn a lot about Christian history. God Bless.

      Report Post » snooop1e  
    • by faith
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 5:20pm

      Baptist professor and historian James Edward McGoldrick adds, “Perhaps no other body of professing Christians has had as much difficulty in discerning its historical roots as have the Baptists. A survey of conflicting opinions might lead a perceptive observer to conclude that Baptists suffer from an identity crisis” (Baptist Successionism).

      Report Post » by faith  
    • Dudley Do-Right
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:17am

      Not trying to be difficult or demean anyone’s faith. From The Library of Congress, “Religion and the Founding of the American Republic.”

      The Baptists
      Although Baptists had existed in the American colonies since the seventeenth century, it was the Great Awakening that galvanized them into a powerful, proselytizing force. Along with the Methodists, the Baptists became by the early years of the nineteenth century the principal Protestant denomination in the southern and western United States. Baptists differed from other Protestant groups by offering baptism (by immersion) only to those who had undergone a conversion experience; infants were, therefore, excluded from the sacrament, an issue that generated enormous controversy with other Christians.

      Baptism in Schuylkill River
      Woodcut from Morgan Edwards, Materials Towards A History of the American Baptists.
      Copyprint, Philadelphia: 1770
      Historical Society of Pennsylvania (77b)

      http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel02.html

      SQUIDVETOHIO

      Here’s a beautiful view of that Baptist Meetinghouse you referenced in Providence RI

      http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/vc006453.jpg

      Report Post »  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 4:47pm

      wow, the ‘trail of blood’ really? any theologian with even a little bit of education knows that is a fictional account, no facts or evidence at all, not historically accurate, dont worship the denomination (the creation) worship the creator, it’s not about baptist or methodist or anglican or catholic or presbyterian or episcopalian or pentecostal or new life or four square or PCA, OPC, PCUSA, or 7th day adventist or mormon or jehovah witness or nazarene or church of christ or LDS or orthodox or any denomination it’s about JESUS folks. no wonder so many folks don’t trust organized religion, you all say it’s about God and then worship the religion. really sad.

      Report Post »  
    • PROUD2BWHITE-PREACHER
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 5:01pm

      squidvet it’s LUTHER not LUTHOR, you lose 5 credbility points

      Report Post »  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:10pm

    Awesome!

    Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:05pm

    Obama supporter.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:12pm

      Is Rev Luter gainst
      - embryonic stem cell research?
      - unfettered, unlimited abortion?

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:15pm

      As president, Luter would also help give voice to the SBC’s often-conservative positions on public policy issues, such as opposition to abortion and gay marriage. He said that is something he does not shy away from.

      http://www.louisianaweekly.com/sbc%E2%80%99s-likely-next-president-rev-luter-addresses-%E2%80%98race%E2%80%99/

      Report Post »  
    • makamae
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:36pm

      I don’t see any mention of his political bent – are you claiming to be psychic?

      Report Post » makamae  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:21pm

      You‘re assuming he’s an Obama supporter because…?

      Having attended several SBC churches in my life, I can tell you that we Southern Baptists are an extremely conservative group. I‘m somewhat confident in my belief that the SBC would never hand the Convention’s presidency to someone who supported Obama’s social policies.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
  • Arc
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:51pm

    Those who seek solutions to problems see this as a giant step for the Southern Baptist. Those who use this instance to point fingers and cry “ Told you so” have no clue about forward and critical thought.

    It’s a shame that there are people on both sides of the racial divide who view this move only in a negative historical context. The only reason to remember a bad past is to ensure it NEVER happens again.

    Report Post » Arc  
  • FLORIDAKRACKER
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:46pm

    Does it really matter? We Catholics could care less lol~

    Report Post » FLORIDAKRACKER  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:58pm

      When are you going to elect a black Pope racist?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:29pm

      In my family there are 3 kinds of Protestant, 1 Catholic & a non-Christian. I “ain’t” going to start throwing stones at any denomination. Over a beer or coffee I might tell them that I think their denomination has a point or two incorrect, but I am not going to flame them. Not happening.

      With Westboro group I would be harsher assuming they were at a funeral or something.

      Report Post »  
    • makamae
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:39pm

      If you don’t care, why are you posting comments on the story?

      Report Post » makamae  
    • Tex_Rabbit
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:48pm

      @Gonzo you are incorrect. Three popes Pope St. Vicitor I (186-198), Pope Dt. Miltiades (311-14), and Pope St. Gelasius (492-496) were Africans. This is according to the National Black Catholic Congress.
      http://www.nbccongress.org/black-catholics/aferican-popes.asp

      Nothing lately, but during the last papal elections, a black Cardinal was one of the favorites at that time.

      Report Post »  
    • Tex_Rabbit
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:24pm

      11 of the Electors were from Africa in 2005.

      Report Post »  
    • Copo
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:37pm

      Gonzo: “When are you going to elect a black pope, racist”

      (made my day) Right after they change their prayers to recognize God more than Mary

      Report Post » Copo  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:53pm

      As a Catholic, I view any other Christian faith as Protestant. I didn’t know that a non-Catholic Christian faith considered themselves not Protestant.

      It is really interesting reading the comments.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • conservativewoman
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:50pm

      @GONZO
      It is interesting that you can anonimously call people racist on a forum, without knowing them. Catholics have black priests, cardinals, and bishops, and for a very long time. We have no problem having a black pope.
      Why are you so hateful. Did you know it is all over Youtube how protestants on the Blaze are so hateful and bigoted toward Catholics.

      Report Post » conservativewoman  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:00am

      TEX_RABBIT — the three Popes you mentioned are not black. Though technically from Northern Africa (which corresponds with the Roman province of Africa), two were Roman by ethnicity, while the Pope Gelasius I was Berber by ethnicity.

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
  • hogtrashhd
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:43pm

    bad move.. they will come to regret this

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:49pm

      It just might stop more of their churches from burning down. It’s worth a try. Well, sort of!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:39pm

    Guess this proves the liberal point that Christians are a bunch of racist!

    Report Post » Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:48pm

      Well, America just elected it’s first black President as well, and it’s a lot older than the SBC. Remember that smart guy?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • chips1
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:58pm

      GONZO:
      Like your posts, but that picture gives me the willies. Don’t know why, but spooky!!

      Report Post »  
    • makamae
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:47pm

      Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist – Seriously? Amazing how incredibly absurd liberals are. All this “proves” is that there is a black Southern Baptist of some notoriety, where the wasn’t one before. Blacks haven’t traditionally flocked to SBC churches, choosing instead, to set up their own churches. You can argue all you want about the history of this denomination, but reality now suggests that this “conservative” religion has moved beyond any issues of the past.

      You, however, are stuck in the talking points of the left & can’t actually discuss issues. The ridiculous racist charge you level just shows you to be ignorant.

      Report Post » makamae  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:08pm

      @Gonzo

      Dude.

      He‘s saying that it’s obvious that Chritian Right is racist because the SBC is electing a black man. As in, sarcasm.

      Ah, nevermind. If you didn’t see it the first time, you won’t get it now.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:47pm

      Thanks Leftfighter!

      Report Post » Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:38pm

    If he holds to the Stewardship God may allow him to have. I wish him well, if not then you will have another Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton on your hands. Make sure this is a man of God and not a man of the people who want to have their agendas tickled. A man given a stewardship such as this should know he is obligated to preach the word of God and not what people want to hear. Preach against sin and make No compromises. God by the KJV of the Holy Bible, the original and stay with it. If they do not want to hear it, walk away and preach where you have opportunity. Do not be a man pleaser because it will send you to hell and cause others to follow. There are consequences to disobeying God.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:33am

      @BLACKYB – Why are 7 books missing from the current KJV of the Bible that were in the original 1611 version? Who changed the KJV of the Bible? The one you use today is not the original, why not? Also research St Jerome, the Latin Vulgate and the Septuagint. Those 7 books were in the Septuagint (the Bible that Jesus and the Apostles used) If those books were in Jesus Bible why were they removed from the KJV? Also Protestants love St Jerome because he doubted that the 7 books that were in the Septuagint should be included in the Latin Vulgate but he submitted to the authority of the church and they remained. St Jerome also believed and adamantly defended that Mary was ever virgin as did Martin Luther and Calvin. Protestants conveniently ignore these facts but they are never the less historical truths. To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant. God Bless

      Report Post » snooop1e  
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