Letter to Southern
Baptists from Paige Patterson
Dear
Southern Baptist Family:
On
May 22 the trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary met together
in a board meeting called at my request. At that meeting, in which I briefly
participated, I was asked to assume the position of President Emeritus of
Southwestern, and I accepted this reassignment. One week later, May 30, the
executive committee of the board met, though this time I was not asked to
participate and was unable to address or answer questions for committee members
since I was in Germany for a preaching assignment. While in Germany, I received
a phone call informing me I had been relieved of all responsibilities with and
compensation from the Seminary effective immediately.
Since
much has been reported and written about these matters in recent weeks, I
wanted to address briefly a few points. It is not in my spirit or my heart to
debate or revisit the decisions of the trustees to whom I was accountable as
president of Southwestern, other than the brief comments that follow.
Recently,
I have been accused, publicly and privately, of a number of things -- none of
which I acknowledge as having done in the way portrayed, and others that I am
confident I absolutely did not do. I'll just speak to several examples.
First,
a poor choice of words has occurred, in and out of the pulpit, over decades of
ministry. I regret each case in which my heart and message were not clearly
presented.
On
the other hand, I take exception to accusations that I ever knowingly ignored
or failed to follow appropriate protocols in cases of reported abuse of women,
students, or staff at any institution where I have served. Indeed, the
Southwestern trustees confirmed as much in their public statement of May 23,
2018: "The board affirmed a motion stating evidence exists that Dr.
Patterson has complied with reporting laws regarding assault and abuse."
For
my words, demeanor, sentiments, or disposition to have been twisted to suggest
the very antithesis to who I am and the biblical message I have presented over
half a century not only is crushing to me and my family but also inevitably
proves hurtful to others in the process. I have never sought to inflict hurt
upon a woman or man.
For
the last 43 years, through service in three institutions, I have attempted to
prepare pastors and missionaries academically, evangelistically, and
spiritually for kingdom endeavors. Today, on behalf of my sweetheart Dorothy,
who has labored faithfully by my side through both sorrows and triumphs, and on
behalf of my children and grandchildren, I want to express my gratitude to God
for Southern Baptists. You have often encouraged our hearts. You have prayed
for us in a multitude of ways. I would ask of no one of you more than you have
given. What I have given back is a pittance compared to your kindness to me.
I
wish further to thank the faculties and administrators who have held high my
arms during both calm and raging waters. I love you all. To all of my students,
including nearly 10,000 graduates whose diplomas I have personally signed, I
thank you for your uncommon love for me, and more important, your unwavering
devotion to our Lord.
To
those who have ever opposed me or have embraced a different vision, I would be
remiss if I did not thank you also. Your opposition kept me on my face before
God, reminded me of just how very human I am, and outlined in tantalizing
colors the mercies of God, which I have received in profusion from our Lord. I
pray for heaven's kindness for each of you.
At
age 75, while my occupation has changed, my calling and passion have not been
disturbed. Soon Southwestern will have a new president. I am riding off into
the setting sun -- but with a Bible in my hand and a witness from my heart
until He comes for me individually or for us all in the air. I ask Southern
Baptists to hold the new president of Southwestern before God in earnest
prayer. He will be a great man, but the level of his attainment will be
dependent to a large degree on your concert of prayer. I know that you will not
fail in this endeavor.
In
a few days, for the first time in 66 years I will not attend the annual meeting
of the Southern Baptist Convention -- having begun attending when I was nine.
As many of you know, I was elected in 2017 to deliver the 2018 annual
convention sermon, but I have now respectfully requested to be released from
this high privilege because I do not want my role as a preacher to detract in
any way from the important business of our convention and because my desire is
to work toward biblical harmony at our annual meeting. Many messengers have
implored me to carry out this assignment, but this convention is not about me,
and I have every confidence that this decision is best and right.
Now,
may I just leave you with a challenge? I have with stumbling step, limited
ability, and stuttering tongue desired to bequeath to the world an orthodox
denomination with a heart and message for a world of lost people. My part is
small in the amazing history of the people we call Baptists. But as
insignificant as it may be, I will be praying every day that you will cling to
the whole Bible as the Word of the living God and at the same moment give that
Word to every lost person on this globe, knowing that Christ died for all and
that every man, woman, boy, and girl who comes to the Lord Jesus in saving faith
will be saved. Would you join me in that endeavor? Please link your hearts with
Dorothy and me in expressing thanksgiving to our Lord for His abundant mercies
to us all.
-Dr. Paige Patterson, June 8, AD
2018.
For
more information:
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor,
June 24, AD 2018.
Other Articles in lower right margin.
Paige's claim to having never sought to inflict harm upon a woman or man is blatantly false on its face. His ill-spirited crusade to recast Southern Baptists in his own image was characterized by heaping slander and derision upon other Christians who opposed his personal goals and methods. He got exactly what he had been serving up for decades through the same end justifies the means mentality which was his signature.
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