SBC President J.D. Greear Slams Pastors Who Have Called Vice President Harris a ‘Jezebel’
Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear says pastors and other Christians have no justification for calling Vice President Kamala Harris a “Jezebel.”
“I realize that some pastors are likely unaware of the history of certain racial stereotypes in calling or comparing our Vice President to Jezebel, but that doesn’t make such statements any less unwise,” Greear tweeted, as Relevant Magazine reports.
I realize that some pastors are likely unaware of the history of certain racial stereotypes in calling or comparing our Vice President to Jezebel, but that doesn’t make such statements any less unwise. (1/3)
— J.D. Greear (@jdgreear) February 2, 2021
“There are times we will critique policies, but that should not include personal attacks on a newly elected official God has told us to honor and pray for. Let us speak clearly and boldly for righteousness, but in a way that honors what the Scriptures say about honoring our leaders. We don’t correct one sin through another.”
Let us speak clearly and boldly for righteousness, but in a way that honors what the Scriptures say about honoring our leaders. We don’t correct one sin through another. (3/3)
— J.D. Greear (@jdgreear) February 2, 2021
Greear’s tweet comes after several Southern Baptist pastors have used the term to describe Harris.
In a Sunday morning service before the inauguration, Steve Swofford, pastor of First Baptist Church of Rockwall, Texas, called Harris “Jezebel Harris.”
Swofford is on the SBC Executive Committee.
“What if something happens to (President Joe Biden) and Jezebel has to take over? Jezebel Harris, isn’t that her name?” Swofford said during his sermon.
Then two days after the inauguration, Tom Buck, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lindale, Texas, tweeted: “I can’t imagine any truly God-fearing Israelite who would’ve wanted their daughters to view Jezebel as an inspirational role model because she was a woman in power.”
According to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University, the term “Jezebel” “began in slavery.”
“I find (Buck’s) comment regarding Madam Vice President Kamala Harris extremely un-Christ like, unjustifiable & inconsistent with how he’s treated other female public figures,” Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington Pastor Dwight McKissic said. “To refer to the Madam Vice President in any context as ‘Jezebel’ is simply unwarranted & disrespectful & extremely harmful to the image of Southern Baptists, when this label emanates from the heart & mouth of an SBC pastor. Consequently, I choose not to engage in any further fellowship with Tom Buck.”
Photo courtesy: J.D. Greear Facebook
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
