“Rev Thomas Littleton 9/10/2019
Many Christians remain in a state of shock from the perversion of the Gospel by the Social Justice movement flooding conservative seminaries and media . One clear fact is that the movement is largely driven in these institutions by partners Kern Family Foundation and Acton Institute . NOW it is surfacing that these same “justice ” partners are paying for and driving the POLITICAL “SOCIAL JUSTICE VOTER “movement among once conservative evangelical institutions as well.New information allows us to see that it is not just the Southern Baptist Seminaries , ERLC -the SBC ethics organization lead by Russell Moore that are impacted , but even the SBC publishing arm B & H Group is partnering to help spread the “JUSTICE VOTER ” political message of Kern and Acton .
Kern Family Foundation ,now operating offshore in the Cayman Islands (since at least 2014) , makes it impossible to track who and whose money is actually driving this effort to SHIFT conservative Christians away from Biblical / Convictional voting patterns toward “Justice Voting” .
THE ENDLESS STREAM OF JUSTICE THINKING FOR VOTERS
The justice spill over into Christian political thinking is no mere inevitability but a carefully crafted outcome. Tim Keller , Russell Moore, Joe Carter, Greg Forster ,Jonathan Leeman and many others have manifested demonic like obsession with guilting and persuading the conservative Christian that his/her voting is problematic. We are “too conservative ” and not reflecting a “justice” or “principled pluralism ” in a “post Christian world” by their justice measure -mind and value set. The assertion is that Christians “harm the Gospel ” when they hold to and vote as “single issue” (anti -abortion) voters or reflect convictions that appear uncaring for the issues of Social Justice.
NOW WE CAN SEE THE MONEY TRAIL THANKS TO BRUCE ASHFORD OF SEBTS
The Provost of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is Bruce Ashford . Ashford works on campus with the “Insterset Project” which is funded by Kern Family Foundation and overseen by Kern’s Oikonomia Network headed by Greg Forster. In 2018 Ashford released his book “Letters to an American Christian ” in which he approaches the subject of political engagement with the progressive “third way” messaging typical of Acton / Keller / Moore and others. The book is written as a letter offering advice to a young American named Christian (cheesy ? Yes-but of course ! ). The book is predictable in its message but offers ONE very interesting INSIGHT in the acknowledgements section.
Kern Family Foundation funding/support made the book project possible . Kern is not only funding the curriculum development for the seminaries like SBTS and SEBTS but is in fact funding and “making possible ” the political engagement” book by SEBTS Provost.
” THANK YOU KERN FAMILY FOUNDATION “BRUCE ASHFORD
The Coordination of the Progressive Political narrative out of the Kern funded /Acton backed affiliates is glaring ;
Ashford wishes to thank:
“I wish to thank Devin Maddox and Combs of B&H Publishing Group for their commitment to this project and the Kern Family Foundation whose encouragement and support enabled this project to become a reality .”
Ashford also list these Action and Kern thinkers and employees :
“for critical feedback , research editing and proofreading
Joe Carter- longtime Acton Institute editor , TGC editor , ERLC message man under Russell Moore.
Hunter Baker – Acton employee, TGC contributor ERLC Research Fellow, dean of arts and sciences at Union University and an Affiliate Scholar in religion & politics at the Acton Institute. Baker also helped in editing a politically driven book by Greg Forster (Oikonomia Network leader/ TGC contributor ) and Anthony Bradley (Acton Institute ) on Justice Voting via the “Rawlsian paradigm ” . More on that later
Dennis Greeson – SEBTS graduate and Kern funded “Intersect Project ” contributor . He promotes ERLC trans narrative by Andrew Walker . http://intersectproject.org/faith-and-culture/truth-compassion-review-god-transgender-debate-andrew-t-walker/
Chris Martin -Social Media facilitator for Lifeway counseled Ashford on the book.
Ashford final manuscript was edited “prepared for submission by :
Chris Pappalardo – works for J D Greear, current SBC President / Summit Church pastor’s as his chief editor. ( Ashford is also an elder at Greears Summit Church.)
Ashford thanks “ethicist and public theologians “-
Daniel Heimbach-SEBTS Kern Funded “Intersect Project”contributor , Research Fellow of the SBC’s ERLC, chairman of the Christian ethics planning unit for the Evangelical Theological Society, general editor of the B&H Christian Ethics series, referee for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society and contributing editor for the Journal of Faith and War.
Craig Bartholomew – SEBTS Kern Funded Intersect Project contributor .
Jonathan Leeman – 9MARKS editor ERLC Research Fellow, TGC contributor, London School of Economics ,openly “third way ” SBC influencer and “political theologian” .
INORDINATE INFLUENCE – WHERE AND WHY?
Kern Family Foundation is THE primary partner of Acton Institute in bringing the Social Justice false gospel filled with critical theories on race,gender, sexuality, and Intersectionality into SBC seminaries . But from Ashford’s book project we learn Kern is also partnering with the SBC publishing arm B & H Publishing Group. The SEBTS provost book is advising poor young “Christian” how to grasp politics and how the poor uninformed young believer ought to vote – through the “justice lens” of course. Why is such influence being aimed on how Baptist and evangelicals in general VOTE if Biblical conviction drives most Christian Voters? The progressive SHIFT toward being a “Justice Voter” is underway and perhaps irreversible because it is taking place virtually undetected .
B&H PUBLISHING -& THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST
Ashford Thanked two B & H Publishing employees
Devin Maddox- at B & H Groups” has been elevated to Publisher of Leadership Books. Prior to this position, Maddox served as Associate Publisher for Strategic Partners at B&H.Research Assistant to the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary”
Taylor Combs is an SBTS and Midwestern graduate.(both are TGC affiliates ) He is associate book publisher of Christian living and leadership books at B&H Publishing Group.
BOTH Maddox and Combs work alongside the Lifeway stable of contributors whose politics and social views lean left of center like Russell Moore, Karen Swallow Prior , Scott Sauls. (both who promoted the Revoice LGBT Flourishing movement ) and the gamut of SSA /Gay Christian writers, Sam Allberry, Butterfield, Perry , and more.
B & H Publishing group is a publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Conventions Lifeway
https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/about-us/
“B&H Publishing Group , an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church, and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation”
It is not really news to point out that employees of a Libertarian think tank like Acton Institute are driving their political narrative in partnership with a politicized Foundation like Kern. Nor is it news that the two partners are providing curriculum for the seminaries “justice “studies . But it is another issue entirely that SEBTS provost Ashford’s book on political engagement published by the SBC publishing arm B & H Publishing is FUNDED / “MADE POSSIBLE BY KERN FAMILY FOUNDATION.”
“What does it mean to be an American Christian?
“In Letters to an American Christian, Bruce Riley Ashford, author of One Nation Under God, addresses overarching issues of the relationship of Christianity and politics, speaks to the way historic Christian belief informs specific hot-button political issues, and challenges readers to take seriously both our heavenly and earthly citizenships. Written as a series of letters to “Christian”—a young college student who is a new believer—Letters to an American Christian will help every reader think carefully about how Christianity informs what it means to be an American.”
“In the midst of a rapidly changing national and political landscape, Letters to an American Christian reminds us of two important truths: we cannot afford to shrink away from our earthly citizenship, and we cannot afford to lose sight of our heavenly citizenship.”
Link to Ashfords book
MORE ON SEBTS PROVOST BRUCE ASHFORD’S VIEWS HERE
HUNTER BAKER – MORE ON HIS KERN /ACTON ASSOCIATIONS AND POLITICAL JUSTICE WORK
https://acton.org/about/people/hunter-baker
Hunter Baker whose help Ashford mentions -co-edited /contributed to THE 2014 book with Kern Family Foundation/ Kern Pastors Network/ Oikonomia Network / TGC contributor Greg Forster and Acton Institutes Anthony Bradley .
The subject of the book is
” John Rawls and Christian Social Engagement ”
“This book critiques the Rawlsian concepts of “justice as fairness” and “public reason” from the perspective of Christian political theory and practice. The Rawlsian paradigm has become pervasive in multiple disciplines outside political philosophy and is unconsciously embedded in a great deal of Christian public discourse; this calls for a new level of analysis from Christian perspectives. This is the first volume to examine Rawls based on Christian principles drawn from theological ethics, social thought, political theory and practical observation. In addition to theoretical perspectives, the book connects its critique of Rawls to specific hot-topic practical questions in three areas: social issues (abortion, marriage, etc.), economic issues (wealth creation, poverty programs, etc.), and the increasing difficulty of political compromise and peaceful coexistence in the context of the culture war. The book includes some of the leading Christian political theorists in America.”
JOHN RAWLS THEORY OF JUSTICE
https://arcdigital.media/a-theory-of-justice-by-john-rawls-e71ea5df44f2
“The aim Rawls expresses from the outset of Theory is to devise a “theory” of justice that can better systematize people’s judgments about it. In his view, existing political societies are “seldom well-ordered” simply because they are characterized by disagreements about justice. An agreed-on theory of justice is needed, in addition, in order for individuals’ “life plans” to be “fitted together” so that nobody’s “legitimate expectations” will be “severely disappointed.”
John Rawls “A Theory of Justice ” is a favorite of the political left . He later wrote “Political Liberalism ” as a follow up to Theory of Justice ”
JUSTICE GOALS OF COMMON GOOD POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
Oikonomia Network is striving to redefine the theology , work ethic , economics , vision and future of the church by social justice. Now we see that the effort is undeniably reaching beyond the church walls and aiming for the Christian when he/she enters the voting booth of their hometown polls. Making social liberals of their pastors is a sure pathway to success for liberalizing the conservative church. The effort centers around the Kern/ Acton promotion of economics in the Faith and Work movement /curriculum but the mask for its BOLD political outcomes is wearing extremely thin.
Faith and Work ideology sets out the following goals :
Click to access Theology-that-Works-v2-FINAL.pdf
• THEOLOGY: Preaching the Trinity, incarnation, imago Dei, biblical narrative, and more
illuminates work and economics.
• PASTORAL CARE: Pastors need to be equipped to console and counsel those affected by
economic change.
• COMPASSION: Our ministry to those in need should cultivate hope, dignity, and growth
instead of dependency.
• COMMON GOOD: Churches that understand the economy will be equipped to help their
communities flourish.
• YOUTH AND FAMILY: A flourishing life starts in early childhood with a culture of vocation and responsibility.
We might also add -HELPING JUSTICE VOTING PATTERNS FLOURISH to the list of Kern/ Actons outcome measures for faith and family .
Conservative Christians LIVES/ INSTITUTIONS/ CHURCHES / THEOLOGY /FAITH /VOTING CONVICTIONS are being invaded- overwhelmed – manipulated – and sold down the proverbial river by the host of insiders who have opened our institutions doors to partnerships driven by progressive political operatives masked as partners in the faith.
There is no Biblical or godly reason to work this hard to unhinge Christian voters from pro- life- pro-family- pro Biblical marriage, sexuality and gender norms . NONE. Instead Paul warns Timothy of the very opposite in 1st Tim 4 .
“16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
When your church interviews it’s next hire from one of the Kern /Acton affiliated Schools or you choose your next childrens /teen / college curriculum -be aware of these agendas and influences and the funding behind them. Take Heed to yourselves and make careful staffing and curriculum decisions .
Christians need to vomit out the lukewarm false justice gospel and cleave to the Lord for the power and transformation promised in the everlasting Gospel committed into the hands of believers everywhere. If we want to engage/ influence culture -we need the one thing that alone offers real answers and true change.That is the Christ Crucified – buried and risen in power. No denomination can offer lasting , godly , biblical change from those whose own heart have not been changed.
If you vote- and you should – you should NOT be shamed by these political operatives pretending to be “political theologians ” ( not in the list of the five fold ministries to the church ) while behaving like progressive hirlings out to condemn your voting habits and redefine your FAITH.
IF this effort were driven by the Gospel – it would not need to going into hiding on our seminary campuses ? These partners have no business in the voting booths or the collective conscience of evangelical Christians .
WHY IS KERN, THE LEAD EVANGELICAL VOCATION /SOCIAL JUSTICE FUNDER, GOING INTO HIDING AT SEBTS?
AL MOHLER -YOU MISSED A SPOT :SOCIAL JUSTICE FUNDING GOES INTO HIDING AT SBTS
Matthew 7:
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
1st Timothy 4
1.Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Take Heed to Your Ministry
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
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