SBC President Ronnie Floyd

COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) — The living former Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) presidents elected since 1980 issued a joint statement June 17 declaring they will stand on the biblical truths concerning marriage despite anticipated legal and civil changes to the definition. Pastor Jack Graham called it “the most critical issue of our times — religious freedom and the very definition of marriage itself.”

Reading from the statement, Graham said, “The Scriptures’ teaching on marriage is not negotiable. We stake our lives upon the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. We will not accept, nor adhere to, any legal redefinition of marriage issued by any political or judicial body including the United States Supreme Court.”

The statement, signed by 16 former presidents, was not issued on behalf of the SBC but issued to the SBC, evangelicals and the nation, Graham said.

The pastors offered advice on how pastors and leaders of religious institutions can insulate themselves, to a degree, against the legal tide flowing against them — by having well-documented policies clearly defining marriage and the policies grounded in that definition.

To read the full story, go to www.thealabamabaptist.org.
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