There is no shortage of drama before the Southern Baptist Convention descends on Dallas in two weeks. Its keynote speaker, a prominent Southern Baptist, Paige Patterson was ousted from the top job at the Southwestern Baptist Seminary.
"He is certainly revered and has been for many many years," said Christine Wicker, who is a religion expert and has covered the Southern Baptists as a journalist for many years.
Patterson is accused of mishandling a sex abuse allegation. He was also pressured after making a statement that abused wives should stay with their husbands. That did not go over well with a number of Baptist women.
"If these women are finally angered, those boys are in big trouble," said Wicker.
Pastor George Mason of Wilshire Baptist is part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. It split from Southern Baptists in 1991 and one of the bigger reasons for that split was over the role of women in church.
"I hope that something deeper happens and that is the structure of there whole thought and theology changes," said Mason.
Mason actually studied at SWBTS. He says back in the 70s and 80s, the shift was happening to keep a male-dominated structure. Mason says Patterson may have been integral in maintaining that structure.
"I hope Southern Baptists will not see Paige Patterson as the problem himself, but a symptom of the problem," said Mason.
Patterson has yet to put out a formal statement following the allegations. "We shouldn't celebrate when other people are in pain, but we should stand in solidarity with those who have been hurt and oppressed for a long time," ended Mason.
It will be interesting to see if Patterson still speaks at the convention. Representatives with the Southern Baptist Convention say the only way he does not speak is if he personally bows out or if the board makes a motion and takes a vote to not allow Patterson to speak.
The following press release was sent to WFAA in regards to termination of Patterson from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary:
During the May 30, 2018, Executive Committee meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Board of Trustees, new information confirmed this morning was presented regarding the handling of an allegation of sexual abuse against a student during Dr. Paige Patterson’s presidency at another institution and resulting issues connected with statements to the Board of Trustees that are inconsistent with SWBTS’s biblically informed core values.
Deeming the information demanded immediate action and could not be deferred to a regular meeting of the Board, based on the details presented, the Executive Committee unanimously resolved to terminate Dr. Paige Patterson, effective immediately, removing all the benefits, rights and privileges provided by the May 22-23 board meeting, including the title of President Emeritus, the invitation to reside at the Baptist Heritage Center as theologian-in-residence and ongoing compensation.
Under the leadership of Interim President Dr. Jeffrey Bingham, SWBTS remains committed to its calling to assist the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention by biblically educating God-called men and women for ministries that fulfill the Great Commission and glorify God.
Further, the Seminary stands against all forms of abuse and grieves for individuals wounded by abuse. Today, Dr. Bingham made it clear that SWBTS denounces all abusive behavior, any behavior that enables abuse, any failure to protect the abused and any failure to safeguard those who are vulnerable to abuse. Additionally, Dr. Bingham called for the SWBTS community to join the Body of Christ in praying for healing for all individuals affected by abuse.