This post is a continuation of resource compilations begun April 28 about the emerging situation of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson and implications for the Southern Baptist Convention. Compilations are news report and social media items selected by Brad/futuristguy, who is part of the Spiritual Sounding Board team. Social media responses are generally taken from Twitter, and although the initial post linked may not seem crucial, the thread typically contains important responses.
Resource Links, Part 1 – April 28 through May 22. Historical background resources, audiofile transcript, news articles and social media responses from April 28-May 22.
Resource Links, Part 2 – May 23-28. News articles and social media responses.
Resource Links, Part 3 – May 29 through June 3. News articles and social media responses.
Resource Links, Part 4 – June. Focus on statements and news articles related to topical and institutional issues in advance of the SBC annual meeting of June 11-12.
Initial items posted May 30th. On and after May 31st, blog posts added will be noted with [Link added DATE.] to make searching for newest entries easier. Twitter links generally added the same day they were posted on Twitter.
Final note: Listing here does NOT mean endorsement of content. This bibliography encompasses a modest range of source perspectives from people who would likely disagree on many things and agree on at least some things. They range from fundamentalist to conservative to moderate to progressive.
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NEW UPDATE SECTION:
June 1st SWBTS Statement and Reactions
A statement on the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary website was posted at approximately 4:30 pm Pacific Time on Friday, June 1st, by Kevin Ueckert, Chairman of the SWBTS Board of Trustees. The detailed disclosures in the statement responded to a number of questions that had been outstanding: the firing of Paige Patterson, the missing Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary institutional archive records, and the unauthorized publishing of confidential student file documents.
The statement generated a number of news articles, along with generally intense reactions in social media, especially from survivors of sexual and/or spiritual abuse and members of Southern Baptist Convention churches who are preparing for their annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, on June 12-13.
News Reports, Blog Articles, and Journalist Notes
June 01, 2018. Washington Post. Southern Baptist seminary drops bombshell: Why Paige Patterson was fired, by Sarah Pulliam Bailey. The latest developments, including comments from Megan Lively. See also the list at the bottom of the article for links to complete Washington Post news coverage of this situation. According to Barbara Roberts, the updated version of this article added the following quotes:
“As I’ve said before, he shamed the crap out of me,” [Megan] Lively said after seeing the statement. “He tried to ‘break her down.’ My story is almost identical to this girl’s story.”
“For 15 years of my life, I thought I did something wrong,” Lively said. “It wasn’t until Dr. Akin told me I didn’t that I firmly believed it. That’s how strong and impressionable Dr. Patterson was to a 23-year-old woman who believed in who he was.”“People have always been afraid of him. Not anymore,” Lively said on Friday night. “Nobody’s ever won against him. Especially a female.”
June 01, 2018. Baptist News Global. An open letter to Paige Patterson, by Nancy Carol Hastings Sehested.
June 01, 2018. SBC Voices. Statement by Kevin Ueckert, Chair of Trustees at SWBTS, by Dave Miller. This repeats the full SWBTS statement. The article is listed here for its comment thread which is mostly from staunch SBC members.
June 01, 2018. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. FIRST-PERSON: Reflections on the past 10 days, by Charles Patrick, Jr. EXCERPT:
In my position as vice president for strategic initiatives and communications, I have the distinct privilege of communicating the amazing stories of how God is using Southwestern Seminary’s professors, staff, students, and alumni to reach the world for Christ. I must admit that, like you, I have been deeply shocked, confused and grieved over many aspects of events in the past 10 days. However, the events of the recent days are not the explicit story I want to tell. Rather, the story I want to proclaim is how the precious metal of the Southwestern Seminary family has shined through the dross of the events of the past few weeks.
June 01, 2018. Star-Telegram. Southern Baptist leader aimed to ‘break down’ alleged rape victim, board chairman says, by Sarah Smith.
June 02, 2018. Star-Telegram. Southern Baptist leader told alleged victim it was ‘good’ she was raped, lawyer says, by Sarah Smith. New information about Paige Patterson dealings, plus an analysis of each of the five accusations reportedly countered by Sharayah Colter in the 15-page memo she released several days ago. EXCERPT:
A June 1 statement by the chairman of the seminary’s board of trustees, Kevin Ueckert, condemned Patterson’s behavior toward the woman, calling it “antithetical to the core values of our faith.”
Ueckert’s statement, the first to share that Patterson sent an email asking for a meeting with the alleged victim without officials present to “break her down,” came after a 15-page memo ricocheted across the internet defending Patterson.
The memo, authored by Sharayah Colter, the wife of Patterson’s then-chief of staff at Southwestern, contains confidential documents from the files of a woman who accused Patterson of telling her not to report her rape back in 2003, when Patterson was president of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina.
Colter said she would respond to questions by midnight on June 1 but so far has not responded to a list of questions, including how she got the documents.
June 02, 2018. 1st Feline Battalion. The SBC And The Paige Patterson Disaster: My $0.02, by Amir.
There are very few SBC leaders today who would not be where they are without Paige Patterson.
To hear the story, the SBC was in danger of going the way of the Episcopalian Church USA, the United Methodists, the Presbyterian Church USA, and other mainline Protestant denominations, until the conservatives rescued the SBC from the liberals.
And make no mistake, that story is 100% true.
The problem is that the SBC had more than just a liberalism problem; they had a longstanding culture that covered up scandals. When a pastor had an affair, it was treaed as just an affair rather than an abuse of of the power of the office. Conservatives didn’t invent the mindset, but neither did they confront it either.
Making matters worse, SBC churches became infiltrated with pedophiles, perverts, narcissistic pastors, and other abusers. SBC leaders, in many cases, covered up offenses. They let offending ministers and workers quietly resign, move on to other churches, and repeat their offenses.
SBC leadership did NOTHING to confront this epidemic.
Enter Paige Patterson. […]
Social Media Activity – See Threads, Not Just First Tweet
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https://twitter.com/SquirtBirdy/status/1002794829330427904
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https://twitter.com/MelissaBHawks/status/1001650787536093184
https://twitter.com/wad3mullen/status/1003063005121318912
https://twitter.com/noahtoly/status/1003103893872627712
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Official Statements and Select News Articles
May 29, 2018. SBCAL. Withdrawal of Paige Patterson from speaking engagement for Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders.
May 29, 2018. Baptist News Global. The peril of selective inerrancy, Opinion piece by Molly T. Marshall.
May 30, 2018. Baptist News Global. Abuse controversy prompts counseling group to move meeting from seminary campus, by Bob Allen. “The Association of Biblical Counselors has moved an October conference about using the Bible to counsel abuse victims from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to another location in light of controversial statements by the seminary’s erstwhile president.”
May 30, 2018. Baptist News Global. #AlMohlerToo: Did a Southern Baptist power broker just get woke?, by Bob Allen. “One of the Southern Baptist Convention’s most influential leaders says Southern Baptist power brokers are no better equipped to handle allegations of clergy sexual abuse internally than were Catholic bishops in the 1990s.” Extensive report article that includes material by/about Albert Mohler, Rachel Denhollander, Christa Brown, Wade Burleson, and Brent Detwiler.
May 30, 2018. Christian Post. Paige Patterson Scandal: Female Alumni Recount ‘Toxic’ Environment; 2003 Rape Victim Speaks, by Brandon Showalter. “Two female alumni of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have published their stories about how they were mistreated while they were students. And the woman who accused the school’s president, Paige Patterson, of urging her not to report her rape in 2003 has publicly identified herself.” [Link added May 31, 2018.]
May 30, 2018. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Statement by the Southwestern Theological Seminary, by SWBTS Board of Trustees Executive Committee on May 30, 2018. COMPLETE STATEMENT:
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.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Charles Patrick, Vice President for Communications, (817) 923-1921, ext. 3025, cpatrick@swbts.edu
May 30, 2018. Washington Post. Southern Baptist leader Paige Patterson fired over handling of sex abuse allegation, by Michelle Boorstein and Sarah Pulliam Bailey. Includes mentions of the roles of, or comments by, Lauren Chandler, Kevin Ueckert, Charles Patrick, Megan Lively, Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer, Russell Moore, Vicki Courtney, Beth Moore.
NOTE: In Parts 1 and 2 of this bibliography series on Paige Patterson, SWBTS, and the SBC, I linked to 10 news and commentary pieces published by The Washington Post. They have been the major reportage source for breaking news and analysis on this situation.
May 30, 2018. The New Republic. The Religious Right’s #MeToo Reckoning Is Coming, by Sarah Jones. “he Paige Patterson scandal just scratches the surface of a movement that has created a ripe environment for sexual harassment and abuse.”
May 30, 2018. Christianity Today. Paige Patterson Fired by Southwestern, Stripped of Retirement Benefits, by Kate Shellnut. “New details of mishandled sexual abuse allegation lead to Southern Baptist seminary president emeritus losing honorary title and on-campus residence.” Includes comment summaries with links to original sources, from Megan Lively, Danny Akin, Beth Moore, Denny Burk, Russell Moore, J.D. Greear.
May 30, 2018. SBC Voices. Breaking: Paige Patterson Has Been Terminated Immediately from SWBTS, by Dave Miller. See comment thread for a range of responses from SBC members/leaders.
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Cedarville University Background and Updates
May 30, 2018. Thomas White. Responding to Abuse. “Today, I sent the following email to our faculty and staff on responding to abuse. It was written for the Cedarville community, but I have posted it here so that any interested alumni, friends, or partners in ministry may see it.”
May 31, 2018. WYSO. Paige Patterson Steps Down From Cedarville University Board of Trustees, Following New Allegations, by April Laissle. EXCERPTS:
The embattled Cedarville University trustee was officially ousted from his leadership post at a prominent Southern Baptist Seminary following new abuse allegations. The development came amid growing calls for Paige Patterson’s removal from Cedarville’s Board of Trustees.
UPDATE [June 1]: Paige Patterson has resigned from Cedarville University’s Board of Trustees, according to a university official. His name was removed from the school’s website Friday. Cedarville spokesperson Clem Boyd told WYSO Patterson’s resignation is effective immediately, but declined to comment further.
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May 31, 2018. Istoria Ministries Blog. Patterson, Greear, Hemphill & Spiritual Authority – A Cautionary Word to New Leaders in the SBC, by Wade Burleson.
May 31, 2018. Baptist Press. Patterson firing met with strong reaction, cancellations, by David Roach. [Link added May 31, 2018.]
May 31, 2018. SBC Voices. Thoughts on the Removal Of Dr. Paige Patterson, by Dave Miller. Sections on these topics. [Link added May 31, 2018.]
- Dr. Patterson is not a victim.
- The Trustees did their work.
- The Executive Committee acted within its power.
- A good hire now is essential.
- We have a lot of work to do as a denomination on the role of women.
- Pray for Dr. and Mrs. Patterson.
- Dr. Patterson, I assume, will NOT preach at the Convention?
May 31, 2018. Immanuel Kentucky. We Were Rachael’s Church, by Immanuel Administration. This is the former church of Jacob and Rachel Denhollander. “The following is a statement given by the Pastors of Immanuel Baptist Church to the Washington Post.” [Link added May 31, 2018.]
May 31, 2018. Ezer Rising. A Closer Look at the Southern Baptist Convention and Paige Patterson, by Noelle Toscano.
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Disputing the Accusations Against Paige Patterson, and News about Release of Materials from Megan Lively’s Confidential Student File
May 31, 2018. SBC Issues. The untold truth: Facts surrounding Paige Patterson and his removal from SWBTS By Sharayah Colter. Ms. Colter responds to the following allegations about Paige Patterson.
Accusation # 1: Patterson encouraged a female Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary student not to report an alleged rape to police.
Accusation # 2: Patterson did not handle appropriately an alleged case of sexual assault against a SWBTS student.
Accusation # 3: Patterson says an abused wife should return to an abusive husband.
Accusation # 4: Patterson objectified a 16-year-old girl in conversation with a woman and her son.
Accusation # 5: Patterson fired student employee Nathan Montgomery in retaliation for Tweeting an article calling for his retirement.
In responding to certain of these accusations, she posts pages of documents reportedly from the situation with Megan Lively. However, these apparently are from Ms. Lively’s SEBTS student file, which are confidential and protected by law, so that will be an ongoing issue.
https://twitter.com/SBCexplainer/status/1002673047621554177
June 01, 2018. Christian Post. Paige Patterson Friend Challenges Allegations, Offers Evidence; Says He Was Fired by Phone in Dead of Night, by Leonardo Blair. Overview of information posted by Sharayah Colter, who is the wife of Paige Patterson’s former chief of staff Scott Colter.
June 01, 2018. BRNow.Org. Woman hushed by Patterson comes forward, tells of 8 more, by Seth Brown and Liz Tablazon. Includes information from Megan Lively, and also from President Danny Akin and George Harvey, legal counsel, of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where Ms. Lively was a student. EXCERPT:
Another matter currently under review concerns an allegation that documents belonging to SEBTS from the time period in which Patterson served as president of the institution have been removed from the library’s archives. The spokesperson for SEBTS said they are “currently in discussion” with SWBTS about the matter.
Past correspondence between Lively and Patterson, including photocopied messages on SEBTS letterhead from 2003, has been circulated online as part of a 15-page document apparently authored by Sharayah Colter, wife of Patterson’s chief of staff at SWBTS. Lively said some of the material came from her confidential student file at SEBTS and was being taken out of context to defend Patterson.
SEBTS legal counsel, George Harvey, confirmed that such correspondence should be held in student files under the protection of federal privacy laws regarding education records. Harvey, who is conducting the schools’ internal investigation, said he had not seen the correspondence between Patterson and Lively until it surfaced online and that SEBTS did not appear to be in possession of the material before it was shared publicly. It is unclear how the material was obtained by Colter.
June 01, 2018. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Statement by Kevin Ueckert, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Includes details on the firing of Paige Patterson, the missing institutional records from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and the unauthorized publishing of confidential student file documents. Some Twitter threads that are likely to pick up a range of reactions:
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Social Media Reactions and Blog Post Responses
Other Journalists
ADDED MAY 30: Nicola A. Menzie. Sarah Smith. MAY 31: Jacob Lupfer.
https://twitter.com/namenzie/status/1002027308503400448
https://twitter.com/namenzie/status/1002028301278466048
https://twitter.com/namenzie/status/1002029413322588162
https://twitter.com/namenzie/status/1002031247533707264
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People Deeply Involved or Directly Affected
ADDED MAY 30: April Armstrong. Wade Burleson. J.D. Greear. Megan Lively. Mary Burbrink. Karen Swallow Prior. MAY 31: Beth Moore. FBC Jax Watchdog. SBC Explainer. JUNE 01: David and Megan Cox.
https://twitter.com/maryburbrink/status/1001999778035781634
May 31, 2018. The LPM Blog. In Response to the SWBTS Board of Trustees Decision, by Beth Moore. [Link added May 31, 2018.]
https://twitter.com/SBCexplainer/status/1002305010099785728
May 31, 2018. Tennessean. Amid Southern Baptist leader’s downfall, one of his biggest critics was hit by a bus, by Holly Meyer. [Link added May 31, 2018.]
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Survivor Advocates and Others
ADDED MAY 30: Mary DeMuth. Tim Fall. Sheila Gregoire. Amy Moore. Wade Mullen. Markins. MAY 31: Julia Dahl/Tim Meshginpoosh. Anna Keith/Tim Meshginpoosh. Beth Allison Barr. Jennifer H.B./Brittany Salmon. Emily Joy. John Argyle. SarahAnne. Rachel Darnall. R.L. Stollar. JUNE 01: Divorced Dad.
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May 30, 2018. Anxious Bench. Paige Patterson Is My Fault, Too, by Beth Allison Barr. This is a post about complicity. QUOTE: “I am a Christian. I carry the name of Christ. His name is my name. Paige Patterson is guilty for what he has done. But because Patterson did it in the name of Jesus, and because we as Christians stayed silent, his guilt is my guilt too.” [Link added May 31, 2018.]
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https://twitter.com/johnargyle90/status/1002217273585754114
May 31, 2018. Restory. Going Forward, by Mary DeMuth. [Link added May 31, 2018.]
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Significant Thread from R.L. Stollar
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Analysis from Tim Meshginpoosh
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
You are a rock star, Brad. Thank you!! This is so helpful.
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Thank you Brad for all of these references. So many leads too, it’s very helpful.
Not to take away from the Patterson topic, but that link you provided to the apology statement issued by Immanuel Baptist Church (Rachael and Jacob Denhollander’s former church who treated them shamefully when they raised concerns about SGM) was certainly interesting:
“We simply did not have the categories to fully discern what Rachael was saying at the time.”
I’m rolling my eyes at that one. Now that’s damage spin control at it’s finest.
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Who was head of student life at Southeastern when the student reported this rape? They are as culpable as PP and head of security and apparently did not report it to the authorities. Where is that person now???
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