Bible teacher severs ties with Southern Baptists
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Popular Bible teacher Beth Moore said she is no longer a Southern Baptist and ended her longtime partnership with the conservative evangelical denomination’s publishing arm, Lifeway Christian Resources.
Moore, a critic of former President Donald Trump and an advocate for victims of sexual abuse, told the Religion News Service she is still a Baptist but no longer considers herself a Southern Baptist.
“I love so many Southern Baptist people, so many Southern Baptist churches, but I don’t identify with some of the things in our heritage that haven’t remained in the past,” Moore told the Religion News Service.
Moore’s spokesperson told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Moore has no plans to comment further on her decision. For decades, evangelical women have embraced Moore, who founded Living Proof Ministries in Houston.
She has connected with Christians through Bible studies, speaking events and social media.
Moore received pushback for criticizing Trump.
“I do not believe these are days for mincing words. I’m 631⁄2 years old & I have never seen anything in these United States of America I found more astonishingly seductive & dangerous to the saints of God than Trumpism. This Christian nationalism is not of God. Move back from it,” Moore said in December on Twitter.
Moore sparked debate among Southern Baptists about the role of women in the church. Southern Baptists limit the role of pastor to men only.
Moore told the Religion News Service she ended her longtime publishing relationship with Lifeway, but it will still sell her books.
Becky Loyd, director of Lifeway Women, said in a statement that Moore moved her Bible study publishing and event administration to her Houston ministry.
“We will continue to carry and promote Beth’s Bible studies and books,” Loyd said.
“Our relationship with Beth is not over, we will continue to love, pray and support Beth for years to come.
“We are thankful that God has allowed us to be a part of how He has used Beth to help women engage Scripture in deep and meaningful ways and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.”