The Christian Post reports:
Vice President Mike Pence’s speech before the Southern Baptist Convention is being criticized by many as being too focused on politics and President Donald Trump.
At a speech before the SBC annual meeting at the Kay Bailey Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, Vice President Pence gave remarks that centered heavily on touting the Trump administration’s accomplishments.
While Pence talked about his spiritual upbringing (he gave his life to Christ 40 years ago), the power of prayer, and his visiting victims of the Sutherland Springs church shooting, he also focused on President Donald Trump’s agenda items of tax cuts, nominating conservative judges, fighting the Islamic State, and the talks with North Korea.
I know the SBC has welcomed politicians on occasion going back 45 years, but has there ever been a full-blown campaign speech like this one? #SBC18 #SBCAM18
— Trevin Wax (@TrevinWax) June 13, 2018
This is a stump speech. Incredible.
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) June 13, 2018
I love America. I like Mike Pence. I hate this.
— Clint Pressley (@pastorclint) June 13, 2018
I am saddened Pence wld be so triumphalistic, so unabashed, so jingoistic. I’m more saddened that there would be people in the audience, messengers of the gospel (unless they’re outside guests), who would so revel in rubbing their politics in the faces of their brothers & sisters
— Michael Wear (@MichaelRWear) June 13, 2018
Today IMB President David Platt talks about radical Muslims coming to faith in Christ. VP Mike Pence talks about radical Muslims “on the run.” Which is it? “Come to Christ” or “Run from us.” Two different messages. SBC must determine which one takes priority. #SBCAM18 #SBC18 #???
— Wade Burleson (@Wade_Burleson) June 13, 2018
This is getting hard to watch. Even if you agree with @VP and giving him a platform, you must understand the dissent of many of our brothers and sisters. It is questionable wisdom at best to provide a platform for a campaign speech. ?♂️ At least 40% disagreed. #SBC18
— Austin Mathis (@a_mathis_) June 13, 2018
Mike Pence, when addressing the Southern Baptist Convention on Wednesday, said the Trump administration so far has been “500 days of action, 500 days of accomplishment [and] 500 days of promises made and promises kept.” pic.twitter.com/f0u6nxajKG
— POLITICO (@politico) June 13, 2018
Hundreds of Southern Baptist pastors voted for an amendment to block today’s @VP Pence appearance, and replace it with prayer time. Nothing like this has happened in decades https://t.co/JTi65NANWa @TrevinWax @ThomasSKidd @pastorjgkell @JonathanDLeeman #SBCAM18 #SBC18
— Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 13, 2018
I am not Southern Baptist, but I wish there was some way I could apologize to all #SBC people of color and women for this Mike Pence visit and speech. #sbc18 #southernbaptists #MikePence
— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018
“This speech will define this gathering” — some experts on political-religious language say Pence went over-the-top partisan, slavish of Trump, just as Southern Baptists are trying to focus on overseas missions, diversity #SBC18 #SBC18AM https://t.co/KnSbtAhryN
— Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 13, 2018