Southern Baptist Convention President Calls Midterm Election Issues ‘Profoundly Theological’

Southern Baptist Convention President Willy Rice has emphasized that the upcoming midterm elections involve issues that are “deeply, profoundly, theological.” With key topics such as abortion, immigration, and gender identity on the ballot, Rice urged pastors to guide their congregations in making biblically informed voting decisions.

Rice, who has served as senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, for 22 years, stated that these issues relate to fundamental understandings of human life and God’s creative purpose. “The issues are deeply, profoundly, theological,” he said, highlighting the sanctity of human life as a central concern. The abortion debate, he explained, centers on whether human life is sacred and made in the image of God.

Rice noted that the idea among some evangelicals to separate politics and religion is less common today than in the past. He stressed that Christians should not be swayed by left-leaning advocates who promote “open immigration” under the guise of compassion. “No one would say that because you love people or care for people, you should leave the doors of your house unlocked,” he said, arguing that compassion and law enforcement are not mutually exclusive.

He warned against allowing political rhetoric to distort Christian values, emphasizing that a nation has a responsibility to protect its citizens and regulate immigration. “A person can love people and care for people and want humans of all kinds and races to flourish,” Rice said, “but also believe that a nation has not just the right but the responsibility to have laws to protect its own citizens.”

The Southern Baptist Convention, with over 12 million members and more than 45,000 cooperating churches, has historically led in charitable giving, including support for refugees and those affected by natural disasters. Rice highlighted the role of Christian communities in providing aid and ministry, even as they engage with political issues.

Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, echoed Rice’s call for greater political engagement by pastors. In a Facebook post, Graham stated, “Many issues that are considered political are actually moral issues.” He praised Rice for aligning with the historical role of pastors in shaping public discourse on key moments in American history.

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