At the SBC annual meeting in Anaheim, California, this past June, when Barber was asked during a press conference about the political and theological diversity within the Convention, Barber conceded that, politically speaking, he could not be placed anywhere other than “in the right wing,” going on to express that he strongly identifies with the brand of political conservatism characterized by former president Ronald Reagan.
Nevertheless, Barber emphasized that his goal was to foster unity within the SBC, having run his campaign under the banner of “Army of Peacemakers.” Further, Barber expressed in his Twitter thread on Tuesday that his views on politics are not where he derives his most important allegiances.
“My PRIMARY ALLEGIANCE belongs to Jesus Christ. And I assume from the outset that moments will come when my allegiance to my country will conflict with my allegiance to Christ. It is my ambition that Christ should always have the upper hand,” Barber said.
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“My PRIMARY IDENTITY is found in Jesus Christ. Being an American forms part of my identity, to be sure. But far more important than that is my identity in the gospel. With Paul, I can say that I count everything else as dung, comparatively speaking,” Barber continued.
“My ONLY HOPE is found in Jesus Christ,” Barber added. “Elections will not save us. Legislation will not save us. Court rulings will not save us. We cannot save ourselves, neither eternally nor even temporally. I am a VERY hopeful man, but that hope is found neither in humanity nor in human institutions. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
Addressing Christian nationalism specifically, Barber said, “Even for believers, sometimes the temptation is real to pledge allegiance to the flag in ways that are not ‘under God’…subjugated to our allegiance to the Savior. The temptation is real to identify as kinsman and countryman first. To vest our hope in politicians or nations.”
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“Is that what ‘Christian Nationalism’ looks like? My name is neither Merriam nor Webster—I don’t know that I have the right to define terms,” Barber expressed. “But I’m not bashful to say that giving in to any of those temptations is wrong and is beneath the calling of any Christian.”
