Balmer states that he had no issue with being recognized as a progressive evangelical. In his book, he shares a story about Jimmy Carter defending a Black Naval Academy classmate and refusing to join a White supremacist group. According to Balmer, there used to be a significant presence of progressive evangelicalism within the Southern Baptist Convention, but that has largely disappeared. Evangelicals are generally defined as Christians who have undergone a dramatic personal conversion, believe in spreading their faith, and either take the Bible “seriously or literally,” according to Balmer.
To understand why Carter diverged from many White evangelicals, particularly in his advocacy for women’s equality, it is necessary to examine two aspects of his religious beliefs. He broke away from mainstream evangelicals by championing gender equality. Shortly after Carter entered hospice care in early 2023, the Southern Baptist Convention expelled one of its largest and most prominent churches for appointing a woman as pastor. This decision was seen as a reflection of many White evangelicals’ stance against women’s equality. The convention, with nearly 14 million members, is considered a key indicator of conservative Christianity.
Carter’s views on women’s roles in the church were progressive, asserting that the Bible allows for women to serve as pastors and deacons. He highlighted Jesus’ equal treatment of women and their pivotal role in the early church. In terms of abortion, Carter expressed personal opposition but did not actively seek to overturn Roe v. Wade or support a Constitutional amendment against it.
During his presidency, Carter demonstrated his commitment to women’s equality by appointing more women to his administration than any previous president and supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. In contrast, President Ronald Reagan, a revered figure among White evangelicals, opposed the amendment. Carter’s respect for gender equality extended to his relationship with his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who played a significant role in advising him during his presidency.
Jimmy Carter, known for his global peacekeeping efforts, highly valued his wife’s opinion as his equal partner. Even though they may not always agree, she would candidly share her thoughts with him. In 2000, Carter distanced himself from the Southern Baptist Convention due to its stance on women’s roles, emphasizing that he believed in equality for all. This belief stemmed not only from his religious views but also from his mother, Lillian Carter, a strong advocate for equality who even faced backlash for her support of Black individuals during the Jim Crow era. Carter credited his mother as the most influential woman in his life, highlighting her compassionate and fair treatment of all people. His faith and commitment to social justice garnered attention, especially when he openly discussed his religious beliefs and personal struggles during his presidency, setting a precedent for White evangelicals to engage in political matters. Carter’s unique approach to faith and politics inspired White evangelicals to become more active in the political sphere, marking a shift in the relationship between religion and governance.
A figure resembling them, both in appearance and speech, walked into the Oval Office. According to author Balmer, televangelist Pat Robertson claimed to have gone to great lengths, just shy of breaking FCC regulations, to help elect Carter in 1976. The imagery of Carter on his peanut farm, dressed in jeans and an Allman Brothers Band T-shirt while quoting scripture, resonated with White evangelicals, as noted by sociologist Nancy T. Ammerman in her book “Baptist Battles: Social Change and Religious Conflict in the Southern Baptist Convention.” Ammerman explains that the idea of an ordinary, church-going, non-coastal elite individual becoming president was thrilling to many. However, Carter’s views diverged from those of numerous White evangelicals on key issues such as racism, homosexuality, abortion, and the separation of church and state.
During Carter’s presidency, the Internal Revenue Service took steps to uphold anti-discrimination laws at all-White Christian schools established by many evangelicals in defiance of the Supreme Court’s 1954 ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education. This move, spearheaded by the IRS, involved denying tax-exempt status to schools like Bob Jones University in South Carolina that practiced racial discrimination. Balmer notes that White evangelical leaders unfairly attributed this action to Carter. Interestingly, it was opposition to racial integration, rather than abortion, that initially spurred many evangelicals to engage in politics in the 1970s, as Balmer highlights.
Desiring a political champion, White evangelicals turned to Ronald Reagan after their disillusionment with Carter. Unlike President Bill Clinton, another progressive White evangelical, Carter didn’t adjust his beliefs to court evangelicals’ favor. Instead, he stood his ground on issues like advocating for universal healthcare, reducing military expenditure, and criticizing the tax system as favoring the wealthy. Despite advisers suggesting that Carter moderate his stances for political gain, he refused, prioritizing what he believed to be right over political expediency. Carter’s unwavering idealism came at a cost, as White conservative evangelicals overwhelmingly supported Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, turning away not just from Carter but also from aspects of their own historical tradition.
Historically, White evangelicals had been at the forefront of social justice causes during the 19th century. Leaders like Charles Finney actively opposed slavery, championed prison reform, advocated for peace, and played a pivotal role in establishing public schools to uplift underprivileged children. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, found themselves at odds with the changing tide of evangelical politics, as their unwavering principles clashed with the evolving landscape of evangelical conservatism.
On October 5, 2010, volunteers gathered in Baltimore, Maryland to participate in a weeklong project organized by Habitat for Humanity. Among them was Amy Davis, a photographer capturing the spirit of the event for The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service/Getty Images.
Discussing the historical context of progressive evangelicals, Balmer highlighted their contributions to women’s equality, including advocating for voting rights in the 19th century. This progressive stance continued into the 20th century, as evidenced by Southern Baptists ordaining women, supporting moderate pro-abortion positions, and actively participating in the civil rights movement during the 1960s and ’70s, according to Ammerman.
However, the progressive momentum within the evangelical community began to wane in 1979 when conservatives assumed leadership, aligning with the Republican Party. This shift led to the perception that only conservative evangelicals represented true evangelicalism, overshadowing the existence of progressive White evangelists.
Reflecting on former President Jimmy Carter’s tenure, Ammerman noted his departure from the conservative evangelical path embraced by many, emphasizing his more progressive direction during the ’60s and ’70s. Carter’s post-presidency actions, such as his dedication to humanitarian efforts and peace negotiations worldwide, have been lauded, positioning him as a beacon of integrity and service.
Although Carter’s legacy includes a challenge to the future of White evangelicalism, his commitment to faith and humanitarian work has left a lasting impact. Kurylo, who accompanied Carter during journalistic endeavors, stressed the importance of celebrating his positive influence on the world rather than dwelling on his passing.
Carter’s involvement in community service extended to teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, further exemplifying his dedication to faith and service. While White evangelical subculture undergoes a transformation, marked by a decline in church attendance and concerns over political entanglements, some religious leaders caution against compromising spiritual principles for political power.
Despite facing criticism for not aligning with White conservative evangelicals during his presidency, Carter’s unwavering commitment to his beliefs ultimately defined his legacy. His example serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to one’s faith and principles, even in the face of political pressures.
