Russell D. Moore

Russell D. Moore is a prominent American evangelical leader, serving as the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). He has been a key figure in shaping the Southern Baptist Convention's stance on various social and theological issues, often engaging with other notable evangelical leaders such as Al Mohler and John Piper. Moore's work has been influenced by the likes of Carl F.H. Henry and Francis Schaeffer, and he has been a vocal advocate for adoption and foster care, working closely with organizations like Focus on the Family and The Gospel Coalition. His leadership has also been shaped by his interactions with other prominent Christian leaders, including Timothy Keller and David Platt.

● Early Life and Education

Moore was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, and grew up in a Southern Baptist family, attending First Baptist Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he studied history and philosophy, and later earned his Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his time at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Moore was influenced by the teachings of John Stott and J.I. Packer, and he developed a strong interest in theology and ethics, which would later shape his career. Moore's education also included a stint at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he studied under the guidance of Mark Noll and George Marsden.

● Career

Moore began his career as a pastor at Highland Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi, and later served as the dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2013, he was elected as the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), where he has worked closely with other Southern Baptist Convention leaders, including Frank Page and Bryant Wright. Moore has been a vocal advocate for religious freedom and has engaged in public debates with leaders such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. He has also worked with organizations like the National Association of Evangelicals and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to promote interfaith dialogue and social justice.

● Theology and Views

Moore's theology is rooted in Reformed theology and evangelicalism, and he has been influenced by the teachings of John Calvin and Martin Luther. He has written extensively on topics such as adoption, marriage, and family, and has been a strong advocate for complementarianism. Moore has also been critical of liberal theology and has engaged in public debates with leaders like Jim Wallis and Brian McLaren. His views on social justice have been shaped by his interactions with Christian leaders like Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne, and he has been a vocal supporter of immigration reform and racial reconciliation. Moore has also worked with organizations like the Evangelical Immigration Table and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference to promote immigrant rights and social justice.

● Publications

Moore has written several books, including Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches and Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ. He has also contributed to various publications, such as Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition, and has been a regular commentator on CNN and Fox News. Moore's writing has been influenced by the works of C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton, and he has been praised by Christian leaders like John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul for his insightful commentary on theology and culture. He has also written for The Washington Post and The New York Times, and has been a featured speaker at conferences like The Gospel Coalition National Conference and The Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting.

● Personal Life

Moore is married to Maria Moore, and they have five sons, whom they have adopted from Russia and Ukraine. He is a strong advocate for adoption and foster care, and has written extensively on the topic. Moore's personal life has been shaped by his Christian faith, and he has been influenced by the teachings of Charles Spurgeon and Jonathan Edwards. He has also been a vocal supporter of pro-life causes, and has worked with organizations like Focus on the Family and The National Right to Life Committee to promote pro-life values. Moore's commitment to social justice has also led him to partner with organizations like World Vision and Compassion International to promote child sponsorship and humanitarian aid.