Seth Udinski, FISM News
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Josh McDowell, popular evangelical speaker and author of over 100 books, is under siege from many in the Christian community.
McDowell announced this past week that he is stepping back from his position in leadership at the nationwide college para-church ministry Cru, as well as his position of leadership at Josh McDowell Ministries, for comments he made about the black community. Here are McDowell’s words, spoken at a conference last weekend. For context, McDowell was analyzing critical race theory and highlighting the dangers of this worldview:
I do not believe blacks, African Americans, and many other minorities have equal opportunity. Why? Most of them grew up in families where there is not a big emphasis on education. You can change the world. If you work hard, you will make it. So many African Americans don’t have those privileges like I was brought up with.
Many were angered at McDowell’s words, claiming he spoke insensitively about minorities. Others came to his defense, saying he was speaking words of truth and was unfairly “canceled” by Cru because of it.
On Wednesday, McDowell released a statement on Twitter,
Statement directly from Josh McDowell: pic.twitter.com/bLbU2eXoE3
— Josh McDowell Ministry (@josh_mcdowell) September 22, 2021
He further explained,
I apologize and reiterate my Christian love for all races, nationalities and people groups. My desire is that we as Christians would deal with both racism and inequality as the sins that they are in order to restore the unity that God desires for all.
McDowell is 82 years old. At this time, it is unclear if he will return his role at Josh McDowell Ministries or Cru.