Title: Jimmy Carter’s Forgotten Progressive Evangelism: The "Road Not Taken" by White Evangelicals
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, was known for his efforts to end racial segregation and fight for equality. However, his progressive views on women’s rights, social justice, and issues related to race and ethnicity were often overlooked. As a "Goddamn n***er lover" and a fugitive from the White Citizens’ Council, Carter’s views were shaped by his relationships with African Americans and his experiences at the US Naval Academy and later, at his family’s peanut farm in South Georgia.
Carter’s brand of evangelical Christianity, known as progressive evangelicalism, was a departure from the current political and theological stances of many White evangelicals. His faith was shaped by his experience as a Sunday school teacher and his commitment to social justice. He believed that the Bible permitted women to be pastors and deacons, and that Jesus treated women as equals, with women playing a central role in the early Christian church.
As a progressive evangelical, Carter was a feminist who appointed more women to his administration than any previous president, supported the Equal Rights Amendment, and believed that women should have equal rights. He also valued the opinion of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who often accompanied him on his travels and was his trusted political adviser. Carter’s views on abortion were nuanced, as he was personally opposed to it but did not campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Carter’s progressive evangelicalism represented a "road not taken" by many White evangelicals today, who have largely aligned themselves with conservative political and theological stances. His example serves as a reminder of the long history of progressive evangelicalism, from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when leaders like Charles Finney fought against slavery, advocated for women’s rights, and were active in prison reform.
Carter’s legacy, however, is often overshadowed by his presidency, which was marked by the Iran hostage crisis and economic stagnation. Yet, his post-presidency, which has lasted over four decades, has been more celebrated, with his work on peace and humanitarian issues, including his founding of the Carter Center.
In the end, Carter’s legacy may have more significance in his ability to stay true to his faith, rather than seeking to curry favor with White conservative evangelicals. As a progressive evangelical, he offers a reminder of a "road not taken" by many today, one that prioritizes social justice, women’s rights, and equality for all.