Voddie Baucham: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox_person

| image = File:Voddie-Baucham.jpg

| birth_name =

| birth_date = March 11, 1969

| birth_place = [[wikipedia:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]], [[wikipedia:California|California]]

| death_date = September 25, 2025

| death_place = [[wikipedia:Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], [[wikipedia:Texas|Texas]]

| residency = [[wikipedia:Cape Coral, Florida|Cape Coral]], [[wikipedia:Florida|Florida]]

| occupation = Pastor, author, theologian

| education = [[wikipedia:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]]

| theology = [[Reformed Baptist]]

| affiliations = [[Founders Seminary]] (president)<br>[[African Christian University]] (formerly)

| spouse = [[Bridget Linette Baucham|Bridget Linette Baucham (nee Wilson)]]

| children = 9

| website = [https://voddiebaucham.org voddiebaucham.org]

}}

'''Voddie Tharon Baucham, Jr.''' (March 11, 1969 – September 25, 2025) was an American pastor, author, and educator. He served for nine years as [[wikipedia:Dean (education)|Dean]] of Theology at [[African Christian University]] in [[wikipedia:Lusaka, Zambia|Lusaka, Zambia]].<ref>https://acu-usa.com/about</ref>

He was the founding president of [[Founders Seminary]] in [[wikipedia:Cape Coral, Florida|Cape Coral, Florida]].

== Education and career ==

Born in Los Angeles, Baucham studied at [[wikipedia:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]] and [[wikipedia:Rice University|Rice University]], playing [[wikipedia:American football|football]] as a [[wikipedia:tight end|tight end]]. He then transferred to [[Houston Baptist University]], where he graduated with a [[wikipedia:Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]]<ref>Baucham, ''Fault Lines'', p. 25.</ref> He went on to obtain an [[wikipedia:M.Div.|M.Div.]] from [[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and a [[wikipedia:D.Min.|D.Min.]] from [[Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary]].<ref>url=https://sebts.on.worldcat.org/oclc/52378100</ref> Baucham also did additional post-graduate study at the [[University of Oxford]].<ref>ttps://www.uu.edu/news/release.cfm?ID=691</ref>

Baucham was involved in itinerant ministry for many years, primarily in [[wikipedia:Texas|Texas]], but also preaching at some of the early Passion events in the late 90’s. Baucham served as pastor of [[Grace Family Baptist Church (Houston, Texas)|Grace Family Baptist Church]] in [[wikipedia:Spring, Texas|Spring, Texas]], (a [[Reformed Baptist]] congregation within the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) until he moved to Zambia in 2015. He was a board member of [[Founders Ministries]].<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/how-voddie-baucham-fought-for-years-to-protect-his-heart-health.html</ref>

In March 2022, Baucham confirmed that he had been asked to accept a nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, but noted that as an overseas missionary, he was not sure if he was eligible.<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/voddie-baucham-asked-to-accept-nomination-for-sbc-president.html</ref> In 2024, Baucham moved back from Zambia to the United States.<ref>https://christianpost.com/news/voddie-baucham-to-return-to-native-us-after-decade-in-zambia.html</ref> In January 2025, it was announced that Baucham would be one of the founding faculty of [[Founders Seminary]] in Florida.<ref>https://foundersseminary.org</ref>

== Beliefs ==

=== Theology ===

Baucham was [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] and [[Reformed Baptist]] in his theology, and subscribed to the [[1689 Baptist Confession of Faith]]. He called himself a "fire-breathing, [[Five Points of Calvinism|TULIP]] believing, five-point [[Calvinist]]."<ref>https://www.voddiebaucham.org/sermons/the-providence-of-god-and-the-people-of-promise/</ref> Baucham appeared in the 2019 [[wikipedia:Netflix|Netflix]] documentary ''[[American Gospel]]: Christ Alone'' speaking in favor of [[penal substitutionary atonement]]. His statement "God killed Jesus" was criticized for "muddying the waters" on this doctrine.<ref>https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/american-gospel-christ-crucified/</ref><ref>https://www.reformation21.org/blog/american-gospel-gets-it-right</ref>

=== Biblical patriarchy ===

Baucham was an adherent of [[biblical patriarchy]]. He outlined his views on the subject in his 2009 book ''What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter'', though preferring the phrase "gospel patriarchy".<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=8lAqvhvaEtAC&pg=PA59</ref> Baucham criticized [[wikipedia:Sarah Palin|Sarah Palin]]'s [[wikipedia:Vice presidential candidacy of Sarah Palin|vice presidential candidacy]] in 2008, on the basis that women serve best at home.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJFFK0o_ldc</ref><ref>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-01-me-evangelical1-story.html</ref>

Baucham was also a supporter of the [[Stay-at-home daughter]] movement.<ref>https://www.mediamatters.org/heritage-foundation/heritage-foundations-critical-race-theory-expert-extremist-who-thinks-women</ref> He appeared in [[wikipedia:Vision Forum|Vision Forum]]'s 2007 documentary ''Return of the Daughters'', in which he said that America is suffering an "epidemic of unprotected women."<ref>https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a21345667/stay-at-home-daughters-christian-patriarchy/</ref>

=== Family and church ===

Baucham and his wife [[homeschool]]ed their children, and he spoke against Christians sending their children to [[State school|public schools]].<ref>https://exodusmandate.org/public-schools/top-five-reasons-not-to-send-your-kids-back-to-public-school</ref><ref>https://reformedperspective.ca/on-public-schools-evangelism-is-not-discipleship/</ref> In his 2007 book, ''Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God'', Baucham argued that parents (especially fathers) can and should disciple their children through [[family worship]] and through attending [[family integrated church]]es.<ref>https://www.sbts.edu/family/2011/10/12/the-family-integrated-model-for-church-ministry-a-complete-break-from-age-segmented-structures-2/ |website=Family Ministry Today |date=October 12, 2011 |publisher=[[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] |access-date=June 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>https://faith.edu/faith-news/united-families-dividing-churches-an-assessment-of-the-family-integrated-church-movement/</ref>

=== Critical race theory ===

Baucham rejected [[critical race theory]] in favor of what he called "biblical justice", and saw it as a [[religious movement]], with its own cosmology, [[saint]]s, [[liturgy]], and law.<ref>http://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/11406/20210407/dr-voddie-baucham-hits-critical-race-theory-says-the-gospel-is-the-answer-and-the-solution-to-racism.htm</ref> Baucham's 2021 book ''Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe'' outlined his criticisms of the movement.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/critical-race-theory-bible-dont-mix-theologian</ref> In [[''Fault Lines'']] he argued that [[wikipedia:Critical theory (Frankfurt School)|Critical Theory]] and its subsets, Critical Race Theory-Intersectionality and Critical Social Justice are grounded in [[wikipedia:Western Marxism|Western Marxism]], the public social justice conversation is perpetuating misinformation, and is incompatible with Christianity as a competing worldview.<ref>https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/jspp/vol2/iss1/8/</ref> In August 2021, Baucham was accused of plagiarizing parts of the book and falsifying a quote he attributed to [[Richard Delgado]], an early researcher of critical race theory.<ref>https://religionnews.com/2021/08/03/voddie-bauchams-publisher-defends-fault-lines-against-plagiarism-claims/</ref> The publisher, [[Salem Books]], rejected the plagiarism claim, saying it was merely a matter of style, while Delgado denied making such a quotation.<ref>https://faithfullymagazine.com/fault-lines-voddie-baucham-crt-richard-delgado/</ref>

== Personal life ==

Baucham was [[African-American]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/critical-race-theory-bible-dont-mix-theologian</ref> He became a Christian in 1987.<ref>Baucham, [[''Fault Lines'']], p. 24.</ref><ref>https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/jock-with-a-brain-writes-as-an-act-of-stewardship/</ref> He and his wife Bridget had nine children. He was a practitioner of [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]].<ref>https://www.voddiebaucham.org/about/</ref>

In February 2021, Baucham experienced [[wikipedia:heart failure|heart failure]] and had to travel to the [[wikipedia:Mayo Clinic Florida|Mayo Clinic Florida]] for treatment. A [[wikipedia:GoFundMe|GoFundMe]] campaign for his medical expenses raised more than a million dollars.<ref>https://www.christiantoday.com/article/over.1m.raised.for.voddie.baucham.as.he.battles.heart.failure/136401.htm</ref>

Baucham received the 2022 Boniface Award from the [[Association of Classical Christian Schools]], given to recognize "a public figure who has stood faithfully for Christian truth, beauty, and goodness with grace."<ref>https://classicalchristian.org/the-boniface-award/</ref>

Baucham died on September 25, 2025 after suffering an emergency medical incident<ref>https://founders.org/articles/the-death-of-voddie-baucham</ref> at the [[wikipedia:Texas State Fair|Texas State Fair]].

== Books ==

* [[''The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture?'']] ([[Broadman & Holman]], 2004)

* [[''Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God'']] ([[Good News Publishers|Crossway]], 2007)

* [[''What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter'']] ([[Crossway]], 2009)

* [[''Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes'']] ([[Crossway]], 2011)

* [[''Joseph And the Gospel of Many Colors: Reading an Old Story in a New Way'']] ([[Crossway]], 2013)

* [[''Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word'']] ([[Crossway]], 2015)

* [[''Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe'']] ([[Salem Books|Salem Books]], 2021)

* [[''It’s Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement'']] ([[Regnery Publishing|Regnery Faith]], 2024)

== External links ==

* [https://voddiebaucham.org voddiebaucham.org]

== References ==

[[Category:2025 deaths]]

[[Category:Southern Baptist ministers]]

[[Category:New Mexico State Aggies football players]]

[[Category:Rice Owls football players]]

[[Category:Houston Christian University alumni]]

[[Category:Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]

[[Category:Converts to Christianity]]

[[Category:African-American Christian clergy]]

[[Category:Writers from Los Angeles]]

[[Category:1969 births]]

[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]

[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]

[[Category:American Calvinist and Reformed theologians]]

[[Category:20th-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians]]

[[Category:21st-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians]]

[[Category:21st-century American Protestant theologians]]

[[Category:Reformed Baptists]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Infobox_person
+| image = File:Voddie-Baucham.jpg
+| birth_name =
+| birth_date = March 11, 1969
+| birth_place = [[wikipedia:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]], [[wikipedia:California|California]]
+| death_date = September 25, 2025
+| death_place = [[wikipedia:Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], [[wikipedia:Texas|Texas]]
+| residency = [[wikipedia:Cape Coral, Florida|Cape Coral]], [[wikipedia:Florida|Florida]]
+| occupation = Pastor, author, theologian
+| education = [[wikipedia:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]]
+| theology = [[Reformed Baptist]]
+| affiliations = [[Founders Seminary]] (president)<br>[[African Christian University]] (formerly)
+| spouse = [[Bridget Linette Baucham|Bridget Linette Baucham (nee Wilson)]]
+| children = 9
+| website = [https://voddiebaucham.org voddiebaucham.org]
+}}
+'''Voddie Tharon Baucham, Jr.''' (March 11, 1969 – September 25, 2025) was an  American pastor, author, and educator. He served for nine years as [[wikipedia:Dean (education)|Dean]] of Theology at [[African Christian University]] in [[wikipedia:Lusaka, Zambia|Lusaka, Zambia]].<ref>https://acu-usa.com/about</ref>
+He was the founding president of [[Founders Seminary]] in [[wikipedia:Cape Coral, Florida|Cape Coral, Florida]].
+== Education and career ==
+Born in Los Angeles, Baucham studied at [[wikipedia:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]] and [[wikipedia:Rice University|Rice University]], playing [[wikipedia:American football|football]] as a [[wikipedia:tight end|tight end]]. He then transferred to [[Houston Baptist University]], where he graduated with a [[wikipedia:Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]]<ref>Baucham, ''Fault Lines'', p. 25.</ref> He went on to obtain an [[wikipedia:M.Div.|M.Div.]] from [[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and a [[wikipedia:D.Min.|D.Min.]] from [[Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary]].<ref>url=https://sebts.on.worldcat.org/oclc/52378100</ref> Baucham also did additional post-graduate study at the [[University of Oxford]].<ref>ttps://www.uu.edu/news/release.cfm?ID=691</ref>
+Baucham was involved in itinerant ministry for many years, primarily in [[wikipedia:Texas|Texas]], but also preaching at some of the early Passion events in the late 90’s. Baucham served as pastor of [[Grace Family Baptist Church (Houston, Texas)|Grace Family Baptist Church]] in [[wikipedia:Spring, Texas|Spring, Texas]], (a [[Reformed Baptist]] congregation within the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) until he moved to Zambia in 2015. He was a board member of [[Founders Ministries]].<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/how-voddie-baucham-fought-for-years-to-protect-his-heart-health.html</ref>
+In March 2022, Baucham confirmed that he had been asked to accept a nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, but noted that as an overseas missionary, he was not sure if he was eligible.<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/voddie-baucham-asked-to-accept-nomination-for-sbc-president.html</ref> In 2024, Baucham moved back from Zambia to the United States.<ref>https://christianpost.com/news/voddie-baucham-to-return-to-native-us-after-decade-in-zambia.html</ref> In January 2025, it was announced that Baucham would be one of the founding faculty of [[Founders Seminary]] in Florida.<ref>https://foundersseminary.org</ref>
+== Beliefs ==
+=== Theology ===
+Baucham was [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] and [[Reformed Baptist]] in his theology, and subscribed to the [[1689 Baptist Confession of Faith]]. He called himself a "fire-breathing, [[Five Points of Calvinism|TULIP]] believing, five-point [[Calvinist]]."<ref>https://www.voddiebaucham.org/sermons/the-providence-of-god-and-the-people-of-promise/</ref> Baucham appeared in the 2019 [[wikipedia:Netflix|Netflix]] documentary ''[[American Gospel]]: Christ Alone'' speaking in favor of [[penal substitutionary atonement]]. His statement "God killed Jesus" was criticized for "muddying the waters" on this doctrine.<ref>https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/american-gospel-christ-crucified/</ref><ref>https://www.reformation21.org/blog/american-gospel-gets-it-right</ref>
+=== Biblical patriarchy ===
+Baucham was an adherent of [[biblical patriarchy]]. He outlined his views on the subject in his 2009 book ''What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter'', though preferring the phrase "gospel patriarchy".<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=8lAqvhvaEtAC&pg=PA59</ref> Baucham criticized [[wikipedia:Sarah Palin|Sarah Palin]]'s [[wikipedia:Vice presidential candidacy of Sarah Palin|vice presidential candidacy]] in 2008, on the basis that women serve best at home.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJFFK0o_ldc</ref><ref>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-01-me-evangelical1-story.html</ref>
+Baucham was also a supporter of the [[Stay-at-home daughter]] movement.<ref>https://www.mediamatters.org/heritage-foundation/heritage-foundations-critical-race-theory-expert-extremist-who-thinks-women</ref> He appeared in [[wikipedia:Vision Forum|Vision Forum]]'s 2007 documentary ''Return of the Daughters'', in which he said that America is suffering an "epidemic of unprotected women."<ref>https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a21345667/stay-at-home-daughters-christian-patriarchy/</ref>
+=== Family and church ===
+Baucham and his wife [[homeschool]]ed their children, and he spoke against Christians sending their children to [[State school|public schools]].<ref>https://exodusmandate.org/public-schools/top-five-reasons-not-to-send-your-kids-back-to-public-school</ref><ref>https://reformedperspective.ca/on-public-schools-evangelism-is-not-discipleship/</ref> In his 2007 book, ''Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God'', Baucham argued that parents (especially fathers) can and should disciple their children through [[family worship]] and through attending [[family integrated church]]es.<ref>https://www.sbts.edu/family/2011/10/12/the-family-integrated-model-for-church-ministry-a-complete-break-from-age-segmented-structures-2/ |website=Family Ministry Today |date=October 12, 2011 |publisher=[[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] |access-date=June 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>https://faith.edu/faith-news/united-families-dividing-churches-an-assessment-of-the-family-integrated-church-movement/</ref>
+=== Critical race theory ===
+Baucham rejected [[critical race theory]] in favor of what he called "biblical justice", and saw it as a [[religious movement]], with its own cosmology, [[saint]]s, [[liturgy]], and law.<ref>http://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/11406/20210407/dr-voddie-baucham-hits-critical-race-theory-says-the-gospel-is-the-answer-and-the-solution-to-racism.htm</ref> Baucham's 2021 book ''Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe'' outlined his criticisms of the movement.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/critical-race-theory-bible-dont-mix-theologian</ref> In [[''Fault Lines'']] he argued that [[wikipedia:Critical theory (Frankfurt School)|Critical Theory]] and its subsets, Critical Race Theory-Intersectionality and Critical Social Justice are grounded in [[wikipedia:Western Marxism|Western Marxism]], the public social justice conversation is perpetuating misinformation, and is incompatible with Christianity as a competing worldview.<ref>https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/jspp/vol2/iss1/8/</ref> In August 2021, Baucham was accused of plagiarizing parts of the book and falsifying a quote he attributed to [[Richard Delgado]], an early researcher of critical race theory.<ref>https://religionnews.com/2021/08/03/voddie-bauchams-publisher-defends-fault-lines-against-plagiarism-claims/</ref> The publisher, [[Salem Books]], rejected the plagiarism claim, saying it was merely a matter of style, while Delgado denied making such a quotation.<ref>https://faithfullymagazine.com/fault-lines-voddie-baucham-crt-richard-delgado/</ref>
+== Personal life ==
+Baucham was [[African-American]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/critical-race-theory-bible-dont-mix-theologian</ref> He became a Christian in 1987.<ref>Baucham, [[''Fault Lines'']], p. 24.</ref><ref>https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/jock-with-a-brain-writes-as-an-act-of-stewardship/</ref> He and his wife Bridget had nine children. He was a practitioner of [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]].<ref>https://www.voddiebaucham.org/about/</ref>
+In February 2021, Baucham experienced [[wikipedia:heart failure|heart failure]] and had to travel to the [[wikipedia:Mayo Clinic Florida|Mayo Clinic Florida]] for treatment. A [[wikipedia:GoFundMe|GoFundMe]] campaign for his medical expenses raised more than a million dollars.<ref>https://www.christiantoday.com/article/over.1m.raised.for.voddie.baucham.as.he.battles.heart.failure/136401.htm</ref>
+Baucham received the 2022 Boniface Award from the [[Association of Classical Christian Schools]], given to recognize "a public figure who has stood faithfully for Christian truth, beauty, and goodness with grace."<ref>https://classicalchristian.org/the-boniface-award/</ref>
+Baucham died on September 25, 2025 after suffering an emergency medical incident<ref>https://founders.org/articles/the-death-of-voddie-baucham</ref> at the [[wikipedia:Texas State Fair|Texas State Fair]].
+== Books ==
+* [[''The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture?'']] ([[Broadman & Holman]], 2004)
+* [[''Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God'']] ([[Good News Publishers|Crossway]], 2007)
+* [[''What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter'']] ([[Crossway]], 2009)
+* [[''Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes'']] ([[Crossway]], 2011)
+* [[''Joseph And the Gospel of Many Colors: Reading an Old Story in a New Way'']] ([[Crossway]], 2013)
+* [[''Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word'']] ([[Crossway]], 2015)
+* [[''Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe'']] ([[Salem Books|Salem Books]], 2021)
+* [[''It’s Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement'']] ([[Regnery Publishing|Regnery Faith]], 2024)
+== External links ==
+* [https://voddiebaucham.org voddiebaucham.org]
+== References ==
+[[Category:2025 deaths]]
+[[Category:Southern Baptist ministers]]
+[[Category:New Mexico State Aggies football players]]
+[[Category:Rice Owls football players]]
+[[Category:Houston Christian University alumni]]
+[[Category:Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]
+[[Category:Converts to Christianity]]
+[[Category:African-American Christian clergy]]
+[[Category:Writers from Los Angeles]]
+[[Category:1969 births]]
+[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
+[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
+[[Category:American Calvinist and Reformed theologians]]
+[[Category:20th-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians]]
+[[Category:21st-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians]]
+[[Category:21st-century American Protestant theologians]]
+[[Category:Reformed Baptists]]