No Credentialist Tricks
It has been revealed that, in 2017, Brandon Meeks, an oft-celebrated Anglican theologian with a residence at an Arkansas Anglican church, was convicted of “carnal knowledge with a juvenile,” allegedly a minor boy, and served over a year and a half sentence. I place this fact first, because the headline from Ministry Watch reads “Anglican Scholar Accused of Falsifying Academic Credentials, Hiding Criminal Past,” and the essay from the person who discovered the conviction, Brian Mattson, titled “The Talented Mr. Meeks,” spends most of its time covering academic fraud and only mentions Meeks’ conviction for sexual abuse towards the end. On top of this, the common sentiment from conservative Christian literati and their fans is that this is a “sad” situation, because Meeks is such a “talented writer” who made worthwhile literary contributions.
Here is what I believe are the real takeaways:
It’s disgusting that conservative Christian gatekeepers seem far more concerned about Meeks’ falsified credentials than the fact he was given a position of “resident theologian” at a church, while having a very recent conviction for sexual abuse of a minor.
Meeks has long been a publicly malignant personality within Christian academic social media, especially regarding the subject of ethnicity, and his malignancy was long overlooked or excused by conservative Christian academic gatekeepers.
Above, Meeks, on his since deleted X account, displays his longstanding extreme misogynistic behavior. Below he affirms the Nazi concept of Blood and Soil, explicitly affirming its ethno-nationalist meaning and blasphemously tying it to the Lord’s Supper. Meeks’ handle, NoJesuitTricks, is itself a nativist, No-Popery shibboleth.
Meeks’ fall, and the way that it’s being discussed by the people who supported his writing, is a perfect example of the rot in conservative Christian media and academia. Its players seem far more offended that someone should be able to infiltrate their inner, credentialist world with a falsified degree than the frequency with which predators and racists have penetrated it. All the while, they proactively avoid acknowledging how much terrible public behavior they openly tolerate within their circles. Now that Meeks is out, they frame the situation as “sad” and “regrettable,” when the proper response should be disgust and righteous anger. One can have that correct response while still wishing the man no ill will and hoping that he seeks repentance and help. That the corner of the church that wants to be the authority on Scriptural interpretation can’t acknowledge something so obvious is utterly disqualifying.
I agree. Personally, I am beside myself as to why no criminal background check was done on him. This would have come up immediately.
I attend an ACNA church. When I chose to volunteer with the children's dept, I had to submit to a criminal background check, which--IMHO--ought to be the bare minimum.
Why Meeks was never checked, that's a massive due diligence failure.
This whole ordeal made me realize just how much of an academic circle the Christian publishing world is - and precisely why it’s so hard to speak to it if you don’t have the so-called credentials.
Or am I wrong? I tried to take this up with some people in that scene but they just don’t seem to want to acknowledge it.
It just feels to me so much was ignored because of the academic credentials. Like others don’t get nearly as much love (and a pass on character issues) if they’re not academics and not part of the circle. It doesn’t matter if you write well, understand the topics, make a convincing case, or have a good reputation with your church, and lead people well. What matters most is the academic credentials.
I’m happy to be proved wrong but I can’t seem to see where I am wrong. I mean is there even one Christian writer in the prominent Christian publishing scene with no academic credentials? I can’t think of any.