In a whirlwind of events, the head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), has found himself in the midst of controversy. Brent Leatherwood's praise for President Joe Biden's decision not to seek re-election has ruffled feathers within the staunchly conservative denomination.

The confusion began on Sunday when Leatherwood commended Biden's "selfless act" of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. However, by Tuesday morning, the ERLC announced that Leatherwood had not been fired and, in fact, had the full support of the top board members. The commission's chair, Kevin Smith, resigned and apologized for the erroneous announcement.

On Monday, the ERLC issued a statement claiming that Leatherwood had been removed from his position according to the organization's bylaws. However, on Tuesday, they clarified that there was no authorized meeting or vote to remove Leatherwood, and Smith's resignation further exemplified the confusion surrounding the situation.

In the midst of these developments, Tony Beam, the previous ERLC vice chair, has assumed the role of chair. Leatherwood expressed his gratitude to the trustees and emphasized their support in setting the record straight.

Leatherwood, who has led the embattled agency for three years, has not aligned himself with the increasingly public support for former President Donald Trump among Southern Baptists. His praise for Biden's decision drew fierce blowback from some within the denomination who have been critical of the ERLC. The denomination has been undergoing a larger battle to shift even further to the right.

Leatherwood, known for his conservative credentials, had previously served as the executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party and had experience in the Tennessee General Assembly and on Capitol Hill in Washington. He has been vocal about his opposition to abortion, in line with the SBC stances, but has resisted calls to advocate legal penalties for women who seek abortions.

The recent episode unfolded against the backdrop of the SBC's annual meeting, where hundreds attended unofficial events featuring video-recorded addresses by Trump and Leatherwood's interview with former Vice President Mike Pence. These events showcased a distinct separation between advocating conservative policies and aligning with Trump-oriented politics.

Experts in Baptist history, such as Bill Leonard, attribute the effort to oust Leatherwood to the influence of Trump within the SBC leadership. Leonard argues that compromises have been made in support of Trump and Christian nationalism, which may reflect the decline of Southern Baptists' evangelistic numbers and their reliance on government.

The ERLC, which does not endorse candidates, serves as the official policy arm of the largest evangelical Protestant body in the country. Its work has often attracted controversy, such as when former leader Russell Moore faced backlash over criticizing evangelical support for Trump and addressing issues of sexual abuse and racism within the denomination.

Leatherwood's leadership and the events surrounding his remarks about Biden exemplify the ongoing tensions and divisions within the Southern Baptist Convention, as it grapples with its conservative identity and political alliances.

It remains to be seen how this episode will impact the future direction of the ERLC and the Southern Baptist Convention as a whole.