SBC Thought You Like to Know Brochure Page 1 BLACKCYANYELLOWMAGENTA Fold

Quick Facts We Thought You’d Like To Know Every denomination is experiencing tension, and Southern Baptists are no exception. Of course, tension can be healthy. It serves to clarify beliefs. But tension also has a down side. It can generate misleading statements and create confusion in the local church. We know that some may be struggling to sort out truth from fiction. Because this is so, we offer you these simple position statements which reflect the actions of the Convention and its entities. We hope that they will prove helpful to you. Accountability Growth Financial and programmatic accountability are Southern Baptists average 4 new congregations The Southern Baptist Convention in session hallmarks of the Southern Baptist Convention; each day; the Convention has more than 40,000 the public record is detailed and extensive. churches and is nearing the 16-million-member mark. Autonomy The Press Priesthood of All BelieversWomen In Ministry We affirm the autonomy of the local church. Each church is Baptist Press is the national news service of Moral Concerns We affirm the priesthood of all believers. Women participate equally with men in the priest-free to determine its own membership and to set its own Southern Baptists. It is a cooperative system, Laypersons have the same right as ordained hood of all believers. Their role is crucial, their wis-course under the headship of Jesus. It may enter into alliance The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is involving scores of national and state contributors. ministers to communicate with God, interpretdom, grace and commitment exemplary. Womenwith other churches as it chooses, so long as those other Laity leading Southern Baptists to study and act on a Scripture, and minister in Christ’s name. Thatare an integral part of our Southern Baptist boards,churches are willing. Mobilization of the laity is one of the great sto- broad front; a survey of recent issues of LIGHT is why the Convention requires strong lay faculties, mission teams, writer pools, and profes- The same is true for other Baptist bodies — local associations; ries of the era; each year about 100,000 go Ethnicity shows treatment of euthanasia, television, racism, involvement on its boards. out on special short-term mission and disaster Each Sunday, Southern Baptists in America gambling, world hunger, the environment, AIDS, sional staffs. We affirm and celebrate their Great state conventions; national conventions. They, too, may relief projects, at home and abroad. worship in 212 languages and dialects ; black world peace, pornography, alcohol, the homeless, Commission impact. determine their membership and set their own course. This doctrine is first and foremost a matter of and ethnic growth is strong in the SBC; black fetal tissue research, cloning, abortion, persecu- If, in its autonomy, a Baptist body expels a church from its responsibility and servanthood, not privilege and ethnic representation on the boards and tion of Christians, and religious liberty. While Scripture teaches that a woman’s role is notfellowship, it does not negate that church’s autonomy. The and license. Literature professional staffs is growing. identical to that of men in every respect, and that church is perfectly free to go on with its business — but not LifeWay Christian Resources is the world’s pastoral leadership is assigned to men, it also teachesas a member of that larger Baptist body. largest publisher of religious materials; its Further Reading that women are equal in value to men. Sunday school literature is the choice of Biblical Interpretation There is no substitute for the original text. We It is, of course, a perversion of this doctrine to approximately 37,000 Southern Baptist Within broad parameters, there has always been, say that all views are equally valid, that you can and will continue to be, liberty of interpretation urge you to read such primary sources as: churches; orders come as well from churches of believe anything and still be a Baptist, or that Cooperation in our institutions; from millennialism to predes- • The Foreign Mission Board’s (now the Church and State other denominations and from more than 40 the pastor has no unique leadership role. The Cooperative Program of missions is integral to the tination to missiology to polity, Southern Baptist We stand for a free church in a free state. Neither countries around the world. International Mission Board) letter Southern Baptist genius. In the early days of our faculty and staff espouse a range of views, within one should control the affairs of the other. We sup- to the churches concerning Convention, churches were bombarded with special appeals a framework of . port the First Amendment to the United States Ruschlikon Seminary. Soul Competency from various missions causes. The material resources of each Constitution, with its “establishment” and “free • The Executive Committee rationale We affirm soul competency, the accountability ministry were dependent upon the persistence and eloquence Academics exercise” clauses. The scope of Southern Baptist seminary educa- for the 1990 BJCPA recommenda- of each person before God. Your family cannot of the spokesmen. This societal approach to missions was tion is unmatched by any other denomination. tion. save you. Neither can your church. It is a mat- We do, of course, acknowledge the legitimate inter-uneven and exhausting. America’s 237 theological schools average • SBC resolutions on priesthood of ter between you and God. Authorities can’t In 1925, Southern Baptists chose to join the causes of state about 300 in enrollment. The six Southern believers (1988), women in ministry force belief or unbelief. They shouldn’t try. play of these two spheres. For example, it is appro- and national missions in a denominational plan of unified Baptist seminaries average about 2,280. One (1984), etc. priate for the state to enact and enforce fire codes out of every five theological students in the • ERLC publications, SALT and for church nurseries. It is also appropriate for minis-giving. This Cooperative Program laid the foundation for Against this backdrop of religious freedom, it’s U.S. is enrolled in a Southern Baptist seminary. LIGHT. ters to offer prayer at civic functions. Neither the extraordinary growth and fruitfulness. important for us Baptists to set forth our con-Constitution nor Baptist tradition would build a The Partners in the victions. By stating them in a forthright man-wall of separation against such practices as these. Harvest campaign celebrates the 75th anniversary of ner, we provide nonbelievers with a clear the Cooperative Program in the Year 2000 with Innovation and Efficiency choice. In an effort to provide Southern Baptists with For these items and more informa- goals of 1 million baptisms, unprecedented volunteer resources and information, the Southern tion, contact: Missions mission involvement, and $750 million in Convention Relations Baptist Convention has created a new website. Creeds and ConfessionsWe ask the people of the world to conform to Cooperative Program and other missions gifts. Executive Committee, SBC.net provides you with access to important In some groups, statements of belief have theChrist and His Word, and not to our merely human Southern Baptist documents, quick links to Southern Baptist Convention same authority as Scripture. We call this traditions. We seek to lift up national leadership in each SBC entity, and features an online prayer 901 Commerce St. creedalism. Baptists also make statements of the countries where we serve, and to respect the cul-Sexuality and Sanctity of Life room where you can intercede for Southern Nashville, TN 37203 belief, but all of them are revisable in light of tural expressions of their Christian faith — we We affirm God’s plan for marriage and sexual intimacy — one Baptist needs around the world. You can reach (615) 244-2355 Scripture. The is the final word. honor the indigenous principle in missions. We man, one woman, for life. Procreation is a gift from God, a our website at: (615) 782-8684 FAX cannot, however, compromise doctrine or give upprecious test reserved for marriage. At the moment of con- http://www.sbc.net (866) 722-5433 TOLL FREE Because of this distinction, we are generally who we are to win the favor of those we try to reachception, a new being enters the universe, a human being, a more comfortable with the word “confession.”or those with whom we desire to work. This wouldbeing created in God’s image. This human being deserves October 2000 Still, we are “creedal” in the sense that we rob our efforts of their integrity and life. our protection, whatever the circumstances of conception. believe certain things, express those beliefs, and Homosexuality is not a “valid alternative lifestyle.” The Bible order our institutions accordingly. There haveThe priority is evangelism which results in churches.condemns it as a sin. It is not, however, unforgivable sin. The always been Baptist limits. And within these This priority is consistent with strong social min- redemption available to all sinners is available to homosexuals. limits, there have always been Baptist prefer- istries, including medical care, emergency famine They, too, may become new creations in Christ. ences. relief, water projects, and agricultural assistance.

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J.B. TIDWELL HERSCHEL HOBBS A Bible Chairman, Bible President, Southern J.M. FROST Department Baptist Convention Corresponding Secretary, Baylor University Chairman, Baptist Faith and Heritage B.H. CARROLL, First Baptist Sunday School (1910-46) Message Committee (1963) President, Southwestern Board Baptist Theological Seminary (1908-14) We accept the Scriptures as an all-sufficient and infal- We invite you to consider JAMES P. BOYCE lible rule of faith and practice, and insist upon the the convictions of these First President, Southern Baptist absolute inerrancy and sole authority of the word of JOHN A. BROADUS Theological Seminary; Southern Baptists. TheirProfessor of New Testament Interpretation God. We recognize at this point no room for divi- President, Southern Baptist sion, either of practice or belief, or even sentiment. and Homiletics, Southern Baptist Convention ( (1872-79, 1888) stand on Scripture and Theological Seminary (1859-1895) More and more we must come to feel as the deepest These writers certainly claimed that what they say Infallible has two meanings; one is “without error,” its treatment in our and mightiest power of our conviction that a “thus is of God. To them the inspiration is not just ple- the other that “it fulfills its intended function.” A saith the Lord” is the end of all controversy. nary but verbal. They were not left to choose dull knife can be an infallible knife if you use it to How came it (the Bible) to be schools and lives Theis inspired writers learned many things by These modern devotees of higher criticism their words promiscuously. Their individuality cut butter. You will weaken the statement by written? God inspired holy men to observation or inquiry, but they were pre- must wait each week for the mail from was preserved, but the words used were given putting in that word. I know it’s your pet word, uncompromising. As we write it. Did they write it exactly as Germany to know what to believe or preach, Baptist: Why and Why Not (1900) served by the Holy Spirit from error, them of God. Not just the thought came from and it’s the pet word of a lot of people, but it isn’t God wished? Yes; as much as if he to find how much, if any, of their Bible remember the waywhether in in learning or in writing these God, but every word with every inflection. Every as strong as the words “without any mixture of had written every word himself. remains. ... things. ... Those who concede errors in the verse and line and even every tense of the verb, error.” which God has blessed the Ought it, therefore, to be believed “Theological Seminaries and Wild Gourds” Scriptures as to matter of fact, in order to every number of the noun, and every little parti- from Interview Concerning Hobbs’ Defense and obeyed? Yes; as much as Convention throughremove theconflict with some scientific opin- Lee, keep the Seminary lashed to the Cross. If cle they regarded as coming from God and of Baptist Faith and Message Wording on the Bible though God had spoken directly to A.T. ROBERTSON K. OWEN WHITE ions of our time, may tell us that they have heresy ever comes in the teaching, take it to demanded in the pain of grave disaster that we years, we should keep her us. Professor of New Pastor, First Baptist Church, great satisfaction in being at peace with sci- the faculty. If they will not hear you and take should preserve it in its entirety. prompt action, take it to the trustees of the Testament Interpretation Houston, President, Southern scriptural commitmentsence. But there are two drawbacks upon A Brief Catechism Thinking Straight About the Bible or Is the Bible Seminary. If they will not hear you, take it to Southern Baptist Baptist Convention, 1964 of Bible Doctrine in mind. such a peace. It is the peace of sheer sub- the Convention that appoints the Board of Theological Seminary the Word of God (1935) mission. ... And it is only a partial and tem- Peculiar obligations rest upon Trustees, and if they will not hear you, take it (1895-1934) (Photo from The Texas Collection, Baylor porary peace. Other scientific men at once those to whom are entrusted the to the great common people of our churches. University, Waco, Texas-Used by permission.) make still further demands, tending ever (God) gave a revelation to make it free from errors. education of the rising Ministry. You will not fail to get a hearing then. toward the complete abandonment of the I believe He first made it inerrant as He made God in His mercy preserve the Deathbed Commission to his Successor, L.R. SCARBOROUGH supernatural. ... If we assume that the inspi- L.R. Scarborough nature so. Hence, I boldly hold that the analogy of instructors from the crime of teach- Second President of ration of the Bible is only partial where are nature is in favor of inerrancy of God’s original If the appeal is made for “academic freedom,” let it ing a single error, however unim- The modern cry, “Less creed and more liber- Southwestern Baptist we to stop? Every man must then select ad scriptures. ... Why in the world is it that there is be said that we gladly grant any man the right to portant, and grant unto all our ty,” is a degeneration from the vertebrate to Theological Seminary libitum what portions of the Bible’s teach- such a terrible contention by destructive higher crit- believe what he wants to — but, we do not grant Boards the grace necessary for the jelly fish, and means less unity and less (1914 – 1945) ings he will accept as true. ics? ... I think I can tell. The school wants to him the right to believe and express views in conflict faithfulness to the trusts devolved morality, and it means more heresy. ... It is a positive and very hurtful sin to magnify liberty change the whole order ... they wish to get an with our historic position concerning the Bible as A Catechism of Bible Teaching (1893) upon them, that false doctrine, at the expense of doctrine. entering wedge by having it admit that there were the Word of God while he is teaching in one of our however trifling, may receive no Three Questions as to the Bible (1883) An Interpretation of the EnglishCHARLOTTE Bible inaccuracies ... in order to shift and change the schools, built and supported by Baptist funds. countenance. ... DIGGS “LOTTIE” order of the Word to suit themselves. My faith is the faith of a simple, plain Baptist.“Death I in the Pot,” Baptist Standard, Jan. 10, 1962 You will infringe the right of no MOON accepted from my father and Dr. B.H. Carroll man, and you will secure the rights Southern Baptist the verbal inspiration of the Bible, the deity of of those who have established here Missionary to China Jesus Christ, His perfect humanity, His atoning an instrumentality for the produc- Namesake for “The Relative Authority of Scripture and Reason” death, His bodily resurrection, His second com- tion of a sound ministry. It is no Foreign Mission ing. All my studies since have confirmed the sim- JOHN L. DAGG 1987 Southern Baptist Convention hardship to those who teach here, Offering ple faith I received from them. President, Mercer University Southern Baptist Peace Committee to be called upon to sign the decla- E.Y. MULLINS Introduction to Inspiration of the Bible ration of their principles, for there President, Southern Baptist by B.H. Carroll (1930) We, as a Peace Committee, have found that most are fields of usefulness open else- Professor Toy, as he had now become, wrote Theological Seminary Southern Baptists see “truth without any mixture of What was spoken and written by where to every man, and none need reproposing marriage and suggesting mission (1899-1928) error for its matter” as meaning, for example, that inspiration, came with as high author- accept your call who can not con- work together in Japan. ... He was known as President, Southern Baptist (1) They believe in direct creation of mankind and ity as if it had proceeded from God scientiously sign your formulary. a brilliant linguist and theologian. Following Convention, (1921-24) therefore believe Adam and Eve were real persons. without the use of human instrumen- the Civil War he had studied in Europe, President, Baptist World BASIL MANLY (2) They believe the named authors did indeed write tality. ... Their peculiarities of Playing upon the prejudices of the where he was exposed to Darwinian theory Alliance (1928) Founding Professor of Biblical the biblical books attributed to them by those books. thought, feeling, and style, had no weak and ignorant among our peo- and to “the new ideas of the German schol- Introduction and (3) They believe the miracles described in Scriptures more effect to prevent what they ple, decrying creeds as an infringe- ars” on Old Testament history and Interpretation, Southern Baptistment upon the rights of con- inspiration. ... Her conclusion was that ... evo- did indeed occur as supernatural events in history. spoke and wrote from being the word The objector to an authoritative Bible is on the Theological Seminary science, making a deep impression lution was for her an “untenable position.” ... (4) They believe that the historical narratives given by of God, than their peculiarities of wrong scent altogether. He is unconvinced by argu- Drafted SBTS Abstract of Principlesby his extensive learning and great Later, in China, heated letters arrive, and biblical authors are indeed accurate and reliable as voice or of chirography. The ques- ments for an infallible or inerrant Bible, or he is President of Georgetown Collegeabilities, Alexander Campbell “The temptation is great.” The professor, given by those authors. tion, whether inspiration extended to unwilling to accept the decree of the the early coun- First President of the Sunday School threatenedBoard at one time the total however, now espouses theories that “do not the very words of revelation, as well as cils which may be supposed to have fixed the canon We call upon Southern Baptist institutions to recog- destruction of our faith. 1925 and 1963 SOUTHERN BAPTIST to the thoughts and reasonings, is square with God’s Word.” Rejecting C.H. of Scripture. From these premises he proceeds to the nize the great number of Southern Baptists who Toy, Harvard, and glory, Miss Moon says, CONVENTIONS believe this interpretation of our confessional state- answered by Paul: “We preach, not in The doctrine which we hold is that com-Inaugural Address, Furman attempt to convict the others of bibliolatry. But he University (1856) “My cross is loneliness. ...” ment and, in the future, to build their professional the words which man’s wisdom tea- monly styled Plenary Inspiration, or Full has missed the point entirely. He has torn the Bible The Holy Bible was written by men divinely staffs and faculties from those who clearly reflect such cheth, but which the Holy Ghost tea- Inspiration. It is that the Bible as a whole is Irwin Hyatt away from its true context in its own spiritual order inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of dominant convictions and beliefs held by Southern cheth.” the Word of God, so that in every part of Our Ordered Lives Confess: Three and judged it thus. Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine Baptists at large. Scripture there is both infallible truth and Nineteenth-Century Missionaries in East Manual of (1857) instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for Southern Baptist Peace Committee Report, divine authority. Shantung (1976) its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, Adopted at the 1987 So. Bapt. Convention The Bible Doctrine of Inspiration (1888) Freedom and Authority in Religion (1913) for its matter. The Baptist Faith and Message: Article 1

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