A Baptist Catechism...with commentary

This looks interesting!

Have you used this book to teach others?

Would it work well in a "advanced practice" youth group setting?

Rob

 

The word Baptist and catechism simply do not go together. It is far too creedal to be Baptist. I find it sad to see people who call themselves Baptist abandoning distinctive Baptist beliefs.

 

Interesting that you church as a child used a catechism. That violates what I was taught as a child growing up in a Virginia Baptist Church. Your church would have been considered much too liberal and following man's words. It also violates what I have seen in European Baptist churches. To me the emphasis now put on the Baptist Faith and Message by the SBC is making it far too creedal. But then the word Baptist covers lots of territory. Personally I do feel that having a catechism is a violation of traditional Baptist beliefs. Strange isn't it, that puts me in the conservative side of the issue and you on the liberal side. [Not intended as a slam, just an interesting point.]

 

Benjamin Keach endured the pillory in 1664 for daring to print his catechism A Child's Instructor. All copies were destoyed; all we have of it are the few snippets quoted by his inquisitors:

From the trial record:

Early Baptists had their own catechisms and confessions. What they rejected was the coercive use of them, be it Reformed, Anglican, or Roman Catholic.

 

I have in my possession an old, faded booklet titled A Baptist Catechism. It's more than a hundred years old. It is designed as a teaching aid, especially for children. It's rote learning.

I suppose it is harmful if one disagrees with some of the content.

 

John A. Broadus
Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Homiletics,
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1859 – 1895)

The inspired writers learned many things by observation or inquiry, but they were preserved by the Holy Spirit from error whether in learning or in writing these things. …Those who concede errors in the Scriptures as to matter of fact, in order to remove conflict with some scientific opinions of our time, may tell us that they have great satisfaction in being at peace with science. But there are two drawbacks upon such a peace. It is the peace of sheer submission. …And it is only a partial and temporary peace. Other scientific men at once make still further demands, tending ever toward the complete abandonment of the supernatural. …If we assume that the inspiration of the Bible is only partial where are we to stop? Every man must then select adlibitum what portions of the Bible's teachings he will accept as true.
--A Catechism of Bible Teaching (1893);
--Three Questions as to the Bible (1883)

http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/heritage/broadus.asp


B.H. Carroll
First President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1908-14)

…These modern devotees of higher criticism must wait each week for the mail from Germany to know what to believe or preach, to find how much, if any, of their Bible remains….
-- "Theological Seminaries and Wild Gourds"

Lee, keep the Seminary lashed to the Cross. If heresy ever comes in the teaching, take it to the faculty. If they will not hear you and take prompt action, take it to the trustees of the Seminary. If they will not hear you, take it to the Convention that appoints the Board of Trustees, and if they will not hear you, take it to the great common people of our churches. You will not fail to get a hearing then.
--"Deathbed Commission to his Successor," L.R. Scarborough

The modern cry, "Less creed and more liberty," is a degeneration from the vertebrate to the jelly fish, and means less unity and less morality, and it means more heresy. …It is a positive and very hurtful sin to magnify liberty at the expense of doctrine.
--An Interpretation of the English Bible

http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/heritage/carroll.asp

 

Spoken like an old-school baptist !

 

Catechism is Just TOO Catholic, etc...

Interesting post, but, the thought of a Baptist church having catechism takes me to the days of my youth. My brought me up in the Lutheran church, and we visited the Catholic church every major holiday to attend Mass and light a candle, or, two!

Just the thought of catechism and age old pre-prescribed Liturgy is not the way I want to learn about my Savior, and live and serve him. I need freedom in my approach to the Father, and catechism is not the raod for me.... :sleep:

 

[filthy language and inane comments deleted]