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Baptist Mt Rushmore

Discussion in 'Baptist History' started by Salty, Feb 10, 2005.

  1. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Pages 131-132.
     
  2. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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  3. Gregory Perry Sr.

    Gregory Perry Sr. Active Member

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    My List...Jesus Christ,Paul,John,David,Moses...with a BIG open sculpture of the Word of God(or a scroll) set right before the images of these great men.

    Greg Sr.
     
  4. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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  5. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
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    Important question....If you put the image of Jesus on the rock, would he have long hair or short hair? :D
     
  6. Greg Linscott

    Greg Linscott <img src =/7963.jpg>

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    The problem with the appeal to Biblical figures is that they are detatched from specifically Baptist history. The figures on the real Mt. Rushmore are there because they are significant presidential figures in AMERCIAN history. While Charlamagne, Churchill, and Ben Franklin were all important and significant men in their own right, they don't fit the category. Carroll aside, no Biblical figure fits that designation.

    The men I listed were of primary significance to all who identify themselves as Baptists (or should be, if you know your history). Smyth and Helwys were the first to formally identify as Baptists recoginizng the importance of following the Scriptural mandate of Believers Baptism by immersion. Roger Williams was pivotal in early American history on the implementation of the Baptist distinctive of Soul liberty (and the most identifiable figure to do so). Adoniram Judson became the first Baptist missionary on conviction of his study of the Word of God while on the way to the field of Burma, pioneering the great missionary spirit and drive that has become a defining characteristic of Baptists. Spurgeon defines the primacy of the pulpit in Baptist churches, and that the clear declaration of the Word of God with power is crucial to the definition and effectiveness of a Baptist church.

    While each of these had flaws and matters with which we would not readily identify, I do believe that we can certainly see in these men commendable characteristics to be recognized and followed after as they have followed Christ.

    For our country to recognize Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, is not to idolize them, but to identify the ideas which they articulated and championed, and to make them ideals which we can continue to implement and champion to make us more effective as a country. I submit to you that we can learn from historical figures and (primarily) the Scriptural ideals which they championed without idolizing men.

    How's that for making a mountain out of a molehill? :D
     
  7. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Molehills are what folks without perspective call mountains.

    Though I continue to disagree with any monumentalization of Baptists, let me offer my comments.

    I would exclude Smyth and take Helwys. Smyth went over to the Waterlanders, and Helwys had not only a better confession but also wrote extremely well and died for his faith. In place of Smyth I would select Bunyan, whose practice of civil disobedience lives on to modern times.

    Nothing against Judson, but I would take Carey as the originator the missionary movement. Better yet, give me Lottie Moon.

    I would substitute John Clarke, who wrote forcefully for religious liberty, over Williams, who was a Baptist only for a short time.

    We agree on Spurgeon.
     
  8. Greg Linscott

    Greg Linscott <img src =/7963.jpg>

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    Was Carey Baptist? I thought he was congregational, for some reason...

    Judson is a personal hero of mine- the perseverance of the man was absolutely incredible.

    I'll take Bunyan.

    I understand what you're saying about Williams. It just seems like he's more identifiable to most people than Clarke, and therefore more personifies the ideal he represents.

    Ah well. Not like we have a big hunk of rock to carve into, anyway...
     
  9. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Yes, Carey was a Baptist. He was ahead of his time in missionary methodology and its relationship to indigenous culture and put to shame many who came after him.
     
  10. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    From various centuries, John Bunyan; John Leland; Francis Wayland; Richard Clearwaters. Now ask me why.
     
  11. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    I would've suggested Leland, but I have a weak spot for him and he's an American, so I opted not to go that route.

    Please expound on Wayland and Clearwaters ...

    [ February 17, 2005, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: rsr ]
     
  12. Matt Black

    Matt Black Well-Known Member
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    Bunyan and the 'Three Ks' - Kiffin, Knollys and Keach - plus Spurgeon. Because they're British, if nothing else! OK, if you want an American, I'll trade one of the Ks for MLK.

    Yours in Christ

    Matt
     
  13. Greg Linscott

    Greg Linscott <img src =/7963.jpg>

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    I would contend with inclusion of people like MLK or Clearwaters, only because their impact and significance was more sectarian or in other arenas than Baptist churches. My list (OBVIOUSLY the best one :D ) are names that all Baptists can agree on. Think again of Rushmore- it's not Reagan, Nixon, and Bush, or Clinton, FDR, Carter, and Truman. They are men that represent ideals that transcend party lines and divisions- they bring us together as Americans. There is too much discussion with someone like MLK to include him on this.
     
  14. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    Francis Wayland as a the author of Principles and Practices of Baptists represents the Northern Baptists at the time of the break up of the Triennial Convention. Richard Clearwaters represnts a continuation of Northern Baptist thought. (No, I'm not forgetting the GARBC.) His leadership of Pillsbury BBC gave impetus to the founding of Maranatha and Northland in later years. Thus resurrecting Historic Northern Baptist education in the face of the rise of BJU and the BBF schools.
     
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