Baptist relationships

Well, how do these churches reach out to men and women in their own neighborhoods who don't personally know Jesus Christ?

 

rlvaughn did a good job of discussing the distinction between the "Regulars" and "Generals." I'd like to discuss why we have so many denominations (in addition to his comments).

There are, at least, over 150 Baptist denominations. The US also has a an incredible number of denominations in general. This was not always so. Prior to the Declaration of Independence there were five major Protestant denominations in the US: Baptists (majority were "Regular" Baptists), Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Anglicans (Methodists were still connected to them at this point). These groups were all Reformational in doctrine ("General" Baptists excluded), yet differed mainly over the issues of the ordinances / sacraments, church government and worship style (liturgy, etc.).

The War of Independence was won. One of the mightiest nations on the face of the nation (Great Britain) had been defeated and the Colonialists were no longer subject to a king. The Constitution was established in the late 1780s. Jackson wrote a lot on "democracy" and was very influential. Americans began adopting a new sense of identity, and all of these issues played a huge role in that identity.

The Second Great Awakening erupted around the turn of the century. Many began downplaying the role and importance of the clergy. "Personal interpretations" (rather than the "established" ones held for centuries) were held up as the norm. If one didn't like what was taught, they could reject it outright - after all, they were "independent" of authority over them. In this atmosphere many left long-established denominational heritages to begin their own groups. Schism was rampant. Denominational proliferation was astounding. While there had been schism during the Great Awakening ("Old Lights" vs. "New Lights"), it was not like anything that took place during and following the Second Great Awakening (1800s).

Unfortunately, Americans today have an even stronger sense of "independence" and "individuality" that often causes us to neglect the importance of community, heritage and authority.

Rev. G

 

Jon, yes there can be large differences between the Baptists groups. Just as a clarification, SBC was concervative, then liberal theology crept into the leadership. Once that began to become public, the conservatives in the SBC took action, put feet and votes to their beliefs and retook control. The liberal thought was not how the SBC was historically.

The strong points of the SBC. We view Scripture as being inerrant and infalible. I don't have to explain my doctrine with thoughts and feelings, I can point to Scripture as my support.

The weaknesses, like many churches, the body needs to devote themselves to more biblical studies. The lack of biblical study can lead a person in the wrong direction since they aren't reading the directions they have been given by God. Also in the SBC as in many churches, not enough people offer to help the church out.

[ November 22, 2002, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: FearNot ]

 

The Alliance has a very strong record of ecumenical cooperation, as does the CBF to a lesser extent. The seminaries underwritten by the Alliance and the CBF generally include faculty from several denominations; and both groups work cooperatively with other denominations on mission ventures and publications.

Joshua