Ed Stetzer has
written a good article explaining why he is a Southern Baptist. I strongly encourage everyone to read that article and follow his argument. The five reasons he gives are:
- Theology
- Conservative
- Cooperation
- The Cooperative Program
- Fellowship
I would like to add to this conversation. A large list of reasons why one should be a Southern Baptist could be given, but I want to just offer a few reasons why I myself am a Southern Baptist:
A THEOLOGY WORTH FIGHTING FOR
I agree with Stetzer that Baptist have a right theology. The autonomy of the local church, the priesthood of all believers, the perseverance of the saints, believers baptism, regenerate church membership, the separation of State and Church, and other Baptist distinctions, I feel, are Biblically mandated and only Baptist practice them. On top of these distinctives, belief in the inerrancy of Scripture, the exclusivity of the gospel, penal substitution, the burning desire to fulfill the Great Commission, etc., though found in other denominations, are just as central to Southern Baptist life and theology.
But there is one other point that should be made here: Baptist have found and were willing to die for them. Many denominations have split over issues such as Scripture, homosexuality, women in ministry, etc., but only Southern Baptist have gone from being very mainline to very conservative. Southern Baptist were willing to have their reputations destroyed, fired from their churches, fired from their seminaries, etc. in order to defend right doctrine and Biblical Theology. Baptist are unique in that rather than starting another denomination, they reformed the convention from the inside. As a result, the SBC has returned to its roots giving us a legacy to be proud of and a future to look forward to.
UNIFIED THOUGH DIVERSE
This raises another issue. Yes Baptist are right in their theology, but they do not agree on everything. The current "hot topic" centers on Calvinism and Arminianism. Our Seminaries differ, recent SBC Presidents differ, pastors differ, congregations differ, the Convention on a whole differs on this issue and it seems like there is no resolution anytime near.
Some, on both sides, want a split. Calvinist to remain SBC while Arminianians start their own denomination, and vice-a-versa. Though I understand why many feel this way, it seems that for the meantime, a majority (no matter how slim) emphasize unity though diverse. Both Calvinist (unless Hyper-Calvinist depending on your definition of Hyper-Calvinism) and Arminian (unless more Pelagian) affirm the gospel: sin, repentance, substitutionary atonement, sanctification, glorification, etc. The issues debated between the two camps are serious and should be debated openly, honestly, and with civility and love, this is not, and should not, be an issue of the gospel.
Baptist, in their belief in the priesthood of all believers and the autonomy of the local church, have oftentimes found themselves diverse yet unified. This is not a bad thing. It is amazing that these two camps, who are quite different in many parts of their theology, remain vigilant about missions, dedicated to Scripture, and passionate about bringing God glory.
The debate between these two sides have always divided Baptists and this division will not be resolved anytime soon. And yet, though diverse, we can be unified under the banner of the gospel and the call to spread the gospel to everyone, everywhere.
Baptist have also been divided over the issue of private prayer languages in recent years. This, too (unless abused such as in Charismania as oftentimes portrayed on TBN) is not a gospel issue. I have personally been a member and served in at least two churches where I differ with a number of other members of the church on this issue. And that is OK. Friendly debate is good and healthy, but though we might be diverse, we must also be unified on non-gospel issues.
MISSIONS
I have already touched on this topic, but it should be given special attention. Baptists have always been about missions. Between the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist dedicate their time, energy, money, and resources to the cause of missions. But Baptist commitment to missions go beyond these two entities. Most Baptist churches go on their own mission trips, plus a number of state conventions (like Kentucky with the Find it Here campaign) are dedicated to taking the gospel to every door in their state.
It is amazing that while God has called this Southern Baptist to spread the gospel in Breckenridge County, KY, He has also called my Southern Baptist brother to the village of Dargul in Niger, Africa. The harvest truly is plentiful, and we, though God's providential and sovereign care, are raising up workers.
ITS LEADERSHIP IN THE CULTURE AND ITS COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL NEEDS
Southern Baptist understand that the gospel goes beyond fire insurance, but also involves impacting our culture and meeting the needs of others. Baptist are committed to a Biblical worldview that impacts ethics, policy, marriage, and morality. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is dedicated to this cause. Though individual Baptist may disagree with some of the statements of the ERLC (as I often do), the SBC's commitment to bringing the gospel and Scripture to a complete worldview that impacts and shapes our culture is a wonderful gift. The ERLC and other entities provide Baptists (and Christians) with helpful resources for Christians in how the gospel shapes their worldview and how it engages the culture.
Baptist are also dedicated to meeting the needs of people who are hurting, in need, etc. This was made very evident during Hurricane Katrina where the SBC relief showed up much before FEMA and other relief organizations. Baptist, though they are not given the credit they deserve, are frequently on the front lines of service, relief, hospitality, and shelter. This is what happens when right doctrine meets right living.
CONCLUSION
This is only a sampling. More could be added and it seems that most Southern Baptist have their list of why they are Southern Baptist. In the end, we as Southern Baptist must be united in our distinctives, passionate about the gospel, dedicated to evangelism. Let every Baptist be able to explain why he/she is one, but more importantly, let every Christian know what makes him/her one.
For More:
For those who live in caves, America (and much of the world) is going through a serious recession. So bad that many are calling it the Great Recession. Everybody has been hit in the recent economic down turn. About 10% of Americans have lost their job. Sales are down, the market is down, consumer confidence is down, production is down, growth is down, and in general, the economy is down.
