Causes Giving Birth To Hardshellism

The things I say now in this short posting are said as a result of 48 years of historical studying of "Primitive" or "Old School" or "Old Regular" Baptists, including those known as "Two Seed" Baptists. The evidence supporting my statements are to be found in this blog and in my other blogs, especially "The Baptist Gadfly." 

What are the causes for the birth of Hardshellism, or what we generally know today as "The Primitive Baptist Church"? (There are exceptions to this characterization as some who call themselves "primitive Baptists" are still in existent, and who believe as their founders, as respects means and perseverance. As an example, see my posting about the Eastern Association of Primitive Baptists here and here and here)

Multi Causal

I say, as an historian of Hardshellism, that there was not a single cause for what Dr. B.H. Carroll called "the rise of the Hardshells," in the early nineteenth century (In his treatise called "The Genesis Of American Anti-Missionism"). There were several causes and I have ruminated on them for many years. In listing those causes I will try to keep discussion of them short though it could easily be enlarged.

1. Hyper Calvinism

- as distinct from "high Calvinism" (predestination of all things)

- offering Christ to sinners & evangelical methods

Note: means not an issue in 17th and 18th century Hyper Calvinism as all believed in them 

2. Two Seedism

- novel idea promoted by Daniel Parker involving "eternal children" and "eternal vital union"

- changed the nature of regeneration as previously understood ('hollow log' regeneration)

- changed the nature of election  as previously understood (God's choice was obligatory)

3. Misunderstanding the "outward call" vs. the "inward call"

- the idea that the inward call was not in conjunction with the outward gospel call

- the idea that the spirit spoke to sinners saying "this is the truth" when hearing or reading the word 

4. Misunderstanding "spiritual influence" that is separate from the word

- Campbell in his paper The Christian Baptist (later "Millennial Harbinger") argued this point with Baptists

- In fighting the "word alone" theory of Campbell, another extreme, the "Spirit alone" view, was embraced

- The spiritual influence apart from the word was viewed as all that was essential for rebirth

5. Misunderstanding the forefathers on "unconditional salvation"

- Misunderstanding "unconditional" election, thinking it also entails unconditional salvation

- Misunderstanding what is meant by "conditional"

These items should be enlarged upon, but I cannot do so now. I have been wanting to expand this thesis for some time. With my time on earth becoming less and less, I put forth now this beginning outline.