In the division of 1832 both sides went to extremes in many cases. However, the extremes of the "anti missionaries" far exceeds those of the pro missionary side. Even Primitive Baptist leader Elder John M. Watson testifies to this in his famous book "The Old Baptist Test," saying that the views of many of his "ultraist" brethren (mostly "Two Seeders") believed heresies that were far worse than what they had declared against ("missionary beliefs"). I have written extensively on the extremes of the Hardshells and I have a few times spoken of the extremes that many mission Baptists went to after the split with the Hardshells. I would like now to mention a few of these extremes.
1. Making seminary degrees a requirement for being a church pastor.
2. Using grape juice in the Lord's Supper.
3. Putting too much emphasis on the human means in salvation, making it too mechanical.
4. Putting too much emphasis on money and social programs.
On the first item I don't think I need to prove for all acknowledge how a man called to preach has little chance of getting a Baptist pastorate apart from it. Spurgeon never went to seminary. Nor did John Gill. Many of the greatest Baptist theologians and pastors have been men who had no degrees from theological schools.
On the second item, I have written on this before. The oldest Baptist churches used fermented wine, the same as was used in the Passover, the same used by our Lord and his apostles, the same as was used by the early church. All arguments for the change to grape juice are of no weight.
On the third item, I say that there is so much said about the necessity of the lessor means, such as money, human effort, human plans and schemes, programs, etc. Also, too mechanical in saying, like the Campbellites, "sinner, do ABC and D and you will be saved." They will talk of the importance of tilling ground (spiritually), and of sowing gospel seed in order for harvest of converts, and of watering the seed sown, but they forget about how it is all in vain unless God "gives the increase."
On the last item, I can say that most Missionary Baptist pastors have not been as bad as some others in other denominations, however, they like them have oftentimes preached in such a way that they leave the impression that money is the key to everything. More money more souls in heaven. I am not discounting the importance of Christian giving, especially for the spread of the gospel, for making converts. I am just saying that it takes more than money. It takes the Spirit of God. It is a question of emphasis. Also, many pastors are paid huge salaries and live in better circumstances than their members. This is not right, not a good sign.
For what its worth, I will post my "2 cents worth" of things I have learned and how some (not necessarily me)view the above objections. Wonder if someone out there has more history on these points? Anyway here goes. I will number the points the same as the article.
ReplyDelete1. I agree there is too much emphasis on seminary degrees, especially since many seminaries teach things that the average church disagrees with, leading potential pastors to "lie" about what they believe. However some view the requirement as a buffer against those who would come in claiming they are "called" to preach, yet have aberrant views not yet discovered. The problem is that churches no longer call pastors that they already know and can affirm. My pastor growing up in an SBC church never went to seminary, nor did the pastor after him (he just passed away this month)and he was the assistant pastor until our first one retired. Our church has over 2000 members, so there are still large churches who dont require seminary.
2.Many Baptist churches started using grape juice during the temperance movement.Same with the Methodists, as they were the leaders of the temperance movement. Many (especially men) who had been converted who were former drunkards or alcoholics stayed away from communion for fear the alcoholic wine would send them on a downward spiral to their former ways of living. However not all churches did this. My church used real wine til 1963, until it was discovered that 2 deacons refused communion for the same reasons mentioned above. Some believe "fruit of the vine" can refer to unfermented juice, and it is allowed by orthodox Judaism for Passover.
3. I tend to agree more with the Independent Baptists on missions. A man feels called to go to a certain place, and he has to go around to the churches giving evidence of his doctrine and calling, and then each individual church decides whether or not to send him monetary support. I am increasingly losing confidence in the mission board system as it is now in the SBC.
4.Couldn't agree more on this one. Many churches have become "clubs". There must be a reason for creating opportunity to engage the unchurched and getting them to come "taste and see that the Lord is good" rather than constantly doing social good where the world just uses the church for help and freebies. If INDIVIDUAL Christians would help their neighbor and show the love of Christ and be salt and light, then the "church" wouldnt need to do all those things, and the lost would be more likely to come hear the Gospel when they have a friend who lives it.
Dear Ken:
ReplyDeleteYour two cents is welcome.
Blessings,
Stephen