1 / 9

Rise of Modernism-Liberalism: Northern Baptists' Complicated History

Explore the emergence of modernist views in Northern Baptist tradition, leading to debates, splits, and the formation of new denominations. Learn about key figures, tensions, and the lasting impact on Baptist identity.

kueng
Download Presentation

Rise of Modernism-Liberalism: Northern Baptists' Complicated History

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Baptist HistoryLesson 31 Baptists in the North

  2. Rise of Modernism-Liberalism “A movement who’s adherents were seeking to reshape the Christian faith into a form which would be acceptable to modern man” George Marsden Dr. George Marsden Fundamentalism and the American Culture SOCIETAL POLITICAL/ECONOMIC PHILOSPHICAL/SCIENTIFIC THEOLOGICAL/PRACTICAL 1923-G. Gresham Machen’s Christianity & Liberalism Fatherhood of God Brotherhood of Man

  3. REACTION TO MODERNISM Dr. Jack Arnold Questioning Attitude Indifferent Attitude Fighting Attitude Bible Conferences Bible Colleges

  4. Northern Baptists Societal verses Denominational 1908 – formation of the Northern Baptist Convention • Accepted regional name • Changed from single society to denomination • Appointed a general convention executive board Inherent problems with the NBC • No history of sustained commitment to a denomination • Mixture of conservative and ‘progressive’ or liberal churches University of Chicago - 1890 University of Rochester – A.H.Strong Walter Rauschenbusch Christianity & Social Crises Harry Emerson Fosdick “Shall the Fundamentalist Win?”

  5. Tensions within the NBC 1919 – The New World Movement • Societies had their own budgets • Not enough time to prepare • Economic downturn • Connection with the Interchurch World Movement 1920 –Buffalo Convention Fundamental Fellowship Curtis Lee Laws Watchman Examiner “Fundamentalist” “do battle royal” for certain doctrines W. B. Riley (1861-1947) J. Frank Norris & John Roach Straton (1875-1929) Named a movement Documented its belligerent spirit

  6. Fundamentalists attached NBC • Heresy in schools “The Northern Baptist Convention affirms the New Testament is the all-sufficient ground of our faith and practice and we need no other statement” Resolution offered by Cornelius Woelfin, NYC • missions • publications 1922 – a proposed confession Fundamental Fellowship How could you vote against the NT? Defeated 1264 to 657 Always contained two parties: Moderates: change from within J.C. Massee; Frank M. Goodchild Militant separatists John Roach Straton; J. Frank Norris; T. T. Shields; A. C. Dixon; W.B. Riley 1923 - Baptist Bible Union 1926 - Shooting of Dexter E. Chipps by J. Frank Norris 1927/28 - Debacle of Des Moines University

  7. 1932: final meeting of Baptist Bible Union; first meeting of General Association of Regular Baptist Churches • Haven for fundamental fellowship • Promote Independent, orthodox Baptist missions • Disseminate accurate information on the NBC 2005: 1383 churches; 132,900 members Five approved mission boards Baptist Mid Missions; ABWE Several approved colleges & seminaries Cedarville University – No More! Bible Baptist College & Seminary –Clarks Summit, PA. Faith Baptist College & Seminary-Ankeny, IA

  8. What about moderates in the NBC? 1943 – Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society 1947 – Conservative Baptist of America Association 1953 – 500 member churches/240 ‘fellowshipping’ churches Myron Cedarholm (2nd national director) listed several fundamental principles of this movement: • It was a confessional body • It was a fellowship of independent churches • It had ‘no organic relationship’ to the organizations which its churches supported • It refused to make contributions a prerequisite for membership 2004: CBAmerica Board of Directors voted a new paradigm for the relationship of the local churches; a new model – a church driven through Regional Ministry Hubs • Individual believers enter into a covenantal fellowship (membership) of a local CB church • Individual churches enter into a covenantal fellowship of a CB regional association • Individual regional associations enter into a covenantal fellowship of CBAmerica • Individual national fellowships enter into a covenantal fellowship of CBGlobal 2003: 1200+ churches; 200,000+ members

  9. What about the Northern Baptists Convention? 1949 American Baptist Convention “We hold the name in trust for all Christians of like faith and mind” Note: The SBC wasn’t impressed! 1950 – Convention in Chicago Not SBC towns! 1951 – Convention in Los Angeles 1972 – American Baptist Churches in the USA Denomination ‘run’ by General Board of 200 elected members Are there any lessons from today’s lesson? The LORD will build His church; man will mess it up!

More Related