Dr. Jimmy Draper’s new book, LifeWay Legacy, written with John Perry, is now out and available at bookstores. The book is rich in terms of denominational history, blending institutional and personal history together. The first chapters cover the birth pangs of the Baptist Sunday School Board, now LifeWay Christian Resources. The most interesting chapters deal with Dr. Draper’s personal observations about the theological controversies in the Southern Baptist Convention since the 1960s. Consider the selections below:
On the Elliott controversy [1963-1965]:
Under the banner of institutional independence and academic freedom, some seminary professors and others in positions of leadership had become separated from the historic core of Southern Baptist doctrine. Depending on the viewer’s perspective, either the church was drifting toward a modernist, relativistic interpretation of the Bible and away from its traditional beliefs, or it was under attack from closed-minded reactionaries determined to conform everyone to their way of thinking.
On the Genesis commentary controversy [1970-1972]:
Perhaps the best summary of the whole business was an insightful article by Joe T. Odle, editor of the Mississippi Baptist Record, who wrote: “What is being said is far deeper than mere discontent with a commentary. Southern Baptists are saying that they are determined to stay with the Bible believing conservatism which has characterized the convention since its beginning, and they are not willing to move toward a more liberal position. . . . We may have seen the last convention where messengers feel compelled to deal with theological issues.” Dr. Draper added, “If only it were so.”
On the conservative resurgence [1979-1990]:
Many of us felt that we had to act to preserve the theological integrity of Southern Baptist seminaries and that the proper way to change things was by using the system that had been in place for many years. That was what we did. [Judge Paul] Pressler believed the conflict could have been stopped after Adrian [Rogers] was elected if the seminaries and their moderate supporters had taken two steps to accommodate the views of the conservative majority: “The first was to add to their faculties professors who personally held a traditional, conservative position and would have taught the traditional Southern Baptist belief that the Bible is completely true. The other was to halt the ridicule and attacks on students who defended the belief that the Bible was completely true. However, neither was done.”
LifeWay Legacy is a must-read for all interested in the Southern Baptist Convention — especially the last five decades. Dr. Draper’s humanity and conviction show through in each chapter.
Just recently, US Newswire reported that some churches disaffected from the conservative direction of the Southern Baptist Convention are affiliating with the United Church of Christ — recognized as the most leftward of the Protestant denominations. The UCC recognizes the ordination of practicing homosexuals and takes pride in its liberalism on theological and social issues. The denomination just recently voiced its support for same-sex marriage.
From the report:
Increasingly, for example, Baptist churches in disagreement with the Southern Baptist Convention over issues of women’s ordination or gay-lesbian inclusion are exploring UCC affiliation. At least that’s been the case in Virginia and Georgia. And that’s quite a new twist for a Yankee-prone denomination, one that has more than 700 congregations in Pennsylvania but just one in Mississippi.
[Rev. David] Schoen believes the UCC is finding new momentum in southern states because more-progressive Christians are looking for alternatives to the region’s widely-conservative faith communities. Since December 2004, when the UCC first embarked on a national multi-media advertising campaign, the vast majority of those expressing interest in the UCC, where no church was yet located, were those living in southern states, Schoen said.
Widely recognized for its liberal mix of mainline Christianity and social activism, the UCC often touts its “early arrival” on justice issues, including the first ordination of an African- American pastor (1785), the first ordination of a woman (1853), and the first ordination of an openly gay minister (1972).
In 2003, the Alliance of Baptists (formerly known as the Southern Baptist Alliance) and the UCC entered into a “partnership in mission and ministry.” The groups recognize each other’s ministers, etc.
Interestingly, the report of the UCC growth among liberal congregations disaffected from the SBC came just days after Andover Newton Theological School announced an October 25, 2006 “dialogue” between UCC representatives and officials of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
As the school announced:
Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the UCC and Rev. William Sinkford, President, of the UUA, will reflect on the historical affinities and divisions between their denominations, and then go on to explore current realities and future possibilities. This exchange is of interest to clergy and congregants in both denominations because, despite theological differences and the historical controversy that led to their split, in recent years there has been a growing solidarity of the two groups. On a number of issues of progressive religious conviction and social justice the two share common perspectives, and in some communities there are some churches that have become aligned with both denominations.
Keep in mind the fact that the UUA does not even claim to be a Christian denomination. By definition, it is committed to Unitarianism and Universalism.
So, the UCC is now a meeting place for disaffected Baptists, on the one hand, and Unitarian Universalists on the other.
The big story for the SBC is the fact that some of the churches formerly associated with the convention have moved so far, so fast, to the far left.
SBC President Dr. Frank Page preached the chapel message at Southern Seminary on September 6. His message was pastoral and encouraging. His sermon, “Changing That Which We Can Change,” was taken from Philppians 1:12-20. Audio downloads and MP3 files are available here.
It was a great honor to welcome Dr. Page for his first SBC seminary visit after his election in June. We were all reminded to pray for him as he fulfillls his presidential duties and represents us all.