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Baptist History Lesson 31. Baptists in the North. 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.
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Baptist HistoryLesson 31 Baptists in the North
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
REACTION TO MODERNISM Dr. Jack Arnold Questioning Attitude Indifferent Attitude Fighting Attitude Bible Conferences Bible Colleges
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?”
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
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
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
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
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!