The Church

• Article VI doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Definition: Autonomous local congregation

• Baptized believers

• Covenant relationship

• Observance of ordinances (Baptism & Lord’s Supper)

• Governed by Christ’s laws

• Exercising gifts and rights from Scripture

• Extending gospel globally

• Democratic processes under Christ’s Lordship

• Individual accountability to Christ

• Two Scriptural offices:

• Pastor/Elder/Overseer (men only)

• Deacon (gender unspecified)

• Universal Church:

• Body of Christ: redeemed from all ages, tribes, tongues, nations

• Critique:

• Ambiguity in "New Testament church"

• Unclear implication: Old Testament church?

• Potential theological assumptions (dispensational, covenantal)

• "Baptized" believers undefined:

• Spiritual vs. water baptism ambiguity

• Unclear position regarding SBC membership without water baptism

• Offices defined ambiguously:

• What if only one office recognized?

• Inconsistent clarity on deacon gender qualification

• General critique:

• SBC doctrinal pattern: lack of clarity, undefined terms, inconsistencies

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

• Article VII doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Baptism defined clearly:

• Immersion in water, Trinitarian formula

• Symbolic act of obedience (faith, death, burial, resurrection)

• Prerequisite for church membership and Lord’s Supper

• Lord’s Supper defined clearly:

• Symbolic memorial of Christ’s death and anticipation of His return

• Critique:

• Theological paradox:

• Universal vs. local membership contradiction

• Exclusion of non-immersed believers

• Baptism symbolism problem:

• Symbol becomes mandatory requirement

• Raises sacramental implications, undermining symbolism

• Ambiguity creates tension:

• Attempt at clarity leads to theological inconsistency

The Lord’s Day

• Article VIII doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Sunday observance normative:

• Commemorates resurrection

• Exercises of worship and spiritual devotion

• Activities according to Christian conscience

• Critique:

• Cultural assumption (Western/American)

• Biblical liberty ignored:

• Romans 14, Colossians 2 freedom overlooked

• "Lord’s Day" poorly defined, institutional ambiguity

The Kingdom

• Article IX doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Kingdom defined ambiguously:

• General sovereignty of God

• Kingship over willing individuals

• "Realm of salvation," spiritual kingdom

• Awaiting Christ’s return for full consummation

• Critique:

• Definitions problematic:

• General sovereignty: not kingdom-specific

• Spiritualization aligns with amillennial/postmillennial views

• Missing literal, national, political aspects:

• Ignores promises to Israel (Davidic throne, prophetic texts)

• Omits future earthly reign of Christ

• Israel notably absent from statement

Last Things

• Article X doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Minimalist eschatology:

• Christ returns visibly, judgment occurs, eternal states defined

• Ambiguous timing, no millennial specifics, no kingdom promises

• Critique:

• Deliberate vagueness:

• Avoids specific millennial stance (premil, postmil, amil)

• General orthodoxy at expense of clarity

• Avoidance of crucial details:

• No mention of Israel, kingdom restoration, new heavens/earth

• Ambiguity leads to doctrinal minimalism and compromise

Evangelism and Missions

• Article XI doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Emphasis on evangelistic duty:

• Disciple all nations, verbal witness, Christian lifestyle

• Missions grounded in regeneration and spiritual necessity

• Critique:

• Selective emphasis (preaching, omitting miraculous commands)

• Ambiguous phrase: "other methods in harmony with gospel"

• Potentially pragmatic approaches without clear boundaries

Education

• Article XII doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Christian education central:

• Wisdom/knowledge found in Christ

• Equated with missions and benevolence

• Academic freedom/responsibility tension

• Critique:

• Ambiguous application:

• Vague idealism, impractical language

• Institutional disconnect:

• Contrasts aspirational language vs. denominational practice

• Closure of Education Commission contradicts stated priority

Stewardship

• Article XIII doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Stewardship and financial giving emphasized:

• Cheerful, systematic, proportional, liberal giving

• Critique:

• Undefined terms ("proportionate," "liberal")

• Tithing implied but never explicitly stated

• Binding stewardship phrase unclear, potentially legalistic

• Blurs Old Testament/New Testament giving distinctions

Cooperation

• Article XIV doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Voluntary, cooperative associations:

• Independent churches collaborating for kingdom purposes

• Cooperation with other denominations permitted conditionally

• Critique:

• Vague language invites problematic alliances

• Undefined "spiritual harmony" and justified cooperation

• No mechanism for accountability or withdrawal from associations

The Christian and the Social Order

• Article XV doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Direct moral commentary on social issues:

• Opposes racism, immorality; promotes sanctity of life

• Advocacy for societal righteousness through regeneration

• Critique:

• Vague phrases: "under the sway," "good cause," "men of good will"

• Could justify broad, unclear activism or alliances

Peace and War

• Article XVI doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Christians’ duty to pursue peace, oppose war spirit:

• Gospel as remedy to conflict

• Critique:

• Idealistic but practically unclear:

• Ambiguous pacifistic implication

• No clear stance on justified warfare, military service, national defense

• Unspecified biblical principles for geopolitical realities

Religious Liberty

• Article XVII doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Strong Baptist historical principle of separation church/state:

• Freedom from state interference in religion

• Critique:

• Practical ambiguities:

• Civil obedience boundaries unclear (COVID lockdowns example)

• Hypocritical practices (PPP loans, non-profit status conflicts)

• "Spiritual means alone" contradicted by church political engagement

The Family

• Article XVIII doctrinal statement (BF&M 2000)

• Biblical definition of marriage and family affirmed clearly:

• Man and woman, covenant commitment

• Complementarian roles explicitly stated

• Sanctity of life affirmed, parental responsibility highlighted

• Commendation:

• Clear, biblical, and consistent language

• Avoids cultural revisionism, emphasizes biblical fidelity

A Call to Clarity, Not Creedalism

• Historical reminders about doctrinal confessions (1963 preamble):

• Intended for instruction/guidance, not orthodoxy tests

• Not final, infallible; Scripture alone authoritative

• Freedom to revise frequently for clarity

• Critique of BF&M trajectory:

• Trend toward creedal rigidity dangerous

• Need regular revision to eliminate ambiguities, inconsistencies

• Baptist identity requires ongoing doctrinal reflection and refinement