What They Believe...and Why It Matters
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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