“Sin as Inheritance and Choice
Sin is presented in two aspects in the New Testament - as inheritance and as voluntary choice. The first is known as original sin - the mark of sin upon the human race (Romans 5:19). Original sin does not involve guilt (John 9:3; cf. Ezekiel 18:20). God does not condemn for personal sin the innocent babe who does not know right from wrong. Original sin means, rather, that the nature of every child born into the world is corrupted so that when he becomes old enough to know right from wrong the child will choose sin instead of righteousness (1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 7:18). Before a child is able to choose, he is not guilty before God; but when he learns to know right from wrong, because of original sin he will choose against God and become guilty before God.
The second aspect of sin has been suggested already. The whole human race has become tainted through original sin (Romans 3:9). As soon as any child reaches the age of accountability, he, by reason of that taint, chooses personally to sin (Romans 8:7-8). Then he becomes guilty of sin as a personal choice.”
-Dr. Robert A. Baker, The Baptist March in History, Convention Press, Nashville; 1958.
Dr. Baker (AD 1910-1992) served in the U.S. Secret Service, and as pastor. He was a graduate of Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Yale University. He served for many years as professor of Church History at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Further information on Inherited Guilt vs. Inherited Sin Nature see:
Born Guilty? by Dr. Adam Harwood
Interview with Dr. Adam Harwood
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 25, AD 2013.
Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of Salvation
Other Articles in lower right margin.
Showing posts with label Robert A. Baker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert A. Baker. Show all posts
Monday, March 25, 2013
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Traditional Baptists (Non-Calvinists) Of 1840
Many, though not all, Calvinists have said the Southern Baptist Convention was founded by those who were strict 5-point Calvinists. Some have also said the term Traditional Baptists is a misnomer since Baptists of the 1800s were 5-point Calvinists and the Traditional view did not become prevalent until well into the 1900s.
Yes, many SBC leaders of the 1800s were strict 5-point Calvinists, but certainly not all. Traditionalists (also called non-Calvinists, Moderate Calvinists) form the large majority of Baptists today, and, contrary to some, they were well represented in the 1800s as well.
For example, Traditionalists were alive and well in Texas in 1840.
Founding of the Union Baptist Association (UBA) of Texas in 1840.
Historian Dr. Robert A. Baker tells of the formation of the first Baptist Association in Texas in 1840, and says of their articles of faith:
“The articles of faith modified the harsh Calvinism of the anti-missionary group. The sixth article read:
‘We believe that Christ died for sinners, and that the sacrifice which He made has so honored the divine law that the way of salvation is consistently opened up to every sinner to whom the gospel is sent, and that nothing but their own voluntary rejection of the gospel prevents their salvation.’”
-Robert A. Baker, The Blossoming Desert: A Concise History of Texas Baptists, Word Books; 1970. Baker was a longtime history professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
While the SBC was not formed until 1845, the UBA then immediately became a part of the SBC. The leaders in the formation of the UBA were leaders for years to come among Southern Baptists in Texas. The first UBA Executive Committee included T. W. Cox, R. E. B. Baylor, J. W. Collins, Z. N. Morrell, William H. Cleveland, James S. Davis, a Brother Yeamen of Montgomery County, and a Brother Andrews of Houston, probably S. P. Andrews.
Baylor University was named after R. E. B. Baylor. Z. N. Morrell was a very influential pastor in the early days of the Texas Republic and the State of Texas.
Clearly the early leaders of the UBA rejected the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement. This is just one of many examples. So for those who think SBC Traditionalists are a product of the mid 1900s, actually they have been around throughout the history of the SBC, and well before.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, August 11, AD 2012.
More Articles:
“A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation”
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Q & A on SBC Conservative Resurgence, part 1
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
More articles listed in lower right margin.
Yes, many SBC leaders of the 1800s were strict 5-point Calvinists, but certainly not all. Traditionalists (also called non-Calvinists, Moderate Calvinists) form the large majority of Baptists today, and, contrary to some, they were well represented in the 1800s as well.
For example, Traditionalists were alive and well in Texas in 1840.
Founding of the Union Baptist Association (UBA) of Texas in 1840.
Historian Dr. Robert A. Baker tells of the formation of the first Baptist Association in Texas in 1840, and says of their articles of faith:
“The articles of faith modified the harsh Calvinism of the anti-missionary group. The sixth article read:
‘We believe that Christ died for sinners, and that the sacrifice which He made has so honored the divine law that the way of salvation is consistently opened up to every sinner to whom the gospel is sent, and that nothing but their own voluntary rejection of the gospel prevents their salvation.’”
-Robert A. Baker, The Blossoming Desert: A Concise History of Texas Baptists, Word Books; 1970. Baker was a longtime history professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
While the SBC was not formed until 1845, the UBA then immediately became a part of the SBC. The leaders in the formation of the UBA were leaders for years to come among Southern Baptists in Texas. The first UBA Executive Committee included T. W. Cox, R. E. B. Baylor, J. W. Collins, Z. N. Morrell, William H. Cleveland, James S. Davis, a Brother Yeamen of Montgomery County, and a Brother Andrews of Houston, probably S. P. Andrews.
Baylor University was named after R. E. B. Baylor. Z. N. Morrell was a very influential pastor in the early days of the Texas Republic and the State of Texas.
Clearly the early leaders of the UBA rejected the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement. This is just one of many examples. So for those who think SBC Traditionalists are a product of the mid 1900s, actually they have been around throughout the history of the SBC, and well before.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, August 11, AD 2012.
More Articles:
“A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation”
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Q & A on SBC Conservative Resurgence, part 1
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
More articles listed in lower right margin.
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