The Baptist Change--Then and Now

Have Baptists cut their roots? Have Baptists forsaken themselves and become part of the problem against which they have long fought? Out of the Great Awakening Baptists began to strongly doubt the validity of the union of the church and state. Yet, today it appears that many Baptists are seeking a mandate within the Constitution in order to establish prayer in school. Furthermore, others wish to "Reconstruct" America around the Old Testament Law, even though our Baptist forefathers strongly opposed this movement in Puritan America. Baptists were at one time the champions of religious liberty, wanting all to have the right of free expression on religion. Ironically, within the Southern Baptist Convention this is no longer true. Sadly, the more powerful group in the S.B.C. feels that it has the authority to determine doctrinal correctness and true commitment to Christ, without any toleration of different interpretations.

Traditionally, Baptists have made their strongest in-roads with the lower class often in direct conflict with the wealthy, upper class. Now that the S.B.C. has gained notoriety and prosperity, it appears that our strongest in-roads have shifted to the wealthy, upper class. I wish to make it clear that I believe all people need the Lord, but at the same time we cannot single out one class of people. Summarily, we must not cut our roots, but instead acknowledge the strength of our roots and move forward into a changing world.