LIKE LUTHERAN, LIKE SOUTHERN BAPTIST

The Lutherans who emerged from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 bear a striking resemblance to modern Southern Baptists in how they responded to internal and external crisis. Lutheran doctrinal controversy arose when Georg Calixtus, who had opened himself up to other Christian groups through travel and study, began to minimize the unique Lutheran doctrines and call for a union of all Christians. The reaction to Calixtus was led by Abraham Calovius, a temperamental yet well educated leader. His strategy was to require all "good" Lutherans to adhere to a form of legalism and creedalism. I am amazed at the speedily return to a Neo-Scholasticism after the death of Martin Luther, rather than a continued emphasis upon biblical study and the grace of God received by faith.

It is also startling to me that, like the Lutherans, Southern Baptists have drifted down the road of legalism and creedalism and developed an attitude of separatism and non-toleration. In early Baptist history, when we were somewhat unpopular, there were men and women who led the call of toleration and cooperation. However, with prestige and popularity came an abuse of power and a movement toward separatism. Men and women, like Calixtus, are called heretics or "liberals" and thrown out. Ironically, men like Calovius are revered. We must not allow history to repeat itself; we must hold firm to love and toleration -- for we are ALL one in Christ.