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Sep
8
Written by:
wyman
9/8/2010 2:33 PM
My friend Eugene Curry - a Southern Baptist pastor in California - shares with me a deep sense of frustration at the historical amnesia that has gripped Southern Baptists for all too long. Particularly frustrating is the lack of awareness on the part of too many in the Baptist camp that we Baptists are part of a story that is bigger, richer, and grander than our own little chapter in it. This in no way denigrates our little chapter of the story. It's just that when we forget that the Spirit of God has worked in the life of the church for 2,000 years - as opposed to, say, just since the inception of the SBC in 1845 - we become myopic, forgetful, and one-dimensional in our understanding of theology and ecclesiology.
We need, in other words, to appreciate the great creedal formulations of the faith that have preceded us. Fortunately, earlier Baptists, and some modern Baptists, recognized the importance of the great conciliar statements of the faith (see, for instance, the statement to this effect from the Baptist Orthodox Creed, quoted here on my "Beliefs" page"). Modern Baptists need to appreciate these statements again.
To that end, Eugene Curry has submitted a fascinating resolution for consideration of the 2010 California Baptist Convention. Who knows if it will make it to the floor? I hope it does.
Regardless, here 'tis. What do you think?
WHEREAS well-intended attempts to entertain both Christians and spiritual “seekers” in the midst of worship have overshadowed and even in some cases altogether displaced serious theological reflection in many evangelical churches; and
WHEREAS even in more doctrinally conscientious congregations cardinal beliefs of the Christian faith are often presented without any meaningful historical context thus leading to an unconscious ahistoricism and the impression that such beliefs may be merely sectarian and novel; and
WHEREAS Baptists have always understood the usefulness of confessions of faith as both convenient summaries of biblical revelation and reminders of our continuity with previous generations of Christians; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED that this 2010 meeting of the California Southern Baptist Convention encourages its member churches to expose their members, at least occasionally, to those historic declarations of the Christian faith which have served to inform orthodox theology ever since their creation including (but not limited to) the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the so-called Definition of Chalcedon.
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7 comment(s) so far...
Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
Wyman (and Rev. Curry),
Excellent. However, may I suggest why this resolution would not make it to the floor of the two state conventions I have recently served:
1. 'doctrinally conscientious congregations cardinal beliefs:' cardinals play baseball and elect popes; way too Roman Catholic sounding.
2. 'sectarian and novel:' sounds like Rev. Curry is either a) condemning current Baptist theology as such or b) introducing something that is sectarian and novel.
3. 'orthodox theology' in the same paragraph as 'Apostles Creed' and 'Nicene Creed:' What do the Russians and Greeks have to do with it?
4. 'Definition of Chalcedon:' Most Baptists can't spell Chalcedon, much less define it.
Again, excellent in my opinion and perhaps California Baptists have a healthier understanding of Christian history than most of us.
Yours, L
By Lee on
9/9/2010 6:36 PM
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Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
Lee,
I love it! Well, I would agree with you that some people will likely not understand the terminology. Eugene (a) has a big vocabulary and (b) lives in California...so, you know, allowances must be made! (You know I say this lovingly, Eugene!)
But confusing terminology aside, I think he's right on with this.
But I DON'T think it will ever see the light of day, because the amount of time it would require to explain the thing would exceed the length of the California Baptist Convention itself! But then, that's not Eugene's fault, right? :-)
The only point of yours I would disagree with is your 2nd. tsk tsk I didn't read it that way anyhoo.
W
By Wyman Richardson on
9/9/2010 6:43 PM
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Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
I suppose this will make everybody upset but me thinks I am a wee bit too small to understand all this. If Wyman and Eugene teach, preach and illuminate the great traditions and creeds that made our privileged position possible, then why fashion a state wide resolution? To put it another way, why not pray as a church for all the other churches and God will get the job done, right? Or is your state conventions and resolutions more expediant and right than God's plan? Me thinks some of you seminary professionals have a God to small for my liking. I miss a lot. I mean no offence but I believe that each pastor will give an account for their flock NOT the state convention and all that it entails. God is bigger than your resolutions and conventions and I suspect got along just fine before they were invented. So, in advance I beg forgiveness from everyone out there who is so ambitious as t want to influence a whole state of churches. I am content to influence one seeking soul at a time apart from the creeds, traditions, conventions and resolutions. In this I see I am very small and most to be pitied. I just think God does the big and impossible things. I am content just to be a servant Ps. 131:1 This sin, I must confess, is mine.
By Johnboy on
9/22/2010 5:02 PM
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Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
John,
I think you've almost completely misunderstood this! Resolutions are occasional statements designed to bring the attention of bodies like Baptist state conventions to this or that issue that needs to be addressed. I think I could make the case that historical amnesia and a lack of appreciation for what God has done throughout history is, in fact, bad for the church. So Eugene is just trying to put this one issue in the spotlight...not crown himself pope. I don't think he has any illusions of grandeur or designs for a hostile takeover of the California Baptist Convention! And I don't think the simple submission of a resolution is in any way antithetical the desire to be the humble servant that you've rightly described in your comment.
Believe me, I've seen resolutions offered and passed for much, MUCH lesser issues!
Not that big of a deal.
W
By wyman on
9/22/2010 5:07 PM
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Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
UPDATE: Sadly my resolution didn't make it to the floor. Not only was it not put to a vote but it wasn't even mentioned, not even indirectly. The chairman of the Resolutions Committee came up to the podium at his preordained moment, said that we only had one resolution this year, and proceeded to read a statement about how grateful we were to the host church for letting us use their facility. I was pretty disappointed. I've emailed the chairman of the committee seeking further information but I suspect that I'll get no where on that front. Thankfully there is always next year, and next year a friend of mine who's sympathetic to these issues will be on the committee. Hopefully he'll be able to at least get me to an up or down vote.
By Eugene Curry on
10/28/2010 8:08 PM
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Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
Too bad Eugene! Persevere brother!
By wyman on
10/28/2010 8:09 PM
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Re: Eugene Curry's Resolution on Honoring the Great Tradition
UPDATE: The committee's chairman responded to my email! Here's the most relevant passage:
"The committee was in complete agreement that we did not wish to present your resolution. If I can be so bold as to speak for the whole committee, the feeling was that this resolution seemed to intimate a degree of criticism toward churches or pastors who might not agree with you. I (as chairman) asked whether we should edit and rewrite the resolution but the committee was uncomfortable with this because we felt there was some agenda reflected in the resolution which we did not completely understand. Accordingly the resolution was tabled."
Needless to say, I disapponinted. But I'm encouraged that some vague affirmation of "the Baptist tradition" or, even worse, "anti-credalism" wasn't behind the silence on my resolution. (Especially considering that this year's CSBC's messenger cards explicitly stated that only those affirming the BF&M are entitled to vote at the convetion.) I wonder if I tone down the "whereas" statement if I could get it to the convention floor next year. We'll see.
By Eugene Curry on
11/1/2010 2:07 PM
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