Abstract This paper looks at contemporary Baptist theology in the US, specifically the Southern Baptist Convention's doctrines and ideology. The paper focuses on several major elements of Baptist theology: belief in the Bible as absolute truth and the foundation of the religion, the autonomy of the individual and the congregation, the grace and salvation of the elect and evangelism.
From the Paper "Christian theology is a complex study of the relationship between humans and God and Jesus, as well as the nature of God. Each individual branch of Christianity has variations in the details of their theological structures, and some of those might in turn vary from one church community to another or one individual to another ("Theology"). Generally, however, a Christian tradition will have at its core a set of beliefs and understandings that unite them under one denomination. This paper will look at the theology of the Baptist communities, and their unifying elements. Baptist theology is scripturally based, recognizes locally and autonomously organized communities of baptized believers, and states that the saved will be raised to heaven at the end of time, and that it is imperative to evangelize to the fallen. "
Abstract This paper discusses the American Baptist church ministries and how they are an integral part of the American Baptist church experience. The paper explains that the function of these ministries, which exist on both a local basis and a nationwide basis, is to not only assist individuals in need, but also to spread the Word. The paper also looks at how certain ministries are central to the organization. One such ministry is the youth ministry, which prepares children and youth to take leadership in the future of the church. Additionally, the paper explains that Baptists do not limit application of their ministries to people of their own faith. Rather, they believe that all people should be called as one under Christ and, therefore, their mission to minister covers everyone.
From the Paper "All Christian denominations perform some kind of ministry. For some denominations, ministry is given only to members of their own faith. In others, the ministries that are performed may have a limited scope or focus. These things, however, can not be said of the Baptist faith. It is a basic precept of the Baptist faith that all Christians should act to work as part of the social order, to improve the quality of people's lives through good works (Southern Baptist Convention 9). For this reason, ministering to others is a fundamental part of the Baptist mission. Not only do American Baptists minister to other Baptists, but they are expected to extend their ministries to those of other faiths as well. Many ministries exist under the umbrella of the Baptist church."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two Baptist confessions. The paper discusses the Anabaptist confessions and the American Baptist confessions. This comparison examines the doctrinal differences, the construction and ordinance of these confessions. It then goes on to discuss how the confessions impacted the religious movement.
From the Paper "Comparing and Contrasting Two Baptist Confessions Introduction This paper shall compare and contrast two Baptist confessions. The two Baptist confessions selected for this purpose are the Anabaptist confessions and the American Baptist confessions. Confessions tended to be used to establish protocol, dispel grounds for dispute, and promote correct actions when assessing the faith. This comparison will examine the doctrinal differences, the construction and ordinance of these confessions, and how the confessions impacted the religious movement. The Anabaptist Confessions The Anabaptists dated from the Prereformist and the Reformist periods and strongly resembled the dissenting movement that preceded it; dissenters and Anabaptists alike identified the structure of faith as one that needed to be affirmed and continuously reaffirmed throughout the course of the practitioner's life."
An examination of Baptist theology, polity and practice through "A Baptist Manuel of Polity and Practice," by Norman Maring and Winthrop Hudson and "Free Church Free State: The Positive Baptist Vision" by Nigel Wright.
Abstract This paper discusses Baptist theology and practice. It examines two Baptist-centric books in order to understand these areas. It first examines "A Baptist Manuel of Polity and Practice," by Norman Maring and Winthrop Hudson which discusses practical beliefs. The paper then discusses how we tend to think about these practical beliefs by examining "Free Church Free State: The Positive Baptist Vision" by Nigel Wright.
From the Paper "The bulk of chapters four through seven are devoted to traditional views concerning Baptist organization. The segment of the book captures and articulates how a Baptist church ought to function. The author(s) answers the question: how believers of the Free Church ought to put these teachings into practice. In an attempt to accomplish this assignment, chapters are devoted to Polity and the Local Church, Church Membership: Qualifications and Responsibilities, the Baptist Ministry and other Officers of the Local Church. Perhaps, there is an implicit formal argument at play that asserts a distinctive way of church gatherings. Moreover, there is something Baptist can offer all people through practical polity methods suggested in these four chapters."
Abstract This paper examines how the emergence of the English Baptist Church is generally seen as a response to the dominance and perceived false doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. It looks at how the Baptist Church in England developed from the Separatists' call for purity of worship and the return to a focus on the Bible and the New Testament.
Outline
Introduction and Origins
Reasons for the Emergence of the Baptists The Early Baptists: The General and Particular
Conclusion: Different Views
From the Paper "Both the Queen and the Church of England saw the Puritans as dissenters and acted against them. From the Puritan revolt against orthodox religion the Separatist movement developed ? which was the precursor of the Baptist moment. The Separatists championed the separation of church and state and the freedom of the church form the rule of the state. The Separatists also worked for a complete transformation of the Church in England. Their emphasis was also on close adherence to Biblical teaching.? The Separatists took the Bible seriously and they were determined to order their lives by its teachings. They stressed that the Church was only for those who were the redeemed?.? ( ibid)"
Abstract The authorship of the 'Gospel of John' has been debated over the centuries, and no one is entirely certain of who wrote it to this day. There is evidence to support various claims of authorship, and this paper argues the case for New Testament figure John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, as the book's author. Support for this theory comes from a number of sources, including textual evidence in the 'Gospels'. The considerations of the Baptist's identity and background must be considered in this discussion, as well, as 'The Gospel of John' was written in a very different style from the other gospels, which may be reflective of John the Baptist's unique and radically different personality and overall personal style. John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin, son of Elizabeth who was Mary's cousin, and was only 6 months older than Jesus.
Abstract This paper examines how Baptists are still at the forefront of missions work and how faith missions, small missionary outposts without affiliation to a larger missions group, are often staffed by Baptist missionaries. These faith missions have an enduring quality and steady growth. They also are among the first to employ creative new ways of spreading the Gospel. It looks at how the history of Baptist missions is littered with the names of brave men and women following the call of God into areas of the world far from home, devoid of all creature comforts.
Outline:
Introduction
William Carey
American Missions
The Judsons
Back in America
Pioneer African American Missionaries
Women and Missions
Conclusion
From the Paper "After forming the Baptist Missionary Society, Carey and his family became foreign missionaries themselves. They set sail for India on June 13, 1793. When he and his family arrived, they found a rather hostile reception from the country that was controlled by the East India Company. The East India Company did not look kindly on missionaries. After seven years of faithful service, Carey baptized his first Hindu convert, Krishna Pal. William Carey dealt with all sorts of hurdles, one of the largest being his wife. Initially she was opposed to the idea of even going to India. At the last moment, she changed her mind. Never fond of the mission field to begin with, she went insane when her five-year-old son died. She raved like a lunatic during her last years on earth, complicating her husband's job immensely. Mrs. Carey, in her state of delusion, was convinced that her husband was cheating on her and would tell anyone who would listen. "
Abstract This paper takes a look at Baptists, a sect of Protestant Christians. The paper examines the historical roots of the Baptists, and briefly discusses the connection between the earliest of Baptist churches with the Roman Catholics and the Protestant Reformation while also tracing the evolution of the church.
From the Paper "Baptists are a sect of Protestant Christians, begun post Reformation, with beginnings in Europe. In the simplest of terms they are believers in New Testament teachings that baptism is necessary for those individuals who desire to come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of that belief they practice Believers' Baptism, which is the baptism of adults by total immersion after the expression and profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior."
Abstract A paper on the revival of religion in the 19th century. The paper specifically offers an analysis of the southern Baptist and seeks to understand, what in fact, is a Southern Baptist. By analyzing the cultural phenomenon in the Christian South, we can see how it was developed and how its practice is being fulfilled to the present tense.
Abstract This paper studies the life, work and influence of Jack Hyles, the pastor of the largest Independent Baptist church in the world. As leader of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, Hyles was a prolific writer and religious philosopher. This paper assesses the influence of Jack on Christianity in America through a review of his preaching and prayer life. The paper also explores Hyles' leadership style and the legacy of the youth and volunteer initiatives he began in Indiana.
Outline
The Influence of Jack Hyles
I. Introduction
II. Preaching
A. Preparing sermons
B. Manner of preaching
C. Understanding the congregation
III. Prayer
A. Praying for sermons
B. Praying for others
C. Praying for himself
IV. Leadership
A. Outreach
B. Initiating programs
C. Setting an example
V. Conclusion
From the Paper "Jack Hyles encouraged others to go into the field of ministry if they felt God was leading them to do so. He published books explaining what he felt were the best ways to reach a congregation. His literature describes how to prepare for a sermon, what manner to keep while preaching, and the importance of understanding the congregation. Hyles suggested simplicity when outlining a sermon as he felt an outline that is too detailed would give listeners too much to remember. He also described how he often would make up songs to keep the truth of the message from his upcoming sermon in his mind. When delivering his message, Hyles often included words, superlatives, experiences, names, places, and rituals that warmed his heart to keep himself in the right manner of delivery. He always made sure to be careful with his eyes, the use of his hands, manner of dress, facial expressions, and pulpit behavior to ensure he was delivering in a manner appropriate to earn his congregation's trust. His concentration seemed to pay off, as his manner of preaching was described as "exciting and practical." This manner affected people so much that after a sermon one day, a custodian came to him in tears to let him know how much he reminded him of his old preacher."
Abstract This paper looks briefly at some of the major elements of Israel's history from a Baptist perspective. Focusing mostly on John Bright's History of Israel, the paper goes through a summary of some of the major aspects of Israel's history, and discusses the context of a Bible-believing faith such as the Baptists, and the conflict between archaeology and the Bible.
From the Paper "Understanding the history of ancient Israel is always a complex undertaking, since what is generally meant by ancient Israel covers several thousand years, beginning with the migration of the patriarchs approximately four thousand years ago (Bright 23). When studying the history of the Jewish people from a Christian, Bible-believing perspective like that of the Baptist faith, there are several considerations to be made. First, since Baptists believe that the Bible is absolutely true, one might be tempted to only use the Bible as the source of Jewish and Israelite history ("Faith and Message"). However, with the development and discovery of more modern linguistic and archaeological technology and evidence, it is becoming more difficult to have a purely Biblical understanding of the history of Israel. "
Abstract This paper looks at the subject of ethics in the Baptist religion, which is what is used in making decisions about moral and immoral behavior. This paper specifically looks at Baptist codes of ethics and perspectives on the issues of abortion, homosexuality, drugs and alcohol, and education. The paper further discusses the implications of purely Bible-based ethics.
From the Paper "Baptists are a Protestant denomination of Christianity, and their faith and practices are based on the belief in the absolute truth of the Bible. Therefore many of their moral and ethical evaluations of society and culture are conservative in nature, reflecting this Biblical foundation. Ethics can be very simply defined as "the criteria by which persons determine what they ought to be and do" or how individuals judge whether or not a particular act is in line with either their own self-constructed set of standards, or those of the society (Beach 8). Because Baptist ethics, like other Protestant faiths, are based entirely on the authority of the Bible, all are supported in some way by Scriptural evidence, and are considered to be "fundamentalist" (Beach 15). The realm of ethics is where people make choices based on what they believe to be right and wrong in the eyes of God."
Abstract In this article, the writer maintains that a majority of the traditional, organized religions serve to propagate the subjugation of women through several different venues. The writer focuses on the Southern Baptist Convention, an organization which has been in existence since 1845 and began in Augusta, Georgia. The Southern Baptist Convention's history of promoting sexism through the reinforcement of sexist ideals as reported by their own policies is specifically examined. The writer discusses that while claiming that women are equal in value to men, they clearly deny women the right to serve in pastoral leadership. The writer personal experiences with the consequences of the literal translation of the scriptures that relegate the woman's Biblical duty to submit to her husband are also discussed. The writer concludes that everyone should seek personal integrity to know and understand for themselves else will there be no change, no progress; only more of the same hate and intolerance and abuse that has masked itself as religion for century upon century.
From the Paper "This is hypocrisy and duplicity in its absolute purest form and little more than sexism wrapped up in niceties, lip service, and given the authority of a Divine mandate. We are expected to believe then that God, as the Southern Baptist conceive of him, is in the business of assigning positions based on what sex you happen to be. How wonderful if you happen to be a man and are interested in keeping the power and the privilege that comes with that particular declaration. How clearly tragic should you happen to be a woman who believes herself to be called to serve in every capacity and in every position in the ministry to find that your calling does not have merit or worth because you had the unfortunate happenstance of being born without male genitalia. How devastating to ones sense of purpose and of value and of inherent ability and worth it would be to be a young woman growing up in this world. To be cognizant of the fact that others see you as being limited in not only what you can do, but what "God", or your creator if that is what you believe, says that you are allowed to do based on the fact that you are a female lends the voice of infinite power and finality to man's suppositions."
Abstract This is an opinion paper about the Southern Baptist Convention's stance on gays and lesbians in church. The author looks at the rhetoric used by both sides of the issue and examines the truth behind the rhetoric.
From the Paper "The worst part about this public condemnation and mud-slinging campaign is that Christianity is being portrayed to the world as a religion lacking compassion, love, and forgiveness despite the fact that Christianity is built on these principles. Not only does it negatively affect the feelings of non-Christians, but the problems appear in the church as well. The disparity between the teachings of Christ and the teachings of certain political leaders is certain to cause a great feeling of distress in the lives of the majority of moderate Christians. For the confused Christian seeking answers to the riddle of God's message about homosexuality, Anthony Vaselek confers useful advice : "God Himself does not force us to love Him, nor obey Him. What right do we have to do that which God Himself won't do? Love encompasses free will, the giving of love promotes Christ" (Vaselek par. 5)."
Abstract This paper examines the reason the prophets John the Baptist and Elijah were sent by God to proselytize and is key in discovering the prophetic connection between the two devout men. The author states that they are stalwart examples of unwavering faith in the face of persecution.
From the Paper "The New Testament writers often refer to John the Baptist as the "New Elijah". The similarities between the ancient Israelite prophet from the Hebrew scriptures and the forerunner of Jesus Christ are striking. Both men were steadfast in their dedication to the true God, unwavering in the face of persecution, and similar in their demeanor. The only significant disparity in the congruity of their religious service occurred at the end of their lives."
