October 13, 1999
BF&M focus may be on Scripture
___LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP)--As the committee appointed to review the Baptist Faith & Message statement prepares to begin its work, anticipation is growing that it will focus initially on the statement on Scripture.
___The Virginia layman who first asked that a review committee be appointed said in a recent interview that he hopes Article I will be altered to state more explicitly a belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture.
___The statement, which is considered a doctrinal guideline for the Southern Baptist Convention but not a creed, currently says the Bible is "the record of God's revelation of himself to man," is "a perfect treasure of divine inspiration" and has "truth without any mixture of error for its matter." It further states that "the criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ."
___Calling the Bible "the record of God's revelation of himself to man" is "somewhat loose wording and is open to a variety of interpretations, some of which would be unfortunate," said T.C. Pinckney, editor of Virginia's conservative Baptist Banner newspaper and the author of a motion at this summer's SBC annual meeting calling for the review.
___"I would think a better wording might be, 'The Bible is God's written revelation of himself to man,' Pinckney said. "The words 'the record' are open to a variety of interpretations that can be used to substantiate the view that the Bible is not infallible."
___Pinckney also hopes a few key words will be added to the section on Scripture. "In accord with the conservative resurgence of the last 20 years ... the words 'infallible' and 'inerrant' should be included," he said.
___Committee Chairman Adrian Rogers, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., said he expects the committee's work to be done "inside the cradle of respect that we have for an inerrant Bible."
___"I don't think it is necessary to include the word 'inerrancy' in the statement," he added, "but in fairness, I would not rule it out."
___Rogers said he hopes the document will be given a thorough study and either be "left exactly as it is, which would be wonderful if we agree to that premise" or be "clarified and strengthened."
___While Rogers said he is "happy with it the way it is," he added, "I don't think there is anything that can't be improved with study."
___The time is right for such a review, added Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and a member of the study committee.
___"For every generation, there is an opportunity and a responsibility to revisit the confession of faith and make sure it does express those truths definitely held among us, those doctrines most precious to us," he said.
___"Without doubt, the conservative recovery of the Southern Baptist Convention has prompted some questions," Mohler said, "but I would remind us that during the controversy, it was the conservatives who pressed for the Baptist Faith & Message to be understood as a parameter document of belief for those who teach."
___The call to study the document "does not come out of conservative dissatisfaction" with the statement, he said.
___In that light, Mohler, Rogers and Pinckney all predict any proposed changes to the Baptist Faith & Message will be few in number.
___Pinckney said he "would anticipate a relatively small number of word changes that, from my standpoint, would tighten up the Baptist Faith & Message where it needs it."
___Another potential issue awaiting the committee is the current denominational debate over Calvinism. Mohler, a high-profile Calvinist in Baptist life, appears to represent a minority view on the 15-member committee.
___Mohler insists, however, that he is "not pressing a Calvinist agenda" and will not do so during committee proceedings.
___"My agenda is biblical truth," he said. "I don't think when you look at the committee that you've got either a Calvinist or an anti-Calvinist agenda. There is no personal agenda behind this."
___As the committee begins meeting this fall, Rogers said, he hopes it will not be necessary to have "more than two, and at the most three meetings."
___"I am not coming to chair the committee to superimpose my ideas," he added. "I am sure we will have a consensus, and I will be happy with that consensus."
___Yet suggestions that the committee might achieve easy consensus because it is not representative of all Southern Baptists were dismissed as unfounded by Mohler.
___"I think you see a very good representation of current Southern Baptist leaders and pastors and others," he said.
___"I believe the vast mainstream multitude of Southern Baptists will be very pleased with any recommendations which may come from this committee."Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!