The focus of this topic is not in regards to theology discussion or comparison, but I am curious to know how those outside Baptist circles think of the conduct of those who claim to be Baptist. If you spied-out the camp, what would your report be? The good or bad, let's have it.
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Perception of Baptists
- Thread starter Gershom
- Start date
glfredrick
New Member
I am not fond of the overall actions of Baptists, though I are one.
I tend to avoid the distinction in my own writings if I can. In a sense, Baptists have seemingly been involved in reproducing a lot of little "Baptists" instead of a lot of disciples following Jesus.
But, it is probably not fair to pin a bad rap on the whole of the Baptist world. Each is autonomous and must make a name for him or herself.
I tend to avoid the distinction in my own writings if I can. In a sense, Baptists have seemingly been involved in reproducing a lot of little "Baptists" instead of a lot of disciples following Jesus.
But, it is probably not fair to pin a bad rap on the whole of the Baptist world. Each is autonomous and must make a name for him or herself.
SpiritualMadMan
New Member
If Baptists were a homogeneous whole then the question could be answered... Much more easily...
As I have encountered, they range from "First Church if the Frigidaire" all the way through Orthodoxy to the other extreme of Extereme Single-Issue Fundamentalist Fanatics.
By and large, though, most are great people that love the Lord and do good works in His Name well.
There are some extremely bright spots, such as Sherwood here in Albany, and the maker of the Movie "Fireproof".
Then there are several here that seem to be more of an underground militant militia for things decidedly on the peripheral of the Gospel...
I wish I could say that any group with a denominational moniker were the "Cat's Meow" of religious groups. But, I have NOT seen a perfect church, yet... :laugh:
And, doubt I ever will...
As I have encountered, they range from "First Church if the Frigidaire" all the way through Orthodoxy to the other extreme of Extereme Single-Issue Fundamentalist Fanatics.
By and large, though, most are great people that love the Lord and do good works in His Name well.
There are some extremely bright spots, such as Sherwood here in Albany, and the maker of the Movie "Fireproof".
Then there are several here that seem to be more of an underground militant militia for things decidedly on the peripheral of the Gospel...
I wish I could say that any group with a denominational moniker were the "Cat's Meow" of religious groups. But, I have NOT seen a perfect church, yet... :laugh:
And, doubt I ever will...
Conduct? Baptists seem to be as moral as most everyone else.
Baptists "lifeboat" mentality causes you all to be less respectful of our obligation to care for God's universe as noted in the numerically first Commandment. After all, no sense making this earth a better place for the great grandkids if you all are going to be raptured next year and then God will trash the world, himself. The worse the world gets, the closer the rapture. Might as well speed the process.
Baptists "lifeboat" mentality causes you all to be less respectful of our obligation to care for God's universe as noted in the numerically first Commandment. After all, no sense making this earth a better place for the great grandkids if you all are going to be raptured next year and then God will trash the world, himself. The worse the world gets, the closer the rapture. Might as well speed the process.
Most Baptists I know sincerely love the Lord and do their best to serve Him. They are both outwardly and inwardly faithful to the cause of Christ. Regarding conduct, most are seen as conservative in conduct and behavior. But since you asked, here are my initial thoughts...
There tends to be a strong correlation between conservative personal conduct and conservative politics and it can sometimes get downright ugly if you say you are a Christian and politically liberal (or even politically moderate).
There is a strong emphasis on the second coming, specifically the rapture, when it will occur, the 1000 years, etc., etc. Though I would not go as far as Bill goes, this can lead to an “escapist” attitude regarding the here and now.
There is an emphasis on rules to keep, especially with some of my IFB friends – “majoring on the minors” so to speak IMHO. I've seen some Baptist school’s handbooks and am appalled to see the level of detail they get into. Here’s an example – a student gets “x” number of demerits for attending a rock concert. Really?
There can be some hypocrisy on social issues. OK to be overweight, but no wine with dinner. Or, OK to watch videos at home, but don’t go see the same movie at the theatre.
Finally, this assumes that most people know the difference between "normal" Baptists versus the wackos over at Westboro. If not, then I'm afraid that all Baptists may be associated with those folks.
There tends to be a strong correlation between conservative personal conduct and conservative politics and it can sometimes get downright ugly if you say you are a Christian and politically liberal (or even politically moderate).
There is a strong emphasis on the second coming, specifically the rapture, when it will occur, the 1000 years, etc., etc. Though I would not go as far as Bill goes, this can lead to an “escapist” attitude regarding the here and now.
There is an emphasis on rules to keep, especially with some of my IFB friends – “majoring on the minors” so to speak IMHO. I've seen some Baptist school’s handbooks and am appalled to see the level of detail they get into. Here’s an example – a student gets “x” number of demerits for attending a rock concert. Really?
There can be some hypocrisy on social issues. OK to be overweight, but no wine with dinner. Or, OK to watch videos at home, but don’t go see the same movie at the theatre.
Finally, this assumes that most people know the difference between "normal" Baptists versus the wackos over at Westboro. If not, then I'm afraid that all Baptists may be associated with those folks.
FoS, you did a pretty good job of spying out the camp, so good in fact that you could have been a double agent.
Would that be agent 7 or 666?
Gershom.....Why do you want to know?
I am curious and feel it could be a learning experience if enough folks partake.
I remember attending an Evening with David Jeremiah in which he stated, "people won't care about how much you know until they see how much you care." This has stuck with me and in light of the in-fighting I see not just here, but in other Baptist circles, I wonder how those outside the camp feel about how we live in outward conduct.
Definitely not 666, but thanks for asking...
Not spying out the camp, just grew up "in" the camp.
A) The modern Baptist is sticking to the bible more than any other, whether they are correct in doctrine or not, at least it's the bible.
B)Self-righteous judgmental "If you are not with us you are going to hell" attitude.
I look at the gold and thank God that a Baptist will fight to the death to preserve the statement that the bible is our source for truth.
:godisgood:
glfredrick
New Member
God help us if the lost world out there reads these thread postings... :laugh:
Their "perception" of Baptists will radically and forever be skewed in favor of us all being the spawn of Satan. :thumbs: :laugh:
Their "perception" of Baptists will radically and forever be skewed in favor of us all being the spawn of Satan. :thumbs: :laugh:
I'm new here and frankly I'm shocked at some of the exchanges in the Baptist debate forums. I know debates can get heated but really, calling people heretics? That's not a good testimony.
David Lamb
Well-Known Member
Maybe in America all baptists believe that they should "speed up the process", and somehow bring the Second Coming closer by not caring for God's creation, though somehow I doubt it.
I have never heard or read of a baptist here in the UK making such an absurd statement, or evidence that they hold the "lifeboat mentality" you mentioned.
SpiritualMadMan
New Member
Wrong! Absolutely!
First, Christians do not worship earth or an earth godess.
Secondly, We were given the earth to tend. (Not worship and not place above Humankind or God)
Third, the earth was cursed by God, to make us appreciate it and what we lost in the fall.
Fourth, The call to Tend the earth was never rescinded.
Fifth, no man knows the day or the hour.
Therefore Christians should use responsible actions to make life as easy as possible without "r~a~p~i~n~g" the earth. And, maintain lifeboat earth as long as humanly possible.
We were *never* told told worship the earth by becoming enviro-whackos...
Responsible, Yes...
Perhaps, as a group, not quite as responsible as we could have been...
But, then, not all municipalities make it easy to be responsibly "Green".
Lastly, when Jesus does finally return the earth will be renovated by fire and basically "recreated" perfect...
So, gicven the signs of the time, going into panic protection of the earth is just plain STUPID!
David Lamb
Well-Known Member
Although I had my own disagreement with Bill's post (See Post 15 in this thread), I wonder where you got these things from. Bill didn't even mention worshipping the earth, placing it above humankind or God, becoming enviro-whackos, going into panic protection of the earth, or worshipping an earth goddess.
SpiritualMadMan
New Member
I picked up on and responded to the Lifeboat Earth Mentality that many of the enviro-whackos cling to...
So, I was just covering as many vases as I could think of.
I'm the only one who has heard/read that "There is no point to polishing brass on the Titanic. We must get people into the lifeboats." The sermon/text generally goes on to say that it is pointless to put money and time into curing diseases, aid programs, whatever, if the people are going to end up in Hell, anyway. All our effort should be in preaching the Gospel.
I support the efforts of Christian Reformed World Relief Committee because they (we) recognize that foreigners going into another person's country need to first earn the right to be heard before serious evangelism can be done. If the locals ask, "Why are you doing this for us?" it is a natural opening for a theological reply.
I support the efforts of Christian Reformed World Relief Committee because they (we) recognize that foreigners going into another person's country need to first earn the right to be heard before serious evangelism can be done. If the locals ask, "Why are you doing this for us?" it is a natural opening for a theological reply.
I know a catholic who once said, "Baptist?! They are the worst!"
I think she meant the most strict, confrontational, and willing to tell others that they and all their ancestors, relatives, and friends might be going to hell. Very offensive and horrifying thoughts that creates an internal conflict of whether to seek more information, or refuse to listen.
I think she meant the most strict, confrontational, and willing to tell others that they and all their ancestors, relatives, and friends might be going to hell. Very offensive and horrifying thoughts that creates an internal conflict of whether to seek more information, or refuse to listen.