which kind of Baptist are you?

[David Lamb]

This answer says it for me, too.

And me. We meet to worship God, not one another. He looks upon the heart. If I wear posh clothes, thinking to myself, "Everybody will look at me, and be so jealous!" can that be right? If I wear the "imitation posh" clothes of the second category, thinking, "These are great imitations! Everyone will think they are the real thing!" can that be right? If I wear the same clothes that I wear to dig the garden, and think, "Well, they will do; I can't be bothered to go to the trouble of wearing my best clothes!" can that be right?

 

[blackbird]

I've been privy to hear a neat question. Before I pass it on, let me stress the point isn't that one kind of Baptist is better than the other--all 3 have their strong points and weaknesses. Also, I know there could be lots of other "kinds" of Baptist.

Here is what we were asked:

Are you a "soft raiment" Baptist? That is, do you prefer an "ivory tower" setting with soft carpet, softly played organ music with more than a sprinkling of classical music blended in? Do you like to wear expensive clothing of the non sturdy and highly uncomfortable variety? Do you believe only a relatively few highly educated people really understand the scripture? Do you love to chew on the deep meaning specific words? (Strengths--usually well educated and deep thinkers. Weakness--may tend toward a form of gnosticism. May miss the big picture matters while quibbling over obscure doctrines.)

Or are you a polyester Baptist? That is, would you prefer the above but cannot afford it, so go for a fake version of it? Do you ever think of modern translations (other than nasb or esv) as dumbed down? Do you prefer piano music softly playing the old hymns? Do you show up for church in polyester wash and wear versions of the more expensive "soft raiment"? Do you ever secretly judge others for how they dress for church (modesty excepted)? (Strengths--middle of the roaders who keep us from either deep end. Usually stable, long term workers. Weakness--can be hide bound defenders of traditions that should be tossed out.)

Or are you a blue jean Baptist? Ok, you may not actually wear blue jeans but generally dress in comfortable clothing....even for church. You probably trust the masses of working folks more than the "egghead elites." You believe the scripture should be in the hands of the people, and that leans you in favor of easy to understand translations. You like whatever music the working folks in your area like: bluegrass, country, rock, pop, whatever. If Baptists had a mantra yours would probably be "keep it real." (Strengths--extremely evangelistic, extremely good at experiencing God, not given to hypocrisy. Weakness--can be very judgemental of anyone they perceive as "putting on airs." Can be prone to follow fads.)

I used to be impressed by the soft raiment folks, and more polyester myself. But as I age I find myself more blue jean (or khaki's and polos so to speak). It isn't that I don't value high education--I certainly do. I am just getting where I want to see it blended with living in the real world of the average worker.

So what kind of Baptist are you?

I'm a mix of all the above!!!

 

[Jon-Marc]

I am none of those. I am a Baptist who loves lively southern gospel music with a piano, guitars, and any other instruments they want to throw into the mix--except drums. I wear a suit but only because I am the song leader and soloist. Wednesday night I wear blue jeans and sneakers.

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Why must we categorize and assimilate everyone into groups. I know that was not the intention of this thread and I have no problem talking about what we wear to church. I wore a dress shirt and slacks Sunday, no tie or jacket. But I am so sick of being categorized and judged by association by people too lazy or indifferent to get to know who I really am. It is so much easier to look at what you wear, listen to, or read and say, "oh, I know all about you." If you took the time to get to know people you might actually start to care about them.

 

[superwoman8977]

I am a Blue Jean Baptist and proud of it! I actually do wear jeans to church and am a very laid back and easygoing person. My husband says I go against the grain so to speak--I sure know I live life outside the box!!

 

[EdSutton]

According to what some have said, I'm an onery, stubborn, unpredictable, lazy, chronically late, irritating, Baptist, that they still love.

However, I told my bride, my sister-in-law and my late mother and my late brother that they wanted an impartial observation, here. :saint:
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They all said that that was an impartial observation.

:laugh: :laugh:

Ed

 

[nodak]

North Carolina Tentmaker-- I apologize for not making the point of the sermon more clear.

The idea was NOT to catagorize and judge others. It was to catagorize OURSELVES for the purpose of realizing that often we teach and preach from our perspective ON the scripture rather than from the scripture. It was to help us recognize that folks that do things differently than we do them are not the evil empire. They just might have something good to teach us.

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Sorry Nodak, I must have misunderstood. Or perhaps I just unloaded on your thread due to other frustrations.

 

[superwoman8977]

North Carolina Tentmaker-- I apologize for not making the point of the sermon more clear.

The idea was NOT to catagorize and judge others. It was to catagorize OURSELVES for the purpose of realizing that often we teach and preach from our perspective ON the scripture rather than from the scripture. It was to help us recognize that folks that do things differently than we do them are not the evil empire. They just might have something good to teach us.

I totally agree with you on that! I know I am against the grain kind of person and people who are with the grain might not get me but there have been so many people who once they saw what I was saying, understood and maybe even learned something.