alexander284
Well-Known Member
Which "mainline Protestant denomination(s)" do you think most closely reflect Baptist theology?
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Which "mainline Protestant denomination(s)" do you think most closely reflect B
- Thread starter alexander284
- Start date
Historically, Baptist Theology is pretty diverse. Some historical Baptists would be considered heretics today
The Baptist ones: ABC-USA and NAB.
Mainline Protestant Denominations
American Baptist Churches
Congregational Churches
Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ)
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Friends (Quakers)
Moravian Church in America
North American Baptist Conference
Metropolitan Community Churches
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Reformed Church in America
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Church
Since Baptists are not "top down" organizations requiring adherence to a published doctrine, they do not fit with "denomination" classification. Some baptist churches lean Calvinistic, thus are aligned with Presbyterian and Reformed theology. Others lean Arminian, thus are aligned with Methodist Churches. Others hold to scripture, which puts them at odds with most main line denominations. 
From Wikipedia:
Mainline churches include the so-called "Seven Sisters of American Protestantism"—the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the American Baptist Churches, the United Church of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ—as well as the Quakers, Reformed Church in America, African Methodist Episcopal church and other churches.
I remember reading this article when it was first published:
A Sad Story of Seven Sisters
Mainline churches include the so-called "Seven Sisters of American Protestantism"—the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the American Baptist Churches, the United Church of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ—as well as the Quakers, Reformed Church in America, African Methodist Episcopal church and other churches.
I remember reading this article when it was first published:
A Sad Story of Seven Sisters
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
Just curious as to why you are even asking the question?
ABC? I thought they were so liberal they were borderline heretics.
Mainline Protestant (MP) and Baptist traditions are very different. Your question is like asking what kind of dog is most like a cat. The first practices infant sprinkling, the second adult submersion. On many points, the two are very different.
If I were to join a MP church (I'm not against it), I'd look for a church that hasn't caved to the faithlessness of liberalism, (a conservative Lutheran or Presbyterian denomination), just the same as I'd require from any Baptist church I'd join.
alexander284
Well-Known Member
Simple curiosity. I'd like to hear from our knowledgeable people here (rather than rely on a simple Google search). I have no ulterior motives.
alexander284
Well-Known Member
Basically, the "Seven Sisters" referred to by BroTom64.
alexander284
Well-Known Member
From Wikipedia:
Mainline churches include the so-called "Seven Sisters of American Protestantism"—the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the American Baptist Churches, the United Church of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ—as well as the Quakers, Reformed Church in America, African Methodist Episcopal church and other churches.
Thank you for this. I find it very enlightening!
I remember reading this article when it was first published:
A Sad Story of Seven Sisters
Evangelical free Church/very close to general/free will Baptist!
Evangelical Free Church is not mainline!
Here is a list of the mainline churches, includes ABC-USA and your NAB conference:
Mainline Protestant Denominations
American Baptist Churches
Congregational Churches
Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ)
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Friends (Quakers)
Moravian Church in America
North American Baptist Conference
Metropolitan Community Churches
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Reformed Church in America
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Church
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Would you agree though that they are pretty close to being Baptists in theology!
No!
No!
Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) has historically downplayed, even ignored baptism!
EFCA Pastor Bill Kynes (of the Calvinist fraternity The Gospel Coalition) explains:
EFCA Ministerial Forum (pdf)
Bill Kynes:
"When it comes to baptism, I consider myself fairly typical in the Evangelical Free Church of America. By that I mean that baptism has not played a prominent part in my pastoral ministry."
"Commonly in our churches, one’s baptismal status has no connection to church membership or to participation in the Lord’s Supper."
And Bill Hamel (EFCA President 1997-2015) recalls:
"I had the privilege of being raised in the distinctive ethos of the EFCA by godly parents."
"In the three Free Churches I attended as a child and young man, baptism was ignored"
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Interesting, as attended for 3 years one of those churches, and saw baptisms, and doctrine and teaching seem Baptist!
Last year, I was an interim pastor of an ABC church. I had read the church Articles of faith - and I told the church there was not one thing that I disagreed with. In addition, they are strongly pro-life and not a so called "open and affirming" church. The big problem - a lack of evangelism - there was no desire.
Any particular reason against evangelism? Do they support missionaries at all?
They support missionary thur the AM Bap Convention (same way as SBC)
Why no evangelism - not sure - 50-60 years ago - they were probably running 350
Now it is down to a dozen or so per week. They are more concerned about "we've always done it that way"
and some is unimportant things - "its the sanctuary - NOT the auditorium" - "its a Hymn book - NOT a song book" and ect. One lady also regualry attends the local 7th Day Baptist church, Sunday school only has 3 or 4 people attending - and I just herd that the SS teacher has resigned. Prior to me, the former pastor had resigned/retired. However, he was pastor of two churches at the same time. Tom spent most of his time at the other church - about 25 minutes away. So to some extent - the church ran its business without a pastor. Too add a bit to this the church broadcasted its morning service on the station I worked for - and the church was my client! ( this happen long before I became pastor) but when I would listen in (mainly for professional reasons) I never heard the Gospel actually preached - it was more of feel-good messages.