Why are Baptists so divisive?

[JonC]

For that matter, why is the church as a whole so divided?

Some divide over different interpretations or focuses on doctrine. As long as they remain united in Christ, ain't no biggie. The Church in Jerusalem was divided over doctrine with the Church in Corinth, but they remained united in Christ.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Some divide over different interpretations or focuses on doctrine. As long as they remain united in Christ, ain't no biggie. The Church in Jerusalem was divided over doctrine with the Church in Corinth, but they remained united in Christ.

Agree

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

That, and I can think of a couple people that use this as a platform solely to express their hatred towards our president it seems like.

Ah Nolan, You have no idea then what hatred can and does produce then do you? Someone must of hated Kennedy, must of hated Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley. So I don’t know what you are talking about. Neither do you apparently. So don’t give anyone ideas…please.

 

[Stopgap]

When I first came across this thread, I was chomping at the bit to give a piece of my mind.

Baptists are divisive because, despite the claim that they are free of the tradition found in the Roman Catholic Church, the reality is that they are chock full of their own! I think this is the most obvious reason as to why we see the First Baptist Church and the Second Baptist Church across the street. It's also the reason why it was Baptists who were responsible for forming many of the prominent cults we see today that originated during the restoration movement.

There are some good genuine Baptist preachers out there who may be ignorant about their own traditions, but there are far too many out there who are WILLFULLY DECEPTIVE and lead others astray. So let's not all pretend like it is the Baptists who represent true north.

 

[David Lamb]

When I first came across this thread, I was chomping at the bit to give a piece of my mind.

Baptists are divisive because, despite the claim that they are free of the tradition found in the Roman Catholic Church, the reality is that they are chock full of their own! I think this is the most obvious reason as to why we see the First Baptist Church and the Second Baptist Church across the street.

How is that any different to having St Peter's (Anglican) church just a few steps away from All Saints (Anglican) church and St Paul's (Anglican) church?

 

[Ben1445]

When I first came across this thread, I was chomping at the bit to give a piece of my mind.

Baptists are divisive because, despite the claim that they are free of the tradition found in the Roman Catholic Church, the reality is that they are chock full of their own! I think this is the most obvious reason as to why we see the First Baptist Church and the Second Baptist Church across the street. It's also the reason why it was Baptists who were responsible for forming many of the prominent cults we see today that originated during the restoration movement.

There are some good genuine Baptist preachers out there who may be ignorant about their own traditions, but there are far too many out there who are WILLFULLY DECEPTIVE and lead others astray. So let's not all pretend like it is the Baptists who represent true north.

Probably the reason is that you are not going to convince Baptists or practically any other religious group to abandon their building and meet in the desert.
Or skip assembling of the church together at an established meeting place where anyone may find them, in exchange for a private coffee shop conversation with a few buddies.
There are legitimate reasons for having designated places of worship without needing to be called deceptive, or worshippers of buildings, or starters of cults.

It is my opinion that you are not actually a Baptist as you say, but have only at some point attended a Baptist church. Your beliefs about church are more hippie than Baptist.

I think the reason why Baptists are so divisive divided is that they actually believe something that they feel is worth defending. Occasionally, we may get off on a tangent and defend preferences, but I think that that is because they are strictly held convictions and not mere theories on the ironing board.

 

[atpollard]

How is that any different to having St Peter's (Anglican) church just a few steps away from All Saints (Anglican) church and St Paul's (Anglican) church?

Actually, it is different in a good way.

If the Anglican Bishop or Cardinal walks into one of the three Anglican Churches and announces that from now on the Communion Wine will be Chicken Broth, if the people all object … he owns the building and y’all can be shown to the door.

If the head of the Southern Baptist Convention walks into one of the Baptist churches and announces that from now on the Communion Wine will be Chicken Broth, if the people all object … the head of the SBC can be shown to the door.

 

[Alan Dale Gross]

New Thread: What is a Baptist?

 

[Salty]

why Baptists are so divisive or divided ?


Soul liberty - one of our distinctives.
(as well as Pentecostals)

Each Baptist may interpret the Bible as he sees fit.

 

[David Lamb]

why Baptists are so divisive or divided ?a local church being r


Soul liberty - one of our distinctives.
(as well as Pentecostals)

Each Baptist may interpret the Bible as he sees fit.

Surely that cannot be completely true. If somebody claiming to be a Baptist interpreted the Bible in a way that promoted infant baptism, a state church, a local church being ruled over by some ecclesiastical "authority", denied the priesthood of all believers, or went against any other Baptist distinctive, is that person correct in calling himself a Baptist?

 

[Salty]

Surely that cannot be completely true. If somebody claiming to be a Baptist interpreted the Bible in a way that promoted infant baptism, a state church, a local church being ruled over by some ecclesiastical "authority", denied the priesthood of all believers, or went against any other Baptist distinctive, is that person correct in calling himself a Baptist?

Theoretically - YES!

Remember one of our distinctives is eternal security.
Yet - Free Will Baptist do not believe in eternal security -
So are you saying they are not Baptists?

 

[Mike B]

Why are Baptists so divisive?

Baptists aren't divisive...they just like to argue.

 

[Ben1445]

Baptists aren't divisive...they just like to argue.

We do not!!

 

[Salty]

We do not!!

Only about the color of the carpet and a couple of thousand other minor items.

 

[searchingtruths]

Since it is the start of a new year, I think it’s about time us Baptists should start to ask ourselves what we can do to not be so divisive among each other and I’m not only talking about what takes place on this board.

I have always identified myself as a Baptist and I appreciate the rich history of Baptists and the commitment to scripture. Lately, however, I’ve been somewhat embarrassed to call myself a Baptist.

For a while I have been attending a mid-week Bible study at a local nondenominational church and have been seriously considering making it my permanent home church. Recently I walked out of my Baptist church for the last time. In fact I expect that it will be the very last time I step foot in a Baptist church until I start to see some positive changes in our denomination.

With that came a sense of freedom. No longer do I have to be concerned about what English translation someone is using. No longer do I have to be concerned about what type of worship music someone listens to. No longer do I have to be concerned if someone is wearing a suit and tie or a jeans and tee shirt. No longer do I have to be concerned if someone wants to have a beer every once in a while. No longer do I have to be concerned if someone holds to all 5 points of TULIP or perhaps none at all.

Let’s be better in 2025.

I have seen the Baptist Church as well as denominations go _ from 8 to 9 Sunday school service _ from 11 to 2:30 worship service to a worship service of one to one and a half hours...... In by 9 out by 11:00 in by 10 out by 12:00.

I have seen the majority of Baptist Churches as well as other denominations go to tennis shoes, t-shirts, jeans, low cut tops, high hem dress as the form of dress.

I have seen in many Baptist Churches and other denominations churches have almost as much chaos inside as it is outside.

Things have changed so much since the 1960s - does the fact that 1967 Israel became a nation again have anything to do was the prophecies concerning the church and falling away.

Paul said the church scarcely be saved so we know we don't have it right but we're holding on. I wish we could all be the church the Lord would have us to be.

 

[Salty]

First of all - there is no such thing as the "Baptist Church"! Each church is automatous and independent.
Granted some are affiliated with national organizations for a variety of positive reasons.

On reason for different opinions is our doctrine of Baptist Soul liberty.

 

[Salty]

And I will mention this
Back in the 700-80's, when I was stationed in Europe - there were some 70,000 + troops in Europe.
Currently that number has almost been cut in half.
In addition there are currently about 40 US bases in Germany.
Over 200 have been closed since the end of the Cold War.