What Is A Baptist 2 - Walter B. Shurden

Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me. As fate would have it, it was an important issue for my family. The next few posts contain some basic information on Baptists and some personal thoughts. These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget.

Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Baptist historian Walter B. Shurden's articulation of Baptist characteristics is often mentioned on the internet. His description of Baptist beliefs on liberty are interesting, especially in comparison to the Baptist acronym cited in the previous post.  Most Baptists, I assume, agree with these "Four Freedoms:"

• Soul freedom: the soul is competent before God, and capable of making decisions in matters of faith without coercion or compulsion by any larger religious or civil body
• Church freedom: freedom of the local church from outside interference, whether government or civilian (subject only to the law where it does not interfere with the religious teachings and practices of the church)
• Bible freedom: the individual is free to interpret the Bible for himself or herself, using the best tools of scholarship and biblical study available to the individual
• Religious freedom: the individual is free to choose whether to practice their religion, another religion, or no religion; Separation of church and state is often called the "civil corollary" of religious freedom.

I've noticed over the years each Baptist church seems unified to share values, basic and fundamental doctrines, political beliefs, with little deviation from the norm. I guess, however, this is true for most Christian churches. Oh, and this is no doubt, truly, a good thing.

More From Galatians 5
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.