A New Group has Formed Among Southern Baptists


The Southern Baptist Convention is an association of churches rather than a top down denomination. Individual churches can apply for membership and also leave. It is the largest Protestant denomination of the U.S.

As I understand it, Baptists in general hold that the individual reading the scriptures holds to power to interpret what is intended or meant. Yet, the SBC is quite opinionated as to what the scriptures mean.

The link discusses yet another group has formed to challenge what it finds as "drift" from the "truth." What is happening in SBC is not altogether different than what happened in the Lutheran, Presbyterian and now Methodist denominations. Two groups, each were certain they understood the faith better than the other, split the denominations. I'm most familiar with Presbyterian history and know it has a history of splits over fine points of theology.

An interesting new angel in play is the impact of various theological interpretations on the size of denominations. With the decline in numbers different sides now claim it is the other, or "wrong" view that is causing people to leave the church. First liberal denominations were declining more rapidly than conservatives. Now conservative denominations are declining just as fast.

This does not stop some, such as those in the link, to claim that if SBC starts allowing more liberal views of the faith it will hurt numbers. A few years ago the same cycle took place. A conservative group took over all the offices of the SBC and kicked out those who then held offices. Since then numbers have dropped 10% a year. Apparently conservatives believe if only there was even more preaching about sin and hell numbers would start to grow again.

Conservative theology, Protestant or Catholic, will not save the faith.


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