John Smyth
Oh dear. There is something just wrong about saying “I am not participating in this particular forum any more” and then responding to comments which recently have appeared on that forum. It is like those celebrities or politicians who “respond” to each other on camera or in print – but never have the courtesy to speak to and with each other if in private.
You understand I am criticizing myself here.
But with so much traffic from there this week – perhaps I need to reply.
1) “Rick Wright is not comfortable with the CBF because he’s clearly uncomfortable being a Baptist”. There may be some truth to that overstatement. I do not have any current plans to convert to any other Christian tradition – although for about one year seriously considered even pursued the possibility. Like most people I strive to understand better the Christian faith. In recent years this has generated an increased concern for “orthodox theology”. Not because correct beliefs are super important in and of themselves. But because they matter in terms of our mission, our worship, our spiritual formation, and our life in communion (ecclesiology). Even in seminary I was much more open to and fond of creeds in Baptist life. I am aware many Baptists would disagree with me strongly on this point.
2) I would suggest however that perhaps I understand being “Baptist” a little differently from some. To me the quintessence of the Baptist vision is – in a word – freedom. But if the heart of being Baptist is freedom – then Baptists are free to embrace “orthodox” theology and practice and even ecclesiology. And yes that means weird “un-Baptist” things like creeds and sacramental theology. I am aware many Baptists would disagree with me strongly on this point. They would probably argue that even if freedom is the heart of being Baptist – that this freedom expresses itself and must express itself in certain concrete patterns of belief and practice. They might be right.
3) But even then – can we look to other Christian traditions for wisdom and insights and even specific ways of practicing the Christian faith? I do not ask others this so much as myself. To what extent can one study Anglicanism or Catholicism or Orthodoxy or Judaism and so on – and learn/borrow/adapt from them – without going ahead and converting?
4) It was concern for (the health and survival of) Anglicanism that led to increased interest in Orthodoxy. I have been haunted by a conversation with a friend who is the only evangelical Episcopal clergy in the diocese in which he said that if the Anglican Communion falls apart that would mean “the Protestant experiment is a failure”. I also have been haunted by something Episcopal Bishop Charles Jenkins said when a close friend was ordained a deacon: “It is the nature of fallen humanity to seek community which pleases”. I wonder if Protestantism is inherently incoherent. By that I mean so much comes down to what you (singular) think and feel. Yes we speak of biblical authority and the lordship of Jesus Christ – but how we understand and interpret and apply these is still largely a matter of personal feeling and opinion. No wonder then if Protestantism (by nature?) fragments. I could be wrong about this – just sharing thoughts and impressions.
5) Which is why I have been wondering if Orthodoxy offers solutions to many of these problems that seem to plague Protestant Christianity. My “orthodox” Anglican clergy friends agree strongly. I can understand if Baptist friends do not. Maybe I should just convert. I do not know that and am not planning on it.
6) So yes – there are times I would like to see more “orthodox theology” in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Although one can understand if people are uncomfortable with that given the excesses they experienced in the Southern Baptist Convention. And I am indeed impatient with the whole “more Baptist than you are” debate – which one hears from Southern Baptist and moderate Baptists alike. I acknowledge this attitude may reflect a lack of appreciation for “Baptist battles” and those who experienced them. My seminary professor Cecil Sherman would probably give me a compassionate pastoral scolding. But I do believe “we should be more concerned with being Christian than with being Baptist”.
7) To make a short answer long – I think both our excellent friend in Texas and in Kentucky are largely correct. Even if it looks like they are disagreeing. But then that is how I handle a whole bunch of issues – that the answer is not either/or but more both/and.
