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A recent tweet abt the importance of confessionalism & social engagement made me think abt my own tradition. I have 9 points & 1 exhortation in the thread below.
First, I’m a baptist. In my baptist tradition, we have a confession of faith called the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 (BFM 2000).
Second, the BFM 2000 gives a summary of what my tradition thinks abt various biblical & theological topics. BFM 2000 begins with scripture (Article 1) and ends with an article on the family (Article 18).
Third, I quote some sections below from BFM 2000, Article 15 on The Christian & the Social Order:
“All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society...”
“All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society...”
“...Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ...”
“...In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality...”
“...We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death...”
“... Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love...”
“... In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth” (BFM 2000, Article 15, the Christian & Social Order).
Fourth, in my tradition, we believe scripture and scripture alone gives us everything we need for eternal life & godliness.
Fifth, but we also have a confession/doctrinal statement.
Sixth, it seems to me that both scripture and our doctrinal statement have spoken a clear word regarding the Christian and the social order.
Seven, of course, the ways in which Christians in my tradition apply both scripture & our doctrinal statement in matters related to the social order will be different and look different from one context to another. And we may & do disagree on matters of application.
Eight, but both the scripture and my tradition’s confession speak clearly on the fact that the Christian has a social responsibility.
Nine, Christians in my tradition who desire to follow the Lord Jesus in societal matters have the sacred scriptures & a confession of faith to guide us.
May the Spirit help us to walk in a straightforward manner in the truth of the gospel in the power of the Spirit in the real world w/ our bibles open with the people of God, as we exegete both scripture & our contexts so that we can teach, obey, & apply the scripture faithfully.
