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On May 16, 1923, E.Y. Mullins, then-president of
@sbts and the SBC, gave an address to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Kansas City in which he gave voice to "The Dangers and Duties of the Present Hour." The first danger he mentioned was...
On May 16, 1923, E.Y. Mullins, then-president of
@sbts and the SBC, gave an address to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Kansas City in which he gave voice to "The Dangers and Duties of the Present Hour." The first danger he mentioned was...
"the danger of the possibility of division among us over secondary questions."
Why is this important? Because "We can accomplish nothing without unity."
He spoke about the importance of doctrinal fidelity to the supernatural understanding of the gospel...
Why is this important? Because "We can accomplish nothing without unity."
He spoke about the importance of doctrinal fidelity to the supernatural understanding of the gospel...
the fundamental claims of the faith, etc., while allowing for differences of opinion on secondary issues such as certain end times views.
He stated, "There is room for difference of opinion on many themes...let us not be divided on subordinate variations of opinion."
He stated, "There is room for difference of opinion on many themes...let us not be divided on subordinate variations of opinion."
Among the duties he defined for Southern Baptists: "We should renew our allegiance to the Great Commission. The center of our Baptist life is in the commission."
Indeed, "Evangelism, therefore, is the keynote at home and abroad. Our hospitals, our orphanages, our colleges...
Indeed, "Evangelism, therefore, is the keynote at home and abroad. Our hospitals, our orphanages, our colleges...
and theological seminaries and all other phases of our Baptist life and activity follow as an inevitable consequence."
Mullins' speech was prescient. He saw both the raison d'être of the SBC as well as the great danger of division on lesser matters.
Mullins' speech was prescient. He saw both the raison d'être of the SBC as well as the great danger of division on lesser matters.
He knew Southern Baptists would be vulnerable to the grave threat of eating each other alive on certain theological differences. He also knew that if we focused on the central concern of the Great Commission, we could reach the nations together.
As much as it was in 1923, these are still the dangers and duties of the present hour. We need to follow the dictum: "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity."
Mullins' speech can be read in full here: http://media2.sbhla.org.s3.amazonaws.com/sbc/president_address/1923_E_Y_Mullins.pdf
Mullins' speech can be read in full here: http://media2.sbhla.org.s3.amazonaws.com/sbc/president_address/1923_E_Y_Mullins.pdf
