I grew up a Baptist, but I did not learn what it meant to be a Baptist until I attended Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. Under the tutelage of Myron Houghton (Systematic Theology IV), I learned the scriptural and theological basis for Baptist theology. Under the tutelage of George Houghton (History of Baptist Faith and Practice), I learned the historical and practical outworking of Baptist theology. I also began attending Faith Baptist Church where I sat under the tutelage of a Baptist pastor who explained why the church was named “Faith Baptist Church.” The name meant something, and he taught the new members what that name meant. All of these influences revealed an unknown deficiency in my theological education: Baptist theology. The non-denominational Bible college I attended could not equip me in this way. Most of the students grew up Baptist, but at a non-denominational school, Baptist theology was not taught. As an arrogant and naïve Bible college student, I joined my fellow classmates in mocking the theology professor who repeated himself when pressed concerning certain theological questions. I now recognize that he may not have been at liberty to state much more than what he had said because of the school’s non-denominational stance.
Students attending a denominational school have the benefit of learning the theology of that denomination. This additional instruction should prepare better equipped members and pastors of the denomination. Even more important is the denominational position of a church. Every church is governed by a church constitution. Unfortunately, many members in the church lack a commitment to the church constitution and thus the denominational label which it represents. This lack of commitment is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Theology is not only studied, it is lived. Kevin VanHoozer explains, “Theology is about making disciples by teaching believers how to walk in this newness” (VanHoozer, Hearers and Doers, xxiv). Theological instruction is a vital part of discipleship and the church’s mission to fulfill the Great Commission. One cannot live as a Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc. unless one has been taught the distinctives of the theological system. Church membership books like What is a Healthy Church Member? and I am a Church Member encourage church members to take an active and selfless role in the church, but they admittedly do not teach the specific doctrine of a church. While these books may be helpful, they are not sufficient. Biblically based theological (denominational) instruction is part of the Great Commission.
One counter-cultural way a church can teach denominational theology is to clearly identify with a specific denomination. Postmodernism fosters a culture of lies, deceit, ambiguity, and confusion. By not adhering to a denominational label, the church has acquiesced to the culture of ambiguity and confusion. Instead of transforming the culture, the church is conforming to the culture. While there may be times when a church should veil the purpose of their gathering (e.g. times of persecution), the free church often veils its identity for unbiblical philosophical reasons. The church should clearly identify itself instead of hiding behind a veil of ambiguity. Where politicians and reporters lie and others use deceit and trickery to manipulate or conceal the truth, the church needs to reflect the character of God, the God of truth. Learn what you believe and stand for the truth.
Below are some quotes and sources one may find helpful concerning denominational identity and Baptist distinctives.
Why Denominational Identity Still Matters – Nathan Finn
“Nearly all the signposts indicate our culture will become increasingly anti-Christian; biblically speaking, this shouldn’t surprise us. I’d suggest churches with a thick sense of denominational identity are in the best position to provide the sort of catechesis and discipleshipnecessary to live faithfully in American Babylon” (Emphasis mine).
What’s in a Name? – George Houghton
“The label, when properly used and understood, will attract those of like precious faith and practice and will direct those who disagree to other places where they can feel more comfortable.”
Baptist Distinctives and New Testament Church Order – Kevin Bauder
“Denominational labels are going out of style. I think that is unfortunate. Those labels are a kind of shorthand. They stand for sets of ideas. When people say, ‘I am Lutheran,’ or ‘I am a Presbyterian,’ they are not just identifying themselves with an organization or a social group. They are identifying themselves with a combination of convictions” (10).
“When it comes to church order, the whole counsel of God (as I understand it) has a proper name. That name is Baptist. Other constructs have different names, and I celebrate the use of those names even when I disagree with the constructs that they represent. I think that the use of the name is a simple matter of truth in advertising” (Emphasis his).
Biblical Basis for Baptists– L. Duane Brown & Daniel R. Brown
“A Baptist does not claim to be the only one who holds any truth but is one who sincerely believes that a Baptist church is the closest local church to the Bible teaching of what a New Testament church should believe and practice” (4).
The Doctrine and Administration of the Church– Paul Jackson
“A clear, identifying label is valuable and honest, that people may know the content of a bottle or an organization. Such a label is required by the food and drug laws of our nation. Surely we ought to be equally fair to people by identifying ourselves as Baptists. This is a name that is historically and Biblically significant. It is my conviction that the critical attitude sometimes manifested toward the title Baptistfrequently results from an unwillingness to accept the full, firm, doctrinal stand represented by the title” (152–53).