What Makes a Baptist (2/4)

This week’s article will be the second episode in the not-so-regular series on what it means to be Baptist. The last time I wrote on this, I pointed you Walter Shurden’s excellent little book called The Baptist Identity. He writes about the 4 characteristics that have historically made Baptists distinct. I emphasize that because it’s not always the case, and maybe less so today than ever. Also, last time I mentioned it, I explained the first of the 4 “Fragile Freedoms” that Shurden offers: Bible Freedom. If you need a refresher, I’m posting these on the church blog.

Today’s Fragile Freedom is Soul Freedom. This has gone by several names that you may recognize if you hung around Baptist churches of yesteryear – “soul competency” or “priesthood of all believers.” It’s a full thought, so it’ll take me a bit to fully explain it. Maybe as much as two paragraphs. Buckle up.

Soul Freedom means that you don’t need another human to gain access to the Divine. Historically, we call those people “priests.” They stand in the gap and appeal to God on behalf of people. People don’t relate directly to God, they must have a priest intercede with God for them. Soul Freedom means you don’t need that. To paraphrase the Book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is our priest and he’s so good at the job, we don’t need another. You can see how that idea would set us apart from say, the Roman Catholic Church whose priests very much function as intermediaries. They hear confession & administer the graces of God in sacraments. Baptists believe that you just do that on your own.

            The logical consequence is that no one can do faith for you. The priest can’t forgive you. Your parents can’t believe for you. The church can’t do good in the world and credit it to your account. If you need no intermediary, then you have no cover. It’s just you and God. This is why Baptists don’t baptize infants or young children. They believe that it must be a person’s own faith, their own volition. No one can choose that for you.

That’s also the responsibility of Soul Freedom. You are indeed free to relate to God but that means there’s a responsibility to do that. No one can do your faith for you. Not your pastor, not your Sunday school class, not anyone. Their faith doesn’t count for more or less than yours. And it can’t take the place of yours.