Being Baptist

One of the courses I am currently taking is the Changing Face of Baptist. This class is fascinating to me. We began by looking at the rise of the Religious Right and will begin today to dialogue about the conflict that went on the SBC during the 70's and 80's. As I was reading in chapter one of our text by Morgan (The New Crusades, the New Holy Land), I ran across this statement made at the formation of the Sunday School Board (now Lifeway) in 1891.

In conclusion, your committee, in its long and earnest consideration of this whole matter in all its environments, have been compelled to take account of the well known fact that there are widely divergent views held among us by brethren equally earnest, consecrated and devoted to the best interest of the Master's Kingdom. It is therefore recommended that the fullest freedom of choice be accorded to everyone as to what literature he will use or support, and that no brother be disparaged in the slightest degree on account of what he may do in the exercise of his right as Christ's freeman.

It amazes me that this is the basis under which Lifeway was formed, and they recently made this statement. I long to return to historic Baptist ideals.