McGary on Rebaptism: Reason to Divide
In 1898, Willam K. Homan in the Texas Christian Courier noted how relationships between the Gospel Advocate and Firm Foundation were deteriorating. This elicited a strong comment from Austin McGary, the editor of the Firm Foundation. I find this particular comment quite revealing as it parallels the instrumental music and missionary society controversies with the rebaptism controversy. It is, it seems, worth a divison.
“We cheerfully admit that neither the society nor the organ has anything to do with this vile attack upon us by the Advocate combine. But the trouble between us is traceable to the very same presumptuous spirit that brings the society and organ into the work and worship of the church. Bros. Lipscomb and Harding and their wicked confederates in this attack upon us claim to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent. But, like Homan and his confederates in advocating the society and organ, they speak where the Bible does not speak, and are silent where the Bible does speak, in their defense of Baptist baptism. And, besides pursuing the very same presumptuous course that the society and organ advocates do, these brethren are tenfold more palpably culpable in their effort to defend their practice of receiving Baptists on their baptism, because, in holding to this practice, they prove that they are wilfully going beyond the authority of the Lord, because they have taught–and have never retracted it–that “Baptist conversion drives God out of the work, and is wholly of men.” And they have made their four-cornered war of slander upon us because we have shown p the inconsistent and self-stultifying course of their big chief, and the cowardice and false statements of their little chief. But all of this evil on their part grows out of the very same presumptuous spirit that prompts W. K. Homan to advocate the society and organ.”
Austin McGary, “Editorial,” 14,37 (!3 Septmber 1898) 284.
March 15th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
How tragic that a Christian will speak about his brother like that – yet, some still do….
March 15th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
How very, very sad.
March 16th, 2011 at 9:37 am
“wicked confederates” Though I’ve always thought more in line with the “Tennessee Tradition”, seeing this sort of rhetoric really disappoints me.
March 17th, 2011 at 11:42 am
I should qualify my comment by saying that even though I lean away from the “Texas Tradition” I have tried to be understanding of them but seeing toxic rhetoric is disappointing.
March 16th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
oh Rex you have no clue…
I being raised in the Texas tradition, i was always spoiling for a doctrinal fight.
when i was 21,22 (in there somewhere) around 1970…
Calvary chapel in Costa mesa ca. was in its infancy,holding meetings in a big circus tent.
chuck Smith was the pastor…
well one day i went looking for him and a little FUN
on the simple issue of baptism,he was pretty clearly faith only….
i mean really Rex why help the poor take care of the sick
when there is evil error being propagated in a BIG way in MY own back yard…
needless to say i almost went to jail that day…
i could write a book on this attitude of knowing that “I” “claim to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent”.
and if you had half a brain you would see it,
“MY WAY,OUR WAY,
NOT YOUR WAY, THEIR WAY”
NO WONDER I DROVE OFF TWO WONDERFUL WOMEN,
IN MY LIFE….
BUT THEN
THEY “WERE” WRONG.
WEREN’T, THEY?
GOD FORGIVE.
“ME AND OUR WAY”
LORD GOD
NOW I TRY TO FIND AND TEACH PEACE
THE LORDS “WAY”
THANKS JOHN MARK
March 17th, 2011 at 11:44 am
I too can remember simply trying to use the Bible to show others why I am right and they are wrong. Never a good way to start.