Georgia Editor on Homosexuality & Autonomy

by    Art Toalston                                                                                                                                                Vol. V, No. 3, June 1992

The issue of homosexuality points up "a pathetic and dangerous misconception concerning the autonomy of the local church" among Southern Baptists, according to R. Albert Mohler, editor of the Georgia Baptist state newspaper. In a March 26 editorial Mohler said the local church is autonomous, but so is the association, the state convention, and the SBC. "The SBC has every right – and a clear responsibility – to guard its own integrity in matters of faith and practice."

Mohler noted that some Baptists wrongly interpret autonomy to "mean that the local church cannot do anything which would invoke disciplinary action." Yet "the history of (Baptist) associational life in America is replete with references to churches excluded on the basis of doctrine and practices outside tolerable bounds of diversity."

He recounted that in 1749, for example, the Philadelphia Baptist Association adopted an essay stating "a defection in doctrine or practice in any church" is grounds for exclusion and censure by the association "to the end that (the church) may be ashamed, and that all churches may ... bear testimony against the defection." A church discipline statement adopted in 1773 by the Charleston (SC) Baptist Association said the body has "a natural and unalienable right" to withdraw fellowship from churches that "obstinately persist in holding corrupt principles or indulging vicious practices.."

Mohler added, "...the times demand that Baptists rediscover New Testament models of church discipline and apply the best of the Baptist heritage to the doctrinal and ethical challenges which confront this denomination." [BP]