Where Are We Headed?
by M. 0. Owens Vol. XVIII, No. 2, February 2005
Introduction: The following article is reprinted from the November 2004 issue of The Conservative Record, the newsletter of Conservative Carolina Baptists of North Carolina. Dr. M. O. Owens is a well-known and highly-respected, retired N. C. pastor. Some of his article applies only to N. C., but much of it is universally pertinent. TCP
Since I have been working for almost sixty years in the interest of theological conservatism within the Southern Baptist Convention and the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, perhaps I may be permitted to state what I feel are the basic objectives of those who are "conservative" in both theology and polity, and most readily identified as Conservative Carolina Baptists. My concerns have been, and are: (1) The Kingdom of God; (2) The Southern Baptist Convention as an instrument for our Lord in His Kingdom; and (3) The North Carolina Baptist State Convention, likewise, an instrument in God's hands.
My study of God's Word has convinced me that the theological position of "conservatives" is much closer to what the Word teaches than that of "moderates" and/or "liberals:" I believe that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, verbally inspired and totally authoritative Word of God. I have held that position for all of my seventy years of preaching and teaching, and have seen no reason to change. From my own experience, I know God blesses that conviction. It is the most satisfying and effective basis for preaching. I have known of a number of gifted, talented men who have lost their faith because of their doubt about the Word. My own experience through all these years has made my belief stronger than ever.
It is also my conviction, borne out of experience, that institutions not only generate bureaucracies, but that the normal trend is to drift away from their founding principles, and away from any genuine affection or grateful regard for their founders – no matter how great have been the sacrifices made in their behalf. Furthermore, with very few exceptions, they have come to regard themselves as far more important than the group which gave [them] their start. Conservatives have reason to feel that the institutions, particularly the [state] schools, have turned their backs on the very reason for which they were started. The underlying motivation for starting the schools was not merely to provide education, but to undergird the cause of Christ with men and women not only educated, but strengthened in their faith and firmly committed to the cause of Jesus Christ. The colleges and universities in North Carolina absorb a significant portion of the funds provided by the churches, but seem to take delight in tearing down the faith which was the underlying foundation of their beginnings, and undermining the organization responsible for establishing them.
Even a casual reading of the history of the Christian religion across the past three or four centuries reveals very clearly that a Moderate or Liberal concept of faith is a sure road to demise. Wherever a liberal theology is taught and preached churches shrivel and often die, evangelism is strangled, and faith is starved. Without exception, denominations which have embraced a liberal theology have consistently lost strength in numbers and giving. They have turned away from missions and evangelism, and have put their emphasis on social ministries, which are an essential facet of Christian work, but are no substitute for proclaiming the Gospel.
For the past several decades, those North Carolina Baptist leaders who hold to a moderate position theologically, or who have been sympathetic with that position, have largely controlled the North Carolina Baptist State Convention as far as its basic organization, programs and budgets have been concerned. There was a time when our state was always in the top three or four states in support of the Missions program of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was a time when the ultimate objective of the great majority of our churches was to fulfill the Great Commission in giving the Gospel to all the world. It was also a time when there was a beautiful unity involving the churches and the pastors. Sadly, that has ceased to be.
It is my conviction that the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, under the leadership of men and women who hold to a conservative position and are dedicated to evangelism and missions throughout the world, will enable North Carolina Baptists to be far more effective in the work of the Kingdom of God. I am firmly convinced that the"conservative" theological position is far more effective in extending our Lord's Kingdom. There are many sweet-spirited, gifted men and women who unashamedly hold to a "moderate" or "liberal" position. Nevertheless, a look at the records of the past century unequivocally reveals that, under "moderate" leadership, genuine missions and evangelism shrivels. Denominations that have adopted a "moderate" theological position have . lost markedly in membership, and their missionaries sent abroad have been reduced in number drastically.
In contrast, the Southern ' Baptist Convention and other denominations, that have held to a similar "conservative" theological position, have continued to grow in numbers and strength, and their investment in missions abroad has continued to increase, both in personnel and material resources. The "conservative" position is far more mission-minded than the "moderate" or "liberal" concept.
I believe that those who do not agree with this position – being much in the minority in North Carolina – will be much happier if they have their own organization which brings satisfaction to them. If they are busy at work doing the things they like to do, then the rest of us will also be happy. We will be able to plan, organize, and implement our programs when we believe [they] will be more effective in building up the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. If that can be arranged, then the work of His Kingdom will be far stronger than it can ever be if we continue in our present way of division and confrontation.