Our Bible Heritage: John A. Broadus

                                                                                                                                                                 Vol. VI, No. 7, September 1993

This is the fourth in a series of brief pieces citing the views of early Baptists who were of great influence in Southern Baptist life. Today there are many who claim to represent "historic" Baptist views. This series aims to present snapshots of those views in the very words of those who held them. Thus readers will be able to see for themselves what early Baptists believed and apply that understanding to decisions within Baptist life today.

John A. Broadus was professor of New Testament Interpretation and Homiletics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1859-1895. He wrote: "The inspired writers learned many things by observation or inquiry, but they were preserved by the Holy Spirit from error, whether in learning or in writing these things ... Those who concede errors in the Scriptures as to matter of fact, in order to remove conflict with some scientific opinions of our time, may tell us that they have great satisfaction in being at peace with science. But there are two drawbacks upon such a peace. It is the peace of sheer submission ... And it is only a partial and temporary peace. Other scientific men at once make still further demands, tending ever toward the complete abandonment of the supernatural ... If we assume that the inspiration of the Bible is only partial, where are we to stop? Every man must then select ad libitum what portions of the Bible's teachings he will accept as true."