Faith in Public Live Part 4: Balmer and the Good Baptists Still Left
Dear Bruce,
I returned last night from a weekend in North Carolina — a meeting at the National Humanities Center on Saturday, and then on Saturday night a lecture and discussion at the Regulator Bookstore in Durham and on Sunday morning a gathering at the Unitarian Universalist church in Raleigh. The latter two events, as you might guess, centered around Thy Kingdom Come.
I gave a presentation and a short synopsis of the book, including a brief account of the second chapter, “Where Have All the Baptists Gone?: Roy’s Rock, Roger Williams, and the First Amendment.” I made my passionate plea for the recovery of the Baptist tradition in America, especially noting the importance of safeguarding the separation of church and state.
The lectures were well-received, but what surprised me somewhat was the number of people who stood during the question-and-answer session to declare that they are real Baptists — meaning that they remain faithful to the Baptist tradition of maintaining the line of separation between church and state. What I found especially striking was the pride in their voices as they affirmed Baptist principles. The audience (well over a hundred in both venues) applauded lustily.
In checking my e-mail messages this morning, I found a kind note from Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee. He thanked me for the book, but he also reminded me that there are indeed a good number of real Baptists left in America, so I’d like to use this post to underscore that fact.
You and your organization of Mainstream Baptists are another example of people who seek to call Baptists back to their birthright. I applaud all of you. Keep up the good fight against the counterfeit Baptists. It’s important for the integrity of the faith, and it’s essential for the future of America.
Keep the faith,
Randall Balmer
Randall:
Good report.
Where can we check to see where your travels with Thy Kingdom Come will Take you Next.
Had I been heads up, had some great friends, Presbyterians, who finished Furman with me; friends in the Raleigh Area I would have encouraged to come out for one of the North Carolina Events.
I trust while there you learned a little of the great witness of W.W. Finlator and Pullen Memorial, as well as Binkley Memorial.
Google up Montoya’s Samurai Warrior Blog. He has interesting insight into the counterfeit, as you call him, Richard Land’s sidekick in Arkansas, Ronnie Floyd. Will be interesting to see if Floyd is a factor in Mike Huckabee’s bid for the GOP presidential nod in 08.
God Bless, Keep the Faith; will be in touch.
If you get to Dalton Georgia, pastor there is a great friend and support of Brent and the BJC, do be in touch. Maybe I can meet you there and we can pilgrim up about an hour an half to the birthplace of George Truett.
Stephen Fox
Good Baptists indeed! The Baptist Joint Committee, referenced in this post, has a history of 70+ years in Washington, D.C. of fighting for religious liberty in the strongest Baptist tradition. In the interest of shameless self-promotion, feel free to come read the BJC’s blog
Don,
There’s no shame in promoting a blog that good.
I promote your blog all the time. It’s one of my favorites.
It’s only shameless if it’s non-topical. Thanks for the heads up Don.
Randall, Glad to hear that you found some “real” Baptists in North Carolina. We’re out here, and there’s a younger generation that is looking for a voice like yours to express what we believe.
I’d like to echo Stephen – where will your book tour take you next?
Don, your blog is wonderful. Keep promoting it!