Baptist successionism
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Baptist successionism is one of several theories on the origin and continuation of Baptist churches – also known as "Baptist perpetuity" or "The Trail of Blood". It is the theory that there has been an unbroken chain of churches since the days of Christ which have held similar beliefs (though not always the name) of the current Baptist churches. Ancient anti-paedobaptist groups, such as the Montanists, Paulicians, Cathari, Waldenses, Albigenses, and Anabaptists, have been among those viewed by Baptist successionists as the predecessors of modern day Baptists.[1]
This view was once commonly held among Baptists.[2] Since the end of the 19th Century, however, the theory has increasingly come under attack and today has been largely discredited,[3][4] and yet continued to be the prevailing view among Baptists of the South into the latter 20th century.[5] It is now identified primarily with Landmarkism[6] though not exclusively so.[5] The concept finds its parallels in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican doctrine of apostolic succession and stands in contrast to the restorationist views of Mormons and the Stone/Campbell Restoration Movement.[7]
[edit] Advocates of Baptist successionism
J. M. Carroll's Trail of Blood,[8] a pamphlet originally published in 1931 and which is still being published, is based on lectures delivered by Carroll on the subject of Baptist perpetuity and persecution.[9] Other Baptist writers who have advocated the perpetuity view are Thomas Crosby, G.H. Orchard, J.M. Cramp, William Cathcart, Adam Taylor and D.B. Ray[10][11]
[edit] Modern movement away from the theory
Since the end of the 19th century the trend in academic Baptist historiography, spearheaded by William Heth Whitsitt, has been away from the successionist viewpoint to the view that modern day Baptists are an outgrowth of 17th century English Separatism.[12] This shift precipitated a controversy among Southern Baptists which occasioned the forced resignation of Whitsitt in 1898 from the Southern Baptist Seminary for advocating the new view, though his views continued to be taught in the seminary after his departure.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ Patterson, Morgan W (1969). Baptist Successionism – A Critical View. Valley Forge: Judson Press. p. 9.
- ^ Torbet, Robert G. (1975). A History of the Baptists (3rd ed.). Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press. p. 18. ISBN 978-0817000745. "One of the oldest and most generally accepted theories until recent times may be called for our convenience the successionist theory. According to this opinion, Baptists have been in existence ever since the days of John the Baptist's ministry along the Jordan River."
- ^ McGoldrick, James Edward. Baptist Successionism: A Crucial Question in Baptist History. ISBN 0810836815.
- ^ Brackney, William H.. A genetic history of Baptist Thought: With Special Reference to Baptists in Britain and North America. ISBN 0865549133.
- ^ a b Patterson, Morgan W (1969). Baptist Successionism – A Critical View. Valley Forge: Judson Press. p. 6.
- ^ McBeth, H. Leon (1987). The Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press. p. 58. ISBN 9780805465693.
- ^ Torbet, Robert G. (1975). A History of the Baptists (3rd ed.). Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press. p. 19. ISBN 978-0817000745.
- ^ Carrol, J.M. (1931). The Trail of Blood. Lexington, Kentucky: Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. http://www.trailofblood.com/The%20Trail%20Of%20Blood.htm.
- ^ McBeth, H. Leon (1987). The Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press. pp. 57–8. ISBN 9780805465693.
- ^ The Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press. 1987. pp. 59–60.
- ^ Torbet, Robert (1975). A History of the Baptists. Valley Forge: Judson Press. p. 18.
- ^ Cross, I.K. (1990). The Battle For Baptist History. Columbus, GA: Brentwood Christian Press. p. 174. ISBN 9780892113378.
- ^ McBeth, H. Leon (1987). The Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press. pp. 457–58. ISBN 9780805465693.
