Great Commission Resurgence

In the late 1970s and through the 1980s, the Southern Baptist Convention experienced what has been labeled "The Conservative Resurgence." This resurgence was a call to all Southern Baptists to return to a high view of Scripture and conservative Christian principles. Southern Baptists had drifted into a liberal theology that refused to hold to orthodox beliefs about God, Jesus, Scripture, and the role of the church. The "Battle for the Bible" has been won within our convention. We have overwhelmingly approved a confession of faith called the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 that outlines a biblically conservative belief system that understands Scripture as the Word of God--infallible, inerrant, and inspired.

The next step, one that I believe is long overdue, seeks to answer the question, "What do you do with orthodoxy?" What good is doctrinal integrity in a belief system if it doesn't translate into the world around us? In Revelation, Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for its sound doctrine, but then He reprimanded them because they had abandoned their first love. How we define this "first love" might be debatable, but the message is clear--sound doctrine must have some sort of relevance in the world.

It is time for a new resurgence. As Southern Baptists, we must return to the priority of the Great Commission that has defined us for most of our heritage. I invite you to visit the Great Commission Resurgence website, www.greatcommissionresurgence.com, read the statements that have been developed and signed by several of our convention leaders and post your thoughts and comments here. Are there areas where you disagree or are skeptical? Do you have ideas as to how this resurgence can take shape here in Lake City? Please feel free to post questions as well.