A New Framework for Baptist Cooperation

books:

	• Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Proposal David S. Dockery B&H Academic, 2008 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 2 reviews view larger image
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A New Framework for Baptist Cooperation

If you are a Southern Baptist, you need to read David Dockery's Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Proposal (Broadman & Holman, 2008). At first I planned on advising Southern Baptist leaders, pastors, ministers, or missionaries to read this book, but I am now convinced that more and more Southern Baptist laypeople should read this book also. Nowhere else will you find both a concise history of Southern Baptists and a robust theological vision for the future.

Dockery's book is an important work that lays the groundwork for Southern Baptist cooperation in the 21st century. He begins by renewing markers of Southern Baptist identity. He writes of the Conservative Resurgence and our continued emphasis on the inerrancy of Scripture and cooperation in fulfilling the Great Commission. He defines the gospel of Jesus Christ and shows how Baptists navigate between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Dockery devotes an entire chapter to Baptist worship, recapping the history of worship in the Baptist churches, while offering many insights for renewing Baptist worship today. Dockery distills the main arguments from his book on higher education in chapter 4, specifically - how education should serve the church and society within a confessional context.

Dockery describes the contributions of great Southern Baptists from our past in order to learn from our theological heritage. He shows how Baptist theology has developed over the centuries, writes about the main figures in Baptist life and describes how they influenced Baptists. Building upon their work, he discusses ways in which we can hold fast to Scripture into the 21st century.

Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal is a landmark book. Dockery has done all Southern Baptists a great service by laying out the framework for Baptist cooperation. His work is especially needed in a day and age in which many Baptists are polarizing into different camps. Dockery celebrates our diversity and offers genuine hope that we can continue to work together.

Dockery wants to see a new generation that will be both convictional and cooperative, and his work is a giant step in bringing together the all sides of Baptist life for the gospel, for the Great Commission and for the good of the world.

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Southern Baptist Identity

Southern Baptists, of whom I am not one, were for generations smugly confident of their identity, e.g., "There are us and then the others." As they splintered into opposite and opposing sides, they began to recognize they only thought they knew who they are. Those who call themselves "moderates" (but are called "liberals" by the other side) have moved left, and those who call themselves "conservatives" (but, "fundamentalists" by the former) have moved to the right. The differences each champions have taken on a life of their own and become their new identities. Dockery attempts to identify what is common among them, which is hard work, because attacking the other side is both easier and more fun. His focus is on what is Southern Baptist rather than what is moderate or conservative.

-- Wallace Alcorn, Ph.D.

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An alternative to the controversial New Baptist Covenant, Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal calls Southern Baptists to boldly unite and renew their commitment to the gospel, biblical authority, and their confessional heritage.

Endorsements

"Finally, Southern Baptists of the twenty-first century are shown the way back home. David Dockery, in the convincing and studied manner so typical of all his writings, calls for a fresh return to our theological, educational, and missiological roots . . . (providing) a compass by which to steer us out of our doldrums and onto the high seas of effectiveness."

?Tom Eliff, senior vice president, International Mission Board, and former president, Southern Baptist Convention.

"A comprehensive and challenging mandate . . . It calls our denomination to nothing less than a Great Commission resurgence rooted in the great biblical and theological truths that we hold in common. It is my prayer that this book will not only be read, but that its vision will be embraced."

?Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Southern Baptists stand at a crossroads today . . . David Dockery, one of our finest scholar-statesmen, points the way toward a more constructive future for a denomination called to reclaim its founding purpose of ?eliciting, combining, and directing? its energies in sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all the world."

?Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School

"These are turbulent days in the Southern Baptist Convention . . . Our churches are struggling to reach people in a postmodern culture. Dockery reminds us that we cannot yield the gains the Convention has made in its commitment to truth and doctrinal fidelity. Yet, he offers a plan for renewal and consensus within our confessional heritage."

?Thom S. Rainer, president, LifeWay Christian Resources; coauthor of Simple Church

"A skillful analysis of the forces and factors which have made us who we are; a masterful discussion of theological issues that should pull us together and point us toward unity."

?Frank S. Page, president, Southern Baptist Convention

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