Jackson advocate., 1951-09-01
Compromising Principles

At the Southern Baptist convention, recently held
in San Francisco resolution passed denouncng
compromising" ecumenica The resolution
reads in part
"We hereby reaffirm conviction that Southern
Bapsts cannot enter into organic connection with the
National Council of Churches, the World Council of
Churches any other unonzing organization which
would compromise Baptist principles and doctrines
revealed in the inspired word of God - Such reSou-
on is naturally disturbing to any individual who
sders seriously the church the body Christ and who
is eager the total church in the direction of
cooperation and unity of purpose The Southern Baptist
convention represents membership of 7,079,839
bers Because of interest in cooperative Christian
relations checked the objects of the United States in
search of definite principles and doctrines which might
put Protestant group in position of compromise
the objects of the Council are:
Article Ii of the constitution of the council states that
l. "To manifest the spirit and purpose of the
cooperating churches in carrying out their mission
in the world
g. o do for the churches such cooperative work as
they authorize the council to carry in their behalf
3. "To continue and extend the work of the nterdenom
national agencies named in the preamble of the con-
stitution together with such additional objects and
purposes the churches through their representa-
tves in the council from time to time agree upon'
f. ITO encourage fellowship and mutual counsel con-
tnue the spiritual life and religious activities of the
churches"
5. "To foster and encourage cooperation among the
churches for the purposes set forth in this consttu
ton
6. ITO promote cooperation among local churches and
to further in communities, states, larger territorial
units the development of councils of churches and
councils of church women, in agreement with the
preamble of this constitution"
T. To establish consultative relationship with National
Councils of Churches in other countries of North
America.
8. ITO maintain fellowship and cooperation with similar
councils In other areas of the world
9. ITO maintain fellowship and cooperation with the
World Council of Churches and with other inter-
national Christian organizations"
AS reads the objects of the National Council
of Churches, set forth in the article quoted in this
editorial it is difficult to how the principles and doc
trines of any Protestant group involved. But Rev.
Robert G. Lee retiring president of the convention in
warning against ecumenical adventures "Most South
Baptists believe that Christian unity in any body
which does not adhere strictly to the divine principles of
evangelical truth embodied in the New Testament is
impossible to expect vinegar and sugar to mix without
vinegar losing any sugar losing any sweet
ness"
Since the council is based the broad principles
of united effort for the redemption of the individual
and society through the impact of Christian faith, it
is not clear how the principles and doctrines of de-
nomination at stake-that is unless those principles
are ant-Christian and ant-socal.
1t is tragic indeed that at time when the socaled
secular forces of the world recognizing the inherent
power of united approach to world problems Christ
an communion would revert to reaction and isolation
ism. Any church today which seeks to withdraw from
the currents of everyday living is taking colossal risk
on it's effectiveness in the world