The Baptist Faith and Message 2000: Critical Issues in America's Largest Protestant Denomination

by Douglas K. Blount (Editor), Joseph Wooddell (Editor)

Southern Baptists are the nation's largest protestant denomination, with over 43,000 churches and millions of members. Since its inception, controversy has surrounded the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 , Southern Baptists' most recent confession of faith. The present volume consists of essays by Baptist scholars explaining and defending that document. Each of the 18 articles of the BF&M 2000 is addressed, with special attention to the most critical issues and changes from the denomination's 1963 confession. Also included is an appendix comprising the full text of all three Baptist Faith and Message statements from the 20th century (1925, 1963, and 2000), in side-by-side columns for easy reference and comparison. Contributors include Al Mohler, Paige Patterson, Tom Nettles, Dorothy Patterson, E. David Cook, and C. Ben Mitchell, with a foreword by Susie Hawkins. Brief yet comprehensive, detailed yet accessible to the non-specialist, this volume is a must read for Southern Baptist professors and students, staff and church members, and anyone interested in one of the most powerful religious forces in America.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

264 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

Reviews

[DB Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provides good insight to the historical elements of the BF&M. It clearly points out how social issues of the day created conversation about statements of belief, and the value of such documents.

I enjoyed this read, but it has me asking the question of when an updated BF&M will be address with so many new issues in our present culture.

[Evan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most thrilling read ever, but definitely doctrinal and practical. I’m forced to give it four stars because of how effectively it achieves its goal: expound and explain the doctrinal reasoning behind the phrasing of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message. Again, this on may never escape the seminary classroom, but hey, at least it does what the cover implies it will do!

[Terry Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not great

This book revisited practiced Baptist doctrine, it does not cover contemporary issues beyond LGBTQ . As titled a good but not great explanation of BF&M 2000.