Landmarkism: Unscriptural And Historically Untenable -- By: Bob L. Ross

Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 11:1 (Spring 1968)
Article: Landmarkism: Unscriptural And Historically Untenable
Author: Bob L. Ross


Landmarkism: Unscriptural And Historically Untenable1

Bob L. Ross

Introduction

What is the proper definition of church perpetuity? Is it the view of extreme Landmarkism which contends that each new church down through the ages has been mothered by another church’s authority, extending directly back to the first church of apostolic times, thus forming what is called a linked-chain connection? This is what many Landmark Baptists teach, and it is the logical theory where the Romish position on church authority is held. When it is asserted that valid baptism must be administered by an administrator authorized by a church organization which was formed upon the authority of a mother church, then what other view could one adopt? To be consistent, the mother certainly must be as legitimate as what she demands of her children.

Among modern Baptists, the ecclesiastical concepts and practices known as Landmarkism revolve around two basic assertions: (1) That God’s authority for fulfilling the commission of Matthew 28:18–20 lies solely in the corporate church (as an organization); and, (2) A valid corporate church, with the above authority, is one composed of validly baptized members, organized upon authority channeled into it by a previously existing valid church. This is often termed linked-chain church succession, and it supposedly extends all the way back to John the Baptist.

Landmarkism therefore takes into its scope such matters as church authority, authority for baptism, church succession, ministerial ordination. None of these are valid unless administered under the authority of a valid church—namely, a Baptist church of the Landmark order.

Landmarkism, however, is not confined to a particular Baptist group. Although sometimes identified with the American Baptist Association (headquarters at Texarkana, Arkansas) and the North American Baptist Association (headquarters at Little Rock,

Arkansas), Landmarkism has influence among Southern Baptists and is liked by several independent Baptist groups.

The Primary Question

“Is an unbroken, visible, and historical succession of independent Gospel churches down from the apostles, essential to the valid existence of Baptist churches today, as apostolic in every sense of the word?” (Thomas Armitage, in History of the Baptists, 1:1).

This is the primary question that is at the heart of the positions involved in the theories commonly called Landmarkism D. B. Ray, a staunch defender of the Landmark system, would represent the answer that Landmarker...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()