Journal: Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal
Volume: DBSJ 07:1 (Fall 2002)
Article: The Old Testament Foundation For Separation
Author: Robert V. McCabe

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The Old Testament Foundation For Separation

Robert V. McCabe1

Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary began in 1976, and this fall semester marks the beginning of its 27th year of its existence. The founding of the seminary was a result of the ministry of a separatistic fundamental Baptist church, Inter-City Baptist, and its fundamentalist pastor, Dr. William R. Rice. As a ministry of a fundamental Baptist church, DBTS started as “a seminary committed to solid theological education combined with an uncompromising commitment to separatist fundamentalism.”2 Since its inception, DBTS has remained unashamedly committed to its fundamentalist moorings as reflected by it seminars,3 publications4 and academic environment.

The fundamentalist movement has been committed to a literal exposition and defense of core biblical doctrines, a militant exposure of non-biblical expressions of these truths, and an ecclesiastical separation from those who deviate from these scriptural beliefs.5 What sets

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historic fundamentalism apart from new evangelicalism is not necessarily the core doctrines,6 but a militant defense of these doctrines, one of which is the consistent practice of ecclesiastical separation. In short, what makes fundamentalism distinct is the doctrine of ecclesiastical separation. Article 15 of DBTS’s doctrinal statement clearly affirms this doctrine: “Ecclesiastical separation is the refusal to collaborate with a church, ecclesiastical organization, or religious leader which does not hold to the fundamental, cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, and a like refusal concerning those who maintain connections or are content to walk with those who do not hold to the fundamental, cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith.”7 As this article affirms, the doctrine of ecclesiastical separation focuses upon local churches and ecclesiastical organizations in the church age.

If ecclesiastical separation pertains to the New Testament church and if there is a consistent distinction between the theocratic nation of Israel and the church,8 does this mean that the Old Testament has no bearing on the subject? It is my contention that ecclesiastical separation is based upon an on-going theological principle transcending all dispensations: God’s holiness...