Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 22:1 (Spring 2025)
Article: Editorial Introduction
Author: Thomas G. Doughty, Jr.

Editorial Introduction

Thomas G. Doughty Jr.

Tommy Doughty serves as assistant professor of theology and worldview; associate dean of Leavell College; director of the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry; and editor of the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

This year marks the centennial anniversary of two major actions of the Southern Baptist Convention: the adoption of the first edition of the Baptist Faith & Message and the launch of the Cooperative Program. In honor of these events, volume 22 of the Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry will highlight voices instrumental in the SBC during the first half of the twentieth century. The two highlights of 1925 in Southern Baptist life have remained vital through today. The Baptist Faith & Message is now in its third edition (2000, with amendments), but the framework and broad basis have remained consistent for describing Southern Baptist beliefs. The Cooperative Program continues to fuel entities of the SBC such as mission boards, seminaries, and action arms by pooling the financial resources from thousands of local churches. Although recently, giving receipts through the Cooperative Program have ebbed and doctrinal concerns stipulated in BF&M2000 have risen to consideration in SBC by-laws, the Convention has consistently and effectively employed these unifying strategies for one hundred years.

In the Spring 2025 issue of JBTM, we give attention to historical backgrounds for the current SBC and evangelical landscape as well as biblical and practical considerations for ministry today. First, Tony Wolfe unpacks the triangular image of cooperation pioneered by Southern Baptist statesman Lee Rutland Scarborough. Among Baptists, the cooperation of autonomous local congregations magnifies the potential for ministry. Wolfe provides a clear portrait of Scarborough’s emphases on cooperation between God, the individual church member, and the local church. Second, Jonathan McCormick analyzes the Baptist Faith & Message 1925 for highlights not visible in the Baptist confessions that preceded it: the New Hampshire Confession of Faith and the Abstract

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of Principles of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. McCormick draws from primary historical documents authored by several of the committee members who drafted the 1925 confession, exposing the specific rationales and logics of unique articles.

The issue continues with further historical, biblical, and practical articles. Third, Justin McLendon recounts the nuanced position of early twentieth-century evangelical G. Campbell Morgan. Although not a Baptist himself, Morgan epitomized the liberty of conscience prevalent a...