In this collection of essays, sixteen Southern Baptist leaders address key issues of theology, polity, and practice to ascertain the future of the Southern Baptist Convention in particular and evangelicalism in general.

An alternative to the controversial New Baptist Covenant, Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal calls Southern Baptists to boldly unite and renew their commitment to the gospel, biblical authority, and their confessional heritage. Endorsements "Finally, Southern Baptists of the twenty-first century are shown the way back home. David Dockery, in the convincing and studied manner so typical of all his writings, calls for a fresh return to our theological, educational, and missiological roots . . . (providing) a compass by which to steer us out of our doldrums and onto the high seas of effectiveness." —Tom Eliff, senior vice president, International Mission Board, and former president, Southern Baptist Convention. "A comprehensive and challenging mandate . . . It calls our denomination to nothing less than a Great Commission resurgence rooted in the great biblical and theological truths that we hold in common. It is my prayer that this book will not only be read, but that its vision will be embraced." —Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary "Southern Baptists stand at a crossroads today . . . David Dockery, one of our finest scholar-statesmen, points the way toward a more constructive future for a denomination called to reclaim its founding purpose of ‘eliciting, combining, and directing’ its energies in sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all the world." —Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School "These are turbulent days in the Southern Baptist Convention . . . Our churches are struggling to reach people in a postmodern culture. Dockery reminds us that we cannot yield the gains the Convention has made in its commitment to truth and doctrinal fidelity. Yet, he offers a plan for renewal and consensus within our confessional heritage." —Thom S. Rainer, president, Lifeway Christian Resources; coauthor of Simple Church "A skillful analysis of the forces and factors which have made us who we are; a masterful discussion of theological issues that should pull us together and point us toward unity." —Frank S. Page, president, Southern Baptist Convention

The Southern Baptist Convention is currently facing issues that challenge its identity, heritage, and future. In The SBC and the 21st Century, key leaders—including Jason Allen, Frank Page, Ronnie Floyd, Thom Rainer, Albert Mohler, Paige Patterson, David Platt, and Danny Akin—address critical issues such as: · Will the SBC grow more unified around shared convictions and mission or will it fragment over secondary concerns and tertiary doctrinal differences? · Will the SBC be able to maintain a distinct Baptist identity while engaging and partnering with the broader evangelical community? · Will the SBC be willing to reimagine its structures, programs, and efforts to effectively reach the world for Christ or will it risk being a past-tense denomination? This volume not only promotes meaningful dialogue, it calls leaders throughout the SBC into action. Extensive thought, research, assessment, and wisdom from some of the SBC’s brightest minds have been poured into this volume with the intent of rendering a helpful contribution to SBC life that will propel forward the collective work of Southern Baptists well into the 21st century.

Showing that Southern Baptist women are more complex and rebellious than outsiders might think, the author presents the views of more than 150 women, often using their own words, and finds in them an unshakable belief that God speaks as directly to them as to any pastor.

Through critical analysis of writings on Baptist distinctives, Norman shows there is a continuous body of theological components common to all Baptists.

The record is clear that Baptists, historically, have prioritized conversion, Jesus, and God. Equally clear is that Baptists have never known what to do with the Holy Spirit. In Baptists and the Holy Spirit, Baptist historian C. Douglas Weaver traces the way Baptists have engaged--and, at times, embraced--the Holiness, Pentecostal, and charismatic movements. Chronicling the interactions between Baptists and these Spirit-filled movements reveals the historical context for the development of Baptists' theology of the Spirit. Baptists and the Holy Spirit provides the first in-depth interpretation of Baptist involvement with the Holiness, Pentecostal, and charismatic movements that have found a prominent place in America's religious landscape. Weaver reads these traditions through the nuanced lens of Baptist identity, as well as the frames of gender, race, and class. He shows that, while most Baptists reacted against all three Spirit-focused groups, each movement flourished among a Baptist minority who were attracted by the post-conversion experience of the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." Weaver also explores the overlap between Baptist and Pentecostal efforts to restore and embody the practices and experiences of the New Testament church. The diversity of Baptists--Southern Baptist, American Baptist, African American Baptist--leads to an equally diverse understanding of the Spirit. Even those who strongly opposed charismatic expressions of the Spirit still acknowledged a connection between the Holy Spirit and a holy life. If, historically, Baptists were suspicious of Roman Catholics' ecclesial hierarchy, then Baptists were equally wary of free church pneumatology. However, as Weaver shows, Baptist interactions with the Holiness, Pentecostal, and charismatic movements and their vibrant experience with the Spirit were key in shaping Baptist identity and theology.

The authors of the papers published here come from a dozen different countries and represent different expressions of Baptist life. The papers were delivered at the third International Conference on Baptist Studies, held at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague in July 2003, with the theme Baptist Identities. Those who gave presentations explored what factors have contributed to the nature of Baptist distinctiveness in different countries and at different times. In some cases the authors have written about their own contexts, using specific case studies that relate to particular periods, whereas in other cases they range more widely, covering several countries and/or longer periods of time. Topics examined in this volume include theological education, women in leadership, issues of ethnicity, Baptist identity and national consciousness, and creeds. The regional scope of the Baptist stories that are analyzed includes Africa, Asia, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe, and North America. At a time when there is considerable discussion throughout the world Baptist community about the nature of Baptist identity, this collection of papers by significant historians of Baptist life is an important contribution.

Southern Baptists have a unique and colorful story. Birthed in the time of slavery controversy, their theology on this and human rights issues has changed as cultural and societal developments occurred. One thing that never changed, however, was their zeal for evangelism. They eventually grew to become the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Later, a major controversy in the late twentieth century pitted conservative Baptists against moderates. Both sides, however, wrote histories of the controversy from their own perspectives. These histories were significant for understanding how each side interpreted the events. These pages attempt to fill a missing gap. Readers will hear the Southern Baptist story from both sides. Understand from this how Southern Baptists work, think, grow, argue, and have changed over time. They have weathered the ups and downs of history to reveal an ever-growing heritage.

When former United States presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton announced the establishment of a broadly inclusive "New Baptist Covenant" that will be launched in early 2008, excluded from the proceedings were leaders from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Recognizing the need for both conviction and cooperation, for confessional commitments and biblical unity, Union University president David Dockery rallies Southern Baptists anew "for such a time as this" in Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal, a prophetic, clarion call to cooperation, unity, and renewal throughout the SBC. Many issues today threaten to sidetrack Southern Baptists from advancing the gospel, missions, and theological education together. Dockery urges them to focus on their confessional heritage and renew their commitment to truth, to doctrinal fidelity, and to the Christ-centered message of the gospel. - Publisher.