Baptists and spirituality: interest in spirituality abounds, both in popular lay audiences and in professional and theological circles. (Editorial).
Hawkins, Merrill M., Jr.
Cultivation of the spiritual gifts and practices has long been a
part of the more liturgical traditions, but more and more Free Church
Christians are developing an interest in spirituality.
"The word itself can be rather loosely defined and can mean
different things to different people. For some, spirituality refers to
an interest in and connection to God that transcends denominational
boundaries and institutional religion. Some in the Baptist tradition
understand spirituality to mean little more than the ethereal or
nonpractical. Some see it as the language and practice of Christians
when they are "acting like Christians."
A more precise understanding of spirituality sees it as the arena
where the practices and beliefs of the Christian faith meet. Although an
elusive concept, spirituality is the something that holds Christian
praxis and theory together.
While spirituality and spiritual formation are new words for many
Baptists, the practices associated with the words have long been present
in the Baptist story. Our writers explore the rich history of Baptist
spirituality and pose some suggestions and thoughts for what the
cultivation of Christian spirituality can do for the life of Baptist
Christianity.
Glenn Hinson provides us an overview of the history of Baptist
spirituality. His article is followed by Loyd Allen's similar
article that more specifically traces the story of spirituality among
Baptists in the South.
Baptists did not have many leaders in the Keswick movements of the
late 1800s, but they were shaped by its holiness teaching. One Baptist,
F. B. Meyer, however, had a leading role in Keswick thought. Ian Randall
of Spurgeon's College introduces us to Meyer's work.
Our issue is rounded out by two personal reflections and one
constructive piece. After all, our journal focuses on both the history
of Baptists--their story in the past--and the heritage of
Baptists--implications for the present.
Samuel Weber, a Benedictine who teaches spiritual formation at Wake
Forest Divinity School, reflects on the nature of Baptist spirituality
as an "outsider" with strong connections to the
"inside" of Baptist life. Darren Middleton discusses his role
in spiritual and theological formation as theologian-in-residence at
First Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee, a position he held prior to
joining the Department of Religion at Texas Christian University.
Finally, Stanley Grenz discusses the changing nature of
spirituality and spiritual formation for Baptists in the postmodern
context. He delivered a version of this article to students at George W.
Truett Theological Seminary this past February.
I hope that you will find this issue interesting and useful as a
way to help our Free Church tradition reflect on the meaning and value
of spiritual formation as we enter new and challenging times for the
life of the mind and the faith.
Grace, Mel Hawkins
Merrill M. Hawkins Jr.
Editor
