JACKSON, Tenn. — March 15, 2022 — Nathan Finn shared a history of Southern Baptist movements for separation of church and state during 51社区鈥檚 sixth annual David and Lanese Dockery Lectures on Baptist Thought and Heritage on March 10.
Finn, provost and dean of the university faculty at North Greenville University, began with a brief survey of historic Baptist positions about the issue of church and state separation. While not all Southern Baptists have agreed at each point in history, Finn focused on several noteworthy Southern Baptist writers and voices on church-state separation.
Beginning his history lecture in 16th century United Kingdom, advocates for religious liberty and separation from state faced government imprisonment and persecution for their views. However, as American settlement began, Finn said these Baptist voices who proclaimed liberty played a 鈥渟mall yet strategic role鈥� for religious disestablishment in American history.
With the beginning of the 20th century, Finn quoted significant views that dominated much Southern Baptist thought on church-state separation. From the rejection of church-state separation to 鈥渟trict separationism,鈥� many Southern Baptists debated this issue for decades.
Finn concluded by examining Southern Baptist perspectives in today鈥檚 era. As Americans live in a post-Christian state, where the Christian worldview is no longer prominent, Finn urged the audience to consider one final position for religious liberty.
Reflecting on the mission of the Southern Baptist鈥檚 Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Finn argued that there has never been a more important time for Southern Baptists to maintain their historic commitment to the separation of church and state for all people and all religions.
鈥淏y defending the soul freedom of unbelievers to hold their views, we are also holding the freedom of believers to share the gospel with those who are wrong,鈥� Finn said. 鈥淲e are right in mourning the Christian worldview majority, but we are also right to see this as an opportunity to clarify and purify our public witness.鈥�
As Christians look forward to the eternal promise of Jesus Christ restoring his perfect kingdom, Finn challenged the audience to see the position of church-state separation as a Great Commission position, declaring the message of King Jesus to an unbelieving world.