Posted: May 13th, 2021

Nineteenth Century Baptists

Nineteenth Century Baptists
300 words per question

List and describe the key differences between Northern and Southern Baptists that led to their eventual split.
Describe the life, ministry and accomplishments of Luther Rice.
Describe the Landmark Movement: who were the key leaders? What were the positive and negative impacts on the Baptist church?
Describe the life and ministry of Lottie Moon? List the reason why you believe she is revered among Southern Baptists?

Key Differences between Northern and Southern Baptists
The key differences between Northern and Southern Baptists can be traced back to the issue of slavery. Northern Baptists were more progressive and anti-slavery, while Southern Baptists supported slavery and held more conservative views. The split between the two groups happened in 1845 at the Southern Baptist Convention.

One of the main differences was the interpretation of the Bible. Northern Baptists held a more liberal view on the Bible, while Southern Baptists took a more conservative approach. The Northern Baptists also emphasized the importance of education, while the Southern Baptists were more focused on evangelism.

Another factor that led to the split was the organization of the church. Northern Baptists believed in a more centralized church government, while Southern Baptists believed in the autonomy of the local church. The issue of slavery was also a factor in the split, as Southern Baptists believed that slavery was a biblical institution, while Northern Baptists believed that it was morally wrong.

Luther Rice
Luther Rice was a Baptist missionary and educator who played a key role in the founding of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rice was born in 1783 in Massachusetts and studied at Williams College. After graduating, he became a Congregational minister, but later converted to Baptist beliefs.

In 1812, Rice traveled to India as a missionary, but he was forced to return to the United States due to health issues. He then dedicated his life to raising support for foreign missions and establishing Baptist schools and seminaries. Rice was instrumental in the founding of the Baptist Triennial Convention, which later became the Southern Baptist Convention.

Landmark Movement
The Landmark Movement was a Baptist movement that began in the mid-19th century. The key leaders of the movement included James R. Graves, J.M. Pendleton, and Amos Cooper Dayton. The movement emphasized the importance of Baptist distinctives, including the autonomy of the local church, the immersion of believers, and the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.

The positive impact of the Landmark Movement was the emphasis on Baptist distinctives, which helped to strengthen the identity of the Baptist Church. However, the negative impact was the tendency to become exclusive and separatist, which led to division within the Baptist Church.

Lottie Moon
Lottie Moon was a Baptist missionary to China who dedicated her life to serving the Chinese people. Moon was born in 1840 in Virginia and attended Albemarle Female Institute and Hollins Institute. She became a Baptist in 1858 and felt a calling to serve as a missionary.

Moon arrived in China in 1873 and spent the next 39 years serving the Chinese people. She learned the language, established schools, and helped to start churches. Moon’s dedication to the Chinese people and her tireless efforts to spread the Gospel have made her a revered figure among Southern Baptists.

One reason why Moon is revered among Southern Baptists is her commitment to missions. She sacrificed her own comfort and safety to serve the Chinese people and share the Gospel. Moon also helped to establish the Woman’s Missionary Union, which has played a key role in supporting mission work around the world.

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