Although the Southern Baptist Convention was organized in 1845, no formal confession of faith was adopted until internationally known Baptist theologianEdgar Young Mullins led the denomination to adopt the original BF&M in 1925. Described as "the New Hampshire Confession of Faith , revised at certain points, and with some additional articles growing out of present needs," it was intended as "a reaffirmation of Christian fundamentals," which was deemed necessary because of "the prevalence of naturalism in the modern teaching and preaching of religion." The BF&M was revised in 1963, amended in 1998, and again revised in 2000 under the chairmanship of pastor-author and former three-time SBC President Adrian Rogers; the 2000 revisions incorporated sociological as well as theological changes and were considered the most controversial.
Role in Baptist life
In keeping with Southern Baptist polity, which eschews creeds generally, and considers each affiliated congregation to be independent and autonomous in its faith and practice, the BF&M is not binding on SBC-affiliated churches. An individual church may choose to adopt the BF&M in whole without alteration, adopt it with commentary added, or may create its own statement ; the prevailing practice is for a church to adopt the BF&M as its statement of faith. Despite the fact that the BF&M is not a creed, key SBC leaders, faculty at SBC-owned seminaries, and missionaries who apply to serve through the various SBC missionary agencies must affirm that their practices, doctrine, and preaching are consistent with the BF&M. Also, a state or local association may require a church to hold to BF&M as a condition of membership.
Position Statements
The BF&M includes 18 topics which are position statements of the SBC. Each article or position is followed by Scripture which they use to support their position.
Reception
There was both praise and criticism for the significant changes to the BF&M in the 2000 revision.
Affirmations
Some of the changes that were particularly well received by some Baptist theologians include the following:
The controversial use of the word “inerrancy” was not inserted into the section on Scripture. Some were concerned that it would be included.
No inclusion of more restrictive views of eschatology, such as dispensationalism. Apprehension had been expressed that such views might be espoused in the revisions.
Inclusion of a statement that Baptists honor the principles of soul competency and the priesthood of believer.
Reaffirmation of most historical Baptist convictions.
Addresses issues of contemporary concern — soteriological inclusivism, family, gender, sexual immorality, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, and abortion.
Clear expressions about the future direction of the SBC under the "conservative resurgency" leadership.
Editorial changes, such as the use of gender-inclusive language, considered improvements of the form of the statement.
Criticisms
Historically, Baptists have refused to adopt creeds or confessions, stating that the Bible is the sole source of doctrine and practice, and furthermore have tenaciously defended the privilege of every believer, with the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to interpret Scripture according to his or her own conscience. This deeply engrained anti-creedal sentiment is said to be responsible for many negative reactions to the newly revised document. Additionally, both the 1998 and 2000 revisions were particularly controversial in the areas of male priority, the exegetical standard by which the Bible is to be interpreted, and homosexuality.
Gender-based roles
For the first time in SBC history, provisions were added to define male-headship gender roles in both the ministry and in marriage. Regarding ministry, the BF&M now explicitly defines the pastoral office as the exclusive domain of men — thus prohibiting female pastors. While not stated in the 2000 BF&M, some churches also apply this interpretation to deacons, being a pastoral office of the church, and will not ordain women or allow them to serve as deacons. Regarding marriage, the BF&M added Article XVIII to specify the husband is the head of the household. Nothing in the BF&M prohibits or discourages the wife from holding outside employment, nor the husband from doing household duties traditionally considered those of the wife.
Exegetical standard
Second, the 2000 revision of the BF&M removed the assertion that the person of Jesus Christ was to be the exegetical standard by which the Bible was to be interpreted, and replaced it with the last sentence in the quotation below. The change was made over concerns that some groups were elevating the recorded words of Jesus in Scripture over other Scriptural passages. The traditional SBC view is that all Scripture is equally inspired by God. This revision was particularly objectionable to the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the largest SBC state convention, which had previously split between moderates and conservatives, with the latter forming the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Homosexuality
The 2000 BF&M is also noted as taking a stand on the issue of homosexuality. This section was originally added as an amendment in 1998 to the 1963 BF&M.
