Be not righteous overmuch, neither make thyself overwise. - Solomon
Letter 3, Creed I am now to inquire if you have a CREED. By creed (from the Latin word credo, "I believe,") we mean the doctrine one believes the Bible to teach. A number of persons believing alike as to the teachings of the Bible, have the same creed. Another body of people understanding the scriptures another way, or perhaps only in part differently, have also a creed. You and I in conversation find we differ in our views of the scriptures; you believe they teach one thing, and I, another. Our views, or our creeds, are different. I do not think your creed entirely made out. Some parts of it are to be found in Mr. Campbell's writings, but monthly a new article, or an old one modified, is set forth in the "Millenial Harbinger." I never saw more exact observers of a creed in my life. You are scrupulously nice in the observance of every item. And few creeds are so full. The articles of your belief are not only laid down, but divers other regulations. There you are told how you may transact the business of the congregation in a reformed way; that you must break the loaf at least every time you assemble; that you must dispense with the popular delusion of hearing experiences, and only ask for a historical faith, and a confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that when you have the good confession, you should not delay, but go forthwith to the water and immerse him in the name of the Lord for the remission of his sins, that if there be any among you of ready utterance, that sees proper to teach, let him do so, asking no questions; provided always, that he adhere to the "ancient order of things" set forth in your creed. Your teachers are instructed how to lecture. They may take one chapter or more, or even a whole book, but never, on peril of severe censure, be guilty of taking a scrap. Having laid the foundation of their lecture, they must be careful to give what it means - applying it to none others than those it was applied to by the writer, and as the old version is often incorrect, the new one is recommended in lieu thereof - at least that must be the criterion. They must be careful not to talk of the exercises of the mind, or make any pathetic appeals: but proclaim good tidings of great joy. The gospel being a joyful message, no tears should be shed either in its proclamation or reception. Were others thus to conform to their creed, or even to have such a creed, what would you not say? Indeed, any such would be vulnerable by the shafts of your ridicule. But you have no creed!
Who was it that made the wonderful discovery that the gospel in its purity lay buried since the days of the apostles? And who called it forth from its grave, and restored it to its pristine beauty and vigor, and sent it out anew on its journey of perennial glory1 and by what process was this marvellous resurrection brought about? Examine the writings of Mr. Campbell. There the potent enchantment by which the dead was brought to life, may be found; and the Magnus Apollo of this prodigious feat, stands forth conspicuous in the author himself. And how was this grand achievement performed? Did not Mr. Campbell, according to his own showing, publish new views of the scriptures; that is, views different from those advanced by any of his day! Certainly, and these views are contained in his writings, and are embraced by you because you think them to be, nay, are sure that such was the ancient gospel. I doubt not your sincerity. I verily believe that you feel sure that his views are those of the Bible, or you would not embrace them. I cannot persuade myself that but few would wantonly receive an erroneous view of so important a subject as religion. All think themselves right. All believe that their creed is the creed, is that of the Bible; and how prone are all to conclude, that
__________"perfection has beginning
In systems of their own dear spinning."But, my dear sir, does not your believing that Mr. Campbell's writings set forth "the ancient order of things," inducing you, therefore, to conform to them, make them your creed? Your believing them correct does not make them so. But, you say, "we do not follow him only so far as he goes with the scriptures." Nor do I believe one sentence of the Baptists' creed that departs from them.
But it is not necessary, in order to the existence of a creed, that it should be written. If it be well fixed in the head, it will answer every purpose. I will not, therefore, be particular in urging that Mr. Campbell's writings are your creed. It is enough to demonstrate by your practice, that you have a creed, and one that corresponds with his writings. Do you not oppose the views of all those that do not understand the scriptures as you do? Have you not established articles that you believe to contain fundamental truths of the scriptures, a consent to which you deem indispensable, in order to enter the congregation of Christ? Will you recognize any as disciples that do not believe and obey, in youracceptation of the terms? In other words, do you consider any as disciples that have not reformed and been immersed? If you have a creed, why direct the keenest darts of your ridicule against those who think they have a warrant from the scriptures to baptise infants? Or, how do you discover that those are wrong who believe that sprinkling is Christian baptism?
I scarcely know how seriously to argue with an individual who has the bible in his hands – pretends to read it, and denies that he has a creed. What a poor compliment do we pay to our intellects, to say that we read, and receive new ideas from what we have read! Our ideas, drawn from the scriptures, are what constitute our creed. They [The] way you demonstrate that you have no creed, is, by calling your views "the ancient gospel" - holy writ!
But, remember, a creed is what one believes the Bible to teach. Keep this in view but a short time. The Baptists believe that a person must be a new creature previous to baptism; and you call this an article of their creed. You believe he must be immersed to become a new creature; and you have no creed! They contend that the Spirit of God takes of Christ's [death] and shows it unto sinners, and leads them into saving faith. You ridicule their weakness, and say, here's the testimony, read, reform and obey. The Baptists believe that sinners unquickened by the Divine Spirit, have eyes, and see not; ears, and hear not the truths of the bible. Into what metaphysical delusion, exclaim you, their creed leads them. Hear what we believe without a creed! We believe the bible is as easily read and believed as the well authenticated history of George Washington or any other man; and it is but delusion to think otherwise.
But we will exemplify your no creed another way. The Pedobaptists think that they should baptize children, and receive them into the church. This you call an article of their creed. The Baptists contend that there is no authority for such reception in the bible. And this, you say, is part of their creed. You believe, in this respect, precisely as the Baptists do, and yet have no creed! The Pedobaptists believe that sprinkling is Christian baptism. What a stupid creed! say you. The Baptists believe that immersion only, is baptism and you believe the same. Yon call this an article of the Baptists' creed; but your belief about it is - nothing! The Baptists believe the scriptures to be the word of God; - that Jesus is the Messiah; - that there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust; - that the happiness of the righteous, and, the torment of the wicked will be eternal; and you reproach them for this, as having a creed. But you believe the same things - contend for the same and deny that you have a creed! "Oh, consistency! thon art a [rare] jewel." I might extend these remarks, but I think it unnecessary. Enough has been said to make it apparent to the most common capacity, that, according to you, this marvellous truth is brought to light: The things which others believe, amount to a creed: but what you believe, do not!
But if you have no creed, you must esteem yourself infallible standards. You are sure you are right, and equally certain all others are wrong; therefore you have no creed. But, with all due deference, we must be allowed to question your high pretensions, to be alone right - to possess all wisdom, and all knowledge of the word of God. I cannot believe that you have gotten so far in the advance of the age, as to be blessed with Millenial light, while others are groping in darkness, without a single ray to illumine their benighted course. I would, therefore, again respectfully inquire how happens it, that you differ with any one in relation to the scriptures, if you have no creed - no fixed and definite views of the scriptures? Are you infallible interpreters of holy writ? The Pope of Rome will dispute this point with you. If you are not infallible, then, I do not see why you may not be wrong in your opinions, as well as others.
Are you more intelligent, endowed with capacities above others, and rendered, thereby, more competent to interpret the language of the scriptures? Unless you are all this, (which I am disposed to think, at least, is debateable,) I know of no reason why your views are entitled to more respect than others. Are you invested with the spirit of the apostles, or have their mantles fallen upon you, that you should be the first, after a lapse of many centuries, that perceived the true import of their writings? Have you become divested of all the selfish propensities of the human mind; - and have you shaken off so much of dull mortality, as to have minds swayed by no partiality, and capable of viewing unprejudiced, and of scanning unerringly the things of God and religion? Unless you have tell me not that you are right and that you know all others are wrong; - that because you are right, you have no creed, and because others are wrong, they have. You sit in judgment upon the opinions of other people, and condemn them with as high a hand, as if you yourselves did never err. "Oh," say you, "we invite all to take the New Testament for their guide." We do, say they. "'But," continue you, "you pervert it" So, like the honest Dutch magistrate, you are content that every one should think for himself, provided he dink mid de hort.
Are all your opinions but palpable truths of the Bible? Were it even so, does not every sect think the same of their creed? But what think you of the actual remission of sins by immersion; - of God's requiring only reformation and not repentance of man - of their being none but historical faith? Are these your cardinal articles, (to mention no others,) plainly and definitely laid down in the New Testament? Where are they to be found? I think you will find as much difficulty in sustaining these, as any one can find in supporting any item, in any of the creeds that you have so long been exclaiming against. Do you rely on the scriptures to sustain you? So do others. Take it as you will, turn it in whatever way you can, and in reproaching others for having a creed, your cast censure upon yourselves. I conclude, therefore, with all your protestations to the contrary, that it must be obvious that you are a SECT. You are distinct; you are clanish; you adhere to one another; you use the same speech, and teach the same things. You are uniform in your public lectures, and in your private conversations; you see alike; you act alike; you have a sectarian name: you have a CREED.
It is in vain to try to escape. The good sense of the community has already discovered that instead of destroying sects, you have added another to the list. You have labored long - you have declaimed bitterly against sects and creeds: and behold the result of your labors! - A NEW CREED AND ANOTHER SECT. You have destroyed the peace of society; - have schismatized churches of long and respectable standing; - you have rent asunder the nearest and dearest ties, and what has ensued? You have promised bread, and have given a stone. In your zeal in tearing down one house, you have raised another of its rubbish. Like the unskillful pilot in passing Scylla and Charybdis, in avoiding the rocks, you have plunged into the whirlpool.
========= [From the Tennessee Baptist, June 16, 1855, p. 1, via CD of a m/f copy. Transcribed, formatted and [ ] by Jim Duvall.]
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