Thoughts of a Pastor-Historian

Do you struggle to understand God’s purpose in your pain? The hymn “I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow” by John Newton is a beautiful reminder that God is at work in our suffering. You must read to the end of the song to get the whole message of the song. Below the lyrics is a YouTube video of an updated version of the hymn by Indelible Grace. I love the allusion to Jonah 4:6-8 (KJV) in the fifth stanza (“Blasted my gourds”). Christian, remember that God has a purpose in your suffering. It is for our ultimate good and God’s glory.

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

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A few years ago, I developed the following sentence to help me teach the big message of the Bible to believers.

“The Bible is the story of a God who makes a spectacular promise about a supernatural Person who creates a special people to live in a supernal place with Him forever.”

Over at the Credo Magazine blog, they are posting a short series which I did on the themes contained in this sentence. In these posts, I will be taking one of the main nouns from that sentence and showing how that particular theme is played out through the entire Bible. The first post, which introduces the series, is now up and available to read on the Credo site. While you’re there, be sure and look around at the other resources available there. I think you will find this to be a site worth bookmarking and returning to from time to time.

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In August of 1791, the Elkhorn Baptist Association appointed a committee of three (James Garrard, Augustine Eastin and Ambrose Dudley) to draw up a memorial on religious liberty and perpetual slavery to be presented to the Convention which would form the Kentucky constitution in 1792. In September, the report was read and approved by the messengers. However, there was apparently a backlash from the constituency of the Baptist churches against this anti-slavery document and a special meeting was called in December of 1791 to disapprove of the previously approved memorial. The issue of emancipation does not come up again in the minutes of the Elkhorn Association until 1805 when the association passed the following:

This association judges it improper for ministers, churches or associations, to meddle with emancipation from slavery, or any other political subject; and as such we advise ministers and churches to have nothing to do therewith in their religious capacities.  (Minutes of the Elkhorn Association of Baptists, August 1805)

Should the ministers, churches and associations of Kentucky Baptists spoken out against the issue of slavery in 1792? Would this have made a difference in our history? What are the implications for pastors today? Should pastors avoid speaking out on any and all political issues, or are their some moral issues that pastors and churches should take a stand for today? What might some of those issues be?

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In 1801, the Elkhorn (Regular) and South Kentucky (Separate) Associations were reconciled together as a single body of Baptists in full correspondence and communion. The meeting for this purpose was held at Howard’s Creek Meeting-house, in Clark County, on the second Saturday of October 1801. Ambrose Dudley, Joseph Redding, Robert Elkin, John Price, David Barrow represented the Regulars from Elkhorn Association. Daniel Ramey, Thos. J. Chilton, Samuel Johnson, Moses Bledsoe represented the Separates from the South Kentucky Association.

We, the committees of the Elkhorn and South Kentucky Associations, do agree to unite on the following plan:
1st That the scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the infallible word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.
2nd That there is one only true God, and in the God-head or divine essence, there are Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
3rd That by nature we are fallen and depraved creatures.
4th That salvation, regeneration, sanctification, and justification, are by the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
5th That the saints will finally persevere through grace to glory.
6th That believers’ baptism, by immersion, is necessary to receiving the Lord’s Supper.
7th That the salvation of the righteous and punishment of the wicked will be eternal.
8th That it is our duty to be tender and affectionate to each other, and study the happiness of the children of God in general; to be engaged singly to promote the honor of God.
9th And that the preaching Christ tasted death for every man, shall be no bar to communion.
10th And that each may keep up their associational and church government as to them may seem best.
11th That a free correspondence and communion be kept up between the churches thus united.

Unanimously agreed to by the joint committee. Ambrose Dudley, Joseph Redding, Robert Elkin, John Price, David Barrow, Daniel Ramey, Thos. J. Chilton, Samuel Johnson, Moses Bledsoe.

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