Sins of our Forerunners (Separation of Church and State)

A week or two ago someone mentioned something about "those who believe the lie of separation of Church and State". Normally this is combined with the idea that "separation of church and state" is a myth and is not in the Constitution. Yet if it was a myth, lie, or unconstitutional, the idea is clearly a Baptist and Southern Baptist lie/myth. Baptists, including Southern Baptists were claiming that the state and church should remain separate as part of their "religious liberty" and "soul liberty" theologies. Honestly if leaders of the SBC had not perpetuated this idea for at least a century I doubt that the courts would have picked it up.

Now you may disagree with "separation of Church and State". Also, there are those that disagree on the boundaries of what is an establishment and what should be permitted under free exercise. Fine, but it was a basic Baptist tenet until recently. For those that are Baptists, we understand that all Baptist theology is up for debate. We just need to know that the debate is not between Atheists and Baptists, but devout Southern Baptists and devout Southern Baptists. Unlike, slavery, Christian slave holders, and Biblical segregation this one didn't die so easily for those that find fault with it. Also, by the way, it is not been Baptist practice to say that "separation of Church and State" is "one way" and designed to merely protect the church from the state. Baptist tended to believe that it works both ways. Some of the non-baptists have a reason not to become Baptists should they believe that this separation is a lie/myth. Their lives may have been easier if Baptists had been less vocal over the centuries.

Anyways the following quote struck me as interesting for several reasons. One, the book was published by Baptists in 1907. This particular chapter was written by Benjamin O. True, Professor of Church History at Rochester Theological Seminary. Two, the quote is older than the book. I do not know how old the source is that he is quoting, but obviously it is older than 1907. Three, this is written before our recent controversies. At this time, there was not a National Day of Prayer, National Prayer Breakfast, Under God in the Pledge of Allegiance, Most of the Ten Commandment monuments, prayer at the Sugar Bowl, and the national motto as In God we trust. This is why I like older Baptist theology, it is less politicized. They believed in separation of church and state without being accused by fellow baptists of being against prayer or against the Bible. I am not sure what George Truett, John Leland, or Spurgeon would think about our battles on government faculty prayer and bible reading in public schools, but I am certain that they would not believe that their addition would change the nation towards true piety.

So far as this was a work of intelligent conviction and religious faith the chief honor of it must be given to the Baptists. Other sects, notably the Presbyterians, had been energetic and efficient in demanding their own liberties; the Friends and the Baptists agreed in demanding liberty of conscience and worship and equality before the law for all alike. But the active labor in this cause was mainly done by the Baptists. It is to their consistency and constancy in the warfare against the privileges of the powerful “Standing Order” of New England, and of the moribund establishments of the South, that we are chiefly indebted for the final triumph in this country of that principle of the separation of Church from State which is one of the largest contributions of the New World to civilization and to the church universal.

~ Dr. Leonard Woolsey Bacon, "History of American Christianity" pg 221