Baptists and spirituality: interest in spirituality abounds, both in popular lay audiences and in professional and theological circles - Editorial

Baptist History and Heritage, Spring, 2002 by Merrill M. Hawkins, Jr.

Cultivation of the spiritual gifts and practices has long been a part of the more liturgical traditions, but more and more Free Church Christians are developing an interest in spirituality.

"The word itself can be rather loosely defined and can mean different things to different people. For some, spirituality refers to an interest in and connection to God that transcends denominational boundaries and institutional religion. Some in the Baptist tradition understand spirituality to mean little more than the ethereal or nonpractical. Some see it as the language and practice of Christians when they are "acting like Christians."

A more precise understanding of spirituality sees it as the arena where the practices and beliefs of the Christian faith meet. Although an elusive concept, spirituality is the something that holds Christian praxis and theory together.

While spirituality and spiritual formation are new words for many Baptists, the practices associated with the words have long been present in the Baptist story. Our writers explore the rich history of Baptist spirituality and pose some suggestions and thoughts for what the cultivation of Christian spirituality can do for the life of Baptist Christianity.

Glenn Hinson provides us an overview of the history of Baptist spirituality. His article is followed by Loyd Allen's similar article that more specifically traces the story of spirituality among Baptists in the South.

Baptists did not have many leaders in the Keswick movements of the late 1800s, but they were shaped by its holiness teaching. One Baptist, F. B. Meyer, however, had a leading role in Keswick thought. Ian Randall of Spurgeon's College introduces us to Meyer's work.

Our issue is rounded out by two personal reflections and one constructive piece. After all, our journal focuses on both the history of Baptists--their story in the past--and the heritage of Baptists--implications for the present.

Samuel Weber, a Benedictine who teaches spiritual formation at Wake Forest Divinity School, reflects on the nature of Baptist spirituality as an "outsider" with strong connections to the "inside" of Baptist life. Darren Middleton discusses his role in spiritual and theological formation as theologian-in-residence at First Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee, a position he held prior to joining the Department of Religion at Texas Christian University.

Finally, Stanley Grenz discusses the changing nature of spirituality and spiritual formation for Baptists in the postmodern context. He delivered a version of this article to students at George W. Truett Theological Seminary this past February.

I hope that you will find this issue interesting and useful as a way to help our Free Church tradition reflect on the meaning and value of spiritual formation as we enter new and challenging times for the life of the mind and the faith.

Grace, Mel Hawkins

Merrill M. Hawkins Jr.

Editor