Changes

Baptist theology has slowly changed since the formation of the SBC in 1845, but at no time was there ever a monolithic set of Baptist beliefs. Baptist theology has the primary goal of being faithful to the Bible, and it has been influenced by many trends in theology and general American culture. Race relations, for example, affected Baptist theology.

Baptist theology has slowly changed since the formation of the SBC in 1845, but at no time was there ever a monolithic set of Baptist beliefs. Baptist theology has the primary goal of being faithful to the Bible, and it has been influenced by many trends in theology and general American culture. Race relations, for example, affected Baptist theology.

Although the SBC has a doctrinal statement (the Baptist Faith and Message, which has been revised on several occasions, most recently in 2000), since SBC churches are independent and autonomous congregations, they are not required to adhere to it for denominational membership.  However, adherence is required for its missionaries and many key employees.

Although the SBC has a doctrinal statement (the [[Baptist Faith and Message]], which has been revised on several occasions, most recently in 2000), since SBC churches are independent and autonomous congregations, they are not required to adhere to it for denominational membership.  However, adherence is required for its missionaries and many key employees.

Southern Baptist theology has been part of historic Christian orthodoxy, yet it has exhibited diversity on some issues, including Calvinism-Arminianism, conservatism-progressivism, and the millennium.  In the theological conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s both sides have claimed historical foundations for their positions. Early Baptist theologians like James Boyce were heavily influenced by Princeton theologians and their theories of biblical inerrancy. In the twentieth century leaders like E. Y. Mullins did not speak of inerrancy but tended to emphasize the infallibility of the Bible's religious message.<ref>Paul Basden, ''Has Our Theology Changed? Southern Baptist Thought since 1845.'' (1994)</ref>

Southern Baptist theology has been part of historic Christian orthodoxy, yet it has exhibited diversity on some issues, including Calvinism-Arminianism, conservatism-progressivism, and the millennium.  In the theological conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s both sides have claimed historical foundations for their positions. Early Baptist theologians like James Boyce were heavily influenced by Princeton theologians and their theories of biblical inerrancy. In the twentieth century leaders like E. Y. Mullins did not speak of inerrancy but tended to emphasize the infallibility of the Bible's religious message.<ref>Paul Basden, ''Has Our Theology Changed? Southern Baptist Thought since 1845.'' (1994)</ref>