What are confessionalism and conversionism?
Understanding Confessionalism and Conversionism in the Context of Baptist Theology
Confessionalism and conversionism are two approaches to understanding the expression of faith within Christianity. Each concept reflects different emphases on doctrine, personal experience, and the role of the individual in relation to church teaching and tradition. Within the framework of Baptist theology, these ideas can be critically analyzed and applied in ways that uphold the authority of Scripture and the centrality of the gospel.
Confessionalism: A Commitment to Doctrinal Fidelity
Confessionalism refers to a formal commitment to a written creed or doctrinal statement as the standard for faith and practice. A confessional church requires its members, and especially its leaders, to affirm the theological tenets articulated in these creeds or confessions. This does not imply that salvation depends on perfect agreement with every doctrinal point; rather, it establishes a clear framework for unity, accountability, and orthodoxy within the church.
Key Characteristics of Confessionalism:
Doctrinal Clarity: A confessional church is defined by its adherence to a clear and comprehensive statement of faith. Examples include the Baptist Faith and Message (2000), the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Nicene Creed. These documents summarize essential Christian doctrines, such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture.
Guarding Against Error: Confessionalism provides a safeguard against false teaching and doctrinal drift. As Paul instructed Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13, NKJV). Creeds and confessions serve as a “pattern of sound words” that help the church remain faithful to biblical truth.
Unity in Doctrine: While individual interpretation is respected, confessionalism emphasizes the importance of corporate agreement on foundational doctrines. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (NKJV). A shared confession fosters unity among believers and ensures the church speaks with one voice on matters of faith.
Historical Continuity: Confessionalism connects the modern church to the historic faith of the apostles and early Christians. Jude 1:3 exhorts believers to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (NKJV). By affirming creeds and confessions, the church honors its heritage and maintains continuity with the biblical faith handed down through generations.
Potential Challenges of Confessionalism:
A rigid or overly dogmatic application of confessions can stifle healthy theological dialogue and alienate sincere believers who may struggle with certain doctrines.
Overemphasis on the confession can inadvertently elevate it to a level of authority equal to or above Scripture, contradicting the Baptist principle of sola scriptura (Scripture alone).
Conversionism: The Emphasis on Personal Experience
Conversionism prioritizes the individual's personal relationship with God and the transformative experience of salvation through Jesus Christ. Conversionist churches focus on the necessity of a genuine, inward change brought about by the Holy Spirit, often placing less emphasis on formal creeds and more on the subjective experience of faith.
Key Characteristics of Conversionism:
Salvation by Faith Alone: Conversionism highlights the biblical truth that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or intellectual agreement with a creed. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (NKJV).
The Necessity of Regeneration: Conversionism affirms Jesus’ teaching in John 3:3: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (NKJV). The new birth is a transformative work of the Holy Spirit that changes the heart and mind, enabling the believer to follow Christ.
Emphasis on Personal Testimony: Conversionist churches encourage believers to share their personal testimonies of how they came to faith in Christ. This emphasis aligns with passages such as Revelation 12:11: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (NKJV).
Flexibility in Non-Essentials: Conversionism tends to be more lenient on secondary doctrinal matters, focusing instead on the centrality of the gospel. This reflects Paul’s statement in Romans 14:1: “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (NKJV).
Potential Challenges of Conversionism:
An overemphasis on personal experience can lead to theological relativism, where individual interpretations and feelings override biblical authority.
The lack of a formal doctrinal standard can create confusion and division within the church, as it becomes difficult to discern what constitutes orthodox teaching.
Confessionalism and Conversionism in Baptist Theology
Baptist theology historically incorporates elements of both confessionalism and conversionism, seeking a balance between doctrinal fidelity and personal experience.
Confessional Heritage: Baptists have a rich tradition of confessionalism, exemplified by the London Baptist Confession of 1689 and the Baptist Faith and Message. These documents articulate essential doctrines, such as believer’s baptism, the Lordship of Christ, and the priesthood of all believers, while affirming the authority of Scripture as the final rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Conversionist Focus: At the same time, Baptists have always emphasized the necessity of personal conversion. The Baptist distinctive of regenerate church membership ensures that only those who have experienced the new birth through faith in Christ are admitted to the church. Acts 2:41 provides a biblical precedent: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (NKJV).
Balancing the Two: Baptist theology seeks to integrate confessionalism and conversionism by upholding the authority of Scripture and the necessity of personal faith. This balance reflects Jesus’ words in John 4:24: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (NKJV). True worship involves both heartfelt devotion (conversionism) and doctrinal integrity (confessionalism).
Practical Application for Churches
Teach Sound Doctrine: Churches should provide clear teaching on essential Christian doctrines, helping members understand and affirm the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
Encourage Personal Faith: Pastors and leaders should call individuals to repentance and faith in Christ, emphasizing the necessity of the new birth (John 3:7).
Foster Unity in Diversity: While maintaining a strong doctrinal foundation, churches should allow for respectful dialogue on secondary issues, following Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 4:2-3: “With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (NKJV).
Conclusion
Confessionalism and conversionism represent two essential dimensions of the Christian faith: a commitment to sound doctrine and the transformative power of personal conversion. In Baptist theology, these two approaches are not mutually exclusive but complementary, working together to glorify God and build His church. As believers, we are called to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word while inviting others to experience the life-changing power of the gospel.
