Editorials & Other Articles

He was never part of the fundamentalist/Christian Reconstructionist movement that began intruding into the Southern Baptist churches, mostly in the deep south, in the early 1920's which produced individuals like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Baptists are known for their belief in soul freedom, the ability of each individual to determine his or her own theology and doctrine from their own understanding of the Bible, guided by the leaders of their church and their own mentors. During the controversy among Southern Baptists, they were labelled as "moderates" but a better term would be "progressives," and even before the fundamentalist group planned their tactics to take over the denomination's boards and committees, and control its institutions, they were leading their congregations to welcome members of all races, and ordain women to serve in all ministry roles. They are polar opposites from the more conservative, Evangelical members who eventually gained control of the denomination. Carter simply remained true and faithful to his Baptist roots, and remained in the membership of a liberal, progressive church that preached the true Christian gospel, and not the system of rules and regulations the fundamentalists tried to maintain.