Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0261
B. L. Douthitt vs T. F. Lowery (Missionary Baptist)
November 18, 1926
Holladay, Tennessee
(By Harvey W. Riggs)
At Holladay, Tennessee, October 5-8, 1926.
The origin of the church affirmed two days by both sides. In affirming
the Missionary Baptist Church Lowery was never clear on "scriptural" or "origin." Lowery stated in his first speech that he would show where Jesus named and constituted the church the "Missionary Baptist Church." Then Bro. Douthitt placed upon the board and kept before the audience a blank square for the scripture in which the church is so constituted. One of the impressive things which will stay with auditors is the blank for that scripture. Part of the Baptist element admitted that it could not be done. Under pressure, Mr. Lowery submitted Isaiah 62:2 and Luke 7:28 for his contention. Let the reader judge if "the Missionary Baptist Churches" are constituted and named there.
Mr. Lowery seemed to be debating that Baptist Churches are historical in origin. I did not count, but he claimed to bring 78 statements for 36 scholars to support the claim of Baptist succession, claiming "Baptist Church" wherever he found the name "Baptists", whether as a name or an adjective. This evidence would seem to indicate that the "origin of Baptists is hid in remote antiquity" (Mosheim). By his own quotations the line of Baptist succession would include Anabaptists, Mennonites, Waldenses, and Dantists. Bro. Douthitt showed that, if succession be granted, the affirmative just show that every time the word "Baptist" is used in history it means his particular kind among more than 15 kinds of Baptists today. This is impossible of course. Then the succession chain was broken by admissions from Baptist scholars themselves. The arguments which Lowery attempted from scripture were found to cross as to when t he church was established, in the days of John or the earthly ministry of Jesus; the "church on wheels" was never hitched, nor even parked long at one place.
That "the Church of Christ is scriptural in origin" would hardly seem debatable but many people have no real conception of the "simplicity which is in Christ and such discussions brings out truth to those who have not heard it. Bro. Douthitt is specially qualified to present truth. Lowery worked hard to conceal truth. Au. Nunnery moderated for Lowery. Harvey Riggs moderated for Douthitt.
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