I will come straight to the point. I contend that Southern Baptists who teach babies are born guilty due to Adam’s sin are NOT in compliance with the Baptist Faith and Message. Here is what we as Baptist believe according to our most current statement of faith:
“Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation.” – The BF&M under section ‘III: Man’
Can this point be any more clear? In my recent conversation with Dr. Adam Harwood, professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he spells out the biblical reasons that we as Baptists believe and teach that babies are not born guilty of Adam’s sin.
Our discussion primarily addressed original sin, drawing from Dr. Harwood’s writings on the topic (this book, this booklet, this article, and this essay). We touched on issues such as: Romans 5:12-21, imputed righteousness, semi-Pelagianism, the “Traditional” Statement, and the possible dilemma caused by the existence of multiple confessions at Southern Baptist seminaries. [1]
Dr. Harwood correctly observes:
“Article 3 of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states clearly that people inherit something from the first man. But the BFM does not state that we inherit guilt or condemnation. Instead, we ‘inherit a nature and environment inclined toward sin.’ According to the BFM, people do not begin life under condemnation. Rather, ‘as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors.’”
Harwood continues by addressing the work of Calvinistic scholar, Dr. Thomas Schreiner, which is “standard fare in Reformed confessions and many systematic theologies.” Schreiner’s view is that “people come into the world under condemnation due to Adam’s sin.” Harwood rightly calls Southern Baptist Calvinists out for teaching a doctrine that is clearly contrary to the Baptist Faith and Message. [2]
Below are the links to two podcasts with Dr. Harwood over these issues: