"and in giving “Bible readings,” as they are called to save the feelings of the dear brethren who are afraid to call it preaching"
I ran into the same mealy-mouthed disobedience at the Keswick-based convention here in Brisbane 10 years ago. I questioned the person who took me (who knew the Scriptures) why he was okay with a woman preaching, and his response was "she's not preaching, shes… shes… she's sharing".
We both laughed at the obvious evasion. Looking back now I wish I hadn't laughed. Faithless disobedience, worldly innovation and weasel words are spiritual poison, of the like this woman made her fame peddling.
Thanks for the comment. As we will discover in later posts on Fridays concerning Mrs. Smith, she not only was a strong feminist and advocate of women preaching, but also of other things far worse – yet, as the content of the post above demonstrates, she has been extremely influential. Indeed, I think it is safe to say that Higher Life theology has almost certainly influenced the large majority of independent Baptist churches in one way or another, and so Mrs. Smith casts a very long shadow still among the churches and people of God. Anyone who has heard the misinterpretations of Galatians 2:20; Romans 7:14 – 25; John 15; Colossians 2:6; or the other texts discussed in relation to Keswick at http://faithsaves.net/soteriology/ has very likely received, either directly or indirectly, the doctrine of Mrs. Smith.
It is also true, of course, that all we need to know about the Christian life is in the Word of God – Mrs. Smith, on the other hand, did not believe this, because as a Quaker she thought that she had a Divine Seed in her that gave revelations equal to the Scriptures.
Some of the overly subjective views of God's guidance found among independent Baptist churches is also a result of Keswick theology.
Interesting to read of the history of the Keswick convention as I live only 30 mins or so from where it all began in England.
In the last few years I have had opportunity to preach in Keswick town centre during the convention and it is clear by the reactions of many that what they are mostly hearing in the tent and youth groups is not the Gospel.
They also still have women preachers and theistic evolutionists on stage.
I am sorry if, as you testify, many at Keswick Conventions today are unconverted.
Some fundamentalist advocates of Keswick theology today argue that Keswick went bad in the 1960s or so, before which time it was good. However, this is historically unjustifiable, as blatant heresy and false gospels were allowed at the ecumenical Keswick Convention from the beginning–something not surprising in light of its development with occult/spiritualist ties at the Broadlands Convention.
I spoke to the ex director of the Convention over coffee and expressed my disapproval of among other things, allowing women to preach, his response was enlightening, saying that "it doesn't matter because that only applies in the Church."
I was quick to remind him that the Church is wherever God's people gather.
He also admitted to me that they have Roman Catholics attend every year, he told me they say to him that "it is the only time of year they are taught the Bible" and then they leave and go back to their RCC.
If Roman Catholics can attend the Convention and then remain Roman Catholics, they cannot be hearing the Gospel, right ?
One year I was handing out tracts in town during the Convention and gave one to and elderly couple, they asked what it was so I said it was a Gospel tract, they replied "oh we are at the Convention." I asked them if they were born again, "Born again?" they asked, "No we are Methodists!"
The sad thing is there are sound people involved with the Convention and put up with all the nonsense thinking that they can change things,but they are not winning.
Here is what happened a couple of years ago when I preached during the Convention ~
I haven't watched the video yet, but I hope to be able to do so relatively soon. Roman Catholics and Methodists responding in that way certainly makes things at the Convention appear very problematic.
I would highly question if one can be a sound person, however, and be involved in the Keswick Convention, because if one violates the Biblical doctrine of separation, he is not sound. Converted, yes, it is possible; sound, no.
I would encourage you to check out the study here:
Yes, 1 Tim 2 and 1 Cor 14 put women preaching and exercising authority over men out of the question.
Another one of the problems of the Keswick Convention is its parachurch nature; by not being under the authority of Christ's (NT Baptist) church, many errors are allowed in.
When anyone actually believes that the Christian life can be found within a book that is not the bible, you are in trouble.
"and in giving “Bible readings,” as they are called to save the feelings of the dear brethren who are afraid to call it preaching"
I ran into the same mealy-mouthed disobedience at the Keswick-based convention here in Brisbane 10 years ago. I questioned the person who took me (who knew the Scriptures) why he was okay with a woman preaching, and his response was "she's not preaching, shes… shes… she's sharing".
We both laughed at the obvious evasion. Looking back now I wish I hadn't laughed. Faithless disobedience, worldly innovation and weasel words are spiritual poison, of the like this woman made her fame peddling.
Dear Joshua,
Thanks for the comment. As we will discover in later posts on Fridays concerning Mrs. Smith, she not only was a strong feminist and advocate of women preaching, but also of other things far worse – yet, as the content of the post above demonstrates, she has been extremely influential. Indeed, I think it is safe to say that Higher Life theology has almost certainly influenced the large majority of independent Baptist churches in one way or another, and so Mrs. Smith casts a very long shadow still among the churches and people of God. Anyone who has heard the misinterpretations of Galatians 2:20; Romans 7:14 – 25; John 15; Colossians 2:6; or the other texts discussed in relation to Keswick at http://faithsaves.net/soteriology/ has very likely received, either directly or indirectly, the doctrine of Mrs. Smith.
It is also true, of course, that all we need to know about the Christian life is in the Word of God – Mrs. Smith, on the other hand, did not believe this, because as a Quaker she thought that she had a Divine Seed in her that gave revelations equal to the Scriptures.
Some of the overly subjective views of God's guidance found among independent Baptist churches is also a result of Keswick theology.
Thanks for posting this.
Interesting to read of the history of the Keswick convention as I live only 30 mins or so from where it all began in England.
In the last few years I have had opportunity to preach in Keswick town centre during the convention and it is clear by the reactions of many that what they are mostly hearing in the tent and youth groups is not the Gospel.
They also still have women preachers and theistic evolutionists on stage.
Dear Dale,
I am sorry if, as you testify, many at Keswick Conventions today are unconverted.
Some fundamentalist advocates of Keswick theology today argue that Keswick went bad in the 1960s or so, before which time it was good. However, this is historically unjustifiable, as blatant heresy and false gospels were allowed at the ecumenical Keswick Convention from the beginning–something not surprising in light of its development with occult/spiritualist ties at the Broadlands Convention.
Many are unconverted for sure.
I spoke to the ex director of the Convention over coffee and expressed my disapproval of among other things, allowing women to preach, his response was enlightening, saying that "it doesn't matter because that only applies in the Church."
I was quick to remind him that the Church is wherever God's people gather.
He also admitted to me that they have Roman Catholics attend every year, he told me they say to him that "it is the only time of year they are taught the Bible" and then they leave and go back to their RCC.
If Roman Catholics can attend the Convention and then remain Roman Catholics, they cannot be hearing the Gospel, right ?
One year I was handing out tracts in town during the Convention and gave one to and elderly couple, they asked what it was so I said it was a Gospel tract, they replied "oh we are at the Convention." I asked them if they were born again, "Born again?" they asked, "No we are Methodists!"
The sad thing is there are sound people involved with the Convention and put up with all the nonsense thinking that they can change things,but they are not winning.
Here is what happened a couple of years ago when I preached during the Convention ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w0DzQEBIjE
God bless
Dear Dale,
I haven't watched the video yet, but I hope to be able to do so relatively soon. Roman Catholics and Methodists responding in that way certainly makes things at the Convention appear very problematic.
I would highly question if one can be a sound person, however, and be involved in the Keswick Convention, because if one violates the Biblical doctrine of separation, he is not sound. Converted, yes, it is possible; sound, no.
I would encourage you to check out the study here:
http://faithsaves.net/ekklesia-church/
and the one on the church here:
http://faithsaves.net/bible-studies/
perhaps neither the Keswick people nor the idea that any two or three Christians together are a church is correct.
KJB1611 You raise some great points which I have heard before, thanks.
Would you agree with me that the Keswick Convention although not Church in the Biblical meaning should not have women preaching ?
Dear Dale,
Yes, 1 Tim 2 and 1 Cor 14 put women preaching and exercising authority over men out of the question.
Another one of the problems of the Keswick Convention is its parachurch nature; by not being under the authority of Christ's (NT Baptist) church, many errors are allowed in.