Baptists on Doctor’s Degrees-Glenn Conjurske

Baptists on Doctor’s Degrees

By Glenn Conjurske

We expect the clergymen of the church of Rome to wear titles of distinction. We expect them to be called Reverend, and Right Reverend, and Very Reverend. We expect the same of the Lutherans, whose founder held fast to everything which he could of Romanism. We expect the same of the half-Reformed Church of England. We expect those whose bodies are clad in Babylonish vestments to clothe their names in something of the same. We expect this even of the Methodists, born and bred as they were in the Church of England, and tenaciously as they clave to it while their founder breathed. But it seems a little incongruous for Baptists and Independents to wear these vestments. Baptists, who claim to be New Testament Churches—-Baptists, who disclaim even the name “Protestant,” for they are descended from the very apostles—-Baptists, who claim that their whole faith is based upon nothing but the Bible—-will they wear these Babylonian garments?

Alas, they are among the foremost in this matter. Only look over the roster of the preachers at any of the popular Independent Baptist conferences, and you will find that almost every one of them is a Doctor, and the odd man in the lower right-hand corner, who can claim no such distinction, is yet sure to be a Reverend. Yet it seems plain enough that this grasping after such titles of distinction is not only directly against both the letter and the spirit of the New Testament, but is equally against the principles which the Baptists themselves profess. These titles are no display of anything Christian, but of worldliness.

Now it so happens that a number of prominent Baptists of other and better days have entered their protest against these titles.

I may begin with the Anabaptist, Menno Simons. He writes, “That they do not walk in humility of heart before the Lord, their looks and names prove. They suffer themselves to be greeted as lords and masters; notwithstanding it is forbidden by the mouth of the Lord. Say kind reader, did you ever hear or read that the holy apostles and prophets were covetous of such high, vain names as are the learned and the preachers of the world? It is true the word Rabbi or Master was applied to the ambitious Scribes and Pharisees, but not to the apostles and prophets. For we do not read of Doctor Isaiah, of Master Ezekiel and of Lords Paul and Peter. No, no. All those who have rightly taught the word of the Lord, were in their time not honored with such high-sounding names. This I write that you may know that such ambitious, proud spirits can never rightly teach you the humble word of the cross.”

We suppose that Menno Simons spoke such things from conviction, and that he would therefore consistently apply them to those of his own sect who so far departed from the spirit of Christianity as to wear these high titles. He would no doubt apply them to the Baptist doctors today. Such “can never rightly teach you the humble word of the cross.” Those who wear such titles will of course dissent from this opinion, but what does this prove? Only that Menno Simons speaks true, and that they have never yet rightly understood “the humble word of the cross”—-“by which the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” The degree and title of “Doctor” are of the world, and therefore not of the Father.

Adoniram Judson was another Baptist, and indeed, one of the best and most spiritual of them. In 1823 a doctor’s degree was conferred upon him. Did he put on the Babylonish garment, and wear it with distinction? Far from it. On May 9, 1828, he addressed a letter to the editor of the American Baptist Magazine, which was printed as follows:

“RENUNCIATION OF THE TITLE D. D.

“I beg leave to be allowed the privilege of requesting my correspondents and friends, through the medium of the American Baptist Magazine, and the Columbian Star, no longer to apply to my name the title which was conferred on me in the year 1823, by the corporation of Brown University, and which, with all deference and respect for that honorable body, I hereby resign.

“Nearly three years elapsed before I was informed of the honor done me, and two years more have been suffered to pass, partly from the groundless idea that it was too late to decline the honor, and partly through fear of doing what might seem to reflect on those who have taken a different course, or be liable to the charge of affected singularity, or superstitious preciseness. But I am now convinced that the commands of Christ, and the general spirit of the gospel, are paramount to all prudential considerations; and I only regret, that I have so long delayed to make this communication. A. Judson.”

Are there any Fundamental or Independent Baptists who follow in the footsteps of Adoniram Judson today? Most of them with whom I am familiar seem to be at the opposite end of the spectrum—-seeking and glorying in the very thing which Judson regarded as inconsistent with “the commands of Christ, and the general spirit of the gospel.” How many of them today would refuse a doctor’s degree which was given to them?

C. H. Spurgeon was the glory of the Baptist denomination in his day, and he was treated with the same honor as Judson had been before him. But Spurgeon’s refusal of the distinction was as decided as Judson’s. The following account is from one of Spurgeon’s students, who was present when the D.D. degree was presented to Spurgeon:

“It often happened that a distinguished visitor from home or foreign lands would come to the college on a Friday afternoon. I well remember a tall, good-looking Yankee, who was invited by the President [by Spurgeon, that is] to say a few words to the students at the end of the lecture. The speaker referred to the admiration of the Americans for our President, and threw a good deal of warmth into his eulogiums. As a brilliant climax to the speech he produced a roll of parchment, and intimated that he had been commissioned from a certain American University to confer the Doctor of Divinity degree upon Mr. Spurgeon, and then he begged him to accept the document and the distinction it was intended to impart. The students had the two faces in view at the same moment, and noted the earnest and serious look of the Yankee in contrast to the surprised and amused expression of the President. We knew that something was coming soon. Words of great heartiness and evident sincerity told of the gratification with which the assurances of confidence and regard from across the water were received, and something like this came at the end: `I’m really much obliged to you, sir, and to the good friends you represent, for all the kind things you have said. I wish I deserved them all, but I am sure that I do not.’ Then, as if suddenly recollecting the parchment which lay upon the table, and with a gentle genial humour in the tone which put all rudeness or discourtesy out of the question: `But as for this—-well, to tell you the truth, my dear friend, I wouldn’t give you tuppence for a bushel of ’em!”’

How many Fundamental Baptists are there in the land today who wouldn’t give two pence for a bushel of doctor’s degrees? They all honor Spurgeon, but they fail to walk in his steps. Why is this? The spiritual depth, and the consequent spiritual understanding, which gave to Spurgeon his convictions on such matters as this, simply no longer exist among those who think to carry his banner today. A little more of spirituality, and less of worldliness, would enable them to understand Spurgeon, and Judson. But understood or not, the testimony of those good and great men yet stands. “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

Glenn Conjurske