WEST UNION (UNITED) BAPTIST ASSOCIATION (KY) NOT CALVINIST

 The Western Union Baptist Association was founded in Kentucky in 1834. Originally founded as "Union United Baptist Association", the word "West" was added when it was found that another association existed under the same name. This association still exists as an active association in the Southern Baptist Convention.The original Articles of Faith are as follows:

1st-We believe in one only and true God, the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost, equal in power, essence and glory, one True, Eternal God.
2nd-We believe in the fall of Adam and his inability to recover himself by
any creative power.
3rd-We believe that sinners are justified through and by the righteous-
ness of Jesus Christ imputed to them.
-4th-We believe we have no right to commune with any but legally baptiz-
td church members and that irnmersion is the only mode.
5th-We believe in the resurrection of the just and unjust, and that the
enjoyment of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal,
6th-We believe that the visible Church of Christ is a body of faithful
persons who have given themselves up to the Lord. and to watch over each
other in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
7th-we believe in the final perseverance of the Saints in Grace and Holi-
ness and not one .of them will be finally lost.

First, these articles are brief and simple. No mention of a "certain number"  of elect persons which by default means no mention of limited atonement. No mention of total depravity, although it is clear that man cannot "recover" himself, or save himself by any power of his own. No mention of irresistible grace. The only calvinistic phrase is "perseverance of the saints". This however, has been shown to be used by many Non Calvinist associations, even in Free Will Baptist associations. Any Arminian will certainly use the word "perseverance" as a requirement to keep salvation. However, "perseverance of the saints" was the only phrase in use at the time used to describe the state of one's salvation, and in the case of most all Non Arminian Baptist associations you'll usually see the words "not one will finally be lost" indicating a belief in eternal security. These facts alone removes any doubt from my mind, that this association was not Calvinist by the modern meaning of the term. But let's look at some more details.

In 1844, when the word "West" was added to the association's name, passed the following resolutions stating:

"Resolved, Give aid to the endeavor or the a anti-saloon league so as to rid our state of the curse
of strong- drink. To vote as they pray. Exclude members for drunkenness
at once, and advise our members to shun the evil of dram drinking."

"Resolved, That this association, recognizing the the factious state of professors of religion in this time, that we reject fatalism, Arminianism, Campbellism, Parkerism, anti-missionism, universalism, and any other construct of man that opposes the word of God."

I don't think it takes much to understand that "Fatalism" refers to Calvinism. 

In 1986, a short history of the association was written by J. Robert White Ph,D. it seems from his opening statement, that he was writing it for some specific group which goes unnamed. It is clear though that he was, at that time, a member of the West Union Baptist Association, possibly a pastor. In his history, he writes of Of Elder James P. Edwards, who had just been elected moderator of the association in 1844, preached the introductory sermon for the association. On page 46, here is what  he says:

 "Upon learning that there was another Association of the same name in
the state, the word "West" was prefixed to the title in 1844. James P.
Edwards who would become known as the "Father of the West Union
Baptist Association'' was elected moderator. James Bell preached the in-
troductory sermon. His text was John 10:9 "I am the door; by me if any man
enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." It
was very much a free-will whosoever-will text. We still preach that Gospel
message. It is our hope of strength for the future and I believe regardless
of Southern Baptists Convention controversy the preaching of this Gospel
will keep us strong."

You can read his history here 


 

 






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