A post on another site prompted the question - what are essentials and non-essentials of the Baptist faith. This prompts much consternation and church splits. I think the essentials are the easy part - the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the seven ecumenical councils.

What about the non-essentials. Maybe it is me or maybe it is that infamous "post modernism" (which, BTW, I am not sure is here yet), but I find myself being less concerned about Baptist distinctives (sorry Dr. Pinson) and more concerned with Christian orthodoxy. For example:

- Most importantly, the Lordship of Christ and the Authority of the Bible are essential: but these are orthodox not just Baptist
- Salvation by grace through faith is important, but it is Protestant not just Baptist
- Priesthood of the believers is important, but priesthood of the believer gives me pause for concern
- I think believers baptism is essential
- I think soul compentency is essential (but I am Arminian)
- Congregational church government and local church autonomy give me pause for concern
- Religious liberty is important
- I am more sacramental than most Baptists: I am probably more toward consubstantiation than traditional Baptists, and I take a sacramental view of the ordinances

I probably am a product of the breakdown of denominationalism. From others, however, I would like to hear about what is important to you - do you consider yourself a Baptist or a Christian (not that their mutually exclusive, but what is your reflexive response when someone asks about your church).

Where are Baptists right on and were might we be corrected?