[Cronos]

As each of the Reformers reacted against the Medieval Catholic tradition in one way or another, they sought to define their beliefs in terms of “confessions” or statements of their beliefs.

Harley -- don't you see the error in that? It's like each person decided to make his own religion according to what he wanted. that's NOT what The Church does -- we discuss our doubts, our troubles and we learn from the Spirit through each other. The Church Fathers did not act in isolation, but the protestant religions creators did.

[HarleyD]

Harley -- don't you see the error in that? It's like each person decided to make his own religion according to what he wanted. that's NOT what The Church does

It's not my position to say yea or nea. This is the Baptist's view. Regardless of my pithy comment I'm not a Baptist.

However, in their defense I see no difference in what the Baptists are doing than in other more formalized church structures. The Roman Catholics or Presbyterians may have policies and creeds of their beliefs but as we all know there are vast differences in views from place to place regardless of what Rome or Presbyterians headquarter states. Simply because a Church/church may have a policy against abortion doesn't mean the cleric enforces it or the congregation believes it. Just because it's "official policy" so what?

Many non-sola scriptura people find it appaling to read that Protestants (especially Baptists) rely solely on the Bible. This is far from true. Go to any Christian book store and look at the vast numbers of commentaries, study guides and references books. History abounds. They simply look at what the scriptures states and then research historical differing views. Any serious Baptist will do a great amount of reading of history and objectively come to their own conclusion. Is there anything REALLY wrong with this? Don't we think that God will guide us to all truth? Conversely try to find a Catholic Bible study or even a Catholic commentary.

I personally like creeds and confessions because I think they act as doctrinal guides but these are lacking in the Baptist churches (unless you want to accept the London Baptist Confession of Faith).