Last September 19, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention announced that a task force was formed to study the matter of changing the name of the denomination. As expected, various responses have been voiced concerning this issue.
One balanced response was that of R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He recognizes the deep history and legacy associated with the current name—both its admirable as well as its regrettable connotations. He also acknowledges that “there are powerful reasons to consider changing the name. The SBC is not driven by a southern agenda nor a southern vision, but by a passionate commitment to the Great Commission. In the context of the United States, ‘southern’ refers to a region. That region gave birth to the Southern Baptist Convention, but it no longer contains it. To many in regions like New England and the Pacific Northwest, the ‘Southern Baptist Convention’ sounds strange, if not foreign.”
What’s in a name? The name often had symbolic significance in the biblical world. The name was inextricably bound up with the person or thing named. It may point to the entity’s personality, significance, or mission. For example, when the heavenly Son became a human being, he was given the name Jesus (“God is salvation”) “because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1.21 NIV11).
And so when we read instances of name changes (or the giving of a new or additional name), it had to do with a significant change in the personal identity of the one concerned. For example, Abram (“exalted father”) is changed to Abraham (“father of a multitude”); Jacob (“he clutches [grabs]” or “supplanter”) to Israel (“may God contend” or “may God rule”). Also, Simon is given the “new” name Peter, suggesting the role he will play in the history of the church.
All this points to the importance of how our conduct matches the name that we bear. The story is told of a young soldier who was brought before Alexander the Great, considered one of the most successful military commanders of all time. He smiled when he learned that the soldier was also named Alexander. But his face soon turned red with anger when he was told that the soldier was being charged with desertion and cowardice. He demanded: “Young man change your conduct, or change your name!”
When persons choose to follow Jesus, it is said that they bear the name of Christ. This means much, much more than merely having the title “Christian.” It is expected that the persons’ conduct should begin to match the very character of the Christ whose name they bear. To bear the name of Christ is to choose the way of Christ. —Keith Y. Jainga