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12
12
movement was still alive and well, involving speakers from across the denominational
spectrum.
This willingness to cooperate beyond ecclesiastical borders did not, however,
mean that the BBU leaders did not consider their Baptist distinctives worthwhile. While
irenic toward fundamentalists who were not Baptists, the BBUs energies were directed
specifically toward the Baptist denominations.
The GARBC would continue this trend. Leaders would regularly interact with
non-Baptists, speak in each others schools and conferences, and watch with interest others
denominational affairs--especially the Presbyterians at Princeton and Wheaton.
48
But their
articles of faith clearly defined them as Baptists, and they made their appeal for members to
Baptists only, and without apology.

Militant Fundamentalism

In its "Information" booklet, the BBU repeatedly referred to its mission of
opposing modernism. If a fundamentalist is one who would "do battle royal for the
fundamentals" as Curtis Lee Laws suggested, then certainly the BBU folks qualified. But not
only were they fundamentalists, they were militantly so--unlike the Fellowship within the
Northern Convention. They declared: "The Union will be no respecter of persons: the
principles of Modernism must be put to the sword by whomsoever they may be espoused."
49
The GARBC continued this militancy. Every Baptist Bulletin issue for years
carried some article about liberal affairs in the Northern Baptist Convention or elsewhere. In
an early "Manifesto of the GARBC," the question is asked, "Why the Association?"
50
The
answer is that the Convention is laced with modernism, and this cannot be promoted, but
rather should be repudiated.
48
Early years of the Baptist Bulletin reveal frequent glowing remarks about
Wheaton, and carry articles by Machen and letters of correspondence (see November, 1935
issue about Wheaton; November 1933 for a letter from Machen). The Council of 14 would
even "approve" Wheaton in 1939 (Bauders "Chronology"), only to back off when other
Baptist schools complained (see Bulletin article of November, 1938 for an example of Los
Angeles Baptist Seminarys president complaining about the siphoning off of Baptist funds to
unnamed schools, apparently referring to Wheaton). David Otis Fuller, a Wheaton graduate,
was editor of the Bulletin for a few years. When Ketcham took over, no more reports about
Wheaton appeared.
49
"Information" booklet, 10.
50
"Manifesto of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in the
United States" (no author or date listed; published by the GARBC in Gary, IN). Almost
certainly Ketcham is the author, and the date is likely late 1935 or early 1936.