Why The Title: Baptist-in-Law?

So why did I title the blog Baptist-in-Law? Most simply put, it is because I’m Baptist and I am attending law school. But what does that mean and why would I emphasize that? Well, to express that properly, I must explain what I mean when I call myself a Baptist, and why it matters that I’m going to law school.

What is a Baptist?

When I call myself a Baptist, I am more specifically aligning myself with the Southern Baptist Convention, also known as the SBC. The SBC has what is called the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. This document, this confession of faith, outlines views regarding God, the church, salvation, baptism, and other critical topics of controversy that distinguish the SBC from other Christian groups. Another distinguishing fact abut the SBC is that it is not a denomination but a convention of churches meaning that there is no threat to the autonomy of the local church. The SBC does not hold authority to make a church hold to set beliefs, but has the right to require cooperation with the conventional beliefs to be in the convention. No church is required to be part of the convention. Simply put, the Southern Baptist Convention is a large group of churches accepting shared beliefs and autonomously cooperating with one another to participate in and share in the ministries of the convention.

So What Exactly Do I Believe?

While I could speak for hours to the plethora of beliefs I hold, this is a foundation and core to it all. I believe that God created the heaven and Earth and all things, and he made them good and perfect. Among his creation was humans, the greatest of his creation as they were made in his own image and likeness. He created them male and female and for one another. They lived in harmony with creation in the garden of Eden. However, in this garden was the tree that bore the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. This fruit was forbidden as God had commanded them not to eat it. One day in the garden, the serpent, also known as Satan, tempted Eve to eat the fruit telling her that if she did, she would be like God, knowing good and evil. She knew it was forbidden yet disobeyed God and ate the fruit and shared it with her husband Adam anyway. When God learned of this, he punished the serpent, Eve, and Adam giving them all curses. As a result, Adam and Eve were kicked out of paradise and the Earth and humanity were cursed, humans were now sinful and condemned to death for their sins. But God, loving his creation, clothed himself in flesh, sending his one and only son, Jesus, to pay the ultimate penalty for the sins of humanity. Jesus lived a sinless life, died a sinners death, and rose three days later proclaiming victory over sin and death. Because of this sacrifice, the penalty for humanities’ sins have been paid and there is a way for reconciliation with God forever, for humans to be able to live with him in paradise rather than suffering eternal damnation. The Bible tells us that this gift of salvation is received by the grace of God and to receive it we must repent and turn away from our sin and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Whoever receives this gift receives the Holy Spirit who enables the Christian to grow more moral, and spiritually mature, a progression that should continue in their life. As an outpouring of their faith, and as a command from God, Christians should also share this faith with others.

What About The "in-Law" Part?

Reflecting on current affairs and observing the world around me, I believe there is a need for faithful Christians to step into places of influence. I believe that in the realm of legal practice and advocacy there is a unique need for Christians who are willing to fight for the poor and powerless and to fight even when the odds appear to be against them. I also believe there is a desperate need for Christian influence on culture and that politics and education are a great way to have this influence. While I know there are already many who claim to be Christians in this realm, I believe there is large and desperate need for genuine love and humility. There is a need for love that is sacrificial and sees all people as humans, the innocent and the accused, a need for humility that is completely selfless, willing to admit fault and to sacrifice to see justice upheld. It is books like Matthew T. Martens' Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal and John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life that inspire me to take action. I also believe God has gifted me with a skillset that could help me to be successful in a career of legal practice and advocacy. The reason I put, "in-Law" in the title of the blog is because I am acting on this conviction. It is books like Matthew T. Martens' Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal and John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life that inspire me to take action. Starting this fall, I will begin my 1L year in law school. With my Juris Doctor degree, I desire to serve the poor and the powerless, the church, and ultimately God through the field of legal practice and advocacy.

With that being said, I am a Baptist in law. I am a proud Southern Baptist holding to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and am eager to be begin studying at Texas Tech University School of Law in the fall. With this experience, I expect to face many challenges and to meet many wonderful people. Through it all, I pray that God will give me wisdom and strength to succeed and represent him well.