In his book "Landmarkism: An Update," Dr. I. K. Cross says, "The teachings of Landmarkism are as old as the Scriptures, but the name was first attached to Baptists in pre-Civil War days." In 1856 Dr. J. M. Pendleton, the pastor of a church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, wrote a pamphlet entitled "An Old Landmark Reset". Dr. Cross says, "In the pamphlet Dr. Pendleton denied that Protestant churches are true churches of Jesus Christ, and consequently their ministers ' should not be invited to preach in Baptist pulpits." (The practice of sharing pulpits with ministers from other religions is today called "pulpit affiliation.") Because of Dr. Pendleton's pamphlet, the term "landmark" came to be used to identify churches and preachers that would not recognize Protestant churches or their baptisms to be Scriptural. (The name "landmark" was intended to be a name of derision, insinuating a narrow-mindedness on the part of the church or preacher.)
In 1880 Dr. J. E. Graves published a book entitled "Old Landmarkism: What Is It?" Dr. Graves believed the principles listed in his book were simply a restatement of those held by Christ and His apostles in the first New Testament church. The book was dedicated to "every Baptist brother or sister . . . who loved those principles for which our Baptist fathers for 18 centuries suffered cruel mockings, bloody stripes, imprisonments and martyrdoms; and are willing to be their successors as the 'Witness of the truth . . . and especially the characteristic principles and policy which distinguished Baptists in the purest ages of the churches of Christ." (Quoted from "Landmarkism: An Update," pp. 4-5, Dr. I. K. Cross.)
THE NEED FOR LANDMARKISM
Some of the reasons for the stand by Drs. Pendleton and Graves (and many others) have already been named. Both men were leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention at the time and felt it was necessary to reaffirm some positions held by Baptists in former years.
Some of the Baptist churches with which these men were familiar were, indeed, practicing pulpit affiliation. The practice of open communion (the inviting of other than faithful members only of the church observing the Lord's Supper to participate in this ordinance) was also becoming a problem. In short, various unscriptural practices which threatened doctrinal .soundness and Scriptural authority were beginning to creep into Baptist churches.
LANDMARKISM TODAY
The Scriptural principles of Landmarkism are alive today, primarily in those churches who fellowship together through the American Baptist Association. They often wear the name Missionary Baptist, or Landmark Baptist. (We recognize that there may well be "landmarkers" outside of this fellowship of churches, but we are most familiar with the churches of the ABA. We also believe that the number of true Landmark Baptist churches is decreasing, both .within our fellowship and outside of it.)
The principles of Landmarkism are certainly not popular in an age of compromise and "unification of 'Christianity.'" Even some once strong Landmark churches seem to have let these principles slip. In the days to come it is conceivable that a firm stand
for these Landmark principles may indeed bring slower (but surer) church growth, smaller crowds, and even the possibility of persecution for churches who will not line up with the Ecumenical Movements of the day. However, we also believe that a stand for these Bible truths will bring God’s, blessings and an eventual, "Well done, thou faithful servant" from the Lord we serve.
