The Biblical Recorder: A Compelling Vision for a New Century
By Milton A. Hollifield, Jr.
Since Thomas Meredith began publishing the “The North Carolina Baptist Interpreter” in 1833 and even when the name was changed to the Biblical Recorder (Recorder) in 1835 this Baptist news journal has served as an important source of information for North Carolina Baptists. Regardless of their viewpoint or stance on issues, the editors of the Recorder have challenged readers to examine their deepest held convictions as Baptists. Not everyone who has read the Recorder through the years has agreed with the position that the editors have taken on certain issues; I include myself in that number. However, the need for the Recorder is greater now than ever before. With the scarcity of Baptist news outlets, the Recorder continues to provide an important service to North Carolina Baptists as we move further into the twenty-first century. The necessity for Baptists across our state to have a periodical devoted to missions and ministries from an unapologetic Baptist perspective is of utmost importance.
Information has never been more freely available: printed materials, e-zines, blogs, podcasts et.al. are there for individuals who are seeking both information and opinion on nearly any subject conceivable. However, far too often individuals read and embrace these ideas and opinions without considering the philosophy, theology, or world view of the author. North Carolina Baptists both need and deserve a news journal that provides analysis and commentary, from a Baptist perspective, on events impacting us. The Biblical Recorder has opportunity to provide this and more!
It is my hope that the Recorder will take this convention’s news journal to a new level in this new century. By that I mean, that the Recorder will not simply provide news and commentary, but challenge the churches to examine their motivation for ministries as never before. The Recorder can be the incubator for new ministries while helping make current ministries more effective. The Recorder can bring the events impacting Baptists around the world to our very door steps, and computer screens, helping readers to see not only what God is doing, but how you and I can join in His work around the world. The Recorder can bring the needs of the hungry, hurting, and hopeless across North Carolina to the attention of the one institution commissioned by the Lord Jesus to truly meet their needs: the local church.
The purpose of the Recorder has never been to tell North Carolina Baptists what to think, but to bring to our attention the issues of our day that require the very best of Baptist consideration and contemplation. It is when North Carolina Baptists pray, give, and go that our long held convictions about the value of cooperation are most gloriously expressed for the entire world to see. The Recorder is positioned to help its readers accomplish all these things. For all that the Recorder has been and can be, it is worthy of our support. Tell others why you believe the Recorder is deserving of your support.
