Brother Nesom wrote he had a private conversation with Herschel Hobbs during
which Hobbs revealed he invented the term “soul competency,” and Nesom
said he has “never seen the term in older works.”
Brother Nesom wrote he had a private conversation with Herschel Hobbs during
which Hobbs revealed he invented the term “soul competency,” and Nesom
said he has “never seen the term in older works.”
But one need look no further then E.Y. Mullins, in The Axioms
of Religion (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1908) 73: “These
axioms of Christianity grow out of the mother principle for which Baptists have
stood through the ages, as set forth, viz, The competency of the soul in religion
under God.”
The history of the term “soul competency” is less
important than the history of the concept. Mullins consistently described the
“competency of the soul” as the possibility of a direct and unmediated
relationship between the human soul and God (ibid,106 et passim).
Nesom also erred in suggesting that “soul competency”
implies all human beings are “spiritually competent.” Mullins never
thought soul competency precluded the need to be born again: “The subjective
principle of faith in God and justification through Christ restores to the soul
its spiritual birthright of individual responsibility and privilege in direct
dealings with God” (ibid, 106).
Defending Al Mohler, Paige Patterson writes, “Mohler believes
in the competency of the soul to know and experience God just as Mullins did.
Otherwise, Mohler would not himself have undergone the new birth nor would he
preach that others should have that new birth also” (Biblical Recorder,
June 23, 2000). Although in 1997 Mohler did describe soul competency as an “acid
dissolving religious authority, congregationalism, confession-alism and theological
accountability.”
“Competency of the soul” is admittedly not my favorite
term for “the mother principle for which Baptists have stood through the
ages.” But to the end will I resist utterly those who would deny, redefine
or take from us this supremely Baptist principle.
Richard Wright
Baton Rouge