What is Landmarkism?

Ever heard some Southern Baptist talking about Landmark Baptists or Landmarkism and wondered what in the world they were talking about - Ed Stetzer provides a good analysis of the movement upon his teaching at a church that was historically active in the controversial teaching.

Having known people (and pastors) who were influenced by Landmark thinking, I agree with Stetzer's assessment that the Landmark idea of Baptist succession (that essentially Baptist churches can be traced back to the first church) was not so much an argument over who had the best line of succession (Baptists of Catholics), but rather a statement that Baptist doctrine and Baptist churches did not need to be restored or reformed. Many of those influenced by that thinking do not view Southern Baptist churches as Protestant because they trace their church lineage to the time of Christ.

As I was reading that post, I was once again impressed by the breadth of Stetzer's knowledge. He's not just a new church plant guru. This is a man who knows Baptist history and church history in general.