Anchored in Truth™ Striving Not to Build 'Great' Churches, but 'True' Churches

2/20/2010

Posted By Ken Askew

Text:  Psalm 2

In speaking of Andrew Fuller, Dr. Haykin paints a picture of a man of God who seems very human and very lovable; a man who was not without fault but accepting of wise counsel and brotherly correction.  He also painted a very human picture of a man whose spiritual growth advanced beyond the hyper-Calvinism indoctrination of his youth to a robust, biblical theology that embraced missions.

Andrew Fuller was both a supporter of missionary endeavors and critic of hyper-Calvinism.  He understood that ministry is not best conducted in a vacuum.  Fuller said in a letter to his dear friend and missionary, William Carey, “I am a dull flint.  You must strike me against steel to produce fire.”  Flint and steel is perhaps a fitting picture of the friendship that Fuller and Carey shared.  It is told that Carey likened ministering in India to willingly descending into a gold mine while others (like Fuller) stayed on top and held the rope; supporting the mission.

Fuller was the youngest of three brothers; born in 1754.  His generational background is heavy in Baptist tradition.  But Fuller wrote of the pastor of his youth, who was a hyper-Calvinist, that there was never any exhortation to unbelievers in his messages.

Fullers conversion:  Fuller came under the conviction of sin repeatedly for more than two years.   In 1769 he realized that to hell he would go without the grace of God.  Under conviction, Fuller recalled the story of Esther and concluded that he would place his troubled soul in Christ’s hands and resolved that if he perished, he perished.  Genuine conversion leads to a life of hunger for holiness; a hunger that Fuller had within himself.  Fuller was baptized in 1770 and within six years he was called to be a pastor.

Fuller, being raised in hyper-Calvinism, had never seen a biblical call to repentance and being a study of John Gill did not help matters.  However, Fuller discovered how to issue a biblical call to repentance, in part by the help of writings from the likes of John Bunyan and others.  Fuller, though not a seminarian, studied scripture and read theology and finally concluded that it was the duty of every minister to declare the gospel to all who would listen.

Fuller would eventually publish a book that would contradict the tenants of hyper-Calvinism; even taking on the errors of John Gill in a loving way.  There is a direct link from this point [the book] to the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society of which Fuller participated.  Fuller concluded that a true Baptist church must be interested and engaged in the evangelism of sinners.

Carey, on learning of Fuller’s death, said simply, “I loved him.”  And we have reason to love him as well.  Fuller, in his ministry, exuded balance by championing missions even while he ascribed salvation to sovereign grace alone.

Great things are not accomplished by men working in isolation; Fuller and Carey exemplify that in some sense.  They were able to speak to each other plainly and correct one another in brotherly love.  In that way, iron does indeed sharpen iron.  “God’s great work is done by bands of brothers and sisters.”
Truth Matters articles are available online at www.truthmatters.us.  Comments may be sent to kenaskew@me.com.