Edgar Young Mullins occupies a prominent position within Southern Baptist history and theology, yet the nature of his legacy remains a subject of ongoing debate and diverse interpretations. This proposal endeavors to embark on an exploration of the theological methodology employed by Mullins, with a particular focus on elucidating its ramifications for understanding his seminal contributions to Baptist thought. Serving as the president of pivotal Baptist institutions such as the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Baptist World Alliance, Mullins wielded substantial influence in shaping the trajectory of Baptist identity throughout the twentieth century. However, it is the intricate interplay between Mullins’s theological reflections and the underlying methodological framework that emerges as a compelling arena for scholarly investigation.
Mullins is widely acknowledged for his articulation of the doctrine of “soul competency” that, as defined by Mullins, underscores the individual’s autonomy and responsibility in matters of faith. This doctrine, along with the broader theological framework it constitutes, was developed through a methodological approach that drew upon an eclectic array of philosophical and psychological sources. Despite soul competency’s undeniable significance to his system, Mullins’s method has not been immune to critique. Indeed, it has been subject to scrutiny for its perceived inability to adequately substantiate the conclusions drawn from it, resulting in a multiplicity of interpretations and generating confusion among both his contemporaries and subsequent scholars.
Therefore, this paper will argue Mullins’s theological method prioritized individual religious freedom, rooted in a modernist conception of individualism. Mullins drew from many sources to develop his theological method, such as Fredrich Schleiermacher, Williams James, and Lewis French Stearns and each of these sources will be evaluated in the thought of Mullins. Though he did not adopt any of their teaching wholesale, he took parts from each to construct his theological method.
Central to the proposed study is an in-depth examination of Mullins’s theological method, necessitating a comprehensive exploration of its trajectory, an evaluation of its inherent strengths and weaknesses, and a discerning assessment of its enduring impact on Baptist theology and ecclesiology. By undertaking such an investigation, this study seeks to provide a critical appraisal of Mullins’s theological methodology and its far-reaching implications for contemporary theological discourse within Baptist circles. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the legacy of Mullins while shedding light on the broader contours of Baptist theological thought in the modern era.