Hard-shell Baptists

"Hard-shell" is the adjective used to describe Baptists who reject a common Christian notion of missionary work. The Hard-shells believe so strongly in predestination that they conclude that it is futile for humans to attempt to effect the salvation of anyone who has not been chosen by God for salvation: if chosen ("elected"), then the person will, of necessity, be saved; if not chosen, then there is nothing that anyone can do to change that outcome.

The Hard-shell Baptist groups were particularly prevalent in Appalachia during the 19th century and continue to exist today. Hard-shell Baptists are loosely synonymous with Primitive Baptists and the multitude of sub-divisions thereof. In opposition to the Hard-shells, Missionary Baptist churches were formed and also continue to exist.

The religious indoctrination of young Abraham Lincoln occurred in Hard-shell Baptist churches, particularly Little Mount Separate Baptist and Little Pigeon Creek Baptist churches. As a consequence, Lincoln later maintained throughout his adult life the "doctrine of necessity" (viz., divine fatalism).

See also

• Hypercalvinism
• Abraham Lincoln and religion

Footnotes