The Strange Silence of Baptist Press on Major Issues affecting Southern Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

 On October 18, SBC Today posted a recent interview with senior denominational executive, Frank Page, President of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). In the interview, Dr. Page publicly addressed an issue about which he believes "everyone is aware...but few want to talk about..."  >>>

The issue?  The divisiveness of Calvinism in the SBC. In Page's own words:

I think one of the issues which is a tremendous challenge for us is the theological divide of Calvinism and non-Calvinism.  Everyone is aware of this, but few want to talk about this in public.  The reason is obvious.  It is deeply divisive in many situations and is disconcerting in others.  At some point we are going to see the challenges which are ensuing from this divide become even more problematic for us.  I regularly receive communications from churches who are struggling over this issue.

As a follow-up to the SBC Today interview, two major Baptist publications--both of which are routinely cast by Conservative SBCers as "moderate-Baptist friendly"--immediately picked up the significance of the president's public airing of an obvious problem in the Southern Baptist Convention. The Baptist Standard and The Associated Baptist Press both judged as newsworthy what Dr. Page mentioned and thus posted a piece written by veteran Baptist journalist, Bob Allen. Says Allen,

Renewed interest in Calvinism, also known as Reformed Theology and the Doctrines of Grace, began with influential leaders, including Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler, who view it as a healthy return to Southern Baptists’ historic roots.

Others see it as a negative trend that threatens to take over the convention in a manner similar to the “conservative resurgence” of the late 20th century. That is a name used to describe a movement that redirected the more moderate and mainstream theology held by many SBC leaders before the 1980s toward a more conservative embrace of biblical inerrancy that now holds sway.

Allen went on to cite Dr. Page's words from a 2007 Baptist Press article wherein Page--then president of the SBC--exhorted Baptist Calvinists to be completely honest with Pastor Search Committees about their Reformed yearnings. Summarizing Page's earlier words, Allen wrote,

In a 2007 first-person article in Baptist Press, then-SBC President Page urged seminary graduates to be honest with pastor-search committees about their views on Calvinism and for churches to be similarly honest about what teachings they will allow.

Even then Dr. Page apparently observed a subtle pattern among many Calvinists to hide their "reformed" faith and move into a non-Calvinist church undetected. Of course, those who are familiar with Founders Ministries' leader, the late Ernest C. Reisinger, are also familiar with the stealth tactic he employed and promoted in order to "reform" the Southern Baptist Convention one church at a time--a quiet revolution so to speak. Is this stealth tactic not at least in some way connected to the rumblings Dr. Page expresses?  I cannot see how the two are not, at least in some significant ways, related.

Would to God we had more Calvinist brothers like Dr. Roy Hargrave, Senior Pastor, at The Riverbend Community Church, in Ormond Beach, Florida, a church and pastor who are completely transparent about who they are and what they believe. As the largest Calvinist church in the Southern Baptist Convention, they unashamedly, boldly, and clearly identify themselves for all to see: "Riverbend Community Church Is a Reformed Southern Baptist Church."

Is there any division in the SBC concerning Riverbend Church?  Not from my side of the creek there isn't. I applaud them; I embrace them; I encourage them; I respect them; I support them; I accept them as both Southern Baptist and brothers and sisters in Christ. May God richly bless and visibly multiply Calvinist churches like Riverbend in the SBC! 

Hence, know the divisiveness between Calvinists and non-Calvinists in the SBC does not originate from churches like Riverbend nor transparent, convictional Calvinists like Dr. Hargrave. Rather divisiveness between Calvinists and non-Calvinists stems in part from men with little to no integrity who attempt to sneak into churches unawares with a specific but unexpressed agenda to convert a non-Calvinist church to the "reformed" faith...a purpose to tear down the presupposed "humanistic faith" of those who do not embrace the "doctrines of grace" the way the "reformed" embrace them. In short, these men come in not to pastor the people and win the lost in the community. Instead, they come in to "reform" the church to Calvinism, a dishonest, godless tactic that all good men and women everywhere must continue to protest. And protest we will...

know again...

protest we will...

Yes, both The Baptist Standard and The Associated Baptist Press saw the significance of what Dr. Page revealed in his open admission about the divisiveness of Calvinism in the SBC.

Which brings me to inquire where Baptist Press was...

Oh, yes.

Baptist Press was running yet another story informing Southern Baptists about the problem of Mormonism and politics.  

With that, I am...

Peter

=============================

Since posting, I read the online piece just published by Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, entitled "Controversy over Calvinism brewing in the SBC." It's definitely worth your time. While I personally digress from the way he frames the issue, Professor Olson nonetheless sees the significance of this theological haggle strangely overlooked by Baptist Press. Of special interest is Olson's personal knowledge of Calvinists coming into churches under stealth. He writes:

The flashpoint of the controversy seems to be that many newly minted graduates of SBC seminaries are flooding into SBC pulpits without fulling [sic] revealing their Calvinism and then, after becoming pastors, are attempting to impose Calvinism on the congregations.  I know this to be true as I receive such reports from SBC people all over the South...

I, for one, have no problem with Calvinist Baptist churches and Calvinist pastors in Baptist churches.  There have always been some.  The only time it becomes a problem is when Calvinists or Arminians sneak into pulpits hiding their theologies and then “come out of the closet” with them, surprising the congregation by attempting to enforce their distinctive view of God’s sovereignty on an unsuspecting and unprepared congregation.  This is happening a lot these days.  For the most part it is Calvinists doing it.  I have heard no reports of Arminians sneaking into pulpits hiding their Arminianism and then attempting to enforce it on a largely Calvinist (or “Calminian”) congregation.  So far as I know this never happens (italics added)

Comments

[Joe Blackmon]

Rather divisiveness between Calvinists and non-Calvinists stems in part from men with little to no integrity who attempt to sneak into churches unawares with a specific but unexpressed agenda to convert a non-Calvinist church to the "reformed" faith...

Ok, you have probably said as much before and I missed it, but up til this point I wasn't sure what you saw as the problem with Calvinist. As a 5 pointer who was in the SBC til about 2 years ago when my family and I started going to a non-denominational church (not because I didn't like the SBC, but we had some close friends going there--long story) who has recently come back into the SBC, I've wondered just exactly what you and others meant when you talked about a problem with Calvinists. Totally get it now.

I would also agree that any pastor who has an agenda to change a church like that and doesn't state said agenda so that the parties making the decision whether to call him are informed has done wrong

[Max]

Regardless of what side of the fence you are on, integrity should be expected in Christian ranks. While the fence may separate, it should also protect. Church folks should never be surprised by the theological persuasion of its current leadership or historical leaning of a given church. As a non-Calvinist, I too applaud Dr. Hagrave’s honesty to “unashamedly, boldly, and clearly identify themselves for all to see.” A local young SBC pastor just painted “Reformed” on his church sign … the right thing to do. Stealth and deception should never be used to secure pulpits. Just tell me who you are and I can exercise my free will. You’ll always know who I am.

[William]

Strange indeed, since Page has BP under his direct control. If he thinks there is a paucity of discussion on the divide between Calvinism and non-Calvinism in the SBC, he could easily start the discussion through BP.

But, until then and on a wide range of issues that BP eschews, we will have to rely on ABP for news.

[peter lumpkins]

William,

I think you're right. The truth is, I'm wondering how this is going to go down when (and/or if) BP does attempt to mention it. Will it suggest he did not mean it the way some have taken it (i.e. those of us who exploited his words to show an obvious problem in the SBC)? Or, will it just let a friendly "reformed" advocate kinda brush his words aside? What I think they obviously won't do is what many did to Chapman in 2009--jerk him around.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Max]

It appears that Baptist Press was covering the wrong “ism” at a time when Dr. Page’s interview with SBC Today should have been a leading article. I suppose it is BP’s intent to not report information which is divisive and disconcerting (Dr. Page’s concern), but there is only so long a mountain can remain a molehill. Squelching such news is not helpful. Thank you Peter for your efforts to keep the grassroots informed in the absence of BP coverage on this issue.

[Chris Gilliam]

Joe,
I'm glad you "get it." To many People have misread our dear brother for too long. This is all he has been saying all along. I, as one who leans more to the reformed side than he, surely appreciate the work he has and is doing. In fact, I think it has done much to help me think my theology through more carefully than to simply cling to Calvin's construction.

Peter...Kudos

[peter lumpkins]

Chris,

I appreciate it brother. I think our relationship demonstrates nicely I'm not a "reformed"-hater maniac looking for ways to trash Calvinists. Too, it demonstrates Reformed leaning brothers are not all aggressive Calvinists itching to "reform" non-Calvinist churches with non-Calvinist roots (that would be you, my friend).

Hence, we cannot stand by and watch as aggressive Calvinists needlessly assault a rich heritage in SBC life which has consciously chosen a fully biblical theological vision consistent with a robust biblio-Christian heritage.

Grace, brother. Perhaps coffee sometime soon...

With that, I am...
Peter

[Max]

Unless I missed it somewhere in Dr. Page's quote, I don't see him citing aggressive Calvinism. Rather, he points to his concern about the "theological divide of Calvinism and non-Calvinism". While aggressive Calvinism of the sort presented in this blog can be divisive and disconcerting (which I have personally experienced), I believe Dr. Page's concern rests in differences of theological doctrine as challenging and problematic for Southern Baptists.