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Why all the buzz? Further thoughts on the present Calvinism conversation by Earl Blackburn

Below is the final of four entries on the purported Calvinism issue posted on March 12, 2013 in The Message, Louisiana Baptists' state paper. Editor Kelly Boggs generously sent all four articles to me so non-subscribers could access the important articles dealing with the unfortunate situation developing at Louisiana College. The three prior articles are linked at the end.

Louisiana Baptists' state paper finally weighs in on the embroiled Louisiana College issue allegedly concerning Calvinism

According to Kelly Boggs, editor of Louisiana's The Baptist Message, in a piece just now posted entitled "Situation at LC unfolds,"

Topics we all talk about but never seem to settle...

Consider these topics:

The "Sinner's Prayer" Revisited

Dr. Eric Hankins, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Oxford, Mississippi, proposed a "Sinner's Prayer" resolution at the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans back in June   >>>

Another Texas pastor sends an Open Letter to Midwestern trustees

Following on the heels of Texas pastor Steve Brumbelow's open letter to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees expressing his concern over the search committee's disappointing announcement that Dr. Jason K. Allen would be nominated as the seminary's fifth president, Rodney Hammer, Executive Director of Missions for the Blue River-Kansas City Association, sent his own public dissent to the trustees expressing his disagreement with the Allen nomination, a disagreement coming from the very cradle of Midwestern's influence.¹  Now, yet another open letter reaches the trustees this week...    >>>

Executive Director for Kansas City association calls for Midwestern trustees to drop the Allen nomination

Dr. Rodney Hammer serves as the Executive Director of Missions for the Blue River-Kansas City Association in Lee's Summit, MO. Before serving the last eight years as the Executive Director, Dr. Hammer served for 18 years with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He twice graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. And, as a graduate and obvious supporter  of Midwestern, Hammer is now on record stating his unequivocal challenge to Midwestern trustees to drop the nomination of Jason K. Allen to be the fifth president of Midwestern and move on:

Update: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees with contact information

UPDATE!!

I've written several pieces now on the unusual nomination of Dr. Jason K. Allen to be the fifth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. One planned piece remains: "Courting Diaster: The Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Part II"   >>>

Big, big $$$$ to attend Send North America Conference by Peter Lumpkins

It could very well be me I confess. I have not attended missions conferences sponsored by either NAMB or IMB in a long time. Even so, I cannot recall a time when I did that they desired a fat fee to attend what we send money for them to do--educate people on the significance of missions both in North America and the world   >>>

Tom Nettles and the takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

In part I, we rehearsed the historical relationship Dr. Tom Nettles, professor of historical theology, at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has had with Founders Ministries since its inception in 1982. Nettles still sits on the board of directors for Founders Ministries. Nor has Dr. Nettles been rhetorically shy about stating in forceful language precisely how he sees those Traditional Baptists who deviate from what Director of Founders Ministries, Tom Ascol, has called "historic Southern Baptist Orthodoxy." Nettles wrote: >>>

Founders Calvinist Tom Nettles and the takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention (part I) by Peter Lumpkins

Kentucky pastor and SBC Voices contributor, Jared Moore posed a series of questions to "Traditionalists" about the address Dr. Tom Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently gave at the Founders Breakfast held during the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. >>>

We're down to 2 Point Calvinism by Peter Lumpkins

This week was an interesting week on SBC Tomorrow. On Wednesday, we offered a piece on Andrew Broaddus (1770-1848), a legendary figure in his own time...   >>>

Eric Hankins' influence visible among Mississippi Baptists

The young Mississippi Southern Baptist, Dr. Eric Hankins, pastor of the Oxford First Baptist Church made history only two short weeks ago by releasing what has come to be called in shorthand "TS" (standing for "Traditional Statement" or more fully, "A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation"). Since its release on the SBC Today blogsite, I'm told the site has garnered pageviews well over 100K with no waning predicted anytime soon  >>>

Calvinists recruit W.A. Criswell to their cause by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Tom Ascol is Director of Founders Ministries, the largest network of Calvinists affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Founders Ministries maintains that since Southern Baptists have “lost the gospel”, it apparently will be up to like-minded Calvinists like themselves to assist us in finding the gospel*    >>>

*I remain very much aware I broke my own ususal standard in posting such a long piece. I only hope I have not presumed upon my readership for whom I am always thankful...

Al Mohler says to state editors: you must cover Calvinism (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

Following "Al Mohler says to state editors: you must cover Calvinism (part I)" is the final section below (not included here is the Q/A session). As before, while the words summarize sections from his address to Southern Baptist editors, the words are his own words (no commentary is added other than an occasional implied subject in brackets for clarity). I've sought to be true to the context. However, the reader may be pleased to know a transcription of his entire speech is available  >>>

Al Mohler says to state editors: you must cover Calvinism (part I) by Peter Lumpkins

On February 13-16, 2012, editors of denominational papers across the Southern Baptist Convention met in Phoenix, Arizona at the Chaparral Suites Hotel for their annual meeting. One of the keynote speakers was Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, Al Mohler. For those who want to know what Dr. Mohler thinks about the role of Calvinism in Southern Baptist life now and the future, he does not disappoint  >>>