SBC Tomorrow

Baptist Calvinism is Exclusively Five Point Calvinism: Or is it? by Peter Lumpkins

     A fundamental truism concerning Calvinism among Founders Ministries advocates is, real Calvinism is definitively five-point Calvinism.  Indeed their view many times reduces to "One may be Calvinistic in his or her theology and not hold to five-point Calvinism, but one is not a genuine Calvinist who does not specifically hold to five-point Calvinism."

Danny Akin, Myths, and the Great Commission Task Force: Final Part by Peter Lumpkins

  Dr. Akin finished his blog series on the "myths" concerning the GCRTF, nicely rounding out his total to eight. I'd anticipated doing a post on each "myth" but, well, you know how that goes. Life does require other duties.

Internet Calvinism: The Rubbish of Reformed Thinking by Peter Lumpkins

The sole reason I got into blogging a few years ago was Calvinism.  Among Southern Baptist bloggers at that time, Calvinists ran the rodeo.  Few Non-Calvinists were being heard at all.  In addition, I observed when a non-Calvinist logged on to the Calvinist websites to offer a counter-point, it was as if a single chunk o' beef was dropped into a tank of starving piranha.

Timmy Brister at Boiling Point over Baptist Press by Peter Lumpkins

Founders Ministries’ chief junior apologist, Timmy Brister, recently surpassed his boiling point over Baptist Press:

R. C. Sproul on John 6:44 by Peter Lumpkins

Recently, I wrote a short piece dealing with caricatures Calvinists draw wrongly depicting the theology of non-Calvinists. My example came from best-selling author, teacher, and Reformed Christian, Dr. R. C. Sproul (//link). Indicative of choosing Sproul is his profound influence among Calvinists in the Southern Baptist Convention.

Dr. James Galyon: Stirring Hornets or Mixing Mud? by Peter Lumpkins

James Galyon is sure he's stirred up a hornet's nest with apparently Mr. Bob Ross and me as the bothered bees looking to battle.  He writes: "It seems I have stirred the proverbial hornets’ nest recently with several posts related to regeneration... ."  Afterward, he quotes from both me and Ross (//link). For the most part, James and I carry on irenic conversation.  One gets the impression, however, he'd just as soon be stung by real hornets than attempt to converse in any meaningful sense with Mr. Ross.

Founders and Augustine: What They Have in Common by Peter Lumpkins

James Galyon continues to cook up some good old-fashioned Founders stew concerning the non-negotiable dogma Founders will never drop—one must be born again in order to believe in Jesus Christ (//link, link, link).

Calvinists and their Caricatures by Peter Lumpkins

  A favorite Calvinist author of mine is R.C. Sproul. Hardly a surprise since Sproul is a hot author in Christian literature today.  Indeed he may be one of the most influential Calvinists among Southern Baptists.

Calvinism, Monergism, and Southern Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

   One cannot get along very far in understanding the Reformed Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention without also understanding the significance of certain theological "buzz" words. One non-negotiable term I've run across in various contexts is "monergism."

Calvinists Critique Morris Chapman's Clarification: Part II by Peter Lumpkins

Morris Chapman offered a clarification of intent on his controversial statements concerning Calvinism at this year’s SBC in Louisville, KY (//link).  And, while one should be glad Dr. Chapman clarified his comments, the predictable moans amounting to too little, too late came pouring in.  SBC Voices, James Galyon, and Founders’ chief scribe, Timmy Brister offered critiques of Chapman’s comments.

What Kind of Calvinist Are You? by Peter Lumpkins

I thought I'd have a little fun.  Below is a rhyme I penned while allowing my fingers a much needed rest. If you can add to the fun, feel free.  Maybe later a musician can add the music and we'll record it. 

Grace all.  With that, I am...

Peter

Calvinists Critique Morris Chapman's Clarification: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

I wondered how long it would take until Calvinists generally and Founders advocates particularly fired back at their new nemesis, Morris Chapman, President of the Executive Committee (//link).  I'll limit my own thoughts to two examples.  While the first example shows no signs of "pay-back" toward Dr. Chapman, one gets the impression from the pedantic nature of the second...

Peeping Back, Peering Forward: What the 2009 SBC Means for Southern Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

Samuel Huntington, author of the bestseller, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, concluded of West’s demise:

Founders Influence on the GCR: Are We Being Duped? by Peter Lumpkins

Founders Ministries spokesman, Timmy Brister, published his latest commentary on the Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) and what he dubs the "backstory" leading up to next week's annual Southern Baptist Convention.

Southern Baptists on-line owe Brister a wealth of gratitude for exposing a highly strategic conspiracy to sabotage what Timmy observes as a tidal wave of support for the GCR stemming from Indianapolis: "It seemed at this point everyone was behind the GCR, or at least willing to talk about it as they ride the tidal wave that came from Indy" (//link).

The Five Points of Calvinism: Two Resources to Consider

For the last several Wednesdays, I've been a guest teacher at a large church in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Our subject has focused on the history of redemption, particularly the doctrine of redemption since the Reformation. For two sessions, we've briefly surveyed the Synod of Dort. Needless to say, we've had some good discussions -- fruitful discussions, I might add -- concerning the five points of Calvinism.

Dr. Danny Akin & Mark Driscoll: Responding to Raised Concerns

   Dr. Akin responded to recent concerns raised about his unpopular liaison with Mark Driscoll.  You can hear it here.  Also, his manuscript is available as well-- Download Akin Manuscript. 

With that, I am...

Peter

J. D. Greear's "Are You a Calvinist?": A Brief Critique by Peter Lumpkins

Interestingly, Between the Times is turning up the temperature on Calvinism's focus, with 4 for 4 of their most recent posts addressing the issue.  I'm getting jealous:  at that rate, pretty soon their focus promises to overshadow my own! Being a single author, I can never keep up!

Founders Ministries: Naive, Ignorant, or Out-of-Touch?

I just got out of the conference a few minutes ago and thought I'd do a few emails and such.  What did I find?  Hundreds of page views coming from Founders.  I knew Founders had put up a post linking me in their latest crusade.  I did not expect that many page reads, however.  Thank you Dr. Ascol!  Who knows, maybe I'll gain a few new regulars.

Election & Foreknowledge: An Historical Example by Peter Lumpkins

I'm often reminded by my Calvinist brothers that among historic Southern Baptists, a virtual unanimity was embraced in advocating a thoroughly Calvinistic (read, thoroughly Founderistically Calvinist) understanding of biblical election.  The heavy-weights are commonly listed--Mell, Mercer, Manly, Dagg, Boyce, and Broadus. 

Below's selection is not from writing theologians.  However, it remains indicative of collective church thinking among many Baptists of the south.

Calvinism: The Conflict That May Never Go Away

      Ever fond of rummaging through that toward which many, possessing no curious interest in such historical matters, offer but merely a discomforting yawn, I ran across this little golden nugget from Alabama Baptist history.  Elder W. C. Bledsoe, author of The History of The Liberty (East) Baptist Association of Alabama (Atlanta, GA. Constitution Job Office, 1886) writes of events leading up to the formation of that association, the first session of which took place "On Thursday before the fourth Sunday in September, 1836...held at the LaFayette church, Chambers county, Ala." (p.17).  "Delegates" from several churches were listed, including those from "New Hope church," a conflicted church Bledsoe had described only a few pages earlier (pp. 12-15).

B.H. Carroll on Limited Atonement

This will be my final installment on quotes from B.H. Carroll for a while.  Many may wonder why I take the time to rummage through historical documents looking for what "they" believed.  What's really important is what we believe, right?  Or, more importantly, what the Bible teaches, right?  Well, it depends on what one is looking for when scavenging through our past.  If I were desiring to know what Scripture teaches on a particular subject, history may play a less prominent role.  However, if I were desiring to know what certain people or groups believed Scripture to teach, sifting through the past obviously becomes more prominent.

B.H. Carroll and Being Born Again: Take 2

From my reading of Carroll, the excerpts yesterday appeared definitive.  However, some did not seem to be persuaded that the Texan theologian would hardly agree with our more aggressive SBC Calvinist brothers.  Indeed, he may even have gained the label anti-Calvinist!

B.H. Carroll and Being Born Again

                                     Founders Calvinists often quote our Southern Baptist forefathers as if they (Founders) are the natural theological heirs of historic Southern Baptist theology.  In some respects, I suppose, it could be argued successfully.  There are some major--and in my view, devastating--exceptions to such idealism, however. 

One such stalwart through which Founders attempts to trace their theological genealogy is B. H. Carroll.  Carroll was the first president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and, by some measurements, may have been her greatest biblical theologian.  

The Forgotten Spurgeon vs. The Ignored Spurgeon" by Peter Lumpkins

      Iain Murray's "The Forgotten Spurgeon" may be the most popular book on the great English Baptist preacher, C. H. Spurgeon, that's currently in print. In this volume, Murray deals with several theological controversies within which Spurgeon found himself enthralled.

Furthermore, perhaps no book on Spurgeon has sparked more interest in his Calvinism, especially among Southern Baptists, than Iain Murray's book.  On the other hand, while Murray writes of the "forgotten Spurgeon," Bob L. Ross surely writes of the "ignored Spurgeon." 

Founders Smears Dr. Steve Lemke: "Non-cooperating, Anti-Calvinist"

        Founders negative rhetoric has been non-stop since the first week of November when the John 3:16 Conference was held in North Georgia.  Both Tom Ascol and his associate, Timmy Brister, have led the charge in assuring the conference has been labeled, to their satisfaction, as nothing more than misrepresentation, caricature, and, of course, anti-Calvinist.

    Timmy  Brister published his most provocative post to date building on a "taxonomy" offered by Nathan Finn, a professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In Brister's extended version of Finn's piece, he added some bells and whistles, including placing names within each of the four categories Finn developed.  The predictable result was a nice and tidy way of seeing things specifically from a Founders Calvinist perspective. My first response to Timmy is here. 

Timmy Brister on Calvinism & Cooperation

Yesterday, Nathan Finn, professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, republished an old post from an earlier blog to the newer site which usually has some good material there. Dr. Finn's post entitled "Some Thoughts on Calvinism and Cooperation" is the product of his "musings about the broader debate itself," the debate being Calvinism in the SBC. Dr.Finn speaks, as he sees it, that "there are at least four different Southern Baptist responses to Calvinism."  His four are:

Charles H. Spurgeon, The Gospel, & Five Point Calvinism

 

Founders Calvinists never appear weary in quoting a particular excerpt from the mighty English Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

"I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor" (emphasis mine).

Particularly, is it pointed out that, for Spurgeon, he so wed the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Founders-interpreted doctrines of grace that he could unequivocally pronounce Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else.

However, below is an **excerpt from Spurgeon rarely flowing from the waters of Southern Baptist Calvinists:

Puryear or Welty: Which One is More Credible?

         North Carolina pastor-blogger, Les Puryear has offered some helpful information on his site for small-church pastors.  We are glad he has focused on such.  We are also convinced that he has both experience and knowledge to make informed judgments about Small Church conferences.  This may be Puryear's niche.  We commend him in it.

Calvinism and the SBC: Temperature Lowering, Questions Remaining

           The recent flurry within the SBC over Calvinism was, at times, heated.  Some have become disgusted with the conversation and vowed to bow out.  I see nothing whatsoever wrong with such, for they are only taking my Moma's never to be questioned wisdom:  "If you can't stand the heat, boy, don't set next to the stove."  Yes, Moma!

SBC & Calvinism: Three Events That Widened The Divide: A Rejoinder to Tom Ascol by David Allen

    Dr. Tom Ascol, Executive Director of Founders Ministries, the largest and most influential network of Southern Baptist Calvinists, was not only one of the participants at the 2007 Building Bridges Conference at Ridgecrest, he was also one of the strategists behind the event.  Recently, he wrote a steamy article denouncing three events that "widened the divide" between Calvinists and non-Calvinists in the SBC:  1) An Article by Dr. Steve Lemke; 2) A Book Review by Dr. David Allen; 3) The John 3:16 Conference hosted by The Jerry Vines Ministries but sponsored by several seminaries.  Particularly, Dr. David Allen was criticized heavily since he was exclusively the author of the book review and highly involved in the J316C.    

Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, had a lengthy exchange on Dr. Ascol's "widened the divide" article, the last comment of which was so insightful, I arranged to have an amplified version of Professor Yarnell's comment posted as a main article at SBCTomorrow. 

Below is Professor David Allen's rejoinder to Dr. Ascol's provocative assessment of the Calvinist debate in the SBC.

SBC & Calvinism: Three Events That Widened The Divide: A Brief Response by Malcolm B. Yarnell III

As an interim between Part I and Part II of my response to Tom Ascol, Executive Director of Founders Ministries, who recently made an open attack on  Dr. David Allen and the John 3:16 Conference platform, implicating them as "Anti-Calvinists," Dr. Malcolm Yarnell III, offers this brief response to Dr. Ascol and Founders Ministries. 

      Dear Peter,

Thank you for letting me post my last response to Tom Ascol at your place. I have learned three things from this short interchange on the blog of Dr. Ascol, whom I am glad to see is returning to full health after his recent difficulties. The three things learned from Dr. Ascol are:

Tom Ascol, The John 3:16 Conference and Widening the Divide: An Appraisal: Part I

    **Dr. Tom Ascol, Executive Director of Founders Ministries, has finally offered his evaluation of the recent John 3:16 Conference.  J316C, according to Ascol, is one of "three events that have put the spotlight on [Calvinism in the SBC] recently have come from those who are not merely non-Calvinists, but are more accurately described as anti-Calvinists."   I have a full response to Dr. Ascol in Part II forthcoming. 

HyperCalvinism: Professor David Allen Responds to Critics

  Update:  James White offered a response to this post here.  I offered some initial remarks toward White's response which I may, after a coat of polish, post on the main page in due time. 

By Dr David Allen

Since the John 3:16 Conference, there has been an excessive amount of attention to my comments concerning James White on the various Calvinist blogs. Allow me to set the record straight on three fronts: 1) what I said, 2) the context in which I said it, and 3) why I said it.

Dr. David Allen, His Critics, and the Future of Live-Blogging: Part I

 

    One of the participants at The John 3:16 Conference (J316) was Dr. David Allen, Dean of the School of Theology, Professor of Preaching, Director for the Center for Expository Preaching, and George W. Truett Chair of Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS).  Professor Allen's presentation focused on Limited Atonement.  I wrote before the conference that we "expect[ed] his contribution to invigorate the discussion on what I view[ed] as the definitive chink in the Dortian Calvinist's armor."  I was far from being incorrect.  The discussion has been inciting. 

The John 3:16 Conference: Reviewing the Reviews

I've tried to keep up with the internet reviews on the recent John 3:16 Conference.  Thus far, they have been predictably both positive and negative.  I'll let you guess who wrote each respectively.  Now, I've been  accused at SBCTomorrow of being biased.  Imagine that!  Me biased!  The nerve of some people...

The John 3:16 Conference and its Critics: Founders & Justin Taylor: Part I

     The J316C is now history.  I cannot thank Jerry Vines Ministries and the co-sponsoring seminaries enough for hosting this much needed conference. 

I planned to offer my own thoughts pertaining to its success or non-success, but the clubbing the conference has already taken from the more "objective" websites has sparked me to offer a few corrections to the record first. 

Dr. David Allen: On Calvinism: Part II

       I hope you took the time to scan Dr. Allen's review of Calvinism:  A Southern Baptist Dialogue posted at Center for Theological Research at SWBTS.  It is worth your time, I assure.

I offer two particular quotes I found interesting, each of which is a part of Dr. Allen's query into Dr. Tom Nettle's paper entitled "A Historical View of the Doctrinal Importance of Calvinism Among Baptists" and Dr. David Dockery's paper entitled "Southern Baptists and Calvinism:  An Historical Look."

Dr. David Allen: On Calvinism

      One of the participants at The John 3:16 Conference (J316) is Dr. David Allen, Dean of the School of Theology, Professor of Preaching, Director for the Center for Expository Preaching, and George W. Truett Chair of Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS).  Professor Allen's paper will focus on Limited Atonement.  We expect his contribution to invigorate the discussion on what I view as the definitive chink in the Dortian Calvinist's armor.

The John 3:16 Conference

      One week away, November 6-7, The John 3:16 Conference (J316) will be held at the Woodstock First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia.  Some have wondered whether or not the conference would succeed.  Evidently,  J316 has not only settled that ambiguity, registration is now limited: 

"Registration for the conference with meals has ended due to reaching capacity.  You may still register for the conference only." 

F. H. Kerfoot On The Doctrine of Predestination

 
     F. H. Kerfoot, professor of systematic theology 1887-1899, was born at Llewellyn, Kentucky on August 29, 1847. He was the major theologian at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary after James P. Boyce passed away. 

As the following excerpt from his favorite sermon demonstrates, however, Professor Kerfoot was not the flaming apologist for what's come to be known as aggressive, Five-Point Calvinism.

John 3:16 Conference

      

    The John 3:16 Conference is one conference you need to make this Fall.  Mark the dates--November 6-7, at First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia.  You can sign up here. 

J316C promises to be a scholarly evaluation of the recent Calvinist Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention.  And, with the heavy weights involved, I do not personally see how it can miss.  Scholars delivering papers at this conference include:   

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Dr. David Dockery

    In continuing with the series on the papers for the Building Bridges Conference, collected together by LifeWay and published as Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue, I want to summarize Dr. David Dockery's contribution entitled "Southern Baptists and Calvinism:  A Historical Look" (pp. 29-46), followed by a brief response. Dr. Dockery is President of Union University, Jackson, Tennessee.  He is a prolific author and accomplished historical theologian.   

HyperCalvinism vs. "Functional" HyperCalvinism

    Ed Stetzer, the presently reigning official numbers champ (for everything Southern Baptist) is the successor of Thom Rainer who was the successor of George Barna who was the successor of George Gallup, Jr.  If you're old enough, you'll recall the notable phrase, "a new Gallup poll reveals..."  Now you know my age!

The Great Commission Resurgence: Biblical Mandate or Baptist Movement? Part II

      The locus classicus impetus for global gospelizing is found in Matthew's record of Jesus' departing words: 

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20). 

The Great Commission Resurgence: Biblical Mandate or Baptist Movement?: Part I

  The heart of Baptists in the south could be summed up as an "eliciting, combining and directory for the energies of the whole denomination in one sacred effort, for the propagation of the Gospel" when the Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845.  Since, innumerable concerted efforts to "propagate" the world with the Gospel presented themselves as Baptists continued to ride the wave as a missionary force with which hell itself must contend.  And contend it did.

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Dr. Greg Welty: Final Part

  If it is not evident by now, perhaps my readers left the party too soon.  I will mention this once again:  if one can wade through Dr. Welty's essay and manage to grip it, one will cruise through the rest of the volume.  Welty's piece is fairly intense and notably challenging. 

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Dr. Greg Welty: Part III

This is the the third post I offer on Dr. Greg Welty's paper in the Building Bridges Conference collection.*  I recommend this series as a great resource in understanding some of the issues surrounding the Calvinist Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention.

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Dr. Greg Welty: Part II

I want to tease out one aspect of my former post concerning Dr. Welty's paper given at the Building Bridges Conference last fall and collected as part of a series published by Lifeway.  In Part I, I wrote:  "The initial impression I had as I read the scriptural summaries Welty offered, especially pertaining to Ephesians 1:3-11, was the obvious absence of any engagement with the corporate configuration of election that clearly rules in Paul's thought pattern in Ephesians."  With that in mind, I'd like to proceed.

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Part I: Dr. Greg Welty

    I finished my initial reading of "Calvinism:  A Southern Baptist Dialogue,"  a collection of papers given at Ridgecrest Conference Center in the fall of 2007 for the Building Bridges Conference.  The forum was the result of a meeting between Drs. Danny Akin, Thom Rainer, Tom Ascol, Ray Clendemen and Brad Waggoner, who met in the spring of the same year to brainstorm a way to facilitate healthy debate and analysis concerning the rising influence of Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention.  The conference was phase one of their strategy and presumably this book is phase two.

Dissenting in the Southern Baptist Convention: Dignified Critique or Destructive Politicking?

  Former Congressman, Tom Delay, wrote: 

“I have learned something about liberals. They are much like Communists. They believe they have to destroy you in order to win. ... Liberals in Congress have no ideas that history hasn’t disproved, and this leaves them pursuing only power. To get that power, they will destroy you — and if they can’t destroy your message they will try to lock up the messenger. Congress today is plagued by the politics of personal destruction.” (italics mine).

Today, the same could be said of dissenters in the Southern Baptist Convention.