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Mark A. Rathel on the Calvinist-Arminian divide in the Southern Baptist Convention by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Mark Rathel is Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida. Rathel is a graduate of William Carey (B.A.), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div, Ph.D), and Biola University (M.A.)  >>>

Founders Journal & Whosoever Will: Matthew Barrett on Steve Lemke: Part II by Peter Lumpkins

   We observed in Part I of our reflections on Matthew Barrett’s* response to Dr. Steve Lemke’s position essay on Irresistible Grace in Whosoever Will** that Barrett failed to deal with Lemke’s biblical data.  I concluded: “The fact is, Barrett didn’t deal with the texts Lemke cited in any substantial way. Rather he summarily dismissed them and substituted texts which were supposed to prove his own position.”

In this follow-up, I’d like to point out a few additional short-comings in Barrett’s paper showing, from my perspective, that Founders Ministries should have solicited the assistance of Southern’s scholars rather than her students.The reality is, Founders Journal’s response to the formidable argument presented in Whosoever Will stands as one academic flop.

Here’s more evidence why >>>

Founders Journal & Whosoever Will: Matthew Barrett on Steve Lemke: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

  Earlier  we noted our agreement with Tom Ascol’s intention for irenic “debate” over the issue of Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention.  The latest issue of Founders Journal was supposed to illustrate Ascol’s hope such an encouraging exchange is possible. Our lament was and remains that while Ascol may possess every intention of sincere dialogue with brothers on the opposite side of the issue, some of the language the essayists employed in the Founders Journal was, at times, both unduly provocative and unbrotherly* >>>

1 Corinthians 4:7: Does it Distinguish Between the Saved and the Unsaved? by Peter Lumpkins

    On my last piece, one commenter quoted Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:7 as indicative of the Apostle arguing that this gracious “system or paradigm of conversion” eliminates all boasting or crediting oneself with being saved.  He further noted that Paul says that those who reject the idea that they are different because of God's gift to them are ones who have grounds for boasting. In the course of the exchange, I offered some contextual matters necessary to understand Paul’s rhetorical questions he asked the Corinthians.

Paul writes, “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”(NASB)

Are Some Forms of Calvinism Hard to Swallow? Perhaps...by Peter Lumpkins

 

 

  William Birch put up a great post recently entitled "Arminianism Grants Man All the Credit for Salvation."  Dealing with the charge that Arminians receive credit for saving themselves from sin, Birch rhetorically asks:

Calvinism vs Non-Calvinism: A Parable by Peter Lumpkins

Does strict Calvinism and non-Calvinism have identical salvific visions?  I do not think so. Indeed I think, in the end, the two redemptive visions are incompatible with each other, and at least one is incompatible with the gospel record. Of course, my saying so does not make it so. Nonetheless, it is my interpretative judgment as I understand the Word of God.

Though I’ve not pursued much in the form of fictional writing, I do enjoy creative writing, especially attempting to capture the “big ideas” of theology in short story or parable form. 

Several years back on another blog platform, I penned a parable which I believed captured the difference in redemptive visions between strict Calvinism and non-Calvinism.  Entitled “Eternal Salvation: Two Doctrines, Two Destinies” it drew a tremendous amount of dialog (unfortunately, I lost the dialog when I changed platforms).

Below is a revised version.  I remain convinced the story eye-balls the essence between a strict Calvinistic view of salvation and a non-Calvinistic view.

John Calvin Goes to Berkley: An Unusual Twist in the Calvinist-Arminian Debate: A Book Note by Peter Lumpkins

Student minister, James G. McCarthy, who’s served on five university campuses (including Berkeley) has authored four books, the last of which is his first novel, John Calvin Goes to Berkeley. Being the first in the University Christian Fellowship Series, this volume was published by City Christian Press, San Jose, California, 2010.

The plot centers around five students who are a part of the University Christian Fellowship Bible studies.  Peace reigns in the fellowship until the inevitable issue surfaces concerning predestination.  Then, division becomes deeply embedded, and the only solution is to solve the mystery which has stumped theologians for centuries—the paradox starring man’s free will and God’s sovereignty.

I found the dialog between the students wrestling with the issue quite familiar but nonetheless highly accurate, gauged by my own experiences. McCarthy does well in polarizing the theological notions which divide Calvinists from non-Calvinists, especially free will vs. God’s sovereignty and evangelism vs. non-evangelism (i.e. hyper-Calvinism).

If you’re looking for a pleasant break from wading through technical theological jargon, you would benefit from McCarthy’s book.  In addition, college ministers and student pastors would gain an accurate inside scoop about what’s hot on university campuses. The author even offers a helpful study guide for small group studies on John Calvin Goes to Berkeley.

With that, I am…

Peter

"Whosoever Will" Getting Good Press by Peter Lumpkins

As I posted late last week, Whosoever Will:  A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism edited by Drs. David Allen and Steve Lemke and published by B&H Publishing Group is already on backorder (//link). More good news is, 

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.

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." 

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: