SBC Tomorrow

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.

The Blind Boys of Alabama: Precious Lord by Peter Lumpkins

One of my all time favorite gospel groups, The Blind Boys of Alabama, has an awesome arrangement of Precious Lord.  Enjoy...

Precious Lord

With that, I am...

Peter

Visit the Blind Boys of Alabama Store

Our Deepest Sympathy to Dr. John Floyd by Peter Lumpkins

We express our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to Dr. John Floyd whose wife, Helen, recently passed on to be with the Lord.  Dr. Floyd is Professor, Department of Missions, at the Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, Tennessee (//link). Professor Floyd also served a term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the International Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, beginning in May, 2006.

May our Lord grant, through His gracious Holy Spirit, immeasurable comfort to the Floyd family in their time of grief.

Word Just In: Say Nightynight to NAMB by Peter Lumpkins

   Since June of this year, some have raised the question since NAMB is a failed/failing institution of the Southern Baptist Convention, it's time for us to prepare its bed, say nightynight, and tuck it snugly and securely away.

Even farther back, the shot fired from Wake Forest heard round the world awakened all sleeping Baptists with this single bullet: 

"Do we need all the boards and agencies we currently have or could there be some healthy and wise mergers?" (//link).

We now have the official word...

NAMB...

Down ya go! 

And, who utters these definitive conclusions? 

Not the GCRTF.  Well, at least not this time anyway.

The mystery supporter for saying nightynight to NAMB is...

Danny Akin and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part 5 by Peter Lumpkins

    Once again I want to publicly state my respect and appreciation for the entire Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. The ad hoc committee remains a duly elected committee** of the Southern Baptist Convention and thus deserves respect as such from every Southern Baptist.  

Danny Akin and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part 4 by Peter Lumpkins

    This is Part 4 in a series I've put together responding to Dr. Danny Akin's interpretation of the buzz in Baptist life concerning the work of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force work as "myths."  It needs to be pointed out that Dr. Akin is not the only one to respond to Baptist buzz.  Ed Stetzer also attempted to deal with hearsay as did Ronnie Floyd though neither called the buzz "myth" as did Akin (//link; //link).

Danny Akin and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part 3 by Peter Lumpkins

    The present post represents the third in a series addressing Drs. Danny Akin and Ed Stetzer's attempt to muffle out the wrong kind of chatter stemming from the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (GCRTF) work.  Obviously, neither Akin nor Stetzer wish to squelch dissent in general about the GCRTF, an absurd notion one blogger suggested I've attempted to do toward Stetzer and Akin in this series of blogs! (How some glean their conclusions from clear propositions I've given up trying to grasp).

Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part 2 by Peter Lumpkins

    One popular cliche says 'two things in life are inevitable--'paying taxes and dying.' One could also say two things about Southern Baptists are inevitable--declaring the gospel and discussing an issue. Both characterize Southern Baptists historically and presently.

As for the latter, Baptist dissent* was purchased at a very high price. Alas, but Southern Baptists are tarred--sometimes justifiably so (unfortunately), sometimes not--as being an ornery bunch of believers. 

Recently, Drs. Danny Akin and Ed Stetzer (president and visiting professor at SEBTS respectively) thought it necessary to squelch the chatter Southern Baptists are about, chatter involving the future of our Southern Baptist Convention (//link; //link).

Admittedly, Akin (and perhaps Stetzer) sees the chatter as unjustifiable, and therefore should cease immediately. 

He wrote in his first post dealing with the "myths" concerning the GCRTF,

Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

I’ve read with interest the latest posts from Southeastern seminary’s blog, Between the Times.  Especially those which caught my attention are by Dr. Danny Akin, Southeastern’s president, and Dr. Ed Stetzer, a Lifeway employee and visiting professor at SEBTS. 

Why?

I’m glad somebody asked! Consider…

Tozer on a Joyless Faith by Peter Lumpkins

"If men do not have joy in their hearts they will seek it somewhere else. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh for enjoyment. And that is exactly what fundamental Christianity (as well as the so-called “full gospel” groups) has done in the last quarter century.

"God’s people have turned to the amusements of the world to try to squeeze a bit of juice out of them for the relief of their dry and joyless hearts. “Gospel” boogie singing now furnishes for many persons the only religious joy they know. Others wipe their eyes tenderly over “gospel” movies, and a countless number of amusements flourish everywhere, paid for by the consecrated tithes of persons who ought to know better.

"Our teachers took away our right to be happy in God and the human heart wreaked its terrible vengeance by going on a fleshly binge from which the evangelical Church will not soon recover, if indeed it ever does."

A.W. Tozer

with that, I am...

Peter

Creation Care Conference at SEBTS by Peter Lumpkins

Between the Times is soliciting attendance for the Creation Care conference at Southeastern scheduled on October 30 and 31, 2009 (//link).  The conference is hosted by the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture. 

Hoping to examine current issues related to the care of God’s creation, several worthies are on the platform including David Cook, Steven Bouma-Prediger, and Lowell Pritchard.

Congressional Brilliance on Immigration by Peter Lumpkins

The brilliance of our elected leaders in Washington concerning immigration oozes from the video clip from CNN below.  Lou Dobbs remains stunned. 

You will too. 

Keep in mind this is CNN not Fox news... .

With that, I am...

Peter

Ted Traylor to Chair the NAMB Presidential Search* Committee: by Peter Lumpkins

A tiny little blue bird went whizzing by me this morning, chirping the name of Ted Traylor as the nominee to Chair the presidential search committee for NAMB (//link). Dr. Traylor is a worthy guy. 

He's done a great job at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida (//link). He nominated Johnny Hunt to be president of the SBC in 2008.  Some think he's a favorite nominee for the 2010 SBC in Orlando.

Frank Page to NAMB: Perfect Medicine or Planned Maneuver? by Peter Lumpkins

   Tonight, NAMB trustees are apparently scheduled to vote on Dr. Frank Page as Vice-President for Evangelism at the North American Mission Board, sources indicate.  If correct, this vote surely takes many Southern Baptists by surprise. 

Unauthorized Consent: Self-perpetuating Trustee Boards Violate Historic Baptist Principles: A Position Essay by Malcolm Yarnell, III

A recent crisis arose at Baylor University between the Administration and the Baylor Alumni Association.  Apparently Baylor University Administration is seeking to shut down all dissent by swallowing the independent Baylor Alumni Association whole. 

This unprecedented maneuver to squelch free and open discussion offers few warm fuzzies to Baylor students/alumni (//link). 

Rightly so. 

Moderate Baptist faith communities proudly pave their streets with enriched diversity and seal them with open dissent.

As a counter-measure, a Baylor dissenter posted on a forum thread an older essay by Dr. Malcolm Yarnell entitled "Unauthorized Consent: Self-perpetuating Trustee Boards Violate Historic Baptist Principles" (2002), originally appearing in the Missouri Baptist state paper, The Pathway (//link; //link).   

At the time, Dr. Yarnell was dean of faculty and associate professor of historical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Presently, he serves as Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  In addition, he also is Director of the Oxford Study Program, Director of the Center for Theological Research, and Editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology (//link).

Below is the essay in full.* 

Even though the contextual matters Dr. Yarnell addressed in 2002 concerned self-perpetuating trustee boards and their deviance from Baptist principle, the overall thrust of the essay speaks superbly to possible illicit power-moves  at times unfortunately  indicative of appointed boards or committees of the SBC (thankfully not often).

For example, only recently, we heard counsel issued from the GCRTF to the presidential search committees to look to the GCRTF for guidance as the presidential committees look for God's agent to head our entities, even though the GCRTF clearly possesses no authoritative commission to guide the SBC, much less guide the presidential search (//link).

The GCRTF is a study committee not a structural committee. It may report; it cannot revise.  The GCRTF may inform; it cannot implement.

Given that, Dr. Yarnell's essay stands as a much needed corrective to any SBC board or committee to carefully avoid the appearance of assuming authority never given.

With that, I am...

Peter

*Dr. Yarnell's important essay, "Unauthorized Consent: Self-perpetuating Trustee Boards Violate Historic Baptist Principles" is published below by written permission

Great Commission Resurgence: Rewinding the Tape by Peter Lumpkins

  Robert Reeves has served since 1998 as the communications director for the Kentucky Baptist Convention following previous service with the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children (now Sunrise Children’s Services) and Connie Maxwell Children’s Home (the children's ministry of South Carolina Baptists). Reeves background is in professional journalism (//link).

Peter Lumpkins Interview on Faith Radio

Recently, I spoke at the annual Alabama Citizen's Action Program (ALCAP) in Montgomery, Alabama (//link). While I was there, Faith Radio host, Bob Crittenden, interviewed me, along with Dr. Joe Godfrey, Executive Director at ALCAP (//link).

The questions to me centered around my book, Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence.  For anyone interested, an mp3 of the broadcast is linked below.

With that, I am...

Peter 

Interview with Peter Lumpkins

The GCR Task Force: Flexing Muscle They Ain't Got by Peter Lumpkins

When Dr. Al Mohler made the motion in Louisville, KY last June for the Southern Baptist Convention to instruct President Johnny Hunt to appoint a special task force to study how South Baptists could be better at doing missions, he insisted the purpose of the committee was to "ask questions" of ourselves to see if we can do better.

The Southern Baptist Convention: A Parachurch Organization? by Peter Lumpkins

For over a half century, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has led the pack of evangelistic associations in carrying the gospel to the nations.  Without rival, to date Graham has preached to more live human beings (not by way of the television screen or internet streaming to which most evangelists are limited) than any known evangelist in history. His organization is both complex and massive, massive enough to be considered one of the largest parachurch institutions today.

Who's Coming Over for Breakfast? by Peter Lumpkins

When's the last time you had a crowd like this for breakfast?  Enjoy...

With that, I am...

Peter

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.

Who's Drinking What at Southeastern? by Peter Lumpkins

So what's up with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary?  Is there a recently embedded rebel spirit which apparently wants to disassemble the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention?  Somebody thinks it's possible because their water's been spiked...

Jerry Vines & Charles Stanley: Heavy Hitters in the Conservative Resurgence by Peter Lumpkins

The Conservative Resurgence (CR) remains an unequaled phenomenon of the modern church.  Without exception, no denomination has ever successfully resisted the acids of theological liberalism once the bottle of fundamental belief has been broken--no denomination, that is, with the sole exception of the Southern Baptist Convention.

GCR Task Force: Am I Missing Something? by Peter Lumpkins

I confess.  I’ve been loop-less for over a week. An old physiological enemy stirred up a mess of trouble for me last week.  It whipped me pretty good, I’d say. 

Oh well.  That aside, it seems to me the GCRTF is about as inspiring as a piece of pasteboard. Head on over to their site and click on either the “Video Updates” or “The latest information you need to know” and you’ll be taken to an Aug 1 and Aug 25 posting respectively (//link).

Letting the Feds Take Care of Us by Peter Lumpkins

The following documentary exposing the Federal Government's dismal record in providing healthcare to American Indians should gauge nicely whether we want them taking care of all Americans.  From my perspective, this is a disgrace and treats an entire ethnic population as subhuman.

A. W. Tozer: The Ailing Church's Forgotten Prophet by Peter Lumpkins

Hear the forgotten prophet:

        "The pitiable attempt of churchmen to explain everything for the smiling unbeliever has had an effect exactly opposite to that which was intended. It has reduced worship to the level of the intellect and introduced the rationalistic spirit into the wonders of religion"

A.W. Tozer

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:

GCR task force members: Personal Impressions on their Profiles by Peter Lumpkins

Below are three thoughts on the profiles of the GCR task force Baptist Press recently compiled (//link).  Know these thoughts are mine and mine alone.  I consulted with no one on them (though you may have a point if, after reading them, you felt I should have!). 

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.

Friday Funnies by Peter Lumpkins

I thought you'd like to end the week with a little laugh.  Here's a cool commercial certain to get a grin.

Grace, all.

With that, I am...

Peter

Looking for a Job? I Heard NAMB is Hiring by Peter Lumpkins

Who said there's no jobs out there?  Keep up the good work, Mr. Obama.  In and around Atlanta we're doing just peachy.

For starters, just consider the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.  Presently there are at least four cool jobs available (//link).  I wonder who will end up with the positions.  Let's do some guessing.  How about?...

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.

Morris Chapman Vindicated by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Morris Chapman, President of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, still reels from the public stoning he endured for refusing to air publicly the details surrounding the release of Clark Logan.  Twittering Baptists, bloggers, high profile pastors, and seminary personnel all gathered in a circle around Chapman and threw their rocks.  Even the President of the SBC found a rock and lobbed it before the mob finally busted up and went about their business.

One Funny Commercial by Peter Lumpkins

Below is a great video.  Very entertaining.  Enjoy the weekend.

With that, I am...

Peter

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.

Greg Boyd Concerning Professor Gates's Arrest & the President's Comments by Peter Lumpkins

Greg Boyd is sympathetic toward President Obama's scourge on a local Connecticut police officer (//link). Boyd writes: "This arrest of an African American man in his own home raised the charge of racial profiling which quickly erupted into a national controversy when President Obama commented on the matter, saying the policeman acted “stupidly.”"

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...

Losing Religion For Equality: A Former Southern Baptist Tells Why by Peter Lumpkins

While we routinely hear from a small but influential cluster in Southern Baptist circles about dumping our Baptist heritage for a more congenial, affable ecumenism with the larger Christianosphere, we have a former Southern Baptist, who also happens to be the former President of the United States, telling the people down under the reason he lost his religion after six decades. 

Mark Driscoll Vindicated: Latest Neuro Research Indicates by Peter Lumpkins

With the temperatures nicely leveled off concerning some Southern Baptists' odd infatuation with the ministry methodology of Seattle pastor, Mark Driscoll, it may just be Driscoll has been scientifically vindicated pertaining to what some continue to dub potty-mouth preaching.**   

Is Gaming Bad for You? Take a Look by Peter Lumpkins

Below is a documentary.  Perhaps we parents need to take this seriously*.

With that, I am...

Peter

*just kidding...

B21 Panel Discussion: A Brief Commentary by Peter Lumpkins

I just got enough time to listen to the panel discussion held at the Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, KY during the SBC (//link; all that is presently available is the first half).

A few comments.

Southern Baptists and Racial Diversity by Peter Lumpkins

Here is something rarely heard, and concerning which mainline church leaders may struggle to accept.  The most ethnically diverse churches in America are found in these three bodies---the Roman Catholic Church, the Assemblies of God and...

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Mark Driscoll: Straining Gnats but Swallowing Camels by Peter Lumpkins

 SEBTS is my seminary.   Not because I graduated from there.  I am a NOBTS graduate. My wife and I visited Wake Forest and toured the campus.  Alas, it just wasn’t us. What was us at that point in our journey was the whisper of God in a strange new tongue--Cajun! 

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:

Ed Stetzer, Michael Spencer and the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention by Peter Lumpkins

I apologize in advance.  I have little time to write.  Know, however, it takes only a little time to assess the guffawed views of some otherwise intelligent people. 

Baptists in the South: Saturated with a False Gospel by Peter Lumpkins

I have to say it:  I get really tired of the "pharisee" analogy offered by some of the young Baptist preachers who appear stuck on making Southern Baptists who happen to possess a more traditional aura about them into godless, lost, faithless, religion-bound pharisees.

The opening speaker at the Pastor's conference, J.D. Grear, made this incisive statement:

"Our churches in the south are filled with people who think if you vote republican and don't drink beer, you'll go to heaven."

Yes, J.D.:  we in the south surely possess no more sophistication in our understanding of gospel truth than your caricature.

There exists no hope for communication when such blatant disrespect for another's view remains the norm.

With that, I am...

Peter