SBC Tomorrow

Louisiana's Message republishes "The Calvinists are here" by Georgia's Christian Index editor, Gerald Harris

The Baptist Message recently posted a series of articles on the purported issue over Calvinism at Louisiana College. I received permission from The Message editor to re-post the four articles in full on my site since many Southern Baptists outside Louisiana are watching with concerned interest the fiasco taking place... Read more →

What is Calvinism? everything you need to know about Calvinism...and then some by Peter Lumpkins

Well it took long enough! The truth is, I've been so busily assisting others in getting their literary stuff published, I've continued to place on the back burner something from my own bean pot. Hence, I took a few days off to cook up this little piece which I think... Read more →

Born Guilty? A Southern Baptist View of Original Sin by Adam Harwood

Free Church Press announces a new and exclusive teaching series on biblical, theological, ethical, and ecclesial themes significant for Southern Baptists. The series will target people in the pew rather than those who have a theological background. While we believe all church leaders--including pastors and other staff leaders--will benefit from... Read more →

Mullins proleptical words on "imputed guilt" in the 1925 statement of faith

E.Y. Mullins may be the most controversial theologian in Southern Baptist history. He is routinely cited by conservative and liberal, Calvinist and non-Calvinist as both friend and foe to the Baptist cause1. Nor is Mullins' role as the primary--if not exclusive--literary architect of the 1925 Baptist Faith and Message seriously... Read more →

Adam Harwood on the dilemma at young, restless, and reformed's "ground zero"

The book was Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists by Colin Hansen. In it, the self-identifying "YRR" journalist dubbed Southern Seminary "Ground Zero" for training and equipping the new army of young neo-Calvinist pastors and church planters to spread the doctrines of grace across the Southern... Read more →

Young Truett-McConnell scholar drops a bombshell on Southern Baptist academia

When Karl Barth's classic commentary on Paul's Epistle to the Romans was first published in 1919, a biblical monograph which effectively delivered Old Liberalism its first mortal blow, one German reviewer described Barth's neo-orthodox innovation revealed in his Romans exposition as falling "like a bombshell on the playground of the... Read more →

Covenant Life Church pulling away from C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries?

UPDATE: North Carolina pastor Tim Rogers posts a piece raising the question whether Dr. Al Mohler and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary have connections so close to C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries that the recent lawsuit against Mahaney and his ministry will legally bleed all over Southern Baptists. While I... Read more →

Susan Burke represents plaintiffs against C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries in sexual offenses lawsuit

A well-known litigator for sexual abuse claims is representing the three female plaintiffs who filed sexual abuse claims against Sovereign Grace Ministries and new Calvinist celebrity icon, C.J. Mahaney >>> Washington D.C. attorney, Susan L. Burke, of Burke PLLC, a firm which bills itself as a "litigation boutique specializing in... Read more →

C.J. Mahaney's ministry move to Louisville did not spare them a Maryland lawsuit

Reportedly, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), a ministry founded by high-profile Calvinist celebrity, C.J. Mahaney, is awaiting the official serving of a lawsuit filed in Maryland by three unnamed female plaintiffs. According to Bob Allen of Associated Baptist Press, >>> the parties reportedly claim that SGM did not report abuse allegedly... Read more →

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... Read more →

Texas pastor Steve Brumbelow sends an Open Letter to Midwestern trustees

Posting verifiable information about Dr. Jason K. Allen, trustee search committee nominee to become the fifth president at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has inspired some pastors to research for themselves whether the proposed candidate constitutes an acceptable nominee and conclude contra the search committee it does not. >>> In fact,... Read more →

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Trustees beginning to get letters

Pastors are already utilizing Midwestern's trustee list posted on the site by writing a letter not only to trustees they know, but also every trustee on the board. Additionally included by some pastors are copies sent to all SBC Executive Board members >>> Grassroots Southern Baptists must find ways to... Read more →

No answers about Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary presidential candidate Jason K. Allen's theology until after trustees vote by Peter Lumpkins

Below is the content of an email response I received courtesy of Dr. Bill Bowyer, Senior Pastor of the Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC, and Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to an inquiry I made to him pertaining to presidential nominee, Dr.... Read more →

Courting Disaster: The Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

Established in 1957, the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) became the latest of six stateside Southern Baptist theological institutions we support through the Cooperative Program. But will it be the first to belly up? Or, to put the query in more palatable terms, will MBTS perhaps be strategically absorbed into... Read more →

Monergism.com snubs two Southern seminary professors' book by Peter Lumpkins

Drs. Peter J. Gentry (PhD, University of Toronto), professor of Old Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and director of the Hexapla Institute, and Stephen J. Wellum (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and editor of The Southern Baptist... Read more →

Response to Whomever He Wills: Part II by David Allen

UPDATE: Note: four parts are now available. Check out the links at the bottom of the post... We linked to Dr. David Allen's introductory remarks concerning the newest release by Founders Press, Whomever He Wills , edited by Drs. Matthew Barrett and Thomas J. Nettles. Since Allen's opening remarks were... Read more →

Preaching "Regeneration precedes faith" deadly for Baptists in the Mississippi Valley in the 19th century by Peter Lumpkins

In Whomever He Wills , Dr. Matthew Barrett writes in his chapter entitled, "The Scriptural Affirmation of Monergism" concerning the doctrinal significance of what has become known as regeneration precedes faith--or, in short, monergism. He writes: "For some, such a debate [i.e. synergism vs. monergism] may appear insignificant. To the... Read more →

Jonathan Merritt outed as gay? by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE #3: Jonathan Merritt shares his tragic story with Ed Stetzer. Apparently, Azariah Southworth was not bluffing Southworth also posted an update... UPDATE #2: Ken Silva at Apprising Ministries offers a similar perspective to what I've offered here. Silva apparently personally talked with Azariah Southworth. Note also he writes of... Read more →

Tom Nettles concerning Calvinists "drinking from the same water fountain" as do Traditionalists by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Tom Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, spoke at the Founders Breakfast held during the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. The racial overtones indicative of a brief section in his address are surely unacceptable to Southern Baptists. And, if Dr. Richard Land's censure by... Read more →

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... Read more →

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. >>> To be specific, Moore wondered... Read more →

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... >>> A strict Baptist of the south, Broaddus remained a positive influence for evangelical Christianity all over the region. The famed Calvinist, J.B. Jeter,... Read more →

E. C. Dargan rejects total depravity; or, Was E. C. Dargan actually a Semi-Pelagian? by Peter Lumpkins

Edwin Charles Dargan was born on November 17, 1852. A native of South Carolina, he converted to Christ at age sixteen and went on to earn two degrees from Furman University (B.A., M.A.) and later enrolled in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary studying theology under the famed founder of Southern, James.... Read more →

W.T. Brantly on denying irresistible grace by Peter Lumpkins

William Theophilus Brantly, Sr. (1787-1845) was a popular preacher in the south during the first half of the 19th century, and served Philadelphia's historic First Baptist Church as pastor. Additionally, as editor of The Christian Index, Georgia Baptists denominational state paper, he was one of the most prolific Baptist editors... Read more →

Al Mohler on Southern Baptists solving their doctrinal divide—“marginalize those whose influence should be marginalized” by Peter Lumpkins

In a post delineating his thoughts on the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, Dr. Al Mohler spoke what very well may be the most disturbing words to date concerning the Calvinist debate in the Southern Baptist Convention. In fact, his words deserve full exposure not only on Baptist... Read more →

Tom Ascol, Regeneration, and the Baptist Faith and Message by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Tom Ascol, Director of Founders Ministries, is presently doing a lengthy series1 of responses to the recent Traditional Statement (TS) released by Dr. Eric Hankins, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Oxford, MS. As indicated here and elsewhere many times since the initial TS release, Hankins' statement of faith generated a... Read more →

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... Read more →

Al Mohler and Hyper-Calvinism vs.The Traditional Statement and Semi-Pelagianism by Peter Lumpkins

I’m told one of the high-lights of the 2006 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina was the formal exchange between Drs. Al Mohler and Paige Patterson on the biblical doctrine of election. Entitled “Reaching Today's World Through Differing Views of Election” each speaker took a different perspective... Read more →

Al Mohler, Semi-Pelagianism, and being "Traditional" Southern Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

I’m personally appreciative Al Mohler responded to “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation” (TS) released to the public last week by Dr. Eric Hankins, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Oxford, Mississippi >>> Entitled “Southern Baptists and Salvation: It’s Time to Talk” Dr. Mohler... Read more →

It’s Time to Respond: A Response to Dr. Albert Mohler by the Vice-Presidents of Truett-McConnell College

Below is a respectful response to Dr. Al Mohler's "Southern Baptists and Salvation: It’s Time to Talk.” The piece also is scheduled to appear in The Christian Index.5 Written by four Vice Presidents of Truett-McConnell College, the response is offered here in the spirit of peaceful discussion. Dr. Emir Caner... Read more →

Reformed Theology coming under more published scrutiny by Peter Lumpkins

The publication of Whosoever Will (edted by Drs. David Allen and Steve Lemke) was the result of The John 3:16 Conference held at the Woodstock First Baptist Church November 6-7, 2008. Contra some Southern Baptist Calvinists' unwavering confidence, the scholarly contributions in Whosoever Will demonstrated that Reformed theology is not... Read more →

Homosexual hatred justly condemned

Close to a cool three-quarters of a million viewers have watched a minute and a half clip of Charles Worley's Mother's Day sermon uploaded to youtube. I suspect every pastor would like that kind of traffic on a sermon he'd preach >>> However, the longtime pastor at Providence Road Baptist... Read more →

Al Mohler on the necessity of denominational transparency by Peter Lumpkins

Howell Scott, my friend and co-belligerent in many issues facing the Southern Baptist Convention raises some important questions concerning an article in SBC Life, a publication sponsored by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention >>> Dr. Marshall Blalock, South Carolina pastor and a member of Bryant Wright's personal... Read more →

Rick Warren's absurd call for Al Mohler to apologize by Peter Lumpkins

Al Mohler's recent post entitled "Is the Megachurch the New Liberalism?" raised questions not only concerning megachurch pastor, Andy Stanley, and his all-but implicit acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, but Mohler also drew fire from unsuspecting critics1 >>> Legendary Saddleback pastor, Rick Warren, did not just take issue with Al... Read more →

Al Mohler, Homosexuality, and the "New Liberalism" by Peter Lumpkins

Last week, I raised the question concerning Andy Stanley’s perplexing story about a gay couple in his church. I wrote: Stanley tells the story of a couple who divorced while members of his church. The issue was, the husband had fallen in love with another man... The problem is, not... Read more →

Mark Driscoll, Liberty University, Mitt Romney, Richard Land, Lifeway, Andy Stanley: a bit of potpourri by Peter Lumpkins

Since the Liberty University fiasco with Mark Driscoll began a few weeks ago, a lot of interesting things grabbed my attention but I just couldn't let go LU's disastrous invitation to the controversial pastor >>> Mark Driscoll: the controversial pastor from Seattle spoke at LU last Friday as scheduled. Predictably,... Read more →

Former attorney and New Mexico pastor asks riveting questions concerning Liberty University and Mark Driscoll by Peter Lumpkins

Former attorney and now Southern Baptist pastor, Howell Scott, asks a series of enthralling questions toward Liberty University's curious hill upon which they decided to die in his latest blog post entitled, "Mark Driscoll's Mesmerizing Hold on LU and Evangelicalism." Scott opens his query confessing: I don’t get it. More... Read more →

Al Mohler and Charles Spurgeon: the making of a legend by Peter Lumpkins

Below is a video we've all anticipated: "Al Mohler and Charles Spurgeon: the making of a legend." Enjoy... Read more →

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... Read more →

Al Mohler vindicates Brad Whitt: "there is a creeping Presbyterianism amongst us" by Peter Lumpkins

Just about a year ago, Dr. Brad Whitt fired a shot heard in most sectors of the Southern Baptist Convention. Being a young South Carolina, Southern Baptist pastor, he just didn’t fit the mold of the young, restless, and reformed travelling around the country by the tens of thousands (literally)... Read more →