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Augustine and Southern Baptists: Part 6A: Augustine's Critics and Legacy by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford

This is the last installment of my series on Augustine. I wanted to say at the outset of this post that I really appreciate all of you who took the time to read it. A great big thank you to Peter for graciously posting it on his blog. I also want to thank Ben Simpson, Ken Hamrick, and David Allen for helpful suggestions and feedback. Thanks to Christiane and Lydia for insights and links. Thanks also to Eric Hankins, Malcolm Yarnell, and Adam Harwood for kind words of encouragement. If I left anyone out, I apologize.  I appreciate all the feedback, constructive advice, and encouraging words. Thanks again to all of you. I hope to present a truncated version of this research at the SE regional ETS meeting next month in Anderson, SC (pending approval, of course).

Augustine and Southern Baptists Part 5: Augustine's Exegetical and Hermeutical Method by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford

This next-to-last post will examine the exegetical and hermeneutical method Augustine employs in constructing his teachings on grace and providence. Before I begin, I want to state my deep indebtedness to Donato Ogliari and his fine work Gratia et Certamen [Grace and Struggle]. Most of the real research in this section is his and I have only summarized it. One may wonder why this section comes later in this series of posts than his assumptions and the examination of the sources of those assumptions. It should be clear that the driving force behind Augustine’s theological construction that leads him to the precipice of determinism is neither Scripture nor the received tradition—rather it is his reaction to and accommodation to his pagan past. Now the Christian Augustine must be able to reconcile his imported assumptions with the teachings of the faith he now embraces. In order to do so, it seems he attempts to bend Scripture to fit his already-existing theological ideas, and seems content to read what he desires into the text of Scripture rather than draw his theological conclusions out of it. When it comes to biblical exegesis and theological reflection, Augustine certainly places the proverbial cart before the proverbial horse.

Augustine and Southern Baptists Part 4: The Upshot of Augustine's Assumptions: Divine Determinism by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford

 The third assumption in Augustine's thinking is his experience, based on personal observation, that some humans are not saved. In his own life, Augustine observed that some babies die before being baptized. For Augustine, reconciliation to God in Christ is impossible without baptism.¹ Not everyone who was baptized was ultimately saved, but baptism for him was a "condition sine qua non" for salvation.² Therefore anyone who died without baptism likewise died without hope of salvation. Combined with his views of God's unlimited power and humanity's helplessness, Augustine reasoned that those who died without baptism were never elected to salvation in the first place.

Augustine and Southern Baptists: an Introduction by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford

Below is what Dr. Jim Gifford¹ describes as a "short informal essay" serving as an opening post to a six-part series on Saint Augustine, an introductory essay entitled "Augustine and Southern Baptists: an Introduction." He envisions five remaining articles describing Augustine's influence on modern day evangelicalism--especially Southern Baptists--and attesting to several theological innovations Gifford's research led him to conclude were deviations from the received traditions the legendary Bishop of Hippo followed.   The reader should keep in mind that Dr. Gifford intentionally designed the article series as informal summaries of his research so that the widest possible use of his findings could be achieved. Following this anterior piece, readers may expect:

Coming series on Saint Augustine by Dr. James D. Gifford Jr.

I’m pleased to announce a series of articles on Saint Augustine and his influence on Southern Baptist theology written by Dr. James D. “Jim” Gifford Jr. Originally from West Virginia, Dr. Gifford now lives in Charlotte, NC where he teaches theology and church history at New Life Theological Seminary, a small but growing TRACS-accredited multi-denominational, multi-ethnic Bible college and seminary.

Adam Harwood and J.W. MacGorman’s “dangerous,” “unorthodox” doctrine inevitably leading to “heresy if not worse”

Recently, a Kentucky Southern Baptist pastor challenged Dr. Adam Harwood’s raising questions toward a particular seminary professor’s exclusive allegiance to imputed sinful guilt and whether the exclusiveness of the professor's view may be inconsistent with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.¹   

Hobbs in his own words on "imputed guilt" in 1963 Baptist Faith and Message

I continue to read questionable interpretations surrounding Southern Baptists' consideration and adoption of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message.¹ According to the minutes, the study committee was recommended by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and established at the 1962 convention:

Was the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message Calvinistic enough? Mark Dever vs Tom Ascol and Tom Nettles

According to a 1996 Baptist Press article by James A. Smith, Sr., Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., urged the revision of the Southern Baptist Convention's 1963 statement of faith while speaking at the 14th annual meeting of the Founders Conference held on the campus of Samford University, Birmingham, Ala. Smith wrote   >>>

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.   >>>

David Allen sets the record straight: Limited Atonement is biblically bankrupt, theologically insipient, and ethically unpreachable by Peter Lumpkins

Founders Ministries put together several theological worthies to write its latest apology for strict Calvinism, Whomever He Wills   >>>

Whomever He Wills: a brief discussion on Dr. Andrew Davis' chapter--"Unconditional Election" by Peter Lumpkins

Below is the first review video in a short series on "Unconditional Election" in Whomever He Wills, the latest book on Calvinism from Founders Press. "Unconditional Election" is chapter three in the book and was written by Dr. Andrew Davis, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Durham, North Carolina   >>>

A brief discussion on Dr. Mark Devine's chapter--"Total Depravity" Part 3 by Peter Lumpkins

We continue below with Part 3 in a series on Dr. Mark DeVine's chapter in Whomever He Wills¹   >>>

A brief discussion on Dr. Mark Devine's chapter--"Total Depravity" Part 2 by Peter Lumpkins

We continue with Dr. Mark DeVine's chapter in Whomever He Wills   >>>

Whomever He Wills: a brief discussion on Dr. Mark Devine's chapter--"Total Depravity" by Peter Lumpkins

  Below begins a series of my initial thoughts on the chapter concerning total depravity written by Dr. Mark DeVine in Whomever He Wills¹. I hope my commentary is helpful and the video format useful²...   >>>

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 posted, Dr. Fred Zaspel, author of the book's Preface which Allen critically engaged in his introductory remarks, has offered a brief response to Dr. Allen   >>>