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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.)  >>>

Calvinism's "deep, dark, dirty little secret" by Peter Lumpkins

Below is a quote from a paper entitled "Salvation and the Sovereignty of God: The Great Commission as the Expression of the Divine Will"¹ by Dr. Kenneth Keathley, Professor of Theology, Dean of the Faculty, and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Keathley's blog is here)  >>>

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 >>>

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:

Salvation and Sovereignty: a Molinist Approach: An Extended Book-look (Part II) by Peter Lumpkins

      Dr. Kenneth Keathley is Professor of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration/Dean of the Faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His book, Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach (SSM, B&H, 2010, $24.99) contributes a unique approach among Southern Baptists toward solving the classic dilemma between God’s Sovereignty and human free will. In fact, unless I am mistaken, Dr. Keathley is the first writing Southern Baptist theologian who embraces the historical theological position known as Molinism.

The engagement below is Part II in a series of three parts. To get a flow of the volume, you may want to scan Part I before moving on to Part II below  >>>

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: Non-Calvinism Gaining Traction in the Marketplace by Peter Lumpkins

Earlier this year, Time Magazine listed neo-Calvinism as one of the hottest new "ideas" blowing through our cultural milieu (//link).  Does this renewed focus on theological determinism have what it takes to sustain inquiring minds?  Time Magazine does not say. For my part, I think not. Reformer Balthasar Hubmaier's most famous dictum is apt:  

truth is unkillable   

 

Even so, I just learned Whosoever Will: a Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism is currently their third best-selling book. Into its third printing with B&H, another 2500 copies is expected in the warehouse within a few days.  Liberty Seminary used 150 books for a course this summer and plans to order another 800 this fall. The book consistently ranks in the top five of all books in the following three categories on Amazon.com: Baptist, Other Denominations, and Calvinist.

Thanks to Drs. David Allen and Steve Lemke for putting together sound, biblical-theological essays in response to the growing neo-Calvinist influence.

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, 

Whosoever Will: Off to a Good Start by Peter Lumpkins

 Looks as if 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. I'm told the first printing of Whosoever Will sold out in two weeks. B&H is scurrying to get a second printing. It appears the wait time is 4-6 weeks.

Whosoever thinks the young, restless, and Reformed coddling among Southern Baptists is not getting the attention of the grassroots Southern Baptist Convention may need to rethink their proposition.

Our congratulations to Drs. Allen and Lemke as well as all the contributors to the volume.  Your essays benefit the theo-biblical health of the SBC more than you realize.

With that, I am...

Peter 

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." 

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. 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 (see links below)  I recommend this series as a great resource in understanding some of the issues surrounding the Calvinist Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention   >>>