peterlumpkins.com

2 Days Journey: Going Deep Within To Find Forgiveness

A few years ago, while serving as Interim Senior Pastor at a Church in south metropolitan Atlanta, I started a writing ministry I called "Letters to Socrates". In those letters that became quite popular for discussion groups as well as points of interest to individuals, I answered real questions folks had posed to me to a fictitious friend I called Socrates. Below is one of those letters I penned to a person who struggled with forgiving another person the horrid wrong committed against her. It is meant to be pondered... Read more →

Salvation, The Sovereignty of God and The Great Commission: An Expression of the Will of God

A recent book edited by Dr. R. Stanton Norman, Vice President for University Development at Southwest Baptist University, contains essays from various Southern Baptist scholars and pastors. The Mission of the Church: Baptist Leaders Look at Modern Faith Issues is a collection of papers presented at a 2005 conference on "The Mission of Today's Church" sponsored by my Alma Marta, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary >>> Presenters included Daniel Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Charles Kelly, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Jerry Sutton, Pastor, Two... Read more →

Baptist Bloggers: Intellectual Heirs of Enlightenment Thinking

The old King James puts it: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."(Proverbs 17.22) Yesterday posts drew record numbers to our site. We had a few laughs on ourselves as Baptists. A fellow blogger--and more times than not, an adversary toward my views--Benji Ramsaur--lay an egg down on our comment thread, a parody between my self and Wade Burleson and some others. It was hilarious. I followed with a spawn from his and our little community all had a few laughs. Some... Read more →

Night of the Blogging Dead

To lighten things up a bit, I thought I'd post this trailer as a refreshing perspective of so many Baptist Bloggers who, take it upon themselves to cannibalize the Southern Baptist Convention. Sorry, Les, you just were much too soft on those who are anti-establishment, though, of course, you were very objective toward the middle-of-the-road team you lead. Kudos. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Boyd Luter, SBC Outpost and Mr Anonymous Professor: A Needed Word & Fit Example from the Great Commission Council

There is a needed word from Dr. Frank Page in his timely article in the Baptist Press. All those who've recently attacked the character of our SBC leaders--specifically Drs Patterson and Mohler--should note well his counsel. Dr. Page offers what he believes are "glimpses of revival" which include, among other things, both a "love for God's word" and a "love for evangelism." Michael Foust, assistant editor of Baptist Press, describes the sacred scene before Dr. Page spoke: "Before Page spoke, the Great Commission Council -- which is made up of... Read more →

Dr. Boyd Luter: Anonymity: Some Biblical and Cultural Reflections: A Brief Response by Peter Lumpkins

Last week, Dr. Boyd Luter posted an anonymous letter from a trusted friend who allegedly is a Professor in one of our six seminaries. The anonymous letter predictably generated a lot of heat. I posted twice about it (here and here). Others stated reservations as well. Dr. Luter's post today which defends anonymous letters is entitled Break in series (II): “Anonymity: Some Biblical and Cultural Reflections” Below is a brief critique based upon some of my personal reflections about anonymous letter writing, especially in light of Dr. Luter's very well... Read more →

Anonymous Rants: The Moral Reasoning of SBC Outpost and Dr Boyd Luter

The recent posting of an anonymous letter by SBCOutpost, originating from Dr. Boyd Luter who assures us of its authenticity, may be the sleaziest strategy to date by a site that only a few short months ago, boasted of the support of the highest leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention, including the President of the SBC, Dr. Frank Page. Within weeks of giving their support, all leaders publicly withdrew their names and most of them spanked Outpost's bottom on their way out. This recent fiasco stands precisely why SBCOutpost must... Read more →

Dr. Tom Ascol: Is Courage Anonymous?

It's no surprise to my readers when I have disagreements with Founders Ministries and some of the views embraced and taught there. When one can agree, it should be so stated >>> SBC Outpost presently has a letter allegedly penned by a current Professor at one of our seminaries. The letter evidently originated at Dr. Boyd Luter's site. Of course, the charges are typical of what Outpost has printed since its inception immediately after the June 07 SBC in San Antonio, TX. The letter mainly is an anonymous rant against... Read more →

SBC & Dortian Calvinism: The Waning of a View

Recently, Dr. James Leo Garrett, Southern Baptist theologian and statesman, penned a series of articles for The Alabama Baptist on Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. Professor Garrett handled the issue both handsomely and fairly. There were some predictable responses from Calvinist interpreters. All in all, however, the public response remained laudable. The Baptist Courier hosted an earlier series on Calvinism penned by a Calvinist. That series too is very good and the Courier is to be thanked... >>> In addition, if you're interested in a great two-part series on... Read more →

The Power of True Faith: Perpetua and Felicity

Few stories grip our imagination and swell our Christian honor than accounts of those who died for their Faith. Our spines tremble when we recall Dietrich Bonhoeffer's famous dictum in The Cost of Discipleship: "When Christ calls a man, He bids him 'Come and die'". Most of us preachers, at least in the United States, talk of such radical dictums as ironically we stand comfortably in a secure, safe pulpit--air-conditioned, of course. Yet, actually walking the path of sorrows? About as close as we come nowadays is bearing up under... Read more →

Being Bold About Being Baptist: Classic Preaching on Baptist Identity: Sermon #1, Part #2

"Distinctive Baptist Principles," a sermon preached by Rev. James. E. Carter, Editor of the "Western North Carolina Baptist", the Baptist state paper for the Western Baptist Convention (1845-1897), was delivered at the assembled Convention October 20, 1883. The text was Acts 5. 32: "We are witnesses of these things." Part one of this sermon may be read here. IV. Church Independency. No principle has more distinctly marked a difference between Baptists and other persuasions of Christians than that of the independency of the Churches. There can be no such thing... Read more →

Being Bold About Being Baptist: Classic Preaching on Baptist Identity: Sermon #1, Part #1

"Distinctive Baptist Principles: A Sermon" was delivered before the Western Baptist Convention of North Carolina, at the Enon Baptist Church, Transylvania County on October 20th, 1883. The preacher was Rev. Joseph E. Carter, who, though little is known about him, was founder and editor of the "Western North Carolina Baptist," the denominational paper for Baptists during the mere half century life of the Convention. The Western Convention began the same year as did the Southen Baptist Convention--1845. In 1897, due to excessive losses of associations, the convention voted to dissolve.... Read more →

Being Bold About Being Baptist: Classic Preaching on Baptist Identity

Today, I begin a new series of posts entitled "Being Bold About Being Baptist: Classic Preaching on Baptist Identity." I fully understand that some may inevitably view this series of posts as both unkind to Christians in other denominations as well as blatantly arrogant to even suggest we emphasize our differences. I not only want to say I stand unashamed of the differences my Baptist heritage brings but I glory in it! Indeed I would think--to name only a few--that our Methodist, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal spiritual brothers and sisters in... Read more →