Dr. David Allen: On Calvinism

      One of the participants at The John 3:16 Conference (J316) is Dr. David Allen, Dean of the School of Theology, Professor of Preaching, Director for the Center for Expository Preaching, and George W. Truett Chair of Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS).  Professor Allen's paper will focus on Limited Atonement.  We expect his contribution to invigorate the discussion on what I view as the definitive chink in the Dortian Calvinist's armor.

As an introduction to Dr. Allen's paper, interested attendees especially may want to read his book review just posted at the Center for Theological Research at SWBTS.  Entitled "Calvinism:  A Review," Dr. Allen gives an extended book review of the collected papers given by various Southern Baptists at The Building Bridges Conference.  Published by B&H, this helpful volume of papers collected by E. Ray Clendenen and Brad J. Waggoner and entitled Calvinism:  A Southern Baptist Dialogue is available and worthy of purchase (check out the link in the right sidebar). 

I reviewed some of the papers beginning here and here.  However, Dr. Allen's stellar review--a whopping 34 pages!--stands as proof positive why I blog and he teaches.  He is balanced but pulls no punches as he asks pertinent questions, specifically questions to the Calvinist presenters.

Thank you, Dr. Allen for this helpful review.

With that, I am...

Peter

Part I

Part II

Comments

[Byron]

John Lofton:

Peter Lumpkins is not a Calvinist (though he once was).

Though I am a Calvinist, sites like yours bother me because it seems that you desire an Old Testament-style theocracy only using New Testament terminology and Gentile believers instead of Jewish ones. We live in New Covenant times, in a Kingdom which is inside of us and not of the world. I believe the ultimate outcome of your theological viewpoint is the death of religious liberty.

John 18:36 (ESV)

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

[Byron]

John Lofton:

I should have said, that I believe the ultimate outcome of your theological viewpoint is the death of religious liberty and the right to dissent. This does not agree with Baptist principles. I would become a so-called "Progressive" Baptist at once rather than labor to establish a misguided theonomy which must eventually become repressive and authoritarian.

No way!

[peter lumpkins]

John,

And your point would be?

With that, I am...

Peter

[Dave Miller]

Another question, designed to irritate.

I am not attending the conference, but I would like to.

However, it is my impression (though, per our recent discussion, I cannot footnote the discussion) that I have read blog assertions that this is not an "anti-Calvinist" conference. Yet, the subject matter is the Five Points, each addressed by a prominent non-calvinist.

For clarity: I am a calvinist (little c - I struggle with limited atonement and I do not make the "doctrines of grace" the sum-total of my ministry).

I would like to hear the messages (I'm sure they will be available for purchase later).

But, what is actually the nature and purpose of this conference?