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Is “Reformed Baptist” an Oxymoron? (Part III) by Peter Lumpkins

Below are my continuing thoughts concerning the most recent exchanges about the oxymoron, “Reformed Baptist..” I intentionally limited my engagement to Dr. Nathan Finn’s thoughts primarily because, as a Baptist historian and seminary professor, his buck (i.e. position) most likely buys the most beans (i.e., influence). Hence, my Part I and Part II rehearsed Finn’s socio-historical framework, while the present Part III addresses his own convictions concerning the use of “Reformed Baptist.” Finally, Part IV* sums the matter up—at least for a while. As I noted at the end of... Read more →

Is “Reformed Baptist” an Oxymoron? (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

In the first part, I raised the question whether the term “Reformed Baptist” is an oxymoron and concluded it is an oxymoron. I further rehearsed the brief trilogy Dr. Nathan Finn recently posted online concerning the theological descriptor “Reformed Baptist”, a trilogy mainly but not exclusively responding to a series of short essays by North Carolina pastor, Les Puryear. Arguing as a convictional Calvinist, Puryear seriously challenges the viability of the “Reformed Baptist” moniker. A few other posts dealt with the issue, Matt Svoboda, Justin Nale, and Dr. James Galyon,... Read more →

Is "Reformed Baptist" an Oxymoron? (part I) by Peter Lumpkins

The term “oxymoron” has its roots in classical Greek meaning “sharp dull.” Even from the literal definition, one can easily see the implication: two words are joined together which normally do not belong together. So, for example, were one to speak of “sad joy,” a “brand new used-car,” an “intelligent dunce,” or a “pessimistic optimist,” one would be employing the literary device known as oxymoron. Oxymora are at times used in theological discussions. For example, in a Baptist ecclesial context, were one to speak of “baby baptism” one would be... Read more →

UPDATE: James White On “You, sir, must be silenced!” by Peter Lumpkins

Update: Below is the video James White would like to ban uploaded to youtube: ========================================= Anyone remember my little parody video I put together answering James White’s absurd question: “Anti-caner sites? What on earth is that?”? (//link) Another question: anyone recall the outrage in White’s tactical squad when John Ankerberg petitioned Youtube to pull Mohammad Khan’s videos? I thought so. Well, in light of the two questions above, what is missing from the screen below? Time’s up. My video! Evidently, the video irritated James White so much, his ministry petitioned... Read more →

Is it Possible to be Too Focused? by Peter Lumpkins

A decade ago, a team of psychologists argued an hypothesis which suggested just how oblivious we are to things around us when we intently focus on a single task. They made a video to test their theory. In the study, viewers were asked to count how many times a ball was passed around between several people. Unknown to the viewers, the psychologists staged a man in a gorilla suit to walk freely in the midst of the people passing the ball, randomly weaving in and out. When the tallies were... Read more →

William Thornton on SBC All-Stars by Peter Lumpkins

Georgia pastor, William Thornton, formerly a moderator at one of Baptistlife.com discussion threads, has an interesting read at his blog, SBC Plodder. William writes one-line commentaries on Southern Baptist luminaries over the past two and a half decades. Of legendary leader, Adrian Rogers, William openly muses: “Though not the conceptual guide or the organizing force, he was clearly the leading figure. Charismatic, resolute, and unflappable, no individual was more influential or compelling in motivating SBCers.” Agreed. And not to forget the unfatigable Paul Pressler: “Though unimpressive in appearance and in... Read more →

Dr. Ergun Caner Receives More Public Support by Peter Lumpkins

Contra the Muslim-Calvinist coalition led by British Muslim, Mohammad Khan and Reformed Baptist and Hyper-Calvinist, Rev. James White, a swelling number of Christian scholars and leaders are speaking out. Why? According to a statement just released... "Converted Muslim, Dr. Ergun Caner has been under attack by extreme Muslims and others who have challenged his integrity and character, claiming that he was not a Muslim, let alone a devout one, and that he intentionally made false statements related to his Muslim background and conversion to Christianity" (//link). Among the public respondents... Read more →

“You, sir, are an Unregenerate” by Peter Lumpkins

I was raised in middle Tennessee, the last of 12 children (yes 12 and no blends). Our four room house got crowded really quickly. I never saw the inside of a bathtub until 17 years old. We took baths in the creek which ran through the hollow near our little house. Of course, in winter months we became creative in taking “sponge baths.” And, while my parents were not dedicated Christians, they always made sure the kids got a ride to Sunday School and church. It was at the little... Read more →

“Peter Lumpkins is Unregenerate” Says ‘TurretinFan’ by Peter Lumpkins

James White’s faithful sidekick, the anonymous "TurretinFan"—yes, the guy who refuses to face those he (or she) constantly accuses of biblical and/or moral crimes—just logged his (or her) acknowledgement of my spoof video (//link). He (or she) not only insinuated I breached copyright by employing “A&O Ministries trademark” I also did so “despite the prominent display of a supposed copyright claim by James White.” How gut-busting hilarious! A) It is no breach of copyright law to employ copyright material—including identity brands—under fair use, especially for either teaching purposes or for... Read more →

Joe Donahue: Evangelist to a Hurting Generation by Peter Lumpkins

The following program aired today on The 700 Club. Joe Donahue has a powerful testimony about grace, forgiveness, restoration, and peace. In short, it is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. No dad could ever want more in a son-in-law than I have in both of mine. Joe & Jon, you're the best. God be praised in all. Check out Joe's Website here Schedule Joe for a speaking engagement here Read more →

James White and “Anti-Caner” Websites by Peter Lumpkins

When James White asks a question, people listen for his answer. Unfortunately, White asks a question on his site but strangely could not come up with even a guess. He queries: “But truly, how balanced and fair is a statement that makes reference to "anti-Caner websites"? Anti-Caner websites? What on earth is that? (//link). Well, we have an answer for Mr. White: James White filed a complaint at Vimeo.com to have my video pulled citing "copyright infringement." Below is the video uploaded to youtube: With that, I am… Peter Read more →

Update: Norman Geisler: A Final Defense of Ergun Caner by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: James White responded to Norm Geisler’s objection to the anonymity of TurretinFan. He writes: “…Geisler takes specific aim at TurretinFan for being anonymous in his blogging and writing. Yes, I know why this is, and I affirm that he has perfectly moral and proper reasons for remaining anonymous” (//link). O.K. Now note what James White says on his YouTube page pertaining to comments: It is my experience that the vast majority of insulting and absurd comments posted on the Internet arise from the anonymity one has behind a keyboard.... Read more →

I for one, with a tear in my eye, just thank God for you, Mr. James White by Peter Lumpkins

*On James White’s site are posted letters he’s received encouraging and comforting him in his time of deep sorrow for not only dealing with a “fallen” brother but also for the ceaseless "attacks" White has endured because of his pure passion for biblical holiness and the Kingdom of God... According to his encouragers, White’s purpose has been swept clean of any traces of total depravity. One wrote, “I for one, with a tear in my eye, just thank God for you- a man of profound integrity and everything the words... Read more →

Dr. Norman Geisler on Ergun Caner: A Remix by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: “When I went to bed last night I had no idea I would spend the entirety of Saturday writing a small book in response to the further promotion of an evangelical cover-up, a sad defense of the blatantly indefensible. But the Lord knew, of course…” (//link). And elsewhere, “I had planned on writing this post as the only item posted on the blog today. Well, man proposes, God disposes” (//link). Hence, according to James White, while he had other plans, God over-ruled those plans and proposed his writing the... Read more →

"Liar, Liar": A Tribute to James White by Peter Lumpkins

As I've noted before on this site, apparently one of James White's favorite pass-times (while he's not studying hundreds of hours weekly for all those "formal" debates) is winning lost people and Christians alike to the wonderful idea that any Christian who disagrees with him, his view of evidence, or particular version of Calvinism is nothing more than a diabolical liar. After taking his last victim to public task for allegedly lying his way through life, he now makes one of the greatest Christian apologists in recent times into...into...want to... Read more →