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The Barbarians, the Bolsheviks, and the Baptists by Sam Houston

The guest essay below is written by a conservative Southern Baptist in the Southwest. The insight is stunning, reflecting a deep understanding of what’s happening in the Southern Baptist Convention. Read and absorb it with care. With that, I am… Peter In some ways, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) may be seen as a fractured set of special interest groups, none of whom share the same agenda but several of whom might have overlapping agendas. However, to oversimplify a bit, the Southern Baptist scene can be analyzed by noting three... Read more →

Mark Driscoll on Politics: An Interesting Take by Peter Lumpkins

Wintery Knight (WK), a site which integrates Christian faith and the public square, posted an interesting commentary on Mark Driscoll's view of Christian involvment in the voting process. I found it a little alarming, but the substance accurate and the conclusion worthy. WK concludes, Avoid Mark Driscoll at all costs on these political and economic issues – stick with Wayne Grudem on politics/economics. Grudem actually knows about how reality functions. He studies the Bible and then he studies how the world actually works. Unlike Driscoll. Driscoll needs to spend less... Read more →

Southern Baptists Handling the Truth by Peter Lumpkins

with that, I am... Peter Read more →

Calvinism: Necessary, Sufficient, or Neither? by Peter Lumpkins

I was recently in dialog with a very learned Southern Baptist. I cherish those moments when I may ask brilliant men questions, informally chatting along and even saying, "Hold it for a moment; What do you mean by...?" Indeed I'm telling you, a theological chat, a cup of San Fransisco Coffee Company's Old Whaler's Blend, a half sesame-seed bagel, toasted with peanut butter, and it just doesn't get any better. I wish I could have something like that more often...>>> Anyways, I had a chat recently concerning Christianity Today's (CT)... Read more →

Denny Burk on Objectivity: A Subjectivist Substitute? by Peter Lumpkins

Last week, New Mexico pastor, Howell Scott, wrote a social commentary bemoaning what many of us in conservativism view a senseless act of leftist obsession with controlling free speech. The occasion was the firing of media analyst and self-described Liberal commentator, Juan Williams, for his “insensitive remarks” about Muslims and airlines. Scott sums it up well: With the firing of Juan Williams…we are witnessing the continued assault on our First Amendment freedoms by radical Islamists and their liberal elite friends in the media and government. I knew that any direct... Read more →

Quiet Revolution or Open Celebration? Calvinizing the Southern Baptist Convention by Peter Lumpkins

In his book, A Quiet Revolution, Earnest Reisinger (along with co-author, D. Matthew Allen) notes what he feels is the forsaking of historic Christianity in the Southern Baptist Convention and the recovery of the gospel... A Quiet Revolution Plainspoken in the clearest terms, Reisinger describes what he thinks ails the largest Protestant body in America—the absence of the gospel, the absence of Calvinism. He writes: “Calvinistic Christianity is nothing more and nothing less than biblical Christianity. It follows, then, that the future of Christianity itself is bound up in the... Read more →

Al Mohler and Moral Reasoning as Applied to Yoga & Perhaps Another Thing or Two by Peter Lumpkins

The Associated Baptist Press reports an interesting panel discussion between several panelists, including two Texas Baptists. The subject? Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President, Al Mohler's recently expressed opposition to yoga practice. According to Dallas Morning News reporter, Sam Hodges: "...Albert Mohler, caused a stir with a recent column decrying the practice of yoga by Christians...[concluding] the [second] column this way: "Christians who practice yoga are embracing, or at minimum flirting with, a spiritual practice that threatens to transform their own spiritual lives into a `post-Christian, spiritually polyglot' reality. Should any... Read more →

Time to Quit Blogging? by Peter Lumpkins

The last few days have been, shall we just keep it simple and say, a little rough. To not only have your heart trashed, your faith questioned and your character smeared, but also have impostors being allowed (and even encouraged) to post comments in your name* is not the cup of soup I'd prefer to sip. Nevertheless, I'll sip on bitter soup a good long spell if my leftover options are limited to either a) silence; or b) acquiescence. Biblical commitment and Baptist conviction wed to the Lordship of Jesus... Read more →

Danny Akin, SEBTS, SBC Voices, and my Take on Acceptable Engagement by Peter Lumpkins

Warning: THIS PIECE IS VERY LENGTHY I initially prepared the piece below (below the double under-lined section) as a comment for this thread. I do think. however, it needs wider exposure. It is a longer comment exposing I think a fundamental divide between what I find as acceptable, honorable exchange and what other bloggers—specifically some Southern Baptist bloggers—judge as the “best” and “worst” in blogging. I think it beneficial if one is interested in knowing what drives me to write as I do. More importantly now, please read at least... Read more →

Peter Lumpkins: The Worst Kind of Baptist Blogging: A Rejoinder by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: I have to be honest here. Though I still recommend your reading the Miller post and my subsequent response to what I would still characterize as Miller's non-sensical critique of my last post, it's difficult for me to recommend the SBC Voices' site (only on this particular post is this applicable). The problem is, the comment thread lost all rational toward the subject at hand, so much so, that not even Danny Akin logging on could salvage it. If you do read, expect to gain little so far as... Read more →

Here Come Those Boozin' [young, cool, and hip] Baptists: A Problem for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary? by Peter Lumpkins

I'll never forget Baptist Historian, Walter Shurden's little volume on Baptist history--the first history of Baptists I ever laid eyes on and required to actually read--Not a Silent People (link for 2nd edition, not the original edition). In the volume he used the catchy refrain "Here come those battlin' Baptists!" while dealing with several controversies which have shaped Baptists--particularly Southern Baptists--throughout history. Over the past couple of days, Between the Times, the official blog of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has posted on the subject of abstinence from alcohol. Yesterday, a... Read more →

Thabiti Anyabwile on The Economist by Peter Lumpkins

Recently, I put up a piece linking to the 9Marks Conference hosted by the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, especially profiling the address on Romans 9 by Thabiti Anyabwile, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman in the Grand Cayman Islands and a Council member with The Gospel Coalition, and comparing his perspective with another perspective on Romans 9 by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s professor of theology, Malcolm Yarnell. Anyabwile’s latest blog-post hardly displays the careful presentation he demonstrated at the 9Marks conference. Instead, we’re distracted from his concluding... Read more →

Salvation and Sovereignty: a Molinist Approach: An Extended Book-look (part I) 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 >>> SSM begins with a foreword written by Dr. Paige Patterson who hails... Read more →

Do GCR Opponents Talk To Each Other? Howell Scott Thinks So by Peter Lumpkins

If you have not discovered From Law to Grace, a blog written by New Mexico pastor, Howell Scott, you need to put his site in your reader. Few SBC bloggers make as much sense as this attorney turned pastor--especially on recent changes pertaining to the Southern Baptist Convention, the Cooperative Program, and the present GCRTF agenda. In his present post entitled, "Shocking News: GCR Opponents Talk to Each Other" he writes: In what must come as a shock to those who led the Conservative Resurgence over the course of 30... Read more →

Restoring America Conference by Peter Lumpkins

First Redeemer Church, Cumming, Georgia is hosting a Restoring America Conference, October 10-12. The founding pastor, Dr. Richard Lee is no stranger engaging America's cultural drift from the Judeo-Christian moral construct upon which it was founded. Recall Dr. Lee is the General Editor for the famed The American Patriot's Bible, only recently becoming Amazon's best-selling themed Bible. Expected to draw 3,000 in attendance, on the platform for the conference are: Herman Cain Fred Barnes Walid Shoebat Ann Coulter With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Danny Akin, Mark Driscoll's Acts29, and the GCR Agenda: For the Record by Peter Lumpkins

Remember when Dr. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote a series of articles on "myths" concerning the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force work? Virtually a year ago to the day (October 6, 2009), Dr. Akin wrote: "I am going to do a series of blogs that will hopefully help in putting to rest a number of untruths that are being bantered about. The list of “myths about the GCR” will not be in any particular order. I hope these blogs will be helpful in setting the record... Read more →

Al Mohler and Ed Stetzer on Calvinism in the SBC: Consequential or Inconsequential? by Peter Lumpkins

I have several thoughts on the cover story on Al Mohler by Molly Worthen in the October 2010 edition of Christianity Today entitled, "The Reformer." Earlier, I posted my thoughts on some pre-publication criticism offered by young, restless, and Reformed icon, Justin Taylor. I also included a link to Trevin Wax's essential agreement with Taylor albeit Wax was more nuanced in his criticism and offered some considerable reasons why he believed Worthen was "condescending" toward Mohler, Southern seminary, and the Conservative Resurgence. Take a look and see what you think.... Read more →

Justin Taylor on the Christianity Today Cover Story on Al Mohler by Peter Lumpkins

The word is out. Dr. Al Mohler is on the cover of Christianity Today magazine. And, while the most culturally visible Southern Baptist has enjoyed a decade and a half of media coverage--coverage invariably placing him among elite intellectuals in evangelical sub-culture--this particular story by Molly Worthen, a writer and journalist finishing her Ph.D. in American religious history at Yale University, appears slightly less euphoric in presenting Mohler as the reforming hero he has heretofore become. One surely expected the letdown, given some hints from those who read Worthen's story... Read more →

hipster christianity: when church and cool collide by Brett McCracken: a Book Look by Peter Lumpkins

Brett McCracken is managing editor of Biola University’s Biola Magazine and a regular writer for Christianity Today and Relevant Magazine. hipster christianity is a fascinating read for several reasons. I’ll mention two which hopefully will pique your interest. First, McCracken himself is an insider of sorts. That is, he considers himself a card-carrying member of the culture he calls “hipster christianity.” Early on, he writes: “The question will inevitably arise…’Are you yourself a Christian hipster? Are you a part of the subject you’re studying?’ The short answer is yes’" (p.14).... Read more →

2011 Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix by Peter Lumpkins

Reservation requests opened today for the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention to be held in the desert city, Phoenix, Arizona. We have friends not far from Phoenix in Lake Havasu. Looking forward to the trip. If you want to get the best deals for the nearest hotels to the convention center, you’d be wise to reserve your room early. The cancellation policy is very generous. And, you’re not liable for any charges until May, 2011, giving you plenty of time to get past the Christmas bust. Here’s the link for online... Read more →