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When Calvinists and their Calvinism becomes destructive to local churches by Peter Lumpkins

I'm often intrigued when the question is raised concerning the destructive results untold churches have experienced when Calvinism is both introduced and imposed upon a local congregation--a congregation whose theological heritage is not Calvinism or Reformed >>> Inevitably, skeptics will log on and challenge the assertion suggesting that non-Calvinists destroy just as many churches as do Calvinists. Of course, in one sense that may be true. Controversial beliefs are no respecter of persons. We may all have controversial beliefs; that is, beliefs which may be entirely incompatible with a particular... Read more →

Calvinists react to Jerry Vines interview (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

Calvinists react to Jerry Vines interview Part I may be found here. Part II is below and focuses on Joshua Breland's piece on Jerry Vines >>> Part II A brief rejoinder to Breland’s “lengthy response” to Jerry Vines may be helpful. First, Breland criticizes Vines because “citing Calvinism as the reason for current division within the SBC is not helpful to the discussion.” Why? Because, according to Breland, since “Calvinism neither walks nor talks” but is a mere “system of theology”, Breland concludes “ Calvinism is not creating division in... Read more →

Calvinists react to Jerry Vines interview (part I) by Peter Lumpkins

SBC Today, the rising star among Southern Baptist blogs, has continued a helpful series of posts interviewing well-known personalities throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. Mentionables include Jim Richards, Fred Luter, Brad Whit, Bryant Wright, Mac Brunson, Emir Caner, Ergun Caner, Johnny Hunt, Frank Cox, Steve Rummage, Hayes Wicker, Frank Page, and the most recent, Jerry Vines >>> Like many of the Conservative Resurgence leaders including Adrian Rogers and Paige Patterson, Jerry Vines remains a household name among those Southern Baptists who marched arm-in-arm through the 20 year+ battle over the... Read more →

A. H. Newman on the "Radical Reformers" by Peter Lumpkins

The eminent church historian, Albert Henry Newman (1852–1933) was one of the founders of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. An accomplished scholar recognized by a broad, prestigious society of reputable historians, Newman wrote several standard works on Christian history including Baptist history >>> In 1894, A History of the Baptist Churches in the United States was released and enjoyed several subsequent reprints. In an introductory section entitled "Relation of Baptists to Other Bodies of Christians" Newman had this to say concerning our Baptist roots in the Reformation: Baptists have, for the... Read more →

Baptist Theologian explains "Radical Reformation Day" by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Malcolm Yarnell is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Director of the Oxford Study Program, Director of the Center for Theological Research, and Editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology. Dr. Yarnell also authored, contributed to and/or edited several published works including his enlightening monograph on The Formation of Christian Doctrine . In a recent Baptist Press article entitled "Why we celebrate Radical Reformation Day" he explains its significance for Southern Baptists >>> On this day in 1525, after an extended period of intense Bible study in the original languages,... Read more →

LifeWay sponsors Elephant Room by Peter Lumpkins

For all those who question the spiritual propriety of The Elephant Room, you may officially thank our LifeWay resources, at least in part, for bringing The Elephant Room to a city or church near you: With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Mark Driscoll at Liberty University by Peter Lumpkins

Reflecting the idea among some of Christianity's earliest Christian philosophers that viewed pagan philosophy primarily as a thoroughly corrupted source and therefore resisted making theological use of pagan wisdom in understanding God, Tertullian famously asks, “What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem, the Academy with the Church?”1 >>> I suppose a similarly worded question could be asked of Liberty University officials: What does Lynchburg have to do with Seattle, the Falwells with Driscoll? Hold onto your eyes as they pop out of their sockets when you read Charles Billingsley's... Read more →

The latest theological journal issue from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary deals with Calvinist, Arminian, and Baptist perspectives on salvation by Peter Lumpkins

The spring issue of The Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry deals with three perspectives on soteriological models: Calvinistic, Arminian, and Baptist. Authors include Steve Lemke, J. Matthew Pinson, and Kenneth Stewart among others >>> Especially helpful is a paper presented by Dr. Pinson, President of Free Will Baptist Bible College, entitled "Thomas Grantham's Theology of the Justification and the Atonement" with panel responses by several theologians including James Leonard, Rhyne Putman, and Clint Bass followed with a rejoinder by Dr. Pinson. We tend to forget that Thomas Grantham was... Read more →

Why I Think Mark Driscoll is a Misogynist: a Southern Baptist Woman's Perspective by Mary England

The first time I came across the name Mark Driscoll was on a rabid feminist blog. It was the sorry Ted Haggard affair. Driscoll’s thoughts of the situation sent the internet into conniptions. Mark’s basic take was that wives of ministers are purposefully letting themselves go and controlling their husbands with sex because the husbands are trapped into fidelity >>> SBC Tomorrow welcomes back Mary England as Guest Contributor* Therefore a man caught in the act of adultery was most likely pushed there because his wife wasn’t “helping him out... Read more →

Mark Driscoll laments "disrespectful, adversarial, and subjective" interview by Peter Lumpkins

Mark Driscoll is on the defensive over an interview about his newly released book, Real Marriage, going terribly bad. At least that's how he's reacting. On his site, he writes a post entitled "A Blog Post for the Brits". In it, he laments the upcoming release of the interview: >>> There is reportedly an article coming out in a British Christian publication that features an interview with me. As is often the case, to stoke the fires of controversy, thereby increasing readership, which generates advertising revenue, a few quotes of... Read more →

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.) >>> The Florida Baptist Witness plans to publish a 12 Part series by Dr. Rathel the purpose of which, in its words, is "addressing the always controversial theological issues surrounding how Southern Baptists understand the doctrine of salvation". Dr. Rathel adds his own vision he possesses for the series in his first installment of the... Read more →

On sincerity in offering the gospel: is there a difference between Calvinists and non-Calvinists? by Peter Lumpkins

Below is a little parable I created about two men--Sam and Jack. Perhaps the parable may offer some insight into why many non-Calvinists frequently express that, in their view, strict Calvinism insincerely offers the gospel >>> Sam, Jack, and the homeless man Every morning Sam gets up at 6AM to do his morning walk. Inevitably, a homeless man sits at the end of his street with his cup. For reasons unknown to Sam, the homeless man has no use for him. In fact, he appears to hate Sam. Every time... Read more →

Did 19th century Virginia Regular Baptists hold to general atonement? by Peter Lumpkins

Southern Baptist Calvinists frequently assert that it wasn't until well into the twentieth century that strong Calvinism began to wane in influence among Southern Baptists. For example, Al Mohler is recently quoted as saying, >>> Even the opponents of Calvinism must admit, if historically informed, that Calvinism is the theological tradition into which the Baptist movement was born. The same is true of the Southern Baptist Convention. The most influential churches, leaders, confessions of faith and theologians of the founding era were Calvinists—it was not until well into the twentieth... Read more →

Peter Berger's sociological interpretation of New Calvinism's effect on Southern Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

Sociologist Peter Berger stands tall among American intellectuals. Berger presently serves as Professor Emeritus of Religion, Sociology and Theology and Director, Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs at the prestigious Boston University. Among many influential titles to his credit are The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion (1967), The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics (1999), and more recently Questions of Faith: A Skeptical Affirmation of Christianity (2003). Professor Berger also regularly contributes to The American Interest, an online magazine dealing with American... Read more →

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) >>> Let us remember that there is no disagreement about human responsibility. Augustinians, Calvinists, Arminians, and all other orthodox Christians agree that the lost are lost because of their own sin. But that is not the question at hand. The... Read more →

Yes, I'm still here and will be back online soon by Peter Lumpkins

Still rockin and reelin from two long but delightful weeks of grandies in the house. Presently, it's fairly quiet. I should be back to posting regularly this week. Grace all... With that, I am... Peter Read more →