peterlumpkins.com

Young Truett-McConnell scholar drops a bombshell on Southern Baptist academia

When Karl Barth's classic commentary on Paul's Epistle to the Romans was first published in 1919, a biblical monograph which effectively delivered Old Liberalism its first mortal blow, one German reviewer described Barth's neo-orthodox innovation revealed in his Romans exposition as falling "like a bombshell on the playground of the theologians" >>> And, while one cannot place Adam Harwood's modest theological reflection at SBC Today on such a profoundly global ecclesial scale as was Barth, the Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Truett-McConnell College just dropped a theological bombshell on... Read more →

Yes, I'm still here...

I trust our Lord blessed you wonderfully with a hearty Thanksgiving season... This may be the longest gap between posts since I began blogging in 2006. I plan to be back soon. I do not say this often enough: I remain appreciative of the readership SBC Tomorrow has accumulated the last several years. Even by the most modest standards, we've not been perfect in our analysis of issues facing Southern Baptists nor in our interpretation of Holy Scripture I must unhappily admit. Nonetheless we have attempted to be as fair... Read more →

The "Sinner's Prayer" Revisited

Dr. Eric Hankins, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Oxford, Mississippi, proposed a "Sinner's Prayer" resolution at the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans back in June >>> As some have noted, while Hankins' original proposal was accepted by the Resolutions Committee, the committee overhauled the original submission fairly extensively before putting it to the messengers for consideration. After a lengthy discussion on the convention floor, messengers approved the edited version of Hankins' resolution. Consequently, most of us probably expected Hankins' original resolution proposal never to surface again.... Read more →

Wash one another's feet?

While foot-washing1 has possessed a negligible presence among Southern Baptists since our actual founding in 1845, its practice may nonetheless be found among some individual congregations affiliated with the SBC >>> Presently, I'm teaching through Article VII in The Baptist Faith and Message dealing with our two church ordinances. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. I found the following quote by a longtime favorite author, Francis Schaeffer, particularly insightful: While most of us think it is a mistake to make this a sacrament, let us admit that it is 10,000 times... Read more →

Headed to the Georgia Baptist Convention today

After taking care of some loose ends, I'm headed to the Georgia Baptist Convention held this year in Warner Robins at the Second Baptist Church where Jim Perdue serves as the senior pastor. Recalling last year's convention, my hunny asked me if I was taking my camera. I said, "Sure! It's a matter of principle." Her response--"Principle my foot!" After almost 40 years of marriage--a beautiful marriage I might add--she probably knows me fairly well, I'd say (smile). "To take or not to take: that is the question..." Perhaps I'll... Read more →

Now we know what Arminian theologian Roger Olson REALLY thinks about Southern Baptists

Popular Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, reveals on his latest post how he really feels about Southern Baptists generally. In his piece entitled, 'My List of "Approved Denominations"' Dr. Olson goes around the denominational globe listing the denominations which meet his approval >>> Included on Olson's "approved denominations" list are: Fellowship of Evangelical Churches Mennonite Church Brethren Church Evangelical Covenant Church Evangelical Free Church of America American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. Baptist General Convention of Texas Conservative Baptist Association of America Baptist General Conference/Converge Worldwide Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Association of General... Read more →

Election 2012: a Difficult Choice?

A dear friend and former church member, Dr. Peter Wielhouwer, now Associate Professor of Political Science at Western Michigan University, wrote a timely piece on his blog entitled "Election 2012: a Difficult Choice." >>> In his brief but incredibly insightful piece, Peter lays out his position on both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney including comparing each candidate's political philosophy and policies to what Peter summarizes as the four main purposes of government according to the Bible. Peter's summary of human government's purpose as revealed in biblical revelation is well worth... Read more →

Covenant Life Church pulling away from C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries?

UPDATE: North Carolina pastor Tim Rogers posts a piece raising the question whether Dr. Al Mohler and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary have connections so close to C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries that the recent lawsuit against Mahaney and his ministry will legally bleed all over Southern Baptists. While I cannot see myself how that could happen, I happily concede I know much too little about the legalities of such a possibility to make a reasonable judgment. Note: do not fail to watch Mahaney's promo video featuring Al Mohler and... Read more →

What about those who haven't heard the gospel?

The Inspired Apostle concluded, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom 10:17). One of the perplexing questions Christians often discuss revolves around those who never have and/or never will hear the life transforming gospel message >>> What constitutes an acceptable answer which remains biblically faithful to not only our understanding of God's merciful love and holy justice, but also to our unwavering commitment to soteriological exclusivism? Namely, the Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work as the only begotten of the Father? Or, as stated... Read more →

Must we define Mormonism as a cult? A Brief Response to Bart Barber

Dr. Bart Barber’s latest piece states the following proposition in its title: “Why Mormonism Is a Cult and Should be Called One.” Bart begins his piece by stating his principled disagreement with three Southern Baptists over the issue of whether “cult” is a proper and useful category in which to place Mormonism. He states >>> “I find myself today disagreeing with Richard Land, Ed Stetzer, and Peter Lumpkins… Mormonism is a cult, and if I read and understand these gentlemen correctly, they all agree with me on that point. Where... Read more →