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The Prayer and The Preaching by W.M. Lea as Published in The Baptist, Feb 20, 1875

Esteemed Southern Baptist Historian, Thomas J. Nettles on the formation, decline, and comeback of the Southern Baptist Convention

source In 2014, Thomas J. Nettles retired as professor of historical theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he had taught since 1997. Dr. Nettles' theological instruction spanned a full 38 years in the classroom of various theological institutions including Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Nettles is considered by many to be one of the foremost Baptist historians alive today. Beginning early in the 1980s, two of his books, one of which was co-authored by the late L. Russ Bush, ranked... Read more →

John Gano--an alternate description of an early American Calvinist missionary

John Gano (1727-1804) remains a hero among Baptist Calvinists for his role in evangelizing the heathen in mid-18th century. picture source For example, Baptist pastor and historian, Tom Ascol, highlights Gano's role as a gospel preacher commissioned by the Charleston Association to show how Regular (Particular) Baptists were "thoroughly evangelistic:" ...the [Charleston] association commissioned John Gano to preach the gospel at the Jersey Settlement on the banks of the Yadkin River—not far from Sandy Creek—in what is now North Carolina. Far from being a dividing point, Sandy Creek actually became... Read more →

Gregory A. Wills: "Arminianism did not prosper in the Netherlands"

Gregory A. Wills summarily writes about the Synod of Dort's response to the Remonstrants, followers of Jacob Arminius. 'The Arminian Remonstrants summed up their doubts [i.e. concerning the purported teachings of John Calvin by Theodore Beza, et al] in five points. The Dutch church hosted the Synod of Dort, a gathering of the leaders of Europe's Reformed churches, which answered each point…These became known as the "five points of Calvinism."'1 Wills then writes, "Arminianism did not prosper in the Netherlands but attracted many followers in England and America." So far... Read more →

Alabama Baptist association circular letter--"Christ Jesus made an atonement, general in its nature"

Below is a snippet from a circular letter published in 1843 for the North River United Baptist Association in 1843. Beginning in 1832, David Andrews an "Arminian" pastor was ousted from Bethel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa and eventually led in the formation of the North River association. In the 1843 minutes, the circular letter is printed in full: But Brethren, pause and think back, and take a view of the situation of the churches in this section of country, some ten or twelve years ago, and contrast the condition of... Read more →

W.A. Criswell and Calvinism…Again

source When the Traditional Statement was released in 2012, it drew fire from many Calvinistic quarters across the evangelical spectrum not the least of which was Founders Ministries, then the largest network of Calvinists in the Southern Baptist Convention. Accompanying many of the criticisms of the document was an appeal for theological support from the late Pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, Texas and Southern Baptist legend, W.A. Criswell. For example, Tom Ascol, the executive director of Founders Ministries, wondered aloud if Criswell would attach his name to the recent... Read more →

'Southern seminary founded to combat the great Arminian heresy'

"The founder of this seminary, whose portrait sits behind you, identified Arminianism as one of the three great heresies this institution was established to combat.” --President Al Mohler to Barry Hankins in interview-- "Oral Memoirs of R. Albert Mohler, Jr." Read more →

Evangelical surprise: Billy Graham just may be a Calvinist!

On October 28, Dr. Rick Patrick, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Sylacauga, Alabama posted a piece entitled "25 Traditional SBC Heroes" at SBC Today. Patrick named as the top contender for the number one hero amongst traditional Southern Baptists the Rev. Billy Graham. While one might quibble whether Graham deserves the no.1 hero seed, few would question whether Graham should make the hero lineup for traditional Southern Baptists. Within the comment thread, however, some extreme Calvinists (and perhaps others not so extreme) actually raised the question as to whether Billy... Read more →

Redux: Southern Baptists Move Away from Rigid Calvinism: The Influence of F.H. Kerfoot

Below is a biographical piece on F. H. Kerfoot I forgot I originally posted almost eight years ago. I think it's vital info about Kerfoot relevant to the series of footnotes I'm presently posting from Kerfoot's editorial work on Boyce's Abstract of Systematic Theology republished in 1899. Note in the body of the piece my obvious unawareness that Kerfoot both challenged Boyce's position at several junctures and changed his wording at other key junctures to soften the strong Calvinism Boyce embraced in his textbook for future students at Southern seminary.... Read more →

Ron Vietti and Jim Crews' critics on Exposing Calvinism

Ron Vietti and Jim Crews (Vegas Campus) are co-pastors at Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, CA. Being the largest church in town, their recent exposé on Calvinism caused some Calvinists to experience complete meltdown. Vietti predicted with amazing accuracy the chatter splatter he would personally receive because of the stance he would take. But rather than focus on what some of the more hackneyed critics had to say, I'd like to turn our attention to an open letter written by Chad Vegas,1 Lead and Founding Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church... Read more →

Spurgeon on Limited Atonement

We've recently mentioned Dr. David Allen's series of reviews on chapters from From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective, the most recent defense of Limited Atonement published by Crossway. Below are some quotes about Limited Atonement from one of the greatest and most popular Baptist preachers of all time, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. The first quotes are taken from a sermon in 1858 at Royal Surrey Gardens on Isaiah 53:10 entitled "The Death of Christ." Two lengthy paragraphs from his sermon make... Read more →

Brenda B. Colijn on A Parable of Calvinism

Dr. Brenda B. Colijn is Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. Dr. Colijn offered an interesting parable in her paper "A Parable of Calvinism"1 wherein she challenges the Calvinistic understanding of the well-meant offer of the gospel to all human beings. Coming from an Anabaptistic theological framework, I think she makes a valid point in critiquing standard Calvinistic explanations given and accepted by Reformed believers. Below is Colijn's "parable of a cruise ship." Consider: The kingdom of God is like a cruise ship... Read more →

Wesley on insincerity of Calvinism's God offering a call to all

'Addressing Calvinists, [Wesley] notes: “You suppose [God] to be standing at the prison-doors, having the keys thereof in his hands, and to be continually inviting the prisoners to come forth, commanding them to accept of that invitation, urging every motive which can possibly induce them to comply with that command; adding the most precious promises, if they obey, the most dreadful threatenings, if they obey not; and all this time you suppose him to be unalterably determined in himself never to open the doors for them! even while he is... Read more →

Are Southern Baptist Traditionalists losing appreciation for viable historical options dealing with God’s sovereignty and human free will?

Does there exist a logically-driven, undeniable answer to the age-old question concerning God's sovereignty and human free will? Some appear to think so. Calvinism's Typical Response to Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom Calvinists often suggest a logical answer by redefining what we normally mean when we think of free will. When I think of free will (and I suspect most people would affirm my thoughts), I think of the actual ability to choose otherwise than I chose. For instance, if I'm driving through a small city in the Southwest and... Read more →

Earl Blackburn at 1845 Conference--'I can work with a flaming Arminian'

According to Louisiana Southern Baptist pastor, Earl Blackburn, Arminianism is not rampant in the Southern Baptist Convention. Rather Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism is and has crept into Southern Baptist churches and institutions. After rehearsing a brief historical sketch of the Pelagian controversy in the fifth century A.D. in which Pelagius's teaching on human depravity was condemned as being "outside the bounds" of orthodoxy, Blackburn laments in his sermon "A Historic Southern Baptist View of the Fall of Man" (beginning at the 54:50 mark): What is sad today...What is sad as I... Read more →

Roger Olson: an Interview Revisited: Part 4

Today I offer the final installment on the interview series with Dr. Roger Olson, Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics, Truett Theological Seminary, Waco, TX. We talked in this final section on many issues raised in his latest book, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. I trust your understanding of Arminiansim has deepened as a result. Let's begin: Do you think the historic debate between God’s Sovereignty and human Free Will is where emphasis should be placed in discussions between Calvinists and Arminians, or are there other more significant discussions to... Read more →

Roger Olson: an Interview Revisited: Part 3

Today, we continue our Interview with Dr. Roger Olson, Professor of Theology, Truett Theology Seminary, Waco, Texas. This is part three of a four part series. Professor Olson is both an accomplished theologian in the Arminian tradition as well as a renowned historian of Christian Theology. His many books include The Story of Christian Theology, Who Needs Theology?, The Mosaic of Christian Belief, 20th-Century Theology, Pocket History of Theology, and under discussion today, his latest book, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. Welcome Dr. Olson... Professor, what does Classic Arminianism teach... Read more →

Roger Olson: an Interview Revisited: Part 2

Below is the continuation of the interview I had with Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, in 2006. Part 3 will be posted later this week (my questions are emboldened). Dr. Olson, in the Introduction to Arminian Theology: Myths & Realities, you write: “The thesis of this book is that Arminianism is at a disadvantage in this controversy because it is so rarely understood and so commonly misinterpreted both by its critics and its supposed defenders.” But Dr. Olson, I hear so often that Arminianism is rampant in America’s pulpit--usually by Calvinist... Read more →

Roger Olson: An Interview Revisited: Part I

Due to my backlogged schedule, I simply can't get around to blogging presently. Hence, I'm reposting some worthy pieces from the past (they remain virtually the same, errors and all!). (image source) I first posted this phone interview I had with Roger Olson in October, 2006. Dr. Olson is Foy Valentine Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Dr. Olson blogs at patheos.com. I chose to break up the interview into bite-sized chunks offering, I believe, more opportunity for interaction. I... Read more →

John MacArthur offers more skepticism on the YRR and "Flat-screen" Preachers

Yesterday I posted MacArthur's video wherein he pounded the young, restless, and reformed community for stepping over the moral threshold into a worldly lifestyle.1 In a real sense, MacArthur's concern centers on classic antinomianism, a well-known temptation within the Reformed community. In 2009, I wrote these words: The Conservative Resurgence which officially began in 1979 made history by turning the theological clock backwards to its rightful, biblically authoritative moorings… Southern Baptists once again should heed the times: there is another coming crisis in our convention, just beyond the horizon. Before... 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 →

Preaching "Regeneration precedes faith" deadly for Baptists in the Mississippi Valley in the 19th century by Peter Lumpkins

In Whomever He Wills , Dr. Matthew Barrett writes in his chapter entitled, "The Scriptural Affirmation of Monergism" concerning the doctrinal significance of what has become known as regeneration precedes faith--or, in short, monergism. He writes: "For some, such a debate [i.e. synergism vs. monergism] may appear insignificant. To the contrary, God's glory hangs in the balance. If God's working in calling and regenerating the sinner is conditioned upon man's will, then God cannot receive all of the glory in salvation. But if God works alone, effectually to call and... Read more →

James White critiques Ronnie Rogers' book, “Reflections of a Disenchanted Calvinist” by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: As expected, James White responded to this piece on his follow-up "Radio Free Geneva" podcast. Well, let me be clear: it really wasn't a response to this piece so much as an acknowledgment of it. During the first few minutes, he talks about "almost forgetting" about old "Petey" (And, we want to assure James White we've not forgotten about him, either!) Then, he and Rich Pierce ridiculed the video I put up because of the number of views, etc. comparing my traffic to his. What a hoot! Like giddy,... Read more →

Former Calvinist speaks about his journey away from the "doctrines of grace" by Peter Lumpkins

Ronnie Rogers is pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Norman, OK. In Reflections of a Disenchanted Calvinist, Rogers speaks as no stranger to his subject. Indeed for years he embraced Calvinism but through systematic exposition of Scripture, he came to view the Reformed hermeneutical template a hindrance to understanding biblical revelation rather than a help >>> click the book icon to go to Amazon.com1 Those of you who have followed me on this site for a while know I have a similar story. Few will be able to suggest Rogers does... Read more →

Founders Calvinist Tom Nettles and the takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention (part I) by Peter Lumpkins

Kentucky pastor and SBC Voices contributor, Jared Moore posed a series of questions to "Traditionalists" about the address Dr. Tom Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently gave at the Founders Breakfast held during the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. >>> To be specific, Moore wondered "how traditionalists answer Nettles's [sic] assumptions here. Do you view the entities of the SBC as only your property, or as only the property of those who affirm a "majority" soteriological viewpoint beyond the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, instead... Read more →

We're down to 2 Point Calvinism by Peter Lumpkins

This week was an interesting week on SBC Tomorrow. On Wednesday, we offered a piece on Andrew Broaddus (1770-1848), a legendary figure in his own time... >>> A strict Baptist of the south, Broaddus remained a positive influence for evangelical Christianity all over the region. The famed Calvinist, J.B. Jeter, a friend and supporter who preached Broaddus' funeral homily, hailed him as the most formidable foe against whom Alexander Campbell contended on the historic Baptist side of the Campbellite controversy, a controversy which wreaked havoc on 19th century Baptists. Yet,... Read more →

E. C. Dargan rejects total depravity; or, Was E. C. Dargan actually a Semi-Pelagian? by Peter Lumpkins

Edwin Charles Dargan was born on November 17, 1852. A native of South Carolina, he converted to Christ at age sixteen and went on to earn two degrees from Furman University (B.A., M.A.) and later enrolled in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary studying theology under the famed founder of Southern, James. P. Boyce >>> After serving the pastorate for several years in Virginia and California, Dargan was invited to join the faculty of his beloved alma mater in 1892. Hence, he became the professor of homiletics and ecclesiological history and remained... Read more →

W.T. Brantly on denying irresistible grace by Peter Lumpkins

William Theophilus Brantly, Sr. (1787-1845) was a popular preacher in the south during the first half of the 19th century, and served Philadelphia's historic First Baptist Church as pastor. Additionally, as editor of The Christian Index, Georgia Baptists denominational state paper, he was one of the most prolific Baptist editors in the United States. The Christian Index is the nation's oldest continually published religious newspaper dating back to 1822 with the legendary Luther Rice as its first editor. Brantly edited the newspaper from 1827 to 1833, at which time the... Read more →

Traditional Statement now “errs” but not “heresy”? by Peter Lumpkins

Recently, Alabama pastor, Rick Patrick, wrote an interesting piece at SBC Voices entitled, "Of Unity and Heresy." He writes: The suggestion by Southern Baptist Calvinists that Traditionalists may believe in heresy is much more troubling. Traditionalists who affirm Total Depravity reject Total Inability. Traditionalists who affirm our sin nature in Adam nevertheless reject that we are guilty of Adam's sin, holding rather that we are each accountable only for our own sin. These may not be Calvinist views, but they are certainly not heretical, semi-Pelagian views. Real live Cooperative Program... Read more →

Andrew Broaddus on Limited Atonement by Peter Lumpkins

According to Baptist Calvinist, J.B. Jeter, Andrew Broaddus (1770-1848) remained a Baptist legend in 19th century Virginia. His rhetorical skills and keen intellect made him a theological "genius" of sorts.1 Jeter's description of Broaddus surely places him in the position of being one of the most influential Baptists during the first half of the 19th century. For instance, of Broaddus' role in the Campbellite controversy, Jeter wrote: Of all the opponents which Mr. Campbell encountered in the early stage of his Reformation, Elder Broaddus was decidedly the most formidable. Dr.... Read more →

Al Mohler, Semi-Pelagianism, and being "Traditional" Southern Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

I’m personally appreciative Al Mohler responded to “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation” (TS) released to the public last week by Dr. Eric Hankins, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Oxford, Mississippi >>> Entitled “Southern Baptists and Salvation: It’s Time to Talk” Dr. Mohler demonstrates that the issue the document discusses is really worth our time as Southern Baptists. Several worthy responses to Mohler are already logged including Eric Hankins, Truett-McConnell, Malcolm Yarnell, and Adam Harwood. I hope Dr. Mohler will contemplate well these... Read more →

Akin says media reports led to "misconceptions and misinterpretations" about weekend arrest of William "Billy" Birch by Peter Lumpkins

William "Billy" Birch According to Baptist Press (BP), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary's weekly chapel service focused on circumstances surrounding the tragic arrest of seminary student and Southern Baptist blogger, William "Billy" Birch. Before expulsion, Birch was an MDiv student at the Wake Forest campus but was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegations he performed unwanted sexual advances toward a 25 year old male undergraduate student, crimes he apparently confesses to have committed. President Danny Akin clarified what he suspects to be "misconceptions and misinterpretations" stemming from media reports about the weekend's... Read more →

Take heed lest you fall by Peter Lumpkins

The inspired Apostle gives us both exhortation and warning. He writes: >>> Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (1 Co 10:12) Our hearts are directed first to the victims of this moral and criminal lapse. Though it taxes our minds in discovering appropriate words to collectively express our disappointment, our anger, our frustration, we nonetheless are morally obliged to do so. We hurt for and with the victims. We also possess a moral obligation to denounce as sinful and depraved this criminal act allegedly... 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Baptist Have Always Been Calvinists? by Peter Lumpkins

Recently, I contested Dr. Al Mohler's confidence that it was well into the twentieth century before any knowledgable person could dispute the theo-historical assertion that Baptists were anything but Calvinists. To be precise, Mohler is claimed to have said >>> 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... Read more →

Christ's Death: designed for all, designed for some? (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

John writes: “He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only for ours but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:2 NLT). In order to better grasp this verse, let’s consider a brief background of the Elder’s first little letter >>> Undoubtedly written by an eye witness of Jesus (1:1-4), most scholars seemingly attest to a date for it in the mid to late nineties A.D. And, though some have questioned whether John the Apostle penned it, Guthrie is surely right to insist “ it... Read more →

"Calminian" Good, "Biblicist" Better by Peter Lumpkins

Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, insists there is no such animal as a "Calminian". In fact, he unequiovocally states the "Impossibility of Calminianism." He writes >>> Nevertheless, in spite of the stark contrast between Calvinism and Arminianism on certain fundamental points of doctrine, many people try to force them into a hybrid: Calminianism. Classical Calvinists and classical Arminians agree that this is not possible... . On several crucial issues related to soteriology, then, no middle ground or hybrid between Calvinism and Arminianism is logically possible. Calminianism can only be held in... Read more →

Are Baptists Calvinists, Arminians, Calminians, or, well...Baptists? by Peter Lumpkins

Many times we stand reminded by our Calvinist family how, in so many ways, our Baptist ancestors in 19th Century America were overwhelming Calvinistic in their understanding of salvation. We repeatedly hear of James Boyce, Basil Manly, Jesse Mercer, P.H. Mell, John Gano and a host of others who embraced classic Calvinism. Indeed, for Calvinists, these men only represent the unified theology of that massive Baptist body who would eventually become the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845... >>> In addition, since so many Baptist churches, especially in the south, embraced... Read more →

Calvinists, the Southwest Alabama Bible Conference 2011, and the "20 Questions" by Peter Lumpkins

The Southwest Alabama Bible Conference 2011 (SABC) may be the first organized attempt—or, at least the most visible firstly organized event--by grassroots Southern Baptists to address the issue of aggressive Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. With some seminaries and agencies continuing to promote the Calvinist Resurgence, other grassroots efforts may not be far behind.* We think this is a good sign for Southern Baptists >>> We expect the pastors who sponsor the conference to be tarred as divisive and unhelpful by many Calvinists in the SBC. I think it... Read more →

Founders Journal & Whosoever Will: Observations: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

Founders Journal represents the theological thinking of the largest network of strict Calvinists within the Southern Baptist Convention, Founders Ministries.* In its most recent edition, Founders offers its critique of Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism, edited by Drs. Steve Lemke and David Allen. The issue entitled “Theological Debate Within the Family” (FJ 82) unfortunately ran into some technical difficulties and is being presently republished (though the misprinted version had already been sent out). I want to offer a few observations about the critical journal entries and will... Read more →

1 Corinthians 4:7: Does it Distinguish Between the Saved and the Unsaved? by Peter Lumpkins

On my last piece, one commenter quoted Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:7 as indicative of the Apostle arguing that this gracious “system or paradigm of conversion” eliminates all boasting or crediting oneself with being saved. He further noted that Paul says that those who reject the idea that they are different because of God's gift to them are ones who have grounds for boasting. In the course of the exchange, I offered some contextual matters necessary to understand Paul’s rhetorical questions he asked the Corinthians. Paul writes, “For who... Read more →

Are Some Forms of Calvinism Hard to Swallow? Perhaps...by Peter Lumpkins

William Birch put up a great post recently entitled "Arminianism Grants Man All the Credit for Salvation." Dealing with the charge that Arminians receive credit for saving themselves from sin, Birch rhetorically asks: "...Does the person who is rescued from a burning building by a fireman turn to the on-lookers and exclaim, “I am a hero, for I had the wisdom to come out of the burning building”? No, the one rescued from the burning building owes his or her “salvation,” so to speak, to the fireman — the one... Read more →

Calvinism on the Rise: A New Barna Study Challenges the Reformed Revival in America by Peter Lumpkins

Whether one reads the young, restless, and reformed guru, Collin Hansen, or takes seriously Ed Stetzer’s statistics that suggests Calvinism is on the rise (especially in the SBC), or accepts the rhetoric that Reformed church planting leads the pack by a country mile in new church starts, The Barna Group’s newly released study “Is There a “Reformed Movement” in American Churches?” rains on the Calvinistic come-back parade >>> For at least 10 years, Barna has tracked American non-Catholic clergy who identify the churches they serve as "Calvinist or Reformed." Presently,... Read more →

Salvation and Sovereignty: a Molinist Approach: An Extended Book-look (Part II) 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. The engagement below is Part II in a series of three parts. To... Read more →

Southern Baptists Handling the Truth by Peter Lumpkins

with that, I am... Peter Read more →

On Calvinism and Infant Salvation: A Brief Proposal (Part II) by Peter Lumpkins

As I mentioned in Part I, I felt it necessary to set the record straight because some “Reformed” brothers claimed I did not take the time to rightly understand “reformed theology” and consequently was butchering it. And, one of the supposed outrageous claims I made pertained to Calvinism’s darker side in assigning all reprobate infants to hell. I began with John Calvin’s “horribile decretum”; so horrible, in fact, that Calvinism’s 19th century Princeton champion, B.B. Warfield hid Calvin’s view from plain sight, burying it in a footnote, when he offered... Read more →

John Calvin Goes to Berkley: An Unusual Twist in the Calvinist-Arminian Debate: A Book Note by Peter Lumpkins

Student minister, James G. McCarthy, who’s served on five university campuses (including Berkeley) has authored four books, the last of which is his first novel, John Calvin Goes to Berkeley. Being the first in the University Christian Fellowship Series, this volume was published by City Christian Press, San Jose, California, 2010. The plot centers around five students who are a part of the University Christian Fellowship Bible studies. Peace reigns in the fellowship until the inevitable issue surfaces concerning predestination. Then, division becomes deeply embedded, and the only solution is... Read more →