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An Exchange on "A Critique of Limited Atonement" by David Allen in Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique

Several weeks ago, I posted a mini-review of Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique on my Facebook feed. I gave it favorable remarks specifically highlighting a few of its chapters one of which was David Allen's chapter critiquing the Reformed understanding of limited atonement. No recent scholar in Baptist life has researched and written more on the biblical, theological, and historical understanding of the extent, intent, and application of the atonement. His mammoth work on the extent of the atonement remains a remarkable display of his accomplished scholarship. There were... Read more →

Joshua Harris rethinks his views in bestseller, I Kissed Dating Good-bye

graphic source First published in 1997 and updated in 2003, Joshua Harris's I Kissed Dating Goodbye still garners heavy sales on Amazon.com where readers have piled up almost 877 reviews over the last two decades, reviews averaging 4/5 stars. Overall, that's just under one review per week since publication. Pretty impressive for a 21 year old author, I'd say. The relationship perspective between male and female which Harris embraced and non-negotiably insisted constituted the biblical view was what he called "courting" rather than "dating," a fairly provocative notion in evangelical... Read more →

Oliver Crisp stands as a vindication of David Allen's work on limited atonement

Just finished scanning my copy of Deviant Calvinism: Broadening Reformed Theology by Fuller Theological Seminary Professor of Systematic Theology, Oliver Crisp. The short work (192 pages) promises to be an excellent resource for what's theologically happening in Reformed circles today. In passing, Crisp vindicates the tireless research on Christ's atonement by Dr. David Allen at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Allen's resourceful work has effectively challenged Southern Baptist Calvinists who insist on embracing Limited Atonement arguing in many respects Limited Atonement is detrimental to Calvinism per se, consequently insisting on Limited... Read more →

Does God Desire All to Be Saved? Adam Harwood reviews John Piper's proposal

Among many interesting articles in the latest edition of the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry (JBTM, available free of charge at http://www.baptistcenter.net), Dr. Adam Harwood, Associate Professor of Theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, reviews John Piper's little volume, Does God Desire All to Be Saved? (John Piper. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. 56 pages. Paperback, $9.99). After rehearsing the flow of Piper's volume, Professor Harwood concludes: The strength of this book is that it seeks to address an Achilles heel in Reformed theology, namely the charge that affirming unconditional... Read more →

Joel Gregory on the best in Baptist preaching

George Bullard on the Associated Baptist Press blog profiles the newly released volume entitled Baptist Preaching: A Global Anthology by Dr. Joel Gregory, Professor of Preaching at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Dr. Gregory arguably remains one of the finest biblical expositors today albeit his banishment from mainstream Southern Baptist sub-culture (whether just or unjust as the case may be). Gregory's role in choosing for Baylor University Press just who qualifies as most representative of the best in Baptist pulpiteering is all the more impressive. According to... Read more →

Yale lecturer on The Great Calvinist Reawakening

Briallen Hopper is English Lecturer at Yale University, Faculty Fellow at the University Church in Yale, and frequent contributor on religious topics in many prestigious media venues. She has written about religion for The Huffington Post, Killing the Buddha, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. In her latest piece entitled "The Great Calvinist Reawakening" published in Religion & Politics, Hopper profiles the rise of Neo-Calvinism and the impact it's having in contemporary culture. Citing the proof of Reformed revitalization as entirely persuasive, she goes on to contrast Neo-Calvinism with... Read more →

Bullseye: Perceptive Reflections on a Collapsing Culture: Free Church Press New Release

Click on image to enlarge Free Church Press is excited to announce a new title by William F. Harrell: Bullseye: Perceptive Reflections on a Collapsing Culture. Dr. Harrell is Pastor Emeritus of the historic Abilene Baptist Church, Martinez, Georgia. Bullseye is Harrell's second book. In Bullseye, Dr. Harrell aims his bead for cultural issues facing the church today. Those who purchased Harrell's first volume--Straight Shooting: Pastoral Reflections for Today's Church--will note in Bullseye the very same folksy literary style Dr. Harrell commands. Below are a few of the targets onto... Read more →

New Calvinism gets reviewed by young British Baptist Calvinist

Jeremy Walker, co-pastor of the Maidenbower Baptist Church in the United Kingdom has penned a well-balanced critique of the young, restless, and reformed movement in the evangelical church. Entitled The New Calvinism Considered: A Personal and Pastoral Assessment , the volume is available in the United States in both paperback and digital versions.1 Walker himself theologically identifies with Calvinism as a confessional, Particular Baptist assuring his readers his intentions are not to "mindlessly ignore, attack, or defend any particular group, but to deal fairly with the new Calvinism."2 In fact,... Read more →

From Heaven He Came And Sought Her: A Review by David Allen

I recently made note of a new book release by Crossway entitled From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective. The 700+ page volume is purported to be the definitive volume on T.U.L.I.P. Calvinism's most vulnerable petal, Limited Atonement. Some of neo-Calvinism's brightest theological lights are among the contributors, theological lights including Henri A. G. Blocher, Michael A.G. Haykin, Paul Helm, Robert Letham, Thomas R. Schreiner, Sinclair Ferguson, and Carl Trueman. Dr. David Allen, Dean of the School of Theology, Professor of... Read more →

Mark Driscoll peeved at Janet Mefferd and hangs up--"you're rude and unkind"

Seasoned journalist and Christian Radio Talk Show host, Janet Mefferd, interviewed Mark Driscoll on his stop-by attendance at John MacArthur's Strange Fire Conference. She especially queried him concerning whether Driscoll's books he was giving away free were confiscated by security police his tweets suggest. As Mefferd went on in the interview, she also questioned Driscoll about a section in his newest book, A Call to Resurgence: Will Christianity Have a Funeral or a Future? (Tyndale House Publishers, 2013. $19.99), where Driscoll allegedly has a section 14 pages long reflecting the... Read more →

Neo-Calvinism proposing the definitive statement on Limited Atonement

A new volume is scheduled for release on November 30, 2013: From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective (Crossway, $50.00). Edited by David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson with the Foreword by evangelical icon, J.I. Packer, the 700+ page volume is purported to be the definitive volume on T.U.L.I.P. Calvinism's most vulnerable petal, Limited Atonement. While dissent within Reformed theology from Limited Atonement remains one of neo-Calvinism's widely held historio-theological secrets (or perhaps denials is a better term), From Heaven He Came... Read more →

Former SBC president Jerry Vines -- WHOSOEVER: Revealing the Riches of John 3:16

Dr. Jerry Vines is arguably one of the most capable biblical expositors in the Southern Baptist Convention. Recently, Free Church Press released his latest book on the most famous verse in all Scripture--John 3:16. Entitled WHOSOEVER: Revealing the Riches of John 3:16, Dr. Vines digs deeply into the Greek text and offers both new believers and scholars alike valuable, practical commentary on virtually every word in the verse. For a limited time, Free Church Press is making his exegetical study available in a special hardback edition. Normally retailing for $17.99,... Read more →

'Our Guilty Silence'-- John R.W. Stott

I was introduced to the late John R.W. Stott in a little book on evangelism he first published in 1967 (published by Eerdmans stateside in 1969). Entitled Our Guilty Silence, Stott sketches out four reasons why Christians don't witness to non-Christians: 1). No compelling incentive to speak. Christians lack motivation. Here urgency is missing. 2). We do not know what to say. Not urgency but rather ignorance. Some fear they will not know what they are supposed to say or if they do speak will say something wrong. 3) Not... Read more →

Interview with Christian author Candise Farmer

I recently had an opportunity to interact with Bible teacher and Christian author, Candise Farmer, concerning her ministry and book Green Pastures in a Barren Land: finding contentment in life's desolate seasons (Free Church Press, Carrollton. 2012 $14.95). Her folksy style and gentle aura complement her deep Christian convictions making chats with Candise a mesmerizing experience. God surely blesses this young Christian lady with tremendous communicating abilities. More significantly, however, is Candise's encouraging message birthed from difficulties she and her husband faced for several years. I pray He chooses to... 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 →

Is Calvinism comparable to a caste social construct?

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, a caste social structure is "any of the ranked, hereditary, endogamous social groups, often linked with occupation, that together constitute traditional societies in South Asia, particularly among Hindus in India" (//link). The article goes on to suggest that "Although sometimes used to designate similar groups in other societies, the “caste system” is uniquely developed in Hindu societies." If I understand it correctly, certain characteristics identify how each class is to be socially ranked into each occupational category. And, once a social group is identified to be... Read more →

"Vines left speechless by book in his honor" says a Southwestern seminary news release

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary posted a news release entitled "Vines left speechless by book in his honor." The article states: "Moments before standing to preach a sermon in a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service, well-known Southern Baptist preacher and former SBC president Jerry Vines was presented with a book written in his honor by prominent SBC pastors and theologians. The unexpected recognition left Vines in an unfamiliar state—speechless." Entitled Preach the Word! A Collection of Essays on Biblical Preaching in Honor of Jerry Vines (Free Church Press, 2013: David... Read more →

Truett-McConnell professor interviewed by Christian Index

Dr. Adam Harwood, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Truett-McConnell in Cleveland, Georgia was interviewed recently by The Christian Index. The interview appears in the latest edition. Below are answers to some of the questions1: Adam Harwood, assistant professor of Christian studies at Truett McConnell College, has written a book entitled “The Spiritual Condition of Infants.” Free Church Press has recently summarized the book into a 38-page volume, “Born Guilty: A Southern Baptist View of Original Sin.” Harwood will be addressing the John 3:16 Conference at North Metro First Baptist... Read more →

Formerly homeless man and Liberty graduate publishes Christmas Book

From a recent Liberty University Press release >>> In 2008, when the mortgage industry collapsed, Craig Daliessio1 lost his career and his livelihood, becoming homeless. During that time, he began writing a series of Advent stories for his 10-year- old daughter, wishing to capture the joy of Christmas and attempting to look past the dark times in which they were living. Daliessio’s collection of short stories, "A Ragamuffin Christmas: An Advent Journey,” provided him with hope and pushed him to overcome his struggles. Written to touch the hearts of families... Read more →

David Allen sets the record straight: Limited Atonement is biblically bankrupt, theologically insipient, and ethically unpreachable by Peter Lumpkins

Founders Ministries put together several theological worthies to write its latest apology for strict Calvinism, Whomever He Wills >>> Names include seasoned professors--Tom Nettles, Bruce Ware, Thomas Schriner, and Stephen Wellum--professors all at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (the majority of the contributors are affiliated with Southern). The author of the chapter on Limited Atonement, David Schrock, is presently a PhD candidate at the same seminary as well as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Seymour, Indiana. Given Dr. David Allen's devastating rejoinder to Schrock, one wonders if Founders Press is now... Read more →

Whomever He Wills: a brief discussion on Dr. Andrew Davis' chapter--"Unconditional Election" by Peter Lumpkins

Below is the first review video in a short series on "Unconditional Election" in Whomever He Wills, the latest book on Calvinism from Founders Press. "Unconditional Election" is chapter three in the book and was written by Dr. Andrew Davis, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Durham, North Carolina >>> Read more →

A brief discussion on Dr. Mark Devine's chapter--"Total Depravity" Part 3 by Peter Lumpkins

We continue below with Part 3 in a series on Dr. Mark DeVine's chapter in Whomever He Wills 1 >>> 1I apologize for both the audio and standard definition. I tried four times to upload the HD version but it stubbornly refused to take... Read more →

A brief discussion on Dr. Mark Devine's chapter--"Total Depravity" Part 2 by Peter Lumpkins

We continue with Dr. Mark DeVine's chapter in Whomever He Wills >>> Read more →

Whomever He Wills: a brief discussion on Dr. Mark Devine's chapter--"Total Depravity" by Peter Lumpkins

Below begins a series of my initial thoughts on the chapter concerning total depravity written by Dr. Mark DeVine in Whomever He Wills 1. I hope my commentary is helpful and the video format useful2... >>> 1"Total Depravity: A Biblical and Theological Examination" is chapter two in Whomever He Wills (pp. 16-36) 2I continue to work on the audio quality of my video presentations. While it is improved somewhat from earlier videos, it still is not at the level I'd like it. Any feedback would be appreciated... Read more →

Monergism.com snubs two Southern seminary professors' book by Peter Lumpkins

Drs. Peter J. Gentry (PhD, University of Toronto), professor of Old Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and director of the Hexapla Institute, and Stephen J. Wellum (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and editor of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, just released their latest volume, Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants, to high-five accolades from a broad swath of pleased supporters within the Reformed community >>> According to the cover, Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner,... Read more →

Response to Whomever He Wills: Part II by David Allen

UPDATE: Note: four parts are now available. Check out the links at the bottom of the post... We linked to Dr. David Allen's introductory remarks concerning the newest release by Founders Press, Whomever He Wills , edited by Drs. Matthew Barrett and Thomas J. Nettles. Since Allen's opening remarks were posted, Dr. Fred Zaspel, author of the book's Preface which Allen critically engaged in his introductory remarks, has offered a brief response to Dr. Allen >>> In Part 2 (which will be offered in several increments due to length), Dr.... Read more →

Whomever He Wills: a scholar's review by Peter Lumpkins

Perhaps you’ve considered my thoughts concerning Founders Press’ latest release, Whomever He Wills: a Surprising Display of Sovereign Mercy, edited by Drs. Matthew Barrett and Thomas J. Nettles.1 My thoughts began with a short video presentation (I also mentioned one issue within the volume here). I plan another video book-note presentation shortly on Mark DeVine’s chapter entitled “Total Depravity” >>> My thoughts, however, come from a practicing pastoral perspective rather than an academic, scholarly one. And, while I hope I make the best use possible of scholarly methods in my... 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 →

Whomever He Wills: a brief introduction by Peter Lumpkins

I spoke with a friend on my way to Indy last week. He mentioned the amazing success he's had doing video book-notes posted on his site. I decided to give it a try. While I won't bind myself using this form of media, I hope to add it to the writing I do on SBC Tomorrow. It's actually a lot quicker than pecking out my thoughts on the keyboard. Whatever the case, I intend to continue communicating mainly through the written word >>> Whomever He Wills: a brief introduction from... 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 →

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 →

Reformed Theology coming under more published scrutiny by Peter Lumpkins

The publication of Whosoever Will (edted by Drs. David Allen and Steve Lemke) was the result of The John 3:16 Conference held at the Woodstock First Baptist Church November 6-7, 2008. Contra some Southern Baptist Calvinists' unwavering confidence, the scholarly contributions in Whosoever Will demonstrated that Reformed theology is not the only, viable theological kid on the block. In fact, the composite thrust of the contributors to Whosoever Will makes it fairly clear that strict Calvinism as a system must be abandoned for a more robust biblicism >>> Since the... Read more →

The Spiritual Condition of Infants: a Biblical-Historical Survey and Systematic Proposal by Adam Harwood: A brief Review by Peter Lumpkins

Adam Harwood's new book, The Spiritual Condition of Infants: A Biblical-Historical Survey and Systematic Proposal (hereafter, Spiritual Condition) was released this past Spring by Wipf & Stock Publishers (March 2011, $23.00). Dr. Adam Harwood, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia, answers a profound question which has baffled the greatest minds of the Christian church--the eternal destiny of children. Paige Patterson wrote the Foreword while endorsers include Charles White, James Leo Garrett Jr., Malcolm Yarnell, and Rustin J. Umstattd >>> After the Foreword by Patterson, Harwood... Read more →

James M. Dunn and Soul Freedom: A Review by Peter Lumpkins

Aaron Weaver (a.k.a. "Big Daddy Weave"), doctoral candidate and Graduate Fellow with the Baylor University Academy for Teaching and Learning, has a new book release entitled, James M. Dunn and Soul Freedom ($14.40, Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Macon, 224 pages) >>> James Dunn is presently the president of the Baptist Joint Committee Endowment and Professor of Christianity and Public Policy at Wake Forest Divinity School in Winston-Salem, N.C. Dr. Dunn, however, is most known among Southern Baptists for his leadership as the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC)... Read more →

Evangelism: A Biblical Response to Today’s Questions: A Brief Review by Peter Lumpkins

J. D. Payne serves as a National Missionary with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and an Associate Professor of Church Planting and Evangelism in the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Evangelism: A Biblical Response to Today's Questions ($17.99 Biblica Publishing, 2011) answers questions about evangelism from an admittedly Calvinistic perspective (47) >>> Dr. Payne addresses 33 questions about evangelism in a decidedly conversational style. Each question is a chapter; and adding a Foreword (written... Read more →

Love Wins by Rob Bell: A Book Note by Peter Lumpkins

I finally finished my copy of Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person who Ever Lived by Rob Bell (hereafter, Love Wins, HarperOne 2011, $22.99). Some wondered why I have not already written a review. Others questioned my motives for posting a Reformed scholar’s review, while one blogger even strangely implicated me in surfing the internet looking for positive reviews of Bell’s book to post. Two quick points: a) I did not sense the urgency in critiquing Bell’s position before I actually read Bell’s... Read more →

Professor David Allen on Andrew Fuller's Shift from Hyper-Calvinism by Peter Lumpkins

My recent book review of A. Chadwick Mauldin's work entitled, Fullerism as Opposed to Calvinism inspired a follow-up piece citing Dr. David Allen's helpful analysis of Andrew Fuller's theological shift from Hyper-Calvinism to High Calvinism to Moderate Calvinism. In a chapter entitled "Preaching for a Great Commission Resurgence” found in The Great Commission Resurgence: Fulfilling God’s Mandate in our Time, edited by Chuck Lawless and Adam Greenway (B&H, 2010, pp.281-298), Dr. Allen expounds on Andrew Fuller and his move away from what had become the theological norm of English Particular... Read more →

Fullerism or Calvinism? by Peter Lumpkins

Recently, Baptist theologian Malcolm Yarnell put up a brief review of Fullerism as Opposed to Calvinism: A Historical and Theological Comparison of the Missiology of Andrew Fuller and John Calvin (hereafter “Fullerism”) by A. Chadwick Mauldin ($12.80 Wipf & Stock Publishers, Eugene, OR, 130 pages). With a Foreword written by Michael A.G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mauldin offers an invigorating proposal to contemporary Baptists—perhaps especially to those Baptists among us who insist on making Calvinism proper the theological benchmark for orthodoxy within... Read more →

Rob Bell Speaks Frankly by Peter Lumpkins

Well I still haven't gotten around to reading Bell's book, Love Wins* Listen in on this short audio (less than a minute). I know nothing about the background or from what sermon it allegedly came. But, for my part, it is the clearest no nonsense, non-confusing rhetoric I've ever heard Bell speak.** See what you think... With that, I am... Peter *I will. I will. Just don't rush me :^) **Please, Please, Please do not log on and express your amazement I either support Rob Bell or agree with Rob... Read more →

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: "Ground Zero" for The Young, Restless, Reformed by Peter Lumpkins

Many Southern Baptists remain skeptical that there is any significant problem with "Reformed" theology within the Southern Baptist Convention. Often times those of us who lament the undeniable saturation of Reformed thinking in a free church convention of local congregational churches (i.e. the SBC) are chided as being either divisive (arguing for non-essentials), deluded (making issues where none exists), or dead-wrong (just plain ignorant). Indeed sometimes we're told we're all three! I think it's important to offer tangible evidence, evidence we did not produce. Rather, there is abundant evidence from... Read more →

Love Wins by Rob Bell: A Reformed Scholar's Review by Dr. Paul Owen

SBC Tomorrow welcomes Dr. Paul Owen as guest contributor* Having heard all of the internet buzz about Rob Bell’s new book, I decided to stop in at the local bookstore and pick up a copy. It’s an extremely short book, and only takes a couple of hours to read. It has a relaxing and engaging tone and writing style, and I’m sure it will sell well, given all the publicity it has received on Morning Joe and other news venues. But what of the content?>>> Let me just start out... Read more →

Reviewing Rob Bell's Love Wins by Peter Lumpkins

Not sure why my copy of Love Wins has not made it to my mailbox yet. Perhaps it is yet another delay due to production issues. Anyway, I've tried to steer clear of the reivews thus far since I plan to review the book myself>>> One thing seems hard to miss, however: those who were so spunk sure they knew precisely what Bell was going to say that they offered a review on a book they'd not even read cannot be overly pleased from the reviews thus far logged from... Read more →

Breaking News! I Agree with James White! by Peter Lumpkins

I'm often accused of being obsessed with extreme* Calvinist, James White because I happen to log dissent with him on several topics (one topic being the scorched earth policy White maintains toward his critics). And, I must confess, while I would not characterize my pieces as being "obsessed" with him or his ministry, I find his influence among Baptist Calvinists in the Southern Baptist Convention both real and viable>>> Even so, my momma told me to always find something with which one could agree with another person and when appropriately,... Read more →

On Rob Bell: Burn Heretic! Burn! by Peter Lumpkins

I’m hardly at ease with Rob Bell. Not because I’ve read all his stuff, judging it spiritually unsuitable. Nor am I among the 50K who downloaded his latest sermon this week. Rather for other reasons. Brett McCraken, in his celebrated book, hipster christianity, compares Bell with another controversial figure among Christian hipsters, Mark Driscoll: On the opposite end of the spectrum from Mark Driscoll is Rob Bell, who ironically pastors a church called Mars Hill (in Grand Rapids, Michigan). While Driscoll rails against a chick-ified Jesus and calls his congregants... Read more →

"T.U.L.I.P.": Now Known Universally, Recently Not Known at All by Peter Lumpkins

Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, has an interesting teaser on a forthcoming book by Kenneth Stewart to be published by InterVarsity Press in March. Stewart, professor of theology at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, entitles the volume Ten Myths about Calvinism: Recovering the Breadth of the Reformed Tradition>>> One nugget Dr. Olson mentions sparkled brightly before my eyes. Says Olson, One of the most interesting parts of the book (so far) is an exhaustive account of the history of the TULIP device. According to Stewart it cannot be found before... Read more →

Exciting New Book Just in Time for Sale at the 2011 SBC Pastors' Conference by Peter Lumpkins

Here you go! Just in time for the Pastors' Conference in Phoenix! With that, I am... Peter Read more →