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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 →

Calvinism: Essential or Non-essential?

Aaron Menikoff is presently senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Sandy Springs, Georgia (metropolitan Atlanta). Menikoff holds a PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is author of Politics and Piety (Pickwick. 2014). He also served as an aide to United States Senator, Mark O. Hatfield, and occasionally blogs at The Gospel Coalition. Menikoff's latest piece entitled "When Grace Hurts the Church" addresses churches that find themselves possessing different theologies among the members and how they might navigate successfully through the often treacherous waters. Menikoff profiles his own... Read more →

Sandy Creek Baptists viewed Reformed doctrine of election "troubling"

Emir Caner, President of Truett-McConnell College, writes an informative piece on the Sandy Creek tradition in the latest volume of the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry published by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Contra the view of many Southern Baptist Calvinists who dismiss virtually all theological distinctions between the Sandy Creek Baptist tradition and the so-called Charleston Baptist tradition, Dr. Caner suggests that "The Reformed definition of election was particularly troubling to those birthed out of a Sandy Creek (Separatist) heritage." He then quotes from famed Baptist historian, George... 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 →

Our one peculiarity: "Baptists are individualistic"--W. W. Landrum

If Baptists have one peculiarity more pronounced than any other, it is the stress they lay upon the worth of a single soul. Baptists are individualistic. The church exists for the individual, and not the individual for the church. Presbyterians are rather familistic; the family they are disposed to regard as a religious unit. Methodists are tribalistic; the Conference is the religious unit. Episcopalians are nationalistic; they have a State Church in England and once had it here. Baptists are individualistic. They go forth to preach to every individual soul... 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 →

F. H. Kerfoot softened James P. Boyce's strict Calvinism in first major edit

James P. Boyce is considered by many to be the "father" of historic Baptist Calvinism in America, especially Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. Boyce's name is never far from those who speak of the theological "founders" of Southern Baptists. The president of Beeson Divinity School, Timothy George, wrote an essay in 1985 entitled "Systematic Theology at Southern Seminary" and published in Southern seminary's elder brother journal, Review and Expositor. In the section where he mentions the accomplishments of F.H. Kerfoot, Dr. George writes: Upon his death in 1888 Boyce... 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 →

Paige Patterson’s peculiar passion for practicing what Jesus preached

In 1991, "First Things" published a brief book note by Phillip E. Johnson on a documentary volume written by Mike Bryan entitled Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revisits Christianity. I picked this volume up at a used bookstore a few years back and after finishing it concluded what a revealing but fascinating read it was. I subsequently sold it for a few cents. I wish now I had my copy back. Why? Given the latest uprising(s) against Paige Patterson, the last of the first-generation Conservative Resurgence relics running out the... Read more →

Pre-Convention Bible Conference Reisterstown, Maryland June 6-8

Join us at The Whosoever Will Bible Conference in Reisterstown, Maryland preceding the 2014 Southern Baptist Convention to be held in Baltimore. Hosted by Northwest Baptist Church, speakers include popular preachers in the SBC like Paige Patterson and Fred Wolfe. Included also will be a special guest session by Dr. Norman Geisler and a debate on Calvinism between Paul Cooper and Braxton Hunter. We hope to fellowship with you there. 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 →

Sharing your faith? Well, maybe not like this

Where Do You Share Your Faith? - Billy Graham -My Hope America from my-hope-america on GodTube. 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 →

James Denney on the proper motive to missions

Below is an excerpt from a sermon entitled “Propitiation” preached at the annual meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society, April, 1911 by 19th century Scottish theologian, James Denney (1856-1917). Denney taught at Glasgow's United Free Church College, first as Professor of Systematic Theology and then from 1900, as Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, a post he held until his death in 1917. According to Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership lecturer, Jason Goroncy, it was during those final decades that Denney’s theology reached its full maturity – drawing... Read more →

Southern Baptist theologian E. C. Dargan on John 3:16 as 'simple illustration of man's free choice'

“For God's love is as great as his ways are wonderful. With that same authoritative tone unchanged, and even a higher claim asserted, with that mysterious doctrine of a new birth unrepealed, and presenting a simple illustration of man's free choice, the Heavenly Teacher comes to the grand culmination. He states the most glorious and important truth ever proposed to man's acceptance: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." O ruler among the... Read more →

Baptist theologian Alvah Hovey -- 'all infants dying in infancy regenerated'

“At this point it may be proper to notice the relation of the propitiatory death of Christ to children who die in infancy. So far as now appears, such children are put in no practical relation to the atonement, unless it be by the secret and renewing work of the Spirit. Assuming, as we must, that this life is the only period of grace for mankind as sinners, and that the death of Christ was in some way for all our race, it follows that dying infants are regenerated by... 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 →

"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 →

New Release by Free Church Press! The Secrets of a Great Church by Jerry Vines

Just in time for The John 3:16 Conference, The Secrets of a Great Church by Jerry Vines will be given free of charge to all registered participants. In addition, through the generosity of friends of Free Church Press and Jerry Vines Ministries, a complimentary copy will be available to messengers who drop by the booth at the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, TX. Read more →

Craig Daliessio on good old-fashioned altar calls

Craig Daliessio, my friend and graduate of Liberty University, popular speaker, and author of A Ragamuffin Christmas , has a unique take on "altar calls."1 While conceding abuse of the altar call has been the unfortunate practice of some in evangelical and fundamentalist circles, Craig nonetheless laments the demise of genuine invitations and altar calls, especially among some of the contemporary churches where he often speaks. In "Gimme That Old Time Religion: Part 3: The Altar," he writes: "Another memory from my early days as a believer. Another seeming relic... Read more →

The 2013 John 3:16 Conference is almost here

In November, 2008, the First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia hosted an insightful conference called The John 3:16 Conference, an event promising a scholarly evaluation of the recent Calvinist Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention >>> Past president of the Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Jerry Vines, led the scheduled event at Woodstock. And, it did not disappoint. Subsequent to the conference, B&H Academic published the papers and sermons delivered in 2008 in a book entitled Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point... Read more →

Augustine and Southern Baptists Part 4: The Upshot of Augustine's Assumptions: Divine Determinism by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford The third assumption in Augustine's thinking is his experience, based on personal observation, that some humans are not saved. In his own life, Augustine observed that some babies die before being baptized. For Augustine, reconciliation to God in Christ is impossible without baptism.1 Not everyone who was baptized was ultimately saved, but baptism for him was a "condition sine qua non" for salvation.2 Therefore anyone who died without baptism likewise died without hope of salvation. Combined with his views of God's unlimited power and humanity's helplessness, Augustine... 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 →

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 →

Dr. Ed Stetzer on Mormonism: "Pay everyone...honor to whom honor is due" by Peter Lumpkins

More times than not, this blog site has been what we could call a counter-point site, a site which offers an alternate narrative on a particular issue from one being offered elsewhere. Sometimes the counter-point we post may represent the majority opinion. At other times, it represents more the minority view. And, there are times it may very well represent a rogue view >>> Whatever the case, it represents my thoughts on particular issues facing the Southern Baptist Convention or a particular interpretation of a theological-biblical subject. I marvel at... Read more →

An Open Letter to Franklin Graham: “Mr. Graham: Put that page back up!” by Peter Lumpkins

I've never been one for writing open letters. In fact, I don't recall ever writing one. But I can no longer say that. Albeit my full support and unshakable appreciation for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) since the late seventies of the last century, I continue to be stunned by their recent action in taking down a webpage on which a partial list of religious "cults" containing several sectarian groups were named. >>> Among those named as examples of heretical "cults" within the Christian tradition were "Mormons" (link to... 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 →

Al Mohler and Hyper-Calvinism vs.The Traditional Statement and Semi-Pelagianism by Peter Lumpkins

I’m told one of the high-lights of the 2006 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina was the formal exchange between Drs. Al Mohler and Paige Patterson on the biblical doctrine of election. Entitled “Reaching Today's World Through Differing Views of Election” each speaker took a different perspective on biblical election, Calvinistic and non-Calvinistic respectively. Especially enlightening are Al Mohler’s words defending Five Point Calvinism against the charge of Hyper-Calvinism >>> Some Background First Some billed the exchange between Mohler and Patterson as a dream come true while... Read more →

Dr. Jerry Vines discusses his signing the recent statement of faith: "It's time to discuss the elephant in the room"

Dr. Jerry Vines, Pastor Emeritus of Jacksonville First Baptist Church and former two-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention, speaks out on his signing "A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God's Plan of Salvation" >>> In a prepared statement on his blog, Dr. Vines writes: I was interested to read Dr. Mohler's response to "A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God's Plan of Salvation," which statement I gladly signed. His response was thoughtful, kind and forthright. I consider Dr. Mohler a friend. It has... Read more →

Former Liberty trustee asks, is Liberty University training champions or what? by Peter Lumpkins

Tennessee Pastor, LU graduate, and former Liberty trustee, Tim Guthrie queries, whether LU is currently training champions for Christ. He writes: As an LU graduate I cannot believe what I have read and heard over the events of the past few days concerning Mark Driscoll and his invite to speak at LU. The invite: How in the world did Driscoll get an invite? His potty mouth in the pulpit and his latest book on marriage which advocates wives doing things to their husbands that are disgusting, along with other perverted... Read more →

Update on Rick Warren's bridge to Mecca by Peter Lumpkins

On March 1st, I posted a piece entitled "Rick Warren's bridge to Mecca" tenatively concluding that if Jim Hinch, journalist with the Orange County Register, characterized Warren correctly, "perhaps it's time to officially end any left-over love affairs with Saddleback"1 >>> A day later, Ed Stetzer, VP at Lifeway Resources, wrote a stinging rebuke of those he called "watchbloggers"2 for presumably jumping the gun on an apparent hit-piece on Rick Warren composed by secular journalist (i.e., Jim Hinch). Lifeway's VP wrote: Once again, watchbloggers are accusing Rick Warren of heresy.... Read more →

Ed Stetzer, watchblogging, and Rick Warren's relationship with Muslims by Peter Lumpkins

Yesterday, I posted a short piece entitled "Rick Warren's bridge to Mecca" wherein I quoted a reputable news outlet in Orange County, California. A piece written by journalist, Jim Hinch, entitled "Rick Warren builds a bridge to Muslims" concluded Rick Warren and Saddleback church were apparently building a bridge far too close to Mecca's theological borders "acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God" >>> Now we apparently find out that Hinch may have misunderstood Warren and the "Kings Way" theological documents which apparently was the basis for the... Read more →

Jerry Falwell, Jr assures Massachusetts residents Liberty University students won't bother the locals by Peter Lumpkins

A story in the Boston Globe reports that Liberty University is among the top candidates in purchasing the old Northfield Mount Hermon School campus, Northfield, MA, a campus purchased in 2009 by Oklahoma tycoons, The David Green Family (think Hobby Lobby) >>> Christians who are familiar with evangelical history will immediately associate Northfield with evangelist, D. L. Moody (1837-1899), who, along with Ira Sankey, rocked the 19th century world with simple gospel preaching accompanied by heart-warming gospel music. Moody founded both Moody Church and the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.... Read more →

The Calvinists are here: a guest editorial by Gerald Harris

UPDATE: the word is LifeWay is preparing a detailed response to Gerald Harris' essay and is scheduled to post this evening on Baptist Press. I'm anticipating precisely what facts in the essay LifeWay intends to dispute. ======================= Below is the current editorial in The Christian Index, the Georiga Baptist Convention's state paper. Dr. Gerald Harris has served as editor of The Christian Index since May 2003. We happily publish by permission Dr. Harris' latest editoral, "The Calvinists are here" >>> SBC Tomorrow welcomes Gerald Harris as guest contributor* John Calvin... 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 →

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 →

Are Judgement House Ministries a Viable Means of Evangelism? A Response to Russell Moore by Norman Miller

An official at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Russ Moore reprised on Oct. 28, 2011 a 2008 Baptist Press editorial wherein he decries his perceived deficiencies of Judgement House ministries. Below is his editorial, and then my response to it. Norm Miller FIRST-PERSON: 7 reasons Halloween judgment houses often miss the mark Russell D. Moore Posted on Oct 28, 2011 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP -- 1. They're not scary enough. To speak of hell, Jesus used the imagery of a garbage dump overrun with worms, a place where babies were once scarified... 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 →

Why Calvinists are so successful at making non-Calvinist friends by Peter Lumpkins

How do they do it? You know, Calvinists who are so good at making non-Calvinist friends. I think one of their secrets must be summarized by Dr. Steven Lawson, senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Mobile, AL. Yes, this is the same Steven Lawson who took the historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in 1995 and, in just a few short years, grew the church down from virtually mega-church status* to a staggering 650. Dr. Lawson's secret? Focus on the five points of Calvinism and push evangelism by the wayside.... Read more →

Brad Whitt Makes Baptist News Again by Peter Lumpkins

On February 28, South Carolina pastor, Dr. Brad Whitt, wrote a provocative piece entitled “Young, Southern Baptist…and Irrelevant?” Within a few weeks, over a half dozen state papers had picked up the young pastor’s essay. He obviously resonated with Southern Baptists all over the United States. Indeed his stated concerns shook loose a rebuttal from two Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary professors, Nathan Finn and Ed Stetzer >>> Truth be told, Whitt has kept those in the convention who desire to change the methodology/ecclesiology of SBC churches from the top-down running... Read more →

Southern Baptists not Reformed Baptists by Peter Lumpkins

Below is a document circulated in 1827 to Baptists in North Carolina. All our Southern Baptist brothers who love the "Reformed" moniker may want to consider this document before they so boldly testify, "I'm a Reformed Baptist" >>> In the Kehukee Association record, we find: 1827. This session of the Association was one of the most remarkable ever held by her. At this time came up for consideration the Declaration of Principles submitted at the last session to the churches for approval or rejection. And upon a full and fair... 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 →

Reformed Theology vs. Free Church Theology in the SBC: Disaster Inevitable by Peter Lumpkins

I started blogging in 2006. The reason I gave then, is the reason I state now: the aggressive Calvinist agenda being promoted among Southern Baptists. In 2006, Founders Ministries was the kingpin blog. Tom Ascol peeled every non-Calvinist banana who dared mention the "doctrines of grace." Indeed it would be hard to name a then, mega-church pastor in the SBC, who did not feel the wrath of Founders' blog and blog thread. They were "exposed" for the "Arminians" (i.e. "heretics") they were... >>> A new day arrived for Southern Baptists... Read more →

Judgment is No Joke by Peter Lumpkins

A few years ago, I preached a message entitled “Judgment is no Joke” based upon perhaps the most provocative words the Lord Jesus ever spoke; so provocative, in fact, some scholars deny the Lord of Glory spoke them. In part Jesus said>>> "And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire…And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to... Read more →

"A Church in Debt" by Peter Lumpkins

I graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990. In August of that same year, I preached at my home church in Madison, Tennessee from the text, Romans 1:13-17. During the course of the message, I rhetorically asked "Are Southern Baptists paying their bills?" I then answered my own question>>> I said: There exists an alarming shortage of those going to the mission fields. I'm told 95% of those called to ministry is preaching to 5% of the world's population. Some are suggesting that many are just not listening... Read more →