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Larry Wynn leaving North American Mission Board for new position at Georgia Baptist Convention by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: a chart courtesy of The Christian Index concerning The Georgia Baptist Convention's restructuring plan is available to the public. Included is the position Larry Wynn will fill as he so soon leaves the North American Mission Board...(09/12/2012/3:17pm) ========================================================== Sources indicate Vice-President of Evangelism, Larry Wynn, is apparently leaving the North American Mission Board (NAMB) in Alpharetta and headed to Duluth to serve as Vice-President of Church Revitalization* for the Georgia Baptist Convention. Wynn was senior pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, Ga for 33 years before being recruited... 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 →

Tom Ascol on Gerald Harris by Peter Lumpkins

I called to get permission to post Gerald Harris' latest editorial on SBC Tomorrow. The Christian Index graciously gave me permission to do so. It was scheduled to publish at 5:15 A.M on Friday. The reason for permission is two-fold: a) plain, old-fashioned courtesy; b) at the bottom of the editorial page there is a clear indicator I needed to get the permission. It reads: Even so, Tom Ascol, Director of Founders Ministries, put up a piece just a short time ago criticizing Harris' editorial including a full version of... Read more →

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

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

Update on Norman Geisler's Objection to Mike Licona's View on Matthew's "resurrected saints" by Peter Lumpkins

Below is Dr. Norman Geisler's latest summation of his principled objection toward the interpretation of "resurrected saints" (Matt. 27:53) in former North American Mission Board's in-house apologist, Dr. Mike Licona's latest book, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. Geisler argues that Licona's non-historical view of the "resurrected saints" de facto reduces to a denial of biblical inerrancy. While others may not, for my part, I find Geisler's common-sense case highly persuasive >>> The latest installment from Dr. Geisler offers nothing actually new from his earlier statements about Licona's... Read more →

Licona not an Evangelical Theological Society member?

We now learn Dr. Mike Licona is apparently not a member of the ETS. Does Dr. Geisler's argument still have merit? Certainly something to think about. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Al Mohler vindicates Norm Geisler by Peter Lumpkins

For those who've pooh-poohed Dr. Norman Geisler's questioning of former North American Mission Board apologist, Mike Licona, concerning his entirely unacceptable view of the resurrection saints in Matthew 27:52-53, dubbing Matthew's meaning as little more than "special effects" which the Apostle “added” as a “poetic device” to show a great king had died (i.e. the “Son of God”), and consequently judgment awaited Israel (The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, pp.552-553) need to listen carefully to Dr. Al Mohler in his latest post >>> The question of biblical inerrancy... Read more →

Mike Licona Responds to Norman Geisler by Peter Lumpkins

Apparently, Dr. Mike Licona has openly responded to Dr. Norman Geisler's public criticism. A copy of Licona's response is posted on Licona's son-in-law's site* (I could not locate it on Licona's site). Dr.Licona writes: An Open Response to Norman Geisler Norman Geisler has taken issue with a portion of my recent book, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, in which I proposed that the story of the raised saints in Matthew 27:52-53 should probably be interpreted as apocalyptic imagery rather than literal history. In response, Dr. Geisler has... Read more →

Where are the Watchmen for Southern Baptists? By Peter Lumpkins

God likens His prophets to watchmen on the wall (Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:17; 33:2, 6, 7; Isaiah 52:8). Accordingly, it is their duty to see far and carefully detect threats which may prove pernicious to God's people. Ezekiel says, "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me (3:16-17). Just as... Read more →

Paige Patterson's Early Reflections on the Conservative Resurgence by Peter Lumpkins

In 1994, Dr. Paige Patterson was President and Professor of Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In November of that same year, he presented a paper at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society held in Chicago, Illinois >>> Entitled, "Anatomy of a Reformation:The Southern Baptist Convention 1978–1994" Patterson offered an historical summary of the Conservative Resurgence including rare moments of transparency, affording the reader an inside glimpse into a successful albeit imperfect conservative maneuver to steer the Southern Baptist Convention back to the theological right. One particular reflection... 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 →

Elder-Rule on the Rise in the Southern Baptist Convention (Part II) by Peter Lumpkins

Below is the second part of a section I selected from Dr. Robert Wring’s intriguing paper published in the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry (Vol. 3 No. 1 Spring 2005: 188-212). Presently pastor of the Mountain Road Baptist Church in Spanaway, Washington (near Tacoma), Dr. Wring based his essay on his doctoral dissertation he completed in 2002 at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, the thesis of which was “An Examination of the Practice of Elder Rule in Selected Southern Baptist Churches in the Light of New Testament Teaching.” This is... Read more →

Free Church Theology vs. Reformed Theology Redux by Peter Lumpkins

I recently raised the question of an inevitable collision in the SBC between Free Church theology on the one hand and Reformed theology on the other, especially as theologically teased out in eccleesiology. My fellow Georgian pastor, William Thorton, offers commentary on two recent "Reformed" perspectives concerning the way the SBC operates (or "supposed" to operate according to the younger "Reformed" perspectives). In a piece entitled "Sorry, the SBC isn't one mammouth megachurch..." Thorton writes: "There is no principle of submission to the authority of SBC leaders, or to decisions... 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 →

Alabama Baptists Push Back Against GCRTF Agenda by Peter Lumpkins

GCR advocates drove away from Orlando, FL last June believing they received a mandate from the Southern Baptist Convention—"We’re ready to move forward with the GCR agenda!" The then president of the pastor’s conference and now president of NAMB expressed regret for his “disengagement” from SBC life promising to create a vision so compelling, all Southern Baptists would begin to give till it hurts. Even those churches on the present periphery of Cooperative Program giving would rush, as Ezell now has, to hop aboard the CP choo-choo >>> Well, the... Read more →

Baptist Press on The Barna Group's Study of Calvinism by Peter Lumpkins

Baptist Press executive editor, Will Hall, published a worthy summary of The Barna Group's study on Calvinism's impact within American Protestantism. Hall's very title--Barna study shows apparent divide between SBC, other denominations on Calvinism--reflects what Ed Stetzer, author of the study of Calvinism within the SBC, apparently did not perceive--the gargantuan gulf between what's Calvinistically happening* in Protestantism overall (including the Southern Baptist Convention) and what Stetzer's research allegedly revealed is Calvinistically happening in the SBC exclusively. Indeed as Stetzer rehearsed The Barna Group's study findings, he seems strangely anxious... Read more →

The Purging of NAMB Begins by Peter Lumpkins

One of the first statements I recall made by our and NAMB's new president, Kevin Ezell, was to wait a spell before changes were made. If I recall the "spell" was several months. Well, it shrunk.* Three long-time VPs are out and two new VPs (newly created VP positions) are in (thus far). Out are Richard Harris, David Meacham, and Harry Lewis. In are Mike Ebert to Vice President, Communications (Ebert was a promotion within NAMB) and Clark Logan, VP for Ministry Controls (newly created position urged by Kevin Ezell).... Read more →

Kevin Ezell on Al Mohler and Russell Moore: Bloggers in Housecoats by Peter Lumpkins

Our new president of the North American Mission Board, Dr. Kevin Ezell, recently made disparaging comments toward those pastors, denominational employees, and other ministers who write a public blog. Apparently, Dr. Ezell has little use for “blogging.” He said of those who raised questions concerning his poor giving record to SBC missions over the last several years, "…there are people…[who] …try to get their name in the paper. Typically those are bloggers who live with their mother and wear a housecoat during the day." Must we remind President Ezell that... Read more →

UPDATE: NAMB Trustees and Presidential Candidate Kevin Ezell by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: Dr. Ezell has answered those who've raised questions concerning his CP giving record, particularly his giving to NAMB. In an Associated Baptist Press article, Ezell is quoted as saying: "Because of the visibility of the position, there are people across the United States who want to look for things that perhaps I do not do as well or they think we should do different, and perhaps be critical of myself or of Highview, just to try to get their name in the paper" At this point, one could imagine... Read more →

UPDATE: Welcome to the All New North American Mission Board: the Candidacy of Kevin Ezell as President (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: David Hankins, Executive Director, Louisiana Baptist Convention, has penned a stirring "open letter" to NAMB trustees. In part, he writes: "Let me come right to the point: I believe you are being asked to elect a candidate who, while having many admirable qualities, is unqualified in one significant way. Dr. Ezell’s excellent credentials in areas such as character, family, leadership, and theology do not compensate for the demonstrated lack of support for the mission of NAMB." In addition, Arkansas Baptist Convention executive director, Emil Turner, is on record publicly... Read more →

Welcome to the All New North American Mission Board: the Candidacy of Kevin Ezell as President (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

Below is my continued questioning of the recent candidate for NAMB, Kevin Ezell. Part I, entitled, “Welcome to the All New North American Mission Board: the Candidacy of Kevil Ezell as President” should be read in conjunction with this part. Let’s continue with the questions: Does Kevin Ezell have a track record for missions involvement? According to Ted Traylor, “He [Ezell] is a loyal missions supporter.” Excellent! How could a missions entity president not be a loyal supporter of missions? What kind of missions does Kevin Ezell support? According to... Read more →

The Florida Baptist Witness & The Kevin Ezell Candidacy: An Interlude by Peter Lumpkins

Updates, by nature, are usually designed to clarify. When the Florida Baptist Witness first released Dr. Ezell's name as the NAMB presidential candidate, a brief but vague statement was made concerning Highview's missions giving. Mainly, it was a generic statement about how many dollars were given for "Southern Baptist causes," the new GCRR-speak we've all anxiously awaited. When the “update” was released--an "update" which should have clarified--it’s not too much to say, Highview's giving record as stated more than likely confused Highview themselves. Indeed it may rank as the most... Read more →

Kevin Ezell to NAMB Creates Chatter on Twitter by Peter Lumpkins

The Twitter board got a little giddy yesterday when North American Mission Board, search chairman Ted Traylor told Florida Baptist Witness that they had found “God’s man.” He had earlier said to the Trustees and recorded by Baptist Press: "I am delighted to report to you that our search team has found God's man to be nominated as the next president of NAMB.” At this time, Ezell’s name was yet to be released. Only a few hours later, Traylor revealed the identity of the candidate to Witness Executive Editor, James... Read more →

Southern Baptists: Meet Your New Executive Committee President by Peter Lumpkins

In October, 2009, I happened to be a day ahead of some in naming Dr. Frank Page as the new Vice-President for Evangelism at the North American Mission Board (//link). I am not stating this as a way to “brag.” Actually, I’m but grateful our Lord has given me many friends in the Southern Baptist Convention. Once again the present guessing game will be over on another high-level appointment (//link). The Presidential Search Committee will soon officially announce their choice for our next President of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive... Read more →

Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part 2 by Peter Lumpkins

One popular cliche says 'two things in life are inevitable--'paying taxes and dying.' One could also say two things about Southern Baptists are inevitable--declaring the gospel and discussing an issue. Both characterize Southern Baptists historically and presently. As for the latter, Baptist dissent* was purchased at a very high price. Alas, but Southern Baptists are tarred--sometimes justifiably so (unfortunately), sometimes not--as being an ornery bunch of believers. Recently, Drs. Danny Akin and Ed Stetzer (president and visiting professor at SEBTS respectively) thought it necessary to squelch the chatter Southern Baptists... Read more →

Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer and Muffling Mean-spirited Myth-makers: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

I’ve read with interest the latest posts from Southeastern seminary’s blog, Between the Times. Especially those which caught my attention are by Dr. Danny Akin, Southeastern’s president, and Dr. Ed Stetzer, a Lifeway employee and visiting professor at SEBTS. Why? I’m glad somebody asked! Consider… First, let’s note Dr. Stetzer’s contribution in the blog entitled, “Let’s All Take a Deep Breath about NAMB” (//link). Stetzer writes: “But, as has been for the past decade, a large amount of heat is focused at NAMB.Fair enough, but some have turned up the... Read more →