peterlumpkins.com

Is every issue a gospel issue?

Below is a sampling from a young but obviously erudite theologian from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Blake Newsom. In pursuing the question, What is the Gospel?, Newsom cuts through the literary wasteland in evangelical circles that tends to see all issues as "gospel issues" by flatly concluding "If everything is the gospel, then nothing is the gospel." Here's the entire contextual snippet: Of concern to this writer is that the gospel has become a buzzword in Evangelicalism. As is often the case with buzzwords, they lose their core... Read more →

Looking Back:Southern Baptist seminaries desegregated before desegregation

Not until the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education (1969) was racial segregation put to a complete end "now and hereafter."1 Below, however, is a short headline piece in The Christian Centtury concerning Southern Baptists' progressive action favoring racial desegration in 1950. Our seminaries apparently were the first institutions of higher theological education to tear down the racial divide. Southern Baptists Open Seminaries to Negroes* The boards of three Southern Baptist theological seminaries have opened the way for the admission of Negro students next... 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 →

Do Southern Baptist theologians confess simplistic theology or does James White offer simplistic criticism?

Bel0w is a recent video extreme Calvinist, James White, posted critiquing New Orleans professor, Adam Harwood, in a message Dr. Harwood preached entitled "The Gospel: a Message for Every Person." As the listener will note, White gets stuck on the term "simplistic" and just won't let go (by the way, if somebody will count the times White uses the term "simplistic" and log it below, I'll gladly send them a Starbucks gift card!). Thus, apparently suggesting as Harwood does that since God loves every person and wants every person to... Read more →

Is God's saving love for all people a disputable claim? Tom Hicks and Founders Ministries apparently think so

Founders Ministries' writer, Tom Hicks, posted a critique of a statement Eric Hankins recently made in a chapel sermon at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The claim Hicks questioned had to do with Hankins speaking of the all-inclusiveness of God's saving love for the entire world. The specific statement Hankins made which Hicks challenges is "All means all and that’s all all means." Why Hicks would question Hankins concerning this particular statement seems odd. Does Hicks and/or Founders type Calvinists not embrace the all-inclusiveness of God's saving love for... Read more →

Christian Index editor pushes for answers from Calvinism Advisory Committee about babies burning in hell

Below is the most recent editorial by Christian Index editor, Gerald Harris.1 Entitled "A New Kind of Calvinism" Dr. Harris shares his perspective on the committee report released prior to the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention by Executive Committee President Frank Page. In addition Harris recalls his concern over one aspect of the committee report, a concern he expressed during the official Q/A at the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention. Harris rightly asked about the committee's affirmation that "most Southern Baptists believe that those who die before they are capable of moral... 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 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 →

Reformed Theologian dubs Steve Lemke's critics 'sad and irresponsible' by Peter Lumpkins

Adjunct Wheaton professor and Reformed author, John Armstrong, is no stranger to Southern Baptists; he used to be one. Though presently he is comfortably at home in the Reformed community of faith, he still holds dear what he learned in his spiritual pilgrimage among Southern Baptists. But Dr. Armstrong's got a contentious bone to pick with unfair critics of Dr. Steve Lemke, Provost and Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary >>> Steve Lemke, provost at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, recently examined various points of divergence... Read more →

Just in case you missed it by Peter Lumpkins

Below are some links you may have missed from this past week: A. Chadwick Mauldin, author of Fullerism as Opposed to Calvinism: A Historical and Theological Comparison of the Missiology of Andrew Fuller and John Calvin, has a worthy piece entitled, "Senualism, Antinomianism, and Sacntification" Brad Whitt has done it again with a post offering a summary of what it means to be Southern Baptist. Entitled, "What makes us 'Southern Baptist'?" I'll be surprised if both Baptist Press and other state papers do not pick up and run this short... Read more →

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

Below is Part I of a portion included in an essay originally published in the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry (Vol. 3 No. 1 Spring 2005: 188-212) entitled “Elder Rule and Southern Baptist Church Polity.” It’s author is Dr. Robert A. Wring, 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... 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 →

"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 →

Bart Ehrman Honks James White's Nose by Peter Lumpkins

Internet apologetics is destroying conservative evangelicalism. It's only a matter of time. How do I know this? Take 10 minutes and listen to Bart Ehrman completely break down Reformed apologist, James White in cross-examination. I know little to nothing about textual criticism. But I do know when someone is bluffing with an answer. James White embarrassed evangelicals with this poor dialog with Ehrman. Ehrman walks away looking like an accomplished scholar. On the other hand, White crawls away like a whipped mongrel. Hear for yourself: Unfortunately the sound-bite I linked... Read more →

FBC JAX Pastors' Conference by Peter Lumpkins

Carrying on the great, 25 year tradition of inspiration, encouragement, and love for the local church pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida is in the final preparatory stages for the 2011 Conference. This year's theme is endurance and will be held January 28-February 1. Dr. Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor, FBC Jax, rightly observes that while some pastors are concerned about enduring until they retire, so many pastors today are struggling with how to endure to the end of the week! Here's a peek: Dr. Brunson obviously is attempting to reach... Read more →

Founders Journal & Whosoever Will: Matthew Barrett on Steve Lemke: Part II by Peter Lumpkins

We observed in Part I of our reflections on Matthew Barrett’s* response to Dr. Steve Lemke’s position essay on Irresistible Grace in Whosoever Will** that Barrett failed to deal with Lemke’s biblical data. I concluded: “The fact is, Barrett didn’t deal with the texts Lemke cited in any substantial way. Rather he summarily dismissed them and substituted texts which were supposed to prove his own position.” In this follow-up, I’d like to point out a few additional short-comings in Barrett’s paper showing, from my perspective, that Founders Ministries should have... Read more →

Founders Journal & Whosoever Will: Matthew Barrett on Steve Lemke: Part I by Peter Lumpkins

Earlier we noted our agreement with Tom Ascol’s intention for irenic “debate” over the issue of Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. The latest issue of Founders Journal was supposed to illustrate Ascol’s hope such an encouraging exchange is possible. Our lament was and remains that while Ascol may possess every intention of sincere dialogue with brothers on the opposite side of the issue, some of the language the essayists employed in the Founders Journal was, at times, both unduly provocative and unbrotherly* >>> What follows are some observations on... 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 →

The Security of the Believer and Apostasy (part VI) by Steve Lemke

In five prior issues, I have been presenting the biblical rationale for the belief that once we are genuinely saved, we are saved forever. We call this belief the security of the believer. The five reasons presented to support belief in the security of the believer’s salvation are: we cannot lose our salvation: (1) because salvation is not ours to lose since God provides it, not we ourselves, (2) because it is based upon a life-changing salvation experience with God, (3) because eternal salvation is a Scriptural promise, and (4)... Read more →

Arminian, Calvinist, or Baptist by Peter Lumpkins

One must read the newest white paper at Baptist Theology website. Several scholars have written a statement answering those who insist on making a particular soteriological stamp one’s preferred brand—especially either Calvinist or Arminian. They write: Are we Calvinists? No. Are we Arminians? No. So, then, who are we? We are Baptists. We are majoritarian Baptists in the Sandy Creek tradition, who formulate theology according to the authoritative, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God so that we might better proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all human beings. We... Read more →

Why Your Faith is Secure: It is a Logical Necessity by Steve Lemke

In this series of articles about the Biblical reasons supporting the security of the believer, we have already seen three reasons based in Ephesians 1 that we cannot lose our salvation: (1) because salvation is not ours to lose since God provides it, not we ourselves, (2) because it is based upon a life-changing salvation experience with God, and (3) because eternal salvation is a Scriptural promise. In this article we examine the fourth reason that we can have confidence that once we are genuinely saved, we are saved forever:... Read more →

Why Your Faith Is Secure: It is a Scriptural Promise by Dr. Steve Lemke

We have been examining reasons for the security of the believer – that persons who are genuinely saved are saved forever. We have seen two reasons in previous articles why the Bible teaches that we cannot lose our salvation: (1) because salvation is not ours to lose since God provides it, not we ourselves, and (2) because it is based upon a life-changing salvation experience with God. In this third article of the series is the most compelling reason why we believe that we cannot lose our salvation – because... Read more →

Why Your Faith Is Secure: It Is Based upon a Life-Changing Experience with God by Dr. Steve Lemke

Can you lose your salvation? This is the second in a series of six articles exploring the biblical teaching that that once you are genuinely saved, you are saved forever. In the last issue, we saw that we cannot lose our salvation because salvation is simply not ours to lose. God took the initiative in our salvation and He accomplished our salvation, not we ourselves. We did not earn or deserve our salvation; God provided it for us. The second reason that we can be assured in our salvation is... Read more →

Why Your Faith Is Secure: Salvation is of God, Not of Us by Dr. Steve Lemke

Why Your Faith Is Secure: Salvation is of God, Not of Us* From time to time, many Christians struggle with the issue of the assurance of their salvation. Often these doubts arise out of a sense of unworthiness when the believer becomes aware of stubborn sins in their own lives that hinder their fellowship with God. Some other denominations teach that even true believers can lose their salvation. Does the Bible teach that once we are genuinely saved, that we are saved forever? Or can we lose our salvation? Southern... Read more →

Theology Focus by Peter Lumpkins

Over the next several weeks, we’ll observe a theological focus on what Baptists have come to call the “security of the believer.” In pursuing our focus, I am glad to post a six-part series only recently published by The Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptists’ state paper. Written by Dr. Steve Lemke, Provost and Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and republished by permission, the series, while scholarly, is not written for scholars but for the widest readership possible. Hence, some finer points within Dr. Lemke’s presentation may... Read more →

Whosoever Will: Non-Calvinism Gaining Traction in the Marketplace by Peter Lumpkins

Earlier this year, Time Magazine listed neo-Calvinism as one of the hottest new "ideas" blowing through our cultural milieu (//link). Does this renewed focus on theological determinism have what it takes to sustain inquiring minds? Time Magazine does not say. For my part, I think not. Reformer Balthasar Hubmaier's most famous dictum is apt: truth is unkillable Even so, I just learned Whosoever Will: a Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism is currently their third best-selling book. Into its third printing with B&H, another 2500 copies is expected in the warehouse... Read more →

"Whosoever Will" Getting Good Press by Peter Lumpkins

As I posted late last week, Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism edited by Drs. David Allen and Steve Lemke and published by B&H Publishing Group is already on backorder (//link). More good news is, reviews are beginning to come in with positive results. The Southern Baptist TEXAN has two reviews, one by TEXAN correspondent, David Roach and the other by Editor, Gary Ledbetter (respectively here and here). Of the volume overall, Ledbetter concludes: “Some who read articles by members of the Founders’ movement or hear messages from... Read more →

Whosoever Will: Off to a Good Start by Peter Lumpkins

Looks as if Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism edited by Drs. David Allen and Steve Lemke and published by B&H Publishing Group is already on backorder. I'm told the first printing of Whosoever Will sold out in two weeks. B&H is scurrying to get a second printing. It appears the wait time is 4-6 weeks. Whosoever thinks the young, restless, and Reformed coddling among Southern Baptists is not getting the attention of the grassroots Southern Baptist Convention may need to rethink their proposition. Our congratulations to Drs.... Read more →

Seminary Enrollment: Do the Numbers Reveal Decline? by Peter Lumpkins

I just finished scanning the student enrollment for Southern Baptists' six seminaries beginning in the academic year, 2005-06. Honestly, I am unsure what the numbers finally reveal. However, some of the statistics I found remarkable. For example, the "head-count" enrollment for four of our six seminaries was less in the 2008/09 academic year than in the 2007/08 academic. The two exceptions are New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)*, which rose from 3,509 students (2007/08) to 3,570 students (2008/09), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) which climbed from 1,006 students to... Read more →

New Calvinism Gets a New Critique by Peter Lumpkins

When I started blogging another lifetime or so ago, there were few (if any) blogs among those considered "Baptist" which were also unwed to strict, non-negotiable, in-your-face, Five Point Calvinism. Non-Calvinist Baptist bloggers were viewed at best a theological anomaly and at worst an evangelistic prospect to "recover the gospel." No longer are non-Calvinists silent. Nonetheless, the blogging arena reflected in many ways what was happening in pop Christianity across America. Indeed only last March did Time Magazine name "The New Calvinism" among the top "10 Ideas Changing the World... Read more →

Friday Mishmash by Peter Lumpkins

Below are some unrelated items of interest over the past couple weeks. No particular order. Just interesting--at least to me. 1 Last January, I committed an unpardonable sin in the eyes of some young Southern Baptists: I wrote a post which raised questions concerning what I still believe to be sub-Christian ministry methods of Mark Driscoll (//link). If you'd like an entertaining display of just how irrevocably passionate Driscoll lovers are, check out the short but revealing exchange I recently had over a simple quote I offered from Driscoll---- here...................... Read more →

The John 3:16 Conference and its Critics: Founders & Justin Taylor: Part I

The J316C is now history. I cannot thank Jerry Vines Ministries and the co-sponsoring seminaries enough for hosting this much needed conference. I planned to offer my own thoughts pertaining to its success or non-success, but the clubbing the conference has already taken from the more "objective" websites has sparked me to offer a few corrections to the record first. By no surprise, Founders Ministries wasted no time in offering the predictable lament that "misrepresentation" was the order of the day. Coming under fire especially of late is Dr. Steve... Read more →

The John 3:16 Conference

One week away, November 6-7, The John 3:16 Conference (J316) will be held at the Woodstock First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia. Some have wondered whether or not the conference would succeed. Evidently, J316 has not only settled that ambiguity, registration is now limited: "Registration for the conference with meals has ended due to reaching capacity. You may still register for the conference only." Thus, if you were planning to come to beautiful North Georgia and reap theological rewards but procrastination got the better of you, you can still come, and... Read more →

John 3:16 Conference

The John 3:16 Conference is one conference you need to make this Fall. Mark the dates--November 6-7, at First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia. You can sign up here. J316C promises to be a scholarly evaluation of the recent Calvinist Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. And, with the heavy weights involved, I do not personally see how it can miss. Scholars delivering papers at this conference include: Dr. Paige Patterson (President of SWBTS) on Total Depravity Dr. Richard Land (President of ERLC) on Unconditional Election Dr. David Allen (Dean at... Read more →