peterlumpkins.com

Inerrancy: Will the battle over biblical inspiration never be settled even among evangelicals?

While newbies in the Southern Baptist Convention might not remember the denominational explosion in 1979 when Adrian Rogers was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the senior generation of Southern Baptists surely does. A cataclysmic shift took place within the infrastructure of power in the convention ultimately leading to the “takeover” of America’s largest evangelical denomination by theologically conservative representatives. The theological notion at stake—according to most grassroots Southern Baptists at the time—was the full inspiration and total truthfulness of Scripture, a notion captured by the single word inerrancy.... Read more →

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

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

Augustine and Southern Baptists: Part 6B: Augustine's Critics and Legacy by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford This is the final installment of Dr. Gifford's series on Augustine and Southern Baptists. I want to thank him for lending us his scholarship and pursuing this series at SBC Tomorrow. Be assured that the engagement in the comments did not accurately reflect either the number of readers Gifford's series had nor the significance of the series for future discussions about Original Sin, imputed guilt, original guilt, total depravity, free will, divine sovereignty, determinism, or any number of other subjects usually under the head of philosophy of... Read more →

Augustine and Southern Baptists Part 5: Augustine's Exegetical and Hermeutical Method by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford This next-to-last post will examine the exegetical and hermeneutical method Augustine employs in constructing his teachings on grace and providence. Before I begin, I want to state my deep indebtedness to Donato Ogliari and his fine work Gratia et Certamen [Grace and Struggle]. Most of the real research in this section is his and I have only summarized it. One may wonder why this section comes later in this series of posts than his assumptions and the examination of the sources of those assumptions. It should be... Read more →

Augustine and Southern Baptists Part 3B: Infralapsarian Humanity by Dr. Jim Gifford

Dr. Jim Gifford A further difficulty in Augustine's thinking has been aptly pinpointed by John Rist. He writes, "The problem, as Augustine would rephrase it, is not, 'Why does God not save everyone?'; but 'Why does God save anyone?'; for we are all justly condemned. The problem would not be God's justice, but God's mercy which would seem unjust, or at least at the expense of justice".17 Ogliari continues, We must admit that, even though Augustine tried to reduce the brutality of a mechanical and infallible non-predestination of the non-elect,... 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 →

Calvinists recruit W.A. Criswell to their cause by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Tom Ascol is Director of Founders Ministries, the largest network of Calvinists affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Founders Ministries maintains that since Southern Baptists have “lost the gospel”, it apparently will be up to like-minded Calvinists like themselves to assist us in finding the gospel* >>> *I remain very much aware I broke my own ususal standard in posting such a long piece. I only hope I have not presumed upon my readership for whom I am always thankful... Of course, their understanding of the gospel is summed... 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 →

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 →

William Lane Craig on Matthew 27:52-53

Below is a clip from a debate between William Lane Craig and James Crossley. In the course of Craig's presentation, he referenced the resurrected saints in Matthew 27. At the Q/A time in the closing segment, a questioner appealed to Craig to explain his understanding of the resurrected saints about which Matthew mentions. Craig's answer is enlightening: Those who've kept up with my site know my appreciation for William Craig, even describing him as perhaps the foremost Christian apologist living today. However, in light of the recent Licona/Geisler-Mohler contention over... Read more →

Norm Geisler defends Al Mohler by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Norman Geisler offered a stunning rebuttal to Mike Licona's critique of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, Al Mohler. Geisler concludes >>> Unfortunately, Mike Licona refers to Dr. Mohler and I as "detractors." In response, I would like to repeat that I have both love for Mike as a brother in Christ and respect for him as a scholar. However, I have a higher respect for the truth of God's inerrant Word and for my duty to defend it. And I am firmly convinced that the Gospel record is seriously... Read more →

J. Budziszewski on engaging the homosexuality issue by Peter Lumpkins

The Family Research Council sponsors an annual Witherspoon lecture symposium dealing with public policy, political philosophy, and moral issues. Those who give lectures are among the most accomplished scholars in their respective fields. A decade ago, natural law philosopher, Jay Budziszewski delivered the Witherspoon lecture >>> Dr. Budziszewski is an associate professor in the departments of government and philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. His most recent books include Written on the Heart: The Case for Natural Law (InterVarsity Press, 1997) and The Revenge of Conscience (Spence Publishing,... 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 →

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 →

Free Will, Ignorance, and Reformed Internet Apologetics by Peter Lumpkins

I don’t know if it’s unintended ignorance or intentional intellectual laziness on the part of many Reformed apologists, but options for theological accuracy coming from some of the more well-known websites are fast disappearing. Alpha & Omega, the apologetic website of extreme Calvinist* James White, recently put up a piece on free will written by contributor, Alan Kurschner in which Kurschner flatly denied human responsibility implies the concept of “so-called free will.” I offered a brief critique, pointing out the obvious flaw in Kurschner’s reasoning (and most all strict Calvinists... 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 →

Everything You Know about Evangelicals is Wrong (Well Almost Everything): A Book-Look by Peter Lumpkins

Beginning in the last quarter of the 20th century, evangelicals rode their white horses to religious stardom. As Liberal and mainline denominational colleges and seminaries shrunk, evangelical student bodies swelled fat and prosperous. Fame was short-lived, however. While Newsweek proclaimed 1976 as “the year of the evangelical,” church historian Martin E. Marty predicted rough days ahead for evangelicals as early as 1989. Indeed, some theologians now question whether the term “evangelical” has not expended itself completely. For example, >>> Westminster Theological Seminary professor, D. A. Hart, suggested in his book,... Read more →

Salvation and Sovereignty: a Molinist Approach: An Extended Book-look (Part II) by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Kenneth Keathley is Professor of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration/Dean of the Faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His book, Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach (SSM, B&H, 2010, $24.99) contributes a unique approach among Southern Baptists toward solving the classic dilemma between God’s Sovereignty and human free will. In fact, unless I am mistaken, Dr. Keathley is the first writing Southern Baptist theologian who embraces the historical theological position known as Molinism. The engagement below is Part II in a series of three parts. To... Read more →

Denny Burk on Objectivity: A Subjectivist Substitute? by Peter Lumpkins

Last week, New Mexico pastor, Howell Scott, wrote a social commentary bemoaning what many of us in conservativism view a senseless act of leftist obsession with controlling free speech. The occasion was the firing of media analyst and self-described Liberal commentator, Juan Williams, for his “insensitive remarks” about Muslims and airlines. Scott sums it up well: With the firing of Juan Williams…we are witnessing the continued assault on our First Amendment freedoms by radical Islamists and their liberal elite friends in the media and government. I knew that any direct... Read more →

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

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

"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 →

Helpful Study Links by Peter Lumpkins

Below are some helpful study links....Maybe... Be warned, however. The content on these sites is for serious readers only. No blogger dumbing down the messy details. Nor are all papers biblically or baptistically sound. Also, some are conservative, some on the extreme theological left. Yet most represent scholarly presentations nonetheless (NOTE: some journals are now defunct but contents are still available. Also, some have only partial availability). Save them in your bookmarks or download the papers to searchable pdf files. And, the best part???............................ All content is free! Journal of... Read more →

Calvinists Critique Morris Chapman's Clarification: Part II by Peter Lumpkins

Morris Chapman offered a clarification of intent on his controversial statements concerning Calvinism at this year’s SBC in Louisville, KY (//link). And, while one should be glad Dr. Chapman clarified his comments, the predictable moans amounting to too little, too late came pouring in. SBC Voices, James Galyon, and Founders’ chief scribe, Timmy Brister offered critiques of Chapman’s comments. In Part I, I gave a few initial comments to Todd Burus’ response on SBC Voices (//link). Because Brister spends an exceedingly generous amount of time on Chapman’s brief commentary, this... Read more →

What's So Great About Christianity: by Dinesh D'Souza

New York Times Bestseller, What's So Great about Christianity, makes my top ten best books I've read this year. Written by Dinesh D'Souza, an immigrant from India, it should remain a standard apologetic for Christian theism for years to come. When D'Souza came from India to the United States at age 17 as a High School exchange student, he had no plans of staying. By his 26th birthday, he was in the White House giving President Ronald Reagan policy advice on civil rights, constitutional questions, and AIDS. D'Souza is a... Read more →

A New Kind of Christian: The Emergent Church: Part VI

The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier by Emergent author, Tony Jones has captured my attention for a few weeks now as I have reflected upon this trendy new version of the Christian faith that's appeared over the last fifteen years or so. Self-described as being an expression of the ancient faith, specifically dressed in the spiffy new postmodern attire, Emergents (EC) gladly hold hands with one another as they preside over the memorial service of traditional Christianity, which has thoroughly but unknowingly sold its soul to the failed... Read more →

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Dr. Greg Welty: Final Part

If it is not evident by now, perhaps my readers left the party too soon. I will mention this once again: if one can wade through Dr. Welty's essay and manage to grip it, one will cruise through the rest of the volume. Welty's piece is fairly intense and notably challenging >>> Thus far, I've focused mostly on Welty's biblical treatment of Unconditional Election, specifically on Ephesians 1:3-11. In this final part, which again will stay relatively within the first section (I have no interest presently in teasing out 'Effectual... Read more →

Choosing Christ: Disjunction or Conjunction

When I get bored, sometimes I pick up a philosophy book. Not that I am good at understanding technical philosophy. Far from it, and that even after taking several courses in philosophy back in college...>>> Rather, the older one gets, the harder the brain must work to stall--I realize this is depressing--its inevitable self-destruction. Thus, while vain philosophy weakens us, as the Inspired Apostle warns, there are ways good philosophy can, shall we say, keep our brains breathing. In his book, Metaphysics, philosopher Richard Taylor discusses the thorny problem of... Read more →

Calvinism's Diversity: Tasters or Exercisers?

During the shopping sprees my wife enjoyed over the gift-giving season, I too enjoyed myself. I sat in Border Books at the mall drinking coffee and reading for free. I found a great selection and, meeting the expectation Border's possesses from folk like myself, I bought one book I had scanned for a couple of hours in their store...>>> The book entitled "Theology in America" was written by E. Brooks Holifield, Professor of American Church History, Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA. Being a chronicle of American religious and... Read more →

Professor Roger Olson: Final Interview

Today , I offer the final installment on the interview series with Dr. Roger Olson, Professor of Theology, 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 pursue? Well,... Read more →

Professor Roger Olson: An Interview 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, Arminianism: Myths and Realities. Welcome Dr. Olson... Professor, what does Classic Arminianism teach concerning... Read more →

Professor Roger Olson: An Interview Part Two

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 apologists. What do you make of that? Well, it’s a misunderstanding. What’s rampant in America’s pulpit and pews are not Arminians but semi-Pelagians. But what has happened is... Read more →

Finally!: The Truth About Conservative Christians

Two sociologists recently released a new study on Conservative Christians entitled The Truth About Conservative Christians. Andrew Greeley is on staff at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago and is professor of social science at the University of Arizona. His co-author is Michael Hout who presently is professor of sociology and chair of the joint program in demography and sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. Neither of these men are Conservative Christians and, if the past is any indication, Conservative Christianity would predictably receive little... Read more →

Calvinism & The Gospel Offer: Is it Sincere?

An oft repeated concern non-Calvinists mention to Calvinists pertains to the sincerity of preaching a Gospel message universally when Christ’s death, according to the Calvinist, was designed only for the Elect. That is, if the Calvinist is correct that Christ’s death was designed for the Elect and only the Elect, then the universal offer of salvation based on the merits of Christ’s death is, in the end, a questionable offer. How can it be considered sincere, the non-Calvinist rightly asks, if the benefits of the Cross, designed only for the... Read more →

1 John 2.2: The Strange Silence of Calvinist Exegesis

...Keith Schooley offers a great follow up to my two posts on 1 John 2.2 over at The Schooley Files... Read more →

Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities: A Review: Final Installment

Just a note before I offer my final installment on Professor Olson’s forthcoming volume, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities, scheduled to be released in October, 2006 by IVP Academic. On my first post for this book, I mentioned that a possible interview with Dr. Olson was in the works. That now seems a reality! It has been confirmed. Thus, within the next three weeks, expect a posting of that interview >>> A major strength of the book, from my perspective is the way Olson laid out the message of Arminianism.... Read more →