Thank You, Dr. David Allen

After considering the situation for a bit now, I have decided not to write an extended piece on the recently published A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation (see my previous piece here where I make some preliminary comments on the previously mentioned title). Since there have been so many responses from both sides (many of which were angrily toned), it seems unnecessary for me to attempt to offer something original here. I will, however, recommend that you read (here) a recently released article addressing the perennially important debate between “Calvinism” verses “Traditionalism” in Baptist life. Dr. Allen, though taking a position somewhat different than my own, has written a wonderful and conciliatory piece. Below are two quotes that I find particularly helpful.  

"If we are to come together in unity, we must do so as Baptists, not as Calvinists and Traditionalists.”

“Fifth, generally speaking, all Southern Baptists are concerned about theology. With respect to the current discussion, some of my Calvinist friends as well as some of my Traditionalist friends need to become better and more careful theologians and historians.”

A Preliminary Response to “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation”

A recent doctrinal statement has been released wherein Southern Baptists are implored to reject Calvinism as a theological benchmark and to embrace a series of doctrinal affirmations and denials that presumably affirm a kind of baptistic Arminianism. And indeed a number of prominent and respectable Baptist ministers and theologians have signed their name in approval. The document may be read here.

I have only briefly looked over this document, but I plan on reading it much more carefully in the near future. I will blog on this more fully at a later time. Nonetheless, I have a couple of preliminary observations:

“. . .we are asserting that the vast majority of Southern Baptists are not Calvinists. . . We believe it is time to move beyond Calvinism as a reference point for Baptist soteriology.”

Though I generally agree that Calvinism as a baptistic nomenclature is less than helpful (for reasons of ecclesiology and missiology rather than soteriology), I am troubled when the writer asserts that the majority of Baptists are not Calvinists. He may be right about this (in a robust 5 point sense); yet, I find myself asking: how does the writer know? In other words, he did not publish his research.

Also, something else disturbing to me is that the doctrinal affirmations and denials lack nuance. For example, when speaking of election, double predestination is assumed, and there is a failure to acknowledge moderate Calvinism which opts for preterition as an alternative—something that is historically quite common among Calvinists (Andrew Fuller for instance). The result of this lack of nuance is that though I realize my theological views are often different from the writer of this document, I am nonetheless affirming and denying right along with the document (with some obvious exceptions of course). And, the writer, as a result, is in danger, at times, of making a caricature of this so called “New Calvinism.” If we can agree (and I’m preaching to both sides now) that many of our theological conclusions are the same, then, perhaps, we can co-exist with a greater degree of unity. More on this later…

Two Previous and Positive Reviews

I realized recently, after posting Dr. Finn's recent book review, that I have not posted two previous and positive reviews of my book Fullerism as Opposed to Calvinism. They may be viewed here and here. The kind remarks are much appreciated.

Road to Emmaus

A link to a video sermon I recently preached can be accessed here. In it, I am delivering a sermon on the post-resurrection appearance of Christ to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Some of you may have a particular interest in the video starting around 19:00 into the sermon, where I discuss the importance of affirming a bodily resurrection of Christ. This doctrine is contrasted to a spiritual non-physical resurrection.

New Book Review

Below is a link to a new review for my book Fullerism as Opposed to Calvinism. Dr. Nathan Finn, from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote the review for the Gospel Coalition website. His candid and constructive remarks are greatly appreciated.

Click here to read the review.

Reflecting Your Christian Confession: II Peter 1:1-11

Below is a video link of a sermon I preached recently, wherein the topic of salvific assurance is treated more completely than my previous post on the subject. Assurance is an important issue in the Christian life, and, for this reason, two posts in close proximity are, perhaps, warranted.

http://vimeo.com/39208215

Thoughts on Easter

Why is it important that Christ’s resurrection actually occurred in history, rather than simply a story that brings one a sense of hope? If Christ has not been raised, then we are spiritually dead—but, he has been raised, though. This Easter morning we were reminded that Christ is risen, and that he is the giver of true life. The apostle Paul says it thusly:

¹There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  ² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  ³ For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,  ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  ⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  ⁶ To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  ⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  ⁸ Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  ⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  ¹¹ If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:1-11