by the Contributing Editors of SBC Today
This is a list of recent blog posts which we found interesting. That we found them interesting doesn’t mean we necessarily agree with or endorse the ideas presented in the posts, but that we found them to be intriguing and thought-provoking. (They are listed in no particular order of interest). Please post your comments to discuss any article that strikes your interest. If you have recent blog posts to nominate, please send the link to admin@sbctoday.com.
About Theology
- “Pragmatism and Christian Doctrine,” by Randy Everist in the Possible Worlds blog, arguing for biblical faithfulness over pragmatic religion.
- “What Is Wrong with Calvinism?” by Bob Hadley on the Transformed Theology blog, raising problems with Calvinism within the SBC.
- “Calvinism: My History 1,” by Scot McKnight on the Jesus Creed blog, with the beginning of a series of his personal pilgrimage out of Calvinism.
- “Quotable Quotes: Steve Lemke on Irresistible Grace and the Ministry of Jesus,” by Matthew Murphy in the Society of Evangelical Arminians blog, citing quotations from Lemke’s article on Irresistible Grace” in the book Whosoever Will.
- “Edwards Misrepresented?” and “Edwards on Regeneration,” by Steven Garrett on the Baptist Gadfly blog, with evidence that neither John Calvin nor other prominent Calvinists like Jonathan Edwards believed that regeneration preceded conversion.
About the Geisler-Licona Controversy
- “Auctoritas: A Response to the Geisler Controversy,” by Max Andrews on the Sententias blog, expressing abhorrence for the Christmas Carol cartoons satirizing Geisler, but listing further concerns with Geisler’s position in the Geisler-Licona controversy.
- “Geisler’s Denial of Inerrancy: The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” by Max Andrews on the Sententias blog, accusing Norman Geisler (in connection with the Geisler-Licona controversy) of writing things inconsistent with inerrancy himself.
- “Licona/Geisler: The Real Issue? Another Scholar Speaks Clearly” by Tim Rogers on the Southern Baptist in North Carolina blog, citing SES scholar Thomas Howe’s opinion on the Geisler-Licona controversy.
- “Licona’s Denial of Inerrancy: The List Grows,” by Norman Geisler (linked from SBC Tomorrow) with a list of other scholars who have expressed concerns about Licona’s stance.
Theological Reading List for 2012
- “Loving God with Your Mind in 2012,” by Melissa at the Hard Core Christianity blog, with recommendations for a theological (with a bent toward Apologetics) book for each month in 2012.
- “2012 Christianity Today Book Awards,” on the Christianity Today blog, with the 12 winners honed down from 370 nominated books as the best Christian books of the year.
- “Favorite Books of 2011,” by John Wilson in the Books and Culture blog, with his recommendations of the best books of the year.
- “Free eBooks,” from monergism.com, with an impressive list of Reformed theological works that can be downloaded free for Kindle or iPad, including the Institutes by Calvin, and works by Augustine, Bunyan, Edwards, Maclaren, Machen, Warfield, Pink, Boettner, and others. A free treasure trove of theological books!
- “Evangelical Scholarship and the Pursuit of Excellence: A Review of Andreas Kostenberger’s Excellence,” by David Leonard on the Intervarsity Emerging Scholars blog, with a review of this excellent book on excellence.
- “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future,” a review by Doug Groothuis of this book by Mark Bauerlein on the Denver Seminary blog. The book is not anti-technology, but expresses concerns that “digital natives” are getting overly obsessed with the immediate fads of culture and missing virtuous knowledge.
- “The Intoxicating Bible in 2012,” by Chad Brand in his Brandishings blog, exhorting us to read the Bible afresh (regardless of translations) in 2012.
About the SBC, the Church, and Christian Ministry
- “The One Percent CP Challenge,” at the Let’s Talk blog, with videos encouraging churches to increase their commitment to the Cooperative Program by one percent a year.
- “The Global/Great Commission” by Alvin Reid on his blog, with information and a challenge about reaching the world for Christ.
- “Aaron Weaver’s James M. Dunn and Soul Freedom and Baptist Identity,” by Bart Barber on the PraiseGod Barebones blog, with his own review plus those of Marv Knox, Russell Moore, and Peter Lumpkins on this book regarding a crucial but sometimes misunderstood doctrinal belief of Baptists
- “A Mighty Fortress,” by C. J. Adkins in the For What It’s Worth blog, with the back story for Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” based in Psalm 46.
- “Preaching as Worship,” by Steven Smith on the Theological Matters blog, with a testimony about the significance of preaching in the worship of the church.
About the Personal Devotional Life and Society
- “Can a Christian Be a Libertarian?” by Norman Horn in the Washington Post blog. Horn, founder and editor of LibertarianChristians.com, makes a case that the answer is “yes.”
- “The Top 10 Anti-Christian Acts of 2011,” on defendChristians.org, associated with the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, with a stunning list of atrocious violations of the First Amendment rights of Christians in America this year.
- “12 Reasons to Guarantee Your 2012 Won’t Be Any Different,” by Kary Oberbrunner on the Saved by Faith blog, with a list of bad attitudes we must overcome in order to have a more productive new year.
- “Why Is Love the Greatest?” by Brad Whitt on his blog, with a devotional thought about the priority of love, based in 1 Corinthians 13:8.
- “The Tide Is Turning,” by Trevin Wax on the Kingdom People blog, with evidence that the tide is turning on the abortion issue.
- “Propriety, Not Antiquity,” by Phillip Morgan on the Helwys Society Forum blog, advocating the practice of propriety in Christian conduct.
- “Inferential Reasoning in Foundationalism and Coherentism,” by Max Andrews in the Sententias blog, with comments about logical inferences in these two epistemologies. Some knowledge of Philosophy is essential to read this article.
- “Look at the Birds: Of Feathers and Overtime,” by Chad Brand on his Brandishings blog, with encouragement for those who are seeking work that God sees, cares, and provides.
Another article by Hadley, and one by McKnight? You guys are working to confirm my growing feeling that the position of SBC Today is, “The enemy of Calvinism is my friend.” No matter how bad the theology or argument.
The link to McKnight is all the more interesting since he summarizes his own conclusion this way: “If the Bible teaches that a human can be a believer and somehow forfeit that status, then the theology of high Calvinism cannot be right.” So because the Bible teaches we can lose salvation, then Calvinism must be wrong.
I recognize that linking to an article is not meant to communicate endorsement or agreement, but it would be dishonest to claim that there is not at least some sympathy with the linked articles. Almost always, the links are to people who take positions similar to the positions presented on this blog (when was the last time we saw a link to an article making the case for Calvinism or defending Licona, etc). The only reasonable conclusion is that the links are presented as articles thought to be worthy of consideration if not outright agreement. I have no problem with this, it is what I would expect! But when there is a problem with a linked article, it is not enough for SBC Today to say, “Well, we don’t endorse the contents.”
This leaves a peculiar situation – a link to an article against Calvinism in which the author boils down his argument to a disagreement with eternal security. Is this really an argument anyone in the SBC would want to claim for their side? Is this a valid case to make against Calvinism? Does McKnight present a good reason why one should not be a Calvinist?
Updating myself: as Les points out, there is a link to Reformed resources on Monergism, so when I ask, “when was the last time we saw a link to an article making the case for Calvinism or defending Licona, etc” the answer is – this very post.
Chris,
I think you are right about the “growing feeling that the position of SBC Today is, “The enemy of Calvinism is my friend.” No matter how bad the theology or argument.” But maybe a balanced approach is not what this site is about…their prerogative to be sure.
FWIW, I think Scot’s theology is suspect in more ways than his apparent denial of eternal security.
“I think Scot’s theology is suspect in more ways than his apparent denial of eternal security.”
Agreed, hence my initial surprise to find the link. I was even more surprised once I saw how McKnight summarized his argument against Calvinism.
Oh brother.
David
I will say that the link to monergism.com is a nice surprise as the free e books are all very solid Reformed works.
Drat, I have to have evidence against me in the very post I was criticizing! Overlooked that link.
But a link with monergism in its name is worth it, right? Think how much great Reformed stuff is over there…if people will just “take up and read.”
with evidence that neither John Calvin nor other prominent Calvinists like Jonathan Edwards believed that regeneration preceded conversion.
Why is the “evidence” always from non or anti-Calvinist writers who take quotes out of context and provide their own commentary to say that John Calvin or others did not believe in regeneration before conversion. Um yes they did and one can read on monergism.com or Calvin and others themselves. But…..my question is what does scripture say about it. That is the important thing. However I do not see scripture quoted nor do I see the scripture Calvinists or I use to show regeneration proceeds faith or conversion deal with. It furthers my belief in the Doctrines of Grace so thank you for that. :)
Amen Debbie. But they keep trying to rewrite theological history, scripture and history notwithstanding.
that should be dealt with not deal with.
Les: You are right on this and it disturbs me. I wish the context would be dealt with along with the full writings not words taken out of context. I enjoy discussion, just discussion based on truth of words not lies to build a straw man case.
For example this should be dealt with if quoting Calvin or any other reformed writer.
“Indeed the Word of God is like the sun, shining upon all those to whom it is proclaimed, but with no effect among the blind. Now, all of us are blind by nature in this respect… Accordingly, it cannot penetrate into our minds unless the Spirit, as the inner teacher, through his illumination makes entry for it.”
John Calvin from The Institutes of the Christian Religion (3.2.34)
“David had the law, comprehending in it all the wisdom that could be desired, and yet not contented with this, he prays, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law,” (Ps. 119: 18.) By this expression, he certainly intimates, that it is like sunrise to the earth when the word of God shines forth; but that men do not derive much benefit from it until he himself, who is for this reason called the Father of lights (James 1: 17,) either gives eyes or opens them; because, whatever is not illuminated by his Spirit is wholly darkness.”
John Calvin, from But Spiritual Discernment is Wholly Lost Until we are Regenerated
“…Only when God shines in us by the Holy Spirit is there any profit from the Word. Thus the inward calling, which alone is effectual and peculiar to the elect, is distinguished from the outward voice of men.”
- John Calvin, Commentary on Romans and Thessalonians on Romans 10:16, p 232
“How can it be said that the weakness of the human will is aided so as to enable it to aspire effectually to the choice of good, when the fact is, that it must be wholly transformed and renewed?” – John Calvin, Institutes II.III
These are just a few of many quotes from John Calvin with references to check it out for oneself.
I’ll even help out by providing a link to the work of John Calvin But Spiritual Discernment is Wholly Lost Until we are Regenerated by John Calvin
And here are just a few more for proofs that John Calvin fully believed in Regeneration before faith. I can give more than this owning most of his works as I do.
“It is entirely the work of grace and a benefit conferred by it that our heart is changed from a stony one to one of flesh, that our will is made new, and that we, created anew in heart and mind, at length will what we ought to will.” – John Calvin, The Bondage and Liberation of the Will
“In the elect alone God implants the living root of faith, so that they persevere even to the end.” – John Calvin
“When we see that the whole sum of our salvation, and every single part of it, are comprehended in Christ, we must beware of deriving even the minutes portion of it from any other quarter.” – John Calvin
“Because the will renewed is the Lord’s work, it is wrongly attributed to man that he obeys prevenient grace with his will as attendant.” – John Calvin
“God works in his elect in two ways: inwardly, by his Spirit; outwardly, by his Word.” – John Calvin
“But we have nothing of the Spirit except through regeneration. Everything, therefore, which we have from nature is flesh.” – John Calvin
“The gift of faith proceedeth from the free election of the Father in Christ, after which followeth necessarily everlasting life. Therefore faith in Christ Jesus is a sure witness of our election, and therefore of our glorification to come.” – John Calvin on John 6:37
“For the Lord has so knit together the certainty of his Word and his Spirit, that our minds are duly imbued with reverence for the Word when the Spirit shining upon it enables us there to behold the face of God.and, on the other hand, we embrace the Spirit with no danger of delusion when we recognise him in his image, that is, in his Word. Thus, indeed, it is. God did not produce his Word before men for the sake of sudden display, intending to abolish it the moment the Spirit should arrive; but he employed the same Spirit, by whose agency he had administered the Word, to complete his work by the efficacious confirmation of the Word.” – John Calvin
“The first part of a good work is the will, the second is vigorous effort in the doing of it. God is the author of both. It is, therefore, robbery from God to arrogate anything to ourselves, either in the will or the act.” – John Calvin
Debbie,
The actual words of Calvin refute the ridiculous notion that he believed conversion precedes regeneration. ANYONE who has read Calvin without their non-Calvinist system eyes (yes, non-Calvinists accuse us Calvinists of reading Scripture with a system bias while they read with their own non-Calvinist bias. i.e. they assign conversion prior to regeneration…a system) can see that as preposterous. Great, and easy, detective work.
I enjoy when the “top blog posts of the week” are posted each week for two reasons:
1. I enjoy reading the list and checking out some of the posts.
2. But most of all is to read …Chris, Les, and Debbie … howl at the moon and talk about their growing feelings towards SBC Today.
Since nothing we say could actually contain a valid point?
Ron,
No charge for providing your enjoyment. My feeling toward SBC Today are really good. I like the interaction (when there is some interaction, especially on substance) and it helps sharpen me.
I feel privileged to be a part. And please let me know if you think I err (or if Debbie and Chris err).
Ron,
Besides, it’s lonely on here for us few Calvinists. We usually end up howling at the moon because…well we’re so few.
Les,
Yes … I know that lonely feeling. Blogs like SBC Today are indeed in a minority in the blogosphere.
Blessings for 2012! May your ministry in Haiti be fruitful, joyful, and meaningful to many!
Ron,
Your comments here have made my day. Thank you, Brother.
David :)
David,
Good hearing from you — I believe 2012 is going to be a great year!
Ron,
Thanks for your well wishes so to speak. God bless you as well.
“Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand.” Homer Simpson
Mark,
“Relax. What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind!” — Homer Simpson
Are anti-Calvinism blogs really the minority any more? I think that may once have been true, but I think the field of play is pretty level now.
The Max Andrews piece was good.
Bill Mac,
The best prefix is: ante-
Defined as: World English Dictionary
ante-
— prefix
before in time or position; previous to; in front of: antedate ; antechamber [from Latin]
I just believe that Christianity started with Jesus Christ not John Calvin.
Not quite sure what the point of your comment is. I’m quite sure there are no antecalvinist blogs.
I’m not sure why people are so sensitive about this. There are lots and lots of pro-Calvinism blogs out there. There’s nothing wrong with anti-Calvinist blogs. Don’t be defensive. Don’t be apologetic. Don’t obfuscate.
Yes Ron. I tend to howl when I read misinformation. I’m just following instructions at the top of your page which reads:
“Please post your comments to discuss any article that strikes your interest.” and that one particularly struck my interest.
You know, Ron brings up a great point. It doesnt matter as much what Luther and Calvin and Zwingli and Spurgeon believed, as much as it does what Jesus, Peter, and Paul believed. Luther, Calvin, and the others were wrong about some things; especially coming out of the background they came out of….living in the era they lived….Luther was wrong about the Lord’s Supper, for example. The era in which they lived affected the way they viewed things.
Now, while we can certainly learn much from them, they were not infallible. Only God’s Word is infallible. So, while it’s interesting to see what Calvin or Spurgeon believed, it’s not the Bible. And, while we can learn from them, they’re not Apostles. And, hopefully, our understanding of the Scriptures can be more exact, our understanding more deep, our knowledge more clear, than what they had….since we have 100′s of years of study to build on, which they did not have.
David
David,
Maybe you should relay that message to these guys:
““Edwards Misrepresented?” and “Edwards on Regeneration,” by Steven Garrett on the Baptist Gadfly blog, with evidence that neither John Calvin nor other prominent Calvinists like Jonathan Edwards believed that regeneration preceded conversion.”
and…
““Quotable Quotes: Steve Lemke on Irresistible Grace and the Ministry of Jesus,” by Matthew Murphy in the Society of Evangelical Arminians blog, citing quotations from Lemke’s article on Irresistible Grace” in the book Whosoever Will.”
But I don’t think you really want to discount what these men (obviously not apostles) say, do you? They are of some value as we discuss and try to refine and correct our theology, aren’t they? I think so, even if I disagree with their conclusions.
Les
Ron,
Good thing Les did not include me in his list… not sure how to take that… probably figured there was SOME hope for those other guys! LOL!!!!
Happy New Year to you ALL!
><>”
Oooooppppsssss
Guess that was addressed to David… but Ron would need to help!
><>”
Bob,
A lot of bloggers are sharing their top ten list for 2011 — I’d like to challenge Les to come up with the: Top Ten Hadley Highlights of 2011. Wow!
Blessings Bro. Bob … congrats on that PhD in 2011!
Bob,
I thought you WERE an ordained apostle.
Ron, Bob’s has too many highlights to choose from.
Les,
You are TOOOOOOOOOOOOO kind!
><>”
David,
Thanks … I got up this morning and ..
My stomach didn’t agee with me — my dog didn’t agree with me — my wife didn’t agree with me — Les, Debbie, Chris, and Mark didn’t agree with me … so thanks for agreeing with me about something! Blessings!
Ron,
Ok, the stomach, the wife, all of us. That’s one thing. But to have the dog disagree with you? Now that’s a horrible, terrible no good very bad day!