Archive for Calvinism
Podcast Episode 29
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Les Puryear joins us on the podcast to discuss the SBC Majority Initiative and his recent series of posts on the distinction between Reformed pastors and traditional Southern Baptist pastors who are Calvinists. A storm caused us to lose our connection with Les just as we are beginning to discuss his blog series, so you’ll notice a bit of disconnected dialogue in there, as we edited out the chatter that went on while we were working to get everyone reconnected.
This podcast also marks the beginning of a bit of a hiatus (or should that be “an hiatus”?) for us here at SBC Today. As we explain in the closing moments of the podcast, summer is in full swing, and everyone is busy with VBS, camps, mission trips, and the like, so we’ve decided it would be best to take a break. We plan to be back around the time state conventions begin having their annual meetings in the fall, and we will return with a renewed focus on the issues of ministry, evangelism, and ecclesiology that give us our distinctive identity as Baptists. We look forward to promoting and discussing these issues.
You can listen to the podcast using the player below, or you can subscribe in iTunes by clicking the image in this post or the link in the sidebar. Below are links to some of the items discussed in the podcast:
SBCMI’s online presence:
Les Puryear’s Reformed/Southern Baptist series:
- Introduction
- Pastors
- Why It’s Important
- Ordinances or Sacraments?
- Covenant Theology
- Polity
- Altar Calls
- Support of SBC/non-SBC ministry
- Final Thoughts
Article about the SBC
Enhanced Podcast [47:38m]: Whosoever Will
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been reading the book by Dr. Steve Lemke and Dr. David Allen entitled “Whosoever Will: a Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism.” I’m not ready to give a complete book review of it, yet. I’m still reading it. And, according to some people, it takes me a long time to read anything due to my mental shortcomings. lol. But, I can tell you from what I’ve read so far that this book is excellent. It’s one of those must read books. So, buy you a copy, and enjoy.
I Officially Resign From Being A Calvinist
Posted by: | CommentsAfter graduating from seminary with my MDIVBL in 2002 and was able to immerse myself more into the Bible rather than what other people thought about the Bible, I began a quest to figure out how salvation works. In other words, how does predestination work in salvation, and what is man’s responsibility in being saved? At about mid-2004, I began to embrace what is commonly known as the doctrines of grace, except for limited atonement. It was a thrilling time for me as I discovered those doctrines and began to understand more and more of God’s love. It was at this time I hesitantly accepted the label “Calvinist.” The reason for hesitancy was that I also understood the wide definition of Calvinism and some of the false representations of what Calvinists are. This is where I have stood until recent events have caused me to rethink and reject the label of Calvinist. While doctrinally I still stand where I have been, I refused to be defined by this doctrinal label that has been mischaracterized by many on both sides of the issue.
A Brief Visit with Dr. Paige Patterson
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One year ago yesterday, we posted an interview with Southwestern Seminary president Dr. Paige Patterson, as Tim Rogers talked with Dr. Patterson in Jacksonville, Florida. Today, we present another.
Dr. Patterson was in Hugo, Oklahoma for the Frisco Baptist Association‘s annual evangelism conference, and I was able to talk to him briefly after the conference had ended. We talked about issues ranging from ecclesiology to ecumenism, the characteristic passion for missions that has always defined Southwestern, to the future legacy of the seminary as envisioned by the school’s eighth president. We even talked a little about some of the silly rumors generated by recent tabloid blogging.
You can listen to the interview right here in the post, or you can pack it onto your iPod for later use. Just click on the iTunes button in the sidebar under “Podcast.”
Tabloid Blogging
Posted by: | CommentsBecause of the recent tabloid blogging that has occurred at this site here and here, we at SBC Today have been busy answering questions on when we would respond to what one Calvinistic professor called, “lies and slander” of the aforementioned postings. At first, we were not going to respond. After all, what logical and rational thinking person would think that Dr. Patterson was out to get rid of the Calvinists at SWBTS knowing that he brought on Calvinists to the faculty while he was president of both Southeastern and Southwestern and that a 5 point Calvinist from SWBTS called these accusations “lies and slander.” But alas, it seems that logic is being thrown out the window concerning these posts.
Therefore, we will provide something of more substance on this subject before Friday, but until then may we direct you to Bart Barber’s thoughts regarding this matter.
Shooting at Rubber Dummies
Posted by: | CommentsI love my iPhone for so many reasons, not the least of which is my ability to subscribe to podcasts and listen to them when I’m in my car. It’s terribly convenient, especially considering that I am too far from civilization to receive any talk-radio signals.
Recently I was listening to the podcast of a presentation by Ravi Zacharias in which he shared lessons learned from the allied invasion at Normandy during World War II. One of the tactics the allies used was to drop, ahead of their advance on a particular town, a large number of rubber dummies in parachutes, rigged with explosives and firecrackers. The German defenders would often spend most of their ammunition on this ruse, shooting at rubber dummies while remaining completely unaware that the real enemy was yet to attack.
As I look around our convention today, I think we ought to consider the possibility that the real enemy of the Kingdom has gotten so many of us involved in shooting at rubber dummies. While there are legitimate concerns on both sides of the Calvinist/non-Calvinist aisle, it is imperative that we recognize that these sides are, in fact, parts of a whole. The wisdom offered by Bart Barber in his recent post, The Barber Plan for Peace, is an excellent contribution to this recognition, and I commend it to our readers.
Another bit of wisdom that I believe can be helpful is an article we published in the wake of last year’s “Building Bridges” conference. The article, titled “Happy Southern Baptists and the Tricky Track,” was authored by Southwestern Seminary president Dr. Paige Patterson, and serves to remind us how necessary both parts are to the makeup of the whole we know as the Southern Baptist Convention.
Join me in my prayer that, through the wisdom God has granted to these men and to others, we may learn to save our ammunition for the real enemy, and ignore the rubber dummies that have occupied so much of our recent attention.
John 3:16 Conference
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On November 6th and 7th, the John 3:16 Conference will be held at the First Baptist Church of Woodstock Georgia. Conference co-sponsors are: Jerry Vines Ministries, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Luther Rice Seminary and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
From the web page, the conference seeks to answer these questions:
Did Jesus die on the cross for every person? Are believers eternally secure? Can grace be resisted? These and many other questions will be addressed.
This conference is not going to be a “Let’s bash the Calvinists” conference. This conference is going to be a biblical and theological assessment of and response to 5-point Calvinism. It will be helpful for lay people as well as preachers.
To access the conference web page which will explain the cost and schedule, click here. Those speaking at the conference will include (Dr. Jerry Vines, Dr. Paige Patterson [Total Depravity], Dr. Richard Land [Unconditional Election], Dr. David Allen [Limited Atonement], Dr. Steve Lemke [Irresistible Grace], Dr. Ken Keathley [Perseverance], and Dr. Charles Stanely). For those who are unable to attend, a DVD and CD will be offered for purchase on the above mentioned web site.
Another Sermon by Dr. David Allen
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We now present the second sermon delivered by Dr. David Allen, Dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, to the Pastor’s Conference at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Both sermons were from the book of Hebrews, which Dr. Allen has studied for many years.
In the first message, Dr. Allen argues for Lukan authorship of the book and makes a strong case against modern charismatic practice of sign gifts. In this second sermon, Dr. Allen further develops his case for Luke as the author of Hebrews, then makes an exegetical case against the central petal of the TULIP, limited atonement.
Enjoy!
Interview with Dr. Jerry Vines
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We are privileged to bring you today an interview with Dr. Jerry Vines, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville Florida, and founder of Jerry Vines Ministries. He currently resides in Georgia where, he assures us, he has not taken to riding Harleys (the picture above was used for a special event during his ministry at FBC Jacksonville).
He is a gracious man to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. His faithfulness to the Lord’s call to minster to His people, to lead his family to honor God, and to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are lost, is a worthy example for us all to emulate.
In the course of this interview, Dr. Vines shares his thoughts and convictions regarding why he is Southern Baptist, the impact of the current trends of Calvinism in our convention, our response to the challenge of postmodernism, and other issues.
Enjoy!
Standard Podcast [23:34m]: Interview with Dr. Ergun Caner
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Tim Rogers was planning to interview Dr. Ergun Caner while he was in Jacksonville, but flight schedules changed, and they weren’t able to meet up. So today, I was able to visit with Dr. Caner by phone from his Virginia home.
Dr. Caner is the president of the recently re-named Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information about him, click here to visit his website.
This interview runs about 17 minutes. You can listen to the interview directly from this page, you can download it by following the instructions below, or you can access it along with all of our other interviews by visiting our “Interviews” resource page. Tomorrow we will be presenting another interview, as Tim was able to sit down today for a visit with Mac Brunson.
