It has been interesting to read some of the responses to the adoption of the resolution on the “sinner’s prayer” by the SBC in New Orleans last Wednesday. From the way some Calvinists and others speak of it, you would think that the convention affirmed Finney and enshrined all…
The 2012 Southern Baptist Convention that ended yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind for me. I arrived with little sleep in the bank and left with even less. All in all, I am very encouraged by the spirit of the meeting and what it hopefully signals about the…
I’m excited to announce the newest title from Founders Press: Whomever He Wills, Surprising Display of Sovereign Mercy. Edited by Tom Nettles and Matthew Barrett. Contributors include Tom Schreiner, Bruce Ware, Steve Lawson, Andy Davis, Tom Hicks, Steve Wellum et al (including me). A special 1/2 price prepub offer…
After reading through some sermons today by the late Southern Baptist pastor and statesman, W. A. Criswell, I could not help but wonder if he would attach his name to the recent statement that Jerry Vines, Paige Patterson, David Hankins, Emir Caner and others have issued and signed. Of…
The Louisville Courier-Journal and writer Peter Smith are to be commended for an even-handed treatment of “new Calvinism” and the way it is exemplified within the Southern Baptist Convention by Pleasant Valley Community Church (PVCC). This is the church whose application for membership the Davies-McLean Baptist Association rejected last…
Last week the otherwise catatonic SBC corner of the blogosphere erupted when Wade Burleson wrote that the administration of SWBTS planned to purge Calvinistic faculty in the name of economic cutbacks. I received numerous questions via facebook, twitter, email and old-fashioned phone calls about that accusation and the resultant…
In my earlier critique of David Allen’s review of Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue, I did not mention his criticism of the research presented by Ed Stetzer on the growth of evangelical Calvinism within the SBC. Dr. Allen cites many problems with the research and the interpretations that were…
Drs. Malcolm Yarnell, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and David Allen, Director of the Southwestern Center for Expository Preaching, George W. Truett Chair of Ministry, and Dean of the School of Theology, both serving at my alma mater, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, have each recently deemed words written by…
Three events over the last few weeks have called fresh attention to one of the serious doctrinal issues currently brewing in the SBC. There are others, and they are not unimportant, but the one that looms large on the horizon is the debate over Calvinism or reformed theology. Terminology…
Two stories arrived in my inbox within 24 hours that indicate that Southern Baptists are past the point of avoiding a dialogue about theology. The first came from the September 9, 2008 edition of the Kentucky Baptist Western Recorder. Dennis Fox is the President of Clear Creek Baptist Bible…