Whenever I say “Calvinism” in this article, I mean a 4 or 5-point Calvinist; a person that affirms all 5-points of the T.U.L.I.P. or affirms all points except Limited Atonement.
Southern Baptists are in trouble if Calvinism is a threat to the SBC because…
1. Southern Seminary, the first and largest Southern Baptist Seminary, has an entire faculty that affirms Calvinism. All Southern faculty must sign the Abstract of Principles, which at least affirms 4-points of Calvinism, leaving out limited atonement. I’m currently attending Southern. I took Dr. Ware’s Doctrine of God class as my first course for my M.Div. Calvinism is necessarily discussed in this class due to God’s sovereignty being one of His essential attributes. Since I was not a Calvinist at the time, I felt out of place in the class since I had never heard Calvinism discussed in such detail. I felt like the only non-Calvinist in the class. This class however was my favorite class I took at Southern throughout my M.Div. due to it increasing my knowledge of God and my love for God. The discussion of Calvinism will vary from course to course depending on the subject matter. It’s not a hostile environment at all, but since Calvinism is universally affirmed by the seminary, it is universally taught as truth. Just as other Southern Baptists do not shy away from teaching truth, Southern Seminary does not shy away from teaching Calvinism.
2. Al Mohler, the intellectual spokesman for Southern Baptists, is a 5-point Calvinist.
3. Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a Calvinist.
4. The young movers and shakers in Southern Baptist life are all Calvinists: Matt Chandler, David Platt, J.D. Greear, Russell Moore, Ed Stetzer, Adam Dooley, Jeff Noblit, Voddie Baucham, etc.
5. Johnny Hunt, a former poster-child for anti-Calvinism darts in the SBC, has repented of His previous statements toward Calvinists (His emphasis, not mine). He no longer sees Calvinism as a threat to the SBC; and he is vocal about it. Learn from him.
6. According to a Study by Lifeway and NAMB in 2006 and 2007, seminary graduates from Southern Baptist seminaries that are now serving in Southern Baptist churches are nearly 30% more likely to be Calvinists when compared to the rest of the convention. Thus, Calvinism is on the rise in the SBC.
7. The young, hip, cool evangelicals; and some of the most-popular Christian authors today are Calvinists: Mark Driscoll, Justin Taylor, John Piper, John Macarthur, R.C. Sproul, Francis Chan, D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, J.I. Packer, David Powlison, etc. Calvinism is currently cool and intellectual as well, a dangerous combination for influencing the evangelical youth of tomorrow.
8. Kevin Ezell, the new President of the North American Mission Board, is a Calvinist. If Calvinism is a threat to missions, then we’ve just greatly hindered Southern Baptist evangelism in North America by electing a Calvinist to this position. This of course is a straw-man argument since Calvinism does not destroy evangelism. Ezell is an example for all to follow.
9. Thom Rainer, the President of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a Calvinist. If Calvinism is a threat to evangelism, why elect a Calvinist to lead arguably our most influential resource beyond the Bible for ministry in the local church?
Like it or not, Calvinism is here to stay in the SBC. It actually never left; but was merely the extreme minority position. This however is not the case today; and will not be the case in 10 years. If you are against Calvinism in the SBC, I want you to know that whenever we outnumber you, which is inevitable, we will show you more kindness than you have shown us. There is room for both groups in the SBC, as long as the gospel is faithfully preached and taught!
Incoming search terms for the article:
Worship Matters
Unashamed Workman
Trevin Wax
Timmy Brister
Tim Challies
Thirsty Theologian
Theological Studies
Steve Weaver
SBC Voices
Russell Moore
Reformation 21
Reckless Abandon
Pyromaniacs
Paul Helm
Justin Taylor
Joe Thorn
Jeff Wright
Here I Blog
For His Renown
Eric Redmond
Ed Stetzer
Desiring God
Denny Burk
Credo Magazine
Cranach: The Blog of Veith
Craig Blomberg
Christian Communicators Worldwide
Bryan Crawford Loritts
Brandishings
Biblical Theology
Biblical Christianity
Between the Times
Baptist 21
Andy Naselli
Alvin Reid
Al Mohler
9 Marks Blog
.gif "Enjoying God Through the Final Four Harry Potter Movies")
Not so sure about your list.
Kevin Ezell, in a recent interview said,
It also seems to me that Danny Akin is at least tentative on “L”. So, don’t think he can be classified as a Calvinist. He himself wrote,
The article is located here: http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/10/16/myth-5-the-gcr-is-actually-a-grand-calvinist-plot-to-infiltrate-the-sbc-and-gain-control-or-at-least-greater-influence-in-the-convention/
Ken,
I appreciate your comments. In the beginning of this article, I mentioned that by Calvinist, I meant 4 or 5 point Calvinists. Ezell and Akin are both 4-point Calvinists. Mohler attended Ezell’s church before he moved to be the president of NAMB. If the 4-point Calvinists are removed from this list, then there are many that would need to be removed; however, I consider 4-point Calvinists still Calvinists. Bruce Ware for example is a 4-point Calvinist; as is Russell Moore (I think).
If you don’t classify these 4-point Calvinists as Calvinists, then what are they? More than half of Southern Baptists disgree with the 4-pointers as well.
Jared,
Thanks for your interesting article. I’m reading through the lense of non-Calvinist convictions. I’m just wondering … did you get permission from these men to refer to them as Calvinist and “all” profs at SBTS?
Blessings, Ron
Ron,
I appreciate your question, but I find it odd. No, I did not get permission from these men. The Abstract of Principles that every professor has to affirm, teaches at least 4-point Calvinism. So, every professor is at least a 4-point Calvinist at Southern.
If a 4-point Calvinist is still a Calvinist, then all of the above men are Calvinists; however, if you must be a 5-point Calvinist to be a Calvinist, I don’t know what to call some of the above men.
The main point I’m arguing in favor of is not Calvinism (although I’m a 4-pointer), but is rather the fact that Calvinism is not a threat to the SBC. God’s sovereignty in salvation actually undergirds evangelism and fuels its fire. We have nothing to fear from biblical Calvinism.
I’m hoping that we all can just get along for the sake of the gospel. We should still discuss our differences in hopes of lining up behind the truth; however, we should still be able to serve together.
Calvinism will end up destroying the SBC. Especially this new strain of arrogant Calvinism which makes no attempts to coexist in harmony with opposing viewpoints (and no, Arminianism isn’t the only alternative).
The problem with the whole article is making a distinction between a 4 point and a 5 point Calvinist. If you take away any of the points the whole Calvinist argument crumbles. This argument is just one of the many problems with Calvinism. I have yet to meet a moderate Calvinist who did not revert to a five point Calvinist when backed into a corner. Saying that one is a 4 point Calvinist is merely a smoke screen, as evidenced by the inseparable alliance of 4 and 5 point Calvinist.
David, I know numerous Calvinists that are 4 point Calvinists. When they’re “backed into a corner,” they don’t “revert to 5 point Calvinism.” You seem to be stereotyping all Calvinists. Back me into a corner, and I’ll appeal to the Scriptures. I don’t see how the exegetical evidence can prove Limited Atonement.
Wes,
once again, history does NOT back you up. Current Calvinism does NOT back you up. Where are you getting your info? As a Calvinist, I’m begging Southern Baptists to accept me… I’m not the one rejecting them, I’m the one being rejected. Even you in your comment reject me.
How have I been arrogant? I believe Calvinism to be true; but, the gospel is the emphasis, not Calvinism.
[...] 9 MORE Reasons Why The SBC Is In Trouble IF Calvinism is a Threat The first “9 Reasons Why the SBC is In Trouble IF Calvinism is a Threat” can be found here. [...]
[...] 8. 9 Reasons Why the SBC is In Trouble IF Calvinism is a Threat [...]
I’m surprised you mentioned Adam Dooley.
If Adam Dooley is a Calvinist, then Barak Obama is deeply concerned with the debt issue.
He may have it in his soteriology, but I would guess it’s not filled out in visible ways in his ministry. For example, I don’t see it in his approach to preaching or ministry. But on the other hand, nor do I see it in Rick Warren who claims to be a Calvinist.
I guess you can claim to be Calvinist and not really resemble the “traditional” look and approach to ministry that is synonymous with those guys historically.
-John C in Southern Maryland
John,
Dooley is a 4-point Calvinist. I cannot speak to his methodology; but, there seems to be a wide spectrum between various Calvinists concerning what methodology can flow from the doctrines of grace.
Thanks for the shout back Jared.
Best to you,
John C in Southern Maryland
Hi Jared,
I just wanted to let you know that if you think it’s hard to be accepted as a Calvinist in Kentucky, you should try being one in Canada.
Cheers,
Chris, really? What theological system is popular in Canadian evangelicalism?
Thanks for this article. Since God turned me to more Calvinistic doctrine I have faced more opposition then I could have ever imaged. I never thought this would be such a problem. I’ve even talked to elders in the faith and instead of helping me through the Scriptures they want to argue like I’m the enemy. It’s time everyone had this attitude towards this debate and we turn our focus again to the Gospel.