The Calvinist Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention is drawing national media attention, I’m sure it won’t be the last time.
Christianity today has written a length article that deals with Calvinism in the SBC. They quote a pastor from the Arbuckle Baptist Association and several denominational leaders.
Read the whole story for yourself – here’s the tasty final quote:
“The totality of history shows the vast majority of Baptists have not been [Calvinists], so why go back to the founders?” Page said. “I think we need to go back to the Bible.”
Timmy Brister has posted a response to this quote and his apologetic for taking the SBC Founders seriously.
The more I hear comments like Page’s and motions like Elam’s, the more I am convinced that ignorance will run rampant on both sides of the “discussion” and cause a major division within the SBC.
If charges of heresy are being bandied about, what will happen when a full-blown Calvinist is nominated and voted into the office of president of the convention? Stay tuned for the Fun in Indy ’08. This should get interesting.
Sirs: Sovereign Grace came to North Carolina in 1755, when at least two ministers from the Philadelphia Bal. Assn. persuaded some General Baps. in this state to become Regular Baps. (read Particular Baptists). That group went along, baptizing about 25-30 a year. In 1801, some 46 years later, they experienced the Second Great Awakening. I came to NC 36 years ago and found a few preachers of Sovereign Grace here. Today there are many more. Can it be that I am hearing the coming of tsunami of th Third Great Awakening, the one in which the whole earth is filled with His knowledge and glory as the waterrs that cover the sea? Such is the prayer I have been praying for about 35 years. Remember sirs that Edwards Humble Attempt plea led to the Great Century of Missions and very likely to the Second Great Awakening, and HE WAS ONE OF THE PRIMARY LEADERS IN THE FIRST GREAT AWAKENING. We also need to remember that every one of the five points o the TULIP ACROSTIC IS A INVITATION TO BE SAVED, TO TRUST CHRIST. JESUS HIMSELF USED THESE DOCTRINES TO INVITE THE WOMAN OF CANAAN TO BE SAVED, EVEN THE DOCTRINE OF REPROBATION. See Mt.1521-28. Note the word dog. There is total depravity, reprobation, etc. in that word. Jesus used it of the woman. She agreed. She thought He had thrown her a piece of candy. Sh said Truth, Lord, the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from her masters’ table. Luther Rice, the father of Southern Baptist Missions, said PREDESTINATION IS IN THE BIBLE AND YOU HAD BETTER PREACH IT. Dr. Euseldin in this Intro. to his translation of Wm. Ames, Marrow of Divinity, declared that PREDESTINATION IS A INVITATION TO BEGIN ONE’S SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE. Gentlemen, We might better get ready. I think I hear the sound of a going in the mulberry trees.
I certainly pray that we will hear not only the sound but behold the reality of the greatest awakening in world history. Blessed be His Holy Name.
Dr. WILLINGHAM, North Carolina ia an Oasis. It is the last vestige of the Truth. Enjoy it while you are there.