In a letter to the Alumni of SEBTS. Dr. Danny Akin stated the following.
Dr. Danny Akin–Follow-up on SBC Convention
Along with my fellow seminary presidents, I believe the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is a solid theological confession to guide us. It is not an exhaustive statement, but it is a sufficient statement. It, along with the Abstract of Principles, will continue to give theological direction to Southeastern. This is what our convention reaffirmed on Tuesday evening. Barry McCarty, our chief parliamentarian said to me at the airport following the Convention, there was no understanding that this motion was asking our agencies to do anything different than what we had been doing. It was a reaffirmation, not a re-direction. In that context let me say this. Your seminaries are not interested in theological witch hunts. At the same time, we will not be ostriches with our heads in the sand. If we spot a teaching that possesses a danger to our churches or will compromise our ability to fulfill the Great Commission, you can rest assured that we will withstand it with all our might.
Many are saying that the Presidents of the seminaries are not in agreement to what the EC Statement said. I say; Prove it!
I asked Dr. Akin in the SEBTS booth approximately 1 hour before the Alumni luncheon a question. I told him that as an alumni I did not desire to place any bad light on SEBTS if there were any disagreement with the conventions decision. Therefore, would it be okay if I asked him to give his understanding of the vote on the EC Statement. He responded; “I will tell you to get the video of Dr. Mohler’s report, because you will hear the same thing from me.” Also, many do not realize where Dr. Akin was during the discussion of the EC Statement statement. Allow me to tell you. He was running down the isle behind Dr. Mohler trying to get to the microphone. Brother Robin Foster will verify that because he was sitting around the microphone they came running to.
I have called this to the attention of many because Dr. Akin’s seminary report, while focused more on what was happening at SEBTS than Dr. Mohler’s on SBTS happenings, stated the same thing about the EC Statement as Dr. Mohler’s report. However, some have stated that I just disagree with their understanding of Dr. Akin’s report.
Dr. Akin has made it clear the BF&M is a statement that is sufficient to be a guide for the SEBTS Trustees. But, you have to read the full transcript, he stated the Abstract of Principles were sufficient also. Therefore, he cannot be using the word sufficient to mean the BF&M is all that is to be used.
As we all noted with interest, Dr. Akin affirmed his position as a continualist. That is nothing that should alarm anyone. I personally hold to a different position, but Dr. Akin’s position is one of a personal belief. Therefore, the issue, when speaking of tongues, is not continuationist vs. cessassionist. Neither is the issue, when speaking of the EC Statement, Dr. Chapman’s vs. Dr. Mohler’s interpretation. The issue has always been; what will the people-in-the-pew of the SBC allow?
