Building Bridges–Dr. Danny Akin

Answering the Call to a Great Commission Resurgence?

Our issues must not be caricatured or misrepresented. There is a void if not a vacum of leadership in the SBC. What is clear is that we need Godly men that will help us move forward.

Earlier Dr. Akin and others began discussing building on the Conservative Resurgence and beginning a Great Commission Resurgence. This will be wed to clear theological standards.

Why should we come together and how shall we come together?

• We are in agreement as to a common Confession of Faith to guide us, The Baptit Faith and message 2000

This statement is sufficient to guide us. Some confess more but we will not confess less than what this statement confesses.

• We are in agreement on the inerrancy, infallability and sufficiency of the Bible.

Some would say the battle for Bible is over. Dr. akin

• We are in agreement on the necessity of a regenerate church.

It is biblical

SB have always believed this.

• We are in agreement in the exclusivity of the Gospel.

The heresy of universalism is not welcome in the SBC. How can we who call him Lord do any less than make it exclusive.

• We are in agreement on the sinfulness and lostness of humanity apart from Christ.

• We are in agreement that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Salvation is a free gift in which humans works plays no part.

We both approve God’s sovereignty and Man’s free will.

• We are in agreement that the Great Commission is a divinely mandated assignment given to the Church by the Lord Jesus and that it is a task we are to give ourselves until the end of the age.

There are too many non-Calvinist that talk the talk but do not walk the walk. we all have much to repent of. it is not our verbatim agreement on the Great Commission but it is our obedience to the Great Commission.

How can we come together?

I see Dr. Paige Patterson as my father in the ministry. I see Dr. Al Mohler as my best friend. Of the time I have been together with them both, I have never felt a tension to work together with either of them.

• Wee need a sound theology, not a soft theology or a straight-jacket theology.

Our agreement on the BF&M 2k is an asset not a liability. there is nothing soft about this theology.

We must be on guard against a Straight-Jacket Theology.

Dr. Akin vision for the future of the SBC. The BF&M2k is a well constructed canopy for the future.

• We need to let a biblical theology drive and determine our systematic theology.

We must have a text driven theological system. Will this force us to live with some tension? Yes.

• We need a revival of authentic expository preaching that will lead usto the genuine people of the book.

Too much of our current preaching sounds like Harry Fosdick Emersion. Also, too many preachers follow after the latest hermaneutical circus.

• We need the balance of a Great commission Theology.

Some Semi-Armenian friends need to become careful and better theologians. Some of my Hyper-active Calvinist friends need to get out of their office and on the mission field.

• We need to love and respect each other as brothers and sisters in Christ even though we are not in complete agreement on every point of theology.

When Dr. Rogers died many cried, some Calvinist responded as it was an open door for Calvinism to flourish in the SBC. However, the pendulum swings both ways. Comparing Calvinism to Muslims and fatalism is not helpful in debating these points.

Building Bridges–Dr. Tom Ascoll

Southern Baptist and Cooperation

SBC was formed in order to help Baptist work together.

Calvinism is an important issue, but not the most important issue confronting the SBC in the 21st Century.

If SB are to work together in any way we must link our arms together.

5 points of Bridge Building

Based on Dr. Al Mohler’s triage.

Three doctrinal issues we must openly address and come to some measure of agreement. Some may see these as elementary and not necessary to address.

• What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is news of what God has done in Jesus Christ his son. Think of the Godpel like this. It is all about Jesus Christ–who he is, what he has done, and why it matters

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

If you are unwilling to accept what he has done then you must pay for your own sins. This is the data of the gospel. There is more to the gospel than data. The gospel is a world view. The Gospel is exclusive and inclusive.

Exclusive–it is the only message that we are to preach. To preach the gospel exclusively does not mean that we preach only the data. It means that we preach and keep central the cross of Christ. If you preach a sermon that would play well in a synagogue then you have not done expository preaching. The Gospel is our only message

Inclusive–The story of David and Goliath is not about slaying the giants of your life. It is about a God that can slay the enemies of his people.

Must be central in our Systematic Theology. Systematic Theology can become something that is detatched from the Gospel. Christology is not one among the categories, but is the head of all the categories.

Must be central in our Ethics. How does scripture teach sexual purity? 1 Corinthians 6 we are reminded that we are bought with a price. The gospel is missing in many of our attempts to keep our children pure.

• What is a Christian?

BF&M article 4 is a summary answer to this question. No one gets into Grace Baptist without giving their testimony. What the BF&M summarizes is the blessings of the new covenant the Prophet Jeremiah wrote out. A christian is both regenerated and justified.

Justification–attacked by the acadamy.

Redemption–being undermined by the apathy of the church. We dis-figured this doctrine over the past few years. We have dumbed down regeneration.

• What is a Church?

BF&M covers this question well. We must return to the church regenerate church membership.

• We must return to the truth.

Any criticism for some in the CR is seen as being dis-loyal. Obey 9th commandment on speaking truth.

• We need to learn to live and love.

John 13

1 Corinthians 13:1-3–Your theology is useless if it is without love.

The SBC is not vital in order to bring God’s Kingdom into this world.

Building Bridges–Open Forum

Got here late and the forum was already taking place. Dr. Akin asked a question about holiness and Dr. Finn answered it from an alcohol issue. Dr. Finn points out that younger seminarians that he speaks with are not convinced that abstaining is a Biblical view. Dr. Akin responded that as a seminarian it was a matter of integrity. Students sign a covenant that they will not drink alcohol while a student.

Dr. Welty is currently debating Molinism. Dr. Welty stated he had much more in common with Evangelical Molinism than with open theists. Dr. Keathley says he is a Molinists because he has to rectify Romans 9 and Romans 10.

With the SBC having a Larger Tent, now excepting Calvinist Brothers, is there a movement in place to accept Emerging Church movement?

Dr. Nelson–some are feeling that we fought the fight over the Bible and now we are going to let people like McLaren back in. As long as we are debating the things like we are now, I am optimistic that we will see it as it is. I want to make sure that we make sure we keep the Gospel.

Dr. Yarnell–the concern with the emergent movement is that the Biblical text has to be made relevant. If we do not make the text relevant then they will not accept it. Dr. Yarnell goes on to say that the Text is Relevant. The Word of God has the power. Our responsibility is to proclaim the Word of God.

Dr. Nelson–I agree with Dr. Yarnell. However, we do not want to write off those that are in the SBC.

Dr. Akin–We had the Emergent Church Conference and there are not everything that I agree with Mark Driscoll about. However, is there a place for Driscoll in the SBC? Yes. Is there a place for Pagitt, McLaren, etc. etc? No!

In recent times Calvinist pastors have been singled out to express their calvinism to search committees. Also, in the associations how can we work together.

Dr. Finn–Concerning Associations Mike Day is calling for a recovery of the original associational mind-set. Find the churches in your association that you can work with to do missions.

Dr. Nelson–Place all of your cards on the table concerning theological moorings.

Dr. Ascoll–I feel it is a dilemma. Either way you are going to have people shooting at you. In many churches the people on the pastor search committee do not understand theological terminology.

Dr. Keathley–Look at the church and explain how you are going to change it. The church needs to know your Biblical convictions at the beginning.

How would you describe your doctrine of salvation in the context of the Calvinism question. If you are not a Calvinist what are you?

Dr. Yarnell–When my students ask the this question I usually do not answer it. I would describe my doctrine of salvation as typically Baptist. What does the Scripture Teach? We are sinners and doomed, but we have a Savior and his name is Jesus. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again. The state paper editor I had a conversation with this am noted that the Calvinist and the non-Calvinist were talking past each other. I would rather have the world view of preaching the text. If you are a confessional SB along the BF&M2k confession, there is room for a 1 point to 5 point.

Dr. Keathley–I think that non-Calvinist in the SBC need to state who they are from a positive perspective.

Is there a general consensus on eschatology within Calvinism?

Dr. Ascoll–No!!

Dr. Keathley–If you go down certain roads logically you will end at certain eschatology.

Share with us how you do evangelism and mission work in your personal life and local church.

Dr. Welty–door to door work. Not very fruitful. I used haloween to share the gospel with those who came to the my door. it opened the door for me to various dinners with other neighbors. I have not been on the mission field but plan to work that in at SWBTS.

Dr. Yarnell–I am naturally introverted. but when I overcome that introvertedness I enjoy sharing the Gospel. Halloween, as Greg pointed out, gives me a great opportunity. I have a strong heart for missions. I have been on numerous mission trips.

Dr. Keathley–My Christian walk was nearly destroyed by the evangelistic methods of my early experience. I think that the reason a lot of young men are going into the Calvinist fold is because of this type of evangelistic outreach.

Dr. Ascoll–Ken you are my kind of Molinist. I am not at all happy with my own personal evangelism. Church has outreach to Uzbekistan. Wonderful conversations with Muslims. We are trying to emphasize hospitality evangelism, and home bible studies. I know what we are not going to do.

Dr. Yarnell–it is important to realize the GC is not about presenting a canned presentation. It is about making disciples. The event must have to have the Gospel presented, but making disciples is hard work. To make a good disciple, you must be a good disciple.

David Nelson–Providence is my church and we support about 60 missionaries. I love the fact that my daughters have grown up understanding that overseas missions is a common event. I live in a neighborhood where I do community activities.

Dr. Finn–I resonate with Dr. Yarnell about being an introvert. The best place I have found to do evangelism is in the religious section in Barnes and Noble. FBC Durham is a inner city church. We are moving to become aggressive in our outreach.

Is it possible for regeneration and conversion to take place separately?

Dr. Welty–Regeneration and conversion are simultaneously.

Dr. Ascoll–Greg do you believe John the Baptist was regenerated in his mother’s womb?

Dr. Welty–what do you think”

Dr. Ascoll–I do not believe we can build a theology off of that.

Dr. Yarnell–it is a chronological simultaneous experience.

Dr. Keathley–It is simultaneous. This is a problem with most Calvinist. There is a large body of Calvinist work that teach this. Baptist Calvinist are going to have to separate themselves from this teaching.

How do we work together in evangelism if the altar call is rejected.

Dr. Ascoll–Altar call has been an instrument used to cause much harm in many churches. We do not practice altar call in the scripture. I would plead with my brothers that use the altar call to be very careful not to abuse the practice.

Dr. Yarnell–I think an altar call is a good thing. I have felt distinctly uncomfortable not practicing this. A sinner is not going to get saved apart from praying a prayer.

Dr. Finn–How can we cooperate with differing opinions? We are a denomination of autonomous churches. It is the church’s decision on what method to us.

Dr. Nelson–I am in a church where the altar call is not used. I do not think we all understand the problem with the sinner’s prayer. If we can follow this little set of things then you get saved.

Dr. Keathley–I am one that was saved at the “magic spot” people make fun of. I never had the impression that coming forward was going to save me. I realized that I was coming to Christ. I have seen what you are referencing. Let’s be honest. We are speaking about a lack of integrity if someone abuses the system. Do we believe that God uses humans? If we believe that then the means of salvation is man-to-man. Danny, I believe that being Baptist does mean something. We are a people that have revolted against the means of other denominations. The fact that we put Baptism as the profession of faith in Christ means we believe Christ died was buried and is risen from the dead.

Dr. Akin–it is unconsciousable to preach the Gospel and not challenge people to repent and follow Christ. If you have an aversion to not giving an altar call you will be guilty of ministerial malpractice if you shut down the altar call.

Building Bridges–Dr. David Dockery

I did not know they had wifi in the ARC on Monday evening, so I left my laptop in the room.  I missed getting Dr.’s Stetzer and Dockery presentations.  This nice lady, named Nancy, provided me with her notes that she was taking on her laptop.  She did not get Dr. Stetzer’s (Sorry Brother Ed) but she did get Dr. Dockery.  Enjoy the fruit of her labor.

+ David Dockery

I Thes 5:21 – Test everything; hold on to that which is good.

  Are Southern Baptists Calvinists

-         Yes – hold to eternal security

-         No – the majority have not been 5 point Calvinist

-         Important Words

o       Constradiction – refers to a condition in which at least 2 things are truly contrary to one another

o       Antinomy

o       Paradox

o       Mystery

-         Biblical Affirmation

o       The bible affirms the sovereignty of God

o       The affirms

-         John Calvin – 1509-1564

o       2^nd generation reformer

o       Know very little about his conversion

o       1536 – Institutes of the Christian Religion

o       Became a 4 book systematic theology following the Apostle’s Creed

§         Book 1 – knowledge of God

§         Book 2 – person & work of Jesus

§         Book 3 – the Holy Spirit

§         Book 4 – the church

o       “I have followed Calvin no further than he has followed Christ” – John Robinson

o       The idea of the Church always reforming – the idea that

-         Jacob Arminius – 1560-1609

o       A mild Calvinist

o       Remonstrant Arminianism

§         Condition elections

§         Universal offer of salvation

§         Emphasis on God’ mercy

-         5 points of Calvinism at from the Council of Dort (1618-1619)in response to Arminianism

o       TULIP

-         Early Baptists

o       1609 – General Baptists

o       Later – Particular Baptists – London Confession

o       Roger Williams – Providence

o       John Clarke – Newport

o       Philadelphia Association – 1^st in the North – adopted the London Confession

§         Philadelphia catechism – dozen questions about predestination

-         SBC

o       16 million in all 50 states

o       Controversy to has led to -

§         Reaffirming on the bible

§         Reclaiming on heritage

§         Refocus on theology

§         Conversations with evangelicals outside SB life

o       SBC first came together to address lack of missionary effort and who could be missionaries

§         Charleston Association

§         Sandy Creek Association

·        Revivalist, suspicious of educated

·        Grassroots has more in common with Sandy Creek

o       John L. Dagg – Manual of Theology

§         Consistent Calvinist

o       James P. Boyce – Abstract of Principles

§         2^nd London confession

§         Young men where generally Arminians which thy came to seminary , few went through his course in theology without being converted to Calvinism

o       JM Frost – Baptist: Why and Why Not

o       BH Carroll – Founder of Southwestern

§         Regeneration is an action which precedes faith – Calvinistic

o       EY Mullins – Christian Religion in Its Doctrinal Expression

§         Not neutral – modified Calvinist – Amyralidian

§         Felt Arminius was not right, but that Calvinism reacted too strongly

§         “we are learning to discared bothe names  & adhere more closely to scriptures,

o       WT Connor – Christian Doctrine

§         Rejected limited atonement & irresistible grace

§         Taught at Southwestern for 4 decades

o       1954-1979 – SBC became more programic – on the road to becoming a “mainline denominiation”

§         Some embaressement with Calvinist history

·        HB Hobbs The Baptist Faith & Message (1971) & What Baptist Believe

o       Almost a 1 point Calvinist , modified understanding of predestination & foreknowledge

o       Wrote SBC SS lessons for 30 years

·        Middle years of 20^th century Arminianizing of the SBC particularly with Dale Moody & Frank Stagg

·        WA Criswell (1909 – 2002)

o       Great Doctrines – rejected limited atonement but reaffirmed the other 4 points of Calvinism

o       Either God acts to bring about salvation or else there is no hope

-         Confessions

o       Philadelphia

o       Charleston

o       Abstract of Principles

o       New Hampshire

o       BF&M ’25, ’63, ’00

-         Traditions

o       Charleston, Landmarkism

o       Revivalism

o       Sandy Creek

o       Frontier

-         Various Groups in SBC life today

o       Fundamentalist

o       Revivalists

o       Calvinist

o       Orthodox Evangelicals

-         A Model for Building Bridges – Whitfield & Wesley

-         John Leland – Baptist hold to sovereignty of God  & the promiscuous preaching of the Gospel

-         Iain Murray – When Calvinism looses it’s evangelistic theme it is no longer good 

 

+ Tom Nettles

-         Baptist Calvinists have always been strong supporters of the inerrancy & inspiration  of Scripture

o       Calvinism provides the best system for understanding inerrancy – because it has not conflict between human freedom & God’s divine providence/control  (compatiblism)

-         Baptist Calvinists have been ardent defenders of the doctrine of the Trinity

o       Understanding of Salvation has a intrinsic dependence of the Trinity within the Calvinistic framework

§         Father elected

§         Son procures

§         Spirit draws

-         Baptist Calvinists have be consistent advocates of substitutionary atonement

-         Baptist Calvinists have historically been advocates of religious liberty

o       Argued for separation of Church & State – Bacchus, Leland

o       Everyman must give an account to God & therefore ought to have the right to practice his faith in whatever manner he saw fit 

-         Baptist Calvinists have historically been advocates of missions & evangelism

o       Most comments from Dagg

o       God has predetermined the end without reference to the means by which it is to happen – Dagg – with re: to why evangelism is important

-         Baptist Calvinists have historically been advocates of Christ centered preaching

o       Christ is the power of God

o       Christ is the Love of God to sinners

o       If one preaches Christ, he must preach doctrine

o       Christ is the center of the gospel

-         Baptist Calvinists have historically been advocates of holiness of life

-         Baptist Calvinists have historically been advocates regenerate church membership

Building Bridges–Dr. JD Grearer

Calvinism and Preaching the Gospel

Romans 9:11-23

• There is a sovereign election on how God bestows His mercy.

God bestows grace freely and in some cases electable. This is a catalyst for missions, not an impediment. The miracle is not why the Jews did not believe but that we were able to believe at all.

Why would God show selective mercy? v. 14

The reason these questions are so hard to answer is that we just do not believe that we deserve hell. God’s salvation is not for us, but for his pleasure.

• God’s highest agenda on earth is to glorify his name. V 15; 17; 22-23

This is to be the absolute center of our lives and ministries. With this principle it keeps us from sliding into heresy.

• This does not remove Paul’s understanding that each man holds the responsibility for his own destiny, and in some cases, the destiny of others, in his hands.

Who hardened Pharoah’s heart? Both Pharoah and God. Regeneration preceeding faith is not something that is completely sound. Matthew 11:21

We cannot take out of men’s hands the responsibility of man. The only reason we evangelize is out of obedience to God–some Calvinist say. Many people in the Bible were motivated, not by obedience, but by compassion. Matthew 13:58

Missionaries are intercessors that stand in the gap of belief between God and the lost people group. Matthew 13:58 Ezekiel 33:8

• We must maintain the centrality of the Gospel

This teaching comes in Romans 9, not Romans 1–Martin Luther

Growing deep with God means growing deep in the souls grasp of God’s radical love and mercy in the Cross, not knowing the finer points of Calvin’s Doctrine.

2 Peter 1;5-

Are we in danger of elevating something good–some type of good works–instead of the Gospel?  What tradition is the Gospel, or the cross, central?

Identify the central problem.  The real issue is in SB are not Gospel centered people any more.

DA Carson–one generation preaches the Gospel, one generation assumes the Gospel, and the third generation forgets the Gospel.

If you can get this message through Lifeway you need to do so.  Brother JD did an excellent job.  You have to hear this message.

Building Bridges–Dr. Greg Welty

+ Greg Welty – Unconditional Election and Effectual Calling

- Unconditional Election – an assertion and a denial

o God elects or chooses us for salvations – assertion

o Unconditional in that we do nothing to deserve it not based on works or faith – a denial

- Eph 1: 3-11

o Election is eternal – God is a God who chose us in Him before the foundation of the world vs. 4

o Election is personal – God chose individuals not categories or conditions vs. 4, 5, 11

o Election is grounded in God’s will – in His will to love us & fulfill his purpose for us vs. 4-7

§ In this passage, our will and what we do with it is never addressed in relation to our election

§ Election is unto holiness not because of holiness

- Romans 9

o Paul address matters of spiritual salvation

§ Uses historical examples to make spiritual points

§ Building a case for a consistent way of God for working throughout

o God’s own purpose and will are the reason for all His decisions

o Paul denies that God’s saving purposes are conditioned on how we use our will vs 16

Objections to Unconditional Election

The Bible teaches that election is on the basis of our foreseen faith–Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 1:2. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father. This interpretation is neither necessary nor plausible.

Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, says he never had a saving relationship with those he cast into damnation.

Foreknowledge is fore-love. He loves us before he even forms us–Deuteronomy 10

If God has unconditional election then that means that we do not choose God.  No.  Men and women must choose Christ.  Calvinist must not subscribe to a false dichotomy of divine choice and human choice.  The Gospel is complete with the Disciples choosing to follow Jesus.

Other Objections

Calvinism turns God into an Oger.  Calvinistic Archery.  The Critic fires arrows into false target.

If election is unconditional, it must be arbitrary.  Not necessarily.  We are inferring from our own ignorance saying that we know what God desires are for everyone.

God is the blame for people being in hell

Offer of salvation is incensere

Effectual calling amounts to cohersion.

Conclusion

Non-Calvinist reflect upon the Scripture.

Fellow Calvinists.  Distinction between a doctrine being part of the Gospel and a doctrine being the essence of the Gospel.  Spurgeons quote–Calvinism is the Gospel–can convey something unhealthy.  Do not say Arminianism denies the essence of the Gospel, but say that Calvinism brings out the grace of the Gospel.

Building Bridges–Dr. Ken Keathley

I have missed Dr. Keathley. As I began, I had to leave the room. Here is the beginning. I have found out that they are doing podcast for this at lifeways website.

Sovereingty and permission as they relate to predestination.

Similarities of infralapsarian Calvinism and Molinism

Molinism–affirming divine sovereignty with genuine permission.

Olson–an Arminian rejects Molinism because it is to Calvinistic.

Supralapsarianism–the concept of permission rejected. Calvin held to double reprobation. The key to supralapsarianism is reprobation and damnation. God does not reject the reprobate because he is a sinner, but the sinner becomes a reprobate because he rejected God. Grace plays no part in the supralapsarian decree–Bruce Ware.

Most Reformed people follow the infralapsarian view.

There is a sweet lady, named Janet, sitting beside me taking meticulous notes in a word document.  She just gave me the entire outline up to Dr. Welty.  Below is the entie outline of Dr. Keathley.

+ Ken Keathley – A Molinist View of Election

-         Two essential doctrines: sovereignty and permission (given to angels and humans) our freedom is a derived freedom

-         Permission -

-         Islam – Divine sovereignty taken to the extreme

-         Process theology – permission taken to the extreme

-         Biblical truth – God sovereignty rules over people who he allows a permission

-         The similarities of infralapsarian Calvinism and Molinism

-         Question of the reprobate – God’s decision based on our rejection or His choice

-         Superlapsarians – double predestination prior to creation

-         Infralapsarians God first allowed to permit the fall, then decided to choose some to be saved

-         Molinism – high view of sovereignty with a robust understanding of permission

-         Molin – 16^th century Jesuit priest

-         Calvin’s Supralapsarianism: The Concept of permission rejected

o       Reprobation – God’s rejection of an individual

§         The reprobate becomes a sinner because he rejects God

o       Damnation – God’s punishment of the individual who is reprobate

o       Election & reprobation have equal

o       Grace plays no part in the initial double decree

§         Grace does not enter the picture until God decides save the elect from the fall

-         Infralapsarianism: the attempt to blend Calvinism & permission

o       Dort – says that any attempt to lay sin at God’s feet is blasphemy

o       Refuses double predestination

o       Some aspects of God’s will with regard to evil etc. are permissive

o       Election is unconditional but reprobation is conditional

-         Problems with the Infralapsarianism position

o       It is very difficult to reconcile permission with the traditional Reformed view of sovereignty

o       The infralapsarian system is rationally inconsistent

o       The concept of permission doesn’t solve anything is reprobation is still the result of “God’s good pleasure”

-         Conclusions among Calvinists concerning infralapsarianism

o       Many supra-Calvinists dismiss the infra as incipient Arminianism

o       Some Calvinist despair of enterprise completely

o       Many Calvinists appeal to mystery

o       But there is difference between mystery and contradiction

-          Molinism: affirming both sovereignty & permission

o       2 affirmation of Molinism: Meticulous sovereignty and libertarian free will

o       God controls all things primarily by his omniscience but is not the determinative of all things

o       3 moments in Molinism

§         Counterfactual: a statement contrary to fact which still yet has truth content

§         Possible worlds: complex scenarios made up of counterfactuals

§         Natural knowledge – God knows everything that can happen, free knowledge – God sovereignly chooses what will happen to make His will , middle knowledge – God sees all the scenarios that can happen as the result of man’s free will

-         Advantages of the Molinist Approach

o       Molinism affirms the genuine desire on the part of God for al to be saved in a way that is problematic for Calvinism

o       Provides a better model for understanding how it is simultaneously true that God’s decree if election is unconditional while his rejection of the unbeliever is conditional

§         Why is the reprobate reprobate? – because God wills it (i.e. wills the world where this can occur), although it is because of the reprobate’s choice

o       In the Molinist system, unlike Arminianism, God is the author of salvation who actively elects certain one

o       Molinism has a more robust and scriptural understanding of the role God’s foreknowledge plays in election that does either Calvinism or Arminianism

o       Molinism provides a better model for understanding the biblical divine sovereignty and human responsibility

o       Molinism places mystery where it should be located, i.e. in God’s infinite attributes rather than His character

o       Molinism has a valid concept of permission that does not have to resort to special pleading

-         Molinism is a defense not a theodicy (an attempt to explain why God created the world as He did)

-         Molinism presents a forceful affirmation of both sovereignty and permission  

Building Bridges–Dr. Nathan Finn

Southern Baptist on both sides of the Southern Baptist isle are guilty of spreading false information.  Calvinism is coming more popular among younger Southern Baptist

Common false stereotypes of Southern Baptist Calvinists

Five Myths about SB

Assumptions to guide presentation:

All SB believe the Gospel

Most mis-characterizations are based on misunderstandings or confusion

Most interested SB desire to understand Calvinism.

The best way to move the SBC forward is to accurately represent each other’s belief’s.

• Calvinism is a threat to Evangelism

1845 the first thing that the SBC did was form two Mission Boards. The leaders at that time were Calvinists.  SB eschew any thology or practice that hinders evangelism  1993 SB papers began calling Calvinism the threat for evangelism.

1997 Western Recorder concedes that Calvinist are evangelistic.  Estep warns SB to avoid Calvinism because it will hinder our evangelism and missions.

Dr. Finn is giving numerous examples of leaders in the convention within the past years giving statements condemning Calvinism and evangelism.

SB Calvinist have consistently gone on record that evangelism is their heart.

Dr. Lemke’s methodology is skewed for two reasons.

• Southern Baptist Calvinist are opposed to Invitation.

Invitation is an altar call.  Many non-calvinist point to this as proof that

reasons Some calvinist are uncomfortable with public invitations.

1. public invitation evolves into practical
2. invitation system is nothing more than pragmatism
3. there is no such thing as a Calvinist public invitations
4. calvinist are concerned about the method.

• Calvinism is equivelant to Hyper-Calvinist

1. Hyper Calvinist
2. restrict the invitation to the elect
3. deny the universal love of God to all people

Calvinist rejected hyper-calvinism in 1845.  Convention Calvinist reject Hyper Calvinist.

• Calvinist deny human free will.

admitedly there are a number different ways to define free will.

1. God saves people despite of their free will
2. God does not save people who truly want to be saved because they are not of the elect.

No man is saved against his will.  Nor is the will taken away.  The work of the spirit of god is to work on and change the will and make individuals willing.  Effectual calling is the regeneration of the sinner, thus making the will willing.

• Authentic Baptist are not Calvinist.

Estep argues that Baptist came from English Baptist.

William Bradley note that early 19th Century Baptist were Calvinist.

Founders ministries publicly sthat that they defend Baptist Principles.  By this they mean Calvinist Soteriology and Baptist Ecclesiology.

To build bridges Southern Baptist must make these commitments.

1. Common commitment to being Gospel centered.
2. We must commit to traditional Baptist Principles. Dr. Finn just commended Dr. Bart Barber in his commitment to the 5th Century Initiative.
3. We must share a mutual commitment to labor together to fulfill the Great Commission.
4. Share a mutual commitment to be humble, irenic, and loving.  By avoiding fighting with each other over these issues.  Remain free to hold each other’s convictions.

Building Bridges–Dr. Chuch Lawless

Southern Baptist who are not Calvinist

Acts 9

Defining non-Calvinist is difficult. Steve Lemke says that most Baptist are between 2 and 4 points. Dr. Lawless has stated that he signed the Abstracts but does not believe in all 5 points.

Concerns raised are usually extremes that provide for preaching fodder.

I speak with a single voice but I believe there are others out there.

four sterotypes of non calvinists

• Non-Calvinists are more concerned with numbers than theology.

Most debate against Non-Calvinists come against Mega-Church pastors. We seldom ask the question if the growth of mega churches come from transfer than from baptisms. This is not true with most pastors. Calvinists and Non-Calvinists affirmed Dr. Vines with his message a Baptist and his Bible.

We are concerned about theology but we are also concerned about numbers.  We must ask; Is God using us to make disciples?  The numbers, when properly understood and used, is one way of evaluating our ministry.  It is a numerical that forces us to evaluate.  Charles Spurgeon: “it is a good thing for people to see the nakedness of the land through decress.  I should be very sorry if the adding up should be abandoned.

• Non-Calvinists promote pragmatic church growth

It is safe that the men who began the church growth movement are not Calvinists.  Peter Waggoner says that as for methods we are extremely pragmatic.  Pragmatism is rampant in the SBC.  “At this point whatever works is all the theology needed.”  Not everyone that aligns against 5 point Calvinism are pragmatics.

1. Asking the question; “is it working”? is not that always wrong.
2. Church growth numbers is one way of evaluating it is working.  We can do this without shutting down the preaching of the gospel.  Do not be afraid to ask numerical questions.
3. The “is it working” questions forces us to ask missiological questions.  We long for Biblical church growth but never at the expense of

• Non-Calvinists use Fraudian approaches.

Mark Devers has saidti the responsibility for every Christian to evangelize.

four things that Non-Calvinist ask of our Calvinist Brothers.

1. do not think that we have faulty evangelism because we present the gospel using a track.
2. do not think that we have
3. understand that many of us still utilize a public invitation.  we are well aware of the difficulties in the invitation system.  Is it not responsible to offer a public response while teaching that physical response is not what saves one?
4. Do not think that we are in error just because you hear us say that the decision is left to the sinner.
5. do not be afraid when I ask someone if I can lead them in a sinners prayer.

• Non-Calvinists do not like Calvinists.

We love each other and need to remember that others are looking.

Building Bridges–Dr. David Nelson

This is the truth of the Gospel.  God sent Jesus Christ

• Design of Atonement

†        The scriptures and the Missio Dei

Creation—Fall—Redemption—New Creation

†        The atoning work of Christ

subverts

Reconciles

Restores

Why did Christ Die?  Why did God become Man?

The father sent his son because god wills to punish sin and the save all who are in union with the father through the spirit.

Affirm the righteousness of God to punish sin.  In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself. For whom did Christ die—the world

• The nature of the Atonement

a.       Penal substitution—some have restated the gospel

b.      Four motifs

                                                   i.      Exemplar

                                                 ii.      Govenor

                                                iii.      Exchange

                                               iv.      Victor

• Extent of the Atonement

a.       Historical Considerations

                                                   i.      Limited and unlimited Atonement

                                                 ii.      Hincmar &Gottsochak (9^th Century)

Council of Mimes counted Hincmar’s double predestination as heretical and had him placed in prison until he died.

                                                iii.      Saumur Theologians (16^th-17^th Century)

1.      John Cameron

2.      Moise Amyraut

                                               iv.      Andrew Fuller (1754-1815)  Our convention would gain much by returning to the reading of his readings.  Fuller is behind the modern missionary movment.

b.      Exegetical Considerations

                                                   i.      John 3:16-18

Affirm general atonement but also affirm the view of limited atonement.  All theological views have tensions.

                                                 ii.      1 Timothy 2:1-6

Paul instructs Timothy on how the church is to behave.  We are to pray for all people.  It is god’s desire that all come to know him.

                                                iii.      Hebrews 2:9;14-18

Jesus suffered and tasted death for everyone.  The author of Hebrews carries an analogy throughout the book between the High Priest

                                               iv.      2 Peter 2:1;3;9

                                                 v.      1 John 2:2

• What is at Stake

Two potential problems

a.       A potential problem regarding the nature of the gospel

                                                   i.      Are we losing the gospel?

b.      A potential problem regarding the offer of the gospel

                                                   i.      No offer of the gospel.

                                                 ii.      A cheap offer of the gospel

Some of the most evangelistic people are 5 point Calvinist. 

Dr. Nelson said; the biggest fear is that the people in the pew are getting their doctrines from charlatans such as Joel Olsteen and John Hagee.