09 March, 2010

Reformed Red Flags

Over the past number of years, the Southern Baptist Church (SBC) has been fighting a battle that many evangelical churches are also fighting. The 'Calvinist vs. Arminian' debate is raging in the SBC. By the grace of God, the denomination is moving more and more towards its Reformation roots.

Recently, there has been a counter-attack rallying against the Reformed movement in the SBC . One of the tactical documents was recently given to the Founders' Ministries (one of the main agitators for reformation in the SBC). The document was for pastoral search committees to be aware of some of the 'red flags' to look out for when searching for a pastor. In the mind of many in the SBC- these are things that are to be avoided; because they are connected with Calvinism.
  • Lack of passion in public invitations for the lost to repent...
  • Use of the ESV Bible.
  • Adding... belief statements... to what their church believes... such as the First London Baptist Confession ((1689)...
  • Member of the Founders' Movement...
  • They will call Calvinists to join them on their church staff.
  • Tendency towards a highly logical systematic theology...
  • They love to write and blog about their reform theology...
I pray that the SBC continues to reform by the Grace of God in Christ. I look forward to watching the continuing unfolding of this story. And I pray that all those who love Jesus Christ will bow their knee to His Word and His Rule.

"Lord Jesus, build your Church."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What does the ESV have to do with Calvinism? What about the NIV? NRSV? RSV-SCE? NASV? I'll bet Calvinists use all those too.

I've seen evidence that the Lord Jesus is building His Church. He's had the Calvinists (Jansenists) and Arminian (Pelegians or only conditional election-ists) excommunicated. Neither view is biblical: for man isn't totally depraved according to the Psalms nor was the most blessed Virgin conditionally elected. Don't get us started on the latter!

Durell Flood (aka drollord said...

"The 'Calvinist vs. Arminian' debate is raging in the SBC"
-This may be an inroad to getting them to see the issue of paedobaptism/covenant baptism in the COD

Benjamin P. Glaser said...

Thankfully I do not use the ESV. It is of the Debil...