This is a distraction.
The real problem in the SBC is the so-called “Great Commission Resurgence”, which has proven to be a vehicle for injecting social liberalism/emergent church views into the convention.
This does connect with a kind of corrupt Arminianism found in much of the SBC leadership that focuses on numbers. Lifeway is a big part of the problem, but so is the influence of the children of some SBC leaders who are telling their daddies that they will “alienate” young people (media saturated, public school indoctrinated young people) if the SBC continues holding “icky” social views.
So now the SBC hierarchy has “embraced diversity”, “affirmative action”, amnesty, and some environmentalism, and is softening ever so subtlely its positions on sodomites and several other issues. Opposing amnesty and “diversity” will now get you called a “racist” by the national leadership.
The imbecile leadership thinks that it can combine “Inerrantism” and “moderate” social liberalism and that that will reverse its membership decline. All they think they need to do just loosen up to be “culturally relevant” and pander to what they think youth, black pastors, an dhispanic pastors want. They also want to lose the “SBC” name.
The rank and file needs to clean house if they want to save the SBC. Otherwise it will look a lot like the PCUSA in 5-10 years.
In essence, the SBC is becoming a larger version of the CBF - the conservative resurgence has failed - and Patterson wants to argue soteriology. What a travesty.
“More than 60 percent are concerned about Calvinism’s influence on the denomination.”
Wow. More worried about reformed theology than worldliness and the poisonous pop culture? Says it all.
According to that doctrine, the Bible should be a sufficiently clear guide when it comes down to foundational issues like salvation.
Yet it seems like one third of Southern Baptists believe one doctrine of salvation, one third believe the opposite doctrine of salvation, and one third cannot decide which doctrine of salvation to believe - and the deciding source of authority on which they are supposed to rely, the Bible, is the ground rather than the arbiter of the dispute.
Meanwhile...
Pope Defends His Top Aide Amid Vatican Infighting
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303684004577506880615485076.html
Pope Benedict XVI defended his closest aide against a tide of “unjust criticism” in an unusual open letter that underscored the pontiff’s struggle to quell months of infighting within the Vatican’s corridors.
"We do believe that the entire human race is badly affected by the fall of Adam. However, we don't follow the Reformed view that man is so crippled by the fall that he has no choice."
Yeah, whatever.
This is a distraction, nothing more nothing less. There have been many such “distractions” throughout the organization’s history. The individual churches which make up the SBC have members with both Calvinist and non-Calvinist beliefs, and despite what articles like this would have everyone else believe — we all get along just fine.
This is a distraction, nothing more nothing less. There have been many such “distractions” throughout the organization’s history. The individual churches which make up the SBC have members with both Calvinist and non-Calvinist beliefs, and despite what articles like this would have everyone else believe — we all get along just fine.
(1) In the beginning God made all things very good, created man after His own(2) image and likeness, filling him with all perfection of all natural excellency and uprightness, free from all sin.(3) But long he abode not in this honor, but by the (4) subtlety of the Serpent, which Satan used as his instrument, himself with his angels having sinned before and not(5) kept their first estate, but left their own habitation; first(6) Eve, then Adam being seduced did wittingly and willingly fall into disobedience and transgression of the Commandment of their great Creator, for the which death came upon all, and reigned over all, so that all since the Fall are conceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity, and so by nature children of wrath, and servants of sin, subjects of(7) death, and all other calamities due to sin in this world and for ever, being considered in the state of nature, without relation to Christ.
1) Gen. 1; Col. 1:16; Heb. 11:3; Isa. 45:12
2) Gen. 1:26; 1 Cor. 15:45-46; Ecc. 7:31
3) Psa. 49:20
4) Gen. 3:1, 4, 5; 2 Cor. 11:3
5) 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; John 8:44
6) Gen. 3:1, 2, 6; 1 Tim. 2:14; Ecc. 7:31; Gal. 3:32
7) Rom. 5:12, 18, 19; 6:23; Eph. 2:3
V.
All mankind being thus fallen, and become altogether dead in sins and trespasses, and subject to the eternal wrath of the great God by transgression; yet the elect, which God has(1) loved with an everlasting love, are(2) redeemed, quickened, and saved, not by themselves, neither by their own works, lest any man should boast himself, but wholly and only by God of(3) His free grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that as it is written he that rejoices, let him rejoice in the Lord.
1) Jer. 31:2
2) Gen 3:15; Eph. 1:3, 7; 2:4, 9; 1 Thes. 5:9; Acts 13:38
3) 1 Cor.5:21; Jer. 9:23, 24
XXIV.
That faith is ordinarily(1) begot by the preaching of the Gospel, or word of Christ, without respect to(2) any power or capacity in the creature, but it is wholly(3) passive, being dead in sins and trespasses, does believe, and is converted by no less power,(4) then that which raised Christ from the dead.
1) Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21
2) Rom. 9:16
3) Rom. 2:1, 2; Ezek. 16:6; Rom 3:12
4) Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:19; Col 2:12
XXV.
That the tenders of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners,(1) is absolutely free, no way requiring, as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the Law, or preceding ministry of the Law, but only and alone the naked soul, as a(2) sinner and ungodly to receive Christ, as Christ, as crucified, dead, and buried, and risen again, being made(3) a Prince and a Savior for such sinners.
1) John 3:14, 15; 1:12; Isa. 55:1; John 7:37
2) 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 4:5; 5:8
3) Acts 5:30-31; 2:36; 1 Cor. 1:22-24