Posted on 07/13/2002 2:33:46 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration
They do not preach the gospel by Rodney King...they preach the word straight up and trust that God will use it where He wiil
When you think salvation relys on being loving to woo them to Christ .......you have robbed God of His glory
Preach the word ! Preach the word ! Preach it and they will come......that is an absolute!
The real issue in Total depravity is that we can do no good to please God to get saved! (Isa.64:6).
We are cut off from Him due to our birth in the first Adam (Rom.5)
N.B.(Romans 10:17)
m
Lets not go there xzings your founder was anti reformation...if it was up to John we all would have been at an Episclopal /RC High Mass......John Did what he could to kill the reformation .
God Almighty opposes calvinism because calvinism implies that God is artibrary, partial, unloving, unjust, unrighteous, and capricious.
Well, that just about covers it.
Yes, the SBC has seen a decline in numbers recently, but this has nothing to do with either Calvinism or Arminianism. It has to do with a commitment to the truth of Scripture, and a realization that liberal homosexual ordaining, Bible denying "baptists" aren't worth making any concessions for.
Yes, some ex-Southern Baptist churches have left the fold, and have started their own "anything goes" group known as the "Cooperative Baptist Fellowship". The rest of us say good riddance!
Those who remain, both Arminians and Calvinists (and the Arminians are presently in the majority, even though there is a resurgence of Calvinism, especially on our seminary campuses), are dedicated to the Biblical message of salvation in Jesus Christ, and in Christ alone. We recognize, all of us, the importance of missions and evangelism, and are placing more missionaries in the field than ever before, and seeing more baptisms overseas than in any other period in history. Missions giving in this country is on the increase, and will only improve now that we have put the moderate/liberal controversy behind us. Remember, it was Calvinistic Baptists who started the modern missionary movement in the 18th century, and our commitment to world missions is presently stronger than ever.
There has never been a better time to be a Southern Baptist, whether Arminian (General) or Calvinist (Particular). We are the only major denomination who has faced the liberal challenge head-on, turned back the tide, and maintained our identity as "people of the Book". The moderates/liberals have jumped ship, causing a slight dip in our numbers, but those of us who remain are stronger than ever. Watch and see, Southern Baptist work is going to see explosive growth, not only here, but around the world. I have no doubt that God will honor our commitment to His Word and to His Gospel.
Don't you think that this would be better worded by saying: my conception of calvinism is that it implies that God is arbitrary, partial, unloving, unjust, unrighteous, and capricious?
Calvinism teaches none of that. It appears that you want to dictate to God what He should be like, and want to make Him in your image. I imagine that you have a heck of a time teaching/preaching most of the Old Testament with the attitude you have expressed here.
The God of Arminism has an ineffective grace. The cross did not save anyone it simply makes salvation possible....if it is mixed with man will.......
Mans will +mans choice + Gods grace + mans perseverence =salvation......
My Bible say salvation is of the Lord!
sola gracia
Guess you'd better read my posts again JM. My family is baptist so I say positive things about baptists all the time. Additionally, there is a recent post on the BG Crusade in Cincinnati that I put up. The curious can go there to find positive after positive about baptists.
I say the SBC is in decline, JM affirms it is so. I say that it has been calminian, and JM confirms that it is so. I say the eggheads are the ones turning to 5 point calvinism, and JM says it's happening at the seminaries (read: eggheads.)
All I can say is thanks for confirming my posts.
My prediction is that the SBC of Billy Graham will see growth. The SBC of JM will not.
No. I'll leave it alone. I think it does imply those things. That's why God opposes it.
The SBC in decline? Where did you get that out of my post. What I stated is that we have been relieved of some excess baggage, and that we are on the verge of explosive growth. Nothing there that could be construed as "decline".
Sure there are plenty of "calminians", and thankfully few full blown Arminians. However, our heritage is full-blown Calvinism, and that is where we are headed.
Eggheads? Maybe in Methodist seminaries, but in SBC seminaries the emphasis is on church leadership. I know of only one "egghead" that I had as an instructor during my four years at SWBTS, all the rest of them were practical men of God who sought the development of God's church. I praise God that our historic doctrinal roots are once again affirmed in our seminaries, since that is where our next crop of pastors and missionaries will come from.
Of course, only time will tell concerning the future of the SBC. I, however, believe that our glory days are still before us, and will be driven by our steadfast adherence to the Bible as the infallible Word of God.
For your information, there are not two SBCs, we are one body, united to glorify and serve God. It is only in your mind that there is a bifurcated SBC.
My prediction is what's at issue. I know a particular type of southern baptist. I know the rural, small to medium-sized church type southern baptist. I know that these kinds of folks (midwest, Kentucky, Tenn, N.Carolina) believe that the gospel is for everyone and that anyone can be saved simply by believing in Jesus.
I believe that this kind of southern baptist will revolt...too strong...reject particularly "limited atonement."
DrSteveJ is on track here with the SBC that I grew up with. Jerry, did you grow up an SBC?
And, what if I told you that I agree with this? All those who believe will be saved. That is why we preach the Gospel to all, all around the globe. There is only one SBC. Do you think that we Calvinists pick-and-choose who to witness to?
"DrSteveJ is on track here with the SBC that I grew up with. Jerry, did you grow up an SBC?"
No, I grew up as a God hating pagan who was flirting with Marxist socialism as a teenager.
The person who shared the Gospel with me 30 years ago this month (July 24, 1972) was a Southern Baptist. He invited me to attend his SBC church. I was baptized in that church, and have belonged excusively to Southern Baptist churches ever since (to include in Kentucky). I am a graduate of a Southern Baptist seminary, and have pastored the same Southern Baptist Church since a couple of months following my graduation in May of 1989. I have served as an officer for my state Baptist Convention. Do my Baptist credentials pass your muster?
This is as opposed to the Methodist that say amen to any handy god..
That is why the Methodist Church is on its death bed..me thinks Pastor Xzins had best worry about his own churches apsotesy...and his own willingness to nod in approval at the words of a Hindi and Moslem so he has a brief opportunity to say "in the name of Jesus" at the end of a feel good prayer.
Jerry the SBC will be around when the Methodists are long gone (they are already close) The SBC knows the gospel..
He know the tune
Seriously, I get the idea that according to xzins, Calvinistic Baptists have no moral authority to preach the Gospel. My Calvinism has never kept me from proclaiming the free offer of salvation. "Whosever believeth" will be saved.
He tends to dismiss me when I say things like that.
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