Trouble in the SBC
I just read an interesting article that indicates some very troubling news in the Florida Baptist Convention. My concern is that this is going to spill over into other state conventions within the SBC. The topic is Calvinism within the Southern Baptist Convention. Some of the leadership that has been elected do not hold to the precious doctrines of grace, which is within their rights. I have been hearing rumbles from numerous sources from all over the KC area and even in Jefferson City, HQ of the Missouri Baptist Convention, that the SBC is looking into a proposal to amend the Baptist Faith and Message to reject Reformed soteriology and Calvinism. One person I talked to, who is an associate pastor five minutes north of Jefferson City, says while this is true, he doesn’t think it would happen because of Al Mohler and Southern Seminary. I tend to agree, but I don’t like the whispers I’m hearing from both the SBC and MBC–which has organized a committee to look into certain doctrines i.e. Emerging/Emergent churches, inerrancy and Calvinism. If the MBC were to reject the doctrines of grace–which I don’t feel they would–I would be in a huge pinch as a current ordained minister of the MBC and SBC. But if it happens, I know God brought this about for a purpose and I am okay with him doing whatever he pleases. In fact, I love him every so much for his sovereignty. In the words of Jonathan Edwards, “The doctrine has very often appeared exceedingly pleasant, bright, and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God.”
Read the article and think it over.
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I’m certainly no Calvinist, but I don’t like the amendment idea either. In the end, it seems like both ’sides’ want to eliminate the other’s claim to ‘be’ Southern Baptist. I was actually accused of not being an SBCer the other day b/c I’m not a Calvinist. The truth is that both sides have a historical claim to the convention - and I, personally, like it that way. Sure, I hold my view, but I like that there is competition - it keeps us on our toes.
While this particular movement died out last summer and didn’t yield the fruit it wanted, namely a convention at SEBTS and the Building Bridges Conference where Calvinists and non-Calvinists came together to create a dialog. With a new president of the SBC being elected this summer who isn’t very kind to the reformed heritage of the SBC, we will see if this kind of movement pops up again.