How about another reason to go along with your thoughts? Perhaps these “calvinistas” as we like to call them, actually believe that they “know the truth” and are attempting to create their very own Reformation within the SBC.

Perhaps that is why CJ Mahaney, not a Baptist, gives so much money to Southern Baptist Seminary. Maybe he hopes to be thought of as the new John Calvin and needs the undying respect of those within the SBC who tilt this way.

What an excellent description of what appears to be taking place behind the scenes in the SBC. I believe you are absolutely correct with your assessment.

We’ve got to keep getting the word out…

I absolutely agree with Dr. Akin. I refuse to choose sides, and I think it’s a terrible waste of time to get bogged down in these debates over which camp is right. Instead, that time and effort should be spent seeking and saving the lost.

If I’m not mistaken, I recently read that Mark Driscoll is a four-point Calvinist. Mark has trouble accepting “Limited Atonement”, as do I. I have given this much thought over the last several years, and I agree with Dr. Adrian Rogers. “Whosoever” may come to faith in Christ.

I am either a three or four pointer, and I believe Jesus Christ died for ALL, but that doesn’t make me a Universalist. Last week I had an indepth conversation with a Five-Point Calvinist. When I stated that I believe Christ died for all, he responded along these lines — that means Jesus failed on the cross if all do not accept His salvation. Sorry, I don’t see it that way. God placed Adam and Eve in a perfect environment, and they sinned. Was God a failure because they chose to disobey Him?

Thanks for your comment.

I loved your comment. I plan to read it to my Sunday school this Sunday. I am talking about conflicts in creationism and how we should learn to treat one another with respect.I never thought of the analogy of our own children and how they learn things and how absolutely proud we are when they figure it out. I still remember when my older daughter, now a firefighter, learned to tie her shoe. We jumped around and she sang songs and marched around. I bet God does something similar-I wonder how God jumps up and down?

Thank you for your honest answer, and my studies on evolution versus creation beings me close to your view. God has not set out to trick us, but as a very loving Parent, has provided clues to us so we can use our intellectual capabilities to figure out this puzzle.

Just like you may place your child in a situation that encourages them to figure things out. You provide all the material they need, but let them figure it out.

And remember the joy you felt when they finally got it right!

Does God feel joy when we, His children, correctly figure out the issue or problem He places in our paths as we progress through life?

I just left a SBC church that prided itself as not functioning anything like an SBC church. They were only partially correct. They didn’t operate like an old fashioned SBC church. They operated as a newfangled reformed SBC church and that is why I didn’t recognize what was going on for a few years. And once I figured it out, it was jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I just wish someone had clued me in so I didn’t spend over 8 years banging my head against the wall.

I am teaching this Sunday on the conflicts between Christians in the creationism debate. Although I am not an evolutionist, I am an admirer of Francis Collins with his theory of Biologos. Straight Darwinism cannot be Christian position since it relies on naturalistic, random evolution and nothing about God is random. Could God have programmed our genes? Well, why not? It is the position of thoughtful Christians who are far smarter than I am-Collins being the prime example.

Here is the issue for me. God spoke and the universe leapt into existence. When I consider the universe-galaxies, black holes, nebulas, infinite vastness, particles of energy that arrive at their destination before they left the previous one, and so on; I am in awe, startled perplexed and strangely worshipful.This God is not a tame God and my efforts to understand this with my limited IQ is doomed to failure.

So, I am a curious observer.And I struggle with the pat answers of some of the YE crowd-note: some, not all.I believe that God has given us natural revelation so we can discover Him in His creation. Romans1:20 tells us that we are without excuse because He has given us clues in nature. I do not believe God set out to trick us by allowing us to observe an ancient universe and then say, “got ya” when we reach logical conclusions.

In the end, you may discuss anything you want on this site so long as you don’t mind honest answers. Thanks for being interested.