Calvinism is experiencing a resurgence in Baptist life. Some suggest that it has the power to kill missionary efforts and evangelism. Others are convinced that a revival of Calvinism will restore a more pure form of Baptist church life. I think it is a good time to step back and ask both sides of the issue to talk about matters in an irenic and fruitful way.
Anthony L. Chute has published a book with Mercer University Press titled, "A Piety Above the Common Standard: Jesse Mercer and Evangelistic Calvinism." In the introduction to this book he makes a comment that demands attention from Baptists concerned with this issue. Chute states:
"Those who fear that a return to Calvinistic theology among Southern Baptists will sound the death knell of missions may be surprised to discover that the missionary spirit they now champion was birthed at a time when Calvin's understanding of salvation was in vogue. And it is hoped that those who appeal to the founders of the Southern Baptist Convention as examples of Calvinistic Baptists will carefully note the pitfalls into which Primitive Baptists fell and avoid them like the plague."
Questions for discussion -
1. In what ways can Calvinist and non-Calvinist Baptists partner together?
2. How can Calvinist Baptists avoid, "the pitfalls of the Primitive Baptists"?
3. What gifts do Calvinists give to Baptist life?
4. What gifts do non-Calvinists give to Baptist life?
5. What attitudes are necessary for us to work together?
I think this is important. What do you think?
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- Matt Snowden
- My wife's name is Meredith and together we have a beautiful daughter named Molly Katherine and a tough little guy named Wes. I am the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Waco, TX. I received a B.A. from William Carey College an M.Div from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min from George W.Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University.
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10 comments:
I don't see what the big deal is. My dad is a 5 pointer and I'm less. :)
Questions for discussion -
1. In what ways can Calvinist and non-Calvinist Baptists partner together?
This shouldn't divide us. Unless they are hyper. Calvanists believe you don't know who the elect are so you must share Jesus.
2. How can Calvinist Baptists avoid, "the pitfalls of the Primitive Baptists"?
Share the Gospel.
3. What gifts do Calvinists give to Baptist life?
The same as every other Baptist. To me it is a minor thing.
4. What gifts do non-Calvinists give to Baptist life?
Same as #3
5. What attitudes are necessary for us to work together?
Love
Thanks for your comments Kevin. I agree that it should not be a big deal but I think it is for many people. Pointing out the true smallness of "the deal" (like you've just done) is one way of limiting division. Thanks.
Hey,
good post and I plan to answer more completely later. I think the main thing is to avoid division. I am not concerned about this generation of "calvinists" becoming anti-missions nor evagelisticly apathetic. But the attitude on the reformed side can become a little offensive at times. A willingness to be less obsessive about the regulative principle would be good. I even shutter when I am in the company of some TR's (i.e. totally reformed). Lastly, a little perspective. We need to recover a biblical approach to evangelism where we are not being so shallow. We can't reject the doctrine of election. The difference is in the definition of election. Is it unconditional or is it conditional? I am not saying that these differnces or irrelevant but they should not effect our ability to share the gospel together. Why? Because in both systems the elect will come to faith. We share the gospel and the elect will come to faith by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. In both systems no one will come to Christ but that the Father draw him. The common ground in our understanding of scripture is just too strong for us not to be able to share the gospel together. Our real obstacle and battle in evangelical life is not calvinists vs non-calvinists but all of us fighting against pragmatism!
Perry,
Great thoughts. I'm with you on the pragmatism issue. I look forward to hearing more from you guys.
Matt,
Thanks for taking up the issue with such a gentle tone. I'll answer the questions then make a brief comment.
1. In what ways can Calvinist and non-Calvinist Baptists partner together?
In theory, we could partner together for nearly any venture for the propagation of the gospel and the building of the kingdom. This assumes of course that we share a common commitment to the gospel as the objective work of Christ in substitutionary atonement for those who would respond in faith and repentance.
I must say, in practice though, I'm not nearly as optimistic.
2. How can Calvinist Baptists avoid, "the pitfalls of the Primitive Baptists"?
Regardless of what has become, I think the dispute between Missionary and Primitive Baptists originally had much more to do with ecclesiology than soteriology. As I read history, I find that most Primitive Baptists didn't object to the cause of missions because of their views of election, rather most objected to mission boards because of their commitment to the local church as the seat of location for the God's mission in the world. So, I'm not sure that I could concede that there are soteriological pitfalls with Primitive Baptists.
3. What gifts do Calvinists give to Baptist life?
Sorry, but my modesty prevents me.
4. What gifts do non-Calvinists give to Baptist life?
Sorry, but my integrity prevents me.
That's just a joke, but I'm still not answering.
5. What attitudes are necessary for us to work together?
I think humility, shared commitments where we can find them, and an ability to honestly disagree without contrived means of congruence will be essential.
________________
Honestly, Matt, I don't know if it can work. I'm going to continue giving it a shot, but I just don't know if it can. Perry made reference earlier to pragmatism, and I think it's a key point. The differences that divide me and my church (I won't presume to speak for anyone else) from what seems to be the significant majority of people in SBC life today (at least those who are most often heard) go far beyond soteriology into realms of ecclesiology, Christology, biblical sufficiency, and pastoral ministry. The division may emanate from discussions about election, but we are really not talking about a simple Wesley-Whitfield disagreement. I think those who see this as such have seriously underestimated the divide.
Anyway, that's my two cents.
Bo
Bo
I was kind of thinking of a Wesley-Whitfield kind of thing. What factors do you think contribute to the divide you mention. Is is psychological, cultural, ...?
My family has roots in the Primitive Baptist Churches. I think there are some theological problems there. I do respect them (PBs) but see them as a cautionary tale. I think Carey's early critics also serve as a warning.
Thanks for commenting. I am more hopeful than you but I probably don't think about these matters as often of you do. The insight you provide is helpful
Matt,
The issue of pragmatism for Reformed Baptist is a significant one. Partnership in global missions will actually be easier for many "Calvinist" than fellowship in local association. The gospel is our bond. Few 5 or 4 pointers are unwilling or unable to share in missions with anyone who holds to an exclusive gospel of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. The real issues are often what Bo has already pointed out. I have yet to have one moment of hesitancy with leading a church to support the IMB. I say this knowing full well that we have some missionaries who I would probably not let teach Sunday School in my local setting because some of their doctrinal positions. However, they are secondary issues that do not interfere with gospel missions. But I have been in Associational meetings when the State people have shown up for the latest promotion and I have been so thankful that my people were not present. Not because of the leaderships view on election but because of the shallow evangelism and man-centered focus of all the teaching.
________
Honestly, (taking a cue from Bo)
I have a greater fear of not being able to maintain local and State fellowship than I do with maintaining fellowship at the convention level.
Matt,
I think you're right about some of the problems of Primitive Baptists. They're wrong in their belief that God works salvation apart from the proclamation of the gospel. However, I also think they are too often vilified in contemporary Baptist life because of their negative reaction to the modern missions movement. I think they're ultimately wrong, but there are times when they make some incredibly good points. And in the Gillite-Fullerite debate, I think the Fuller position wins the day, but just barely.
I also hate to sound so pessimistic when it comes to the future of the SBC. I sincerely hope that I'm wrong. You asked about the nature of the division I see in Baptist life. I don't think the divide lies primarily along a Calvinistic fault line. Now, I do think it's true that most Calvinists wind up on one side of the divide, but that's not necessarily the case. My commitment to reformed theology is a function of a particular kind of commitment to the authority & sufficiency of scripture. I think most people who become Calvinists in Baptist life genuinely submit (emphasis on submit) to it. I don't know many who have run to reformed theology with open arms. Let me say, I don't mean to suggest that non-Calvinists can't or don't hold scripture dear; I don't mean that at all. However, there is a distinct epistemological framework that leads one to accept the doctrines of grace. Once someone makes that decision, and then discovers the rich heritage left to them through God's use of faithful men and women in churches of the past, the very context of life and ministry changes. You know longer see yourself or your church as an outpost left to explore and discover new ways to connect with and persuade those in the outside culture (that’s not to put words in anyone's mouth, that's just how I used to view it), rather you see yourself as a part of a unique people who go back millennia and who pursue a distinct and ordered agenda. You see yourself as a part of God's unfolding plan of redemption. Consequently, your understanding of everything - worship, the church, the future, God's providence, hermeneutics, even the gospel itself - is changed, enriched. The irony of it all is that now, feeling great affinity with your forbearers, you realize how out of synch you feel with your contemporaries. This divide is not simply about election, it about what the church is and what it's for; it's about our identity.
I feel like I've rambled a lot, but I don't know how else to say it. I'm sorry it took me so long to get it out, and I'm still not sure if I answered your question. But I so appreciate your willingness to talk about it. I hope the humility I feel about this comes through in how I write; if not, forgive me. It's not my intention to disparage you or anyone else.
Bo
Bo,
Thanks for the comment. I REALLY appreciate your thoughts. I think that the connection to our forbearers that you speak of is a good place to talk about the current divide in Baptist life. One of the reasons I appreciate Reformed Baptists is this connection to the historical church. If you have ever been in the chapel at Beeson you experience this ethos. I think it is proper for Baptists to speak of the communion of saints. This we share. I think that there will be a group emerge in Baptist life that celebrates this common Christian identity. Wesley, Augustine, Calvin, William Seymour, Lottie Moon and many others adorn Beeson's chapel. I see no reason why their children can't share a field of ministry. Thanks for you thoughts I think we share a great deal in common.
Perry,
I'm with you on shallow evangelism. I think a "bottom line" mentality that is driven by statistics is deeply sick. We are called to make disciples not "decisions." I think one of the things that concerns me is the level the church has given in to the market mentality. We are squeezed into the pattern of this world. Thanks for commenting.
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