WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SBC?

[This article originally published here:  Wild Boar Issue #1 - January 1996 ]

August 10-12, 1995 saw the meeting of the Second Biannual C.H. Spurgeon Pastor's Conference on the campus of William Jewell College. The conference exist to promote the study of Calvinism or (as it is more popularly called) "the doctrines of grace" among Baptists, with historical inspiration being drawn from the life and teaching of the great Baptist preacher, C.H. Spurgeon. The highlight of this year's meeting was the panel discussion held on Friday morning regarding recent developments within the Southern Baptist Convention. The participants in the discussion were R. Albert Mohler, the recently hired President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Mark Coppenger, the brand new President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Timothy George, the Dean of Beeson Divinity School. The title of the discussion was "What's Going On in the SBC?" The answer: Calvinism is making a comeback! This can be seen not only in the fact that these three men (Calvinist all) have been installed in prominent Baptist schools, but also in the respectful hearing that Calvinism is being given thoughout Baptist circles.

It is no secret that the historical roots of the SBC are firmly planted in the doctrines of grace.(note 1) The denomination was started by churches which were nearly all confessionally grounded in the Calvinistic Philadelphia Confession of Faith, and whose first seminary adopted the thouroughly Calvinistic "Abstract of Principles" as its theological basis. Of course, the twentieth century saw a steady decline of Calvinism among Southern Baptist until it not only became the minority report, but also an object of scorn and fear

Timothy George blames this decline on the theological apathy and general historical ignorance of most Southern Baptist in this century. However, this mood has taken a dramatic swing in recent years. Because of the recent controversy over biblical inerrancy, Baptists are gaining a new interest in theology and church history. Baptist want to know what their forefathers believed and why, and they want to know what they themselves are supposed to believe as biblical Christians. In this new milieu, Baptist Calvinist are gaining a new respect. Their rich heritage, their biblically-based theological convictions, and their acute ability to articulate their views are a welcome change from the ahistorical, theologically carefree attitude that has permeated much of SBC life in recent decades.

All three participants are very irenic and conciliatory toward their non-Calvinist brothers. Mohler, for instance, makes it clear that he is not out to convert every Baptist to Calvinism. Nevertheless, this should not be taken as a lack of conviction on his part. He is up front about what he considers the danger of Arminianism (Calvinism's ancient rival). In fact, Mohler insists that there are really only two options in theology: "Calvinism and various forms of unbelief."

The publishers of this newsletter take Mohler's remarks (and those of his co-participants) as a breath of fresh air, and it is our prayer that the interest in the doctrines of grace among Southern Baptists will continue to increase.

1. For a historical survey of the rise and decline of Calvinism in the SBC, see the several excellent articles in the recent Sesquicentennial issue of The Founders Journal 19/20 (Winter/Spring 1995)