Question: What are your thoughts about perseverance of the saints?
Reply:
This is the one area where all Southern Baptists agree! PTL! The doctrine affirms that those that God saves He protects and preserves their salvation to the very end. Sometimes this doctrine is also known by the phrase “eternal security.” There are many scriptures I believe that affirm this. Perhaps the clearest is John 10:27-29 which states, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know … [Read More]
Q&A 15: What are your thoughts about perserverance of the saints?
Q&A 14: What are your thoughts about irresistable grace?
Question: What are your thoughts about irresistible grace?
Reply:
“Irresistible grace” is as unfortunate a term as is “limited atonement.” A far better way to describe this teaching is “effectual calling.” Those who affirm effectual calling believe that those who are predestined by God to be saved are effectually/effectively called to salvation. This seems to be the clear teaching of Romans 8:28-30 for example. They are not forced to come but they freely and willingly do … [Read More]
Q&A 11: What Do You Think About Unconditional Election?
Question: What is your view when it comes to the doctrine of unconditional election?
Reply:
When it comes to the issue of unconditional election I believe that there is a mystery to the doctrine, while at the same time, there is some clear teachings that need to be affirmed. I do believe that the Bible teaches clearly that God predestines and elects people to be saved. I think that is the clearest and most fair reading … [Read More]
Q&A 10: What Do You Think About Total Depravity?
Question: What do you think about total depravity?
Reply:
Having been asked about my own perspective on Calvinism, I think it would be helpful for me to walk through what are known as the 5 points or the classic acronym TULIP. I should note that I spoke to this issue some years ago in an SBC Life article. That article can be accessed at danielakin.com . My views have not changed in any real sense since … [Read More]
Q&A 9 (Part 2): What Are Your Thoughts About Calvinism?
Reply #2:
Calvinism has become a hot topic of conversation within the SBC in the last decade. Some people gladly embrace it as a return to our roots and our founding fathers while others worry that it is going to destroy our convention. Often we hear stories of churches being torn asunder over the issue of Calvinism.
Now, am I fearful that Calvinism is going to rent the SBC? The answer is no I am not. What … [Read More]
Q&A 9 (Part 1): What Are Your Thoughts About Calvinism?
Question: Just what are your thoughts on Calvinism? Exactly what do you believe and think?
Reply #1: I appreciate the questions very much. I am often asked my thoughts about this issue, and I am more than happy to share my perspective. This is a complex question, and so I will take several posts to respond. Hopefully, I can bring some clarity to the issue and even help move the agenda forward for the glory of … [Read More]
Alvin Reid on Camps, Calvinism and Coalitions
Between the Times contributor Alvin Reid has written an excellent article for his personal blog titled “Of Campus, Calvinism, and Coalitions.” You should check it out. We hope that more Southern Baptists, on all sides of the Calvinism debate (and other debates), will commit to labor together for the sake of the nations.
Salvation & Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach
Salvation & Sovereignty
Of all the possible worlds God could have created, there is one in which you read Ken Keathley’s Salvation & Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach, become convinced that Molinism best explains the biblical teaching on salvation, and make a comment on this blog to that effect. But this raises the question, “Is that possible world the one which God sovereignly willed?” Well, perhaps the only way to know for sure is to purchase the … [Read More]
Molinists and Calvinists: Locked in a Wordy Embrace with the Same Gargoyle
I have put my hand to the tar baby. Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach (Broadman & Holman) came out this month, a book in which I tackle the divine sovereignty–human responsibility conundrum, specifically as it relates to the area of salvation. As the title indicates, the book approaches the issue from a Molinist perspective, which means I advocate a high view of sovereign control but a libertarian understanding of free will (though in a stripped-down version I call “soft-libertarianism”). After grinding my brain cells on … [Read More]
Aspect 6(b): A Mission Centered on the Gospel (spats, straw men, infighting)
(By: Danny Akin & Bruce Ashford)
Numerous spats center on method and practice. In such cases, it is wise to ask whether the practice at hand is based upon biblical command, apostolic precedent, or local tradition.[1] If it is based upon biblical command, then there is no question that it must be obeyed. If it is based on apostolic precedent, then it demands our attention but nonetheless is not a biblical injunction. We pay close and … [Read More]
