Stetzer on the SBC

Posted by Joe Thorn - 06/02/07

Ed Stetzer is interviewed at the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry Blog. It is a very interesting read. What are the strengths and weakness in the SBC? What is the future of our Convention? What about the Emerging Church? What about Elders? Good questions to be discussed. He was also asked, “The resurgence of Calvinism in the SBC has been a controversial issue in some ways. What is your perspective on the resurgence of Calvinism in the SBC?” Here are a few quotes from his response.

…it is often the Calvinists who remind the convention about important theological issues like regenerate church membership, theologically driven ministry, and other important emphases. We need such theologically minded people in our convention today.

…I think the talk of “hyper” Calvinists is a straw man—“hyper-Calvinism” is a technical term in theological circles. I don’t know any in SBC life. But, I do see many self-identified Calvinists who are constantly discussing the 18th century as the golden age of theology and praxis in Baptist life. So, I don’t want them to get over Calvinism, but it would be nice if they got into the Third Millennium. At times, I am convinced some “nostalgic Calvinists” have forgotten our mandate is to see men and women brought into the kingdom, not into Geneva.

…There has always been a stream of Reformed minded people in SBC life. Great. Let’s reach the lost together. Let’s cooperate for missions. Let’s even have good honest discussion about theology (as Drs. Patterson and Mohler did so well at the last SBC Pastors Conference). But, let’s talk about God’s heart for the lost at least as much as we talk about the five solas. Reformed theology is incomplete when it does not give birth to passionate evangelism.

Check out the whole interview at the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry Blog. Ed has some great things to say.

7 Comments

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  1. Interesting that the resurgence of Calvinism in the SBC is still being discussed. It began at least two decades ago.

    I agree with Stetzer when he says we should be concerned with converting people to the kingdom, not to Geneva. I have met many people in my life who seem more concerned with whether I am a calvinist than whether I am a Christian.

    Comment by jasonk — February 6, 2007 #

  2. I liked his description of “nostalgic Calvinists.” I think there is legitimacy to it. Of course all Calvinists at least have a healthy appreciation for church history and the reformed heroes of the faith who have done so much to recover and promote the gospel in previous eras. There is much to learn there. But there are some (I used to be one) who really are more captivated with a system of salvation itself, more excited about church history than the church present. What I love about the Reformers and the Puritans is that they were radically current/contextual in so many important ways while remaining ancient/biblical where it mattered.

    Comment by Joe Thorn — February 6, 2007 #

  3. Joe,

    I read that blog early this morning. Ed says some good things. I worshipped with Ed once and talked to him afterwards. It was an interesting conversation, especially, when he found out who some of my friends were. He seemed to be a great guy and lead a Christ centered worship service, IMO.

    I think I have struggled with being a nostalgic calvinist. This attitude doesn’t exist in a vacuum though. When more is taught of the local church’s history at their anniversary service than has ever been mentioned of church history it bothers me. When the SS class sit and stare at each other when the question “What is the Gospel?” comes up it bothers me.

    I do understand that we need to engage our culture and share the Gospel. I have shared the Gospel when I can. I don’t just blog. :-)

    I do want change in the church. I wish more people wanted to verbally share the Gospel. I’ve talked to some folks about this off and on. Instead of getting an affirmative response people would rather bake cookies for someone and invite them to church and act as if they are believers. I struggle with that approach. I’m not say that Stetzer advocates this, but this is what I’ve experienced.

    I don’t want to take people back to Geneva, but how do I get them onboard? We need to stop just going to church. We need to be the church.

    Maybe you have some insights to share?

    Thanks,
    Mark

    Comment by johnMark — February 6, 2007 #

  4. I think what you are talking about is what guys like Stetzer are all about. I have found that the Reformed faith really does encourage zealous, holistic evangelism. Where both preaching and works of mercy serve the same purpose of glorifying the grace of God and blessing our neighbors with the gospel.

    If you are asking how you transition a church, there are other guys who would be better at answering that question. I think it is a hard and seldom successful endeavor. But for my brief answer that will hardly help - I think that kind of transformation comes through a few things: good, contextual preaching of the Scripture that exalts the character and work of God, Jesus Christ, and keeps the gospel central; a pastor modeling the missional life; discipling leadership; and keeping the mission of the church up front for all to see. It takes risk. It will involve loss. It will result in drama/conflict. But being the church has always been that way. Check the NT. No church Paul planted ever arrived. They were all working through their problems while seeking to be the people of God sent to their communities.

    So I say know what your problems are, seek to address them and heal them progressively, be patient, do the work of an evangelist, etc.

    Comment by Joe Thorn — February 6, 2007 #

  5. That’s a great quote by Stetzer. Thanks for posting it.

    Comment by Justin Buzzard — February 6, 2007 #

  6. I find the growing diversity among reformed Baptists very exciting. Strong convictions related to the grace character of salvation and the sovereignty of God’s governance of the world need not wed itself to the regulative principle or any particular take on the relationship between culture and church or culture and missions/evangelism. The fervent passion for evangelism I see in this new crop of reformed Baptists is like a dream come true. Reformed communities that turn inward and tend toward a holy huddle mentality only confirm what non-calvinist expected of Calvinists all along. I love much of what I see happening.

    Comment by Mark DeVine — February 10, 2007 #

  7. I’m with you Mark. It is encouraging.

    Comment by Joe Thorn — February 10, 2007 #

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