What am I talking about? The fear that there is a movement of sorts in the Southern Baptist Convention to remove those who hold to the Doctrines of Grace from serving. Just as Calvary Chapel did with Daniel Cassady in which his embracing of the DoG resulted in his Ordination Removal. It’s a very interesting and sad response letter to read. Brother Cassady even lays out his answers to Calvary Chapel’s 31 Doctrinal Questions & Answers which if I understand that these were answered prior to ordination, etc. it’s a terrible situation that his answers weren’t read more closely.
Now brother Cassady says he isn’t a Calvinist and doesn’t like the label rather he prefers Doctrines of Grace. This is understandable and just fine as for many Calvinism has become nothing less than a red X indicating where to hit the heresy bullseye. Not to mention the misunderstanding of what Calvinism means i.e. it doesn’t mean you follow John Calvin nor 100% of his teachings.
I’d be interested to see Calvary Chapel’s official statement of faith where it can be shown to exclude those holding to the Doctrines of Grace. I’m sure someone can dig that up if they feel like it. A cursory look at their site didn’t give me much. I probably overlooked it. This whole situation is something I hope doesn’t happen in the SBC. The idea of it happening has been kicked around on the web in various places. I can’t help but wonder if certain big name SBCer’s had their way if it would be the way out for some of us. From the Caners Hunting down the Vine there is not a Graham of love lost for the Doctrines of Grace and they might even put you in a full Nelson until you pay the Price and repent.
On the other side of the coin we see men like Frank Page who upon becoming the SBC President certainly had a great spirit of cooperation. He has this wonderful approach of working together despite his earlier book The Trouble with the Tulip which Tom Ascol has reviewed. We also have hope for greater cooperation with the upcoming conference Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism (which I am trying to work out attending).
All that said, it seems that brother Cassady could use our prayers and support right now. Maybe he can find a Founders Friendly church in Oklahoma. It is certainly important that he get plugged into a local body and I pray he is encouraged and does find a church home.
For now…
Mark
(HT: Jack Brooks)
tagged as Calvary Chapel in calvinism,Church Issues,Southern Baptist,theology
About the author
Mark is a Christian, husband and father. He is a businessman attending seminary in the off hours working on his M.Div. preparing for vocational ministry.
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What really gets my goat–to the degree that it is available for the getting–is that is was less than a hundred years ago that the SBC was one of the most solidly Calvinistic organizations imaginable, and we now have some people in leadership positions that act as though that heritage never existed, that being a Southern Baptist has always meant embracing semi-pelagianism.
Mark,
What ever happened with the debate you were involved with setting up?
Hi there John Mark,
I really appreciate your prayers and those of your readers. I did not even realize someone had been reading my blog.
The Lord is good, and I am doing okay. I’ve come to realize I’m a historical Southern Baptist and Founders friendly.
I’m glad that I’m a part of the SBC now, and I hope I can find a good church home someday.
Peace.
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