Toward a Constructive Approach for Theological Cooperation in the SBC

Tim Brister —  June 19, 2013 — 20 Comments

Over the past week, I made an intentional effort to post some thoughts about the Southern Baptist Convention. Readers of my blog will know that I have neither blogged on Calvinism or SBC issues for several years, though I try to stay well-informed on both. I was greatly encouraged with the outcome of the Calvinism Advisory Committee commissioned by Dr. Frank Page and the statement they drafted in the spirit of theological cooperation despite having significant differences as various points.

On the heels of the T5 Statement and great work of CAC, I want to offer a constructive approach for the very theological cooperation the committee demonstrated and hope would continue throughout the SBC. Several weeks ago, I began mind mapping what I called theological identity and doctrinal convictions. I took that mind map and produced the diagram above. I believe it to be a healthy approach to robust, theology-appreciating cooperation that highlights the areas where we agree more than the areas we disagree.

When theological debates ensue, far too often I fear we begin with the tip of the triangle and assume or ignore the foundation. Let me be specific. When it comes to Calvinism, the thing people go to first is the extent of the atonement–the most easily debated topic among Calvinists and non-Calvinists. If we are hoping to forward theological cooperation, can our starting point not be the most contentious doctrine that divides us?

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My Take on the “Baptist Battle of Calvinism”

Tim Brister —  June 17, 2013 — 11 Comments

In October 2006, Dr. Jerry Vines preached a series of sermons at First Baptist Church, Woodstock entitled “Baptist Battles.” The four main battles which comprised this series were the battle over Liberalism, Pentecostalism, “Libertinism” (alcohol), and Calvinism. To use the term “battle” might be edgy rhetoric for Southern Baptists since the Conservative Resurgence (post 1979 era), but for the sake of this blogpost, I will concede to that term for the purpose of argument.

Dr. Danny Akin shared in his convention address last week what was a fear of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers, namely that those fighting the legitimate battle for the Bible would eventually go back to the barracks and turn on one another (with fighting in their hearts). Perhaps there has been no greater evidence of this reality than that of the “battle over Calvinism.”

I am one who grew up in the middle of this battle. My first four years of ministry witnessed a surge of Reformed theology in college (1997-2001), followed by four years in the revivalist/anti-Calvinist culture (2001-2004). The third set of four years was spent at Southern Seminary when the term “young, restless, and reformed” generation was coined (2004-2008). In fact, in many ways my journey biographically was a microcosm of the larger narrative such that Collin Hansen (who wrote the book) shared a portion of my life story in his book. The fourth set of four years has been as a pastor of a confessionally Reformed church (2008-2012), where I continue to serve today.

As I mentioned in my reflections on #SBC13, the tone and conversation regarding Calvinism is perhaps the best it has been since I’ve been involved in Southern Baptist life. I took some time to reflect on the past 15 years, and I thought I’d share my big picture take on the “Baptist Battle of Calvinism.

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An Open Letter to Frank Page and the Executive Committee of the SBC

Tim Brister —  June 14, 2013 — 9 Comments

Dr. Frank Page (and Executive Committee of the SBC),

I want to thank you for the excellent leadership you have demonstrated in representing Southern Baptists. Through your intentional efforts and direction, I believe a new tone has been set for meaningful cooperation among all Southern Baptists that speaks well of the love of Christ and for one another. You have modeled this as SBC President and continue to as President/CEO of the Executive Committee.

There were times in the past where I had little desire to hear the reports from the Executive Committee, but I can gladly say that is no longer the case. The work you have done has given me reason to be proud as a Southern Baptist and hopeful for the future (being 34, I hope to be around for a long time!). You said something in your report that I’d heard before but never really considered very deeply. You said, “The headquarters of the SBC is not Nashville but every local church of the Southern Baptist Convention.”

As I thought about that and the current annual meeting schedule, I noticed that there was little if any opportunity for Southern Baptist to hear reports from SBC headquarters (local churches). I’m very glad to hear of what God is doing in our various entities and organizations, but as a convention of cooperating churches, I did not hear of what God was doing through our local churches (headquarters).

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Reflections on #SBC13

Tim Brister —  June 13, 2013 — 16 Comments

It’s been a while since I posted on Southern Baptist life. It is not that I have become uninterested in all things SBC but that my blog focus has focused mostly on the gospel and church-related issues. I’d like to offer a few personal reflections for what they’re worth as I know many others will be doing the same in the coming days.

Changes from 2008-2013

I have been attending the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention for 5 years, which is not a long time. Yet, there is much that has changed in this short period of time. In 2008, there were numerous motions against Acts 29, Mark Driscoll, and Calvinism. In 2013, not one motion or resolution was against Acts 29 or Calvinism. In fact, NAMB and Acts 29 were on the same IX Marks stage encouraging one another in planting gospel-centered churches. AND the Calvinism Advisory Committee produced a healthy and constructive document which has changed the tone of the convention regarding this controversial issue. Instead of talking about one another, Calvinists and non-Calvinists are talking to one another and standing shoulder to shoulder (differences notwithstanding) in a spirit of voluntary cooperation forwarded by meaningful theological consensus.  In fact, I did not hear one derogatory statement about Calvinists the entire time in Houston (Louisiana College excluded). These changes are no small thing.

Additionally, the two leading topics last year were the name change/descriptor and the “Traditionalist” statement. Interestingly enough, I did not hear one reference to either of them this year. The term “Great Commission Baptist”, for all the attention it drew last year, did not merit a passing nod on the platform (or in any of the auxiliary conversations/discussion). The Traditionalist statement, which was an attempt to give positive description to the term “non-Calvinist” has not garnered support or convention attention outside the SBC blogosphere. Like the Memphis Declaration and Joshua Convergence of 2005-2006, it appears that this will not have enduring significance.

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Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman [Book Recommendation]

Tim Brister —  June 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

Glimpses of Grace Banner

There are two major audiences in the Christian publishing world, or so I’ve been told. There’s the ministry market, and then there’s the mom market. Christians reading and buying books are either pastors/ministry leaders or women in the church. Over the past decade, we have seen a gospel renaissance of publishing when it comes to the ministry market, but gospel-centered resources for the mom market are not as plenteous. In fact, the majority of books for Christian women/moms are more like “chicken soup for the soul” rather than “gospel riches for everyday life.”

Insert Gloria Furman and her new book Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home. [Currently on Amazon, it has 27 reviews, 25 of them five stars.]

In the Introduction to her book, Furman explains:

“The biggest question I want to explore in this book are: What does the gospel have to do with your lives in the home? Hoe does this grace change the way we live?”

She has written this book because we need to discover God-glorifying answers to the following questions:

  • What does the gospel have to do with everyday life in the home?
  • Hoe does the gospel impact our dish washing, floor mopping, bill paying, friend making, guest hosting, and dinner cooking?
  • How does the fact that Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24) make a difference in my mundane life today?

Every Christian is a theologian whether we admit it or not, and to be frank, many of the resources out there for Christian moms are not providing them solid, biblical, gospel-centered theology. Some resort to moralistic therapeutic deism or other forms of man-centered self-helpism. Others resort to prosperity-style escapism from the ordinary life of the mundane. Others still seem to recommend coping mechanisms to manage life, divorcing spiritual life from the very areas mothers need it most.

What Gloria Furman does in her book is put the gospel right in the center of everyday life–the place where mothers fight the good fight of faith in the home. She challenges women not to make excuses or shift blame but rather recognize the resources available in Jesus who died and rose again on their behalf to discover fresh repentance and faith through the renewing work of the Spirit. At the end of the (mundane) day, Furman wants others to treasure the gospel in the home, propelling them to exult in the hope of God’s glory. Due to her explorations of how the “gospel is the predominant, defining reality” in her life, we too can rediscover the preciousness of Christ and power of His gospel in the midst of whatever circumstances externally or emotional turmoil internally that may want to derail us from living by faith in all that Jesus has promised to be for us.

This is not a book just for women or mom’s in the church. This is a book for husbands who want to better understand the pressures and challenges of their spouse and know how to apply the gospel. It is a faithful guide and discipleship tool grounded not in becoming a better you but becoming more like Jesus. I recommend it as one who anticipates ways of using this book to be serve my wife and grow in grace myself.

For those of you who purchase a copy of Glimpses of Grace from your favorite local or online retailer from June 3-7, you have the opportunity to receive a free copy of the ebook as well as the ESV Study Bible Online (ESVBible.org Web App & Ebook)! To redeem your free extras, simply scan and email your receipt to glimpses@crossway.org before 11:59am on Friday, June 7.

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