Comments on: Steve Lemke and Christian Scholarship

By: Fire 239

Fire 239 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:55:51 +0000

Well, I attend NOBTS, and I will say that it is not easy being of reformed doctrine and go to school there. Myself and a few Calvinist friends find ourselves defending our position constantly. It is a good thing though, we are constantly in dialogue with others about it and as of yet, found few people that are rude and unChristian about it…please pray for us that we might be strong in our beliefs and not lose what God has allowed us to see.

By: Steve Lemke Compilation « Provocations & Pantings

Steve Lemke Compilation « Provocations & Pantings — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:15:09 +0000

[...] Steve Lemke and Christian Scholarship (September 30, 2008) 2. Steve Lemke on Collin Hansen and Provocation (October 2, 2008) 3. Steve [...]

By: Darrin

Darrin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:04:28 +0000

Thanks for pointing out this article, Timmy.

I wonder if Mr. Lemke is aware of any marks that separate Baptists from Methodists. Apologies if that misrepresents his article – I really will try to read through it this week. I hope it’s not as painful as Luther trying to get through Erasmus’ treatise.

Keith, Greg, along with statements by these men mentioned, there are of course also written misrepresentations such as Mr. Page’s “Trouble with the Tulip” wherein he mangles the doctrines of grace and distorts church history. No telling what negative effects works such as this have had on the SBC.

If Calvinism will split the SBC, maybe it needs to be split.

Sola gratia.

By: Keith Walters

Keith Walters — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:55:30 +0000

Greg,

I think a prime example is the upcoming “John 3:16 Conference” whose purpose is to “biblically assess and respond to 5-point Calvinism.” Their website adds the following caveat, “there will be no live or archived streaming audio or video of this conference via the Internet.” That sounds like several prominent SBC pastors who are avoiding accountability and failing to live above reproach. Or you can look at the numerous comments that Frank Page, then SBC president, had made about Calvinism splitting the SBC. I do not see Calvinists holding conferences to “biblically assess and respond to Arminianism.” Furthermore, every conference that I am aware of by prominent Calvinistic Baptists is available for download on the internet and the content of the sermons delivered there have been well documented. When the T4G group has their conference calls I think it would be safe to say that their central concern is the gospel and how they can make it known and state it clearer. While the “John 3:16 Crowd” seems primarily concerned with the growth of Calvinism in the SBC and how to stop it. If Frank Page as president of the SBC speaking of his fear that Calvinism will split the SBC in an interview is not propaganda then I do not know what is. I highly doubt that you would ever find that Mark Dever or Al Mohler have even considering making such a comment much less holding a conference to propagate such a false fear.

Look up propaganda in a dictionary and I think you will find that the actions of Frank Page, Jerry Vines, and Johnny Hunt fit the definition.

By: Greg Alford

Greg Alford — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:52:04 +0000

Keith,

“I agree that his (Lemke’s) statement is incorrect and part of a larger propaganda machine designed to misrepresent Calvinists as divisive and militant

There is a large propaganda machine operating inside the SBC designed to misrepresent Calvinist as divisive and militant… Really?

Would you be willing to share with us a few names of those involved in this conspiracy and few examples of this propaganda machine in action?

Grace Always,

By: Steve Lemke on Total Depravity « Provocations & Pantings

Steve Lemke on Total Depravity « Provocations & Pantings — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:08:45 +0000

[...] Lemke on “Four Streams” of Calvinism, Part 1 * Steve Lemke on Collin Hansen and Provocation * Steve Lemke and Christian Scholarship * The Alabama Baptist and Dortian Calvinism: Response 1 Explore posts in the same categories: [...]

By: Keith Walters

Keith Walters — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:59:39 +0000

Timmy,
I have read the article and I do find it very helpful at points. For instance Lemke says, “it is simply not the case that Calvinism does not have a long history in Southern Baptist life, as some have suggested.7 Southern Baptist roots draw directly from the Particular Baptists and Regular Baptists, who were Calvinist in orientation.” At other points, such as those mentioned by yourself and many others in the comments, he has missed the mark. I find his introduction to be particularly misleading as he addresses the Reformation and the Radical Reformation in terms of the persecuting “Calvinist authorities” as if the radical reformers broke off from the Reformation due to soteriological differences, rather than the issue of church and state relations. While he does exclaim “[Calvinism] holds the potential to split the entire Convention” I would argue that your assessment of his tone to be a bit harsh. I agree that his statement is incorrect and part of a larger propaganda machine designed to misrepresent Calvinists as divisive and militant; at the same time I think his article is about far more than Calvinism splitting the SBC. Despite this I think your assessment of the scholarship of this article to be spot on. There are areas where I appreciate his scholarship, namely his explanation of the commonalities between the BF&M, Westminster Confession, and the T4G Statement; however, much of the time I am left wondering why the editors missed so many mistakes.

By: Steve Lemke on “Four Streams” of Calvinism, Part 2 « Provocations & Pantings

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:21:14 +0000

[...] on “Four Streams” of Calvinism, Part 1 * Steve Lemke on Collin Hansen and Provocation * Steve Lemke and Christian Scholarship * Tom Ascol’s Response to Dr. Steve Lemke, Part 1 * Tom Ascol’s Response to Dr. Steve Lemke, [...]

By: What is a Baptist? « 2 Worlds Collide

What is a Baptist? « 2 Worlds Collide — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:37:49 +0000

[...] separate Baptists from Presbyterians”. Dr. Lemke has provoked several sharp responses from some. On the one hand, I empathize tremendously with “Calvinists” within SBC life who feel [...]

By: Rev.

Rev. — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:00:19 +0000

While I contend with assertions made by Dr. Lemke, I do not believe it is helpful to call into question either his scholarship or his Christian character. I encourage you to point out disagreements with his assertions, refuting them with historical facts and passages of Scripture, but to always treat him with the respect of one who was made in God’s image and of one for whom our Lord Jesus died. Press on, brother!