Some great progress has been made; much thanks due to Al Mohler and the Calvinists.

Rick Warren doesn’t help the public perception much though. Lying was a sin last time I checked my Bible

1. I wasn’t even thinking about this in response to Timmy’s question, but I think Timmy himself nailed it when he said “By this the world will know that we are His disciples . . .” [alluding to Jn. 13:35]. That’s the plain teaching of Scripture.

2. Like Rod, I would like for SB’s to be known for having a high view of Scripture. Higher than tradition. Higher than progression. Higher than creed. Higher than modernity. Higher than culture.

3. For those of you who might care about 5-pointers having a place in the Southern Baptist sphere, I don’t think it would be a wise move to take “Southern” out of the picture. I think it is the “Southern” that allows Dagg, Boyce, and Mell to still have a voice.

I’ve never heard anyone say “I’m not a Calvinist or an Arminian, I’m a ‘Southern’ Baptist.”

I think it might be the voices of the past that would not allow folk to say something like this even if they wanted to.

Grace

Benji

Thanks for the response. I’m familiar with the reformed teaching on the 3 uses of the law. I think it is a mistake to restrict the primary use of the law (revealing sin and driving us to Christ) to unbelievers. At least I hope so for my own sake. I’ve been a believer for 30 years and the law still convicts me of sin and shows me my need for Christ’s righteousness and forgiveness.

If the third use is the only use for the Christian, then I’m a miserable failure. In fact, I would wonder if anyone reading this blog would claim to love God with all their mind, soul, and strength or their neighbor as themselves. If so, I would question their salvation.

I’m not an antinomian. I believe the law is binding on believers and unbelievers alike. But I also trust that Christ is my righteousness and kept the law for me in my place. I have not been “made righteous” but “declared righteous” though I’m still a sinner.

Great discussion and I look forward to reading your post on the law and Christian liberty. Thanks again for responding to me.

http://timmybrister.com/2007/11/30/2007-sbc-state-convention-analysis/

As you will see, over $329 million of the total $537 million did not make it out of the states. This is a HUGE problem. As far as how the expenses are broken down, that depends on the various state conventions. Attempts have been made to bring the ratio of in-state money to convention causes to 50/50 (right now the average is 61/39). Many state conventions even now are steeped in debt (I think here in FL there is something like a $4 million debt, or so I heard).

There comes a time when attempting to sustain the bureaucracy impedes or even replaces the mission of advancing the kingdom by evangelizing the lost, planting churches, and theological training for men on mission.

Can you imagine what half a billion dollars could do without a bureaucracy to sustain???

“I think the first place to look is the state conventions. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being absorbed in state conventions (in 2008, I think close to $300 million of CP money stayed in the states). The second place to look is NAMB. I am going to reserve my commentary on this for the time being. The third place to look is Nashville and the Executive Committee. If I could pinpoint practically the three biggest problems, that’s where I would start.”

I’d like more information. If you could provide it or direct me to a place(s) to find it, I’d appreciate it. One thing I’m wondering about is the money staying in the State Conventions. How is that a problem? Interested in hearing your take on NAMB and the Executive Committee. If these are the problem areas, we need to talk about them so we can figure out a solution.

You question strikes at the heart of law and gospel. Legalism is substituting the law in place of the gospel as an attempt of being righteous. In other words, if you attempt to love God and your neighbor in order that you may be saved, then you’ve built a works-righteousness view of salvation. On the other hand, if you love God and your neighbor because you have been made righteous. then you are obediently fulfilling the law which God has commanded born-again believers to do.

To substitute the law for the gospel is legalism. To do away with the law after believing the gospel is antinomianism. Neither of them are biblical options. The law prior to conversion is used to expose our sin and lead us to salvation outside ourselves–namely Jesus Christ. The law after our conversion is God’s revealed will for the obedience of faith in conforming us into the image of Christ Jesus.

Regarding Southern Baptists, I would argue that we have been good at making new laws based on cultural convictions and personal preferences that work contrary to the freedom believers have in Christ, which brings up a more pertinent issue–the law and Christian liberty.

But I will save that discussion for another day.

Bingo.

The irony is that we have prided ourselves in a democratic religion and local church autonomy, but we seldom function like that.

1) I would be interested in that too.

2) No, I am not off the hook! When I was working through that thought process, I was in the midst of travel, so I was not able to wrap it up. I need to do that.