Posted on 09/19/2006 9:14:17 PM PDT by Between the Lines
While LifeWay Research found the number of Southern Baptist pastors embracing five-point Calvinism to be relatively small, it is undeniable that the conversations on Calvinism within the Southern Baptist Convention have brought renewed interest to the theological system.
Proponents of Calvinism, or Reformed theology, view it as a healthy return to early Southern Baptist heritage. Others see Calvinism as a negative trend and fear it is threatening to take over the SBC. In its inaugural survey, LifeWay Research sought to document the prevalence -– or lack thereof –- of Calvinism within the SBC.
Surveying 413 pastors, the July/August 2006 LifeWay Research survey asked Southern Baptist pastors to indicate their position concerning the following question: “Do you consider yourself a five-point Calvinist?”
LifeWay Research found that 10 percent of Southern Baptist pastors consider themselves five-point Calvinists. That number, while still relatively small compared to the 85 percent who do not consider themselves five-point Calvinists, still is a large enough group to deserve attention.
The survey also showed that 4 percent of respondents “don’t know” if they are five-point Calvinist. Another 1 percent refused to answer one way or another.
BELIEFS NOT AGE-RELATED
After analyzing the demographics of the 10 percent who affirm Calvinism, LifeWay Research also found no clear age correlation.
“Some have expressed views that this renewed interest in Reformed theology is tied to younger Southern Baptist students and pastors,” said Brad Waggoner, director of LifeWay Research. “It is interesting that the research revealed that there is no significant statistical difference in those who are over 40 years of age responding in the affirmative and those under 40. Therefore, age is not a determining factor in those who embrace Reformed theology.”
LifeWay Research also found that a slight majority (51 percent) of Southern Baptist pastors address Calvinism from the pulpit once a year or less, while 45 percent of SBC pastors address Calvinism several times a year or more from the pulpit. Four percent refused to answer the question regarding the frequency with which they address Calvinism from the pulpit.
Of the entire sample, 6 percent of pastors responded that they address Calvinism once a month and 7 percent discuss it more than once a month. The survey did not ask whether the respondents spoke favorably or negatively of Reformed theology.
So...is this good news or bad news?
And what difference does it make?
[Asking in all ignorance and innocence.]
For give my ignorance, but what makes one a "Southern Baptist" if he or she can embrace theology that is associated with another church?
Ever hear of Reformed Baptists?
***So...is this good news or bad news?***
I take it as wonderful news.
***And what difference does it make?***
I see it as another sign of the continued movement of the denomination, as a whole, back from the brink of apostasy. The SBC teetered on apostasy, and thanks to the likes of Al Mohler blinked. The SBC has been moving back towards Biblical conservatism for several years now.
What percentage of Presbyterian USA pastors call themselves 5 point Calvinists?
CC&E
Interesting news. I had posted a thread about LifeWay beginning the study, and am glad to see someone has followed up with it's results!
WOW, no wonder Calvin was considered a heretic.
That Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead for ALL OF US throughout time is one of the most basic tenets of the Catholic Church....and MOST Christian demoninations.
I wonder how and why Calvin came up with that elitist idea. It's so limiting.
I asked for a definition of a "Southern Baptist." Is it a theology? Is it a geographic location? What is it? What makes one a "Southern Baptist?"
I have, but it is meaningless to someone who is outside of it, which is why I am asking. I don't know what makes one a "Baptist."
A large percentage are 5 point Calvinists but don't want the label or don't realize that is what they are.
Got it.
A couple of things come to mind:
-Baptists, regardless of their soteriology, practice what is commonly referred to as a Believer's baptism," which takes place at the time a person professes Christ as their savior. Other Reformed camps (Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed, etc) practice infant baptism, which is covenantal.
-Baptists practice congregational (democratic) church government, whereas the vast other majority of Reformed churches follow a Presbyterian (Representative Republic) model of church government.
There's only one methodist pastor I know of for sure, and he's been dead about 250 years.
(Then there's me: A Methodist calvinist in the tradition of James Arminius.)
I am a 3 point Neener...N3!
And more importantly, it's what the Bible says.
From what you are telling me, then, one can soteriologically be a Baptist Reformed Dispensationalist and still be a "Baptist."
What determines the "main" portion of one's overall theological make-up if one is Baptist-Reformed-Dispensationalist all in one?
It seems to me that it is determined by some sort of tradition, for the lack of a better word.
Is that anything like the 3 point stance or a triple Axel, or a hat-trick?
I really don't know how to answer that, so I'll ping someone who might.... I do know that the Dispy mind set is discouraged in the Presbyterian and other Reformed churches, but I can't speak to the Reformed baptist viewpoint.
can a Presbyterian call himself a Baptist if he or she believes in Believer's baptism?
Hmmm, that sounds like a trick question, LOL! I think not, I do know some Presbyterians who want their children to wait, but still consider themselves Presbyterian, though I would argue with that title.
Sounds like those who refer to themselves as "4 point Calvinists" but are really Amyraldians. I suspect it's only cuz they would get funny looks if they claimed to be an "Amyraldian" in public.
But there is something to be said for the fact that not everyone who is a member of a Presbyterian church would accept all the doctrines of Presbyterianism. Joe in the pew could say he is a Presbyterian without necessarily accepting the finer points of infant baptism or definite atonement.
But, to the topic at hand. An SBC pastor can certainly be a strict Calvinist because the Baptist Faith and Message leaves the matter open. It's also true that a fundamental point of being Baptist is local autonomy even in certain matters of doctrine.
A Calvinist congregation with a Calvinist pastor could live quite well within the SBC.
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