Dr. James Leo Garrett indicates three kinds of biblical texts that he believes support “general atonement.”

First are the “all” or “all men” texts: 2 Cor. 5:14b; Rom. 5:18b; 1 Tim. 2:6a; 1 Tim. 4:10; Titus 2:11, Heb. 2:9b.

As Tom Ascol has pointed out, it is disappointing that neither in his presentation of “limited atonement” nor of “general atonement” does Dr. Garrett actually deal with the context of the Scripture in which the lists of verses he offers occur. His teaching on this matter would be considerably strengthened if he would carefully exegete at least one passage from each side of the issue before offering bare citations. By teaching people to depend on several out-of-context verses in making doctrinal judgments, Dr. Garrett leaves his readers susceptible to heretical groups such as the Mormons, who can rattle off dozens of verses that (outside their proper context) seem to teach works-salvation.

In regards to the “all” passages above, it has been pointed out on this website before that “all” is always defined by its context. In other words, we can see the words “all” or “all men” and read into them, “every man, woman, and child ever to exist,” or we can look to the verses around the word to see what people the author had in view. To his credit, Dr. Garrett does mention that, “Augustine of Hippo interpreted the ‘all’ and ‘all men’ to mean all classes and types of human beings, and thus he could retain limited atonement.” What Dr. Garrett does not mention, however, is that this understanding of “all” and “all men” is in regards to a certain passage, 1 Tim 2:4, and that “all” is defined in this passage- in 1 Tim. 2:2. (more…)

In his article “Does Dortian Calvinism have weight of Scripture in its favor?” for The Alabama Baptist state paper, Dr. James Leo Garrett, Jr. employs the term “Dortian Calvinism” to refer to the system of belief that affirms the doctrines commonly summarized as “TULIP” as key components of its soteriology (that is, teachings concerning salvation). “Dortian Calvinism” is a helpful term in a climate where everyone from Dr. Bruce Ware to Dr. Norman Geisler is claiming to be some sort of Calvinist.

In critiquing the scriptural understanding of “Dortian Calvinism,” Dr. Garrett begins with the “L” of the “TULIP”- the doctrine of Limited atonement. This is an understandable starting point, for in most Baptist circles this doctrine is considered the most controversial of the five.

Dr. Garrett starts his critique of Limited atonement with the statement, “Those who teach limited atonement are prone to cite five New Testament passages in support of their position.” My first response to this sentence is, “Only five?” This immediately gives the impression that there are only a handful of New Testament passages that are cited for this doctrine, and thus the stage is set for a ‘proof-text war’ in which the party that can provide more passages that seem to support its position will be victorious. But, as will be detailed below, this is not how ‘Dortian Calvinists’ typically have taught our position. (more…)

Today, building upon Timmy’s previous post on SBF, I am starting a category to provide some direct responses to the group of articles by Dr. James Leo Garrett, Jr. that appeared in the August 2, 2007 edition of The Alabama Baptist state paper.

The other two “direct responses” categories on SBF, those directed at BaptistFire.com and NelsonPrice.com, have been concerned with vitriolic attacks against “Calvinism”- attacks displaying no concern for accurately presenting the Calvinist position. This is not true of Dr. Garrett’s articles, which are much more scholarly in tone and which make a much better attempt to interact with “Calvinism”. However, I do believe that there are some basic, demonstrable factual errors in Dr. Garrett’s presentation that drive false conclusions and that merit some additional responses here at SBF.

The most basic factual errors made by Dr. Garrett come at the definitional level. How have such concepts as “Calvinism” and “Hyper-Calvinism” been historically defined? (more…)

The current issue of The Alabama Baptist (Aug. 2, 2007) contains seven articles on “Dortian Calvinism”–one by editor Bob Terry and six by Dr. James Leo Garrett.  The purpose of these articles, according to Bob Terry, is to serve as a resource to help Alabama Baptists better understand Calvinism.  Below are the links to the articles for your reading pleasure (if you plan on referencing these in the future, be sure to print out copies of each article as they are likely to not be on the Internet for long).

Understanding Calvinism: A Resource (editorial) - Bob Terry

Articles by Dr. James Leo Garrett:

A question facing Baptist churches

Calvinism: What does it mean?

Does Dortian Calvinism have weight of Scripture in its favor?

Have Baptists always been Dortian Calvinists in their confessions of faith?

How prominent Baptists stack up

What are the alternatives to Dortian Calvinism?

For what it’s worth, I have begun interacting with these articles and putting my $.02 into the discussion.  At this point, I am about mid-way through my response(s).  Here they are as they stand right now:

Response 1: Monergism and Total Depravity
Response 2: Haykin on Hyper-Calvinism and Andrew Fuller
Response 3: Exegetical Tradition and Analysis of Ephesians 2:8
Response 4: Repentance and Faith (Boyce and Spurgeon)
There have been several other responses, and I encourage you to check out the discussion that hopes to be healthy and helpful for all Southern Baptists.

Building Bridges:
Southern Baptists and Calvinism

November 26-28, 2007
Ridgecrest Conference Center, NC
$75 (w/o meals) $104 (w/ meals)
Sponsored by SEBTS and Founders Ministries

Topics Being Discussed:

In addition to scheduled worship times, subjects to be addressed during the conference are:

* The Historical Record
* Calvinism: A Cause for Rejoicing, A Cause for Concern
* The Atonement: Its Design, Nature, and Extent
* Theological Stereotypes: Let’s Be Fair and Honest with Each Other
* Election and Calling: A Biblical/Theological Study
* Working Together to Make Christ Known

Here is the massive line-up of speakers:

• David Dockery, president, Union University, Jackson, Tenn.;
• James Merritt, pastor, Cross Pointe, The Church at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Ga.;
• Malcolm Yarnell, assistant dean of theological studies/associate professor of systematic theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas;
• David Nelson, senior vice president of academic administration, dean of faculty, professor of theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.;
• Charles Lawless, dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.;
• Nathan Finn, instructor of church history, Southeastern Seminary;
• Ken Keathley, senior associate dean, professor of theology, Southeastern Seminary;
• Greg Welty, assistant professor of philosophy, Southwestern Seminary;
• J.D. Greear, pastor, Summit Church, Durham, N.C.;
• Sam Waldron, academic dean and professor of theology, Midwest Center for Theological Studies, Owensboro, Ky.;
• Voddie Baucham, church planter and pastor of preaching at Grace Family Baptist Church, Spring, Texas;
• Jeff Noblit, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, Ala.;
• Tom Nettles, professor of historical theology, Southern Seminary;
• Thom Rainer, president and CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources;
• Brad Waggoner, vice president of research and ministry development, LifeWay;
• Ed Stetzer, director, LifeWay Research and resident missiologist, LifeWay;
• R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president, Southern Seminary;
• Danny Akin, president, Southeastern Seminary;
• Tom Ascol, senior pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, Fla., and executive director, Founders Ministries.

From Tom Ascol:

“We intend to follow the example of those who have gone before us by rediscovering the spiritual vitality that comes from humble, honest theological dialogue,” said Tom Ascol, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., and executive director of Founders Ministries. “We have a significant lineup of excellent theologians who represent what Scripture means when it says iron sharpens iron. This conference is an opportunity for Southern Baptists to experience the kind of theological sharpening that takes place when brothers and sisters come together to learn from one another and to challenge each other to follow our Savior more faithfully.”

From Danny Akin:

“The Word of God calls us to love the Lord with all of our heart,” said Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary. “It also calls us to love Him with all of our mind. Thinking biblically and theologically, therefore, is essential to a balanced and healthy Christian life.

“Calvinism has generated a lot of interest in recent years in Southern Baptist life,” Akin noted. “Unfortunately we have often talked at and not with one another. Unhealthy rhetoric and misrepresentations from all directions have led to confusion and even ill will among brothers and sisters in Christ. We hope this conference will demonstrate how important theological issues can be discussed with grace, integrity and love.”

From Brad Waggoner (LifeWay):

“The goal of LifeWay Research is to provide relevant information to people and churches for the purpose of reaching people for Christ,” Waggoner said. “Calvinism is obviously something that a lot of people have discussed over the past couple of years. Anytime Christians can come together – especially those within the same ‘family’ – and seek deeper biblical understanding, the entire Body of Christ benefits. LifeWay Research’s desire is to stimulate and inform those types of discussion.”

>> For more information or to make reservations, contact LifeWay Ridgecrest at 800-588-7222 or online at www.lifeway.com/buildingbridges.

Dr. Nelson Price continues his article on “Covert Calvinists” as follows:

The biggest disagreement I have with a large segment of modern Calvinists is not just doctrine but spirit and style.

Many have worked their way into local churches as covert Calvinists. They seem to operate on a no ask no tell basis. If representatives of a local church don’t know what a Calvinist believes and how to ask questions subversion often occurs. Once a Calvinist pastor comes into a church his approach seems to be not to preach it from the pulpit but to mentor or if you prefer disciple cell groups until their base is perceived to be strong enough to go public. Thus, they precipitate confusion and division in the church. (more…)