My response to the John 3:16 conference.

As it has now been almost a month since the conference, I have had time to listen to the Audio as well as look over my own notes and the fallout in the blogs and especially the correspondence of Dr. Allen and his detractors, namely Phil Johnson and James White.

The first is that as I listen and look over notes from Dr. Allen's lecture, I believe I have found the reason that Dr. Allen was able to claim so many Calvinists disagree with Limited Atonement. It is not because they disagree with the traditional view of Limited Atonement, in that Christ died with a Saving Grace for the Elect a common grace for all, but that Christs death and atonement had no effect on the non-elect at all. This is not the Calvinistic view of Limited Atonement, but a straw man that Dr. Allen presented. Just for Clarity and Brevity, Dr. Allen claimed that 5 Point Calvinists do not believe the Atonement has any evidence of Common Grace, which is false. Dr. Allen lied about the Calvinist view of this position so that he would be able to discredit Calvinism. It is one thing to oppose a viewpoint, it is entirely different to lie about the viewpoint to sway others to view it as you do. It is also an indictment on the Anti-Calvinist view point that the only response to Calvinism is to lie about what they believe.

Finally the conference has made me rethink my loyalty and place in the Southern Baptist Convention. I have grown up Southern Baptist and the longest that I did not attend a Southern Baptist Church was three weeks in High School because I had a crush on a girl at the Methodist church down the street. My family as well as my in-laws have given to the cooperative program for over 50 years, so I am not a fair weather Southern Baptist that is looking for a reason to leave. But with Johnny Hunt being a rabid Anti-Calvinist and hosting this conference as President of the Convention, I struggle with my place in the future of the SBC. Not only that, but with Ergun Caner being a rising star I also question the Doctrinal integrity of the Convention, as Ergun Caner is constantly guilty of Eisogesis. It burden's my heart to think of leaving the convention, but it burdens my conscience even more to see it killed by this semi-pelagianism (these men may deny it as they need to, Their actions speak louder than their words ever could) that is taking over the convention.

I do not plan on leaving the convention tomorrow, or ever for that matter, but I do feel as though I am not welcome to in the convention because I am a Calvinist. People can say things like Calvinism is a valid view point in Convention Life, but actions speak much louder than words do. Johnny Hunt has made it clear that as long as he is president of the Convention Calvinism and Calvinists have no place in the SBC.

Soli Deo Gloria

Luther

Martin Luther said "Man can do no good until he is made good."

In a day and time when everyone is seen as "generally good People" I will say the opposite, that everyone is horrible and sinful. We suck, and Jesus is our only hope. This statement is beautifully offensive, and it must be. It is offensive to the unconverted because it tells them that they are sinful self-serving people. But it is beautiful to the believer, because its the acknowledgment that we suck, and Jesus saved us.

The Introduction...

I do not intend for this to be read by many people, but I hope that this will be a source of encouragement or maybe only laughter to my friends and family. I have made connections with people all over the country because of the internet, and I figured a blog will help expound on that. This will be a collection of stories, thoughts, and at times concerns based on things that I see.

I encourage you to read the blogs listed on the sides, as they will certainly be better than this one.

S.D.G.
Redbeard