In January, “reform” was the rally cry of the Democrat-controlled Congress that took office in 2007, but reform also was the prescription offered in sports with the late December release of the Mitchell Report detailing the wide extent of steroid and human growth hormone use in Major League Baseball.
Meanwhile, the lack of reform about liberal homosexual policies within the Episcopal Church caused the first entire diocese to break with the denomination. In Southern Baptist life, reform involved debate about the extent and impact of Calvinism in the convention.
However, both political and religious news of 2007 most likely will be remembered for what it meant to events yet to come in 2008, and for the apparent strengthening ties between religion and politics at a time when public attacks against faith in the public square are on the rise. Southern Baptists, meanwhile, experienced tensions about theology and methodology, but also saw positive signs that cooperation in missions and ministries continues to be a tie that binds.
My Southern Baptist upbringing was distinctly “armenian”, which is to say free will was explicitely taught, the whole point being a “decision for Christ”. “Hard-shell” Baptists were said to believe in predestination, but it wasn’t a [i]Southern Baptist[/i] distinctive.
Leading to the question: is this really classic Southern Baptist faith that I just missed out on, or is it a new theological incursion into the SBC?
BTW, my great-grandfather was a Primitive Baptist preacher who’s given names were “John” and “Calvin”. They say his shell was rock-hard, too. 🙂
Words Matter, I think you meant “Arminian.” Words matter.
Theology,national identity, whatever. :cheese:
I would, however, like some clue as to what is going on. This seems like a sea change for Southern Baptists.