Mohler: Why I didn't sign the SBC Statement

A recent statement on the doctrine of salvation has received a good bit of attention in recent days. Since it deals with matters of current controversy, it has generated some heat. Our current task as Southern Baptists is to engage in a theological conversation that will transform heat into light. This is the very least we owe each other as brothers and sisters who are committed to the Great Commission, to the Southern Baptist Convention, and to each other.

The document, identified as "A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God's Plan of Salvation" was written and released by a group of Southern Baptists who clearly intend to make a theological argument. Their public action and serious intention should be welcomed. We should be glad that Southern Baptists are fully capable of engaging in a theological and biblical discussion over doctrine. Furthermore, we should be thankful that we are discussing God's plan of salvation and the right way of understanding how God saved sinners. What could be more important?

First, we should pause to reflect that, thanks to the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention, we are not debating the inerrancy of the Bible. That matter is settled among us. We are privileged to be having a debate among those who affirm the total truthfulness and authority of the Bible. Otherwise, we would surely be debating the issues that have consumed the more liberal denominations, such as same-sex marriage, the ordination of practicing homosexuals to the ministry, and feminine God-language.

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Evermyrtle

It is not enough to believe in the WORD OF GOD, you must live like you believe it., according to all the commandments. and not pick which you will obey and which you will disregard.

Matt. 22: 36-40
36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law:
37. JESUS said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD THY GOD with all your heart, and with al your soul, and with all your mind.
38. This is the first and great commandment,
39. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself.
40. On these tow commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

How can you sin, how can you mistreat anybody if you love GOD and your fellow man like that. First of all, before you make any decisions you will go to GOD and talk to HIM about them, GOD will lead you away from sin and bad decisions. Many times you can breath a silent prayer, "What GOD should I do?"
- Despeville
  
  How is any of that referring to the issues presented in above article ? :)
  - jen
    
    If you rely on your actions to save you you take credit fron God. The man whi died on the cross next to Jesus obviously didnt live like Jesus but because he believed Jesus is Messiah Jesus Himself told him hed be with Him. Your actions should reflect your beliefs but they do not save you. You can't honestly think you are good enough for God no matter how you live. If you do you're dead wrong
    - Despeville
      
      I don't know where you got this idea but you are preaching to the choir. Of course salvation is from God and not only by His grace but also what most deny by His choice too.
Despeville

" I fully understand the intention of the drafters to oppose several Calvinist renderings of doctrine, but some of the language employed in the statement goes far beyond this intention. Some portions of the statement actually go beyond Arminianism and appear to affirm semi-Pelagian understandings of sin, human nature, and the human will – understandings that virtually all Southern Baptists have denied."
~ Al Mohler

Which is what I was quoting from this very unfortunate statement and juxtaposing it with the Words of Christ and anyone could see that words of Baptists in that statement are directly opposing to the Words of Christ and really pointing to ancient heresy of pelagianism currently running amok in Baptists and not only Baptist's ranks.
aceituna

As humans we do not have the ability to fully comprehend everything in the Bible. The devil uses this inability to cause us to have disagreement and over react to each other. In 1st Corinthians 13 we read " now we know in part and we prophesy in part, we see through a glass darkly, but when the end comes we will we will see clearly". I read the complete article, and what I see is that the devil is at work dividing. For get the devil's insinuations and dwell on the basics that all Chriatian churches at least used to teach, The Trinity, The Son's blood shed for us so that we don't have to face the consequences of our sin, the work of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith and keep us there, the command to tell others and to live our lives in line within God's commands through the power of the Holy Spirit. The trust that forgiveness is there every time we backslide. Be able by the power of the Spirit to accept this forgiveness.
lambsev11

The danger is that as we seek to be the possessors of all the truth we gainsay each other and leave God on the sidelines. There comes a point where the only proof of our faith will be to love one another and let each man work out his own salvation with fear and trembling.

How can we find the unity God desires for us? Believe God. Believe Jesus when He says: "…this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

Dare I as one man try to answer such a daunting question? My experience over the years has been that God will answer the desperate cries of those who wish to be saved in His perfect timing. Don't rush into a denominational church and expect their doctrine to save you. God is able to teach you better than any man. Whatever teacher or preacher you may hear know that God can say it better. Take what man says and hold it up to the light of God. As Paul wrote: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."(1 Thessalonians 5:21) And also "Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ~ Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)

Jesus also DID SAY: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:29
KnowTheTruthToday

I guess I missed it – - Why didn't Mohler sign the statement?
- Despeville
  
  Because he knows better and knows how heretical it is…
  - KnowTheTruthToday
    
    I have never seen what the statement says. I will try to look it up and see.
Matthew

The reason that Dr. Mohler didn't sign the statement is because he's a Calvinist. In my opinion as a Southern Baptis and more importantly as a Christian we are neither Calvinist or Armenian. We are Biblicist.
- Despeville
  
  "We are Biblicist."
  
  Sure and you know that JWs and Mormons will claim the same and how are you going to respond to that?
Andrew

Thank you brother. I was saved out of the pure dark of Roman Catholicism…the Lord graciously yanked me out of there by His call into the word, the deep conviction of my sin revealed in that word and the glorious gospel…He placed deep on my heart the wrath of God…He then led me to Romans where I studied chapter 1-5 and fell on my face in repentance, this was my night of becoming that "new creation." I thank the Lord that almost immediately His providence dropped my into a small, loving, missions minded, evangelizing bible church…it was after being there a while I began to hear the words reformed and Calvin and the tension presented in their article. I am deeply convinced that if a person was exposed to no tradition and placed on an island with a bible and the Holy Spirit, he would without a doubt come out understanding the Doctrines of Grace.

My great concern for these brothers, who collective, as part of the bride of our Lord, need our prayers rest in a few areas:

It is fearful to see how precisely this man centered stance squares with Roman Catholicism and particular the battle of the reformers who exposed it (see Luther's bondage of the will, and any commentary Calvin makes regarding salvation by grace)

It is fearful to see that these brothers, and their approach to soteriology will make a significant contribution to the false church that falls away because it was always about man and not Gods true work.

It is fearful to think how these errors and rejection of clear, hard to comprehend, but not hard to understand truths will shape a completely distorted and ignored eschatology. How can one begin to understand Gods purpose withIsrael, His work in the building and stumping of Babylon, and His working in bringing the tribulation together against His bride and Him…

And the message of sin that this article suggest is one of some sinners are not as bad as other sinners because some sought after God, the better sinners, and some didn't, the bad sinner…let's be clear, in no uncertain terms, this is simply a cover for a man centered view of self righteousness that is held deep in the hearts of these men…but why?

I believe it is because they have countless souls in their churches, in their homes, and in their families who have made a decision for Christ but reveal no life, no true regeneration, no true love for the Lord and His word…these are very personal, fearful concerns their souls see at the heart of their families, loved ones and the work they believe they have done for the Lord…fearful brothers…please pray for them. This draws so very near to the pain and sorrow I have for my Catholic loved ones and the countless souls deceived by false religion, all of which is a consequence of their own unbelief.

Thank you and sorry for the long note to my brothers in Christ by Him and I'm alone….

June 9, 2012 7:53 AM
http://zionica.com Grant

Andrew thank you for sharing your testimonies. Being saved it so simple. Why don't we just skip the 'demoninational stuff' and just say 'Hallelujah' I'm a follower of Christ. I don't even go there anymore. I just say I'm a 'believer', most of the time people will ask; 'believer of what???' That open a door…I believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for my sins and that he is the Son of God. He is alive…Yea!
We will continue to 'sin' daily because we're still living in the 'flesh' We are saved by faith. We still need to work out our spiritual faith. Same faith, different avenues…. Saving FAITH, daily SPIRITUAL FAITH….get in a Bible believing church and learn these things' about Jesus. He is a simple God with a simple faith….
Steve

Said like a true "statesman" gilded in white gloves.

The Scriptures are not subject to consensus.

Either salvation is by the will of man or the will of God alone. One message is false and damning, the other true.

Either faith saves or Christ saved. One message is false and damning, the other true.

Calvinists and Arminians alike share this one common thread of false doctrine. It is that justification is at and by the sinner's faith.

Unfortunately, this particular doctrine strikes at the very core of the Gospel of Christ and attempts to rob Him of His glory.

At least as far as the apostle Paul was concerned. It moved him to write the letter to the Romans regarding the righteousness of God. Paul declared justification finished at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by His earned righteousness imputed and sin not imputed. Not at the point of faith, but at the cross of Christ. God then raised Him from the dead signifying His full acceptance and declaration of that righteousness upon all the elect.

I take it that since Paul was one of God's messengers that this Gospel truth is absolutely important to God as well.

Belief in the Gospel is not subject to consensus.

The elect will believe it. God ensures that.

In the final analysis, Dr. Mohler's gospel still requires participation from the sinner just as much as the Arminians he disagrees with.
Dorothy

I agree with Dr Mohler reference to tribalism. It's a danger, because it pits one against another and can ramp up to cause untold misery among friends.