But Peter, They’re Not Really Calvinist! An Open Letter To Peter Lumpkins
Dear Peter,
I write to you as a fellow Southern Baptist.
I think real Calvinism has brought good things to Southern Baptists, but I just wanted to write you and mention that your present contention is not with real Calvinism.
They call themselves Calvinists, but that’s a lie. In fact, real Calvinists contend against them. Let me explain. The present movement you see in the SBC has a Calvinism label, but was really hatched by Jon Zens and a Seventh-day Adventist named Robert Brinsmead. Brinsmead created a project called the Australian Forum to promote the doctrine, and the two other primary contributors were Geoffrey Paxton and Graeme Goldsworthy. Their family tree, a work of mine with the help of others, can be seen in the following chart:
The basic frame of the doctrine they created is known as the centrality of the objective gospel (COG), and is what drives the present movement you see in the SBC. Apparently, the movement is now known as “New Calvinism,” and entails the T4G, The Gospel Coalition, and many, many other organizations that promote the movement.
Basically, it teaches that the gospel is something completely outside of us (objective), and that we are transformed by contemplating the depths of the gospel (or as John Piper states it: “Beholding as a way of becoming”). This outside, objective focus supposedly aids us in not being distracted by things that are subjective; for instance, even the belief that we are born again. In fact, the movement denies the significance of the new birth and teaches that Christians are still totally depraved. This can be illustrated by the video circulating on the Web called “John Piper is Bad” which doesn’t mean Piper is a cool guy, but rather that he is still a “T” in TULIP—totally depraved. Unlike real Calvinism, it projects TULIP onto sanctification as well. Piper acknowledged in an interview that he understood the video to mean exactly that and also agreed with it. Certainly, traditional Calvinism does not believe that Christians are still totally depraved.
In other words, the movement only recognizes justification (objective) and not the vital union or the new birth (subjective). We are supposedly transformed by focusing on the historical Christ event alone. This is why CJ Mahaney, one of the “core four” with Al Mohler in the T4G, always presents the gospel in the five-word epigram “Christ died for our sins.” In like manner, Piper presents a justification only gospel in “The gospel in 6 Minutes: “In a sentence….That’s the gospel.”
In 2008, one of the Australian 3, Graeme Goldsworthy, spoke at Southern Seminary (in the Australian Forum’s theological journal “Present Truth,” both Paxton and Goldsworthy declared the new birth a “false gospel”). John Piper reviewed Goldsworthy’s visit/lecture in an article posted on his Desiring God website (Piper is one of the keynote speakers at the 2012 T4G). In that article, Piper affirmed COG, and wrote the following:
“When the ground of justification moves from Christ outside of us to the work of Christ inside of us, the gospel (and the human soul) is imperiled. It is an upside down gospel [emphasis his, not mine].”
This is an interesting statement considering that Southern Baptists certainly change emphasis to our role as new creatures after we are saved. Piper is saying to do so is to put one’s soul in peril, and this is also exactly what the AF3 propagated. Furthermore, Piper seems to be saying that any emphasis on the work of Christ inside of us is a false gospel—also what the AF3 advocated. Peter, trust me, this problem is way bigger than Calvinism.
In addition, real Calvinist have fought this problem tooth and nail. As you can see from their family tree, the doctrine was repackaged by Dr. John Miller in the form of Sonship Theology while he was at Westminster Seminary. Pastors in the PCA (Calvin’s denomination) have been fighting the doctrine for years, especially Dr. Jay Adams who wrote a book against it in 1999. Tim Keller, a major figure in the New Calvinist movement, as well as David Powlison, were followers of John Miller. During a lecture at John Piper’s church, Powlison called Miller his mentor and chastised Adams for being critical of Dr. Miller for coining the phrase, “We must preach the gospel [justification] to ourselves everyday.” However, the fact that the criticism was in book form seemed to have slipped Powlison’s mind. Moreover, readers of my blog, one of which is taking the Sonship course presently, assure me that Sonship clearly teaches the total depravity of the saints, rejects the new birth, and holds to a New Covenant Theology view of the law. It is also common knowledge that Keller has taught Sonship Theology extensively.
It’s all the same doctrine. If the doctrine hadn’t found new life at Westminster, it wouldn’t have survived the brutal pushback by Reformed Baptist (more real Calvinist) such as Walter Chantry. Chantry and others adamantly called it out for what it is: “neo-antinomianism.” In the same way that COG plagued the Reformed Baptist by splitting churches and families, this doctrine continues to wreak havoc on God’s people.
Peter, worry about the real Calvinist later—these guys must go!
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
You’ll notice, Paul, that Remi couldn’t care less about New Calvinism or whether Dr. White is a New Calvinist or just a Calvinist. It’s a personal thing he has against my friend, Dr. White.
Dr. White’s “The Potter’s Freedom” got endorsements from Tom Nettles of SBTS, Maurice Roberts of the Banner of Truth, and many others. It is one of the leading defenses of Reformed theology – a response to Norman Geisler’s “Chosen But Free.”
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TF,
My major concern is the teaching rampant in Reformed circles that our primary duty is to look deeper and deeper into the gospel that saved us and then sit back and watch the picture show. That will mess up people’s lives.
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I should have mentioned that Jay Adams endorsed the work, since you mentioned him in the article.
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TF,
What work?
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The ad hom always follows the same course… first denigrate the person, make fun of their name, ridicule their work, and then attack their education. Remi, have you got that documentation regarding payment, or are you willing to retract your remark?
If not, are you willing to admit to violating God’s Law? 😉
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Jenny,
Yes that link you provided was very telling… so nice to see people sniping Dr White’s own daughter’s wedding blog for the sake of ridiculing him. If that is the motive of your ilk, I think we’re all glad not to be in your company.
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The blog sphere can be a pretty sick place-hey-nothing like going to the private blog of a daughter to show what kind of a Christian you really are underneath all the vileness.
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Hey guys, Does white have a blog or a website? Links please?
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Pauldhose – Two answers:
1) Dr. James White is not a “New Calvinist” – he’s a longtime defender of historic Reformed Theology. He is about the most conservative bible scholar I can think of. He has written detailed exegetical works on major issues such as homosexuality, the Roman Catholic church’s false gospel, KJV-onlyism and numerous other topics including soteriology. His published body of work and his many public debates have left ample evidence of his commitment to the 5 Solas of the Reformation and giving glory to God alone.
2) I believe that we are responsible as believers to participate in our sanctification by going to the Lord in prayer, by studying the word, by seeking to “tune in” to what the Holy Spirit is telling us through our conscience and to seek discipleship and accountability in community with mature believers so that we are growing and becoming more Christ-like. Sanctification is a lifelong journey and doesn’t end until we are glorified. I don’t believe we will stop sinning until we are glorified, but one mark of a regenerate person should be significant transformation and a desire to be obedient to the commands of Christ, even if we “do the very things that we hate that we do.”
I also don’t claim to be any great theologian, and I am open to correction if I am incorrect.
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Nick,
I have been doing some thinking lately about the 5 solas. Indulge me if you will. Name them and I have some questions. This is in preparation for a post I am writing.
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Sorry – Dr. White’s website is http://www.aomin.org
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Nick,
Thanks for the link–interesting.
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Paul:
Dr. White’s website is http://www.aomin.org/ He has written a bunch of books, but his work “The Potter’s Freedom,” is one of the premier defenses of Calvinism against Norman Geisler.
I think he would agree with you we are not to simply sit back and watch the picture show, since he has been very active in the area of apologetics and evangelism (particularly with respect to Mormons, Roman Catholics, and Muslims).
TurretinFan
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TF,
Name the 5 solas, I want to ask you some questions if you are willing.
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Ok. Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria.
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Nick,
Thank you. First question:
Do the 5 solas apply to salvation, or sanctification?
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I should think that in some sense, the 5 Solas apply to both.
Sola Scriptura is a guiding principle for God’s Word as the ultimate authority in any situation where one need test a doctrine. Discernment is an important thing for the believer to develop as part of Sanctification.
Sola Fide – some believers have turned to moralism after conversion which is a bit like living by law alone without the Gospel. Many say we must preach ourselves the Gospel daily (work out our salvation with fear and trembling) to remind us of our identity in Christ and as an act of worship when we glorify God for his mercy in remembrance of the cross.
Sola Gratia – Our walk as a regenerate believer is a display of God’s grace upon grace. We know we our debts of past, present and future have been paid. Not that we sin that grace may abound… We are given each day by His grace alone.
Solus Christus – In Christ alone are hid all the treasures of wisdom and we come back to the cross over and over to remind of us how to love and lead our families, how to be a self-sacrificing leader who humbles himself and serves others.
Soli Deo Gratia – any change in me is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit and not my strivings. I may be able to desire to change, but the Holy Spirit is the one who changes my heart and helps to remove my idolatrous desires to replace them with a stronger desire for more of Christ. I take no credit for the good things I may do, I give credit to God who brought me from death to life in Christ.
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