The New Calvinist Takeover of Southwood Presbyterian Church: Part 7; Southwood’s New Calvinist Elders are Following The Usual M.O.
“Legitimate groups have nothing to fear from their members reading critical information about them.”
Here we go again. Everything is right on schedule. A Southwood parishioner forwarded the following email to me sent to Southwood congregants by a Southwood elder:
Bill Nash
Elder (Active) at Southwood Presbyterian
Comment re: Others Blogging About Southwood
Gentlemen, I just talked to William Plott who is familiar with the guy writing this blog – he was a trouble maker who was critical of the PCA church’s in Ohio while William lived there. The blogger is from near Dayton, Ohio – probably living in his Mom’s basement. He is not PCA but a reformed Baptist who has nothing good to say about John Piper, Tim Keller, Bryan Chappell, Billy Graham and the Apostle Paul. He has Theonomist leanings. He is not a pastor, but a layman. He has been excommunicated from one Baptist church. The technical term for this guy is ” nut job” and we have already burned too many calories reading his foolish rantings. Tell everyone to stop reading his drival. Move on. Peace, Bill
My first question is the following: are the posts true and factual, or not? The personal attack by this person who represents the Southwood elders is according to the New Calvinist playbook. After laying the foundation of this doctrine for the better part of a year, facts are not needed, only an unction from the elders on high. And apparently, this former member of Southwood is apparently a “nut job” also, but his post is referenced with specifics, and those specifics are either true or not true.
Secondly, New Calvinist elders are never shy about lying. I have complimented the PCA on numerous occasions concerning their brave stand against this doctrine when it was known as Sonship theology. Notable Presbyterian Jay Adams wrote a book in contention against the doctrine in 1999. Is he a nut? Is Terry Johnson a nut? The pastor I cite in the last post concerning Tchividjian’s newest book (Southwood’s pastor and elders endorse Tchividjian): is he a nut? Is Dr. Peter Masters (pastor of the Metropolitan) a nut? What makes me a nut? I can answer that: anybody who disagrees with the Southwood elders is a nut, and those who contend against them are even worse.
Thirdly, concerning the comments in the email that are unbecoming of an elder, ie., the suggestion that I live in my mother’s basement, I will not address. But I will say this: leaders who follow this doctrine seek to control parishioners, and this can be seen in his email. He is confident that all that is needed is to merely tell the congregants that I am a “ nut job” living in my mother’s basement, and all that I have to say is “drivi[e,sic]l,” and that will be that—problem solved. When New Calvinists seek to take over a church, this is their first order of business, to control the congregation through demotivation: “We are vile sinners who are no better off than unbelievers,” “We must depend on others to reveal our sin because we are unable to see it ourselves,” “We must outdo each other in seeing the depths of our vileness before God,” “We must stay at the foot of the cross,” etc., etc.
But this elder’s command/order/ imperative to the congregation to not read my posts is a serious, serious, red flag. Cultwatch.com says the following:
Common sense tells us that a person who does not consider all information may make an unbalanced decision. Filtering the information available or trying to discredit it not on the basis of how true it is, but rather on the basis of how it supports the party line, is a common control method used throughout history…. Legitimate groups have nothing to fear from their members reading critical information about them….If you are instructed by a group not to read information critical of the group, then that is a sign of a cult” [emphasis mine].
As I have said before, and will continue to say, this doctrine is spawning cult-like churches throughout the US. Other than in the email, the use of unbalanced self-character assassination and the character assassination of dissenters to control information and make parishioners dependent is evident at Southwood. Cultwatch states:
Character Assassination is used to help create the guilt in you. Character Assassination is a type of false reasoning used by people and groups who have no real arguments. The technical name for Character Assassination is “The Ad hominem Fallacy”.
Fifthly:
He is not PCA but a reformed Baptist who has nothing good to say about John Piper, Tim Keller, Bryan Chappell, Billy Graham and the Apostle Paul.
I admit, the accusation that I have nothing good to say about the beloved apostle Paul cuts deep, and I find the listing of the others in the same sentence with him far more offensive than anything I would ever dare say about the apostle Paul. I am also aware of what New Calvinists believe about Billy Graham, including his own great grandson Tullian Tchividjian, and find the elder’s mention of Graham disingenuous and contrived.
Furthermore, since a Presbyterian New Calvinist joined the SBC and founded a ministry that is now orchestrating hostile takeovers of Southern Baptist churches, Southern Baptists definitely have a stake in this fight to earnestly contend for the faith. Moreover, the assimilation of this doctrine into Southern Baptist circles by well-known Presbyterians Tim Keller, David Powlison, Ligon Duncan et al, is very evident. Therefore, I find the subtle accusation that I am a Reformed Baptist ( I am a Southern Baptist member in good standing) sticking my nose in Presbyterian business—without merit.
Sixthly, yes, like James D. Kennedy’s daughter, I was brought up on church discipline and excommunicated for contending against this vile doctrine of New Calvinism. Fortunately for her, Presbyterians have protections not afforded to Baptists. Because this has been introduced, and not by me, much will be written about this in the next parts and names will be named. Also, for Southwood members who want to know the details of how New Calvinists ravaged my extended family in order to try to muzzle me, and sent friends of mine fleeing to other states, email me at pmd@inbox.com for documentation. Others who are privy to this situation will also be contributing to this series.
Seventh, another control mechanism that can be seen in this email pertains to the dismissal of credibility in regard to “layman.” Though to say that I am a consummate layman is not exactly true, I have no reason to reject this label because nearly all of the false doctrine permeating today’s church comes from Christian academia. One of the few exceptions is the uneducated, New Calvinist, CJ Mahaney, former president of SGM ministries who was forced to step down for parishioner abuse. He is presently being sheltered by the New Calvinist camp. SGM, via New Calvinist doctrine and strategies, has been labeled a cult by many and there are several expose websites that document their abuses (SGM survivors.com is one example).
Lord willing, this ministry will continue to post daily on the Southwood issue until the December 4th meeting. The goal is to supply the Southwood congregation with information, information, and more information. My wife has also prepared a post in response to “elder” Nash’s character assassination.
If elder Nash has the intestinal fortitude to call me a “nut job” while looking into my eyes, he can email me at pmd@inbox.com and that can be arranged. At that time, he is more than welcome to accept a free copy of my book, “The Truth About New Calvinism,” so I can serve Nash by teaching him the history of the doctrine he believes. Like him, I would be inclined to think I am a nut job also, except for the fact that a well-known seminary is putting the book in their library, and reputable ministries are ordering multiple copies; so, maybe not. I would be amiss not to give the credit to several other “layman” who contributed to the book and made it possible.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Paul,
I didn’t know you had Theonomist leanings. And, you are still living in your mother’s basement. I know you didn’t say that, but you didn’t deny it, so it must be true.
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Anonymous,
You are a gutless wonder and I really don’t care what you think. If any Southwood parishioners who have gray matter between their ears want to know if I am a Theonomist and live in my mother’s basement, they can email me and I will gladly share that with them.
paul
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Oh, sorry Randy, didn’t know that was you. No, I do not live in my mother’s basement.
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Yes, definitely cult tactics and they are becoming more and more common in Reformed circles. Amazing how gullible people can be….especially Christians who will follow humans instead of the Holy Spirit.
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Paul, I have no dog in this fight, but let me ask you…what dog do you have in this fight? Do you have ties to this Church? Honestly curious.
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Scott,
Yes, I have ties to them. You ever heard of the church universal? Do we take that seriously or not? Secondly, after what this movement did to my family, I’m I going to stand by and let them continue to do what they do unhindered? No. Thirdly, this ministry has been able to supply comfort to many who thought they were the only ones left who weren’t falling for this stuff, saved at least one marriage, and at least one church takeover. We are also counseling people who can’t get counseling from pastors of their own denomination because they are afraid of getting evolved. In other words, they are cowards and should get out of the ministry. We also supply research for others who want to write on this subject. Does that answer your question?
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Dear Sir,
Greetings from Huntsville, Alabama. I was forwarded a link to your blog a few days ago. Prior to that I had not heard of you or your blog. At first glance, the sheer amount of information you have amassed is impressive, although a bit difficult to decode. I really don’t have any comment about the content of your blog beyond your present statements about Southwood Presbyterian Church.
As I tried to figure out what all the hubbub is about, I realized that your initial statement in Installment 1 related to Southwood Church is completely accurate: “I don’t know any inside details concerning the present controversy at Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.”
Amen. I stopped reading at that point. And you, sir, should have stopped writing. To the best of my knowledge, you have not spoken to any Ruling Elder nor Teaching Elder at Southwood. I am fairly certain that you have never been to Southwood, nor do you know any of the staff or leadership at Southwood. The standard of practice in responsible, investigative reporting would require that you make an attempt to do so and to provide factual information based upon your work. At best, you can only be drawing conclusions from spotty information you have gleaned, and that with little or no context. You seem able to develop a high volume of content with very little source.
Without firsthand information via interview or observation, the validity and integrity of such opinion is, at best, highly suspect and, at worst, libelous.
It is a fact that the people and leadership of Southwood are working through several matters at this time, just as most every church I know of has at one time or another. This is not news. As is provided by the polity of our denomination, the PCA, we are following processes based on Biblical principles to resolve these matters. As such, the final judgement as to the orthodoxy of the theological views and the actions of Senior Pastor Jean Larroux, III is reserved for the courts of the church as defined by the PCA. Although we are sinful men and have the capacity for error, we will follow that process faithfully so that any and all conclusions can be made with integrity.
You may be entitled to your opinion, but I question the integrity with which you are formulating that opinion.
I am confident that, through the effectual prayers of the members of our congregation and others, and especially with the help of our Lord, we will resolve these matters in a manner that is fitting to His kingdom. We would be grateful for your prayers and those of your readers. We can never have too much of that. I believe this commitment to prayer would be much more profitable for all involved than any further installments of your present series on Southwood that is based on rumor, innuendo, and conjecture.
If you care to inquire periodically as to our progress, perhaps someone involved in the process and able to speak with authority on the matter would be willing to provide a statement at a future date. In the meantime, thank you for your prayers.
Blessings,
Keith Denton, Ruling Elder
Southwood Presbyterian Church
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Pastor Denton,
Did your pastor not post concerning the controversy in your church on the world wide web? He made it a public issue, not me! Furthermore, A New Calvinist is a New Calvinist. The Doctrine is what it is: antinomian, and false. And I do not interview spiritual terrorists, especially when what they believe is clearly documented on a website or blog. I will pray earnestly that your pastor is sent packing because he is a false teacher. My intention is to continue posting until your December 4th meeting. As far as your inability to understand issues of justification and sanctification, even as a “ruling” elder, try the “Part 3” of the Southwood series, it has lots of pictures.
paul
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Keith Denton,
You said, “If you care to inquire periodically as to our progress, perhaps someone involved in the process and able to speak with authority on the matter would be willing to provide a statement at a future date. In the meantime, thank you for your prayers.”
I found your choice of words entertaining if not overtly obvious when you gave the parameters for those who could be considered valuable sources. Not only must they be, ” involved in the process” they must also be, “able to speak with authority” Translation: Unless I or another elder of equal worth comes to you with any information you are not to accept it as valid testimony, and you are not likely to hear from us any time soon.
Not the first time I have heard that, “elders are beyond question and the only ones qualified to give an answer”, speech. Still as scathing and transparent as it has ever been. Is that really the approach you want to take?
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Paul,
way to go, you’ve got it very right. That Jean F. Larroux, III Pastor at Southwood sounds saturated with New Calvinism. He speaks the New Calvinist language. Just look at the first sentence he said about his testimony on the Sourthwood website:
“I have worked very hard at being a Pharisee (and was quite successful) and now work very hard at trying to rest in Grace.”
Larroux is promoting New Calvinism. That’s why he is recommending New Calvinist books on the website:
Jesus + Nothing = Everything
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
A Scandalous Freedom,
If somebody doesn’t know that these are New Calvinist books they need to wake up and smell the coffee.
I sure feel sorry for that Keith Denton. The guy is blind to the seriousness of this issue. It’s just unbelievable to me that he’s a ruling elder and obviously doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on. If he did, he would be thanking you for the warnings.
Arkansas Bill
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….and I do believe that’s a post.
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Paul, yes you answered my question but I think we are going to disagree about whether being a part of the universal Church allows us to place ourselves into a local church we have no direct ties to. Writing and blogging and speaking out against a movement is one thing but you have moved well beyond that by placing yourself directly into local church affairs in Alabama! By doing that you have placed yourself well outside the boundaries of the NT. My brother I am not trying to be harsh or arguementative but I am concerned on this one. Even though we don’t agree on a lot I have learned alot from your writing (even though we come to very different conclusions) but as I said, writing and blogging and speaking out against a movement is one thing but….
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Scott,
Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to give you the whole picture, but even based on what is evident, I am not going to stand by and watch it happen. And let us not forget, their pastor made this public by posting the situation on their blog, ie., the world (as in, the whole world) wide Web. Furthermore, he propagates his heresy on the same blog. As Christians, we are to “demolish” “EVERY ‘THOUGHT'” that raises itself up against the knowledge of God. Also, I’m not sure what I am doing is any different than MacArthur’s constant fustigation of Joel Olsteen from his pulpit. Olsteen isn’t my cup of tea, but I think he is a whipping boy for the reformed guys to show that they are defenders of the faith. And by the way, what is the difference between “Your Best Life Now” and “Christian Hedonism.” Good grief.
paul
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Surely we would not say that the writers of the new testament were limited to a local congregate. There is no difference between letters and blogs in their range or scope merely in the time they take to arrive to the intended audience. The apostle Paul was well known for his struggles with those who taught false doctrines not so much different from the ones that are contended today. Would we have told Paul he could only speak to a certain group or sect of believers? Would he have listened? I highly doubt it.
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One quick response. To Paul, point taken (in regard to the exposing) but i still think you can do that in a way that does not engage a local congregation although as you said, all the facts aren’t known. To anonymous, we do not have the same apostolic authority as the apostles. I have no right to place myself inside of a local congregation that I am not a member of and begin to engage their leadership or congregation without being engaged by them first (which may have been the case here, I am sort of confused by the series of events here but that isn’t important). Every local church is to govern their affairs and while I am free to disagree and expose false doctrine I do not have apostolic authority in and over that church (not saying that Paul is doing that here and that may be the baptist coming out in me.) 🙂
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Scott,
I think to a great degree, what you are saying is true, and not that this figures into the Southwood situation, but there is a really big problem with New Calvinism being covert. This changes the picture somewhat because the movement is out to take over Christianity. At Clearcreek, a group of men came over from Emmanuel Baptist with the sole intent of taking over the Chapel. These are takeovers, often hostile, and dissenting parishioners often ask for help from the outside, and don’t get it for the exact reasons that you stated. Hey, if a parishioner who is under bogus church discipline seeks help from the outside, should he get it? Absolutely. How? Universal church discipline. Church A who is in the same fellowship of churches as church B ostracizes church B until the leaders and congregation repent. It has happened before, and rightfully so. Other congregations standing by silent while believers are brought under false discipline to muzzle them is disgraceful, cowardly, and just plain despicable.
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Paul, ok. I see where your coming from. Appreciate you taking the time to explain this a little better.
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