Originally Posted by Johan
Reading further here makes me think that the issue is nothing else than Calvinism vs Arminianism. Can one really have both in one denomination and have a confession of faith that includes both? Our fathers at Dordt clearly didn't think so.


Or am I missing the point?
I don't think you missed the point at all, but rather there is a concerted effort to minimize the chasm which exists between the Calvinists and non-Calvinists in the SBC. The main emphasis is without question, "Why can't we just all get along together?" The article insists that both sides should "work together in evangelism... etc." But my question is, "How is that even possible when the two sides worship a different God, love and believe in a different Jesus, preach and teach two different gospels, etc., etc., etc...?" Those involved in the writing of this document are deliberately ignoring Church history no less than the RCC who is actively trying to accomplish the same goal with non-Catholics.

This quote alone was enough to turn me totally off:

Quote
The report further urges Southern Baptists to "grant one another liberty" in those areas "within The Baptist Faith and Message" where "differences in interpretation cause us to disagree." The report then lists a series of areas of disagreement, such as, "[W]e agree that God loves everyone and desires to save everyone, but we differ as to why only some are ultimately saved."

"These differences should spur us to search the Scriptures more dutifully, to engage in lively interaction for mutual sharpening and collective Gospel effectiveness, and to give thanks that what we hold in common far surpasses that on which we disagree," the report says. "But these particular differences do not constitute a sufficient basis for division and must not be allowed to hamper the truly crucial cooperative effort of taking the Gospel to a waiting world. Southern Baptists who stand on either side of these issues should celebrate the freedom to hold their views with passion while granting others the freedom to do the same."
Facebook and other social media is mentioned where some less than friendly remarks are found between the two 'sides'. Yet, from what I have read from quotes sent to me via e-mail because I don't use any of the social media sources, giggle there is a strong disagreement by some who profess to be Calvinists on just this matter of "God loves all men and desires ALL to be saved."

Blurring the line or making it infinitesimally small only serves to destroy the truth of what divides Calvinism from all other religions of the world. Arminianism and the overwhelming majority of non-Calvinists who actually hold to semi-Pelagianism are NOT just another flavor of Christianity. They are damnable heresies which the Church has consistently rejected and condemned throughout history. However, the contemporary "Reformed" church has a penchant for disregarding these great biblical truths and adopting a more "friendly, tolerant and inclusive" theology which is at variance with the Protestant Confessions of the Church.

Spurgeon had it right when he counseled in so many words, You desire unity? Well, the ONLY way to accomplish unity is to preach/teach the TRUTH, and all those who love the truth will come together. I have constantly insisted for over 30+ years, that any attempt to create a "lowest-common-denominator theology" must be resisted and rejected absolutely if the truth is to be preserved.

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simul iustus et peccator

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