The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum On SBC report on Calvinism

I had a chance to look at the issue a little more in depth.

The committee was made of SBC members who were fairly represented by both Calvinists and non-Calvinists.
Basically there were four issues that they all believe are the most important to rally under.
“We affirm together that Southern Baptists must stand without apology upon TRUTH; that we do indeed have some challenging but not insurmountable points of TENSION; that we must work together with TRUST, and that we must encourage one another to TESTIMONY.”Dr.Albert Mohler
As I read this document, something that Dr. Mohler said seems to me to be the major theme of this document.
“We are thankful that the Southern Baptist Confession is engaged in debate, and not over core doctrines and biblical morality that are shattering liberal Protestantism.”
I read this statement a few times and unless I am misunderstanding something, among other things, he has basically said that Calvinism does not contain core (essential) doctrines.
I have read a fair amount of articles and listened to some of Dr.Mohler’s messages over the years. One particular message I listened to by Dr. Mohler really stands out to me as what appears to be a contradiction of this statement by him.
This message was on how he became president of SBTS. He told how when he presented his vision to the board of governors at SBTS on what he believed and what he would do if he became president of the seminary. Despite the fact he was only about 32 at the time and despite the fact that he held to the doctrines of grace; which was at the time a position that wasn’t popular. He was elected and began to implement his vision for the seminary. During that process many people were fired for unbiblical stands on issues such as Arminianism. In those early years the implementation of his vision took a huge toll on him and his family, as well as student membership taking a hit. Despite all this, he remained faithful to his calling because he believed it was the God honoring thing to do. Eventually the seminary grew and became a pillar for Reformed Baptist seminaries. But, the seminary had to go through a cleansing before it became what it is today. I hope and pray that SBTS doesn’t stop standing for Biblical truth.
Something that stood out to me as I read what Dr. Mohler has to say concerning the committee; was the fact that despite the differences of both sides of the debate; he believes both sides are committed to the SBC.
This sounds quite noble, but I can’t help but think that where essentials are concerned, both sides can’t represent Bible truth at the same time. It is good to respectfully debate what Scripture says on a given issue, while trying not to speak past each other. However, there comes a time when to compromise for the sake of unity, is to put the denomination ahead of God and His holy Word.
I would like to end this by quoting Pilgrim concerning what CH Spurgeon said on unity.
That quote seems a lot more like the Dr. Mohler I listened to concerning becoming president of SBTS, than the quotes he recently made.
Tom