The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Is the SBC Arminian, Calvinist, or Both?

I echo much of what Joe and Andy have commented on the SBC and its theology. I have discussed this some with Andy and I have observed the many SBCs who are friends of mine, and here is what I see. The statement is somewhat generic in its intent as it tries to keep all the SBC constituency happy. In a way, the SBC disdains formal systematic theology in its vocabulary. The use of the word, doctrine, makes them run the other way. They have this sense that it is just the Bible, which it is. But, there is nothing wrong in formulating doctrines from the Bible; in fact it is very helpful. Instead of emphasing the teaching of the Bible from an expository approach to understand the text more deeply, they prefer topical teaching. In a way the SBC is a mile wide and only a few feet deep. They believe strongly in soul competency whereby each Christian is capable of understanding what the Holy Spirit is teaching (or something to that affect). For instance, I visited a SBC Sunday School class and the teacher went around the room with everyone answering the questions from a study guide. People in that class answered completely opposite from one another, and the attitude is one of 'oh, that's nice'. Most SBC churches use the denominational study material for SS and other studies, which are geared in going through a topical program, instead of learning Scripture.

There are solid Christians in the SBC who have an excellent understanding of the Bible, but it is easy to get caught up in the programs of the church without experiencing much spiritual growth. In a way the way grace is taught is distorted, in that a lot of emphasis is on legalisms. Which is ironic in that I surmise that they have a weak understanindg of Lordship salvation, but they have no problems seeing some as just being carnal Christians.