7/27/2019 A Statement of Traditional Southern Baptist Soteriology SBC Today

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AnIntroductionto“AStatementofthe

TraditionalSouthernBaptist

UnderstandingofGod’sPlanof

Salvation”

byDr.EricHankins,PastorofFirstBaptist

ChurchinOxford,Mississippi

ThefollowingisasuggestedstatementofwhatSouthernBaptistsbelieveaboutthedoctrineofsalvation.

Compiledbyanumberofpastors,professors,andleadersinresponsetothegrowingdebateover

CalvinisminSouthernBaptistlife,itbeginswitharationaleforsuchastatementatthistime,followedby

tenarticlesofaffirmationanddenial.Thegoalwastocreateastatementthatwouldaccuratelyreflect

thebeliefsofthemajorityofSouthernBaptists,whoarenotCalvinists.Theconcernofthedevelopersof

thisstatementwasthattheviewpointofthismajoritywasnotwell-representedbytheterm“non-

Calvinist”andthataninstrumentwasneededbywhichthatmajoritymightarticulatepositivelywhattheybelievevis-à-visCalvinism.ThereisnothoughtthatthisdocumentreflectswhatallSouthern

BaptistsbelieveorthatitshouldbeimposeduponallSouthernBaptists.Webelievethatitdoesreflect

whatmostSouthernBaptistsbelieveforgood,biblicalreasons.Itspurposeistoengenderamuchneeded

Convention-widediscussionabouttheplaceofCalvinisminSouthernBaptistlife.

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AStatementoftheTraditionalSouthernBaptistUnderstandingof

God’sPlanofSalvation

Preamble

EverygenerationofSouthernBaptistshasthedutytoarticulatethetruthsofitsfaithwith

particularattentiontotheissuesthatareimpactingcontemporarymissionandministry.The

precipitatingissueforthisstatementistheriseofamovementcalled“NewCalvinism”among

SouthernBaptists.Thismovementiscommittedtoadvancinginthechurchesanexclusively

Calvinisticunderstandingofsalvation,characterizedbyanaggressiveinsistenceonthe

“DoctrinesofGrace”(“TULIP”),andtothegoalofmakingCalvinismthecentralSouthern

BaptistpositiononGod’splanofsalvation.

WhileCalvinistshavebeenpresentinSouthernBaptistlifefromitsearliestdaysandhavemadeveryimportantcontributionstoourhistoryandtheology,themajorityofSouthern

BaptistsdonotembraceCalvinism.EventheminorityofSouthernBaptistswhohaveidentified

themselvesasCalvinistsgenerallymodifyitsteachingsinordertomitigatecertainunacceptable

conclusions(e.g.,anti-missionism,hyper-Calvinism,doublepredestination,limitedatonement,

etc.).TheveryfactthatthereisapluralityofviewsonCalvinismdesignedtodealwiththese

weaknesses(variouslydescribedas“3-point,”“4-point,”“moderate,”etc.)wouldseemtocall

forcircumspectionandhumilitywithrespecttothesystemandtothosewhodisagreewithit.

7/27/2019 A Statement of Traditional Southern Baptist Soteriology SBC Today

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Forthemostpart,SouthernBaptistshavebeengladtorelegatedisagreementsoverCalvinism

tosecondarystatusalongwithotherimportantbut“non-essential”theologicalmatters.The

SouthernBaptistmajorityhasfellowshippedhappilywithitsCalvinistbrethrenwhilekindly

resistingCalvinismitself.And,totheircredit,mostSouthernBaptistCalvinistshavenot

demandedtheadoptionoftheirviewasthestandard.Wewouldbefineifthisconsensus

continued,butsomeNewCalvinistsseemtobepushingforaradicalalterationofthislong-standingarrangement.

WeproposethatwhatmostSouthernBaptistsbelieveaboutsalvationcanrightlybecalled

“Traditional”SouthernBaptistsoteriology,whichshouldbeunderstoodindistinctionto

“Calvinist”soteriology.TraditionalSouthernBaptistsoteriologyisarticulatedinageneralwayin

theBaptistFaithandMessage,“ArticleIV.”WhilesomeearlierBaptistconfessionswereshaped

byCalvinism,thecleartrajectoryoftheBF&Msince1925isawayfromCalvinism.Foralmosta

century,SouthernBaptistshavefoundthatasound,biblicalsoteriologycanbetaught,

maintained,anddefendedwithoutsubscribingtoCalvinism.TraditionalSouthernBaptist

soteriologyisgroundedintheconvictionthateverypersoncanandmustbesavedbyapersonalandfreedecisiontorespondtotheGospelbytrustinginChristJesusaloneasSavior

andLord.WithoutascribingtoCalvinism,SouthernBaptistshavereachedaroundtheworld

withtheGospelmessageofsalvationbygracethroughfaithinChristalone.Baptistshavebeen

well-servedbyastraightforwardsoteriologyrootedinthefactthatChristiswillingandableto

saveanyandeverysinner.

NewCalvinismpresentsuswithadutyandanopportunitytomorecarefullyexpresswhatis

generallybelievedbySouthernBaptistsaboutsalvation.Itisnolongerhelpfultoidentify

ourselvesbyhowmanypointsofconvergencewehavewithCalvinism.Whilewearenot

insistingthateverySouthernBaptistaffirmthesoteriologicalstatementbelowinordertohave

aplaceintheSouthernBaptistfamily,weareassertingthatthevastmajorityofSouthernBaptistsarenotCalvinistsandthattheydonotwantCalvinismtobecomethestandardviewin

SouthernBaptistlife.WebelieveitistimetomovebeyondCalvinismasareferencepointfor

Baptistsoteriology.

Belowiswhatwebelievetobetheessenceofa“TraditionalSouthernBaptistUnderstandingof

God’sPlanofSalvation.”WebelievethatmostSouthernBaptists,regardlessofhowtheyhave

describedtheirpersonalunderstandingofthedoctrineofsalvation,willfindthefollowing

statementconsistentwithwhattheBibleteachesandwhatSouthernBaptistshavegenerally

believedaboutthenatureofsalvationbygracethroughfaithinJesusChrist.

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ArticlesofAffirmationandDenial

ArticleOne:TheGospel

WeaffirmthattheGospelisthegoodnewsthatGodhasmadeawayofsalvationthroughthe

life,death,andresurrectionoftheLordJesusChristforanyperson.Thisisinkeepingwith

God’sdesireforeverypersontobesaved.

WedenythatonlyaselectfewarecapableofrespondingtotheGospelwhiletherestare

predestinedtoaneternityinhell.

Genesis3:15;Psalm2:1-12;Ezekiel18:23,32;Luke19.10;Luke24:45-49;John1:1-18,3:16;Romans1:1-6,5:8;

8:34;2Corinthians5:17-21;Galatians4:4-7;Colossians1:21-23;1Timothy2:3-4;Hebrews1:1-3;4:14-16;2Peter

3:9

ArticleTwo:TheSinfulnessofMan

Weaffirmthat,becauseofthefallofAdam,everypersoninheritsanatureandenvironment

inclinedtowardsinandthateverypersonwhoiscapableofmoralactionwillsin.Eachperson’ssinalonebringsthewrathofaholyGod,brokenfellowshipwithHim,ever-worsening

selfishnessanddestructiveness,death,andcondemnationtoaneternityinhell.

WedenythatAdam’ssinresultedintheincapacitationofanyperson’sfreewillorrendered

anypersonguiltybeforehehaspersonallysinned.Whilenosinnerisremotelycapableof

achievingsalvationthroughhisowneffort,wedenythatanysinnerissavedapartfromafree

responsetotheHolySpirit’sdrawingthroughtheGospel.

Genesis3:15-24;6:5;Deuteronomy1:39;Isaiah6:5,7:15-16;53:6;Jeremiah17:5,9,31:29-30;Ezekiel18:19-20;

Romans1:18-32;3:9-18,5:12,6:23;7:9;Matthew7:21-23;1Corinthians1:18-25;6:9-10;15:22;2Corinthians5:10;

Hebrews9:27-28;Revelation20:11-15

ArticleThree:TheAtonementofChrist

WeaffirmthatthepenalsubstitutionofChrististheonlyavailableandeffectivesacrificefor

thesinsofeveryperson.

Wedenythatthisatonementresultsinsalvationwithoutaperson’sfreeresponseof

repentanceandfaith.WedenythatGodimposesorwithholdsthisatonementwithoutrespect

toanactoftheperson’sfreewill.WedenythatChristdiedonlyforthesinsof thosewhowill

besaved.

Psalm22:1-31;Isaiah53:1-12;John12:32,14:6;Acts10:39-43;Acts16:30-32;Romans3:21-26;2Corinthians5:21;

Galatians3:10-14;Philippians2:5-11;Colossians1:13-20;1Timothy2:5-6;Hebrews9:12-15,24-28;10:1-18;IJohn

1:7;2:2

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ArticleFour:TheGraceofGod

WeaffirmthatgraceisGod'sgenerousdecisiontoprovidesalvationforanypersonbytakingall

oftheinitiativeinprovidingatonement,infreelyofferingtheGospelinthepoweroftheHoly

Spirit,andinunitingthebelievertoChristthroughtheHolySpiritbyfaith.

Wedenythatgracenegatesthenecessityofafreeresponseoffaithorthatitcannotberesisted.Wedenythattheresponseoffaithisinanywayameritoriousworkthatearns

salvation.

Ezra9:8;Proverbs3:34;Zechariah12:10;Matthew19:16-30,23:37;Luke10:1-12;Acts15:11;20:24;Romans3:24,

27-28;5:6,8,15-21;Galatians1:6;2:21;5;Ephesians2:8-10;Philippians3:2-9;Colossians2:13-17;Hebrews4:16;

9:28;1John4:19

ArticleFive:TheRegenerationoftheSinner

WeaffirmthatanypersonwhorespondstotheGospelwithrepentanceandfaithisbornagain

throughthepoweroftheHolySpirit.HeisanewcreationinChristandenters,atthemoment

hebelieves,intoeternallife.

Wedenythatanypersonisregeneratedpriortoorapartfromhearingandrespondingtothe

Gospel.

Luke15:24;John3:3;7:37-39;10:10;16:7-14;Acts2:37-39;Romans6:4-11;10:14;1Corinthians15:22;2

Corinthians5:17;Galatians2:20;6:15;Colossians2:13;1Peter3:18

ArticleSix:TheElectiontoSalvation

Weaffirmthat,inreferencetosalvation,electionspeaksofGod'seternal,gracious,andcertain

planinChristtohaveapeoplewhoareHisbyrepentanceandfaith.

Wedenythatelectionmeansthat,frometernity,Godpredestinedcertainpeopleforsalvation

andothersforcondemnation.

Genesis1:26-28;12:1-3;Exodus19:6;Jeremiah31:31-33;Matthew24:31;25:34;John6:70;15:16;Romans8:29-

30,33;9:6-8;11:7;1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians1:4-6;2:11-22;3:1-11;4:4-13;1Timothy2:3-4;1Peter1:1-2;1

Peter2:9;2Peter3:9;Revelation7:9-10

ArticleSeven:TheSovereigntyofGod

WeaffirmGod’seternalknowledgeofandsovereigntyovereveryperson’ssalvationor

condemnation.

WedenythatGod’ssovereigntyandknowledgerequireHimtocauseaperson’sacceptanceor

rejectionoffaithinChrist.

Genesis1:1;6:5-8;18:16-33;22;2Samuel24:13-14;1Chronicles29:10-20;2Chronicles7:14;Joel2:32;Psalm23;

51:4;139:1-6;Proverbs15:3;John6:44;Romans11:3;Titus3:3-7;James1:13-15;Hebrews11:6,12:28;1Peter

1:17 

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ArticleEight:TheFreeWillofMan

WeaffirmthatGod,asanexpressionofHissovereignty,endowseachpersonwithactualfree

will(theabilitytochoosebetweentwooptions),whichmustbeexercisedinacceptingor

rejectingGod’sgraciouscalltosalvationbytheHolySpiritthroughtheGospel.

WedenythatthedecisionoffaithisanactofGodratherthanaresponseoftheperson.Wedenythatthereisan“effectualcall”forcertainpeoplethatisdifferentfroma“generalcall”to

anypersonwhohearsandunderstandstheGospel.

Genesis1:26-28;Numbers21:8-9;Deuteronomy30:19;Joshua24:15;1Samuel8:1-22;2Samuel24:13-14;Esther

3:12-14;Matthew7:13-14;11:20-24;Mark10:17-22;Luke9:23-24;13:34;15:17-20;Romans10:9-10;Titus2:12;

Revelation22:17 

ArticleNine:TheSecurityoftheBeliever

WeaffirmthatwhenapersonrespondsinfaithtotheGospel,Godpromisestocompletethe

processofsalvationinthebelieverintoeternity.Thisprocessbeginswithjustification,whereby

thesinnerisimmediatelyacquittedofallsinandgrantedpeacewithGod;continuesinsanctification,wherebythesavedareprogressivelyconformedtotheimageofChristbythe

indwellingHolySpirit;andconcludesinglorification,wherebythesaintenjoyslifewithChristin

heavenforever.

WedenythatthisHolySpirit-sealedrelationshipcaneverbebroken.Wedenyeventhe

possibilityofapostasy.

 John10:28-29;14:1-4;16:12-14;Philippians1:6;Romans3:21-26;8:29,30;35-39;12:1-3;2Corinthians4:17;

Ephesians1:13-14;Philippians3:12;Colossians1:21-22; 1 John 2:19; 3:2 ;5:13-15;2Timothy1:12;Hebrews13:5;

 James1:12;Jude24-25

ArticleTen:TheGreatCommission

WeaffirmthattheLordJesusChristcommissionedHischurchtopreachthegoodnewsof

salvationtoallpeopletotheendsoftheearth.WeaffirmthattheproclamationoftheGospel

isGod'smeansofbringinganypersontosalvation.

WedenythatsalvationispossibleoutsideofafaithresponsetotheGospelofJesusChrist.

Psalm51:13;Proverbs11:30;Isaiah52:7;Matthew28:19-20;John14:6;Acts1:8;4:12;10:42-43;Romans1:16,

10:13-15;1Corinthians1:17-21;Ephesians3:7-9;6:19-20;Philippians1:12-14;1Thessalonians1:8;1Timothy2:5;

2Timothy4:1-5