This article appeared in this week's Baptist & Reflector, a monthly article sent to Southern Baptist Churches in Tennessee by the Tennessee Baptist Convention, a component of the Southern Baptist Convention:

"Calvinists have no sense of urgency — Jesus did
By Reflections
9/27/2006
Lonnie Wilkey, editor


In this week's issue (on page one) we have printed a story regarding a study on Calvinism.

Since we decided to publish the story I guess I was predestined to write a column about it (that's a joke).

Actually, I probably am predestined to get in trouble, but part of the task of an editor is to make his or her readers think, so here goes.

As I read the article about the LifeWay study, I was actually surprised that only 10 percent of Southern Baptists claim to be five-point Calvinists (the points are all listed in the story). To hear the discussion among some people I would have thought the number were higher.

It would seem that if only 10 percent of pastors really believe the Calvinist doctrine there really is no problem. Maybe, maybe not. If 10 percent do a good job of sharing their views and convincing others that Calvinism is valid, problems could arise.

Now, keep in mind I am writing from a layman's perspective with no seminary training.

In a nutshell, Calvinists believe that God has already selected or pre-ordained those who will be saved. I have heard of churches that give no invitation because they believe there is no point because God has decided who will be saved.

Now, I believe firmly that God knows the decisions people will make, but I do not believe He has pre-ordained anyone to spend an eternity in hell. Ever since the Garden of Eden and the beginning of mankind, God has allowed men and women to make choices.

My only theological "training" is what I gather from God's Holy Word.

As I read about Jesus and His ministry I notice He had a sense of urgency. After all, He basically had only three years during His time on earth. The Bible speaks often of Jesus traveling from place to place, teaching, preaching, and healing. He stayed pretty busy. Nowhere does it talk about Jesus taking a long vacation.

Why would Jesus have had that sense of urgency if His Heavenly Father had already chosen those who would spend eternity in heaven?

God gave Jesus a specific purpose. Matthew 18:11 says, For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

In Matthew 9:37 Jesus notes that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Why would we need laborers if God already has chosen those who will live in heaven?

There are numerous scriptural references revealing the urgency of Jesus' ministry, but perhaps it is best illustrated in the parable of the lost sheep (see Luke 15:4-7).

Jesus reminds us that just as a shepherd must go and search for that one lost sheep, we are to keep seeking that one lost sinner. Why bother if God already knows who is going to heaven or not?

And, finally, why would God allow His Son to die a horrible death on a cross if He would not give everyone an opportunity to be saved?

The danger with Calvinism as I see it is that it could cause Southern Baptists in the pew to think they do not need to witness, give through the Cooperative Program to missions, or pray for lost souls. That would be a tragedy.

To be fair to Calvinists there are some who say that there is a need to witness and share the gospel. But they do not seem to have that sense of urgency that Jesus had. One of the last things Jesus said to His disciples (and to us) is the Great Commission, recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. I can't imagine Jesus saying those words at that particular time if it didn't matter.

I can only go by the example Jesus set. He had an urgency for saving lost souls and He passed that urgency on to us.

Calvinism is becoming a "hot button" item across the Southern Baptist Convention.

When we get to heaven we will find out if the Calvinists had it right or not. In the meantime, let's assume they do not and continue to do what Jesus came to do — to seek and save the lost. And, let us do it with His sense of urgency. "




I really wish people in such positions of authority would be a little less ignorant about these things...Making generalist statements and claiming absolutes without support isn't something to be done when stating personal opinion...and certainly not in a case such as this, when your opinion is expressed to and has an influence on such a wide range of people.

In reply to the material and information withing the article, I say this:

I would like to see a reaction to the fact that a LOT, probably a significant number, of the overseas missionaries that work through the IMB are Calvinist.

Also, I would like to add a little something about the [unsupported, no doubt] missions statements that are made in this article about people with Calvinist theology: How many Southern Baptist Churches have a sense of urgency about the Gospel? About the nations?? From what I have seen, not many. Not many at all, in fact. A lot of churches here are too busy with $1.3 million building projects, ladies' conferences, homecomings etc to worry about missions. Some churches I have been to can't even scrape together a mere $2000 or $3000 for the Lottie Moon Offering ONCE A YEAR, let alone support missions year round (and therefore Biblicaly as Jesus did.)

The pastor at my home church recently said this in a message: "We shouldn't suppress or persecute the Calvinists, because if we do, there might be an uprising..." Three words: Are. You. Kidding?!

(In case you haven't guessed, yes--I practice reformed theology.)