Comments on: Is it Your Fault? Decline in the SBC http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/ life :: theology :: church :: ministry :: missions :: worship Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:40:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bernard Shuford http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15178 Bernard Shuford Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:23:06 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15178 Maybe if folks stopped accusing the SBC of things that aren't true it would help, too. Maybe if folks stopped accusing the SBC of things that aren’t true it would help, too.

]]> By: Joel http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15177 Joel Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:39:21 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15177 The numbers in the SBC are declining because the SBC is wholly and thoroughly out of touch with the world. The SBC is its own world, its own political entity, its own closed community. It takes stands on things that aren't worth taking stands on (like boycotting walmart) and seperates itself from any group that believes differently. It will continue to dwindle in numbers until the day that the only people left are the president and his state presidents underneath him, and even then they will be pointing a finger at eachother to cast the blame for why the SBC is the way it is. May the SBC continue to fall and its members continue to find communities of christians that really love Jesus and one another. The numbers in the SBC are declining because the SBC is wholly and thoroughly out of touch with the world. The SBC is its own world, its own political entity, its own closed community. It takes stands on things that aren’t worth taking stands on (like boycotting walmart) and seperates itself from any group that believes differently. It will continue to dwindle in numbers until the day that the only people left are the president and his state presidents underneath him, and even then they will be pointing a finger at eachother to cast the blame for why the SBC is the way it is. May the SBC continue to fall and its members continue to find communities of christians that really love Jesus and one another.

]]> By: DonaldH http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15176 DonaldH Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:35:37 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15176 I would like to submit something else, related to this situation. What is the way back? Can the SBC move from decline to recovery. I would like to submit something else, related to this situation. What is the way back? Can the SBC move from decline to recovery.

]]> By: Kevin Davis http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15175 Kevin Davis Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:49:43 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15175 While there are many valid points above, I think there is a deeper problem among Southern Baptists who genuinely know the Gospel and want to share it but do not have the intellectual resources to engage persons today who have no Christian presuppositions. SB's are still far too isolated from modernist, not to mention postmodern (however you define it), modes of thought. For what it's worth, I did a post on this at my blog: <a href="http://dogmatics.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">After Existentialism, Light</a>. While there are many valid points above, I think there is a deeper problem among Southern Baptists who genuinely know the Gospel and want to share it but do not have the intellectual resources to engage persons today who have no Christian presuppositions. SB’s are still far too isolated from modernist, not to mention postmodern (however you define it), modes of thought.

For what it’s worth, I did a post on this at my blog: After Existentialism, Light.

]]> By: Greg Alford http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15174 Greg Alford Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:11:19 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15174 David brings up a Great Point! <i>"I really think that the problem we have today is a lack of Bible teaching from the pulpit; and cold, dead hearts in the pews and in the pulpits; and a real, worldly, fleshly, carnal attitude of Christians."</i> Amen Brother David! Our problem in the SBC is not the 5-point Calvinist in the pulpit or those who are somewhat less than a 5-pointers... our true problem is "Carnal Christianity" -- The End. Now, we can argue and speculate how we got to this point, until the cows come home, but what we should all be asking is; “Where do we go from here?” Grace Always, David brings up a Great Point!

“I really think that the problem we have today is a lack of Bible teaching from the pulpit; and cold, dead hearts in the pews and in the pulpits; and a real, worldly, fleshly, carnal attitude of Christians.”

Amen Brother David!

Our problem in the SBC is not the 5-point Calvinist in the pulpit or those who are somewhat less than a 5-pointers… our true problem is “Carnal Christianity” — The End.

Now, we can argue and speculate how we got to this point, until the cows come home, but what we should all be asking is; “Where do we go from here?”

Grace Always,

]]> By: Bill http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15173 Bill Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:51:03 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15173 Maybe I need to study soul competency further. I can't see where it is incompatible with Calvinism. Maybe I need to study soul competency further. I can’t see where it is incompatible with Calvinism.

]]> By: volfan007 http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15172 volfan007 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:16:40 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15172 Bill, I dont think that Greg is right on this. I dont think that all of our troubles in the SBC started because we left Dortian, five point Calvinism...as if we were at one time Dortian Calvinists. There's a great case made that the SBC was never completely Dortian, five point Calvinists. As is today, there was a mixture that ran the realm of how Calvinistic a Church, or an individual, Southern Baptist person was. I really think that the problem we have today is a lack of Bible teaching from the pulpit; and cold, dead hearts in the pews and in the pulpits; and a real, worldly, fleshly, carnal attitude of Christians. But, I really dont think that it has anything to do with how Calvinistic we are, or are not. Just like I dont think that it has to do with the style of music, nor the times we have worship, etc. It has to do with the Churches in America growing cold, losing their first love. David Bill,

I dont think that Greg is right on this. I dont think that all of our troubles in the SBC started because we left Dortian, five point Calvinism…as if we were at one time Dortian Calvinists. There’s a great case made that the SBC was never completely Dortian, five point Calvinists. As is today, there was a mixture that ran the realm of how Calvinistic a Church, or an individual, Southern Baptist person was.

I really think that the problem we have today is a lack of Bible teaching from the pulpit; and cold, dead hearts in the pews and in the pulpits; and a real, worldly, fleshly, carnal attitude of Christians. But, I really dont think that it has anything to do with how Calvinistic we are, or are not. Just like I dont think that it has to do with the style of music, nor the times we have worship, etc. It has to do with the Churches in America growing cold, losing their first love.

David

]]> By: Bill http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15171 Bill Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:26:09 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15171 David: Is there any merit to Greg's post? What about the issues he raised? David: Is there any merit to Greg’s post? What about the issues he raised?

]]> By: Greg Alford http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15170 Greg Alford Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:39:00 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15170 Brother David, I thought you knew me… lol Yes, I am a Calvinist… but the labels are changing so fast now days that I really don’t know what kind of a Calvinist I am from day to day… am I a “Dortian Calvinist” now? No matter, I will ware whatever label you wish to use :-) David, I have been struggling for so long now for Calvinist to just be allowed a seat at the SBC table (without having to ware the dunce hat) that I really have not even dreamed of the SBC becoming an exclusive five-point denomination. I’ll admit it is a nice dream, (nightmare for you) but I do not think anyone has to worry about that happening. Grace Always, Brother David,

I thought you knew me… lol

Yes, I am a Calvinist… but the labels are changing so fast now days that I really don’t know what kind of a Calvinist I am from day to day… am I a “Dortian Calvinist” now? No matter, I will ware whatever label you wish to use :-)

David, I have been struggling for so long now for Calvinist to just be allowed a seat at the SBC table (without having to ware the dunce hat) that I really have not even dreamed of the SBC becoming an exclusive five-point denomination. I’ll admit it is a nice dream, (nightmare for you) but I do not think anyone has to worry about that happening.

Grace Always,

]]> By: volfan007 http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/17/causes-of-decline-in-the-sbc/#comment-15169 volfan007 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:58:50 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/?p=1542#comment-15169 Greg, Oh my goodness. Where do we start with that comment? So, I'd take it that you are a Dortian Calvinist who wants the SBC to become five pointers? lol David Greg,

Oh my goodness. Where do we start with that comment? So, I’d take it that you are a Dortian Calvinist who wants the SBC to become five pointers?

lol

David

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