Why is a Weak Gospel Presented?

Have any of you ever attended a 5th quarter? If you have not, then let me tell you. A 5th quarter is an evangelistic endevour following a high school football game. Hence 5th quarter. I guess you can have one after a basketball game too. You can have one after any sport for that matter as long as it has four quarters. Anyway, I attened one tonight in Chesnee, SC. I must say, the gospel was not presented. Yes the speaker mentioned Christ crucified, but nothing was said about repentance. Nothing was said about you must be born again. The whole thing was an illustration of playing the game of life without Jesus is like trying to play a football game without the football. The whole thing was "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." "Jesus died for you." I am sorry! If you never believe the gospel and repent, then Jesus did not die for you. Whatever happened to preaching the gospel and saying something like Jesus died to pay the penalty for sin. But that is left out of the modern gospel! People, especially youth, are told that God loves you so much He died for you.

What are your experiences with hearing the gospel presented wrongly, if it was presented at all at a so-called evangelistic event? If you had such an experience, how did you handle the situation. Did you approach the speaker or anyone involved in the event? You see, I know some of the people involved in this 5th quarter. I know the speaker as well. He knows I differ doctrinally than him. He knows I am a Calvinist. The one thing, outside of Jesus being the only way to the Father, that we agree on is that we both are not dispensationalists. Right now I am struggling with how do I approach these people in a spirit of Christ-like love and humility. The last thing I want to do is sound like I am this arrogant Calvinist who thinks he is right and everyone else is absolutely wrong.

Any feedback or comments on the matter will be greatly appreciated. You are free to comment with your questions and concerns about this matter. We can reason them together and edify one another.

Soli Deo Gloria!!

We Must Stand for Truth Without Compromise

This is my first posting and first attempt at managing a blog. I started this as a result of the cancellation of the Baptist and Calvinism debate in Lynchburg, VA. Several people including me from North and South Carolina were planning on going. We are saddened that an open discussion on historic Southern Baptist doctrines such as Reformed Theology will not take place. I pray that in the near future, such a debate will happen.

Here is a little about me. My name is Robert Owen. I graduated with a BA in Christian Studies from North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC in May 2006. I live in Blacksburg, SC where I currently serve in teaching responsibilities at Holly Ridge Baptist Church. We are a three year old church plant who holds to Reformed Theology, which, contrary to popular and ignorant belief, is the historical and traditional belief of the Southern Baptist Convention. Anyone who claims otherwise simply has no concept of their own church history.

I for one was one of those people who was an anti-Calvinist until God opened my eyes to the truth in Scripture. I finally sat under the teaching of someone who truely did exegesis. It is amazing what the Scriptures say when you read them without putting your preconceived ideas into them. Some people argue that Calvinism makes someone weak on evangelism. I for one agree with John Piper when I say that Calvinism is my cause for evangelism. Only Calvinism teaches that we are gauranteed that people are out there who will believe the gospel. How can anyone hope that motivational speaking and manipulative tactics can produce true saving faith in anyone. The Apostle Paul in Romans said that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. No "sinner's prayer," which is not even found ANYWHERE in the the Bible, can save anyone. The Apostles preached the gospel and told people to repent and believe the gospel. That was their invitation. God's elect will believe the gospel and respond with faith and repentance. All others will look at the the gospel as foolish talk. I think I heard that somewhere before! Could it be the Bible? God saves people by the foolishness of preaching a gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.

Nowhere does the Bible make the gospel appealing or worship comfortable to the non-believer. In fact the gospel is offensive. The gospel says that we are worthless sinners who stand in judgement before God and deserve only God's wrath which is an eternity in hell. What is appealing about that? However, God offered Himself as the sacrifice in our place to pay the price for our sins. Yes that is right, Jesus is God who made the sacrifice. Belief in a so-called God who was crucified and rose from the dead is foolish talk. But that is what the Bible says, and I for one am convinced the Bible is true; therefore, I believe everything in it.

I hope this blog provides a forum for open discussion of doctrines and issues pertaining to the Southern Baptist Convention. I am open to discussing other denominations; however, we have enough issues of division within the SBC. Other denominational discussions will be allowed, but please keep them to a minimum. I look forward to debating with you.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Robert