6/01/2006
Tom Ascol's newest blog
Today I found this blog by Tom Ascol. Dr. Ascol is a pastor, theologian, and director of Founders Ministry. He is also an Aggie! This blog article addresses the attacks that have been thrown at pastors in the SBC that believe the Doctrines of Grace. If you agree with Reformed Theology or not, this article is worth the read. --Dirk
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6 comments:
Hey Dirk,
Thanks for the link to my blog.
Ive got a question. Does "Bishop" T.D. Jakes direct the affairs of multiple churches or does he simply use the title "Bishop" instead of Pastor.
If the first, I can see some possible problems to working together. But if the second it seems only semantical. Anyway, I have NO idea how "Bishop" Jakes runs his church so this is just a question.
The point that he uses the title Bishop isn't really that important. I just think it is silly and like to put it in quotation. The teaching that I have heard him give on TV is what is not good. Although not a modalist Pentecostal he is very charismatic and that is what leads to my problem.
I don't understand why SBC pastors will make a huge deal out of Reformed brothers and then turn around and work with people equally far away from themselves in the other direction. I see that as a double standard.
And even more bothersome than that is the contempt for the pastors whom they cooperate with in the SBC, but not for others who they do not cooperate with.
I have reread what I originally wrote when I was a little outraged and weary from lack of sleep. I was a little harsh for saying that he is out of orthodoxy. His statement of faith and doctrinal statement fall within the confines of orthodoxy, but I wonder if he holds to what is written. I have since changed that post, thank you for making me rethink and reread what I write. I look forward to reading more of your blog posts, they are good. I will look up that stuff from your post that I commented on and add to the comments--Dirk
"I don't understand why SBC pastors will make a huge deal out of Reformed brothers and then turn around and work with people equally far away from themselves in the other direction. I see that as a double standard."
Here would be my short answer.
It all comes down to "numbers". When your theology places man as the ultimate decision maker when it comes to salvation, your focus tends to move from "disciple maker" to "soul winner" ie. if you can just get them to “pray the prayer” you’ve done your job.
Now it is VERY good to bring people to Jesus, but it is only the first step in MAKING DISCIPLES.
Being "Reformed" tends to focus people more on spiritual depth than on numerical width. This focus seems counterproductive to those who are focused on the "numerical" advancement of the Kingdom.
I have read papers (one in particular) that highlight serious "concerns" about the SBC if it continues to lean towards a reformed viewpoint. These "concerns" however, are never defended biblically, only numerically.
There is a lot more to it and I am thinking about posting on the subject but I will just have to see.
I hope that you do post on it. I would agree that most SBC pastors and churches don't really believe the great commission and "making DISCIPLES." They only want people to pray a prayer and hopefully those people and some Sunday school leaders will take over the rest.
It sounds like you have been thinking through it more than me. Please post on the topic! I am fearful of the teachings that are justified by numbers and not the Bible. --Dirk
I am fearful as well. But God is sovereign and the next gen. of leaders of the SBC is quite different from the current establishment. I pray that the "conservative resurgence" will be consistent with its own platform, namely that the "bible is inerrant and authoritative."
There is no point for arguing inerrancy if external factors and philosophies can dictate truth TO the Bible. All truth comes FROM the Bible. This last statement needs to move beyond simple rhetoric.
Challenge to you:
Find a systematically BIBLICAL defense of opposition to Reformed Theology.
I submit that your search will be long.
I agree that my search will be long! I would also agree that the upcoming leadership in the SBC is different. I hope that they (us) will not give in to tradition of the churches. I pray that we will continue to strive for Biblical truths and then teach them to ourselves and church members! We need to have lunch sometime this summer--Dirk
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