Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Historical Theology

Bauder to FBF Leaders: “If you wish to model the kind of fundamentalism that really is worth saving, then the time has come”

by

“Time to Speak Up” is a bold, timely, provocative, sane word from Kevin Bauder that accomplishes at least three goals:

  1. refutes Danny Sweatt’s recent diatribe (cf. “An Example of a Fundamentalism Not Worth Saving“)
  2. assures young fundamentalists that “Sweatt does not represent historic, mainstream fundamentalism”
  3. challenges fundamentalist leaders (esp. in the FBF) to face this Calvinism-phobia (of which Sweatt’s diatribe is symptomatic) directly and promptly

Update:

  1. John Piper comments on Bauder’s article: “Good Breeze from a Fundamentalist Neighbor“
  2. Justin Taylor in “Fundamentalism 101“: “Slandering fundamentalists is something of an acceptable pastime for evangelicals (not to mention the wider Christian commnunity and culture). But since slander is sin, we’re better off showing respect (even when we critique) and seeking to learn what we can.”

An Example of a Fundamentalism Not Worth Saving

by

Danny Sweatt‘s sermon entitled “Young and Restless” (preached on April 7, 2009 at a regional FBF meeting in North Carolina)

A good friend asked me to listen to it last week, so I did (with my wife) early on Sunday morning. Not a good start to Mother’s Day.

Cf. Bob Bixby’s thoughts.

(The title of this post is a play on Kevin Bauder’s thoughtful paper.)

Update:

  1. Perceptive advice from Chris Anderson
  2. Bauder to FBF Leaders: “If you wish to model the kind of fundamentalism that really is worth saving, then the time has come”

“Please God, don’t let the New Calvinism ever, ever be about the New Calvinism”

by

A good word from Kevin DeYoung:

Here are the two most important things you need to know about the rise of the New Calvinism: it’s not new and it’s not about Calvin. . . . “Please God, don’t let the young, restless, and reformed movement be another historically ignorant, self-absorbed, cooler-than-thou fad.”

Read the whole thing.

Cf. my review of Collin Hansen’s Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists.

More Carson MP3s

by

Last week I uploaded some new MP3s to the D. A. Carson archive:

He gave three plenary addresses at the “Word Within the Word” conference at Union University immediately after TGC conference and pastor-scholar event:

Gospel-Fellowship

by

One of the most underemphasized blessings of attending a gospel-centered conference is gospel-fellowship with so many brothers in Christ. It’s an invigorating means of grace! (Pictured here is my cancer-surviving friend Matt Hoskinson, whom my daughter appeared to find rather fascinating!)

BTW, audio and video from The Gospel Coalition’s 2009 National Conference is being made available here (just click on the titles of hyperlinked sessions).

From Benny Hinn to R. C. Sproul?

by

Christianity Today interviewed Ted Haggard back in 2005, and Haggard expressed his love for the diversity of evangelicalism (apparently defining the movement from a social science standpoint):

“Evangelicalism is a continuum of theologies all the way from Benny Hinn to R. C. Sproul. The R. C. Sproul crowd has a hard time with Benny Hinn, and the Benny Hinn crowd has a hard time with R. C. Sproul. But they’re all evangelicals.

“Evangelical does not mean any particular political ideology,” Haggard continues. “The African American [evangelical] community has an honorable concern for social justice, and that affects their politics. That concern comes from the Scripture. The Anglo community has a different history, so different Scriptures stand out to them. To the Anglo [evangelical] community, most of their sermons are theological. It’s salvation by grace through faith, and other theological points, so social-justice issues don’t have the same compelling justification.

“I have a deep love and appreciation for that diversity. I think it’s some of the wonder of the body of Christ. I feel like my role is to help the various members of the body respect one another and appreciate one another, and work together.”

HT: Collin Hansen