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1. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13 (Living Translation) Trends in Theology Theology Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

2. The Gospel According to Java Bistro “So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Proverbs 9:7-9

4. Why • We must be prepared to “handle” the truth. Read 2 Timothy 2:15. To be able to recognize and stay true to the Truth. Read Matt. 7:24-27 • It is our duty to “test the spirits”. Read 1 John 4:1, 1 Cor. 14: 29-33 How do we test the spirits? • I want you to be armed and ready for battle. Read Ephesian 6:11. Why do we need armor? • I want you to know it when you see it, know the consequences and have given some thought to an initial response.

5. 5 Trends • This series focuses on 5 contemporary theological trends • Reformed Theology (Calvinism) • Contemplative Spirituality • Ecumenism • Lordship Salvation • The Emerging Church • Study framework – 4 questions • what is it • does it have biblical support • major questions • Baptist position

6. First Look • Reformed Theology (Calvinism) • Contemplative Spirituality • Ecumenism • Lordship Salvation • The Emerging Church (Emergent Movement)

7. Next Week Reformed Theology

8. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13 (Living Translation) Trends in Theology Theology Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

9. The Gospel According to Java Bistro “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:18-19

11. ? Reformed Theology (Calvinism)

12. What is it? • Calvinism (or reformed tradition or faith) is a protestant theological system developed in the 16th century by theologians (Bucer, Bullinger, Vermigli, and Zwingli) which bears the name of the French reformer John Calvin. • It is a continuation of the Protestant Reformation (breakaway from the Catholic “state church”). • “Calvinism” was the term which was coined to refer to one of the bodies of doctrine that was developing after the Catholic breakaway; i.e. after Calvin one of the early leaders. • The early settlers in the US brought it with them from Europe with concentrations in Mid-Atlantic and New England (e.g. English Puritans, French Huguenots and Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam (NY), and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians).

13. What is it? • Southern Baptists have reformed roots but the Baptists of America (e.g. Roger Williams) leaned toward Armenianism of Methodist revival partners (note strong missionary movement of modern Baptists). • It is often summarized in the Five Points of Calvinism and is best known for the doctrines of predestination and total depravity, stressing the total contingency of man’s salvation upon the absolute sovereignty of God.

14. 5 Point Calvinism

15. Major problems / questions? • Total Depravity (requires sovereign grace?) • Man is totally inadequate of to choose grace / God • Redemption is the work of God; divine intervention • God changes unwilling hearts from rebellion to eager obedience. • Limited Atonement • Jesus Christ's substitutionary atonement on the cross is specifically designed for the elect only, that He only died for them. • Unconditional Election (Predestination) • God chooses to show mercy to some, not all • One person is saved while another person is condemned because God chose to have mercy on him.

16. Major problems / questions? • Why the resurgence • Reformed theology’s emphasis on doctrine (i.e. depth) – seeker sensitive and charismatic churches left people starving. • Reaction to rampant narcissism – turning attention back toward God. • Somehow tied to renewed emphasis on worship to the exclusion of service • Where the resurgence • Some seminaries and colleges (& a few churches) • Impact / consequences of the resurgence • Will undercut our commitment to evangelism and missions • New Calvinist seem to be pushing for a radical alteration of the long-standing arrangement of co-existence (i.e. divisiveness, controversy, misplaced priorities).

17. Does it have biblical support? • Divine election • (John 6:35–40, 44, 65; Rom. 8:28–30; 9:6–24; Eph. 1:3–6), they believe “God in eternity past chose a number of fallen creatures to be reconciled to himself. In time Christ came to save the chosen. • Christ died for and obtained redemption and forgiveness of sins for all, but these benefits are effective only for those who believe on Christ • (1 John 2:2, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:3-6, Romans 11:32, 1 Cor. 15:22, Titus 2:11, Acts 17:30-31, John 3:16-18, 1 John 1:14, Phil, 2:10-11, 1 Tim. 4:10, Col. 1:20, Heb. 2:9, John 1:29, 1 John 2:2, Rom. 5:18, 2 Cor. 5:14-15, Is. 55:1,7, Matt. 11:28, Heb. 9:26, Is. 53:6, Rev. 22:17, 1 Tim. 1:15, Rom. 5:6-8, John 12:46, 47, 2 Peter 2:1) • Perseverance of the Saints • John 10:28

18. Baptist position? • The majority of Southern Baptists, including Billy Graham, accept Arminianism with an exception allowing for a doctrine of perseverance of the saints ("eternal security"). • Many see Calvinism as growing in acceptance,and some prominent Reformed Baptists, such as Albert Mohler and Mark Dever, have been pushing for the Southern Baptist Convention to adopt a more Calvinistic orientation. • Recently an “advisory team” was formed in the SBC to develop a strategy to work together in missions and evangelism.”

20. Next Week Contemplative Spirituality

21. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13 (Living Translation) Trends in Theology Theology Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

22. The Gospel According to Java Bistro “Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” Psalm 33:22

24. ? Contemplative Spirituality

25. What is it?

26. What is it? • A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and pantheistic (God is in all). • It promises a deeper intimacy with God through meditation as well as freedom from fear, guilt, and psychological hang-ups and difficulties. • It combines Eastern mysticism, psychology, the New Age Movement, liberation theology, Catholicism and Protestantism.

27. What is it? • A counterfeit spirituality; i.e. it promises intimacy but actually has the potential to move you away from Him and focus on you • Modern movement began in Roman Catholic Church within the last 30 years • In the mid-seventies three monks wanted to bring contemplative prayer to Evangelical Christianity.

28. “Players” • Brennan Manning - (books Ragamuffin Gospel & The Signature of Jesus) • Quaker mystic Richard Foster • Southern Baptist minister Dallas Willard • Sometimes advertised under the term; “Spiritual Formation”

29. Major questions / problems? • Unhealthy emphasis / reliance on “feelings” and self; i.e. mystical experiences • Promotes direct revelation to individuals as opposed to scripture • Introduces pagan practices into Christianity which will weaken and confuse practitioners • Mysticism promotes Pietism; an emotional, sentimental, emotion-driven form of worship. Another form of elitism • Promotes universalism

30. Does it have biblical support? • Quote by proponents: • Rom 8:26, Ex. 14:14, Hosea 2:14, Ps 46:10, Zech. 2:13, Luke 17:21 • Quote by opponents: • Matt. 6:6-8, Hosea 4:6 • Tiebreaker: • Rom 12:2, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 4:4

32. Baptist position? • Spiritual growth and spirituality occur by studying and applying scripture • There is a clear biblical precedent for remaining silent before the Lord (Lamentations 3:26, 28; Psalm 4:4; 46:10). • However, where these contemplative practices rely on feeling and experience rather than the truth of Scripture, they can be detrimental to the spiritual life of the believer.

33. Next Week Ecumenism

34. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13 (Living Translation) Trends in Theology Theology Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

35. The Gospel According to Java Bistro “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’” Mark 16:15

37. ? Ecumenism

38. Unity? Is it a bag thing?

39. What is it? • The principle or aim of promoting unity among the world's Christian churches. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice. • “The organized attempt to bring about the cooperation and unity among Christians.” • Goal: a single Christian Church

40. “Players” • World Council of Churches • Federal / National Council of Churches • Document: Evangelicals and Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium (1994)

41. Major questions / problems? • Biblical Christians are usually marked by a strong pro-life belief, a strong traditional view of the family, a strong emphasis on compassion for the homeless and sick, and a strong desire to see justice in the world. • Diverse church groups are often marked by the same desires. Thus, the temptation to “pool resources” in pursuit of a common cause is sometimes great.

42. Major questions / problems? • Depends on compromise – pushes us all toward “watered down” cores • Tends to rally around our common interests (e.g. agreements) but de-emphasizes theological beliefs (e.g. tensions). • Traditionally Christianity includes not only a community (the church), a code (guidelines for moral conduct), and a cultus (a set of worship practices), but a creed (set of beliefs). • Struggles with some intractable obstacles

43. Does it have biblical support? • Unity? Eph 4:3, Matt. 24:24 • Core purpose. Col 3:17, Matt 5:16, Matt 28:18-20 • Ultimate goals. Eph 2:1-3, Luke 15:10 • Key question? Does ecumenical ventures support our primary goals? Are we striving for biblical purposes or political and social achievement?

45. Baptist position? • The Convention has avoided entanglements that would compromise doctrine, restrict the freedom and independence of the Convention, or violate basic issues of Baptist conviction. • The Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) was represented in meetings of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America from 1893 to 1919. The FMB joined the Conference in 1938 as international tensions reached a fever pitch. It withdrew from the Conference in 1950 when the National Council of Churches was formed and the Conference merged with that body.

46. Baptist position? • In 1939 the Convention received an invitation to join the World Council of Churches. The Convention thanked the Council for its invitation, but declined based upon two considerations. First, the Convention lacked any ecclesiastical authority. Second, the Convention resisted “totalitarian trends” that threatened the autonomy of the churches. • Later, the SBC would also decline to join the National Council of Churches (and the Federal Council, its predecessor). Despite the urgings of significant SBC leaders, the Convention also declined to join the National Association of Evangelicals. In so doing the Convention sought to be consistent in the application of its polity.

47. Next Week Lordship Salvation

48. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13 (Living Translation) Trends in Theology Theology Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

49. Who Are We, Anyway? • Highlights from the SCBC meeting in Greenville two weeks ago. • Adopted $28.6 MM budget • The allocation to IMB increased from $400,263 to $583,768 (up almost 50%) • Coop Program contribution is $11,685,000 • Remaining $16,815,000 goes to SCBC ministries, WMU, and 7 state institutions • Goals: • Increase IMB allocation to 21.95 % over 3 years • Split 50/50 with Coop Program