The "Attack"

In an Associated Baptist Press article, (April 16, 2000) Mark Wingfield wrote about Al Mohler’s assessment of Baptist history being revisionist and off base. He quotes several “so-called” experts who support his major premise.

Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection in Dallas: “It (Mohler’s criticism of E.Y. Mullins and his doctrine of soul competency) is a back-door way to get the Calvinistic agenda out there.”

Russell Dilday, Professor at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary: “The idea of soul competency is that nothing stands between us and God, that we can go directly to God without pope or priest. That would contradict Mohler’s view on Calvinism.”

Bill Leonard, Dean of Divinity School at Wake Forest University: “Had we continued in the Boyce/Broadus tradition, we would have remained a racist Southern sect.”
 

The "Defense"

When “Experts” Attack You Need to Check “Their” Agenda 

Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection in Dallas:  “It (Mohler’s criticism of E.Y. Mullins and his doctrine of soul competency) is a back-door way to get the Calvinistic agenda out there.”

Response:  What is Lefever talking about?  What Calvinistic agenda? I’ve been a Southern Baptist for 43 years and I’m at a loss to understand what is meant by a Calvinistic agenda.  If Lefever means there are Calvinists within the Southern Baptist Convention who are politically trying to advance their agreed upon Calvinistic strategy for taking over the convention then clue me in!  I haven’t heard about it.  If he means there are Calvinistic Southern Baptists who encourage people to read the Bible for themselves to see what God has said about Predestination and Election and Free Will then by all means let’s get on with that agenda! Is Lefever afraid that might happen?

 Russell Dilday, Professor at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary: “The idea of soul competency is that nothing stands between us and God, that we can go directly to God without pope or priest. That would contradict Mohler’s view on Calvinism.”

 Response: Hunh?  What does that mean?  When did Al Mohler or any other Southern Baptist who believes in the Doctrines of Grace ever say that something stands between us and God?  Dr. Dilday, I went to hear you speak in St. Louis when you were using your own presidency at Southwestern Seminary to advance an agenda.  I thought you were off base then and I still believe it.

Bill Leonard, Dean of Divinity School at Wake Forest University:  “Had we continued in the Boyce/Broadus tradition, we would have remained a racist Southern sect.”

Response:  I say, better to have continued in the Boyce/Broadus than be a part of what Bill Leonard is doing at Wake Forest University.  Did you know that he is in favor of admitting practicing homosexuals to that school?  He also said that us Baptists have been on the wrong side of most cultural issues.  Well, Dr. Leonard, thank you for clarifying why we should listen to you instead of Dr. Mohler. 

The SBC CALVINIST