In reference to the editorial “There Is Another Way” in the July 19 issue about Calvinism, I appreciate your presenting both sides and informing us of the apathy of the messengers to the convention in not wanting to address this problem.
You mentioned that they did not want to risk another confrontation of theology. I was born in 1937 and did not even hear of Calvinism until recently. You … should have informed us before the intensity of it now.
To accept or even consider accepting it is to nullify all we have been teaching up to now: that Jesus died for all people, that anyone can be saved who comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and that salvation is eternal. Now that is what my Bible teaches.
The problem, as I understand from your article, started when Al Mohler was allowed to hold a position, much less president, at the seminary in Louisville. I have a close friend who is a street evangelist and who withdrew from a Southern Baptist church locally just because of this false religion being advocated there. Thank God for each Southern Baptist church being autonomous as to what we have to accept from a central organization. I truly enjoy The Alabama Baptist, but let’s stick to Southern Baptist theology, without permeation of other denominations being involved.
David Weaver
Bessemer, Ala.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Baptist involvement with Calvinism did not begin with Al Mohler. Calvinism has influenced Baptist theology at least since the 1630s and has played an important historical role in Baptist life.
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