Certainly because some abuse a doctrine, does not make the doctrine wrong, but the person wrong. Same concept with eternal security and the main rock thrown at it. Some will abuse eternal security to live how they want in sin does not make eternal security wrong, but the person abusing the doctrine.

Thanks

Ed

Another hyper-calvinist was Dr. John Thomas who preceded Carey in India by 7 yrs. The first convert Carey baptized was Thomas’ convert. Thomas won Krishna Pal to Christ while he was setting a broken arm/dislocated shoulder (?). When he really knew what Pal would go all the way with baptism, he went insane wth joy. He had been laboring for conversions in India for 14 yrs. and he got caught in an up and down emotional cycle. He was on the up with the conversion and it drove him over the edge. I have read that when Carey baptized Pal, Mrs. Carey was on one side of the pond in a building raving in depression and Thomas was in another building raving in elation. If so, the Governor General of that part of India must have had some unusual thoughts. Hyper-calvinism is simply a perjorative term…in cases like that.

As to Sovereign Grace evangelism, the Seminaries need to offer courses in Sovereign Grace Evangelism. There are plenty examples of soul-winners from that perspective. The greatest thing that helped me was to have the example of my Supralapsarian, hyper-calvinist, ordaining pastor, (he use to plead with my step-father to trust Christ until tears ran down the man’s face) and the discovery that Predestination, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement (better Particular Redemption, but all atonements are limited), Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints, and, yes, even Reprobation are all invitations to salvation. Check it out. You will find Jesus presenting these truths as as if they were such invitations. In fact I propose that these are more intensely evangelistic and inviting than even whosoever will. Tell a man whosoever will and he will be one of those whosoever won’ts. Moreover, these are the doctrines of the First and Second Great Awakenings and of the origins of the Great Century of Missions. Look at Edwards’ Humble Attempt. See his list of verses as promises to be pleaded in prayer for just such a visitation. A friend, Dr. Gene Spurgeon, Pastor, FBC, Cahokia, IL., long ago went on a soul winning visit after I told him that I had come to believe that grace was irresistible. A young woman of about 20 responded so readily that he asked hr why. Her answer: “O, it was so wonderful that I could not resist it.” He said, “What you said popped into my mind.” He dd not change his mind then (1965-66). Still had not by 2002-3, but he had by 2007. He also found out that he might be kin to Charles Haddon. Hey were going to win the whole earth in one generation and perhaps for a 1001 generations. Just look at the numbers in the promises to Abraham. I almost get giddy, when I think about those promises. I plead them for such a visitation. Spurgeon (Charles Haddon) also prayed fo everyone on earth. See his Evening Devotion for Dec. 24, and start praying.

The statements about Calvinist missionaries needs to be repeated often in SBC life.

Sad how Dr. Aiken has heard of what seem to be real hyper-Calvinists in the SBC. Given the 10% or less of SBC pastors even being Calvinistic I don’t think it’s a huge issue. Important, but not huge. Especially not big enough to warrant all the talk it gets. My guess from experience is that most SBC folks in the pew are ignorant of Calvinism and Arminianism.

I was glad to see Dr. Aiken at Advance09. I really wish the subject of alcohol would also stop coming up everywhere.

Thanks Trevin!

Mark

P.s. I found out that David Brainerd is in my family tree. Cool, huh?