Calvinism, a frequent topic within the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond, will be the theme of a Nov. 26-28 conference sponsored by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Founders Ministries.
The conference, titled: “Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism,” will be held at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina.
“The Word of God calls us to love the Lord with all of our heart,” said Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary. “It also calls us to love Him with all of our mind. Thinking biblically and theologically, therefore, is essential to a balanced and healthy Christian life.
“Calvinism has generated a lot of interest in recent years in Southern Baptist life,” Akin noted. “Unfortunately we have often talked at and not with one another. Unhealthy rhetoric and misrepresentations from all directions has led to confusion and even ill will among brothers and sisters in Christ. We hope this conference will demonstrate how important theological issues can be discussed with grace, integrity and love.”
First sessions will begin on Monday at 3:00 pm and conclude at noon Wednesday.
In addition to scheduled worship times, subjects to be addressed during the conference are: The Historical Record, Calvinism: A Cause for Rejoicing, A Cause for Concern; The Atonement: Its Design, Nature, and Extent; Theological Stereotypes: Let’s Be Fair and Honest with Each Other; Election and Calling: A Biblical/Theological Study; Working Together to Make Christ Known.
Each subject will have at least two speakers addressing differing perspectives and at least one panel discussion will be held.
Speakers:
• David Dockery, President, Union University;
• James Merritt, Pastor, Cross Pointe, The Church at Gwinnett Center, Atlanta, GA;
• Malcolm Yarnell, Assistant Dean, Theological Studies; Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• David Nelson, Senior Vice President, Academic Administration; Professor of Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• Charles Lawless, Dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• Nathan Finn, Instructor of Church History, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• Ken Keathley, Senior Associate Dean; Professor of Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• Greg Welty, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• J.D. Greear, Pastor, Summit Church, Durham, NC;
• Sam Waldron, Academic Dean and Professor of Theology, Midwest Center for Theological Studies, Owensboro, KY;
• Voddie Baucham, Church planter and Pastor of Preaching, Grace Family Baptist Church, Spring, TX;
• Jeff Noblit, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, AL;
• Tom Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary;
• Thom Rainer, President and CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources;
• Brad Waggoner, Vice President, Research and Ministry Development;
• Ed Stetzer, Director, LifeWay Research and resident missiologist;
• R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Danny Akin, President Southeastern Seminary;
• Tom Ascol, Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL; Executive Director, Founders Ministries
“We intend to follow the example of those who have gone before us by rediscovering the spiritual vitality that comes from humble, honest theological dialogue,” said Tom Ascol, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL, and executive director of Founders Ministries. “We have a significant lineup of excellent theologians who represent what Scripture means when it says iron sharpens iron. This conference is an opportunity for Southern Baptists to experience the kind of theological sharpening that takes place when brothers and sisters come together to learn from one another and to challenge each other to follow our Savior more faithfully.”
LifeWay Research, which studied Calvinism as its inaugural study last September, will serve as conference host. Brad Waggoner, LifeWay’s Vice President for Research and Ministry Development, said this conference is compatible with the mission of LifeWay Research.
“The goal of LifeWay Research is to provide relevant information to people and churches for the purpose of reaching people for Christ,” Waggoner said. “Calvinism is obviously something that a lot of people have discussed over the past couple of years. Anytime Christians can come together – especially those within the same ‘family’ – and seek deeper biblical understanding, the entire Body of Christ benefits. LifeWay Research’s desire is to stimulate and inform those types of discussion.”
A Location Wrapped in Scenic Mountain Beauty
As the Appalachians stretch their way into North Carolina, they give birth to one of the most picturesque ranges in the nation known as The Blue Ridge Mountains. Nestled beside the Blue Ridge Parkway, just minutes from Asheville, rests the tranquil LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center. Ridgecrest’s beautiful 1,300 acre campus climbs from valley to mountaintop offering elegant comfort for over 2,000 people. There is a peace – a stillness that God has granted this place, where multitudes of people have come over the years to seek spiritual renewal.
Conference Registration
Enjoy the incredible benefits of this powerful conference at a budget-friendly price! Building Bridges has a Program Fee of only $104.00 per person which includes all sessions and on campus dining covering all meals from Monday dinner to Wednesday breakfast. If you would like to attend without lodging on campus the Program Fee is $75.00 per person and does not include meals.
The following rates are available at Ridgecrest Conference Center:
Single/Double Occupancy:
Deluxe Accommodations (Mountain Laurel) $69.00
Standard Accommodations (Pritchell/Maple) $54.00
For reservations, please call 800.588.7222 or Click Here For Reservations
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I thought that the article was very helpful, and I appreciate it. However, I would like to inform the person(s) responsible for the layout of the article that the date in the picture is wrong. It says "2007" instead of "2008." Just wanted to pass that along. And that's free of charge. I wouldn't feel right about accepting anything more than two tickets to the conference. haha. I hope you guys get this message soon so you can correct that. And thanks again for sponsoring this. I think that it's very practical and important for the church today.