Theological Perspective

Though I reserve the right to comment outside of the realm of Christian theology, it's only fair to disclose my theological perspective up front (i.e., Reformed Baptist).

I am a Southern Baptist committed to biblical theology, as was expressed so eloquently by the Protestant Reformation.

For example, I hold to Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, and Soli Deo Gloria (as described in The Cambridge Declaration, 1996). [See below for excerpt.] In short, our ruling authority is Scripture alone which informs us that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone to the glory of God alone.

I subscribe to the so-called Five Points of Calvinism (which Charles Spurgeon labeled a nickname for the gospel), although some of the terminology may not be the clearest or most effective expression of those truths. (Also, I am not a Hyper-Calvinist and would be offended if called such.)

In light of the above doctrinal & ecclesiastical allegiances, I am aligned with Founders Ministries, a group striving for reform within the SBC to get us back to our more Calvinistic theological roots. For more further information, see: From the Protestant Reformation to the Southern Baptist Convention: What Hath Geneva To Do with Nashville?




EXCERPTS from The Cambridge Declaration ...

THESIS ONE: SOLA SCRIPTURA
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.

We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian's conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.

THESIS TWO: SOLUS CHRISTUS
We reaffirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.

We deny that the gospel is preached if Christ's substitutionary work is not declared and faith in Christ and his work is not solicited.

THESIS THREE: SOLA GRATIA
We reaffirm that in salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by his grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.

We deny that salvation is in any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.

THESIS FOUR: SOLA FIDE
We reaffirm that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.

We deny that justification rests on any merit to be found in us, or upon the grounds of an infusion of Christ's righteousness in us, or that an institution claiming to be a church that denies or condemns sola fide can be recognized as a legitimate church.

THESIS FIVE: SOLI DEO GLORIA
We reaffirm that because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory and that we must glorify him always. We must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone.

We deny that we can properly glorify God if our worship is confused with entertainment, if we neglect either Law or Gospel in our preaching, or if self-improvement, self-esteem or self-fulfillment are allowed to become alternatives to the gospel.