"Reformed" -- not for Baptists

Why Baptists Should Shun
the "Reformed" Label

Awhile back, a friend of mine who is a very keen and scholarly student of Baptist history sent me the following email about the word "Reformed" in its historical relation to Baptists:

Bro. Bob:
In my research over the years I have never found a historical reference where the term "Reformed Baptists" was used by missionary Calvinistic Baptists before the 1950s influence of the Banner of Truth men. It was, however, in the nineteenth century a term used to designate both the anti-missionary Primitive Baptists and the anti-missionary Campbellite movement, and as you know the latter was also anti-Calvinistic. The Campbellites were often referred to by Regular (Calvinistic) Baptists as "Reformers" and "Reformed Baptists."

I can cite a number of historical examples of this. Even "Reformed Baptist" Samuel Waldron, in his book, Baptist Roots in America, in order to find a historical use of the term "Reformed Baptists" had to cite a Primitive Baptist example. [Quoted in an email article I originally sent, "Reformed" in Baptist History, 05/26/04]

BOB'S COMMENT:

I certainly appreciate this information. Although I have in the past taught classes in a small theological school -- Texas College of Theology, Pasadena, Texas -- on Baptist History, I had never given this particular term much thought, and therefore had done no research on it whatsoever. I know this brother has done other work which demonstrates that he is one of the most diligent researchers on Baptist history, and I have the utmost confidence in his findings. If there is, however, any one who reads this who has found anything which conflicts with his findings, we would of course invite your sending that information. Inasmuch as some "Reformed Baptists" of our time have adopted some of the theories and practices of both the Campbellites and the Hardshells, we wonder just how far they may continue this drift.

I agree with the "Truly Reformed" who are known to scorn the idea that Baptists who hold to Calvinistic theology are properly designated as "Reformed." That term belongs to the Pedobaptists who (1) sprinkle babies for baptism according to their notion about the Abrahamic covenant, and (2) practice the presbyterian form of church government.

I am of the opinion that the term "Reformed" gained popular usage among some modern-day Baptists who were influenced in the latter 1900s by the Pedobaptists identified with the Banner of Truth publication company based in Great Britain. To really and truly be Reformed, according to that version of Christianity, it seems that a church not only must hold to the Hybrid form of Calvinism, must also hold to infant baptism and presybyterian church government to please the "TR" folk.

And wherever this has been attempted to be at least partially implemented by Baptists, it has ordinarily caused internal strife and even open division. Ernest Reisinger of the Founders tried to make a "reformed" church out of a Southern Baptist church in Florida, and the ultimate result was its demise.

I have also observed that when a church adopts the term "Reformed," it becomes necessary to explain "What is meant by 'Reformed?'" One church of my acquaintence at one time used the term in its church name, but decided to drop it because of having to do so much explaining.

Why would a Baptist church, which is professedly committed to a "regenerated church membership" standard, blemish itself by using the term "Reformed" which implies certain elements of the Pedobaptists which the Baptists do not believe and practice?

Baptists should leave the word "Reformed" where it came from -- the Pedobaptists.

Garrett Rebutts "Regeneration" Theory

STEPHEN GARRETT COUNTERS THE
"PRE-FAITH" REGENERATION THEORY

On the BaptistGadfly blog, our longtime friend, Stephen Garrett, a former Primitive Baptist ("Hardshell") Pastor for several years, refers to some materials by James White and John Piper which relate to the modern "Reformed" theory on "pre-faith regeneration," or the idea that a person is "born again before, without, and apart from faith."

For the past four years on the Calvinist Flyswatter blog, we have exposed and refuted this theory, as has Brother Garrett on his blog. It is the very core doctrine of Hardshellism, and no one understands this better than an ex-Hardshell advocate such as Brother Garrett. [See one of my primary articles here. Also see here].

Here is an email I sent to Brother Garrett about his recent article:

Stephen,
That's a good article on White & Piper.
I've had a couple of calls from a Primitive Baptist pastor in Georgia, and I think he may have contacted you, too. He has become disenchanted, evidently, with the "pre-faith regenation" notion advocated by many in the "Reformed" camp.

In conversing with him, I referred him tp Dr. W. G. T. Shedd, Vol., 2, pages 492, 494, where Shedd virtually attributes the "Reformed" view on regeneration to Francis Turretin, and says, "We shall adopt this distinction" [made by Turretin] "between regeneration and conversion . . . Regeneration is the origination of life; conversion is the evolution and manifestation of life."

I wonder how many modern "Reformed" Calvinists know that they are advocating "Turretinism" in contrast to what Shedd admits -- namely that "the divines of the seventeenth century [Puritans] very generally DO NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN REGENERATION AND CONVERSION, but employ the two as SYNONYMS"? (Shedd, Vol. 2, page 492).

Shedd even cites John Owen, Stephen Charnock, and the Westminster Confession as being of the latter category -- that is, they did not advocate "Turretinism." Shedd alleges that their view "led to confusion of ideas and views" (Vol. 2, page 493), but the Turretin view "arose gradually" to become an accepted concept and, as Shedd admits, was adopted by Shedd himself (page 494).

Do you have Shedd to consult on this?

Bob L. Ross

Spurgeon and "WWJD"

"What Would Jeus Do?" -- or,
"WWJD" in C. H. Spurgeon's Ministry

Many have no doubt wondered about the origin of the popular "WWJD" abbreviation or acronym. We have some information about it on our website, cited sometime ago by our good friend, Brother Emmett O'Donnell of the www.spurgeongems.org website.

Today, a lady in Beaumont, Mrs. Deborah Ennis, who has undertaken the task of reading thru the entire set of Spurgeon's sermons, has called this to our attention again. I thought that perhaps many of you are not aware of the fact that WWJD at least dates back as far as Spurgeon's sermon in 1880 [#1526, The Fair Portrait of a Saint, Volume 26, Year 1880, page 149).

Here is the excerpt from the sermon:

SPURGEON ON "WWJD"

A very beautiful motto is hung up in our infant classroom at the Stockwell Orphanage, “What would Jesus do?”

Not only may children take it as their guide, but all of us may do the same, whatever our age. “What would Jesus do?” If you desire to know what you ought to do under any circumstances, imagine Jesus to be in that position and then think, “What would Jesus do? for what Jesus would do, that ought I to do.”

In following Jesus we are following God, for in Christ Jesus the brightness of the Father’s Glory is best seen. Our example is our Lord and Master, Jesus the Son of God, and, therefore, this question is but a beam from our guiding Star. Ask in all cases—“What would Jesus do?”

That unties the knot of all moral difficulty in the most practical way and does it so simply that no great wit or wisdom will be needed. May God’s Holy Spirit help us to copy the line which Jesus has written, even as scholars imitate their writing master in each stroke and line and mark and dot.

Oh, when we come to die and have to look back upon our lives, it will be a blessed thing to have followed the Lord fully! They are happy who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Blessed are they in life and death of whom it can be said—as He was, so were they, also, in this world. Though misunderstood and misrepresented, yet they were honest imitators of their Lord! Such a true-hearted Christian can say, “He knows the way that I take. He tried me and I came forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps.” You will avoid many a sorrow if you keep close at your Master’s heels.

You know what came of Peter’s following afar off — try what will come of close walking with Jesus. Abide in Him and let His Words abide in you, so shall you be His disciples. You dare not trust in your works and will not think of doing so, but you will bless God that, being saved by His Grace, you were enabled to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit by a close and exact following of the steps of your Lord.

Three things, then, we get in the first sentence—an exactness of obedience, a tenacity of grip upon that which is good and a promptness in endeavoring to keep in touch with God and to follow Him in all respects. May these things abound in us!

[Copied from the online sermon at
http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols25-27/chs1526.pdf

*****************************************
OTHER REFERENCES IN SPURGEON'S
SERMONS TO "WWJD"

After sending out the item on January 16, 2010 via email about C. H. Spurgeon's reference to "WWJD" -- What Would Jesus Do? -- I received an email from Bob Canaday which listed several other places in Spurgeon's sermons which referred to "WWJD."

Here is the list of sermons provided to me by Brother Canaday:

THE FAIR PORTRAIT OF A SAINT, Sermon 1526, MTP Volume 26, Page 149

EVERYDAY RELIGION, Sermon 1599, MTP Volume 27, Page 287

SUPPOSING HIM TO HAVE BEEN IN THE COMPANY, Sermon 1724, MTP Volume 29, Page 319

RECRUITS FOR KING JESUS, Sermon 1770, MTP Volume 30, Page 154

THE PRIVATE TUTOR, Sermon 1842, MTP Volume 31, Page 293

CHRIST PUT ON, Sermon 2132, MTP Volume 36, Page 123

THE AGREEMENT OF SALVATION BY GRACE WITH WALKING IN GOOD WORKS, Sermon 2210, MTP Volume 37, Page 347

WATCHING FOR CHRIST’S COMING, Sermon 2302, MTP Volume 39 , Page 162

THE PERPETUITY OF THE GOSPEL, Sermon 2636, MTP Volume 45, Page 401

“PEACE! PERFECT PEACE!”, Sermon 3175, MTP Volume 55, Page 602

Thanks, Brother Canaday, for this list. If there are other references that anyone has found, please let us know about them.

MORE CITATIONS:
Pastor Kerry J. Allen provides some other references:

Brethren,

There are at least four more references to WWJD that were missed:

"A heavenly pattern for our earthly life," sermon # 1778, MTP, volume 30, page 252.

"Love's transformations," sermon # 1871, MTP, volume 31, page 635.

An All Round Ministry, page 268.

The Gospel according to Matthew, comments on Matthew 12:46-50.

Best regards,
Kerry J. Allen

New Book of Spurgeon Sermons

C. H. Spurgeon's Sermons Beyond the Final Volume of
Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit

By Doug Kutilek

From: "AS I SEE IT"
Volume 12, Number 12, December 2009

A Truly New Volume of Spurgeon’s Sermons

For 63 consecutive years, week by week, beginning in 1855 and terminating in mid-1917--25 years after Spurgeon’s death!--due only to severe paper shortages in England caused by the Great War, a sermon preached by Charles Haddon Spurgeon was published in London by Passmore and Alabaster.

These weekly sermons were collected into annual bound volumes, the first six called The New Park Street Pulpit, the rest, beginning in 1861, called The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit. These 63 volumes constitute a not-quite exhaustive collection of sermons preached by Spurgeon, stenographically recorded, then edited by Spurgeon (or occasionally by one his close associates) in preparation for publication. [Reprinted by PILGRIM PUBLICATIONS, Pasadena, Texas 77501]

Happy--blessed--is the man who has such a set complete, and happier still if he frequently reads from its contents.

I am indeed a blessed man in both regards; I acquired my first volume of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit as a 21st birthday gift from my wife in 1973, and in the years since, have added a volume here, several there, until I finally in the last decade purchased the last missing volume or two. (My set is mostly Pilgrim reprints, with a handful or more of Banner of Truth editions, and even a few original Passmore and Alabaster volumes). Though very far from having read the entire set -- I know a couple of preachers who have -- I do read from it more frequently than from all other sermons in my library combined, and if you have read AISI for any amount of time, you have probably noted that I quote from Spurgeon more than any 3 or 4 other writers combined (twice in this issue alone).

When serial publication of Spurgeon’s sermons ceased in 1917, there remained a number of sermons in manuscript that had never been published in the NPSP / MTP series (though the floating reports of as many as 500 additional manuscript sermons seems based on a misunderstanding; most of these manuscripts are apparently of already published sermons), as well as a considerable number that had been published elsewhere, particularly in The Baptist Messenger, where a monthly message from Spurgeon appeared for several decades, but which never became a part of the NPSP / MTP series.

From the manuscripts of unpublished sermons, twenty were published in book form in 1922, in a little volume, Able to the Uttermost (reprinted by Pilgrim Publications in 1985 and still available from them). This was the only collection of new sermon material by Spurgeon published after 1917--all the “Twelve Sermons on XYZ” and other sermon books published in the many decades since were merely selections from the 63-volume set. But now, some truly new sermons that have never appeared in book form have been published. Day One Publications of Leominster, England has published this year C. H. Spurgeon’s Sermons beyond Volume 63: an authentic supplement to the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, which consists of 45 sermons originally published in The Baptist Messenger periodical, compiled therefrom by Terence Peter Crosby.

The hardback volume of 640 pages is similar to the original sermon set in size and format (it is a few millimeters shorter than my other volumes, but comparable in thickness), and with very readable type and layout on the page. I will be manually adding the relevant information to the complete index of Spurgeon’s published sermons produced by PILGRIM PUBLICATIONS, as I did with Able to the Uttermost when I got that volume some years ago.

The book may be obtained through Pilgrim Publications, PO Box 66, Pasadena, Texas, 77501; phone: (713) 477-4261.

If you thought your set of Spurgeon’s sermons was complete, be assured that you now must have this volume for it to be truly so.
---Doug Kutilek
----------

BOB'S NOTE: This unsolicited review by Brother Kutilek of the new volume of Spurgeon's sermons is an excellent description of the volume. We have already sold out of our original supply and have just this week received another shipment.

We have mentioned this book in a couple of pre-publication emails earlier this year, and we now have the book on hand to fill orders.

PRIICE: $43.00, which includes shipping.

Order by Phone: credit card order line 1-800-411-2061.

Order by Fax: 1-713-477-7561

Order by Email: pilgrimbpub@aol.com

Order by USPS Mail: Pilgrim Publications, P. O. Box 66, Pasadena, Texas 77501

Personal Library Books

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MY
PERSONAL LIBRARY BOOKS

I have recently been emailing lists of books and Bibles from my personal library which I am offering for sale. If the reader wishes to have those lists and continuing lists as they are mailed, send your email address to: pilgrimpub@aol.com

"Why are you selling your books?" has been asked.

I am 74 years old and do not anticipate the need for them in the future as in the past, and I would like the satisfaction of knowing that other younger people will perhaps profit from them. At this stage, most of my books are on the shelves simply catching dust.

These are not merely "culled out" books, but the very cream of the crop in my library. Several have already been sold and mailed, and we have been getting a steady response to the first few lists. But there are hundreds more yet to be listed and mailed. You may find something you can use. Also, if you want to give me a "want list," I could conceivably have what you are looking for.
-- Bob L. Ross

Burleson Continues Abuse of CHS

BURLESON CONTINUES ABUSING
SPURGEON ON "DOWNGRADE CONTROVERSY"

In a follow-up criticism of C. H. Spurgeon, Wade Burleson continues to demonstrate either his ignorance or his prejudice in publishing the following false charge:

"Spurgeon sought a doctrinal statement for the Baptist Union that would be more precise in defining the doctrines of grace."

Readers who are interested in Spurgeon's own testimony about this may consult the original documents at the following:

The Downgrade Controversy at Phil Johnson's website. Also, an excellent analysis of the controversy by Dennis Swanson is available on the web at http://www.narnia3.com/articles/ETS%202001.pdf

In none of the major articles on the Down Grade did Spurgeon involve the matter of "Calvinism" on "the doctrines of grace," but he focused upon the core doctrines of the Bible, the basic fundamentals, which are shared by all theological systems which accept the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures.

Here are excerpts from Spurgeon which demonstrate the facts in contrast to Burleson's Burlesque:

The Sword and the Trowel, April 1887, pages 195, 196:

>We care far more for the central evangelical truths than we do for Calvinism as a system; but we believe that Calvinism has in it a conservative force which helps to hold men to the vital truth, and therefore we are sorry to see any quitting it who have once accepted it. Those who hold the eternal verities of salvation, and yet do not see all that we believe and embrace, are by no means the objects of our opposition: our warfare is with men who are giving up the atoning sacrifice, denying the inspiration of Holy Scripture, and casting slurs upon justification by faith. The present struggle is NOT A DEBATE upon the question of Calvinism or Arminianism, but of the truth of God versus the inventions of men. ALL WHO BELIEVE THE GOSPEL should unite against that "modern thought" which is its deadly enemy.<

The Sword and the Trowel, August 1887, pages 397-400:

>Read those newspapers which represent the Broad School of Dissent, and ask yourself, How much farther could they go? What doctrine remains to be abandoned? What other truth to be the object of contempt? A new religion has been initiated . . . The Atonement is scouted, the inspiration of Scripture is derided, the Holy Spirit is degraded into an influence, the punishment of sin is turned into fiction, and the resurrection into a myth, and yet these enemies of our faith expect us to call them brethren, and maintain a confederacy with them! . . . Too many ministers are toying with the deadly cobra of "another gospel," in the form of "modern thought" . . . The case is mournful. Certain ministers are making infidels. Avowed atheists are not a tenth as dangerous as those preachers who scatter doubt and stab at faith. . . . Germany was made unbelieving by her preachers, and England is following in her track. . . . We fear it is hopeless ever to form a society which can keep out men base enough to profess one thing and believe another; but it might be possible to make an informal alliance among all who hold the Christianity of their fathers.<

The Sword and the Trowel, December 1887, page 642:

>Certain antagonists have tried to represent the Down Grade controversy as a revival of the old feud between Calvinists and Arminians. IT IS NOTHING OF THE KIND. Many evangelical ARMINIANS are as earnestly ON OUR SIDE as men can be. We do not conceal our own Calvinism in the least; but this conflict is for truths which are common to all believers. This is no battle over words, but it deals with the eternal verities -- those foundation truths which belong not exclusively to this party or to that. It is of no use attempting to drag this red herring across our path: we can argue other points and maintain Christian harmony at the same time: but with those who treat the Bible as waste paper, and regard the death of Christ as no substitution, we have no desire for fellowship. We have come out in earnest protest, and feel great content of conscience in having done so.< The Sword and the Trowel, February 1888, page 82:

>I would like all Christendom to know that all I asked of the Union is that it be formed on a Scriptural basis; and that I never sought to intrude upon it any Calvinistic or other personal creed, but only that form of belief which has been accepted for many years by the Evangelical Alliance, which includes members of well-nigh ALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES.< The Sword and the Trowel, October 1888, page 563:

>We are represented as wishing to force upon the churches a narrow CREED. Nothing was further from our mind. We do not consider that the demand for agreement to vital truths COMMON TO ALL Christians can be looked upon as a piece of sectarian bigotry. Here is a man [i. e., Spurgeon], who is himself a Calvinist, who does not ask that a Union should draw up a Calvinistic creed, but only begs for one which will let the whole world know that brethren are associated as Christians, and that those who do not agree to the first principles of our faith will be intruders. Is this narrowness?< color="#3366ff">Why does Wade Burleson attempt to discredit with his farrago about C. H. Spurgeon?

What is Burleson's hang-up? Does he think he can embellish his name by trashing Spurgeon on the Downgrade Controversy? Well, I have news for the Wade Burleson Burlesque Company:

Spurgeon's name will continue to shine long after Burleson's has faded into oblivion.

NOTE: Much misunderstanding and misrepresentation about Spurgeon and the Down Grade is probably the result of the Iain Murray's unfortunate inaccuracies about Spurgeon. You may read my refutation of Murray at this link:
http://calvinistflyswatter.blogspot.com/2006/03/bob-ross-spurgeon-misrepresented-by.html

Burleson's Latest Burlesque

WADE BURLESON MAKES A LIAR
OUT OF C. H. SPURGEON

Pastor Wade Burleson, Enid, Oklahoma, has published a criticism of C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) which in effect alleges that Spurgeon was a liar with regard to The Downgrade Controversy in the latter years of his ministry. You can read the originsl documents related to this controversy at Phil Johnson's website at http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/dwngrd.htm
Spurgeon himself declared on the pages of his magazine, The Sword and the Trowel, that the issue was theological:

"Our warfare is with men who are giving up the atoning sacrifice, denying the inspiration of Holy Scripture, and casting slurs upon justification by faith. The present struggle is not a debate upon the question of Calvinism or Arminianism, but of the truth of God versus the inventions of men. All who believe the gospel should unite against that 'modern thought' which is its deadly enemy." (April, 1887, page 195).

Contrary to the word of Spurgeon, Wade Burleson alleges that The Downgrade Controversy was "not theological in nature." While Burleson claims he is a great admirer of Spurgeon, his recent criticism in effect makes Spurgeon a liar. Not only so, but Burleson goes even further and accuses Spurgeon of "unbiblical treatment" of pastors in the Baptist Union who did not share Spurgeon's concern.

Burleson says, "There is, however, one area in Spurgeon's ministry where I believe he made a grave mistake. . . . In my opinion, the controversy between the Baptist Union and Charles Haddon Spurgon was not theological in nature. The problem arose out of Spurgeon's unbiblical treatment of fellow pastors within the Baptist Union."

Burleson has managed to accomplish "making a name for himself" in recent years, as we have had occasion to mention on both The Calvinist Flyswatter and the Reformed Flyswatter (see Archives). Among other things, he has "played footsies" with several sources to demonstrate and call attention to the broadness of his affection for fellowship with those with whom he may have differences.

This recent fool-hardy criticism of Spurgeon just adds to the list of Burleson's peculiar mental and theological burlesque which he has found reason to frequently demonstrate on rather elaborate public stages.

This latest manifestation of his aberrancy about Spurgeon adds to the list of his other aberrant views, such as:

On Landmarkism

On Hybrid Calvinism

On Campbellism

On Tongues

And this is not to mention how he likes to cavort with the anti-inerrantist crowd and the Jimmy Carter-led movement, his obsession with being anti-Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and his obsession with the FBCJax Watchdog ordeal of a few months ago.