Dr. Bruce Ware recently spoke the the Spring Resurgence Conference of Mars Hill Church (Mark Driscoll is lead pastor). The title of the conference was called "Where the Hand of God and the Hands of Men Meet." The first session was entitled "The Uncertain Hands of God and Men: Providence in Process Thought and Open Theism." The second session was "Independent Hands of God and Men: Providence in Classic Arminianism." The third and final session was "Coordinated Hands of God and Men: Providence in the Reformed Tradition." You can listen to an interview of Dr. Ware by Resurgence about the conference by clicking here. Want to listen to more? Check out this nice collection of Dr. Ware's messages at this blog.
Of late, Dr. Ware's name has been dropped here and there from the Executive Committee Meeting to a recent Baptist Press article in an attempt (I presume) to criticize him for his affiliation with Mark Driscoll and the Acts 29 Network (BTW, check out their doctrinal statement - it's well done). I for one found this conference very encouraging and the partnership between the two even more promising. What do you think?
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Dr. Ware, Resurgence, and the Hands of God and Men
Labels: Bruce Ware, Providence, Resurgence
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3 comments:
These look like helpful topics. I need add them to my playlist. Thanks for the links.
I think its great to have solid guys like Ware speaking in every corner of the evangelical world. This is one way SBTS is having a positive influence. When our faculty can have an influence on other non-SBC groups we should praise God.
This is especially true for the "cool" movements like resurgent and emerging. So many young guys are listening to everything Driscoll says - isn't great to know that Driscoll is listening to Ware?
This goes back to the choice between withdraw and engagement. Should Southern Baptist keep to themselves and let the rest of the evangelical world drift where it may? Or should we serve our Christian brothers outside of our tent?
Well, here's my random thoughts.
I love studying theology proper and divine providence.
I love churches which are passionate about the gospel.
I love ministers who are committed to church planting.
I love scholars who are invested in developing sound theological framework and development of ministers who are committed to church planting, passionate about the gospel, and love God's Word.
This is what I see here.
If you listened to Piper's message today, it was all about this, mamely the Calvinist model of compatibilism (the hand of God and the hands of men together). This is crucial for church planters (and all Christians in general). And those who have come from a background of the emerging church movement (as many in Acts 29 have) are being told otherwise. I think Driscoll recognizes this has gotten one of evangelicals best Reformed scholars to train those under his influence and leadership. This is really good all around - for Driscoll, for Acts 29, for Ware, and for SBTS.
This is bad news for Baptist Press and the autocrats railing in X-Comm meetings. It doesn't fit their oversimplications and vague generalizations (or put in Petrine nomenclature, it silences the ignorance of foolish people).
I hope there can be a continuance and better relationship forged with Driscoll, Mars Hill, and Acts 29 Network with SBTS, SEBTS, and the SBC at large. May God get us back to focusing on church planting, missions, and the kingdom of God.
Timmy,
This reminds me of the conversation about unity you were leading when Frank Page came to SBTS.
Think about it from the methodologically conservative angle: if I think "traditional" is the most God honoring way to do church, why would to cooperate or encourage guys like Driscoll?
That seems like real issue to me. The broad middle of the SBC thinks traditional is the best (or only) way to do church. They see hymnals and ties and choirs and Southern ethics as nearly sacred.
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