Posting Suspended

I am suspending new posts until further notice.

Yours faithfully,

LM

PCC & Me: Radio Days, WPCS Rejoice Radio

Last time we looked at some fun times on PCC Tennis courts. Today we look back on a more serious issue for PCC. In the Spring semester (88) an appreciation dinner was hosted by Dr. Horton and several college administrators. The appreciation dinner was to recognize various contributors to the production of the annual college calendar. I received an invitation for my wife and I because my Salesmanship class sold advertising space for the calendar. I was told to invite two of my students from the class. I chose the top two in advertising revenue to attend.

1988 WPCS Moves into New Studios

At dinner my wife and I were seated next to Dr. Horton. Among other topics the conversation turned to my earlier career in on-air radio. He then pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, wrote something down and put it back in his pocket. Later in the week I received a note from the office responsible for assigning summer responsibilities to faculty and staff for the summer while students were away. I had already received my assignment, which was to work in the ABeka Book distribution center (DC). The note I then received said that I was reassigned to be a representative for WPCS radio. Frankly, I was pleased to be representing the radio station because I had heard working DC wasn't much fun.

My responsibilty was to act as a station listeners liaison retuming phone calls and visit folks in their homes who were financial supporters of WPCS to thank them, answer questions and encourage continued support of WPCS. Later I will describe how one of those visits led to the creation of a new outreach ministry for the college and the Campus Church: The Home of Grace.

This was the summer of 1988. Early into liaison responsibility some calls to the station from folks asking why the station discontinued airing John MacArthur's Grace to You program. The decision to pull MacArthur's program was made soon after the publication of his original edition of The Gospel According to Jesus. The Bible department reviewed the book and found it to be advocating a false interpretation of the gospel commonly known as Lordship Salvation (LS). I took or returned each those calls to, in layman terms, explain why the station dropped Grace to You because of MacArthur's advocacy for Lordship Salvation. Earlier today I searched the WPCS Programming Schedule. Nowhere does MacArthur's Grace to You appear. I'm pleased to report that a recent search of the Campus Store Book section revealed zero results when searching "John MacArthur."

Years later, October 1997, a guest chapel speaker advocated LS in one of his messages to the student body. The following Sunday evening (Nov. 2, 1997) Dr. Joel Mullenix brought a sermon titled, "What is the Gospel?" in which he identified the chapel message as a false interpretation of the gospel, and from his Bible (step by step) explained why it was wrong. In one chapter of my book, In Defense of the Gospel; Biblical Answers to Lordship Salvation I draw heavily from Dr. Mullenix's What is the Gospel?

In 2010 I published the revised & expanded version of my original edition (2006). I wrote these books to expose LS so that believers could first  easily recognize LS. and then be equipped to refute and resist the pernicious spread of Lordship's works based, non saving message. Following are examples from the book.

Summary of Lordship Salvation From a Single Page of MacArthur's Book

Lordship Salvation's Misuse and Distortion of Scripture, 1 Thess. 1:9-10

Lordship Salvation corrupts "the simplicity that is in Christ," (2 Cor. 11:3) and "frustrates grace," (Gal. 2:21). You may order In Defense of the Gospel in print or Kindle.

Please view this video synopsis of In Defense of the Gospel

Yours faithfully,

Lou Maertuneac

Addendum:

I need to explain something about the time line of this recollection from PCC. I refer to the November 1997 sermon by Dr. Mullenix. I departed PCC in June 1992 to make preparations for missionary service in South Africa. We arrived in South Africa September 1996. Soon after my missionary coworker, Kevin Brosnan, discovered while he was away on furlough, and just before my arrival, two American missionaries (Doug van Meter, Steven Miller) used that time to introduce and infect the Bible College with Lordship Salvation. Pastor Brosnan asked me to write a position paper for the college rejecting Lordship Salvation, which I did. It was at this time someone notified me of Dr. Mullenix's sermon, "What is the Gospel?" I wrote Dr. Mullenix requesting an audio copy of his sermon, which he gladly sent. I played that sermon to our Bible College students and transcribed extended excerpts into the college position paper. Those excerpts remain in the revised & expanded edition of my book, In Defense of the Gospel.

Lordship Salvation clouds, confuses and complicates the Gospel of Grace. The sermon by Dr. Mullenix helped us root out and eradicate Van Meter and Miller's Lordship Salvation from our Bible College. Ironically, just a few months ago, one of our college graduates from 1997 found me through a search of Facebook. He was one a few national pastors we were not able to recover from Lordship Salvation at the time. On this Messenger note to me he said, "...I wanted to tell you I [finally] got the point on Lordship Salvation that you were making at the time. In absolute agreement [now], my brother." I shared this encouraging note with Pastor Brosnan.

PCC & Me: Hit-N-Giggle & BIG Net Tennis

Last time we looked at the Turkey Bowl concessions. That was fun for me to recollect and share it you.

During the three years prior to arriving at PCC (84-87) I worked in the fitness industry, almost exclusively with tennis 🎾. I was the club membership manager responsible for membership sales and retention at several clubs in our Chicagoland group. At my home club, in Willowbrook, IL, I also taught group and private lessons. I was sponsored by Pro Kennix (PK) tennis company. PK provided me with their rackets, shoes and clothes. With that in my background the PCC administration assigned me to teach mens' and womens' (beginner) tennis. 

The original four courts (at left) I taught on were located adjacent to the swim center and directly behimd tne Academic Center. They're the original four courts still there today. The first day of the girls tennis class I told them that they were going to be learning the basics, but have fun doing it in a no pressure format. I told them we will call this, "Hit-n-Giggle" tennis. Like that we had fun while learning.

With the guys, however, it was a little different. Within the traditional teaching framework I created a competitive game called "BIG Net" tennis.

Imagine an overhead view of four tennis courts with a 12' fence diving them into 2x2. I had the idea to treat the four courts as one with the 12' fence as the BIG net dividing the court. So, we essentially played volleyball. I would start a point by serving a tennis ball high into the air to one side of the BIG net or the other. Players had to return the ball over the net to the opposing team within three shots, just like volleyball. The guys really took to the game. We played it 2, 3 times a month.

On one occasion Dr. Goddard, my VP came strolling by the tennis courts during one of the BIG net games. He paused, looked on for a few seconds. All I could say to him was, "BIG net tennis." He nodded, smiled and went on his way.

There was another occurrence in my men's tennis class. One of my students bought a new racket, he showed it to me as the lesson started. Midway through the lesson I see this guy not reaching for shots, especially when the ball was close to the ground. I knew the problem, he didn't want to scratch the frame. So, I called him over, asked him to let me see his tennis 🎾 racket. When he handed it to me I took it and scraped it in a large semicircle across the court. I handed it back telling him he doesn't have worry about scratching his new racket now.

Well, a few days go by until I received a note from Dr. Goddard (VP for Academic Affairs). He asked to see me in his office. I had no idea why I was called to meet with him. Dr. Goddard explained one of my tennis students came to him to complain about me raking his new tennis racket on the court.

I explained to Dr. Goddard why I did (see above) and by making his racket game used he began to play better. Dr. Goddard thanked me, meeting over. Next class I called the young man over, and said something like, "J***, what are doing belly aching to Dr. Goddard. Get out there and play tennis."

So, who was this student? Sure, why not. It was Cameron "Jack" Davies. Beyond tennis I knew Cameron was a brilliant student. Currently he is the Chief Data Officer for Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company, hosting such iconic brands as KFC, Taco Bell [my personal favorite1], Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger. 

Kind regards,


LM

Footnote to Taco Bell;

1) Bring back the 7-layer burrito!

Addendum:

Some readers may know I have incurable metastatic renal cell carcinoma, stage 4.  In the early days of treatment I was told what foods were good for me, and some to avoid. Before the dietician got started I told her, "It doesn't matter what you tell me, I am not giving up Taco Bell."

PCC & ME: The Turkey Bowl Concessions, Probably the Most Fun I Had at PCC

Last time we looked at the Early Days at PCC. 

Every November, during Thanksgiving weekend, PCC conducts College Days. This is a time to showcase the college to prospective students and their parents. Part of the College Days festivities is the Turkey Bowl Soccer ⚽️ Championship game. Two finalists from the men's collegian soccer regular season battle it out for the championship bragging rights.

We were very new on campus. My wife, children and I attended. There are typically many, many spectators ringing the field. I wanted to buy hot dogs and soft drinks for my family. I made my way to the concessions stand. The operation was very small, the layout was not efficient. There was no defined way to guide customers in and through the concessions. Another problem was food prep and delivery. For example hot dogs were cooked, more like warmed on one of those small rotisserie machines you see at gas station convenience stores. The hot dogs were were skewered on one end of a metal stake. The heat source to cook the hot dogs is something like a 250 watt light bulb. The hot dogs would slowly rotate around this heat source, which made cooking time 10-15 minutes for no more than 10-12 hot dogs at a time.

I was thinking at the time this could be far more efficient moving many more fans through. Later that night, after the children had gone to bed, I sat at the kitchen table to overhead diagram my layout and make notations about how I would organize the concessions area. For example: cooking hot dogs I would use two spilt 55 gallon drums to charcoal grill the hot dogs. One for fast cooking, the other as a warming area. Once I finished I put my diagram away, but I saved it.

Fast forward to August 1988. Dr. Goddard called me to his office to say he would like me and my Public Relations (PR) class to take on running that year's Turkey Bowl concessions. I was really excited, and told him about how I drew up plans last year for how I would run it.

On the first day of my PR class I told the students (about 70) that Dean Goddard has given us the privilege and responsibility to run the Turkey Bowl concessions. A wave of excitement ran through the classroom.  I broke up the class into committees with a leader of each. I would meet with the committee leaders every Friday night leading up to the Turkey Bowl, with more frequent meetings two weeks from the event. I would hear progress updates and would offer helpful advice where needed, but the students did the leg work. I wanted this to be their project, their effort that would make it a success. They did it all, they prepared the way for a successful operation.

Dean Hurst

A couple weeks into the semester I reached out to Dean John Hurst. He was in charge of the Pan-Hellenic society. The concessions were being run by my PR class, but sponsored by and in support of the the Pan-Hellenic society. I came to ask Dean Hurst for a sum of money to launch our preparation for the Turkey Bowl.  He said the amount I asked for was their entire budget. He said he would get back to me the next day. So, he saw me the next day. He told me he asked Mrs. Horton about my financial request, and she told him to give it to me.

Among other decisions we made was to buy only food the college food service used. Mrs. Allen, Food Service Director, agreed to buy any of our unused, unopened left over products.

The day of the Turkey Bowl we were ready, excited and a little nervous. The entire day went off without a hitch. Lines of people moved quickly through our concessions. We worked hard and smart. We had fun and nearly sold out all of our products. There was an air of celebration as we tore down the area. We met as a class the following Monday. There was still this buzz of excitement among the students. Some of them shared their personal experience from the day. There were cheers and laughter throughout class time.

All said and done it was down to business. Did we make a profit? The college accounting department counted up the money, subtracted expenses. I had a couple of our graphic design students make up a large presentation check. I assigned several of my students to present that check at the next Pan-Hellenic meeting. They made that presentation to Dean Hurst and the Pan-Hellenic leadership. The amount of the presentation check was triple the funds Dean Hurst had given me weeks before. A few days later Dean Hurst saw me between classes. He said that when he showed Mrs. Horton how much profit we made through the concessions she said to him, "Whatever Mr. Martuneac wants for next year's Turkey Bowl concessions, give it to him."

Funny thing about next year is we sought out vendors who, in exchange for promotional considerations, would give us their food, snacks and soft drinks for free. Even the charcoal and ice was donated. So, we didn't have to request any funds from Pan-Hellenic. From the very first hot dog, bag of chips, candy bar and soft drink sold it was pure profit.

I also decided that instead of a single fixed operation location the fans would have to come to we needed to get out among the fans seated all around the field. This would relieve some pressure at our fixed operation, especially during half time.

We needed racks to carry our products out to the stands. So, I sent some of the students to the Pensacola Civic Center. The civic center hosted semi-pro sporting events and concerts. They had the kind of serving racks we needed. The students asked for and were given permission to borrow enough racks for our concessions.

These serving racks had promotional placards on them advertising brands like Budweiser, Miller Lite and the like. Oops! We made our own placards to cover those up.

I don't recall the exact amount of money we turned over to Dean Hurst and the Pan-Hellenic leadership that year.  I believe the amount was more than double the first year profit.

I was able to run the Turkey Bowl concessions, with my PR class over four consecutive years. I left PCC after the Spring 1992 semester. I believe the concession operations was turned over to a former student, Tony Pittarese, who had been a student for the event and was now on staff at the college.

During my final semester Dean Hurst asked to meet me. In that meeting he said Mrs. Horton told him to talk to me before I left to find out how I run the Turkey Bowl concessions. I shared all I had and knew.

Operating the Turkey Bowl concessions those four years remains one of my favorite memories and probably the most fun I had at PCC. 

LM

Addendum:

Should any students from those PR classes happen to read this article I would really enjoy hearing from you. Use my email address- indefense06@gmail.com

PCC & ME: The Early Days

Last time we looked at A Phone Call & Heart's Desire.

In August 1987 we departed Chicago for PCC. We hired a moving company to send our belongings soon after us. The drive down was pleasant and largely uneventful. We did take time to visit an American Civil War battlefield, Chickamagua.

So, we arrived on a sunny August afternoon. We were stopped at a main intersection where we'd turn right toward PCC's main entrance about two blocks away. To our immediate right was an AMOCO gas station and on the corner was a young man dressed in black pants, white shirt and thin dark tie. He was waving a Bible at the cars and at the top of his lungs yelling about sin. My wife looked at me and asked, "do you think he's a PCC student?" I said, "I'm not sure, but he's definitely not a Mormon." Some of you may already know where this is going.

A few days later I told another faculty member about the incident and asked if that guy was one of our students. He said, "No, what you saw was a 'Ruckmanite' from a small Bible institute in town." Hearing that was a relief. If you'd like to know more about that group see, Peter Ruckman.

We arrived on campus, and were warmly greeted. We spent our first two days housed in the Ballard dormitory. Our belongings arrived and we were shown our new home located behind the Dale Horton Auditorium, which was then the Campus Church. It was a very nice three bedroom duplex. Some of our immediate neighbors were Brian and Becky Bucy, Shane and Donna Smith, Greg and Carol DeBruler. Two years later PCC moved us into a four bedroom single family home. We remained there until our departure in June 1992, which is the subject of an upcoming article. Fwiw: what lead to our amicable departure is a story of God's direction, sovereignty and providence.

Back to our first night in the dorm room I heard a piano being played. This was no slouch at the keyboard. I went to the room where the music was coming from. It was a student playing. I asked him to play, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." He asked if it was for me to sing. I said, "Uhh, no no." If you know me well you know I have a deep resonate voice. My first three years out of college I worked in radio, on the air. If you ever meet me ask for the current time and temperature. I'll give you a demo. Musically the problem is my ear. I have no ear for music. When I sing in our congregation I never know if I'm on key.

I remember one of our first times in the Campus Church. After the service Liz and I were down by the platform near the piano. Then music leader Gettys Allen heard me talking, approached me and asked me if I can sing. I tried to warn him off, but, he insisted I give it a try for him. So, he has the pianist play a hymn familiar to me. After less than 15 seconds Mr. Allen stopped me and said something like, "Lou, I think you can best contribute to the music ministry from the congregation." I warned him. There have been several times I disappointed church ministers of music and choir leaders. One of them was Robert Regal at Marquette Manor BC. If you've heard Ray Gibbs at PCC sing, you've heard Robert Regal, but in baritone.

I don't know what it is, but they hear me speak and automatically think or hope that is my singing voice as well. Not, so! They tried, I tried, but my place is best in and among the congregation at large.

Moving on, a few days before students began to arrive all faculty and staff had to meet to receive their assignments for the Fall semester I was assigned to teach: Salesmanship, Public Relations, Introduction to Communications (Radio & TV), Oral Communications in the Professions and Tennis. A full load, for sure, but I loved the diversity of classes. I would rather teach five subjects every week than one subject five times a week. My wife was assigned college library secretary. She was delighted because she loved and still loves to read and has always frequented our local libraries.

The Dale Horton Auditorium and Swim Center had opened nine months earlier. Pastor Bob Taylor would leave PCC for Colonial Hills BC in Spring 1988, Jim Schettler was called to be senior pastor. Dr. Horton's Presidential Prerogative Day was highly anticipated every Spring semester. New construction was evident all around campus including the Cogeneration plant. We were there and we loved it from the start.

Those early days and weeks were not overwhelming, but more challenging than I expected. It didn't matter though because God had fulfilled a heart’s desire, and I loved it from the start. That said, I was thankful Dr. Goddard suggesting I delay starting graduate school to focus on my first year teaching. I knew the subject matter well for lectures, having a number of years in the professions, but the day to day of preparation, the creating, giving and grading tests and quizzes was time consuming. 

At midterms and finals I only gave exams that could be graded by Scantron. No essay questions. That way I could have grades posted soon, and be out on the tennis court practicing while most faculty were days into grading exams.

That's a pretty good summation of the early days.

Next time I'll share my story about the Turkey Bowl championship, the concessions area in particular. It is one of my very favorite and fun recollections.


LM

PCC & Me: A Phone Call and Heart's Desire Fulfilled

Last time we looked at events where God preparing me for His eventual call to full-time ministry. How I at first hesitated, but finally surrendered. See, Call to Ministry Leading to PCC.

In this chapter I'd like to tell you what happened over the summer of 1987 that led to our move to Pensacola. In fact, it was a phone call that set wheels in motion.

Early in the summer of 1987 I submitted my application for graduate school. In late June Dr. Jerry Goddard, then PCC's VP for Academic Affairs phoned me. He said, "we have your application for graduate school, but we're also looking at your career resume." He then asked me, "would you be willing to take your graduate school classes on a part time basis so that you could teach full time on our college faculty ?"

Immediately I began fighting back tears of joy. In that moment I experienced the reality of Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

For many years I had a desire to be a school teacher, but the Lord had never until that morning opened that door to me. All the years of unfilled hope were fulfilled in that moment. I responded with, "I would be pleased to come to PCC on those terms, Dr. Goddard." Later Dr. Goddard also suggested I delay starting graduate studies to devot my time to that first year of teaching. Another suggestion I decided upon, which I was grateful for early on my first semester teaching.

We wrapped up the phone call and soon after text books arrived for some of the classes I would be teaching. Dr. Goddard also sent me a list of the classes they wanted me to teach. Those classes over two semesters were: Salesmanship, Marketing & Advertising, Public Relations, Introduction to Communications, Oral Communication in the Professions and Tennis. In my third year they added Evangelism Seminar.

Next time we'll talk about arriving and those early days on faculty and look at a plan I prepared thinking it wouldn't amount to anything.

LM

Call to Ministry: Leading to Pensacola Christian College

Earlier we began this series with An Introduction.

In November 1984 my wife, one year old daughter and I first attended Marquette Manor Baptist Church (MMBC). Dr. Wayne VanGelderen, Sr. was the pastor then. We became regulars and joined the church soon after. Over the next two years we grew spiritually through Sunday school and worship services.

I began getting more and more involved with church programs. I took a series of soul winning classes, volunteered to help with various outreach programs in the church.

In October 1986 our Sunday school teacher (Dr. David Pennington) brought a lesson on Romans 12:1-2. I remember a few days after that lesson going to see Dr. Pennington for lunch to get a better understanding of what the passage meant for me. When he finished I went to my car and prayed a simple prayer, something like this, "Lord, I don’t care what it is, where it takes me, or what the cost, whatever you want me to do I will do it."

Looking back it seems to me that was my little Samuel response to the voice of God, "Speak; for Thy servant heareth." (1 Samuel 3:9-10 )Let me tell you the Lord took me up on the promise I made. Over the next six months there were numerous occasions when the Lord challenged me on my promise. I began making decisions and taking steps to live out the principles of that passage. I found myself responding to the Lord’s direction to get more of some things into my life, and other things out of my life. I was going forward during invitation time following sermons to make those decisions and commitments. A few days following one of those decisions I received a note from my Pastor, VanGelderen, Sr. It read, "Lou, that was a good decision. Keep it up." These steps of obedience to the Lord’s commands continued into April 1987.

That month MMBC held its annual Revival meeting with Evangelist Ron Comfort preaching that year. I can't recall what Dr. Comfort's first Sunday morning sermon was about, but at the invitation time God was clearly calling me to follow Him into full time ministry. I knew it, plain as day, but for the first time since October, committing to Romans 12:1-2,  I did not respond to His call.

It wasn't a crushing pressure, but God was in a loving, powerful way calling on me to surrender to full time ministry. I recall having this sense of the Lord speaking to my heart, "Why didn't you go forward, I called you, you said you would do anything I asked of you." This went on all afternoon and evening. Because of professional responsibilities in those days I was unable to attend the Sunday evening service, but God was still speaking to me, "I called you, why didn't you go forward?" This went on through Monday. I asked my manager if I could leave work early so I could attend the service at church. He gave that permission, and I drove straight to church. Dr. Comfort was preaching by the time I arrived. I took a seat in the foyer, still agonizing over God calling me to preach.

I don't know why I hesitated, I knew I had to surrender, but the unexpectedness of God's call caught me off guard, and I was wrestling through it all.

So, there I am sitting in the foyer, half listening to the sermon. One of our deacons John Ramler (a godly man, 10 years my senior, with the Lord now) approached me. He greeted me and asked how I'm doing. I told him, "God is calling on me to make an important decision for Him." The deacon replied, "Well, then you better do it."

I was seated right under one of the overhead audio speakers carrying Dr. Comfort's message. There is nothing I remember from his sermon, with the exception of one word, which was, "JONAH." Immediately upon hearing that name God said to me, "YOU ARE DOING THE SAME THING!"

That was enough! I rose to my feet, gripped the handle of a door to the auditorium, and on the first note of the invitation hymn I opened the door and made my way up the right side aisle to the front. John VanGelderen was there, I told him why I had come forward. When the invitation closed John took me to the church office, asked me to wait there while he got his father (Wayne, Sr.) to come meet with me. Moments later Dr. VanGelderen came in, sat down and listened as I told him what transpired over the previous 36 hours. He asked me a few questions, shared some comments, prayed with me, and then asked me to come back in the morning to meet with him and Dr. Comfort to discuss next steps.

Dr. VanGelderen, Sr.

That next morning Drs. VanGelderen and Comfort met with me. It was a time of encouraging me and to discuss getting trained in the Scriptures. Until that time my only college training was a B.A. in Telecommunications from Michigan State University, 1981. Dr. VanGelderen felt PCC would be a good fit for Bible training and the college might be able to use me there, somewhere. With that I reached out to PCC to begin the application process for graduate school.

Before I close this chapter I'd like to share a discussion between Drs. VanGelderen and Comfort once they were done speaking to me. Not recalling the specifics, the men were talking about the need for another Bible College. They discussed Dr. Comfort's thinking of opening a new Bible College. Two years later Dr. Comfort opened Ambassador Baptist College.

Next time I'll share what transpired over the summer of 1987, which led to my leaving Chicago for Pensacola, Florida. See, A Phone Call & Heart's Desire.

LM

Addendum:
In 1984 I was 29 years old. I recall seeing men there who were many years my senior. Good men who loved the Lord and faithful members of the church. Now, in 2025, I look around the congregation recognizing I'm one of the "old guys" now.

Pensacola Christian College & Me: An Autobiography, Introduction

In early March I published an article expressing my disappointment and concern that Pensacola Christian College (PCC) hosted Steve Pettit in the Campus Church and College chapel pulpits.  See, Are We Now Going to Lose PCC? 1

That said my love and hope for PCC remains strong and bright. I have a long and rich history with PCC. Some of my greatest strides in spiritual growth, ministry opportunities, delights in ministry, and personal enrichment are because of and through my relationship with PCC. I will be sharing some favorite, even fun times I had on faculty.

Today, I am beginning a new series of articles to, in autobiographical form, share my life experiences with and about PCC.

My love for and appreciation for the PCC I know runs deep within me. I will be sharing many stories of how I came to work, study and thrive at PCC. None of what I share is meant to be a self- aggrandizement campaign. They are the retelling of my favorite and cherished memories. The first, coming soon, will discuss how the Lord was working in my life, which led me to reach out to PCC. See, Call to Ministry Leading to PCC.

Yours faithfully,


Lou Martuneac

Addendum: I have no set schedule for publishing the upcoming articles in the series. I will write and publish each as I am able. My goal is to post each article on Monday and Thursday morning.

Footnote

Steve Pettit is Reformed in his theology, a non-separatist evangelical and an ecumenical compromiser. His agenda over nine years as Bob Jones University president almost completely erased BJU's historic fundamentalist, separatist legacy. Pettit's dismantling of BJU's foundation caused irreparable damage to the school and has to this day left what form it will take or its survivability in question.  Pray that God will give the leadership the wisdom and way to revitalize and restore BJU to the best of what it has been, and can be again. See,

Steve Pettit Entangles BJU Students in Ecumenical Compromise

Steve Pettit: An Advocate for the Advancement of Reformed Theology

Steve Pettit Opens the Campus to Roman Catholics & New Evangelicals

Chris Anderson's The Scandal of Schism Reviewed by George Zeller

What follows are select excerpts from George Zeller's comprehensive review of Chris Anderson's, The Scandal of Schism.

In light of the helpful contributions Anderson has made with his hymn compositions, etc., I was saddened to learn that he had published this book which is an attack against fundamentalists. He accuses them of causing schisms and sinful divisions in the churches. In this review I will cite page numbers of Anderson’s book so that his statements can be easily found and checked.

Anderson’s new attack against fundamentalists reminds me of a very similar attack by Jack Van Impe as set forth in his book, Heart Disease in Christ’s Body (written 1984). In this book Van Impe expressed his concern over the divisiveness within the church and he makes a strong plea for broader fellowship among brethren based on love and doctrinal toleration. The book was a virulent attack against what he labeled as“neo-fundamentalists” or “extreme separatists.” I reviewed that book over 40 years ago.See https://middletownbiblechurch.org/separate/heartdis.pdf

Anderson’s position reminds me of a book Chuck Swindoll wrote back in 1990 called, The Grace Awakening. He attacked believers with high standards as “legalists” and pushed his “freegrace” ideas way beyond their boundaries.

Let me comment briefly on some of these “divisive issues” mentioned by Anderson:

Contemporary music- Anderson has no problem with the music of the Gettys, Sovereign Grace, CityAlight or Steve Green (pages 62,132,125 ).

Concerning degrees of Calvinism- Anderson wants believers to be united around the gospel, but how can we join together with men who deny that “God so loved the world,” teaching instead that He loved and died only for the “world of the elect.” Limited atonement is a denial of the true gospel which is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Also many Calvinists teach that regeneration precedes faith. That is, you do not believe to be born again but you are born again so that you can believe. But according to Anderson we should all seek unity under one big tent and not be concerned about such doctrines.

Opinions of a well-known author. Anderson seems to be referring to men such as John MacArthur, Al Mohler, John Piper, etc. Are we to embrace such men even if they hold some very unbiblical positions?

1. MacArthur’s denial of the eternal Sonship of Christ (teaching that Christ did not become the Son of God until His incarnation);
2. MacArthur’s teaching that a believer does not have an old nature, but only a new nature in Christ;
3. MacArthur’s teaching on “Lordship Salvation,” that the requirements for salvation include obedience, surrender and fulfilling the demands of discipleship;
4. MacArthur’s denial of unlimited atonement.
5. MacArthur’s weak positions on dispensationalism; etc.

Does Anderson believe that exposing errors like this is an attack on Christian unity? Apparently he does.

Excessively modest dress- He criticizes women for “excessively modest dress” (p. 53) but has nothing to say about women, even professing believers, who are excessively immodest.

Second degree separation- Anderson is opposed to secondary separation and believes that fundamentalists are guilty of “excessive separation” (p. 58).

The Use of Alcohol- There is a trend today towards a position where believers may partake of alcohol in moderation but avoid getting drunk. The IFCA in recent years changed their policy on alcohol, basically allowing for social drinking and the consumption of alcohol but condemning drunkenness. Anderson takes the same position.

Other positions Anderson takes, reviewed by Zeller, include:

• The timing of the rapture
• How people should dress for worship
• Worship Styles
• Short hair on men

Ernest Pickering in his excellent book, Biblical Separation, wrote, “Church history yields no example of a group or denomination that, having been captured by apostates, has been rescued and restored to a Biblical witness.” Anderson takes issue with this statement and believes that the Southern Baptist Convention has been rescued and restored to a Biblical witness, due to a conservative resurgence around 1979 (p. 72 footnote). He accuses David Beale of maligning SBC brethren instead of encouraging them (p. 73). He cites Beale’s book, SBC: House on the Sand? and claims that the SBC experienced a successful conservative resurgence and a great victory (p. 73 footnote). This “conservative resurgence” in the SBC is highly questionable.

How do we handle the various teachings and positions that are held among Bible-believing Christians? Anderson believes that if a person holds to the fundamentals of the faith and preaches the true gospel then he should be welcomed into “one big gospel tent” and we should not fight over any of these secondary issues. Anderson loves the slogan, “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity” (p. 151). The problem here is this: Who decides what is non-essential?

How can we summarize the position of Chris Anderson?
The following quotation is taken from WorldwideImpact, a Campus Crusade for Christ publication, May 1972. Even though this was written a number of years ago, it seems to accurately reflect Anderson’s position,

We are to put aside the peripheral issues (that is, doctrinal issues) that divide us .... Men are reminded that the real issue is Jesus Christ, and that we are to love one another even if we do not agree theologically or philosophically [or doctrinally]. I encourage you to apply this principle of love and acceptance with all of your Christian friends, and help make Christ the real issue.

This philosophy could perhaps be restated as follows: “It is sinful to divide the body of Christ on earth by separating ourselves from any Christian over any doctrinal or ecclesiastical issue. The mark of true orthodoxy is love, not doctrine.

Today as I think of that song [You are Always Good] and the several other Chris Anderson songs that have meant so much to me and to our congregation, I am saddened. I am saddened because the man who had the potential to be one of the finest song writers of our day has decided to go on the attack against fundamentalists and join the ranks of a much wider and broader evangelicalism. It brings to mind the title of Dr. Pickering’s book, The Tragedy of Compromise.

See Brother Zeller's Full Review. It is the sixth article down.

Site Publisher's Closure:

Chris Anderson is squarely among the non-separatist evangelicals who will allow for, tolerate, ignore and excuse a wide range of doctrinal aberrations for the sake of unity. Anderson is doing all he can to influence the next generation to join him in compromise of the Scriptures for the sake of unity with his mentors and friends in T4G and The Gospel Coalition.

LM

Related Reading

John MacArthur Requested to, and Resigns the IFCA

A Mood of Broadmindedness: The NEW New Evangelicalism, Dr. Ernest Pickering

Dr. David Beale Reviews Chris Anderson's Book

Another Shake Up at BJU?

It has just been reported that in less than one year as BJU president Joshua Crockett announced on April 7 he may be called to become senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church.  If he is called, and accepts the call, it's virtually certain he will step down as president for a lesser role at the university. See, BJU President Josh Crockett Announces Possible Role Change.

Yours faithfully,

LM

Announcement to Alumni from Bob Jones University:

This morning, [April 7] Dr. Joshua Crockett informed the Bob Jones University faculty and staff he is a candidate for senior pastor of Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, the position he held for nine years prior to becoming the president of BJU in May 2024. He also plans to continue in a leadership role at BJU working alongside a CEO. 

Dr. Crockett has a pastor’s heart and believes he is best suited to shepherd a congregation and individuals within that congregation. Morningside Baptist Church’s pulpit committee will present the dual role to the congregation for a vote as early as April 27.

If the congregation votes to call him as pastor, his responsibilities at the University will shift primarily to preaching, leading chapel and interacting with and shepherding students.

Dr. Crockett remains dedicated to the mission and vision of BJU, and his ongoing leadership will continue to support the University’s commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. 

The BJU Board of Trustees is confident that with the planned transition and the appointment of a new CEO, the University will continue to thrive in its mission to serve students, faculty, and staff. 

As the process to appoint a new CEO progresses, Dr. Crockett strongly encourages the pursuit of unity. In his statement to faculty and staff this morning, he acknowledged the past and even present disagreements within the BJU community saying “the answer is not to retaliate or escalate a family feud – like the Hatfields & McCoys. The answer is not to react or pick fights on social media.  New Testament Christians are called to build up, not blow up.  We’re called to edification not detonation.  We need to pursue reconciliation and restoration.  We need unity.”  

In his closing this morning, Dr. Crockett also shared clear reasons for optimism including a 23% increase in confirmed applications over last year at this time!

Are We Now Going to Lose Pensacola Christian College?

 In my previous article, I cited Dr. Ernest Pickering at length. He cautioned,

"...a man is more than his pulpit message. He brings to the pulpit a lifetime of associations, actions and perhaps writings. He comes as a total person. Is he in his total ministry the type of person you would want the young people at the separatist college to emulate?" (Implementing Separatist Convictions)

Following Pickering's excerpt I closed with a statement I recall from the years I was on faculty at Pensacola Christian College (PCC). "Show me your friends, show me who you will associate yourself with and I will show you what you are now or soon will be."

Every time a fundamentalist, separatist college took a hard left away from its historic legacy to embrace non-separatist evangelicalism, Reformed and/or Covenant theology disaster soon followed. The school either became New Evangelical (Wheaton, Cedarville, Liberty) or closed its doors (Pillsbury, TTU, Northland, Clearwater, Calvary Seminary).

With great sadness I learned that on Wednesday evening February 26 PCC hosted former Bob Jones University (BJU) president Steve Pettit for preaching at the Campus Church and on the 27th in the college chapel. Pettit is a Reformed theologian; he is among the "new" Calvinists, and an ecumenical compromiser. Steve Pettit had a role in the ultimate demise of Northland International University. He participated in John MacArthur's Shepherd's Conference. His agenda, over nine years as BJU president, almost completely unraveled the university's historic fundamentalist legacy, which irreparably damaged BJU. Pettit's record is not hidden away in a vacuum. A simple vetting of Pettit before inviting him to speak in chapel, would uncover all these things.

Hosting Steve Pettit suggests that PCC may have embarked on the same path that ruined the schools mentioned above. It's possible that our churches may have already lost another balanced separatist Christian College.

On a personal level learning of PCC putting Steve Pettit in the chapel pulpit felt like a gut punch. During my tenure on PCC faculty (1987-92) inviting a man with Pettit's resume and doctrinal positions would have been unthinkable. Over the years schools will moderate in some areas, such as dress and music. This is true of PCC, which I have been moderately concerned with. But none of those things rise to the level of consternation and disappointment I felt seeing Steve Pettit (an ecumenical compromiser, Reformed theologian, non-separatist evangelical & further into evangelicalism) in the chapel pulpit of PCC.

What Can We Hope For? 

One can only hope that the invitation to Steve Pettit was a one off, a mistake that in hindsight should never have been made. We might hope the administration at PCC will look back on this and realize the optics of Steve Pettit in the church and college pulpits raised a red flag of warning to the friends and alumni of the college. A disconcerting optic that needs to be addressed by the administration to show PCC is not going the route Steve Pettit exemplifies in his doctrine and ministerial practice, especially the non-separatist agenda he advanced at BJU. We hope never again will PCC bring to the campus men who advance and/or tolerate, allow for, ignore and excuse doctrinal aberrations (Reformed Theology, “new” Calvinism) and worldliness in worship.

With a saddened, but hopeful heart,


LM

(M.A. Biblical Exposition, PCC, 1995)

Steve Pettit Preaching  at the Campus Church, Wednesday night (2/26/25)

Steve Pettit Preaching PCC Chapel Service, (2/27/25)

Addendum: Chris Anderson has squarely placed himself among the non-separatist evangelicals.  He passionately advocates for and is a defender of the T4G men and their doctrinal aberrations. See The Scandal of Schism. Anderson's latest ChurchWorks Media production also shows he has adopted CCM stylings. According to Chris Anderson he was warmly received by Pastor Jeff Redlin at PCC's Campus Church November 4, 2024.

"I had the BEST time singing and worshipping with the Campus Church in Pensacola, FL last night. Everyone was so gracious and my friendship with Pastor Redlin is one I hope will continue to grow." (Chris Anderson, Church Works Media's Post Nov, 4, 2024)

Related Reading

Platform Sharing & Identification

Will They Never Learn? Every Failed School Veered From its Conservative, Historic Base

This Pastor's Perspective on the Closure of Clearwater Christian College

New Calvinism & the Millennial Generation: The Perfect Storm

Chris Anderson's Book Reviewed by George Zeller

Implementing Separatist Convictions: Whom to Invite to Your Platform

From his Biblical Separation: The Struggle for a Pure Church, Dr. Ernest Pickering wrote, 

Dr. Pickering

“Some leaders operate on the principle that they will use speakers who are well-known even though they may be shaky in their convictions in some areas-because they have special abilities that are helpful and thus can be a blessing to their congregations. The wisdom, however, of following this course of action is very doubtful. For instance, the president of a separatist school may be asked to consider using some outstanding Bible preacher in his chapel or Bible conference. The man may have expertise in the Scriptures, be fundamental in doctrine and possess a tremendous gift of communication. He may also be one who goes everywhere, evidencing little discernment in the choice of places he ministers, speaking one week at the separatist college and perhaps the next at a Bible conference controlled by new evangelicals or their sympathizers. Some see no harm in using such a man. They look only at the messages he delivers from the platform which, in themselves, may be without fault.

But a man is more than his pulpit message. He brings to the pulpit a lifetime of associations, actions and perhaps writings. He comes as a total person. Is he in his total ministry the type of person you would want the young people at the separatist college to emulate? Perhaps you, as an adult, mature believer, could make the necessary adjustments in thinking and divorce what he is from what he says. Most of the youth would not be able to do that. The same would be true of most church members. They would be influenced by the man’s example as well as by his preaching. If he is a compromiser, his example would be harmful, and the college president would be at fault for setting him up as such. The separatist cause is not advanced by featuring non-separatists.” (Biblical Separation: The Struggle for a Pure Church, Implementing Separatist Convictions, Whom to Invite to Your Platform, p. 229.)

I don't recall when I first heard this, but it was at Pensacola Christian College, late 80's. "Show me your friends, show me who you will associate yourself with and I will show you what you are now, or soon will be."

LM

Archival Series: "Our Children Learn Not Only What We Teach Them, But By What We Tolerate"

In its history Northland International University (NIU), the former Northland Baptist Bible College, has not been in a situation requiring a strong call to separate. In the early days Northland was a refreshing voice because of it’s good conservative stands, refreshing Northwood’s feel, friendly campus, servant’s heart, with a love for revival and the Lord Jesus Christ. Students were being discipled with a demerits system in place and properly emphasized for correction and growth. There are many fine pastors and Christian workers serving the Lord today because of Northland’s ministry to them.

“Our children learn not only what we teach them, but by what we tolerate.”

According to NIU alumni Dr. Les Ollila (former NIU Chancellor) said that over and over to the student body. With decisions made in recent weeks at Northland a new kind of teaching and tolerance has come to the campus.

In 2005, because of Rick Holland’s inclusion as a speaker, Dr. Ollila pulled out of the God-Focused conference. It is believed that NIU president Matt Olson insisted Ollila withdraw. Just five years later Dr. Ollila along with Matt Olson, Sam Horn and Doug McLachlan reach out to and travel across the country to meet with John MacArthur, Rick Holland and Phil Johnson. Then Ollila/Olson/NIU have this same man (Rick Holland) speak in chapel to impressionable young people.

What changed between 2005 and 2010? It wasn’t Rick Holland. He is today what he was in 2005: a non-separatist evangelical, advocate for Lordship Salvation1 and the founder of the Resolved Conference, which merges preaching with the world’s CCM/rock culture and extreme Charismatic style worship.2 NIU embracing MacArthur, Johnson and putting Rick Holland in its chapel pulpit confirms they are willing to teach Lordship Salvation, teach/tolerate a neutered form of biblical separatism, tolerate and allow for the worldly culture of events such as the Resolved Conference.

Regrettably, in just five years, Les Ollila has changed. NIU is being transformed by its president, Matt Olson, and administration decisions. With and because of their change the historical trajectory of NIU has been radically altered. [On April 30, 2015 NIU Announced its Closure.]

With the changes at NIU many share concerns over ministry, direction and leanings of NIU. There is a declining interest in maintaining fellowship by many former alums, good Christian leaders and lay workers. Many who have some relationship with NIU are contacting the administration to express their concerns. Others will quietly pull away and encourage their young people to look elsewhere for a Christian college. Now unfortunately, because NIU’s administration wants it both ways their friendship base will have to change just to maintain status quo not to mention growth.

Many alumni view what Northland is doing today as completely contrary to what was taught not very long ago. Students were told that they will become in the future based on two things: the friends you have and the books you read. Is it any wonder they have done what they have? If you live long enough, you will have to change your friends or change your doctrine. NIU is changing its friends for new ones in the so-call  “conservative” evangelicalism. Certain doctrines, separatism in particular, is not far from being compromised for the sake of their new friends.

Why do men who claim a heritage and commitment to separatist Fundamentalism take the initiative to reach out to evangelicals who openly repudiate biblical separation in principle and in application? Is it possible that these alleged fundamental separatists want to retain the label they are comfortable with, but have lost the will to contend, to wage the battle for fidelity to the God-given mandates? Is it possible they will redefine the principles and application of separation to accommodate the need to tolerate, allow for and excuse aberrant doctrine and ecumenism for the sake of fellowship with evangelicals?

Have self-described fundamental separatists decided to move toward a safe, non-confrontational middle ground at the expense of fidelity to the Word of God on separation to be accepted and respected by evangelicals?

The “conservative” evangelicals have not and show no inclination of moving toward a Fundamentalist’s commitment to authentic biblical separation. Someone is moving, someone is changing, and it isn’t the evangelicals.

With recent revelations we are learning a great deal about Northland’s new trajectory. NIU will try to placate alumni and donors while it moves further away from its historic stand. Matt Olson’s recent open letter to Friends in Ministry was just such an attempt that, in the opinion of many, was an abject failure. If Northland maintains this new direction and discussions among concerned persons are any indication of a national response, I fear Northland’s best days are behind it and the worst is yet to come.

Northland’s new trajectory has a historic parallel. The devastating effects of introducing Evangelicalism’s philosophy and practices into a biblical Fundamentalist setting are no more stark than the demise of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College.3


LM
First Published Nov. 29, 2010 & again Jan. 2, 2018

For previous articles in this series see-

NIU’s Convergence With Evangelicalism: What Does It Mean for Impressionable Students?

NIU Presents Executive Pastor of Grace Community Church to It’s Student Body

1) An Example of Lordship Salvation’s Man-Centered Message

2) The Merger of Calvinism With Worldliness, by Dr. Peter Masters

3) Discussion Over the Closing of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College

“Although Pillsbury struggled for a number of years to recover itself from the devastating effects of hob-nobbing with Evangelicalism, it never really dealt with (in any real tangible way) its ruined reputation. Although it was repeatedly brought before them by many friends of the college, they never really did what was necessary to regain the trust of the pastors and parents who send students.”

Chris Anderson's The Scandal of Schism: An Overview by Dr. David Beale

Introduction: Basic Facts to Know Before Reading this Book

      

Dr. David Beale

    Mainline Fundamentalism originated in the northern states. The editor of the Baptist periodical Watchman-Examiner coined the term Fundamentalist in 1920 to describe a group of concerned Baptists who had just met at the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, to discuss the problem of Modernism in the Northern Baptist Convention.

    New Evangelicalism is the religious mood or attitude that repudiates Fundamentalism’s doctrine of separation from false teachers and advocates theological dialogue with Modernism and greater social involvement. Harold J. Ockenga coined the term New Evangelical in 1948 when he described the movement as a “new breed.”

    By the late 1940s and early 1950s, Fundamentalists began to see the broad umbrella of Evangelicalism emerging distinctly into a New Evangelical movement. Evangelicalism committed to regaining respectability in the eyes of the religious world, even if that meant joining liberals in ecumenical campaigns. By the late 1950s Billy Graham had clearly emerged as the evangelist of New Evangelical. Fundamentalism was now growing and changing in emphasis. They were compelled to practice purity by separating not only from liberal churches and schools, but also from disobedient brethren who preferred to identify with false teachers under broad umbrellas. Many Fundamentalists came to the conviction that with the enemy in the camp, they must separate from evangelical ministries. To separate from the broad Evangelical movement was to renounce “Early Fundamentalism” and embrace “Separatist Fundamentalism.” Fundamentalism had fully changed! But separation is not “secondary.” Sin is sin! Practicing disobedience is sin, whatever or whoever commits it.

    At the 1938 General Association of Regular Baptist Churches meeting at Waterloo, Iowa, the GARBC abolished dual membership and set forth biblical separation. From that time on, separation from all Northern Baptist Convention churches would be the official practice in the GARBC. That was Separatist Fundamentalism.

    By 1967, The New Testament Association of Baptist Churches (NTA) and the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship (FBF) had become completely Separatist Fundamentalists. See: “Shift from Early Fundamentalism to Separatist Fundamentalism,” in David Beale, Baptist History in England and America: Personalities, Positions, and Practices (Maitland, FL: Xulon Press, 2018), 434-47.

    The explicit teaching of passages such as Matthew 18:15–18; 1 Corinthians 5:1–13; and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14–15 compelled separatist Fundamentalists to withdraw from New Evangelical ministries. Neo-Liberalism and Neo-Orthodoxy, with conservative sounding rhetoric, lured New Evangelicals directly into cooperation with unbelief. By the mid-1960s, the “Broad” Evangelical movement had almost completely gained control of the Bible colleges and seminaries.

Separatist Fundamentalism: The Standard of Charles H. Spurgeon

    On October 28, 1887, Charles H. Spurgeon registered the official withdrawal of the Metropolitan Tabernacle from the Baptist Union, which was filled with unbelief. Some Union churches, belief in doctrine, refused to separate from Union churches. They remained and identified themselves under the same umbrella as unbelief. Today, there are SBC churches who are belief in doctrine, but under the same umbrella with unbelief. Their identity is unbelief. Chris Anderson would urge any godly Christian to join anything in the Southern Baptist Convention. He says there is nothing to worry about it.

    On the Lord’s-Day morning of October 7, 1888, at Metropolitan Tabernacle pulpit, Charles H. Spurgeon preached his Sermon No. 2047, titled “No Compromise.” Spurgeon, clearly seeking to remain his calling and conscience, explained to his large congregation the biblical meaning of separation—in view of the Judgment Seat of Christ: “When I go back to my Master, if I have faithfully told out His message of free grace and dying love, I shall be clear. I have often prayed that I might be able to ... say: ‘I am clear, I am clear!’ that I might not stultify [invalidate] my testimony, I have cut myself clear of those who err from the faith, and even from those who associate with them. What more can I do to be honest with you?” Spurgeon pleads to his flock: “Clear me in that day of all complicity with the novel inventions [schemes] of deluded men. As for my Lord, I pray of Him grace to be faithful to the end, both to His truth, and to your souls. Amen.” Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (1889; repr., London: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1970), 34:564 (34:553–64). “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:10-11). Spurgeon was a biblical, Separatist Fundamentalist.

    Unlike Spurgeon in his day, Chris Anderson teaches to separate (breakaway) from biblical Fundamentalism and go into Broad Evangelicalism. Note Anderson’s title: The Scandal of Schism: A Journey from Sinful Division to Biblical Fidelity. His title would mean that Spurgeon’s separation (schism) was a journey on sinful division (scandal). Anderson has written a shallow book with serious mistakes to pull Christians away from biblical Fundamentalism and into Broad Evangelicalism.

    In March 1891, Spurgeon wrote these words to a friend regarding the Downgrade Controversy, “Good-by, you will never see me again; this fight is killing me.” During April 1891, the “fatal illness commenced,” (C. H. Spurgeon’s Autobiography 1856–1878, vol. 3 (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1899, 152). Soon, at the Pastor’s College Conference, Spurgeon delivered his “final manifesto,” a powerful message titled “The Greatest Fight in the World.” His text was 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith,” published in The Sword and the Trowel 27 (August 1891). The sermon also appeared the following year as Charles H. Spurgeon, The Greatest Fight in the World (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1892). Fundamentalists fight because they love their people and biblical truth.

The 1985 SBC Dallas Convention Center in Texas

  

On June 10, 1985, I [David Beale] went to Dallas with boxes of my book, S.B.C. House on the Sand (1985). W. A. Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, had arranged for Judge Paul Pressler and me to a one-hour debate on the topic, “Believers staying or leaving liberal SBC churches, or believers cutting off fellowship from those believers remaining in SBC churches, etc.”

    The next few days, June 11-13, 1985, marked the largest annual SBC Convention in Baptist history, which occurred at the Dallas Convention Center in Texas. They drew over 45,000 messengers. Nearby, Brothers and Nobles placed boxes of S.B.C. House on the Sand on their sidewalk tables. Chris Anderson claims that those who remained in their SBC churches were “maligned” by S.B.C. House on the Sand, with Beale “an example.” Anderson adds, “Our SBC brothers fighting error from within should have been prayed for and encouraged.” My prayers and encouragement were for Bible believing Fundamentalist churches. Anderson said that the “call for conservatives to leave the SBC would have precluded the successful conservative resurgence which began in 1979 and purged SBC seminaries of liberalism.” (pages 72-73 and footnote 70). Anderson is totally wrong. The SBC has never seen a “successful conservative resurgence.” Even Judge Pressler in his book, A Hill on Which to Die, placed a chapter on “How the Liberals Fought the Battle.” Moreover, New Calvinism (Reformed Theology) has been as poisonous as the liberals.

The Fall of the Conservative Resurgence

    Dr. J. Gerald Harris, over more than forty years, has served as SBC pastors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. He has served as editor of The Christian Index, and he has served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention. Dr. Harris has recently authored the book, The Rise and Fall of the Conservative Resurgence (2021). On page 64, Harris writes, “When Southern Baptists became secure in their glorious victory in the Conservative Resurgence, the god of this world began to explore ways to once again cripple the greatest evangelistic and missionary force in the world. Remember, the devil never contends for anything that is without value; and I am sure he has crafted a myriad of conspiracies for the dismemberment and destruction of the Southern Baptist Convention.”

    One of the conspiracies is that the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis rejected a proposed ban on churches with female pastors. It was reported that there are about 1,800 women pastors working in the denomination. See Associated Press, 12:24 PM EDT, Wed. June 12, 2024. A perennial joke that SBC pastors tell at meetings is: “If the Convention splits, I'm going with the Annuity Board!”

John Piper: A Neo-Calvinist Spokesman

    Chris Anderson, in pages 29, 47, 68, 85, 101, 164, and 192, tells his readers that John Piper’s books are among the best for God’s people to read. Let us look at Piper’s book, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin (Crossway, 2000), 40-74. Piper thinks he has found, “The Liberating Power of Holy Pleasure in the Life and Thought of St. Augustine.” Piper insists that “Signs and wonders” and all the spiritual gifts of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are valid for today and should be “earnestly desired.” He says, “Prophecy and tongues will continue until Jesus comes.” He declares, Christians must be “seeking this greater fullness of God’s power today,” even “extraordinary signs and wonders.” In Piper’s article, Signs and Wonders: Then and Now, he writes as the Third Wave. See:

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/signs-and-wonders-then-and-now

    To millions of Christians, John Piper has insisted that they could find sovereign joy and God’s triumphant grace in the life of Augustine (354-430). Let us look at a few of Augustine’s doctrines and practices:

        *He wanted the apocrypha to be in the Bible. See: City of God, Book 18, Chapter 42 and On Christian Doctrine 2:8.12-13.

        *He confused justification with sanctification, “being made righteous.” Source: Alister McGrath, Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification (Cambridge University Press, 2005), 23-34.

        *He taught that an Old Testament circumcisional regeneration transferred its efficacy into a New Testament baptismal regeneration. See: City of God, 6.26–27; Enchiridion: On Faith, Hope, and Love 43; cf. 93; Sermon 294; and On Forgiveness of Sins, and Baptism 1.27.

        *He taught baptismal regeneration (John 3:5) and damnation of all unbaptized children. See: Epistle 98—To Boniface; Treatise against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3:3:5; Sermon 98 section 2; On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins and On the Baptism of Infants 1:24, 34, 39.

        *He taught that conversion is a lifetime process, with no possibility of assurance of salvation. See: On Rebuke and Grace 5. 10, 17, 18,22; and On the Gift of Perseverance 5.1.

        *He taught signs and wonders – dreams, miracles, relics, and prayers to martyrs. See: City of God, book 22, chapter 8.

Chris Anderson attempts, Timothy Keller's book, How to Attain Humility

    Donald Arthur (D. A.) Carson (b. 1946) and Timothy J. Keller (1950–2023) were founders of The Gospel Coalition. Carson is Emeritus Professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. Keller was senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Manhattan, New York, NY. At a Gospel Coalition Conference in 2017, Timothy Keller stated that he had now added two new positions to his ministry: The ordination of women and the ordination of the LGBT. Seven years later, Chris Anderson. on page 59, attempts, with Timothy Keller’s book, how to attain humility See The Christian Post, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, Michael Gryboski, church editor.

Free Masonry and the SBC: Overview of the Issue

    At the June 1992 Southern Baptist annual conference, an unsuccessful attempt was made by a minority of representatives to root Freemasonry out of the Convention. The Home Mission Board was assigned the task of preparing a report, but the chairman of the Board, Ron Phillips, displayed his prejudice when he stated that he did not agree with the conclusion that Masonry is incompatible with Christianity and that he knew many “dedicated Christian men” who are Masons (Christian News, March 15, 1993). 

    It quickly became obvious that the Southern Baptist Convention was more concerned about retaining members and with maintaining harmony than with dealing with false gospels. The editor of an official state paper, The Indiana Baptist for March 16, 1993, reported “fearing the loss of three million members.” The SBC Home Mission Board reported that it would be to each individual Southern Baptists whether to join the secret society. The report documented Freemasonry’s anti-Christian doctrine that many Grand Lodges do not declare Jesus as the unique Son of God; the offensive rituals and “bloody oaths”; “implications that salvation may be obtained by one’s good works”; the heresy of universalism; pagan religions are studied in higher degrees. Despite all this, the study recommended leaving the decision to the individual member.

    At the June 1993 convention in Houston, Texas, the Southern Baptist representatives decided to accept the Mission Board report’s recommendation and leave the matter of Masonic membership to the consciences of individuals.

    

    The Southern Baptist Convention has long been tied in closely with Freemasonry despite its clear pagan beliefs and false gospel. The Scottish Rite Journal in February 1993 stated that “Masons believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man...” In the 1990s, 14 percent of SBC pastors and 18 percent of deacons were Masons (Calvary Contender, June 1, 1993). We don’t know the statistics today, but Freemasonry remains well entrenched. In 1992, an attempt to root Freemasonry out of the Convention failed decidedly. The chairman of the Home Mission Board, Ron Phillips, stated that he did not agree with the conclusion that Masonry is incompatible with Christianity and that

he knew many “dedicated Christian men” who are Masons (Christian News, March 15, 1993). It quickly became obvious that the Southern Baptist Convention was more concerned with retaining members and maintaining harmony than in dealing with false gospels and spiritual compromise. Southern Baptist physician Dr. James Holly, who led the attempt to root out Freemasonry, said, “Southern Baptists have become the first Christian denomination that essentially blesses the Masonic Lodge” (Christian News, Dec. 20, 1993).

    The author of the Home Mission Board report, Gary Leazer, joined the Masons a couple of years later. See Gary H. Leazer, Fundamentalism & Freemasonry: The Southern Baptist Investigation of the Fraternal Order (New York: A & B Publishers Group, 2000).

James L. Holly, The Southern Baptist Convention and Freemasonry, 3 vols. Beaumont, TX: Mission and Ministry to Men, 1994. See- https://pulpitandpen.org/series/freemasonry/

Singing Popular LGBTQ Anthems

    Church by the Glades, in Coral Springs, Florida, is a Southern Baptist Convention church and in their directory. The Dissenter, April 15, 2024, “SBC Megachurch Starts New Sermon Series on ‘Family’ by Worshiping to Popular LGBTQ Anthem by Sister Sledge.”

David Hughes, the president and CEO of Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, Florida, has successfully turned the organization into a highly profitable carnival act. Rather than providing spiritual sustenance through the gospel, Hughes is preoccupied with putting on a spectacle. Week after week, we have reported that this church, which remains in fellowship with the Southern Baptist Convention and the powers that be, blasphemes God with its worldly performances and secular music. This past weekend, Church by the Glades opens a new sermon series on ‘Family’ by worshiping to a popular anthem that is used to open the vast majority of ‘pride’ festivals around the nation. According to one article in Rhino, the band Sister Sledge openly embraced the fact that their song had become such a popular LGBTQ anthem. ‘When Joni Sledge died in 2017, the website TheOutFront.com opened their obit of the singer by saying, ‘Every gay man who’s ever been on a dance floor or attended a Pride Parade knows the words to ‘We Are Family’. In fact, it’s practically required for getting one’s official Gay Card.

Conclusion:

Chris Anderson has written a shallow book with serious mistakes to pull Christians away from biblical Fundamentalism and into Broad Evangelicalism.

    Some preach the gospel and say that identification is non-essential. They say, “Associations are non-essential.” That is a path that God forbids. Indifference is dangerous! “Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares” (Jude 3-4a). We are defined by those with whom we are affiliated. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.... After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-31).

    We must never entangle the message of the gospel with man-made organizations and institutions that harbor false gospels. This seriously applies to our personal condition when we stand before Christ. Identification within Broad Evangelicalism lends constant credibility to false teachers who preach another gospel. “For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:10-11). Our view of Christ or His gospel will determine our associations: “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (2 John 8).

It is better to be divided in truth, than united in unbelief!

Related Reading by Dr. Beale:

FACTS: An Enlarged Discussion

Chris Anderson's Book Reviewed by George Zeller