Also, IC I agree – Spurgeon would be shocked to see the ascension of Hunt, but what can you do? I’m contemplating doing a post on predestination since it’s such a fundamental doctrine that most folks can’t grasp (“I came to God, He didn’t come to me!”). Not surprised that the “female pastor/minister” at CNB reacted the way that she did – Eddie pushes that “little gods” theory so predestination flies in the face of that.

In the meantime, keep your Berean ears on while in your current church. For about 8 or 9 months I attended my former church, making note of things that were off-kilter in sermons & discussions, trying to see exactly where something was being misinterpreted, ripped out of context, eisegeted, etc (helps keep the ol’ iron sharp). It kept building up until the pastor openly endorsed the Lakeland “Outpouring” one Wednesday evening as “a powerful move of God”. Next Sunday, I was attending a different church

Also, if your family situation forbids you from attending services somewhere else, MAKE SURE that you’re listening to some sound sermons/Godly-advice from somewhere. Grace to You, DesiringGod, Ligonier, the White Horse Inn, Way of the Master Radio – something to help counteract any “sour milk” you’re getting on Sunday morning. Share these with your family, too (or play em loud enough for them to hear). And by ALL means, continue to read the Word on your own. Grab some pens and highlighters, take an epistle (I recommend 1 John) and read it completely through once a day and just dive into it. Going deep in God’s Word is more refreshing that jumping into a swimming pool in mid-Summer

Speakingtruth, you’ve embraced reformed theology! I’ll say to you as Melvin Jones said to me when I finally had to admit the reality of Predestination, welcome home brother . And you know, I remember at Club New Birth, when I was part of Project Destiny and potential mentors would proclaim how they “knew God was looking out” for them even BEFORE they were saved, because they knew they had done some things that should have KILLED THEM BUT DID NOT. And the “Free Will” female “pastor/minister” over the group would immediately interrupt the person giving their testimony to the group and proclaim “no God didn’t have some special covering over you” and the person (and this happened with more than one) giving their testimony would respond saying “but I KNOW God just had to be looking out because I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD”. And the female minister being the “leader” of the group of course had to be allowed the last word. But it’s TRUE, God has to be keeping the elect alive till they repent! Just granting enough patients so they can live another day till the moment He calls them to repentance. And that makes perfect sense in relation to saints that feel God was somehow keeping them around just long enough to save their soul.

Regarding Johnny Hunt, we’re just happy the SBC guidelines prevent the “denomination” from telling a local church what to preach. I’m personally not a big fan of “denominations” but at least in some cases they might let you know where a group stands on some issues. Most of the SBC is not on board with the Doctrines of Grace these days. (Never mind what the documented statement of beliefs says, most don’t believe it all.) Not long ago ALL the messages of someone like Charles Haddon Spurgeon were warmly embraced by the SBC, but today you won’t find many who honestly agree with his stance in favor of the doctrine of Predestination. And Spurgeon was so in favor of Predestination, he called all “Free Will” teaching “another gospel”.