Good Friday Statement on Scripture by Concerned Erskine Faculty Members

The following is a lead for a story posted at The Aquila Report concerning the intrusion of Barthian theology at Erskine Seminary in South Carolina. I might add that this acceptance of Barthianism is present at several Southern Baptist seminaries including Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. I know this because of several debates I had a couple of years back with students from that school who were supporters of Barth's theology, which is essentially a form of liberal Arminianism or Socinianism blended with Evangelical theology. As you know this can and does lead to outright liberalism. Here's the lead in:

We represent a wide range of theological specialties and different denominational affiliations, but we are united in our affirmation of the church's historic doctrine of Scripture.


While some have thought that what has been termed the "battle for the Bible" was successfully concluded in evangelical circles almost three decades back, there can be little doubt at this point that the doctrine of Scripture is now a front-burner issue among American Evangelicals.

In particular, there is increasing interest in the formulations of Karl Barth, whose dialectical theology is thought by some to provide a more "dynamic" and satisfying view of the Bible and its authority, and whose polemic against "inerrancy in the original autographs" is increasingly influential in some quarters.

The recent reactivation of the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy is but one indication of the concerns that many have regarding such developments.

The statement below addresses the problem of Barthian views of Scripture in a particular institutional context. It has been signed by five esteemed colleagues and myself. I am honored to join with these faithful men and to post the text of the statement on this blog. An exploration of issues related to the broader background for this statement can be found on this site.


GOOD FRIDAY STATEMENT BY CONCERNED FACULTY MEMBERS
OF ERSKINE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND ERSKINE COLLEGE

The ARP Church has historically held to a high view of Scripture as inerrant in the original autographs (see Historical Addendum below). It has consistently rejected Barthian and Neo-Orthodox refusals to speak of the inerrancy of Scripture and to affirm unequivocally that Scripture is, rather than becomes, the Word of God. Furthermore, the clear lesson of history is that Barthian fuzziness on the inspiration and authority of Scripture has had a disastrous impact on the mission and witness of the Church in Europe, Great Britain, North America, and elsewhere.

Despite these clear affirmations by the ARP Church, of which Erskine Theological Seminary and Erskine College are agencies, after decades of theological conflict between the Church and the Seminary over the inspiration and authority of the Bible, Barthianism continues to be tolerated at Erskine Seminary.

In recent years, one faculty member has publicly and privately expressed his strong opposition to the stated position of the General Synod of the ARP Church regarding Scripture. We are profoundly disappointed that some in the Erskine administration and board find it acceptable for those who hold Barthian views of Holy Scripture to teach their viewpoint at Erskine.

Some may say that debates over the inerrancy of Scripture are nothing more than semantics, arguments among theologians who are more interested in precise definitions of words than they are the peace of the church. We regret that characterization of the issue. Pious-sounding bromides regarding Scripture are no substitute for a clear articulation of the church's historic doctrine of Scripture, especially when such bromides conceal positions that fatally undercut the church's confidence in our God-breathed book, the Bible. The inerrancy of Scripture is not a second or third order issue, but one of critical importance for the life and well-being of the church. As much as we dislike controversy, we are compelled to say that this is not a matter for equivocation or compromise. Rather, we must be clear in our articulation of the doctrine and resolute in our stance.

To read the rest of the story click here: Good Friday Statement on Scripture by Concerned Erskine Faculty Members