A just-released survey by LifeWay Research has found that roughly equal numbers of Southern Baptist pastors identify their congregations as Calvinist/Reformed (30 percent) or Arminian/Wesleyan (30 percent). However, more than 60 percent of pastors are concerned about Calvinism's influence on the denomination.

The SBC debate over Calvinism shifted to heresy accusations shortly before the denomination's annual meeting began today. Baptist Press, which is liveblogging today and tomorrow's annual meeting, reports that several SBC leaders have addressed the controversy.

SBC president Bryant Wright offered a "word" for both Calvinists ("A bit of humility would be most welcome") and traditional Southern Baptists ("The time for judgmentalism is over") as he told attendees to focus on the Great Commission instead of the theology of salvation.

"Let us understand that these two views on election and salvation can co-exist as long as we stay Christ-centered and biblically based in our theology," he said. ...

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