There have been a number of posts about Calvinists secretly taking over pulpits of a decided non-Calvinistic flavor. I thought it was about time to speak of the tendency for a supposed Calvinist flying under false colors gaining a pulpit.
There was an article written by Iain H.Murray in the March 2004 edition of the Banner of Truth magazine.
Murray shares a letter that two deacons wrote to R.T. Kendall who had taken the helm of Westminster Chapel. It was written on June 25,1984. Here is a section of that letter :"When we called you to be our Pastor seven years ago (a Call which was supported by a very large majority of Members),it was naturally assumed that in accepting the Call,you were fully in sympathy with all that the Chapel had stood for. Had you then made your position and views on the matters which are the cause of the present difficulties there is no doubt that,whilst respecting them,we would not have extended the Call to you..."
Murray writes that at a church meeting in September of the same year Dr.Kendall "asked those who were supporting him to raise their hands and expressed the wish that all who disagreed would leave Westminster Chapel. He was not prepared for any discussion of the cause of the disagreement,and when he had refused to talk with deacons on the subject,the deacons informed him of their intention to meet without him on 25 october. At that meeting,with eleven of the twelve deacons present,the majority could not agree with the dictate that those disagreeing with the minister should leave the church. Further meetings were inconclusive. Six dissenting deacons stated their position in a letter distributed to church members on 30 December 1984. They spoke of their difficulty in agreeing with aspects of Dr Kendall's ministry and the fact that dr Kendall had not replied specifically to their expressed concerns. They continued,"Some of Dr Kendall's views are novel. That of itself does not necessarily mean that they are wrong. But when we find them to be contrary to accepted reformed teaching and established Christian and Congregational doctrine we question them..' "
In January of 1985 "Dr Kendall then immediately proceed to announce changes to the composition of various chapel institutions,removing the [6] dissenting deacons. After it was pointed out that deacons could not be forced to resign,another motion was moved to secure their dismissal from office. When it was carried,hand-clapping followed."
Westminster Chapel's most famous Pastor -- Dr.D.M.L-Jones was a staunch Calvinist. His predecessor,G.Campbell Morgan was an ardent Arminian (though I don't think he admitted to being one). They worked together in the ministry before the death of G.C.M. They both respected the other. but much later M-L-J said that in a particular local church men with such different theologies should not share the same ministry (Or WTTE).
Dr.Kendall (still living) is an Arminian. He wasn't being honest when he accepted the pulpit ministry of Westminster Chapel. Of course I am surprised that no committee was called to intervew him on his theological views.
There was an article written by Iain H.Murray in the March 2004 edition of the Banner of Truth magazine.
Murray shares a letter that two deacons wrote to R.T. Kendall who had taken the helm of Westminster Chapel. It was written on June 25,1984. Here is a section of that letter :"When we called you to be our Pastor seven years ago (a Call which was supported by a very large majority of Members),it was naturally assumed that in accepting the Call,you were fully in sympathy with all that the Chapel had stood for. Had you then made your position and views on the matters which are the cause of the present difficulties there is no doubt that,whilst respecting them,we would not have extended the Call to you..."
Murray writes that at a church meeting in September of the same year Dr.Kendall "asked those who were supporting him to raise their hands and expressed the wish that all who disagreed would leave Westminster Chapel. He was not prepared for any discussion of the cause of the disagreement,and when he had refused to talk with deacons on the subject,the deacons informed him of their intention to meet without him on 25 october. At that meeting,with eleven of the twelve deacons present,the majority could not agree with the dictate that those disagreeing with the minister should leave the church. Further meetings were inconclusive. Six dissenting deacons stated their position in a letter distributed to church members on 30 December 1984. They spoke of their difficulty in agreeing with aspects of Dr Kendall's ministry and the fact that dr Kendall had not replied specifically to their expressed concerns. They continued,"Some of Dr Kendall's views are novel. That of itself does not necessarily mean that they are wrong. But when we find them to be contrary to accepted reformed teaching and established Christian and Congregational doctrine we question them..' "
In January of 1985 "Dr Kendall then immediately proceed to announce changes to the composition of various chapel institutions,removing the [6] dissenting deacons. After it was pointed out that deacons could not be forced to resign,another motion was moved to secure their dismissal from office. When it was carried,hand-clapping followed."
Westminster Chapel's most famous Pastor -- Dr.D.M.L-Jones was a staunch Calvinist. His predecessor,G.Campbell Morgan was an ardent Arminian (though I don't think he admitted to being one). They worked together in the ministry before the death of G.C.M. They both respected the other. but much later M-L-J said that in a particular local church men with such different theologies should not share the same ministry (Or WTTE).
Dr.Kendall (still living) is an Arminian. He wasn't being honest when he accepted the pulpit ministry of Westminster Chapel. Of course I am surprised that no committee was called to intervew him on his theological views.
