The Romans 9 Debate vs Leighton Flowers

While this is definitely an interesting exchange, it is not a very good debate. The topic was supposed to involve both sides presenting a positive exegesis of Romans 9 so that the audience could compare and decide for themselves. Professor Flowers chose to make a presentation on Total Depravity (which was the topic he had originally suggested), and then make some surface-level comments about how his position would be relevant to particular sections of Romans 9. Hence, the formal debate was basically uncontested, but the secondary debate (total depravity) was only partially contested, as James did not get to make a positive presentation on the topic. Despite this (all too common) problem, the discussion is very useful in comparing Reformed theology and exegesis with what calls itself “traditionalist” Southern Baptist views.