"Now that the idea of social salvation is taking hold of us, the realm of duty spread before a mind dedicating itself to God's service is becoming more inclusive. The social work of the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A., of the Salvation Army and the Volunteers of America, of the social settlements and institutional churches, show what is coming."
Rauschenbush - "Christianity and the Social Crisis" p. 354
So is our country (almost 100 years later) better off? Or worse?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Mary Slessor on Missionary Recruitment
If missions are a failure, it is our failure and not God’s. If we only prayed and had more faith what a difference it would make! In Calabar we are going back every day. For years we have been going back. The China Inland Mission keep [sic] on asking for men, men, men, and they get what they want and more than we get. We keep calling for money, money, money, and we get money—of great value in its place—but not the men and the women. Where are they? When Sir Herbert Kitchener, going to to conquer the Soudan required help, thousands of the brightest of our young men were ready. Where are the soldiers of the Cross? In a recent war in Africa in a region with the same climate and the same malarial swamp as Calabar there were hundreds of offices and men offering their services, and a Royal Prince went out. But the banner of the Cross goes a-begging. Why should the queen have good soldiers and not the King of Kings?
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Calvin on Holiness
Gentlemen,
I have noticed that those on the reformed side (who like Calvin) and who like the emerging church have forgotton one important thing which Calvin has said. This is what Calvin says in his commentary on 2 Peter 1:10
The import of what is said is, that the children of God are distinguished from the reprobate by this mark, that they live a godly and a holy life, because this is the design and end of election. Hence it is evident how wickedly some vile unprincipled men prattle, when they seek to make gratuitous election an excuse for all licentiousness; as though, forsooth! we may sin with impunity, because we have been predestinated to righteousness and holiness!
I have noticed that those on the reformed side (who like Calvin) and who like the emerging church have forgotton one important thing which Calvin has said. This is what Calvin says in his commentary on 2 Peter 1:10
The import of what is said is, that the children of God are distinguished from the reprobate by this mark, that they live a godly and a holy life, because this is the design and end of election. Hence it is evident how wickedly some vile unprincipled men prattle, when they seek to make gratuitous election an excuse for all licentiousness; as though, forsooth! we may sin with impunity, because we have been predestinated to righteousness and holiness!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Really, really bad logic!
Gentlemen,
It has come to my attention that our illustrious institutions that we attended on both the undergraduate and graduate levels are organically and genetically linked to the emerging church...
On this website:
http://www.tracs.org/accredited.htm
You find a link to this school:
http://www.mhgs.edu/
Hmmmm............
:)
It has come to my attention that our illustrious institutions that we attended on both the undergraduate and graduate levels are organically and genetically linked to the emerging church...
On this website:
http://www.tracs.org/accredited.htm
You find a link to this school:
http://www.mhgs.edu/
Hmmmm............
:)
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Interpreting the Interpreters...
This is what Carson says:
"So which shall we choose?
Experience or truth? The left wing of an airplane, or the right? Love or integrity? Study or service? Evangelism or discipleship? The front wheels of the car, or the rear? Subjective knowledge or objective knowledge? Faith or obedience?
Damn all false antitheses to hell, for they generate false gods, they perpetuate idols, they twist and distort our souls, they launch the church into violent pendulum swings whose oscillations succeed in only dividing brothers and sisters in Christ."
From: Becoming Conversand with the Emerging Church, 234
Here is what Carson really means: Can't they just get along with us? Can't they just start reading their Bibles and end up in evangelical orthodoxy?
"So which shall we choose?
Experience or truth? The left wing of an airplane, or the right? Love or integrity? Study or service? Evangelism or discipleship? The front wheels of the car, or the rear? Subjective knowledge or objective knowledge? Faith or obedience?
Damn all false antitheses to hell, for they generate false gods, they perpetuate idols, they twist and distort our souls, they launch the church into violent pendulum swings whose oscillations succeed in only dividing brothers and sisters in Christ."
From: Becoming Conversand with the Emerging Church, 234
Here is what Carson really means: Can't they just get along with us? Can't they just start reading their Bibles and end up in evangelical orthodoxy?
Monday, July 23, 2007
Interesting Book?
I just finished perusing this book: http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Theology-Cultural-Interpret-Exegesis/dp/0801031672/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4282884-2067964?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185251439&sr=8-1
If you want to waste your time finding out about the spiritual parts of Eminem and the movie Gladiator, the grocery store checkout line and MySpace, then this book is for you. Now I realize that we need to understand our culture - to an extent. I also know what Romans 16:19 says...Gentlemen, this is what is coming out of "one of the best theological minds in evangelicalism" in one of the strongest and most "academic" training centers in evangelicalism.
It is also interesting that one of the endorsements for this book is Mr. MacLaren himself. I have suspected for awhile that Vanhoozer is a part of the emerging/ent church. I have not yet found a genetic link, but there are ideological links.
1 Timothy 6:20 - 2 Timothy 1:1 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
If the culture is rotten to the core, perhaps Christianity ought to offer a different culture...
If you want to waste your time finding out about the spiritual parts of Eminem and the movie Gladiator, the grocery store checkout line and MySpace, then this book is for you. Now I realize that we need to understand our culture - to an extent. I also know what Romans 16:19 says...Gentlemen, this is what is coming out of "one of the best theological minds in evangelicalism" in one of the strongest and most "academic" training centers in evangelicalism.
It is also interesting that one of the endorsements for this book is Mr. MacLaren himself. I have suspected for awhile that Vanhoozer is a part of the emerging/ent church. I have not yet found a genetic link, but there are ideological links.
1 Timothy 6:20 - 2 Timothy 1:1 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
If the culture is rotten to the core, perhaps Christianity ought to offer a different culture...
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Chaferian vs Reformed Sanctification
Never posted a discussion topic before, but here it goes... I have been pondering the various views of sanctification held by those in our circles (I hold the Reformed view), and I have some questions. I must admit that I have read little on the subject, yet have no time to do so at the moment. Therefore, I seek to draw on your knowledge and input (Chris, I know that have studied and hold the Chaferian view, so your help is appreciated). This is a list of questions that have popped into my brain:
*What are the distinctive points/ideas in the Chaferian model?
*Is the Chaferian model simply the Keswick model with a vocabulary makeover?
*What exactly is a "carnal Christian" by Chafer's definition?
*What exactly is a "spiritual Christian" by Chafer's definition?
*How and when does a carnal Christian become a spiritual Christian?
*Once a carnal Christian becomes a spiritual Christian, can he revert to being a carnal Christian?
*What are the Scriptural evidences of said understanding of carnal/spiritual Christianity?
*Do you believe that the idea of "carnal Christian" and the Reformed model are mutually exclusive?
Again, I ask these questions having very little understanding of the Chaferian view. I appreciate any efforts made to clarify this issue for me.
*What are the distinctive points/ideas in the Chaferian model?
*Is the Chaferian model simply the Keswick model with a vocabulary makeover?
*What exactly is a "carnal Christian" by Chafer's definition?
*What exactly is a "spiritual Christian" by Chafer's definition?
*How and when does a carnal Christian become a spiritual Christian?
*Once a carnal Christian becomes a spiritual Christian, can he revert to being a carnal Christian?
*What are the Scriptural evidences of said understanding of carnal/spiritual Christianity?
*Do you believe that the idea of "carnal Christian" and the Reformed model are mutually exclusive?
Again, I ask these questions having very little understanding of the Chaferian view. I appreciate any efforts made to clarify this issue for me.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Paging Jon Tittle, over...
Jon,
I imagine you're still settling in, but was wondering how things are going. I'm sure I speak for all of us back here in MN when I say that you, Jennifer, and Carson are in our prayers. We doubt not our ever sovereign and gracious God to work out all things in accordance to His will for His good pleasure. Keep us updated.
Erik
P.S. If I could get your dad's contact info, that would be a blessing. When you have time, of course.
I imagine you're still settling in, but was wondering how things are going. I'm sure I speak for all of us back here in MN when I say that you, Jennifer, and Carson are in our prayers. We doubt not our ever sovereign and gracious God to work out all things in accordance to His will for His good pleasure. Keep us updated.
Erik
P.S. If I could get your dad's contact info, that would be a blessing. When you have time, of course.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Good History - Baptist History Blog
http://historiaecclesiastica.com/
It is the blog of Michael A. G. Haykin, Baptist historian teaching at Toronto Baptist Seminary (T.T. Shields' school). Pithy articles of excellent quality.
It is the blog of Michael A. G. Haykin, Baptist historian teaching at Toronto Baptist Seminary (T.T. Shields' school). Pithy articles of excellent quality.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Website of a name...
www.currentchristian.com
If you aren't reading this one daily, you should start.
Jason, is there a way we can put links on the sidebar?
If you aren't reading this one daily, you should start.
Jason, is there a way we can put links on the sidebar?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
From the pen of Barth...
This is what Barth says concerning the Scriptures:
The prophets and apostles, even in their office, even in their function as witnesses, even in the act of writing down their witness, were, as we are, capable and actually guilty of error in their spoken and written word. (Dogmatics, I, 528-9)
If God was not ashamed of the fallibility of all the human words of the Bible, of their historical and scientific inaccuracies, their theolgical contradictions, the uncertainty of their tradition, and, above all, their Judaism, but adopted and made use of these expressions in all their fallibility, we do not need to be ashamed when He wills to renew it to us in all its fallibility as witness; and it is mere self-will and disobedience to try and find some infallible elements in the Bible (Dogmatics, I, 531).
The men whom we hear as witnesses speak as fallible, erring men like ourselves. . . . We can read and try to assess their word as a purely human word. It can be subjected to all kinds of immanent criticism, not only in respect of its philosophical, historical, and ethical content, but even of its religious and theological. . . . Each in his own way and degree, they shared the culture of their age and environment. . . . The vulnerability of the Bible, i.i., its capacity for error, also extends to its religious or theological content. There are obvious overlappings and contradictions. . . . Therefore, whether we like it or not, they did not speak a special language of revelation radically different from that of their time. . . . It seems to be weakened, and therefore robbed of its character as witness ot revelation, by the fact that it has so many "parallels" (Dogmatics, I, 507-9). Emphasis Added
The prophets and apostles, even in their office, even in their function as witnesses, even in the act of writing down their witness, were, as we are, capable and actually guilty of error in their spoken and written word. (Dogmatics, I, 528-9)
If God was not ashamed of the fallibility of all the human words of the Bible, of their historical and scientific inaccuracies, their theolgical contradictions, the uncertainty of their tradition, and, above all, their Judaism, but adopted and made use of these expressions in all their fallibility, we do not need to be ashamed when He wills to renew it to us in all its fallibility as witness; and it is mere self-will and disobedience to try and find some infallible elements in the Bible (Dogmatics, I, 531).
The men whom we hear as witnesses speak as fallible, erring men like ourselves. . . . We can read and try to assess their word as a purely human word. It can be subjected to all kinds of immanent criticism, not only in respect of its philosophical, historical, and ethical content, but even of its religious and theological. . . . Each in his own way and degree, they shared the culture of their age and environment. . . . The vulnerability of the Bible, i.i., its capacity for error, also extends to its religious or theological content. There are obvious overlappings and contradictions. . . . Therefore, whether we like it or not, they did not speak a special language of revelation radically different from that of their time. . . . It seems to be weakened, and therefore robbed of its character as witness ot revelation, by the fact that it has so many "parallels" (Dogmatics, I, 507-9). Emphasis Added
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Founding Member Pictures
I think each of the founding members should get their picture taken while sitting in Dr. Clearwaters' inner sanctum.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Book of the Month
First, I was able to access the blog.
Second, maybe we should do a "Book of the Month" as a way to stay active in our communication with each other and help us think. John Stott did this with various members of his church as a way to see how they thought through life. The books they choose varied from fiction to theological.
Second, maybe we should do a "Book of the Month" as a way to stay active in our communication with each other and help us think. John Stott did this with various members of his church as a way to see how they thought through life. The books they choose varied from fiction to theological.
LibraryThing
If any of you have your libraries catalogued on LibraryThing (and you should), we can easily add a search function to the sidebar. I love learning how to do something new.
Introduction
This blog offers a good deal of flexibility. It is my hope that as we progress, we might harness more that it has to offer.
To begin with, we all agree upon the rules. This is to be a private discussion among friends. Our goal is mutual growth through both encouragement and criticism. The initial community is small. It will grow by invitation only. Any member can invite anyone else at any time. However, all initiates must be willing and able to further the discussion. They should have something of value to contribute. If a new member proves to be harmful to the discussion, the member who originally invited the offender will be responsible for removing the offender from the group. This should create a certain feeling of responsibility as to whom we invite. Anyone within the group can post or comment in any way. Our discussions should be broad. Finally, always assume that anything written was done so with charity. The medium of a blog is not conducive to profitable discussion because so much is lost when not conversing face to face. Therefore, in the absence of a personalness to our conversations, assume the best.
Let the discussion begin.
To begin with, we all agree upon the rules. This is to be a private discussion among friends. Our goal is mutual growth through both encouragement and criticism. The initial community is small. It will grow by invitation only. Any member can invite anyone else at any time. However, all initiates must be willing and able to further the discussion. They should have something of value to contribute. If a new member proves to be harmful to the discussion, the member who originally invited the offender will be responsible for removing the offender from the group. This should create a certain feeling of responsibility as to whom we invite. Anyone within the group can post or comment in any way. Our discussions should be broad. Finally, always assume that anything written was done so with charity. The medium of a blog is not conducive to profitable discussion because so much is lost when not conversing face to face. Therefore, in the absence of a personalness to our conversations, assume the best.
Let the discussion begin.
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