"Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." -- George Orwell
“The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.” -- Ayn Rand
"The [political] left hates free speech because they don’t know how to talk about the substantive merits when they are challenged...They resort to stomping their feet and shouting 'shut up' when they aren’t prissily imploring everyone to be 'civil'." -- Ann Althouse
"It’s no coincidence that trust in government is at an all-time low now that the size of government is at an all-time high." -- Paul Ryan
"Homosexuals have never been denied the right to marry. They simply haven't had the right to redefine marriage." -- Voddie Baucham
"It is true the marriage statute does not expressly prohibit gay and lesbian persons from marrying; it does, however, require that if they marry, it must be to someone of the opposite sex." -- Iowa Supreme Court
"The most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. Therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." -- Thomas Sowell
“It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting.” -- Tom Stoppard
"Bipartisan usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." -- George Carlin
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
If a medical condition hinders baptism
In What If He Can’t Be Baptized? Nathan Finn addresses the question, "What should we do if someone comes to faith in Christ and desires to be baptized and join our church, but she cannot be baptized due to some sort of medical condition?"
In this post Brother Finn notes four variations he has heard suggested by Baptists. Respondents in the comments section suggest two other possibilities, bringing the total to six.
1. "some Baptists argue that the individual should not be baptized and should not become a member of the church or receive the Lord’s Supper."
2. "some Baptists argue that you should immerse the person anyway"
3. "some Baptists argue that you should 'baptize' the person by sprinkling or pouring."
4. "some Baptists argue that you should not baptize the individual at all, but should allow her to become an unbaptized church member"
5. Shadow baptism (a waterless type that mimics the actions of immersion)
6. Proxy baptism (allowing another to be baptized for them)
First of all, if the immersion in water of a penitent believer is the biblical act of baptism, then no other act or substitution is biblical baptism.
Second, while certain "anti-Baptists" may exaggerate the difficulty, there are real-life exceptional circumstances. Most recognize death-bed situations and do not require baptism because the believer is incapable of either it or the church membership, Lord's table, continuing in the apostle's doctrine and other elements that would normally follow. In addition to the bedridden, certain medical conditions that might make immersion near impossible to impossible -- individuals who are quadriplegics, individuals with tracheotomies (an opening into the airway in the throat), individuals with an autoimmune deficiency/severe combined immunodeficiency disease that requires living inside of sterile cocoon chamber, or individuals in negative pressure ventilators (commonly called "iron lungs") or other mechanical ventilation. There is also the question, for some, about individuals whose medical condition is psychological rather than physical, for example exhibiting a severe phobia of water or immersion or both.* Individuals who have undergone recent medical procedures may be able to defer baptism until after their recovery.
Third, in some senses this a uniquely Baptist dilemma. Anyone placing salvation in the baptismal waters must go through with the rite of baptism or risk the eternal soul of the candidate (though the Mormon might perhaps allow a later proxy baptism). Those who see no significance in water baptism merely dismiss the dilemma -- for there is none. What's the big deal? Baptism doesn't matter.
Finally, I find a "Baptist answer" only in 1, 2, or 4. Suggestions No. 3 and No. 5 ignore the reality that immersion in water is baptism. You are actually practicing No. 4 even when you practice Nos. 3, 5 or 6. We can't immerse a person by sprinkling or pouring, or by some type of "Charades" ceremony. These reject the command, principle and example of biblical immersion baptism in favor of a counterfeit designed to make someone or some set of someones feel good. Folks have not been biblically baptized if they have not been immersed. Suggestion No. 6 has no biblical sanction and suffers many of the same problems of three and five.
The proponents of suggestion No. 2 either deny the reality that there are real cases in which there is actual danger, or simply do not care. Suggestion No. 1 is not technically wrong regarding baptism, but might be unnecessarily rigorous and legalistic to apply to persons who would obey if they were able, but are physically incapable of obeying. Yet those choosing this option might embrace the Christian in all other ways possible while withholding only any privileges for which they see baptism as prerequisite (i.e., church membership & Lord's Table). Years ago I read the conclusion offered in suggestion No. 4. I wish I could remember this source, but my memory is that this was suggested by some older Baptists who were conservative and offered it as only a last resort in very exceptional cases--When immersion is impossible the intention should be accepted for the act (with a possible reference to the thief on the cross). The stricter Baptist who adopts No. 4 is sure this option is only for exceptional cases, want to take care that these are indeed "exceptional" cases (not just someone making excuses, for example), and fear the precedent they may be setting. There is a legal adage that "hard cases make bad law." It's not difficult to understand how exceptions can begin to be applied across the board and churches start practicing the easy exception rather than the harder rule. To me it appears that the proponents of suggestions No. 1 and No. 4 intend to "err on the side of caution" -- but "err" in different directions. No. 4 errs toward the person, where No. 1 errs toward the act.
At this point (mentions of Spirit baptism notwithstanding) the only scripture that I have found or thought of that seems to have some application to this issue is the death of the converted thief on the cross. See Luke 23:32-43. Jesus did not use His power and authority (or 12 legions of angels) to stop the crucifixion in order to have the thief baptized. The thief's physical condition rendered the rite impossible. Jesus did not ask the disciples to throw water up on the thief, neither did He suggest that they observe a proxy baptism at a later date. The thief was forgiven by Jesus and "made acceptable in the beloved." Here we might imagine that any sincere intention that the thief had was accepted as the act. But since the thief was dying and not a candidate for church membership (or the Lord's Supper later), it doesn't shed much light on suggestions No. 1 and No. 4.
*These are medical conditions that have been suggested. For the sake of argument we will not worry over which ones might or might not be valid conditions rendering immersion impossible. But, for example, quadraplegics have been baptized, though with difficulty and much preparation. (Daily News, Bowling Green, KY, May 1, 2000, p. 3a)
In this post Brother Finn notes four variations he has heard suggested by Baptists. Respondents in the comments section suggest two other possibilities, bringing the total to six.
1. "some Baptists argue that the individual should not be baptized and should not become a member of the church or receive the Lord’s Supper."
2. "some Baptists argue that you should immerse the person anyway"
3. "some Baptists argue that you should 'baptize' the person by sprinkling or pouring."
4. "some Baptists argue that you should not baptize the individual at all, but should allow her to become an unbaptized church member"
5. Shadow baptism (a waterless type that mimics the actions of immersion)
6. Proxy baptism (allowing another to be baptized for them)
First of all, if the immersion in water of a penitent believer is the biblical act of baptism, then no other act or substitution is biblical baptism.
Second, while certain "anti-Baptists" may exaggerate the difficulty, there are real-life exceptional circumstances. Most recognize death-bed situations and do not require baptism because the believer is incapable of either it or the church membership, Lord's table, continuing in the apostle's doctrine and other elements that would normally follow. In addition to the bedridden, certain medical conditions that might make immersion near impossible to impossible -- individuals who are quadriplegics, individuals with tracheotomies (an opening into the airway in the throat), individuals with an autoimmune deficiency/severe combined immunodeficiency disease that requires living inside of sterile cocoon chamber, or individuals in negative pressure ventilators (commonly called "iron lungs") or other mechanical ventilation. There is also the question, for some, about individuals whose medical condition is psychological rather than physical, for example exhibiting a severe phobia of water or immersion or both.* Individuals who have undergone recent medical procedures may be able to defer baptism until after their recovery.
Third, in some senses this a uniquely Baptist dilemma. Anyone placing salvation in the baptismal waters must go through with the rite of baptism or risk the eternal soul of the candidate (though the Mormon might perhaps allow a later proxy baptism). Those who see no significance in water baptism merely dismiss the dilemma -- for there is none. What's the big deal? Baptism doesn't matter.
Finally, I find a "Baptist answer" only in 1, 2, or 4. Suggestions No. 3 and No. 5 ignore the reality that immersion in water is baptism. You are actually practicing No. 4 even when you practice Nos. 3, 5 or 6. We can't immerse a person by sprinkling or pouring, or by some type of "Charades" ceremony. These reject the command, principle and example of biblical immersion baptism in favor of a counterfeit designed to make someone or some set of someones feel good. Folks have not been biblically baptized if they have not been immersed. Suggestion No. 6 has no biblical sanction and suffers many of the same problems of three and five.
The proponents of suggestion No. 2 either deny the reality that there are real cases in which there is actual danger, or simply do not care. Suggestion No. 1 is not technically wrong regarding baptism, but might be unnecessarily rigorous and legalistic to apply to persons who would obey if they were able, but are physically incapable of obeying. Yet those choosing this option might embrace the Christian in all other ways possible while withholding only any privileges for which they see baptism as prerequisite (i.e., church membership & Lord's Table). Years ago I read the conclusion offered in suggestion No. 4. I wish I could remember this source, but my memory is that this was suggested by some older Baptists who were conservative and offered it as only a last resort in very exceptional cases--When immersion is impossible the intention should be accepted for the act (with a possible reference to the thief on the cross). The stricter Baptist who adopts No. 4 is sure this option is only for exceptional cases, want to take care that these are indeed "exceptional" cases (not just someone making excuses, for example), and fear the precedent they may be setting. There is a legal adage that "hard cases make bad law." It's not difficult to understand how exceptions can begin to be applied across the board and churches start practicing the easy exception rather than the harder rule. To me it appears that the proponents of suggestions No. 1 and No. 4 intend to "err on the side of caution" -- but "err" in different directions. No. 4 errs toward the person, where No. 1 errs toward the act.
At this point (mentions of Spirit baptism notwithstanding) the only scripture that I have found or thought of that seems to have some application to this issue is the death of the converted thief on the cross. See Luke 23:32-43. Jesus did not use His power and authority (or 12 legions of angels) to stop the crucifixion in order to have the thief baptized. The thief's physical condition rendered the rite impossible. Jesus did not ask the disciples to throw water up on the thief, neither did He suggest that they observe a proxy baptism at a later date. The thief was forgiven by Jesus and "made acceptable in the beloved." Here we might imagine that any sincere intention that the thief had was accepted as the act. But since the thief was dying and not a candidate for church membership (or the Lord's Supper later), it doesn't shed much light on suggestions No. 1 and No. 4.
*These are medical conditions that have been suggested. For the sake of argument we will not worry over which ones might or might not be valid conditions rendering immersion impossible. But, for example, quadraplegics have been baptized, though with difficulty and much preparation. (Daily News, Bowling Green, KY, May 1, 2000, p. 3a)
Reflections on suffering and evil
Going Beyond Clichés: Christian Reflection on Suffering and Evil is an interesting lecture by Donald A. Carson at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, April 27, 2013.
Carson proposes to lay down six biblical pillars that together sustain a platform on which to build a Christian worldview concerning the difficulty of suffering. I found some minor points with which to quibble, but the bigger picture offers great insight. I recommend you watch/listen.
The Six Pillars to Support a Christian Worldview for Stability Through Suffering are:
1. Insights from the beginning of the Bible's storyline
2. insights from the end of the Bible's storyline
3. insights from the place of innocent suffering
4. insights from the mystery of providence
5. insights from the centrality of the incarnation and the cross
6. insights from taking up our cross
Three excerpts:
"If you live love enough, you will suffer."
"If you live love enough, you will be bereaved. If you don't live long enough, you will bereave someone else. Most of us manage both."
"No matter your worldview, you must face the reality of suffering and evil."
Carson proposes to lay down six biblical pillars that together sustain a platform on which to build a Christian worldview concerning the difficulty of suffering. I found some minor points with which to quibble, but the bigger picture offers great insight. I recommend you watch/listen.
The Six Pillars to Support a Christian Worldview for Stability Through Suffering are:
1. Insights from the beginning of the Bible's storyline
2. insights from the end of the Bible's storyline
3. insights from the place of innocent suffering
4. insights from the mystery of providence
5. insights from the centrality of the incarnation and the cross
6. insights from taking up our cross
Three excerpts:
"If you live love enough, you will suffer."
"If you live love enough, you will be bereaved. If you don't live long enough, you will bereave someone else. Most of us manage both."
"No matter your worldview, you must face the reality of suffering and evil."
What we say around he-uh
This morning I was thinking how folks turn specific words or expressions into generic ones. This happens by common use in our speech. Here are some things we say around here:
Post Toasties for any corn flakes cereal
Skil Saw for any electric circular saw
Crescent wrench for any adjustable end wrench
Channellocks for any tongue-and-groove pliers
Coke for any type of sweetened carbonated beverage
Vaseline for any kind of petroleum jelly
Kleenex for any kind of disposable facial tissues
Some of these may have a wide range of use. Any of you use these terms generically?
Also we say "hot water heater." Well, "we" don't say it anymore. I quit a long time ago. A tradesman often pointed out that a hot water heater was quite pointless. He said it often enough that I got the point. If the water was hot, you wouldn't need a heater for it. It is cold water that we need to heat it. It might be better to call it a "cold water heater" but "water heater" will do just fine. We still call it a "hot water heater".
Post Toasties for any corn flakes cereal
Skil Saw for any electric circular saw
Crescent wrench for any adjustable end wrench
Channellocks for any tongue-and-groove pliers
Coke for any type of sweetened carbonated beverage
Vaseline for any kind of petroleum jelly
Kleenex for any kind of disposable facial tissues
Some of these may have a wide range of use. Any of you use these terms generically?
Also we say "hot water heater." Well, "we" don't say it anymore. I quit a long time ago. A tradesman often pointed out that a hot water heater was quite pointless. He said it often enough that I got the point. If the water was hot, you wouldn't need a heater for it. It is cold water that we need to heat it. It might be better to call it a "cold water heater" but "water heater" will do just fine. We still call it a "hot water heater".
Thursday, July 18, 2013
9 books I've added to my library
I've added the following to my bookshelves recently:
Communion: Is it open or closed? by Bobby L. Sparks, ISBN-13: 9780976127048
"Is the Lord’s Supper to be open to everyone who professes to be saved? Or is the Supper to be restricted only to the members of the church observing the ordinance?"
Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural Institution by Richard Fuller, Francis Wayland, edited by Nathan A. Finn and Keith Harper, ISBN-13: 978-0881461077
"Though Wayland really does believe Fuller is misreading Scripture, and though Fuller really is convinced Wayland is ignoring Scripture, the two men are always cordial and dignified; they never paint the other as sub-Christian or impugn each other’s motives. These two esteemed antebellum Baptists remind us that it is possible to debate even the most controversial issues in a Christ-like manner."
Elder John Gorton and the Six Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich, Rhode Island by Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, ISBN-13: 978-0960414444
Genealogical and historical about John Gorton and members of the Six Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, including church minutes
Gospel Tracks through Texas: The Mission of Chapel Car Good Will by Wilma Rugh Taylor, ISBN-13: 978-1585444342
"In 1895 a different kind of railroad car rolled into Texas, bringing the “good news” of the evangelical Gospel to transient railroad workers and far-flung communities alike."
Rethinkin' Our Thinkin': Thoughts on Sacred Harp "Myths' by R. L. Vaughn, ISBN-13: 978-0578122403
This book reviews "the standard view of Sacred Harp history and reasons why it should be corrected and updated."
The Doctrine of the Church: a Baptist View by John F. Thornbury, ISBN-13: 978-1561865147
"This book is somewhat polemical, since one of its primary objectives is to refute a theory of the church which is now over one hundred years old. We refer to the view of Landmark Baptists that the church of the New Testament always is a literal, physical assembly of Christians. In this book we will examine this niew particularly as it was advocated by its original exponents: J.R. Graves, J.B. Thomas, and B.H. Carroll."
The Rural South Since World War II by R. Douglas Hurt, ISBN-13: 978-0807122891
"Recent histories of the South neglect the rural South after World War II ans tress the urban, industrial Sunbelt South, which in many ways is like the rest of the country. This slim volume...aspires to correct this oversight..."
The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English by Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton, ISBN-13: 978-0913573440
"This edition of The Septuagint with Apocrypha gives the complete Greek text along with a parallel English translation by Brenton."
Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death: The Civil War Manuscript Collection of Captain Harvey Alexander Wallace, 5th South Carolina Infantry and 19th Texas Infantry, Walker's Texas Division by Stephen Skelton, ISBN-13: 978-0788431340
"The Captain Harvey Alexander Wallace Civil War manuscript collection is a virtual window in time that allows the reader to step through and share the lives of a Confederate soldier, his family, and extended family through the course of the entire war."
What are you reading? Have any recommendations?
Communion: Is it open or closed? by Bobby L. Sparks, ISBN-13: 9780976127048
"Is the Lord’s Supper to be open to everyone who professes to be saved? Or is the Supper to be restricted only to the members of the church observing the ordinance?"
Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural Institution by Richard Fuller, Francis Wayland, edited by Nathan A. Finn and Keith Harper, ISBN-13: 978-0881461077
"Though Wayland really does believe Fuller is misreading Scripture, and though Fuller really is convinced Wayland is ignoring Scripture, the two men are always cordial and dignified; they never paint the other as sub-Christian or impugn each other’s motives. These two esteemed antebellum Baptists remind us that it is possible to debate even the most controversial issues in a Christ-like manner."
Elder John Gorton and the Six Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich, Rhode Island by Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, ISBN-13: 978-0960414444
Genealogical and historical about John Gorton and members of the Six Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, including church minutes
Gospel Tracks through Texas: The Mission of Chapel Car Good Will by Wilma Rugh Taylor, ISBN-13: 978-1585444342
"In 1895 a different kind of railroad car rolled into Texas, bringing the “good news” of the evangelical Gospel to transient railroad workers and far-flung communities alike."
Rethinkin' Our Thinkin': Thoughts on Sacred Harp "Myths' by R. L. Vaughn, ISBN-13: 978-0578122403
This book reviews "the standard view of Sacred Harp history and reasons why it should be corrected and updated."
The Doctrine of the Church: a Baptist View by John F. Thornbury, ISBN-13: 978-1561865147
"This book is somewhat polemical, since one of its primary objectives is to refute a theory of the church which is now over one hundred years old. We refer to the view of Landmark Baptists that the church of the New Testament always is a literal, physical assembly of Christians. In this book we will examine this niew particularly as it was advocated by its original exponents: J.R. Graves, J.B. Thomas, and B.H. Carroll."
The Rural South Since World War II by R. Douglas Hurt, ISBN-13: 978-0807122891
"Recent histories of the South neglect the rural South after World War II ans tress the urban, industrial Sunbelt South, which in many ways is like the rest of the country. This slim volume...aspires to correct this oversight..."
The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English by Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton, ISBN-13: 978-0913573440
"This edition of The Septuagint with Apocrypha gives the complete Greek text along with a parallel English translation by Brenton."
Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death: The Civil War Manuscript Collection of Captain Harvey Alexander Wallace, 5th South Carolina Infantry and 19th Texas Infantry, Walker's Texas Division by Stephen Skelton, ISBN-13: 978-0788431340
"The Captain Harvey Alexander Wallace Civil War manuscript collection is a virtual window in time that allows the reader to step through and share the lives of a Confederate soldier, his family, and extended family through the course of the entire war."
What are you reading? Have any recommendations?
Morrell sounds warning bell
Z. N. Morrell* (1803—1883) was one of the early Baptist preachers in
Texas. He came from Tennessee to Texas in 1835 at the age of 32. An excerpt
from a memorial sermon by M. V. Smith portrays what our Texas Baptist
forebears believed.
"He (Morrell) condemned surface work in the revival meeting, deplored laxiness in receiving members, and insisted on purging our churches, as far as possible, of unregenerate material. He believed that if the heart was changed, an applicant for membership could, in some way, make it known; and he was opposed to the increasing practice of asking leading questions of applicants for baptism. He said, ‘If they know anything of conviction for sin, penitence, faith in Christ, and the joys of salvation, they can tell it.’"
From Flowers and Fruits, as quoted in The Baptist Waymark, August 1986, Vol. 1 No. 3,
p. 3
* Morrell was born on January 17, 1803, in South Carolina and died in Kyle, Texas on December 19, 1883. His given names are in dispute, variously called Zachariah, Zacharius, and Zenos, with some claiming the name Nehemiah for his middle name.
* Morrell was born on January 17, 1803, in South Carolina and died in Kyle, Texas on December 19, 1883. His given names are in dispute, variously called Zachariah, Zacharius, and Zenos, with some claiming the name Nehemiah for his middle name.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Be Called D.D.??
IT IS A SIN TO CALL OR BE CALLED D.D.
by Ira Copeland, Hillsboro, TX
Jude, verses 3 and 4, said, Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul said, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thess. 5:21-22.
I now call attention to only one innovation that has taken deep root since the 16th century: the title of D.D. among our ministry.
It is a sin to call a man doctor in the sense of Divinity or for a man to suffer himself so called. Sin is transgression of God’s law and God’s law is any of His effective commandments. Jesus Christ is His Son clothed with equal authority. D.D., doctor, means teacher of authority, Rabbi, Master, Father, pope, etc. Jesus said, But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your Father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called Masters: for one is your Master, even Christ Matt. 23:8-10. This is as much the law of God as any other command of God, and therefore a sin to call or be called D.D. The title is Romish and Judaistic. Do not they who seek authority over men and brethren love the title? Matt 23:1-7. No school has Bible right to confer it.
This is not intended as a personal slap or reflection on any one, but gentle reproof and an earnest contention for this part of the faith once delivered to the saints, and to avoid modern innovations, and to get in and stay in the old paths.
From The Baptist Progress, March 5, 1936 as reprinted in The Baptist Waymark
by Ira Copeland, Hillsboro, TX
Jude, verses 3 and 4, said, Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul said, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thess. 5:21-22.
I now call attention to only one innovation that has taken deep root since the 16th century: the title of D.D. among our ministry.
It is a sin to call a man doctor in the sense of Divinity or for a man to suffer himself so called. Sin is transgression of God’s law and God’s law is any of His effective commandments. Jesus Christ is His Son clothed with equal authority. D.D., doctor, means teacher of authority, Rabbi, Master, Father, pope, etc. Jesus said, But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your Father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called Masters: for one is your Master, even Christ Matt. 23:8-10. This is as much the law of God as any other command of God, and therefore a sin to call or be called D.D. The title is Romish and Judaistic. Do not they who seek authority over men and brethren love the title? Matt 23:1-7. No school has Bible right to confer it.
This is not intended as a personal slap or reflection on any one, but gentle reproof and an earnest contention for this part of the faith once delivered to the saints, and to avoid modern innovations, and to get in and stay in the old paths.
From The Baptist Progress, March 5, 1936 as reprinted in The Baptist Waymark
More D. D.
“Education has ruined preachers. Doctors of divinity abound in our day, but we have no prophets. I know that saying this gets me in trouble with the religious elite, but it must be said clearly and loudly. I am of the old school, not the new. And I have the fondest memory of an uneducated preacher here in north Georgia, Brother Rance Cain, whom I was blessed to hear in the 1960s. He could preach circles around any educated preacher of his day or ours. He spit out a little tobacco on you when he preached, but who cared! He was uncouth and country, but how he could declare God’s Word in power, truly confounding the educated!” -- From The Sheepherder of Tekoa by Brother W. F. Bell of Canton, GA
“For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” -- 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
“For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” -- 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
In memory (1936-2013)
Bob Bowman, East Texas historian, died at the age of 77 on Saturday, July 13, 2013 in Lufkin. He was born at Hickory Grove in Anderson County on June 3, 1936. A memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin on Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m.
Bowman was well known for his books and a weekly history column that was published in about 80 East Texas newspapers. He often told us how different East Texas towns, rivers and areas got their names. Bowman was a member of the Texas Historical Commission, the East Texas Historical Association, the Texas Council for the Humanities and served on the Texas Sesquicenntenial Commission in 1986 and the Texas Capital Centennial Commission in 1988.
A few samples of Bob Bowman's East Texas:
Babe Ruth in East Texas
Fort Brown: A refuge from attacks
Rusk's Capitol Role
Those strange town names
Bowman was well known for his books and a weekly history column that was published in about 80 East Texas newspapers. He often told us how different East Texas towns, rivers and areas got their names. Bowman was a member of the Texas Historical Commission, the East Texas Historical Association, the Texas Council for the Humanities and served on the Texas Sesquicenntenial Commission in 1986 and the Texas Capital Centennial Commission in 1988.
A few samples of Bob Bowman's East Texas:
Babe Ruth in East Texas
Fort Brown: A refuge from attacks
Rusk's Capitol Role
Those strange town names
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
About the title Reverend
ABOUT THE TITLE REVEREND
by J. F. Manning
"When Methodists want to justify infant baptism, they say the Bible does not forbid it. Such logic is common to Methodists, who would have thought Baptists would resort to it.
"We should not use the title “reverend” in addressing our ministers. Reverence for one another is a virtue to be cultivated. But we are nowhere, by precept or example, warranted in God’s word in calling anyone “reverend” as a title, or for any other purpose. (Some) say we are not forbidden to use it. The Methodists say we are not forbidden to sprinkle infants. Some use exactly the same logic as the Methodists.
"The New Testament clearly teaches that the preachers were called elders. If we want to follow the New Testament, we must discard the old Romish and Pedobaptist practice of calling our preachers “reverend” and call them elders.
"If others want to call them “reverend,” “the right reverend,” “the most reverend,” “holy papa,” “holy father,” or whatever man-made title they choose, they have a legal right to do so. But please excuse me. We do not have to use such titles to show reverence."
From The Baptist Progress, July 21, 1938 as reprinted in The Baptist Waymark, Vol. II No. 7 March-April 1992
by J. F. Manning
"When Methodists want to justify infant baptism, they say the Bible does not forbid it. Such logic is common to Methodists, who would have thought Baptists would resort to it.
"We should not use the title “reverend” in addressing our ministers. Reverence for one another is a virtue to be cultivated. But we are nowhere, by precept or example, warranted in God’s word in calling anyone “reverend” as a title, or for any other purpose. (Some) say we are not forbidden to use it. The Methodists say we are not forbidden to sprinkle infants. Some use exactly the same logic as the Methodists.
"The New Testament clearly teaches that the preachers were called elders. If we want to follow the New Testament, we must discard the old Romish and Pedobaptist practice of calling our preachers “reverend” and call them elders.
"If others want to call them “reverend,” “the right reverend,” “the most reverend,” “holy papa,” “holy father,” or whatever man-made title they choose, they have a legal right to do so. But please excuse me. We do not have to use such titles to show reverence."
From The Baptist Progress, July 21, 1938 as reprinted in The Baptist Waymark, Vol. II No. 7 March-April 1992
Absolute truth
“If there is no God, you’re a turnip and nothing matters.”
This morning I heard Steve Brown on the radio. He was discussing whether there is absolute truth. That there is no absolute truth makes a fine theory for some, he said – until they try to live that way. Murder is wrong, 2 + 2 is 4, and Hitler was evil. It’s not so hard to see the absolute truth in that!
This morning I heard Steve Brown on the radio. He was discussing whether there is absolute truth. That there is no absolute truth makes a fine theory for some, he said – until they try to live that way. Murder is wrong, 2 + 2 is 4, and Hitler was evil. It’s not so hard to see the absolute truth in that!
Enough is enough
Many folks are tired of hearing about the George Zimmerman trial, but here are a few parting shots -- links to news stories related to the trial, its subject and its verdict.
Celebs rally around the late Trayvon Martin
Did the Justice Department incite the 2012 Trayvon Martin protests?
Five Moments That May Have Led to George Zimmerman's Acquittal
George Zimmerman Not Guilty: Florida City Braces For Riots
George Zimmerman verdict sparks protests across NYC
Homicide Trends in the United States, 1980-2008
Mississippi man says he was beaten over Zimmerman verdict
See No Evil: Racial Violence Underreported
Zimmerman's lawyer calls prosecutors 'disgrace' to profession
It ain't over till its over. The family is filing a civil suit against Zimmerman, but also "The NAACP, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and other civil rights activists are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney Gen. Eric Holder to press federal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman." NAACP President Ben Jealous wrote in a letter to AG Holder, “The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin.” (Hopefully President Jealous's right to life position makes him also a strong opponent of abortion.) This is from DOJ urged to press civil rights charges against Zimmerman
In the end, I think the article George Zimmerman's Acquittal: Four Blunt Observations sums it up best: "In the end what got Zimmerman off was the most basic of all criminal-law concepts: reasonable doubt."
Celebs rally around the late Trayvon Martin
Did the Justice Department incite the 2012 Trayvon Martin protests?
Five Moments That May Have Led to George Zimmerman's Acquittal
George Zimmerman Not Guilty: Florida City Braces For Riots
George Zimmerman verdict sparks protests across NYC
Homicide Trends in the United States, 1980-2008
Mississippi man says he was beaten over Zimmerman verdict
See No Evil: Racial Violence Underreported
Zimmerman's lawyer calls prosecutors 'disgrace' to profession
It ain't over till its over. The family is filing a civil suit against Zimmerman, but also "The NAACP, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and other civil rights activists are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney Gen. Eric Holder to press federal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman." NAACP President Ben Jealous wrote in a letter to AG Holder, “The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin.” (Hopefully President Jealous's right to life position makes him also a strong opponent of abortion.) This is from DOJ urged to press civil rights charges against Zimmerman
In the end, I think the article George Zimmerman's Acquittal: Four Blunt Observations sums it up best: "In the end what got Zimmerman off was the most basic of all criminal-law concepts: reasonable doubt."
Monday, July 15, 2013
Carson Quotes
...not Johnny.
D. A. Carson
"The church needs to learn afresh the compelling power of uninhibited praise."
“When you’re busy hating everybody, and denouncing everybody, and seeking political solutions to everything, it’s very difficult to evangelize. Isn’t it? Very hard to be compassionate, to look on the crowds as though they’re sheep without a shepherd, very hard to look on them like that when they’re taking away 'my heritage'.”
“We are dealing with God's thoughts: we are obligated to take the greatest pains to understand them truly and to explain them clearly.”
“The broader problem is that a great deal of popular preaching and teaching uses the bible as a pegboard on which to hang a fair bit of Christianized pop psychology or moralizing encouragement, with very little effort to teach the faithful, from the Bible, the massive doctrines of historic confessional Christianity.”
Alexander Carson
“If we need the protection of men, let us first ask it from God. If we prevail with Him, the power of the most mighty and of the most wicked must minister to our relief.”
“The believer died with Christ and has risen with Christ. What you may think, or what I may think, on this subject, independently of the Word of God, is of no value.”
“If a man perceives any thing to be a command of Jesus, and, out of worldly views avoids obeying it, he has no just pretensions to the character of a Christian.”
D. A. Carson
"The church needs to learn afresh the compelling power of uninhibited praise."
“When you’re busy hating everybody, and denouncing everybody, and seeking political solutions to everything, it’s very difficult to evangelize. Isn’t it? Very hard to be compassionate, to look on the crowds as though they’re sheep without a shepherd, very hard to look on them like that when they’re taking away 'my heritage'.”
“We are dealing with God's thoughts: we are obligated to take the greatest pains to understand them truly and to explain them clearly.”
“The broader problem is that a great deal of popular preaching and teaching uses the bible as a pegboard on which to hang a fair bit of Christianized pop psychology or moralizing encouragement, with very little effort to teach the faithful, from the Bible, the massive doctrines of historic confessional Christianity.”
Alexander Carson
“If we need the protection of men, let us first ask it from God. If we prevail with Him, the power of the most mighty and of the most wicked must minister to our relief.”
“The believer died with Christ and has risen with Christ. What you may think, or what I may think, on this subject, independently of the Word of God, is of no value.”
“If a man perceives any thing to be a command of Jesus, and, out of worldly views avoids obeying it, he has no just pretensions to the character of a Christian.”
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Lottie Moon
...meet Katie McKown.
In 1873 Lottie Moon was appointed by the SBC’s Foreign Mission Board as a missionary to China. She remained a foreign missionary in China for 39 years, until her death in 1912. The Baptist Standard reports that Lottie Moon’s home church is now led by a woman pastor,* a concept opposed to the SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message statement: "...the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."
This turn of events seems to be wryly reported by SBC opponents such as the BGCTexas and the CBF, and un/under-reported by Convention media.
* This church is not now affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
In 1873 Lottie Moon was appointed by the SBC’s Foreign Mission Board as a missionary to China. She remained a foreign missionary in China for 39 years, until her death in 1912. The Baptist Standard reports that Lottie Moon’s home church is now led by a woman pastor,* a concept opposed to the SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message statement: "...the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."
This turn of events seems to be wryly reported by SBC opponents such as the BGCTexas and the CBF, and un/under-reported by Convention media.
* This church is not now affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Spurgeon a Pacifist? Gay the New Black? Election Fair?
The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.
150 Years of Misunderstanding the Civil War
“Blessed Are The Peacemakers”: An Examination of the Peacemaking Legacy of Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Do pastors lie when surveyed about work habits?
Gay Is Not the New Black
How Can Homosexuality Be Wrong if It Doesn't Harm Anyone?
Is Divine Election Fair?
Singing to Build Up
Charles Spurgeon: On War and Christians
What Does the Regulative Principle Require of Church Members?
What Is Morality Other than Harm?
When to Give Out Your Social Security Number, How to Protect It
150 Years of Misunderstanding the Civil War
“Blessed Are The Peacemakers”: An Examination of the Peacemaking Legacy of Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Do pastors lie when surveyed about work habits?
Gay Is Not the New Black
How Can Homosexuality Be Wrong if It Doesn't Harm Anyone?
Is Divine Election Fair?
Singing to Build Up
Charles Spurgeon: On War and Christians
What Does the Regulative Principle Require of Church Members?
What Is Morality Other than Harm?
When to Give Out Your Social Security Number, How to Protect It
Tithing 101 on the radio
RTR: Tithing 101 with Gary Arnold will be on blog radio this Sunday morning at 10:00am Eastern/9:00am Central. Just click the link and go to the site to listen.
Gary Arnold is author of Tithing Today, a book that presents "an in-depth study of the Levitical tithe," shows "that the requirement to tithe ended at the cross," and teaches "how the New Testament Church is to be financed."
Gary Arnold is author of Tithing Today, a book that presents "an in-depth study of the Levitical tithe," shows "that the requirement to tithe ended at the cross," and teaches "how the New Testament Church is to be financed."
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Saints, Tongues, Muslims and Good News for Gays
And more.
The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.
Child Abuse And Matthew 18: The Dangers of Distorting Scripture
Church Signs of the Week
Free E-Book: Keach's Types and Metaphors of the Bible
Good News for Gays
Pope Francis clears John Paul II for sainthood
Summer driving tips to help prevent a road trip catastrophe
The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Non-Narrative New Testament Passages
Tom Hicks on Benjamin Keach
What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur’an
The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.
Church Signs of the Week
Free E-Book: Keach's Types and Metaphors of the Bible
Good News for Gays
Pope Francis clears John Paul II for sainthood
Summer driving tips to help prevent a road trip catastrophe
The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Non-Narrative New Testament Passages
Tom Hicks on Benjamin Keach
What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur’an
Texas passes stricter abortion regulations
"The Texas Senate passed House Bill 2 (HB-2) bill restricting abortions past 20 weeks and increased facility requirements would be mean that only surgical centers could provide abortions. Further, HB-2 would require that doctors performing abortions would have admitting privileges in nearby hospitals."From Texas Senate Passes Sweeping Abortion Bill HB-2 19 to 11
Excerpts from Church Discipline 7
FORM OF DISCIPLINE
The method and form of discipline in Baptist churches are democratic and should be rigidly enforced. The Bible is the only faith and code of laws, and Baptist churches are its only exponents. A Baptist church has absolute power within itself to discipline its members, to punish heresy, wrong-living and evil-doing. From the local Baptist church (there are no other kinds) there is no appeal to a higher church-court or tribunal, for the very good reason that such higher courts do not exist. No association, convention, board of ruling elders, nor school of bishops has the power to set aside or reverse the decision of a Baptist church. In this manner, Baptists declare, trouble in one church, or with one member, or with one pastor, can neither injure the denomination as a whole, nor should it bring about strife within the councils of the faith.
The disciplining of a member is the church's business and takes place in and through the local church itself. Any member of a congregation has a right, if he has knowledge of his guilt, to bring charges against any other member. Of course, such charges must be based upon some violation of Scriptural law, or denominational doctrine as based upon a "thus saith the Lord" in His Word.
From Church Discipline by Lester Stewart Walker, 1913--1982
A revision of Walker's work by E. C. Gillentine is available from Bogard Press.
The method and form of discipline in Baptist churches are democratic and should be rigidly enforced. The Bible is the only faith and code of laws, and Baptist churches are its only exponents. A Baptist church has absolute power within itself to discipline its members, to punish heresy, wrong-living and evil-doing. From the local Baptist church (there are no other kinds) there is no appeal to a higher church-court or tribunal, for the very good reason that such higher courts do not exist. No association, convention, board of ruling elders, nor school of bishops has the power to set aside or reverse the decision of a Baptist church. In this manner, Baptists declare, trouble in one church, or with one member, or with one pastor, can neither injure the denomination as a whole, nor should it bring about strife within the councils of the faith.
The disciplining of a member is the church's business and takes place in and through the local church itself. Any member of a congregation has a right, if he has knowledge of his guilt, to bring charges against any other member. Of course, such charges must be based upon some violation of Scriptural law, or denominational doctrine as based upon a "thus saith the Lord" in His Word.
From Church Discipline by Lester Stewart Walker, 1913--1982
A revision of Walker's work by E. C. Gillentine is available from Bogard Press.
Friday, July 12, 2013
He said, she said
“Our government has treated free exercise of religion as though it were a tattered house standing in the way of a government construction of a railroad; there to be bought off or plowed out of the way, in the name of progress. We dissent.” -- Russell Moore
"Women’s rights used to be about the right to work in a chosen profession or stay at home. Now the left has reversed it into criticizing women who choose to stay at home, suddenly deciding that the choice is misogynist." -- Rachel Alexander
"God gave woman the goddess-like capability of bearing life itself, and yet feminists always seem to judge themselves by how much they can be like a man." -- Mark Osgatharp
"Saying there are too many children is like saying there is too many flowers!" -- Michelle Duggar
"There is such a thing as principled moderation, but real-world moderates are more prone to fudge, ignore and obfuscate when there appears to be no constituency for the truth." -- Alan Bean
"Swing voters are more appropriately known as the 'idiot voters' because they have no set of philosophical principles. By the age of fourteen, you're either a Conservative or a Liberal if you have an IQ above a toaster." -- Ann Coulter
“There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.” -- Will Rogers
"Women always worry about the things that men forget; men always worry about the things women remember." -- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
"Women’s rights used to be about the right to work in a chosen profession or stay at home. Now the left has reversed it into criticizing women who choose to stay at home, suddenly deciding that the choice is misogynist." -- Rachel Alexander
"God gave woman the goddess-like capability of bearing life itself, and yet feminists always seem to judge themselves by how much they can be like a man." -- Mark Osgatharp
"Saying there are too many children is like saying there is too many flowers!" -- Michelle Duggar
"There is such a thing as principled moderation, but real-world moderates are more prone to fudge, ignore and obfuscate when there appears to be no constituency for the truth." -- Alan Bean
"Swing voters are more appropriately known as the 'idiot voters' because they have no set of philosophical principles. By the age of fourteen, you're either a Conservative or a Liberal if you have an IQ above a toaster." -- Ann Coulter
“There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.” -- Will Rogers
"Women always worry about the things that men forget; men always worry about the things women remember." -- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
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