Happy Birthday, to my Mother

Today is my mother's 101st birthday. She was born this day in 1915. She graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1934, and may be their oldest living alumni. She married in 1937 and was widowed in 2007. She has 5 children, three here and two on the other side.

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Obsessed with more "five points"

 In such cases
Corporate Election
All have sinned
Substitutionary Atonement
Eternal Security
Salvation is of the Lord

 They shall be as white as snow
Bore our sins in his body
Lamb slain before foundation of the world
All have sinned
Came to save sinners
Kept by the power of God

 The Bible's (non-acrostic) "5 Points"
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.

Traditionalism

The “Traditional” (Missionary Baptist) soteriological viewpoint I was brought up with was:

1. Total Hereditary Depravity
2. Conditional Election through Foreseen Faith
3. General (or Universal) Atonement
4. Free Choice (or Free Moral Agency)
5. Eternal Security (or “Once Saved, Always Saved”)

*  The modern “Traditional” (Southern Baptist) viewpoint emphasizes “free choice” even more (almost to the point of Campbellism, imo), and washes total depravity out to an inclination. This view is called by some “Extensivism”.
** Not much was said about election, but when brought up some suggested that God looked down through time and chose those he knew would believe the gospel. It would not have been unusual for someone to speak of the atonement as “universal” – not in the sense of universal salvation, but that it made possible the salvation of everyone.

Calvinism

The answer of the Canons of the Synod of Dort in 1618, under five heads, has been synthesized into the English acrostic, TULIP, as follows:

1. Total Inability (or Total Depravity) 
2. Unconditional Election 
3. Limited Atonement 
4. Irresistible Grace 
5. Perseverance of the Saints 

* See “Canones Synodi Dordrechtanae (Canons of the Synod of Dort)” in The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes; Volume III, Philip Schaff, 1877, pp. 581-597

Arminianism

The “Arminianism” of the Dutch Remonstrants of 1610 may be summarized as follows:

1. God determined to save those who believe on his Son Jesus (Conditional Election through Faith)
2. Jesus Christ died for all men (General or Unlimited Atonement)
3. Man cannot will or do anything that is good (Total Depravity)
4. The grace of God is not irresistible (Resistible Grace)
5. Perseverance of believers, but with the possibility that they are capable of forsaking their life in Christ and returning to the world (Falling from Grace) 

* In form of teaching, the Remonstrance only opened the question of falling from grace, and granted they were not fully persuaded on the matter. See “Articuli Arminiani sive Remonstrantia (Articles of Remonstrance)” in The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes; Volume III, Philip Schaff, 1877, pp. 545-549

Theological Liberalism

Sometimes in my posts I reference liberalism, so I think I explanation of what I mean will be helpful. When I speak of theological liberalism in reference to Christian beliefs, it is in contrast to the Fundamentals of the Faith held by conservative Christians.

Liberalism is not unified theological system or unified set of beliefs. It is more of an approach to the understanding the Bible through the lens of science and humanism. Nevertheless, there are some common themes that can be found among theological liberals. They do not affirm the necessity of a supernatural creation by God, deny the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures, and reject the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. The often repudiate several or all of the following:

• the historicity of the book of Genesis (and much of the rest of the Old Testament)
• the miraculous accuracy of predictive prophecy
• the virgin birth of Jesus Christ
• the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
• the authority of the Bible in matters of faith and practice
• the literal/bodily return/second coming of Jesus Christ

Traducianism

Interesting topic:

Traducianism by Gordon H. Clark -- "That the propagation of the race is only corporeal, and not spiritual or mental also, that only the child’s body and not his soul comes from the parents seems to be denied in John 3:6..."

The Rock of My Refuge

Printed in The Postman, London, England, October 1881, page 1

1. The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, A shelter in the time of storm.

2. A shade by day, defence by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Refrain]

3. The fiercest storms may round us beat,
A shelter in the time of storm;
We'll never quit our safe retreat,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Refrain]

4. O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
When needed most be ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Refrain]

Originally from The Rock of Ages No. 8 of Fullerton and Smith's Song Services, edited by Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880

The Decline of Biblical Christianity

Biblical Christianity is in rapid descent in the United States. It stumbled, broke a hip and fell flat on its face. At least that is how is looks in the few years. Biblical Christianity actually has been in decline for many years, its facade polished and ranks bolstered by the numerous nominal Christians it carried along on its back. As the benefit of Christianity to the American citizen quickly declines in these times, nominal Christians move on to a better clime. 

Maybe biblical Christianity isn't in rapid descent after all. Maybe it has arrived at a Spring of sustenance after a long cold winter. The heavy baggage it has toted -- one weight that so easily besets us -- is being jettisoned. God is doing us a favor. Perhaps now we can run the race rather than move along at a snail's pace. 

Oh, the opportunity!

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Our county commissioners have declared April to be "Sexual Assault Awareness Month". This is probably a common thing to do and may be largely symbolic. But it is supposed to include educational events, which I hope will be good. Unfortunately, some educational events proceed from non-christian and anti-christian worldviews. We hope something good comes from it. One bit of information the article reporting the commissioners' action included is that we have about 150 registered sex offenders in our county population of 53,000. I'm not sure how this compares on average to other places, but when I think of 150 sex offenders scattered over my county I know it is way too many. According to the article, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted before they reach age 18.

Reviews and other book stuff

The posting of book reviews does not constitute endorsement of the books or book reviews that are linked.

• Book Notes: February -- "This post highlights three biblical-theological books I read this month..."
• Book Review: “Transforming Homosexuality” by Denny Burk and Heath Lambert -- "...while most Christian books on the topic address the ethics of homosexual behavior, this book intends to address the ethics of homosexual desire or homosexual orientation."
• From Dust to Deity: Some Critical Reflections on a Critical Book" -- "Confessing the Impassible God is mainly a polemic against a more moderate form of classic theism."
• James K. A. Smith and Augustinianism -- "...Smith offers a fascinating blend of Augustinianism and contemporary phenomenology that is at once neither straightforward Augustine nor phenomenology."
• Leonard's Book Restoration Station -- Highly Recommended -- "Back in February of 2014 I had my favorite Bible rebound by them, and I have been thrilled with it ever since."
• Reading Notes: Christocentrism -- "This brief bibliography points to a few helpful christocentric texts while also accounting for at least some of that diversity."
• Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart? A Conversation J. D. Greear -- "He has written a short and accessible book called Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved."

An officer of the law

North Carolina's Attorney General Roy Cooper says he will not defend a new state law that voids Charlotte's anti-discrimination ordinance. Will those who called on clerks to resign if they would not issue homosexual marriage licenses also call on Cooper to resign if he won't enforce the law? Same principle, isn't it?

Tithing challenge, and other links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• Did The Apostle Paul Witness Christ’s Crucifixion? -- "...the crucifixion occurred in AD 33, followed by Paul’s epiphany the next year."
• Five reasons to believe Jesus rose from the dead -- "The empty tomb..."
• Follow the law, or follow your faith: Obama’s outrageous order -- "A priest’s mission is to nurture the exercise of religion in those to whom he ministers. Yet the mandate would require us to violate that religion, in full view of those we teach to live it."
• If Governor Nathan Deal Were a Real Baptist -- "For that reason, I will sign HB 757."
• Islamic militants hack Christian convert to death in Bangladesh -- "Hossain Ali was walking through Kurigram when at least two people jumped the 68-year-old victim. Eyewitnesses claim the men slashed Ali's neck."
• James Ireland: The preacher they tried to kill -- "Upon his arrival, Ireland was informed that if he preached the authorities would arrest him."
• Parents, educators rally behind teacher suspended for 'racist' social media posts -- ""The teachers at Como are outstanding, and for a long time they have not felt free to speak up and defend students’ rights."
• SBC Deacon Doubles Down on Building Abortuary -- "All we knew about the clinic was that it provided health services. fter much thought, prayer, and mentorship we have decided to complete the job because we are contractually bound and know that a breach of contract is illegal."
• The Millennial Generation’s Acceptable Sin -- "...80 percent of unmarried evangelicals between the ages of 18 and 29 had engaged in sex."
• The NewSpring Church Tithing Challenge -- "Sometimes, our articles write themselves. This is one of those times."
• They Call Me The Son Of The Morning; or, The Dangerous Theology of Venue Church -- "Rule number one in Tavner's theology: God has no authority on the Earth He created."

Choosing a Supreme Court Justice

In a recent Miami Herald op-ed piece, Leonard Pitts, Jr. wrote that Sen. McConnell is a liar — and not a very good one, at that. His reference is to Senator Mitch McConnell's suggestion to "give [the American people] a voice" in deciding the replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He intends to not hold hearings for President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court."Let’s let the American people decide," says McConnell. That is, let's wait until after the presidential election and let the winner nominate the next justice. 

Pitts claims, "There are four lies here, each more threadbare and cynical than the last." The four lies he references are "The Biden rule," President Obama "politicizing this," "not about a person," and "voice of the people." 

1. I believe that Pitts is right when he says here is no such thing as the Biden rule. U.S. Senator Joe Biden made remarks in 1992 about not considering Supreme Court nominees made in the final year of a presidency. There is no "Biden Rule" under which the Senate must operate in this regard. On the other hand, Biden did make these remarks, and other Democrats have made similar ones. Both Republican and Democrat Senators display situation ethics in regard to matters than come before them, according to who is in power in Congress and in the White House.

2. McConnell and other Republicans say President Obama is politicizing this. President Obama and other Democrats say the Republicans are politicizing this. In fact, it's an election year -- most all of them politicizing, though some may be operating on principle (some might even be politicizing and operating on principle). 

3. Is it about a principle or a person? More probably it is about a person, principles and even power. All run in order to promote their principles, power and people -- though not always ethically so -- so we should not be surprised when they act in accord with their reasons for be elected to public office. 

4. Pitts and those on the Democratic side say the voice of the people has been spoken in the election of President Obama. That is true. He also references a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll. It claims that 63% of those polled want the Senate to hold hearings and vote. But these kinds of polls don't matter (and didn't matter to Obama and the Democrats when most people polled did not want their Affordable Health Care Act). Elections, on the other hand, do matter. But not only was the voice of the people spoken when Barack Obama was elected, but also when every Senator who has to advise and consent on the judicial nominee was elected (two elections in a row, mostly against President Obama). 

We have spoken with different voices, so it is no surprise that different voices speak on Capitol Hill. Ultimately, when they agree we will have a new Supreme Court Justice. (And isn't that kinda how the system was intended to work??)

One man’s mystery, and other quotes

The posting of quotes by human authors does not constitute agreement with either the quotes or their sources.

"One man’s mystery is another man’s contradiction." -- copied

"If everything that is called Christianity these days is Christianity, then there is no such thing as Christianity. A name applied indiscriminately to everything designates nothing." -- B. B. Warfield

"Professions of faith in our Finney-esque, “all heads bowed, all eyes closed,” “raise that hand,” “repeat this prayer” altar call environment are as easy to elicit as getting Kenneth Copeland to speak in tongues for the promise of a seed faith donation." -- Bud Ahlheim

"Get down on your knees and thank God you are on your feet." -- Irish saying

"I always thought love was shaped like a heart... but I've found it's actually shaped like a cross." -- copied

"I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene..." -- Charles H. Gabriel

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -- Helen Keller

"Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee." -- Augustine of Hippo (Confessions, Book 1)

"The blessed Physician has a remedy for every disease, and the remedy is always felt to be exactly suitable to the exigency of the case." -- J. C. Philpot

"Jesus didn't stay dead, and He won't stay gone." -- copied from a church sign

Which one?

Interesting poem of unknown origin

One of us dear--But one--
Will sit by a bed with a marvelous fear, 
And clasp a hand growing cold as it feels for the Spirit land. 
Darling, Which one? 

One of us dear--But one--
Will stand by the other's coffin bier, 
And look and weep, while Those marble lips strange silence keep.
Darling, Which one? 

One of us dear--But one--
By an open grave will drop a tear, 
And homeward go The anguish of unshared grief to know. 
Darling, Which one? 

One of us darling, it must be.
It may be you will slip from me, 
Or perhaps my life may just be done. 
(I'm glad we do not know) Which one?

(Credited to Julia H. May in Parry's Monthly Magazine in 1887, but often printed uncredited or credited to someone else; for example Locomotive Engineer's Journal credits it to "Alice H.")

Extensivism

An Extensivist “believes that man was created in the image of God with otherwise choice and that God’s salvation plan is comprehensive, involving an all-inclusive unconditional offer of salvation and eternal security of the believer; reception of which is conditioned upon grace-enabled faith rather than a narrow plan involving a limited actual offer of salvation restricted to the unconditionally elected, or any plan that, in any way, conditions salvation upon merely a humanly generated faith from fallen man.” – Ronnie Rogers in One Man’s Suggestions for Calvinists and Non-Calvinists See also Does Faith Precede Or Result From the New Birth? Rogers further writes: “Extensivism may have some things in common with Calvinism, Arminianism, or Molinism, but it neither relies on nor seeks consistency with any of them. Further, similarities do not equal sameness. Extensivism seeks only to present a comprehensive, consistent system of soteriology that is reflective of the totality of Scripture.”

The Song of Miriam

Miriam's Song, Exodus 15:20

Sound the loud timbrel o’er Egypt’s dark sea:

Jehovah has triumphed—his people are free!

Sing—for the pride of the tyrant is broken:

His chariots, his horsemen, all splendid and brave—

How vain was their boast; for the Lord hath but spoken,         

And chariots and horsemen are sunk in the wave.

Sound the loud timbrel o’er Egypt’s dark sea:

Jehovah has triumphed—his people are free!

Praise to the Conqueror, praise to the Lord!

His word was our arrow, his breath was our sword.         

Who shall return to tell Egypt the story

Of those she sent forth in the hour of her pride?

For the Lord hath looked out from his pillar of glory,

And all her brave thousands are dashed in the tide.

Sound the loud timbrel o’er Egypt’s dark sea:         

Jehovah has triumphed—his people are free!

By Thomas Moore in 1816 (1779–1852)

Sung to tune AVISON, an adaptation of a melody by Charles Avison (1709–1770) P.M.

Baptism's urgency

In January 2006 I posted a writing on The "Urgency" of Baptism. Here is a brief re-appeal.

Baptism, a rite of immersion in water, is important, urgent and should not be unneccessarily delayed because:

• It is commanded [to both converts to proclaim (Acts 2:38; 10:48) and to the church to perform (Matt. 28:18-20)].
• It is the believer's first act of obedience (Acts 2:33-39; Acts 10:47-48; Matthew 10:32).
• It pictures the gospel and testifies of new life (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• It signifies a spiritual commitment, that we who are born again are now free to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

Giant cross, and other links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• Giant Texas cross sparks atheist lawsuit (and you won't believe why) -- "...the atheist sued a preacher for building a cross on church property in a city named Body of Christ."
• Glenn Reynolds: Supreme Court picks need diversity, compromise -- "...the president 'shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate'...Traditionally, the way this works is heavy on the 'consent' part, but not on the “advice” part."
• Obama Chooses Merrick Garland for Supreme Court -- " President Obama on Wednesday said he would nominate Merrick B. Garland as the nation’s 113th Supreme Court justice, choosing a centrist appeals court judge for the lifetime appointment..."
• Position Statement: Gender Ideology Harms Children -- "Conditioning children into believing a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex is normal and healthful is child abuse."
• Recall Issued After Mom Discovers Pedophile Symbol on Popular Children's Toy -- "The company that makes the toy...have since issued a recall and pulled it from shelves."
• Should Christians Cremate? -- "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen."
• The Shame Culture -- "College campuses are today awash in moral judgment."
• Why I Still Feel The Pull of Fundamentalism -- "Fundamentalists believe the Bible is true, and they act like it."
• Why Silence Is So Good For Your Brain -- "In a loud and distracting world, finding pockets of stillness can benefit your brain and body. Here are four science-backed reasons why."
• Why you should really start talking to old people more -- "What I heard changed my whole approach to life. Perhaps it will do the same for you."
• World’s Largest Church To Be Audited, Founder Suspected of Embezzling $67 Million -- "The Prosperity Gospel preacher, David Yonggi Cho, has been highly influential in American Evangelicalism."
• 20 Reasons I Don't Take Potshots at Fundamentalists -- "Everybody to my left thinks I am one. And there are a lot of people to my left."