tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post4123937212749414413..comments2023-09-19T04:44:58.904-07:00Comments on Musings from a Theo-Geek: Where's The Beef?Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-69412402519802929592009-06-14T13:19:59.070-07:002009-06-14T13:19:59.070-07:00I have admired and respected your devotion to miss...I have admired and respected your devotion to missions...and more specifically, your concern for those in Bulgaria and elsewere who are under oppression because of their faith. Keep up your good work. donkimreyDon Kimreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03177641324752587329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-65458967234990296402009-06-12T19:34:02.680-07:002009-06-12T19:34:02.680-07:00That (the church-joining vs. believers' baptis...That (the church-joining vs. believers' baptism) simply should not be happening. Baptism shouldn't be an issue that divides Christians, but probably no one issue in Christiandom has been more divisive.<br /><br />My former pastor (who is okay with infant baptism) wrote in his autobiography about the early Baptists in Bulgaria, who were threatened by the local Orthodox congregations with violence and riots if they performed public baptisms. (Protestants were, and still are, a hated minority in Bulgaria). His wife's grandfather came to the Lord after reading the Bible in the late 1800s, and when he refused to have his baby baptized, the local priest incited a village mob to burn down the family's house and barn. Nice, eh?<br /><br />Even more so when it is seen as a covenant and symbolic - not salvific, as the RCC teaches - we should accept that there is biblical room for both views and simply focus on following Christ (and bringing up the children to do so, whether or not we've had them baptized or dedicated as infants). <br /><br />Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Very glad I'm not the only one who doesn't see what all the fuss is about.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-36472822424732759692009-06-12T19:19:19.591-07:002009-06-12T19:19:19.591-07:00Marie, honestly, I'd be glad to meet just abou...Marie, honestly, I'd be glad to meet just about any Christian (at my church) who knew enough about either topic to have an intelligent discussion. But I wouldn't get my underbritches in a wad either way.<br /><br />It's non-essential. Although I do think covenant theology is rich and adds a great deal to my understanding of God's revelation and dealing with mankind. I find it supremely comforting and consistent. And humbling.<br /><br />When it comes to baptism...sigh. One of my beloved former pastors (a thoroughly reformed paedobaptist) used to always say that if God only wanted it done one way, He would have been a lot clearer about it in Scripture.<br /><br />I am a paedobaptist by the way, but I can see a case made both ways. And I think both sides should accept and respect the practices of the other in this area, since it comes down not to heresy or abberant teaching, but to various legitimate interpretations of the same material. <br /><br />If I recall correctly, not that long ago Piper was calling for more acceptance of paedobaptist who wished to join congregations that practiced believer's baptism, but were kept from doing so by an unwillingness to be 're-baptised.'<br /><br />I heartily concur!Hadassahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809388943561834992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-12266363879960506082009-06-11T11:55:15.351-07:002009-06-11T11:55:15.351-07:00And if you're all in a tizzy about various doc...<i>And if you're all in a tizzy about various doctrines, then STOP IT and go to the cross and live in the shadow of the cross and live submitted to Scripture.</i><br /><br />Yep. That's pretty much the conclusion I reached last week. Just can't understand what all the fuss is about, and it just totally distracts peeps from the beauty that is Christ. Sounds like we're all of one mind here.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-45491421511991693682009-06-11T11:52:51.031-07:002009-06-11T11:52:51.031-07:00Hey - not all covenantalists are paedo-baptists. A...Hey - not all covenantalists are paedo-baptists. And if you're all in a tizzy about various doctrines, then STOP IT and go to the cross and live in the shadow of the cross and live submitted to Scripture. We're at war here, but not with flesh and blood....<br /><br />...and those who want to pick nits on things like that forget one very simple thing from Jesus - "let the little children come to Me - for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."<br /><br /><br />The Holy Spirit is a Teacher and a Comforter, but we must get away from men and into the Word and in prayer and it'll all be okay.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604068110452745043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-50495578465795941552009-06-11T11:36:21.871-07:002009-06-11T11:36:21.871-07:00One thing I like about MacArthur is that he is cha...<i>One thing I like about MacArthur is that he is charitable with his reformed theology. He makes excellent cases for it but doesn't divide over it. We need more of that on both sides. We have bigger enemies to deal with.</i><br /><br />Exactly!! Macarthur approaches the Gospel not only with vast knowledge, but also with humility. There are many others who do as well - Paul Washer comes to mind, as does John Piper - these folks are faithful ministers of the Gospel, in part because they DON'T go postal over "disputable matters". There are matters over which there simply can be no compromise - ie., salvation doctrine and the exclusivity of the claims of Christ - but eschatology? Somehow I cannot imagine even Christ Himself splitting hairs to the extent some of these debaters do.<br /><br />After posting this, I recalled the NANC duo - Donn Arms (Baptist and dispensationalist) and Jay Adams (Reformed, Covenant and amillenial). Their common commitment to the Gospel, the essentials of the faith, and to biblical principles in their counseling makes them a great team and strong brothers in Christ. Why can't everyone view the minor differences of interpretation this way? <br /><br />(Yeah, those '80's commercials are a trip. I found one from the '70's - the Life cereal "Mikey Likes It" original the other day, and I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS ON. Now I feel REALLY old!)Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-66535869649653364202009-06-11T11:36:08.468-07:002009-06-11T11:36:08.468-07:00You've hit the nail on the head Marie! Why all...You've hit the nail on the head Marie! Why all the hoopla, especially when it leads to division? What about love, humility, unity? 4simpsons is exactly right, we have bigger enemies to deal with rather than bicker amongst ourselves.<br />Great post, thanks Marie!! While Satan keeps us busy 'debating' {in reality it's arguing, some refuse to give up until they've proven themselves right}, we aren't being watchful are we? <br />BTW, I enjoyed the Wendy's commercials as well!lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18418345528794992198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-15815680245152649362009-06-11T11:28:11.364-07:002009-06-11T11:28:11.364-07:00One thing I like about MacArthur is that he is cha...One thing I like about MacArthur is that he is charitable with his reformed theology. He makes excellent cases for it but doesn't divide over it. We need more of that on both sides. We have bigger enemies to deal with.<br /><br />And thanks for the link to the Wendy's videos -- they should bring back those great commercials!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com