A Southern Baptist Calvinist...on life, the world, and java

Clark, we're on the same page, I think. As I u...

2012-06-01T01:17:21.464-07:00

Clark, we're on the same page, I think. As I understand the statement, it goes further than denying that children dying in infancy are responsible for their sins. Instead, it affirms that such children are in no sense guilty and therefore apparently not in need of salvation. As such, it seems to overlook the distinction between innocence, on the one hand, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord, on the other.

Though my own convictions are in line with the doctrines of grace (that is, Calvinism as some would have it), in the interest of fellowship I had thought to step into the theological shoes of those who affirm the statement. Even from that non-Calvinist standpoint, I cannot avoid the conclusion that the statement is not theologically satisfactory. Then again, I suppose that if I could be satisfied that any non-Calvinist theology could be fully consistent then I would not be a Calvinist. So it must be that any attempt on my part to put myself within the shoes of non-Calvinists was doomed from the outset. Probably, the notion of a distinction between innocence and holiness is distinctively Calvinistic, though I wouldn't have supposed it to be so.

I'm not sure salvation applies to infants or t...

2012-05-31T17:47:12.593-07:00

I'm not sure salvation applies to infants or those incapable of an informed faith. I "think" they would place that under the idea of unaccountability. Babies and the mentally challenged would be deemed as not responsible for their sins. I'm not sure I agree totally with that. I think its more complicated than that. But I am sympathetic with the concept.

I concur in what I suppose Article 10 was intended...

2012-05-31T15:39:57.505-07:00

I concur in what I suppose Article 10 was intended to affirm. But, does that article leave room for the salvation of children dying in infancy and others who are incapable of a faith response? It seems to me that, as written, it does not.

Oh, was that re-released? I thought it was new!(is...

2012-05-27T15:59:03.814-07:00

Oh, was that re-released? I thought it was new!(ish) I love that hymn, too, I always get choked up when I sing it.

DO you still blog? I was looking but couldn't ...

2012-05-18T09:14:46.598-07:00

DO you still blog? I was looking but couldn't find it. Thanks for your kind words by the way. I was going back over some posts and came across yours. Thanks again.

...appreciate your article and in no way see it as...

2012-05-05T20:34:01.858-07:00

...appreciate your article and in no way see it as "you rambling on." You hit on many relevant points. Appreciate your efforts to get our eyes focused on Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith...like your blog a lot and will visit often...really like what you mentioned about God's requirements for preciseness in the construction of the tabernacle...it's cool how He expected that of Israel and then He specifically anointed Bezaleel (highly skilled) to make it happen...when i was at Liberty Bible College in the 70s i got a job as a stone mason's helper, building the Open Bible Church on Pace Street. The stone mason not only loved Jesus Christ with all his heart, but he was also highly skilled in laying stone...loved my job - mixed all the mud, brought him all the stones and the mud, moved the scaffolding and cleaned up...it was super hard work, but i loved it and we praised the Lord every day at work...he used to buy me "sweet water" at break times...he would not have approved the stonewall background on your blog (obvious poor workmanship)...really had to share that out of my respect to a skilled craftsman in the Lord...now i'm rambling...been reading a lot in the old testament lately...all throughout the interior of the temple the Lord required carvings of cherubs, palms, pomegranates (spelling) all of which were overlaid with gold...also the two huge cherubim with outstretched wings over the mercy seat (also were overlaid with gold)...also Moses' golden serpent (which some actually did worship)...the questions that come up in my mind are, "Why would God have them make such things? They are graven images? Is there some contradiction here?" Most certainly there is no contradiction. Perhaps it is similar to Jesus saying, "My new commandment..." To love one another is not a new commandment, but "to love one another as I [Jesus Christ] loved you" is really different. We are surrounded by graven images everywhere in all parts of our lives. It's not about the graven images, it's about "worshipping God" and we do that in spirit and in truth.

Amen - Good post!

2012-02-21T14:58:35.521-08:00

Amen - Good post!

A very well written and thought out posting. I a...

2011-11-27T14:23:40.167-08:00

A very well written and thought out posting.

I also am a reformed Baptist in the SBC and have long believed like you have laid out in this post.

I would like to post a portion of this at my blog and give this link for the full post -

Dawg

Gets me too. Simple definition: A sinner is one w...

2011-11-06T01:41:08.761-07:00

Gets me too.
Simple definition: A sinner is one who sins.
We still do.
Even though, positionally in Christ, we are perfect and without sin, practically, we still have an evil bent in our character that only Christ can de-magnetize.

Thanks for this today, Dad. I've never heard a...

2011-09-11T08:15:30.419-07:00

Thanks for this today, Dad. I've never heard anyone say they were not innocent. No, they shouldn't have died that day, but they are just as accountable as if they'd been 80. Definitely something to think about (if not share). ;)

Please help me for Christ sake

2011-08-26T14:50:18.650-07:00

Please help me for Christ sake

Look, anybody can start a website, call themselves...

2011-07-18T18:51:51.810-07:00

Look, anybody can start a website, call themselves a PI and write their opinions. Who cares. Here's the deal we know there are jihadist muslims. There are also muslims who want to enjoy the american lifestyle and want to have a place of worship.
I don't LIKE Islam, and I know that some of them may want to blow us all up.
There may be a case for Murfreesboro, I don't know. Listening to Steve Whatever makes you an expert?
My problem is Cain implying that government efforts can stop the free exercise of religion.
If people are building terrorist cells thats a whole different thing.

Mr Clark, No that is false.....the point was not b...

2011-07-18T17:17:35.273-07:00

Mr Clark,
No that is false.....the point was not building a center for the propagation of political Islam. One that was/is being financed by the Muslim Brotherhood. The same Muslim brotherhood that is threatening Christians in Egypt now.

I live here in Nashville, I have heard the arguments, I know the people, I listened to Steve Gills show, I went to the rally with Herman Cain on Thursday.
Christians here in Tenn will not tolerate the lies of the devil re Islam. read this aricle by Vijay Kumar in the Tennessean today.

http://tinyurl.com/3gmf79h

Not building a place for religious worship is what...

2011-07-18T16:38:26.317-07:00

Not building a place for religious worship is what was discussed.

The issue as first brought up by Mr Cain was not a...

2011-07-18T13:43:23.875-07:00

The issue as first brought up by Mr Cain was not a religious issue. But rather a political issue.
please read this http://www.politicalislam.com/principles/pages/five-principles/

"Framed" as a religious issue? ISLAM IS ...

2011-07-18T11:38:27.925-07:00

"Framed" as a religious issue? ISLAM IS a religion. THere are places NOT to build mosques, like at ground zero perhaps, and murfreesboro perhaps. But there are also places not to build churches - ie. zoning laws.
If their religion is one of hate, its their religion. Hate is not against the law. Killing yes, inciting violence, yes; using a religious institution to promote political candidates or positions, to some degree yes to that too.

This issue is being framed as a religious liberty ...

2011-07-18T10:58:03.425-07:00

This issue is being framed as a religious liberty issue but it is not a religious issue! Rather a political issue attempting to be wrapped in the veneer of religion.The proverbial camels nose under the tent.
I would challenge everyone to read the whole history of the Murfreesboro mosque issue. Read about how the individuals in Brentwood, TN were successful in preventing a mosque from being built there. Read about Geert Wilders at Cornerstone. Read about Steve Gill who emceed the Herman Cain event this past Thurday. Read about the crimes committed by the middle Tennessee Islamic community.

Do you really belief that there is no compulsion in Islam.......As someone who grew up in Indonesia I can absolutely tell that is 100 percent false in both doctrine and practice. Not when you read the whole body of Islamic writings including other Quranic verses. That my friend is simply a lie!!!!

Sorry to hear about your loss.

2011-07-07T12:52:26.403-07:00

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I will believe all your informations. Because i wi...

2011-06-23T04:48:24.313-07:00

I will believe all your informations. Because i will Christ.

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Good point. It's so easy to flog these guys fo...

2011-06-21T16:05:33.609-07:00

Good point. It's so easy to flog these guys for their sins, but of course they're sinners. Why are we surprised? We all are. People in power just have a broader audience for sin and exposure. (Not that I don't think there should be consequences for this kind of behavior in a public office.)

Well said - We all should pray for this man. Howev...

2011-06-16T07:44:33.636-07:00

Well said - We all should pray for this man. However, consequences to sinful, foolish choices can be painful. - Just ask King David... In fact, some of our choices can ruin our life, certainly our credibility.

There are no winners in this sad situation...

Thanks Eddie, I enjoy writing things like this. It...

2011-05-28T06:04:41.768-07:00

Thanks Eddie, I enjoy writing things like this. Its a little long for a blog, but great for a 35 minute sermon.

Great post! If anyone asks me about great hymns an...

2011-05-28T02:15:58.167-07:00

Great post! If anyone asks me about great hymns and where to find 'em, I will say, "Watts in your hymnal!"

Love the name acronym he made at age six!

I couldn't have said it better MYSELF!

2011-05-10T10:13:24.995-07:00

I couldn't have said it better MYSELF!

Praise and platitudes 'preciated

2011-05-07T06:59:37.724-07:00

Praise and platitudes 'preciated