tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60835526355665492942012-02-20T20:14:47.798-05:00Behold the tabernacle of God is with menclumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-59862758275062981882012-02-20T13:06:00.000-05:002012-02-20T13:07:59.817-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about resurrection, and I wanted to jot down some of those thoughts. The Resurrection of Christ is probably the single most important point of Christian doctrine. It's arguably true that Christianity is the belief that Christ rose bodily from the grave. This was the watershed issue when Paul spoke to the Athenians; it was when he introduced the resurrection that his

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-56112875644295522322011-11-03T11:57:00.001-04:002011-11-08T22:13:10.972-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about Philippians 2: 3 & 4 [let] nothing [be] in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves; regarding not each his own [qualities], but each those of others also. If you've spent any time at all with "brethren" you've heard these verses. These are frequently read at the Lord's Supper, as they

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-21882538177417552742011-09-29T18:13:00.000-04:002011-09-29T18:13:06.539-04:00

I found a paper by J. N. Darby in Collected Writings, Vol. 27 the other day. It's not on STEM Publishing's website, so here it is: Dead with Christ, Risen with Christ. Enjoy!

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-30820427357677475722011-09-27T03:52:00.000-04:002011-09-27T03:52:04.388-04:00

For *we* are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus, and do not trust in flesh. (Philippians 3:3, JND) I think of Philippians 3:3 as one of the definitions of a Christian in Scripture. J. N. Darby defined Christianity from 1 Thessalonians 1:9 & 10, Martyn Lloyd-Jones reputedly defined Christianity from 1 John 4:16; but I think Philippians 3:3 is as good a

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-20752188741918255392011-09-19T23:17:00.001-04:002011-09-19T23:17:23.776-04:00

There are several Psalms that are considered "messianic" by the majority of Christians. These are the Psalms that the New Testament explicitly quotes with regard to Christ: Psalms 2, 8, 16, 22, 40, 45, 69, 102, and 110 are examples. Quotes from the Psalms are scattered all through the Gospels and Hebrews as a demonstration of who Jesus Christ was, and would have been a powerful argument to the

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-32106836108241630522011-09-17T17:23:00.000-04:002011-09-17T17:23:01.733-04:00

Every once in a while I get an email from someone who's stumbled across my blog. Some of these emails have turned into virtual friendships, which I greatly value. Some of them merely turn into conversations, and a couple have become somewhat combative. You can't win them all. A lot of people seem to find my blog because of authors I quote, which I didn't necessarily expect. I get quite a few

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-60373069769350977882011-09-15T19:56:00.000-04:002011-09-16T00:44:41.134-04:00

There are some really, really difficult passages in the Scripture. Some are hard to understand, some are hard to live, some are hard to remember. Some are all of those things. I find 1 Corinthians 12:13 one of the hardest on all points: For also in the power of one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-42195070347849481132011-09-15T01:14:00.000-04:002011-09-15T01:14:24.033-04:00

I was listening to another MP3 sermon recently, this one an introduction to Dispensationalism. I need to listen to it a few more times before I reach any conclusions, but my prognosis is that it's really a confused mess. There are a lot of problems in it, but the one that stands out in my mind is an apparent misunderstanding of grace. Dispensationalists and Reformers both have a tendency to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-39945238057541422742011-05-24T00:33:00.013-04:002011-05-24T01:49:44.337-04:00

I've been considering faith of late. We use the word "faith" a lot these days, and it seems to mean a whole lot of nothing. The Bible uses the word in two ways: it uses "the faith" to mean the truth we have received, but more commonly "faith" is a synonym for "belief". Faith is a funny thing: we all believe all sorts of things we can neither prove nor really understand. I was talking to an

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-24021486858975805262010-12-14T00:52:00.003-05:002010-12-14T00:55:18.911-05:00

I picked up a copy of The Greatness of the Kingdom by Alva McClain. It was recommended by a friend I met through this blog. I couldn't sleep last night, so I finished Part 1, which sounds better than "I read the first 36 pages".It's really a very interesting book, all about the Kingdom of God. I won't recommend it yet, having only read about 36 pages; but I'm really very excited about this book.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-59872626487498890132010-11-22T00:27:00.008-05:002010-11-22T01:39:38.440-05:00

I ranted a while ago about "try harder theology". Yeah, it was a rant. I'd like to say it was a reasoned discussion, but it was written in the wee hours of the morning and I just sort of opened the flood gates and let it pour out.There is some value to revisiting the whole topic: there is a lot more to be said. So let's start with a recap:Romans 1--8 contains two general sections. The first,

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-57057682874178451532010-11-19T16:54:00.002-05:002010-11-19T18:29:57.377-05:00

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-13348052220491496632010-10-16T04:25:00.008-04:002010-10-16T11:22:59.805-04:00

I listen to a lot of sermons at work: my job is sometimes heavily interactive, but there are a lot of days where I am working alone more or less all day. I wear headphones to sort of announce my desire not to be disturbed, and I frequently spend a whole work day listening to sermons as I work. By far I listen to MP3s from VoicesForChrist.org the most.I've noticed a real rise in "try harder

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-20685765582934600032010-10-15T13:05:00.004-04:002010-10-15T13:50:53.159-04:00

I've been pretty quiet lately, not having a whole lot to say. But I've been thinking a lot, and there are some things I've decided I want to say more or less in "public".We moved out here (the Northwest) from North Carolina in the summer of 2008, so a little over two years ago. When we arrived here we had no idea what sort of church/assembly fellowship we'd find. I had become somewhat bitter and

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-68377817026607867052010-09-14T00:52:00.006-04:002010-09-14T01:11:19.980-04:00

I've been thinking about the issue of "God's Sovereignty" and "Human Responsibility". And the more I think about it, the more convinced I become that these two incongruous-seeming principles unite in a single Person.The Lord Jesus came out from God to man: He stands before us as God's provision for a sick and sinful world. He represents to us God's sovereignty. and the life has been manifested,

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-19395487041326371772010-08-25T17:09:00.004-04:002010-08-25T17:30:38.732-04:00

I'm still soldiering through Ezekiel, trying to get a handle on this book. I've nothing spectacular to report, but I wanted to give an update in case anyone else cares. I've been pretty meticulous about not consulting any sort of commentary; I figure the time for that is later. I did glance at one paragraph in JND's Synopsis, but I can't remember why. I've spent a lot of time reading and

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-20722198673805355932010-08-19T01:12:00.002-04:002010-08-19T01:14:30.229-04:00

I've been wrestling with Ezekiel for the last couple weeks. I really want to get a grasp on Ezekiel: it's one book I've always found interesting and exceedingly puzzling.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-61513885958878752932010-05-17T12:47:00.002-04:002010-05-17T15:07:37.430-04:00

I'm cautiously optimistic the quest has come to an end. Now for the hard work.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-84327864510273557142010-05-08T18:14:00.003-04:002010-05-08T18:37:02.303-04:00

And the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, inasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; but the genealogy is not registered according to the birthright, for Judah prevailed among his brethren, and of him was the prince, but the birthright was Joseph’s)(1 Chronicles 5:1--2)There is some significance

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-80794644764651608072010-04-25T16:15:00.010-04:002010-04-25T20:18:30.929-04:00

I've started reading Darby again in the last few months. I'm on Collected Writings, Vol. 26. The volume starts with several articles on Romans, which has been good reading.So naturally my thoughts have been on Romans in the last couple weeks. Hence my post about Newell on Romans 6.I wanted to make a quick note about Romans 6 & 7 too. I remember the question coming up many years ago, of why

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-37675791824203839512010-04-24T13:39:00.012-04:002010-04-24T14:50:32.687-04:00

Romans 6 is an interesting chapter in what is probably the most theological book in the Bible. It's the chapter that deals with the believer's death with Christ. Over the past fifteen or so years, I've glanced at various commentaries and books to see how they deal with Romans 6. There seem to be a few main schools of thought on the chapter, and each has some good points. But eventually each one

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-66213707008123820112010-04-19T22:19:00.004-04:002010-04-19T22:25:27.267-04:00

I visited a small gathering of Christians in Tacoma for the second week in a row. I'm optimistic.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-51978635205518643712010-04-11T18:21:00.005-04:002010-04-11T18:30:45.158-04:00

I noticed these paragraphs while reading Darby's article on Acts last night. I wanted to share this, it's really good.The object of faith is the person of the Lord Jesus, and the redemption accomplished by Him; and all believers, reaping the benefits of this work, are saved. Now one investigates and scrutinises in order to know whether one has faith in the heart, and whether it be true faith. We

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-371573479386764142010-04-11T16:33:00.002-04:002010-04-11T16:36:12.097-04:00

So I just got back from visiting a gathering here in town. I mentioned before meeting a guy at work who reads the same books I read. Well, it turns out he meets with some Christians in town. He invited me out to the gathering, and I went this morning.My overall impression is very positive. I've been down this path before, so I'm a lot more cautious now. I tend to rein in my enthusiasm a little

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-45245164482262417022010-04-11T02:34:00.007-04:002010-04-11T18:22:42.269-04:00

I've been reading a lot more this year. These things are cyclical: I go months without picking up a book, then I pound out several in a flurry of prosaic activity. Even my Bible reading is that way.At any rate, I decided to finish Volume 25 of Darby's Collected Writings, so I've been working at it off and on since February. Vol. 25 is an "expository" volume, so it's mainly exposition of

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-68379544890396586722010-04-07T19:37:00.003-04:002010-04-07T19:45:18.679-04:00

So I'm in a meeting today with two web developers. I mentioned in passing that I use LaTeX, and that led to me showing off a couple documents I've prepared. I showed them the version of Kelly's Lectures on the Church of God, because it has some Greek and Latin characters that are difficult to represent accurately in a word processor.One of them says, "You read William Kelly?""Oh yeah!" I reply,

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-13737191336165893592010-04-06T16:08:00.003-04:002010-04-06T16:12:17.890-04:00

I've mentioned before my interest in the Kingdom of God. I was struck yesterday as I read through Acts, how frequently the Kingdom of God is mentioned, particularly in the second half of the book. Take, for example, the last two verses:30* And he [Paul] remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him, 31* preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-22203990300536769862010-03-28T12:31:00.015-04:002010-03-28T14:20:29.448-04:00

Be my imitators, even as *I* also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)Beloved, using all diligence to write to you of our common salvation, I have been obliged to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-16953346968300220402010-03-23T00:22:00.004-04:002010-03-23T00:43:07.890-04:00

Following on my previous posts about some things I've noticed in the Law, I thought I'd briefly mention Exodus 21. You know Exodus 21, it's the part about the servant who chooses to remain with his master when he could have gone free: 2* If thou buy a Hebrew bondman, six years shall he serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3* If he came in alone, he shall go out alone: if he

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-75344905328648786752010-03-20T12:08:00.013-04:002010-03-20T15:43:40.806-04:00

I've been having an email discussion with some friends recently, in which I've been using the phrase "whole counsel of God". This isn't meant to be a public continuation of that discussion... it's just been on my mind a lot for the last several months. I've been mulling this over since Thanksgiving, and wanted to vent some on my blog. So if you've gotten email from me, ranting about the whole

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-91584970917603056022010-03-20T02:47:00.010-04:002010-03-20T03:13:50.818-04:00

Several years ago I stumbled over these verses in Deuteronomy:19* When thou reapest thy harvest in thy field, and forgettest a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not return to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow; that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hands. 20 When thou shakest thine olive-tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again; it

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-34832351870508987542010-03-16T00:26:00.011-04:002010-03-16T12:12:33.451-04:00

I've been spending some time mulling over the Levitical offerings for the past several months. I'm repeatedly struck by the first seven or so chapters of Leviticus: the detail of the Law of the offerings is surprising. And while I generally avoid a lot of discussions of types and shadows in the Law, I think there are some lessons to be learned from the offerings.I notice that in every offering,

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-23453030743400133242010-03-03T23:44:00.019-05:002010-03-05T22:22:28.620-05:00

I went through a lot of old posts and deleted a whole whack of them. They were of limited value, and seemed more or less irrelevant now.At some point I had been working on something like a J. N. Darby Top Ten: a list of my ten favourite articles by J. N. Darby. I never wrote down #1. But I'd like to retry that concept in the form of a reading list. JND was a strange and interesting character.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-57542942250586891532010-03-01T21:12:00.006-05:002010-03-01T21:19:57.859-05:00

A friend made some comments recently that spurred me to take down some of my books by J. N. Darby and restart my reading through Collected Writings. I was reading through Vol. 25 when I came across this remarkable paragraph (http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/EXPOSIT/25017_20E.html):We have seen the Lord shewing out His own rejection, in grace, followed by an entirely new order of things

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-44967377568432776272010-02-20T15:22:00.002-05:002010-02-20T15:24:21.310-05:00

I turned on comment moderation a few weeks ago, because of some spam. But I didn't realize that people have been commenting, and the comments were waiting until I approved them. Somehow I missed the notifications.So I apologize to everyone whose comments were enqueued. I'm turning off that "feature" now, and we'll just risk the spam.I did go ahead and approve all the comments: they were all

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-28980500232013127212010-01-27T21:05:00.021-05:002010-01-27T22:21:52.611-05:00

for we reckon that a man is justified by faith, without works of law --Romans 3:28What then shall we say? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound? --Romans 6:1I was listening to a sermon from Voices for Christ recently. I'm afraid the vast majority of what I have heard of "ministry" in the last several months has been the product of sloppy exposition, careless reasoning, and wild

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-88674390636787983442009-11-24T02:30:00.002-05:002009-11-24T02:33:09.626-05:00

I found this gem in the footnotes of Romans Verse-by-Verse, Chapter 4. Men prefer “belonging” to a system: (1) Because where faith is not vigorous it comforts the flesh to find oneself among a party.(2) Where direct personal knowledge of Scripture is lacking it is a comfort to the heart to be told “authoritatively” what to believe—what the party to which one belongs, holds, (3) It is abhorrent

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-11549151910615197042009-11-16T21:56:00.005-05:002009-11-16T22:10:39.087-05:00

Somehow, I've just sort of let interpersonal contact drop off to almost nil. I haven't been emailing, calling, or blogging. So to get the ball rolling again... I just started to read Romans Verse-by-Verse by William R Newell.So far, it's an excellent book. I'm not too far into it: chapter 3, as of last night.This commentary is really interesting in its style, depth, and breadth. It deals with

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-9041026303450201302009-07-26T17:26:00.008-04:002009-07-26T17:48:34.502-04:00

So following up on my claims that the Law is not for the Christian, I thought I'd say something about what the Christian is bound by.Let's just bear in mind that this is a blog, not a systematic theology or a treatise.So the first thing to recognize is that we are dead to sin as well as dead to the Law. This gets particularly interesting when we notice 1 John's statement:sin is lawlessness (1

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-22952829167821243152009-07-23T14:14:00.016-04:002009-07-24T13:43:37.893-04:00

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, (1 Timothy 1:8).This blog is just a blog. It's good to keep that in mind. I'm just working through some stuff in a semi-collaborative, semi-public way. So this is driven largely by my own day-to-day experiences.The most recent experiences that have gotten me thinking are some run-ins with several Christian friends who're very interested

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-45467578976745461582009-07-22T13:46:00.006-04:002009-07-22T17:24:52.682-04:00

If you've talked with me much, you know I am very fixated with the whole question of Law for the Christian. Last night I picked up a slim volume from my bookshelf, Law and Grace by Alva McClain. It's been on my shelf for a few years now, but I've never taken the time to read it.Wow.I highly recommend getting a copy of this. In fact, I plan to buy several copies to give away. This is a brilliant

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-15680972235744408622009-04-12T15:56:00.001-04:002009-04-12T15:56:30.309-04:00

I ran across a gathering of Christians I was interested in checking out: they're an hour away from us, so we had to get going a little early this morning. But that's OK, we got the kids and everyone ready, made a big pot of coffee, and got out the door only 9 minutes after I had wanted to leave.  We drove an hour through the rainy NorthWestern spring to get to the place they gather just about 15

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-59922946464187849362009-04-05T11:58:00.001-04:002009-04-05T12:31:55.687-04:00

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves; but these, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not intelligent. ( 2 Cor. 10:12, Darby)For do I now seek to satisfy men or God? or do I seek to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I were not Christ's bondman. (Galatians 1:10, Darby)I've been pretty quiet on this

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-45220726005358649152008-09-09T00:07:00.002-04:002008-09-09T00:11:49.578-04:00

I recently had an email conversation with my good friend Chuck. We were discussing various issues surrounding the Church in the 21st Century, and I thought some of that might be worth sharing here. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of face, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-34658163332326676412008-09-03T11:17:00.004-04:002008-09-03T11:20:19.380-04:00

It occurred to me the other day, I can sum up my entire life in two lessons: the first 2/3 of my life were spent learning I am not a good person the last 1/3 has been spent learning that God isThat's certainly a summing-up: some might even call it an oversimplification. But I think that's basically all I've managed to learn in 36 years: God is good, I am not.

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-7983650904811399612008-03-20T23:30:00.002-04:002008-03-20T23:32:04.256-04:00

A year ago, I wrote about being "Post Brethren" (I revised and reposted that entry: it was originally posted in March).  I talked about how I was in 95% agreement with "exclusive brethren" about things, but the system we had built up was getting in the way of living those things out. I listed some things I thought were significant that "brethren" and I agreed on. The list included:the Lord Jesus

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-26896051144751734482008-03-18T10:56:00.002-04:002008-03-18T11:04:53.109-04:00

I grew up with various men and women of God frequently hanging out with my parents. I've met, spoken with, and listened to preaching from some monumental folks. No one really famous, but people who obviously spent a lot of time with God.My cynical side started questioning a few years ago, whether it wasn't so much that they were giants in the Scripture; as it was that I was young and

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-64323450757871944932008-03-12T08:48:00.002-04:002008-03-12T09:09:22.087-04:00

There's a new church gathering not five minutes from my apartment. I went to check out their website today, and it starts out: Welcome to the website of Creekside Bible Church. As a new church plant in the Matthews area we are a community of believers in Christ Jesus who are passionate for the glory of God. We are committed to Expository preaching and exist to worship God, edify and equip the

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-18724303731833646212008-03-10T12:21:00.001-04:002008-03-10T12:22:41.969-04:00

I started posting on this blog more than a year ago. I was then "in fellowship" with a group of "exclusive brethren" I had been with (more or less) for about ten years. Yeah, there was a division in there, and I was in fellowship first with one side, then the other. But I really consider that as one block of time. My frustration a year ago was, what we said and what we did weren't lining up.  We

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-12024495977711747892008-03-02T17:29:00.004-05:002008-03-02T17:31:49.271-05:00

Fred said it best:Many of us would like to find some unvarying rule by which, in the midst of church difficulties, to steer our way; while, as to circumstances, we should be well pleased to see, as another has said, a full supply for every need within our reach. Neither the one nor the other is at all likely to be the experience of saints if going on with God, since there would in either case be

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-41094766726893441192008-02-27T08:56:00.012-05:002008-02-27T11:20:06.412-05:00

Because I didn't get enough controversy on my last article, I thought I'd weigh in on apostasy. 26 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-63104280370320791912008-02-12T12:50:00.000-05:002008-02-12T13:07:18.493-05:00

I remember watching Bandits, a movie with Bruce Willis and Billy-Bob Thornton. I wouldn't recommend it for moral reasons, although it was entertaining and terribly funny. At any rate, at some point Thornton says, "The problem with being smart is, I have a pretty good idea how things are going to turn out."We didn't need to be terribly smart to foresee some problems with our attending an Anglican

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-19372311403733327002008-02-04T13:58:00.000-05:002008-02-04T13:59:08.184-05:00

As I've been trying to walk it out down here until the Lord Jesus comes back, I've had to do some mulling over the role of Scripture in the Christian life. This is not supposed to be a great thesis on the subject: this is just my personal position. Take it as my personal confession on the subject.  First, I accept the Bible (66 books) as the inerrant, authoritative Word of God. I think the

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-32395063202117152152008-01-17T14:51:00.000-05:002008-01-17T14:52:39.021-05:00

I got this comment on an older post this week:If we get our eyes of [sic] our own needs and what we expect from others and go to the meeting for the LORD and Him alone then God will bless. We gather together for His glory don't we?. Our motives for going to the meeting shouldn't be the people or the speaker. Is not the Lord's presence good enough for us?The comment was with respect to some

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-45856390839618400772007-12-27T18:14:00.000-05:002008-01-01T11:00:03.382-05:00

So I've been reading The Collects of Thomas Cranmer. It's a great little book: easy to read, thin, with short chapters. The book is broken out into two-page mini-chapters. Each one starts with one of Thomas Cranmer's collects on the top of the left page, followed by a short historical blurb on the bottom of the left page. Then there is a one-page meditation on the right page.So for background, a

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-52912809789534965672007-12-24T12:03:00.000-05:002007-12-24T13:33:02.616-05:00

Lo! he comes, with clouds descending,once for our salvation slain;thousand thousand saints attendingswell the triumph of his train: Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!Christ the Lord returns to reign.Well, Advent draws to a close today: time to remember the Lord is coming. Now it's time to remember that the Lord has come. This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-66086289812144798922007-12-11T09:54:00.000-05:002007-12-11T09:54:49.735-05:00

Christians, awake, salute the happy mornWhereon the Saviour of the world was bornRise to adore the mystery of loveWhich hosts of angels chanted from aboveWith them the joyful tidings first begunOf God incarnate and the virgin's SonI have taken every imaginable position on the question of whether Christians should celebrate things like Christmas and Easter. I've read The Two Babylons (more than

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-90813417796876459602007-12-06T16:49:00.000-05:002007-12-07T13:41:07.326-05:00

I've had several recurring themes since I started this blog. That's not really deliberate, but I suppose it's inevitable. It's the result of my being an average guy trying to walk it out down here until the Lord Jesus comes back; as opposed to an attempt at systematic theology (or systematic anything, for that matter).One recurring theme is, there is no shortcut to spirituality. I've had to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-8742149856638223192007-11-27T09:37:00.000-05:002007-11-27T09:37:56.329-05:00

For many years, I heard the "brethren" say, "God is done with man in the flesh." I think I'm starting to see just a little bit of what they meant.It seems when we try to approach God as "man in the flesh," we fall into one of two opposite errors. Either we are so aware of our own unworthiness to come into God's presence that we come in hesitatingly, groveling and bemoaning our worthlessness (

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-64993676655985953502007-11-19T19:54:00.000-05:002007-11-19T20:26:47.537-05:00

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.--Hebrews 6:19--20 (NASB)Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-65522813633497514682007-11-18T12:01:00.000-05:002007-11-18T12:03:23.425-05:00

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.-- 1 Timothy 2: 5--6 (NSAB)I've been contemplating the concept of priesthood recently. Part of that is because I've no longer been gathering with "brethren," but have been attending services in a liturgical church. I don't bring that

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-74769968909873590472007-11-09T08:34:00.000-05:002007-11-09T12:56:46.492-05:00

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-83645634066073182332007-11-04T21:25:00.000-05:002007-11-05T21:33:01.343-05:00

Well, we've attended the services at a continuing anglican church two weeks in a row now. The first week was out of interest and curiosity, this morning was at least partly because of a time constraint: they have a "spoken" service (no singing, no choir) at 8:00 AM, and I had to be at work at 9:30. So we were able to go to the service without making me late for work. At this point, I question

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-66945262499626310012007-10-29T10:18:00.001-04:002007-10-29T11:07:52.949-04:00

I have no idea where this path is leading, but I'm not nearly so terrified anymore.I've come to the conclusion that if we're genuinely trying to walk with the Lord, making a mistake is not the end of the world. There is a difference between willfully walking contrary to what we see in Scripture, and making an honest effort only to get it wrong. So anyone who reads this blog and prays for us based

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-24355932046499310032007-10-27T15:42:00.000-04:002007-10-27T15:47:43.551-04:00

I just got off the phone with an older brother from the assembly. It was a wonderful phone call: an older person calling me because he hasn't seen me, has read on this blog that I've left, and wanted to clarify some things. It was a phone call based on his care and concern for us, not a guilt trip.Apparently my blog has caused some furror. I've been going back and forth on whether I ought to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-49323396742955495872007-10-15T08:55:00.000-04:002007-10-15T13:48:55.373-04:00

I can't sing to save my soul. I Katzenjammer at the top of my lungs driving to and from work, but I know my singing is terrible: I don't do it much where anyone can hear me. But as I read the New Testament, I see lots of places where singing is encouraged (or even commanded) and none suggest the quality of sound that's produced matters. So I consider my singing sacred, if not any good.I have an

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-87508356274581811492007-10-10T09:47:00.000-04:002007-10-10T13:53:13.192-04:00

Well, there are already some things being said to me that indicate people haven't been listening. So let's run through this one more time.I am not saying "brethren" teach what is wrong. I am saying they have developed a system that is collapsing under its own weight. I am in complete agreement with "exclusive brethren" as far as things like church order and inter-assembly relationships. That is,

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-38483148834974200522007-10-07T21:56:00.000-04:002007-10-07T22:13:01.761-04:00

It's been a while since I posted last. Has everyone stopped checking this blog?Well, I've finally decided to withdraw from "brethren". If you've read my blog at all, you know why. You also know this hasn't been a hasty decision.The final clincher was, the knowledge that the Scriptural admonishment to "flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-48211339543899427302007-09-16T16:25:00.000-04:002007-09-16T16:43:32.030-04:00

Today we witnessed the proverbial "after church" crowd at Monterrey, our favourite restaurant. There were three families clearly there after church, with a bunch of kids. There they were: kids were screaming, chasing each other around the restaurant, climbing in and out of empty booths while shouting at each other. In short, they were brats.Christians are an embarrassment in public.A

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-36011830567796184062007-09-05T12:49:00.000-04:002007-09-05T13:09:42.867-04:00

You know, I never really thought about this before; but the one Man who actually obeyed God at every turn and every moment was the One who knows Him. Not just knows about Him; but knows Him.I've been thinking about that, because I think there is a key principle involved. That is, I am convinced we don't trust God because we don't know Him. And we have trouble obeying Him, because we have trouble

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-18996340758734673282007-08-28T10:27:00.000-04:002007-08-28T10:28:53.415-04:00

I think the most important lesson I have learned so far in my life is, God is more interested in being good to me than in my being good for Him.Now why did that take so long?

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-13914160430954673122007-08-21T08:18:00.000-04:002007-08-21T08:41:44.312-04:00

I was driving home from work yesterday, singing something from the Spiritual Songs:How great Thy grace! No mind of man can graspThe love told out in suffering on the tree;Love that has gathered now within its claspThose once far off, but now brought home to Thee.Today I got the words right, because I have a hymn-book I can look at. But I was pretty close yesterday. And I'm a terrible singer, so

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-35137729462794267132007-08-16T11:20:00.000-04:002007-08-21T08:55:54.604-04:00

So what are you actually looking for? Good question. Rather than just griping about what is, I'm going to talk briefly about what should be. But before I do, let me make a note: as much as possible, I'm going to try and keep these non-sectarian. It's very hard for me (or apparently for anyone else) to separate principle from form. In concrete terms, I frequently have trouble imagining how to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-28479525075068342912007-08-14T10:11:00.000-04:002007-08-14T10:17:15.635-04:00

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. -- 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NASB) A discussion on a message board has gotten me thinking. And the more I think, the more I see something I ought to have figured out earlier. When I was growing up, my parents were constantly having Bible studies in our home

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-918126374578392782007-08-10T15:26:00.000-04:002007-08-10T15:27:27.482-04:00

What can we say? Does He not know us? Does He not remember our frame? We often think He does not. The time of weaning is often one of great suffering to the soul, but a necessary time. No soul learns truly to be independent of infant helps until it is weaned. It is. surprising how many nurses we have, and it is just in proportion as we attain strength to get on without any of them, that our age,

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-2752562772357231882007-08-09T11:40:00.000-04:002007-08-09T11:48:45.446-04:00

If I might venture to say one word about the prayer meeting it would be this: I do not believe any brother should take part unless he has some definite petition to present. I have been in prayer meetings where I have felt as if brothers began without knowing a single thing they were going to ask for, and discoursed about every subject that happened to come into their minds. This may be profitable

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-14751004562174557402007-08-06T10:45:00.000-04:002007-08-06T10:46:26.421-04:00

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-18332236595625654012007-08-05T13:50:00.000-04:002007-08-05T14:24:26.968-04:00

Mr. Ox, can you elaborate on the differences you see between Darby dispensationalism, classical dispensationalism, and Pauline dispensationalism?I think the term "Pauline Dispensationalism" is used almost exclusively by MJS et al. There is a book by MJS on the subject; according to it, The glorified Lord delivered His sanctifying and glorifying message exclusively to His Bride through Paul—a

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-48744117088813287812007-08-01T21:50:00.000-04:002007-08-01T22:40:14.372-04:00

There are a lot of links from this article. To be consistent, I linked to Wikipedia whenever possible. I find articles on Christianity at Wikipedia are heavily biased; I chose the links because Wikipedia covers the most names in a single resource. Please don't take Wikipedia's bias as mine: if you have comments, please make them!A few weeks ago, Anne commented 'I am unfamiliar with “

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-46199981695206116382007-07-25T14:14:00.000-04:002007-07-25T14:15:18.498-04:00

I was intending to write a lot more yesterday, but I found my thoughts were quickly spiralling out of control. I am convinced the question of relevance is important, but I am also concerned that the answers we generally come up with are at least incomplete, and quite possibly simply wrong. I want to pursue the question a little more today. Do not love the world nor the things in the world If

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-51992021961933364892007-07-24T18:23:00.000-04:002007-07-24T18:24:41.989-04:00

There are several trends I have seen over the last decade or so that have me concerned. Perhaps many of them are actually the same trend at some deeper level. One such trend is the concern that the Church be relevant. I suppose this is a valid concern: it's hard to see that the medieval Roman Catholic church would be able to relate to people in our culture very well. This would cause problems in

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-37420884138072420212007-07-19T21:51:00.000-04:002007-07-19T21:51:48.641-04:00

I've attempted to write this post several times over the last couple days. I keep getting into topical dead-end; so this time, I intend to just say what I want to say, and then shut up. That's hard for me. My good friend of several years, Chuck, called me out in the comments from last time, commenting on the difference between "culture" and "the world". He's right of course, but I wanted to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-19705228166242345912007-07-17T14:30:00.000-04:002007-07-17T15:12:43.146-04:00

Note: after I posted this, I surfed over to Father Stephen's blog (part of my daily blog reading), and found he had written an excellent article that covers the same topics (in greater detail and wisdom, not doubt). Funny how that works sometimes. You'll certainly want to take a look at his take on this topic.When I was at University, there was a general animosity between those who majored in

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-48624664406666341702007-07-09T19:28:00.000-04:002007-07-09T19:29:32.454-04:00

I'm going to take a few minutes to rant about something that has really begun to annoy me in modern "christianity": the virginity fixation that seems to have crept into everything. I grew up in a Christian home. I attended Sunday School and church (I was even a Baptist for a few years, and I spent plenty of time in "open brethren" and a couple house meetings), and I went to a Christian school

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-50709012661599710712007-06-22T13:24:00.000-04:002007-06-22T15:13:49.365-04:00

In my last post, I indicated I thought my only real course of action is to leave "exclusive brethren". But since that post, there have been a few interesting developments... First, my wife emailed a friend in the assembly, to give a heads-up that we're leaving. That was yesterday morning. Yesterday afternoon, her husband stopped by the office where I work (I'm a contractor, not an employee, but

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-73949879606017658312007-06-19T17:28:00.000-04:002007-06-19T17:30:34.353-04:00

I think I've almost exhausted what I have to say about "brethren". I'm speaking as an insider---and have been all this time; but I realize that I'm coming to a decision: my convictions and thoughts about "the Church" are more and more at odds with "exclusive brethren", and it is making my continued fellowship with them seem difficult or impossible. Perhaps I'm wrong---I'd like to believe I am---

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-79427906364019637162007-06-18T15:38:00.000-04:002007-06-18T16:09:06.785-04:00

These go to eleven! -- Nigel Tufnel My post on my twisty path grew out of control; but I think I finally got to my goal: discussing The Place. In the end, my contention against the de facto teaching of The Place is almost symbolic (typical?) of all my beefs with Brethrenism. That is, to me the teachings and discussions of The Place epitomize how Brethrenism grew into a sectarian system, out of

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-38859886521546055412007-05-30T13:18:00.000-04:002007-05-30T13:20:58.932-04:00

This is an edited copy of a post I made in March of 2007. I was somewhat frustrated when I wrote it, and I wanted to re-visit this and tone it down a little. That is, I don't want to sugar-coat anything, but I also don't want to throw any accusations around on the 'Net. So this is a more calm, rational explanation of my new position... Well, it's official: I am now Post Brethren. I am coming

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-75769675724492421832007-05-30T09:19:00.000-04:002007-05-30T09:47:12.033-04:00

I've been saying since the outset that I've wanted to avoid airing dirty laundry on this blog: that is, that I want to not spend time bad-mouthing Christians on this blog. As a result, I've been reading and re-reading my blog every once in a while, checking to make sure I don't cross the line.This has become more important, as people are now actually reading it. I've shared the url for this blog

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-47477027773464038692007-05-10T10:24:00.000-04:002007-05-10T10:25:30.351-04:00

I've spent some time on the Gospel (mainly in Romans) recently. It started out because I've been concerned that Christians have lost sight of it: we've gotten caught up in any number of pursuits, and have lost sight of the central message of the New Testament: that God has provided a way for sinners to be freed from the penalty and power of their sins.But I've also been spending some time on the

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-76043327130220015962007-05-07T19:55:00.000-04:002007-05-07T19:56:27.494-04:00

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6, NASB)I've been making a big deal out of justification and how it is completely, utterly free. This is the wonderful truth of justification set forth in the Scriptures. And we've touched on eternal life a

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-88120770397948078792007-05-05T10:19:00.000-04:002007-05-05T10:20:24.903-04:00

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, NASB)As I mentioned earlier, justification is not the whole story. There is another idea in Scripture, new birth. Justification saves us from the punishment or penalty our sins deserve before God: it is the acquittal God hands down that guarantees our sins will never

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-7827687275458972942007-05-04T16:58:00.000-04:002007-05-04T16:58:53.225-04:00

I want to spend a little time in (partial) answer to the "fruit" questions KingJaymz mentioned earlier. Yesterday I tried to look at Romans 6, but I got off on a tangent. Perhaps some exposition and discussion of Romans 6 would be a good idea, but I think it's just as important to answer the questions KingJaymz alluded to.There is a tendency when we talk about the completeness of justification to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-33751953784776012222007-05-04T09:45:00.000-04:002007-05-04T09:47:10.612-04:00

Romans 5 and 6 bring two things into contrast, which I'd like to comment on: Romans 5 introduces us to the love of God (Romans 5:5). It's interesting that the one epistle above all others that lays out justification, redemption, and salvation is silent as to the love of God until after justification. In Romans, God's love is show to those who are justified (Romans 5:1--10); John's Gospel tells of

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-63027329636645526752007-05-02T14:54:00.000-04:002007-05-02T15:04:14.347-04:00

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV).This is the question that we must certainly answer after my previous discussion of justification. If justification means we can sin as much as we want with no fear of God going back on His word and disowning us, should we just continue to sin? Let's examine the Scripture: "What shall we say then? Shall we

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-44382072568637470542007-05-02T09:22:00.000-04:002007-05-02T09:23:49.851-04:00

I really want to take a look at Romans 4 & 5, especially after the claims I made about justification meaning I can go out and sin without fear of condemnation. The Scripture doesn't present that as something we want to do, nor as something we should do, but we don't get that until Romans 5 & 6. Justification is entirely a work of God, and we don't want to try and beef it up, so to speak, with our

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-175563846855130552007-05-01T18:51:00.000-04:002007-05-01T18:52:07.585-04:00

The Gospel of the Grace of God centers on the idea of justification. What does it mean to be justified? It means "God declares you righteous". It's an acquittal.Please don't make the mistake of thinking that means anything has changed in the one who is justified. When God declares someone righteous, He is simply saying "I won't hold your sins against you". That's it, that's all "justification"

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-61999998561890271282007-04-30T10:44:00.000-04:002007-05-01T18:57:07.561-04:00

The first real implication of the Gospel of God is perhaps the greatest: God is good.When I say "God is good", I mean it in both senses the English sentence indicates:God is morally upright, or blameless. God doesn't ever do anything wrong, He is completely right. You and I have certainly done things we knew were wrong. Everyone has. God hasn't. Ever. Not once. The Biblical term for this is

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-69963612790219589132007-04-26T12:18:00.000-04:002007-05-01T18:58:03.380-04:00

I never really noticed it before, but some events in the last couple years have led me to the belief that the Gospel of the Grace of God is largely being neglected amongst Christians today. I'm not talking about those who overtly attack the Gospel: not Russelites or Mormons. I'm talking about Evangelicals who have (usually for some "good" reasons) let it slip. So I wanted to take a post to

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083552635566549294.post-3076560031374793662007-04-20T15:43:00.000-04:002007-04-20T15:44:24.000-04:00

There are some terrible things lurking under the dark underbelly of “brethrenism”. They are perhaps not unique to “brethrenism”, but they are certainly problems we have: so they’re problems we have to deal with. One problem in “Brethrenism” is, the Ego Trip. One reason I want to discuss the Ego Trip is, it’s a problem I personally have trouble dealing with. There it is, out in the open. I find

clumsy oxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698216739528209499noreply@blogger.com1