Posted on January 31st, 2010 by Jay Guin
[A comment I made yesterday, edited a tad, and moved to be a main post.]
John wrote,
Jay,
[His laws of pardon are] [r]epentance of sin, confession of fault, and prayer to God for forgiveness. 1 John 1.7 is a passage of great comfort, and it seems there is some covering going on there. But, at some point, [...]
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Posted on January 31st, 2010 by Jay Guin
A week ago, Bob Smietana, a reporter for the Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, emailed me, asking for an interview for a story he was working on regarding the progressive Churches of Christ. I tried to set up a time, but our schedules never coincided.
His story was published today. I think you’ll find it to be [...]
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Posted on January 30th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Rich asked,
When I think of the concept of law within the Bible I think of anything I must obey. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” I equate the generic term ‘law’ with ‘commandments’ whatever they may be. Therefore, Paul isn’t contrasting generic law. He is contrasting ‘the law’ (old law) with new [...]
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Posted on January 30th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Argument 2.
In Galatians, Paul continues to explain why obedience to the positive command of circumcision is pointless.
(Gal 5:18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Now, we try take this statement, turn it on its head, and declare that “led by the Spirit” means “obey all the laws.” Obviously, [...]
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 by Jay Guin
I contend that Benjamin Franklin has it exactly backwards: moral law is higher than positive law. Indeed, I question whether God even makes positive law any more.
Argument 1.
(Rom 13:8) Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
This and the several [...]
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Posted on January 28th, 2010 by Jay Guin
We continue to consider RVL’s lessons on how to think as the First Century Jews thought, that is, with an Eastern point of view. (“RVL” is what his students call Ray Vander Laan and how he often refers to himself.)
To think Eastern, it’s critical that you first see the picture before you try to draw [...]
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Posted on January 27th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Guy wrote a comment asking why I take such a dim view of positive law (and I do). I knocked out a quick comment, but I think the topic bears a more thorough explanation. It’s going to take several posts that dig deeply into the mind of God.
After some background, the first few posts will [...]
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Posted on January 26th, 2010 by Jay Guin
BrotherhoodNews.com recently issued this report –
MERIDIAN, Miss. (BNc) — The Northside congregation hosted a Bible debate on church benevolence Jan. 21-22.
Thursday night Patrick Donahue of Huntsville, Ala., affirmed that, “The Bible does not authorize use of the church treasury for social meals.” John T. Polk II of Dover, Tenn., denied.
On Friday night Brother Polk affirmed, [...]
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Posted on January 26th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Joy
Question 5: Is the doctrine of salvation by works as taught by the majority of the Churches of Christ in accordance with Biblical teaching?
Question 12: What is “Fellowship”?
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Posted on January 26th, 2010 by Jay Guin
A few weeks ago, I attended a seminar taught by Ray Vander Laan near here. I took my new netbook with me and furiously typed notes. Now it’s time to report a few of the lessons to the readers.
(RVL’s speaking schedule is available at his “Follow the Rabbi” website. Find one near you and go.)
The [...]
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Posted on January 25th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Terrence (Mount) Cody (First team, 270370 lb. All America consumer of running backs and other lesser beings) and Ricki Lebegern (First team All America Balance Beam). Not Photoshopped. Really.
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Posted on January 25th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Oh, man, have I ever!!
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Posted on January 25th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Thanks to Reverend Fun
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Posted on January 25th, 2010 by Jay Guin
I continue to try to sort out just where the progressives and conservatives part ways in their theology. Ask any conservative, and he’ll assure you that he believes we are justified by faith, not works, by the grace of God. He’ll cite many of the same verses that the progressives use as proof texts. And [...]
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Posted on January 24th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Royce Ogle has posted an article labeling me a “change agent”! And it’s a compliment. Really. (My wife sent a copy to my mother!)
(Logo is from http://www.blogtalkradio.com/influencechange.)
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Posted on January 24th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Dear Pat Robertson,
I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action. But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is [...]
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Posted on January 24th, 2010 by Jay Guin
Thanks to http://www.gocomics.com/ for the lesson in theology.
If the image is too small, try either double clicking the cartoon or else right clicking and selecting “View Image.” Or else go here.
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Posted on January 24th, 2010 by Jay Guin
In the last post, we began a consideration of Eph 5:18-21, pointing out that “command” (not really the right word) is to be filled with the Spirit. The rest of the passage is made of three participles modifying — by example — “be filled with the Spirit.”
(Eph 5:18 ESV) And do not get drunk with [...]
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Posted on January 23rd, 2010 by Jay Guin
In the last post, we considered the meaning of Eph 4:22-24 –
(Eph 4:22-24) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the [...]
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Posted on January 22nd, 2010 by Jay Guin
I love studying the Bible — for lots of reasons. One reason is that I’m constantly stumbling across delightful little nuggets in unexpected places.
In an earlier post in this series, I considered –
(Eph 4:22-24) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted [...]
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