Category Archives: Index

The Lord’s Supper: May a Member Take It on Wednesday Night?

I get emails — We have a member whose job requires him to miss both services on Sunday. He has asked that he be offered the Lord’s supper during our Wednesday night bible study, which he can attend. Is this … Continue reading

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Real Restoration: Being the Church, Part 1

On being the church Now, Stanley Hauerwas famously argues that the first purpose of the church is to be the church. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? I mean, how can the church be anything but the church? Well, by being what … Continue reading

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Baptism, An Exploration: Of Sawdust and Planks, Part 2

Sawdust So, yes, the other denominations make serious mistakes regarding baptism, too. But everyone teaches baptism, although imperfectly. I’m aware of no denomination that doesn’t require some sort of baptism for its members. Now, the errors made by most denominations … Continue reading

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Baptism, An Exploration: Of Sawdust and Planks, Part 1

Planks It seems to me that before we in the Churches of Christ can criticize someone else’s baptismal theology we have to first confess a few mistakes of our own. We’ve focused the gospel on baptism rather than Jesus. When … Continue reading

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Baptism, An Exploration: When Does God Save?

Reliance on baptism Of course, the role of baptism in bringing converts into Christian community is not all that happens in baptism. There are many other blessings associated with baptism. There’s forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of Spirit — … Continue reading

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Baptism, An Exploration: “So that no one may boast”

Boasting Because we’re boastful people, we rarely hear lessons on the theology of boasting. But the scriptures say a lot on the subject. (Jer 9:23-24 ESV) 23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, … Continue reading

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Baptism, An Exploration: Titus 3 — “Not because of works”

“Not because of works” Taking “washing” or “bath” in Titus 3:5 as a reference to baptism creates a theological problem for some, because Paul has just said — in the very same sentence — “he saved us, not because of … Continue reading

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Baptism, An Exploration: Titus 3 — “The washing of regeneration”

I saved this passage for late in the discussion because I wanted to share this story near the end. You see, when I was law school (and woolly mammoths ruled the earth), the leaders of my church asked for volunteers … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Uncategorized | 46 Comments

A Thought Question: David Brooks on the Roots of Incivility

Click over to David Brooks’ article “Tree of Failure” and then come back a let me know what you think. Here’s an excerpt — Every sensible person involved in politics and public life knows that their work is laced with … Continue reading

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Real Restoration: Community, Part 2

There are many reasons that it’s necessary for God’s people to be a community. The most important, I think, is that we cannot be who we were meant to be separate from each other. We are called to a mission, … Continue reading

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