Category Archives: Index

CENI: Necessary Inferences

The “NI” in CENI is necessary inference. Now, I majored in mathematics, and to us mathematicians, an inference is not “necessary” unless it is proven to a mathematical certainty. The Church of Christ approach to necessary inference is something else. … Continue reading

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Unity in Diversity

Thanks to Edward Fudge, I’ve discovered Unity in Diversity, a web site that includes most of the writings of Carl Ketcherside. Ketcherside is routinely vilified by many among the conservative Churches of Christ because he helped initiate the progressive movement. … Continue reading

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Ed Stetzer on Reversing Our Decline: The Cure, Part 1

Any correct answer will blame us all — our institutions, our elders, our ministers, and our members. And while the members are hardly free from fault, I think those with the greatest influence get most of the blame — our … Continue reading

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CENI: Binding Examples

As we considered in the earlier posts in this series, the “E” in CENI stands for “examples,” generally spoken of as approved examples or binding examples. Now, originally, the idea was a simple one: any approved example certainly shows that … Continue reading

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Ed Stetzer on Reversing Our Decline: Denial

At this point, we pick up with Stetzer’s 2009 post, building on the 2008 post we’ve just covered. The SBC declined again this year in both membership and baptisms. You can read the news story here. There is some encouraging … Continue reading

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The Blue Parakeet/Ed Stetzer: A Conversation About the Flood and Inerrancy

The scene is a table in a smokey barbecue restaurant. An elder (Ed), a deacon (Dan), and the head of the adult Bible class program (Harry) are eating to discuss curriculum. Harry: I really appreciate you all joining me for lunch. … Continue reading

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CENI: Commands

“Commands” is the “C” in CENI, and it would seem to be the easiest to apply. Obviously enough, if God commands it, we good Christians should obey it. How complicated could that be? Pretty complicated indeed, as it turns out. … Continue reading

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The Blue Parakeet: The Sermon on the Mount, Part 3

(Mat 7) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you … Continue reading

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The Blue Parakeet: The Sermon on the Mount, Part 2

Last week, we tried to cover Matthew 5 in a single lesson. Now we’re going to take the last two chapters and cover them ni 55 minutes. Well, we’re doing to try. (Mat 6)  “Be careful not to do your … Continue reading

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Ed Stetzer on Reversing Our Decline: Gospel Focus

The third, and most important, issue is our loss of focus on the Gospel. I find it difficult to even say such a thing, but, I believe it to be true. We must recover a gospel centrality and cooperate in … Continue reading

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