Sunday Sites: Jesus Creed

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Jay F Guin

I now begin in earnest my series on recommended evangelical blogs. And the choice for the first one is easy: Jesus Creed, by Scot McKnight.

This is likely the most popular of all Christian blogs, having an Alexa rank of 3,994. Continue reading →

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Election: John 6:44 and the Passover, Part 1

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Jay F Guin

calvin-armPrevenient grace

One of the standard proof texts for prevenient grace is —

(John 6:44 ESV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

I should explain prevenient grace. The idea is that several scriptures suggest that no one can come to saving faith without God’s involvement through the Spirit. This is sometimes referred to as “Total Depravity,” which is a very poor choice of words, as the idea isn’t that the lost are totally depraved (as the words are used in their usual non-theological sense) — only that they can’t come to saving faith without God’s softening their hearts through the direct operation of the Spirit.

The Churches of Christ have usually taught, going back at least to Alexander Campbell, that God does this work solely through the preaching of the word. That is, Campbell denied that the Spirit operated on a potential convert by any means other than the gospel. He denied, therefore, the “direct operation” of the Spirit on the heart of the lost person. Continue reading →

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Profiles in Apostasy, Follow Up Correspondence

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Jay F Guin

To: [email protected]

Re: Lectureship question for Spring church of Christ

Brothers in Christ,

It’s been a week since I wrote you inviting you to discuss your views at my web site. This invitation has now been noted in internet forums and blogs across the internet, but I’ve heard nothing from you.

I’m confident you are busy, committed people, but surely someone among the many speakers at the Profiles in Apostasy #1 Lectures would be willing to discuss your views with me and my readers.

I prayerfully look forward to hearing from you.

Jay Guin
Tuscaloosa, AL

PS — This email is being posted at my site as open letter.

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Instrumental Music: Justin Martyr and the Instrument

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Jay F Guin

Angel with harpJust a quick post to make the readers aware of a recent post by Danny Corbitt, author of Missing More Than Music: When Disputable Matters Eclipse Worship and Unity, dealing with the claim made by many, going back for centuries, that Justin Martyr condemned the use of instruments by the church.

Simply singing is not agreeable to children, but singing with the lifeless instruments and dancing and clapping; on which account the use of this kind of instrument and others agreeable to children is removed from the songs in the churches, and there is left remaining simply singing. Continue reading →

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Instrumental Music: An Experiment in Christian Dialogue

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Jay F Guin

Angel with harpSo it’s been a long, hard week. It’s been encouraging to have 50 or 60 comments a day — I mean, I remember when getting just one spam comment was cause for rejoicing! But, man, it’s hard to keep up with the reading!

And as might be expected for a Church of Christ website, the conversation heads off into all sorts of directions that I never anticipated. And that’s no complaint. I’m delighted people are talking.

But as I was pondering all this on my way to meet my wife for our Friday night date, it occurred to me that there might be a way to encourage frank and thoughtful exchange of ideas in a more directed way — so that the readers don’t burn themselves out trying to keep up with the reading and answering challenges from 20 directions at once. I mean, I’m not involved in most of the discussions because I just can’t keep up — and I’m pretty obsessed with the blog. Continue reading →

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The Cruciform God: Introduction and Chapter One, The Self-Emptying God, Part 1

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Jay F Guin

I’m in the process of re-reading Michael J. Gorman’s Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification, and Theosis in Paul’s Narrative Soteriology. It’s not the coolest name for a book, you know. In fact, it violates every principle of marketing known to man. It has at least four words that few people can even define! And it’s not an easy read.

But … it’s a great book. It’s having a huge influence on how people read Paul and will continue to do so for a very long time. And I agree with nearly all of it. In fact, Gorman explains a lot of things I’ve been trying to say but from different, very helpful angles.

It’s not a book for everyone because it’s written at a very scholarly level with lots of words like “theosis.” But anyone who is serious about their studies in Paul needs to read this one.

In fact, what he says is of huge importance in the contemporary debate between the conservative and progressive elements of the Churches of Christ, and so I want to work through the book carefully — at a less technical level — and show what I believe is the right way to approach Paul’s writings. Continue reading →

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Congregational Mergers and Autonomy: Thoughts on a Reader’s Question

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Jay F Guin

MergerIn the last post of this series, a reader described how a proposed merger between a Church of Christ and an independent Christian Church had gone badly because many in the Church of Christ objected to the unification — even though the independent Christian Churches were willing to give up instrumental music. He asked, “What is the matter with the spirit of many from our heritage?”

I added one more question: “How might the leadership of the churches resolve the objections of those who don’t want the churches to unite?” Continue reading →

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The Lord’s Supper: Reaching Some Conclusions, Part 3

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Jay F Guin

Table fellowship

Imagine your parents inviting you to join your family for Thanksgiving dinner. Your father begins by reminding the family of the many things we should be thankful for. Then, as he carves the turkey, he tells us that we’ll desecrate the meal if we talk, laugh, or sing during it. We must sit silently and either read, pray, or meditate. Well, we’d commit our dad to the asylum, right? That kind of behavior completely misses the point of a family meal!

You see, we’ve let Grecian, Gnostic thought slip into our communions so that only “spiritual” activities are permitted. Indeed, even a cappella singing is too enjoyable for the Lord’s Supper. It’s too holy for that! Continue reading →

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How to Argue Like a Christian: Supplemental Thoughts

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Jay F Guin

To the readers, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours —

Guys and gals,

Wouldn’t you agree with me that the tone here has gotten more heated than it ought to be? I mean, I understand the emotions we’re all feeling, but we do need to cool down a bit.

Let me suggest a few guidelines that may be helpful (and, yes, you should hold me to these as well) — Continue reading →

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Further on My Invitation to the CFTF Lectures

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Jay F Guin

I’ve had readers comment here and write me privately to praise my invitation to the CFTF, warn me against these men, or else urge me not to engage in debate with them at all. Some argue that they’ll never change their minds. Others argue that debate is never helpful. Some warn me against being slandered.

A few have written to let me know they are praying for me — in a good way (not like: “I’ll pray for you — because you’re going to hell.” I’ve gotten a few of those, but not on this subject.)

First, I must say that I appreciate all the comments — pro and con, praying in support and praying that it doesn’t happen.

And I appreciate being warned against slander. I’m not concerned. I don’t know why, but I have this peace about it. I really just don’t care.

Second, I’d like to point out a way of looking at the offer that I think is important. You see, while I’ll absolutely engage in the discussion with the desire and prayer to persuade those I’ll be talking with, I believe the dialogue will have been worthwhile even if I fail. Continue reading →

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