Church of Christ Deism: The Old Testament Background, Part 1

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Jay F Guin

i_dont_believe_in_miracles_i_rely_on_them_tshirt-p235921785579041865yk07_400One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in the last few years has been to treat the Old Testament with the respect it deserves. As Paul wrote Timothy,

(2 Tim 3:16-17)  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul was speaking of the Old Testament, and yet we treat the Old Testament as though it’s an worn-out, obsolete parchment. But I’ve found that the New Testament makes much better sense when we take the time to check the Old Testament roots — and see the New Testament as a continuation rather than replacement of the Old. Continue reading →

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The New Perspective: Justification and Pope Benedict XVI

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Jay F Guin

newperspective.jpgI’ve been reading a new book by N. T. Wright called Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision, in which Wright responds to a challenge of his work by John Piper, The Future of Justification: A Response to N. T. Wright, in which Piper attempts to refute Wright’s new perspective on Paul.

I’m hoping (Lord willing) to post a few things on Wright’s book, and in anticipation of that, I thought it would be interesting to quote this from Scot McKnight’s blog “Jesus Creed” —

Now the Pope, Benedict XVI, has a book that illustrates this all the more: Saint Paul . I want to illustrate this connection by briefly sketching the Pope’s view of justification, and his view reveals dramatic connections to the New Perspective as well as to classic (old perspective) Reformation teaching on justification. Now for the sketch, drawn from chp 13 of this fine introduction to Pauline theology: Continue reading →

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: Manufacturing a Christian Protest

Posted on July 25, 2009 by Jay F Guin

passioncartoonThis is from Phil Cooke’s “The Change Revolution” —

On June 2nd, a protest march was staged outside the Los Angeles Convention Center. It was Christians protesting the release of the new video game by Electronic Arts called Dante’s Inferno game, according to the Associated Press. The only problem? It was all staged. Because Christian protests in the past have generated publicity, EA decided to hire a marketing company to create the whole thing. They even created this fake Christian protest website called “We Are Saved.” As World Magazine reported:

“Channeling its best Ned Flanders, Electronic Arts (EA), distributor of popular gaming software titles like Madden and Rockband, staged a protest-of its own product. A marketing team hired by EA staged a protest of EA’s upcoming release “Dante’s Inferno,” a third-person action-adventure game based loosely on the epic poem by the Italian poet. The undercover marketing group sought to stir up publicity at a trade show in Los Angeles on June 6 by posing as Christians who objected to the game, saying video games ought not glorify eternal damnation. The paid picketers even held up signs that read, “Hell Is Not a Video Game” and “Trade in Your PlayStation for a PrayStation.”

What is your reaction to this? When the culture creates a parody protest from Christians, isn’t that a huge indicator that the real ones they’re making fun of, don’t work? Maybe it’s time Christians created a new engagement strategy. Continue reading →

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Churches of Christ: On Looking for a Church Home

Posted on July 24, 2009 by Jay F Guin

coc.jpgI get emails —

Jay,

I’ve just finished reading (mostly) and skimming (partly) your series on the future of the progressive movement in the Churches of Christ. My wife and I are looking for a new church, and yes, we want it to be in a certain spot on the spectrum that exists within the Churches of Christ. Do you know if there is a directory online that gives more information about congregations rather than just name, address, phone number, and website? I don’t know if I’m looking for a checklist, but some information about whether grace is taught, but a normal (read: similar to that which has been for 2000 years) view of what sin is, is taught as well. It would also (in my perfect world) say whether or not they sing songs written before 1960 on a regular basis (and songs written before 1690 as well). Also, it would address the attitude of the congregation toward a child who decides to let out a cry or laugh during communion or the sermon. Continue reading →

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Elder Training: An Idea

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Jay F Guin

ShepherdA while back, I posted a survey asking how many would be interested in a two-day elder training program here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The total “yes” responses was 31. Jim K has now asked where this idea stands.

Given that many of the affirmative responders would likely have scheduling conflicts once we pick a date, it just didn’t seem to be an overwhelming show of support for the idea.

So … I’m thinking maybe we get one of the universities to sponsor an elder training event along those lines. Several of the universities would be better located than we are and could offer greater resources than we have. Continue reading →

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Small Groups: Community Service

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Jay F Guin

I get emails:

Hi. I lead our church small group program. I read a response from you to a blog concerning Sunday night church and was interested in what you said your church does. You said that your groups purposely seek to be involved in community service including cooperating with social service organizations. You finished by saying that it took some time to set up but now it is running fine. Would you please pass on to me what took so much time to set this up? I would like our groups to be service minded too. Any help would be appreciated.

Here’s what happened. Continue reading →

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: The Second Great Awakening, Part 2

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Jay F Guin

passioncartoonEffects

The effects of the Second Great Awakening were arguably more profound than the First.

The impact of the Second Great Awakening was not limited to a realignment among the denominations. Among its other consequences were:

1) An incipient ecumenicity. At the camp meetings 8-10 ministers of different denominations would position themselves around the grounds. Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist preachers would be present and preach at the same time at the same camp meeting. But what became noteworthy was the fact that whatever the preacher’s denomination, there was a common response to the preaching whatever its stripe. The falling, jerking, rolling, barking, and laughing were not the province of any one denomination. In addition, the revival meetings would last all day and night, and would be accompanied by an ecumenical service at end in which there would be communion. In such situations, there was no way to police the table to insure proper church order, or to enforce denominational restrictions on who could and could not commune. The authorization to come to the table was not given by the clergy or the denomination, but by the inner heart of the individual. Just as survival on the frontier was largely result of the individual’s own efforts, so too people came to see salvation in the same light. This attitude would serve to place severe limits on the authority of the clergy in subsequent years.

The Cane Ridge revival famously was cross-denominational, and this led Barton Stone to reject 5-point Calvinism and become a Christian only. As the Campbells would later conclude, he discovered from experience that people can be converted quite outside the narrow views of the Calvinism of the day. Continue reading →

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Church of Christ Deism: The Church Fathers

Posted on July 21, 2009 by Jay F Guin

i_dont_believe_in_miracles_i_rely_on_them_tshirt-p235921785579041865yk07_400As regular readers know, I’m not a fan of arguing doctrine from the Church Fathers (or Patristics) — uninspired, early Christian writers. However, when the argument is made that miracles ending when the New Testament was completed or when the apostles died, that’s a historical claim, and history suddenly becomes relevant.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Then he [Polycarp] had . . . finished his prayer, those who were appointed for the purpose kindled the fire [to burn him to death]. And as the flame blazed forth in great fury, we to whom it was given to witness it beheld a great miracle and have been preserved that we might report to others what then took place. For the fire, shaping itself into the form of an arch, like the sail of a ship when filled with the wind, encompassed as by a circle the body of the martyr. And he appeared within, not like flesh that is burnt, but as bread that is baked, or as gold and silver glowing in a furnace. Moreover, we perceived such a sweet odor, as if frankincense or some such precious spices had been smoking there. At length, when those wicked men perceived that his body could not be consumed by the fire, they commanded an executioner to go near and pierce him through with a dagger. And on his doing this, there came forth a dove and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished, and all the people wondered that there should be such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect (Martyrdom of Polycarp 15–16 [A.D. 155]). Continue reading →

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: The Second Great Awakening, Part 1

Posted on July 20, 2009 by Jay F Guin

passioncartoonAfter the American Revolution, morals and religion were in severe decline. War with England destroyed the allegiance of many Americans to the Church of England, headed by the King of England. And war brought with it immorality.

The French Revolution came shortly afterwards, and many Americans were great sympathizers with the French, as they’d supported the Colonies during the war. The French Revolution, like the American Revolution, overthrew a monarchy, but unlike the American Revolution, it also overthrew the church, leading to a period of atheism.

The Revolutionary War won the Colonies rights to British land between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River, and westward expansion took off, with the settlers spreading much faster than the established churches would keep up.

Of course, the war destroyed farms and houses, cost fortunes and lives, and caused many Colonialists to flee to Canada or England. The disruption was not good for Christianity.

But this all changed due to the revival preaching of many effective preachers, the most influential being Charles Finney. Finney was a Presbyterian but rejected most of the points of Calvinism. He insisted on the ability of anyone to be saved by faith, and saw works as the product of a genuine faith. And he was a remarkably effective preacher and evangelist, traveling across the country and converting many thousands. Continue reading →

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ReverendFun.com

Posted on July 19, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Every once in a while, I pop over to www.ReverendFun.com to check out the newest cartoons.

Every once in a while, I pop over to www.ReverendFun.com to check out the newest cartoons.
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