tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58491462011-05-02T18:37:04.409+01:00Thoughts on the sacraments...Alnoreply@blogger.comBlogger361100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1084195882332927322004-05-10T14:28:00.000+01:002004-05-10T14:31:22.333+01:00

For those opposed to Protestant transubstantiation, here is a great song (do listen to the audio).

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1079608702250818862004-03-18T11:18:00.000Z2004-03-18T11:21:41.450Z

My posts on Baptism have been delayed by other commitments. I hope to start posting on the subject again soon.

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1078004912368953302004-02-28T21:48:00.000Z2004-02-28T22:24:03.513Z

In my previous post I dealt with Dr. Fred Malone’s approach to hermeneutics. I sought to answer the charge of inconsistency that Malone levels against paedobaptists. I proceeded to identify some of the key deficiencies in his hermeneutical approach, particularly focusing upon his failure to properly relate the Old Testament with the New. As Malone himself claims that establishing the correct

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1077978615938668802004-02-28T14:30:00.000Z2004-02-28T14:33:09.140Z

I was going to post this in the comments for Taylor Marshall’s recent post entitled Paedocommunion or Communicating Infants (Thursday, 27th). However, I thought that it would probably end up being too long, so I decided that it would be best to post it here. The question is whether young children should ever be barred from communion. Whilst I am firmly in favour of the practice of paedocommunion,

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1077709309479036572004-02-25T11:41:00.000Z2004-02-25T11:44:38.296Z

I am thinking seriously of stopping using CommentThis for my comments. It just seems to play up far too often. Perhaps I will move to BlogBack as they seem to be far more reliable. Unfortunately I don't think that I can copy my older comments across. I haven't had that many comments yet, so it might be better to do it now, rather than waiting for later. I could always manually place the old

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1077536444261139752004-02-23T11:40:00.000Z2004-02-24T12:08:04.186Z

Do take the time to read Joel Garver's latest posts on the subject of Baptism:— The Necessity of Baptism Mode of Baptism Scots Divines on Baptism I Scots Divines on Baptism II Scots Divines on Baptism III

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1077241499555281072004-02-20T01:44:00.000Z2004-02-20T02:19:44.543Z

In my last post I started a response to Dr. Fred Malone’s view of the regulative principle and hermeneutics. I decided it would be better to finish this in a second post, rather than trying to fit everything in one. Within this post I hope to address the issue of hermeneutics in far more depth. As Malone devotes the first section of his book to the subject of hermeneutics I felt that it was

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1077195337788372172004-02-19T12:55:00.000Z2004-02-19T13:06:51.873Z

In my previous post I sought to examine Dr. Fred Malone’s treatment of John Murray’s argument for infant Baptism. I concluded that in a number of respects Murray was misunderstood and misrepresented by Malone. I responded to Malone’s frequent comments on the differences that exist among paedobaptists by demonstrating that many of the same differences exist in Baptist circles. I suggested that we

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1076978074904245782004-02-17T00:34:00.000Z2004-02-17T00:37:12.060Z

In my previous post I sought to establish the correct context for the debate over Baptism. I tried to demonstrate that any debate on Baptism must occur within the context of the Church and must give careful attention to the historic teaching of the Church on this matter. If we are to reach the right conclusions on such issues we must ensure that we have the right starting point. I challenged

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1076719719443967082004-02-14T00:48:00.000Z2004-02-14T01:04:17.140Z

The following post is the first part of an extensive response to The Baptism of Disciples Alone: A Covenantal Argument for Credobaptism Versus Paedobaptism (Founders Press 2003), the most recent defense of the Reformed Baptist position, written by Fred Malone, the pastor of First Baptist Church, Clinton, Louisiana. It is widely heralded as the best defense of the Baptist position to appear to

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1076581952620732292004-02-12T10:32:00.000Z2004-02-12T10:35:03.420Z

Babies, Baptism, and Original Sin: Augustine's Understanding of the Theological Implications of Infant Baptism by Jeffrey J. Meyers

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1076106806847503912004-02-06T22:33:00.000Z2004-02-06T22:38:51.546Z

There are a number of people who never cease to argue that full immersion is the only valid mode of Baptism. Under no circumstances can any other mode be tolerated. A Baptism performed by sprinkling or pouring is to be rejected as invalid. I have some sympathy with those who would argue that immersion is to be the preferred mode of Baptism (e.g. Calvin, the Didache, the Eastern Orthodox Church),

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1075482744571071612004-01-30T17:12:00.000Z2004-01-30T17:23:46.716Z

Schmemann has a number of interesting comments that relate to the subject of infant baptism in his book Of Water and the Spirit: A Liturgical Study of Baptism. As one might expect, an Eastern perspective on this issue successfully bypasses many of the questions that have so taxed the minds of many great theologians in the West. Individualistic Ecclesiology Perhaps the most important challenge

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1075328272840802842004-01-28T22:17:00.000Z2004-01-28T22:20:03.890Z

Well worth reading:— Rev. Michael J. Pahls, The Eucharist: A Theopraxis of Resistance to McDonaldization of Culture

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1075315603614281862004-01-28T18:46:00.000Z2004-01-28T19:20:02.263Z

I have been enjoying Alexander Schmemann’s book, Of Water and the Spirit: A Liturgical Study of Baptism. Whilst I could not accept every position espoused within the book, its merits far outweigh its demerits. One of the things that is interesting is the manner in which the subject is tackled by Schmemann. Whilst Western studies of baptism tend to focus upon more abstract theology, Schmemann’s

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1075246900354840402004-01-27T23:41:00.000Z2004-01-27T23:43:49.950Z

This is an interesting post. I must admit, there is a lot to be said for an explanation of Christ's presence in the Eucharist that speaks in temporal rather than spatial terms. In The Meal Jesus Gave Us N.T. Wright writes:— At the same time, however, John Calvin in Geneva was working out a theory not too unlike some thinking in the great Churches of the East. What is really taking place is

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1075043095471663882004-01-25T15:04:00.000Z2004-01-25T15:07:02.153Z

Once again, an excellent article from the keyboard of Tim Gallant! Pentecostal Ordination: The Newness of Christian Baptism

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1074872701830084682004-01-23T15:45:00.000Z2004-01-23T15:47:05.250Z

Do take the time to read Tim Gallant's latest article Encounter at Damascus: The Acts Narrative as Paradigm for Paul's Theology of Baptism. Very helpful and thought-provoking.

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1074201155005213242004-01-15T21:12:00.000Z2004-01-15T21:25:31.436Z

Within this post I will analyze a particular form of reasoning that is put forward to justify baptizing the infants of those who profess the faith. This is based on some notes that I have written for a college essay (which has yet to be completed). Much of my approach has been inspired by Peter Leithart's recent book, The Priesthood of the Plebs. My study will focus upon John Murray’s book

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1073441513854157512004-01-07T02:11:00.000Z2004-01-07T02:18:25.590Z

Our church has started a series of theology classes. To fill a gap I was asked to do a very brief series on some subject. I suggested doing a few introductory studies on worship. I took the first of these studies last night. I hope to cover a number of areas within the course of them. I had little time in which to prepare the first talk, so much of it is merely a summary of arguments James

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1073422334859275252004-01-06T20:52:00.000Z2004-01-06T20:52:33.826Z

Peter Leithart in The Priesthood of the Plebs:— Moreover, if the res of the Eucharist is the totus Christus, and if the goal of the sacraments is to unify the church in Christ, then contemplating the meal (assuming that contemplation is what one is supposed to do with food) does not bring some other underlying thing to mind: What is sensibly apparent in the Eucharist is what is brought to mind,

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1073387611687699532004-01-06T11:13:00.000Z2004-01-06T11:14:19.520Z

Why Infant Baptism? A Biblical Introduction by Tim Gallant

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1072658863246544612003-12-29T00:47:00.000Z2003-12-29T01:01:27.043Z

In my two previous posts I have sought to step back from the particular act of the Lord’s Supper and draw our attention to the wider context in which it is found. Within this post I hope to use this context to help us to better understand something of what occurs within the Eucharist itself. I started this brief study by emphasizing the importance of the physical act of eating within the Lord’s

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1072194022674863852003-12-23T15:40:00.000Z2003-12-23T15:40:38.033Z

I have just finished listening to Jeffrey Meyers talk, Theodore Beza and the Development of the Reformed Doctrine of Infant Baptism. It is well worth listening to.

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1072137695685193672003-12-23T00:01:00.000Z2003-12-23T00:07:07.080Z

Man, The Hungry Soul Man is a hungry being and by eating he seeks to satisfy his hunger. Man eats in order to live and to enjoy fullness of life. We would do well not to draw too sharp a distinction between man as a physical being and man as a soul, for man is an embodied soul and man’s body is not alone in its hunger. Indeed, the hunger of the body should never be separated from the hunger of

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1071960121583235392003-12-20T22:42:00.000Z2003-12-20T22:44:16.133Z

Doctrine and Praxis Many people have the mistaken impression that a person’s ‘worldview’ can be explained purely in terms of a set of doctrines that they subscribe to. People talk about a ‘Christian worldview’ in a manner that practically excludes reference to the practices of the Christian community, except insofar as they serve as ‘implications’ of a dogmatic system. At its fundamental level

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1071743824666612012003-12-18T10:37:00.000Z2003-12-18T10:50:33.910Z

I just received this book this morning. I can't wait to get my teeth into it. Schmemann is one of my favourite authors on this subject. Whether or not you agree with him, you will certainly find him insightful and thought-provoking. It is such a shame that many Protestants will never hear about his works.

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1070929207964446302003-12-09T00:20:00.000Z2003-12-09T00:20:19.770Z

From N.T. Wright’s New Tasks for a Renewed Church:— Let us, then, reject the rationalism that is suspicious of any sacramental action that cannot be analysed in a test-tube. Let us, too, reject the dualistic romanticism that believes that the only true religion has to do with what happens ‘inwardly’ rather than with outward or physical actions. The Eucharist is more than a bare memorial of Jesus’

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1068682641670145152003-11-13T00:17:00.000Z2003-11-13T00:18:09.133Z

One of the things that particularly worries me about the theology of groups that deny the real presence of Christ in the Supper is the fact that they make the experience of the Supper rely upon the understanding of the Supper. If you cannot relate 'the sign' to 'the thing signified' using the right framework, you have failed to experience the Supper. In this understanding the Supper takes place

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1067811016419429232003-11-02T22:10:00.000Z2003-11-02T22:10:19.120Z

Introduction I want you to imagine that you have just received a very important looking letter through your door. On it there is an official seal and in beautiful type it declares that it has come from Buckingham Palace itself. You gingerly open it up and, lo and behold, inside there is an invitation to attend a state banquet. The Queen has personally requested the pleasure of your attendance. I

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1067291829513782792003-10-27T21:57:00.000Z2003-10-27T22:06:50.133Z

Having recently re-read Dr. Francis Nigel Lee’s argument for seasonal communion and against weekly communion I thought that I would make some comments about Lee’s use of Calvin in his argument. Lee tries to argue that Calvin argued for the practice of seasonal communion in his later years. I feel that Lee has either seriously misread or seriously misrepresented the passages he adduces in support

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1066854420420888182003-10-22T21:27:00.000+01:002003-10-22T21:27:00.206+01:00

This follows on from the last Leithart article I linked to. I also hope to add my latest message on the subject of the Lord's Supper to the blog in the next two or three days.

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1065717343033470302003-10-09T17:35:00.000+01:002003-10-09T17:54:31.206+01:00

I am thoroughly enjoying reading William DiPuccio’s book, The Interior Sense of Scripture, dealing with the hermeneutics of John Williamson Nevin. I am reading it very gradually, alongside quite a number of other books. This has given me some time to chew over its observations as they relate to some of the other material I have been reading and subjects I have been thinking about. Nevin’s view

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1064485742271770842003-09-25T11:29:00.000+01:002003-09-25T11:29:02.210+01:00

This is an article I have enjoyed from the latest edition of Credenda Agenda posted online: Why Sacraments are not Signs by Peter Leithart

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1064309658862864062003-09-23T10:34:00.000+01:002003-09-23T10:34:47.570+01:00

Over the coming months, God-willing, I will be posting a series on my blog on the subject of the Lord’s Supper. This last week I was asked to preach in my home church. I preached on the subject of the Lord’s Supper and it was suggested that I do a whole series on the subject to follow on from some of the things I have said already. I felt that it would be helpful for me to formulate my thoughts

Alnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849146.post-1064338309768475102003-09-23T10:31:00.000+01:002003-09-23T18:33:54.390+01:00

I am reposting this. Although it has already appeared on my other blog, it really belongs here. I have just finished reading The Meal Jesus Gave Us: Understanding Holy Communion by Tom (N.T.) Wright. It is a brilliantly written book. How I wish that I had the ability to convey Biblical truth in such compelling language! His illustrations are scintillating and engaging. The book is hard to put

Alnoreply@blogger.com