Saturday, December 30, 2006

Bonhoeffer and the Emerging Church

some of you love BonHoeffer and othes of you the emerging church. well here si somethign for the bothe of you. kind of like killing two birds with one post.


Ph.D. Application Paper - Bonhoeffer and the Emerging Church

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

how someone else prepares an expository sermon

i can not for the life of me think of where i found the link the fourth part of this series, but i figured if i wanted to share with you i would want to do a better job and start you out at ther first part of this four parter. i found it very affriming. i do much of hwat he does myself. but not all.


how i prepare an expository sermon

Friday, December 22, 2006

sprinkle or submerge, baby or believer

Byroniac said...
Well, I'm certainly not going to settle the credobaptist vs. paedobaptist debate. The best I've managed so far is to muddy the waters a little. I do have some problems with paedobaptism as a credobaptist, such as the following:

1. (OK, help me out here Chris) the Greek Baptizo was transliterated instead of translated, as it means "immerse" or "dip" from what I've read.

Yes my brother you are right, to make whelmed (that is, fully wet) to immerse, to dip, to dunk, to submerge.

Joh 3:22-23 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (23) And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

There is no need for there to be much water if we are sprinkling babies like kids splashing at the city pool in the summer.


2. Linking OT circumcision (males only) to NT baptism (males and females). Lydia was baptized (Acts 16:14-15) and in other instances households were baptized, which would include females (the NT pattern as best I understand it is believers-only).

The Gospel of Thomas might help in this - 114 “Simon Peter said to them, "Make Mary leave us, for females don't deserve life." Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of Heaven." Ha

3. Related to my comment above, there are NO explicitly paedobaptist references in the NT that I know of. All explicit references are Credobaptist in nature (I believe deliberately, in order to establish the apostolic pattern at first).

Your right again. With out a passage saying that they carried the infant down to the spring, that Paul bid them grace and peace as he urged them to wash the tottler for the remission of sins or the sake of the covenant, or Jesus saying for bid not the children for bid the children to be immersed. Additionally if we play out the first Adam and the Second Adam in parallel, we see that Adam was in an adult form, able to be cogent and conscious of the workings of God. Likewise, Jesus at his baptism as was in an adult form. The Jesus baptismal formula show that Jesus was able to believe as “Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Matt 3:15
Finally when we see covenants established in the Scripture like God’s with Abraham, we see an adult, who can use logic and make decisions, entering into the bond of a coventant


4. (Calvinist disclaimer) Paedobaptism by its very nature is designed to show membership in a covenant and not necessarily election unto eternal salvation. My understanding of this is probably simplistic, but I cannot see what benefits the infant possibly acquires outside of earthly covenantal membership benefits of the church, if God is truly not obligated to grant salvation to the baptized infant by the act of baptism. Even if Calvinistic election is not true, paedobaptism effectively shows nothing positive in the spiritual realm if the individual does not come to belief and salvation in Christ that I can see (it's simply a case of quite literally "going through the motions" and "joining the club").

What would the purpose of bringing them into a covenant if they were not to be partakers of the Kingdom of God. This would be superfluous head start to no where. It is much like amputating both of a man’s legs during a routine checkup because there might be need in the distance future. Unfortunatly, this leaves its proponents much like the ma, with out a leg to stand on.

5. The strongest arguments for paedobaptism generally come from two areas: historical church tradition (see #3 above) and Scriptural inference (if paedobaptism is true, it is a puzzling difficulty to explain the lack of a single explict paedobaptism in the NT as one would reasonably expect... however, this point is softened somewhat by the paedobaptist focus on the many references to household baptism in the NT).

Paedobaptism and Credobaptism are both positions worthy of respect and study. However, I believe both sides would agree that the two are mutually exclusive: they both cannot be right. In my opinion, that honor falls to Credobaptism alone. However, this is not a fellowship issue among Christian brethren, or at least should not be.

If we go off of history as the basis for Paedobaptism we, must be prepared to embrace heresy. First we must be rebirth ourselves into Roman Catholicism. Next we must deny our history that includes the believers that we persecuted by the Catholic and Protestants. Yes those that they documented as Anabaptist - the rebaptizers and dunkers and the Catabaptist – drowners. Furthermore History has also preached for simony, indulgences and slavey. Please explain why we would follow one and not adhere to the others. What about OT Laws?

y r u a baptist

Every Baptist ought to know why he is a Baptist, and to know it from the specific commands of God’s Word. Not to have such knowledge is for our churches to be harmed in every way.”


----- George W. Truett, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, 1897-1944

BONHOEFFER for FRIDAY

i know next to nothing aobut Bonhoeffer. but Steve of Citizen Bezner does. His PhD dissertation at Baylor is on this very subject.


The Comfort of Tradition


It is not till such times as these that we realize what it means to possess a past and a spiritual inheritance independent of changes of time and circumstance. The consciousness of being borne up by a spiritual tradition that goes back for centuries gives one a feeling of confidence and security in the face of all passing strains and stresses. I believe that anyone who is aware of such reserves of strength need not be ashamed of more tender feelings evoked by the memory of a rich and noble past, for in my opinion they belong to the better and nobler part of mankind. They will not overwhelm those who hold fast to values that no one can take from them.


- Dietrich Bonhoeffer -

from Letters and Paper from Prison 57

from A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Carla Barnhill, Ed., HarperSan Francisco, 2005

Thursday, December 21, 2006

The Sword of Surprise

The Sword of Surprise
by G.K. Chesterton

Sunder me from my bones, O sword of God
Till they stand stark and strange as do the trees;
That I whose heart goes up with the soaring woods
May marvel as much at these.

Sunder me from my blood that in the dark
I hear that red ancestral river run
Like branching buried floods that find the sea
But never see the sun.

Give me miraculous eyes to see my eyes
Those rolling mirrors made alive in me
Terrible crystals more incredible
Than all the things they see

Sunder me from my soul, that I may see
The sins like streaming wounds, the life's brave beat
Till I shall save myself as I would save
A stranger in the street.

theological implications of Cinnamon Bun Bread

For a much need addition to your tummy during this season of celebration the birth of Christ i would like to share this recipe that I recently found.


Cinnamon Bun Bread

It sound good, looks good and when I or my wife can make it, will taste good.

oh, as to the theological implications of Cinnamon Bun Bread, i'm still working it out! :^)

Friday, December 15, 2006

the gift that keeps on giving ... but only if you are married

i despise xanga, facebook, bebo, myspace and such realted creatures. Every once in a while something good comes along like this post from Dione, a young lady that grew up in the same neighborhood i did as well as attended the same church.


Gifts - Thursday, December 07, 2006


Ok so I read this in a book...

" My body is a gift and God gets to decide who to give it to, not me. And the best presents are the ones that are all wrapped up, not the ones that have been opened and rewrapped and now no longer sticks."

It also has this verse...

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New American Standard Bible)
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

children bobbing like carrots and potatoes

My friend at Byron of Isaiah 8:16 as recently posted about question and a mini-response to a poetry blogger's thoughts about paedobaptism and credobaptism. I have some thoughts of my own, but not enough time to go into it in depth or to plug-in in all the Scripture. Maybe Byron will drop by and settle the whole sprinkle the baby or dunk a believer controversy...




To argue for paedobaptism and assert that more Scriptural that credobaptism would seem to defy proper theology. To say that it is indeed appropriate to submerge infants because one can not prove salvation of an adult member is the issue because some have “crept in unawares” is fool hearty at lest as it says that we should ascend the helm of judgment. A lowered standard of Church Membership is not justification for heterodoxy, if so homosexuality would be an appropriate remedy to a bad marriage. What other left over Roman Catholic traditions that have not been fully reformed would one like to add to Scripture? This doctrine would seem to be equivalent to the Mormon heresy of baptizing for the dead.

Baptismal water should only ripple for a professing believer and not be a soup broth of children bobbing like carrots and potatoes around the pot roast of believers. It is the "get them all wet" attitude that would seem to be inappropriate as it belittles and contradicts the Doctrines of God. It would seem that God’s sovereign election would have been superseded by man’s fancy and His willed election is now trivial as we have baptized all into the kingdom. That is those God foreordained and men chose. Truely a universal(ist) error. This alone creates a problem of those that have not “crept in unawares,” but of those who were purposely brought in by the unaware. Additionally by dipping the innocent we create a false hope and security. How is this superior? Non-believers are now under the influence of the of the paedobaptistic waters with the idea that they too will inherit the Kingdom of God. Now the false Christ claimers, the unregenerate are the face of Christ’s Church

Thursday, December 14, 2006

taking time for tilly

MJTilly of The Foolishness of Preaching
and fellowship class wrote ...
Love that quote. But doesn't it seem to steer awfully closely to what some would perjoratively call "Lordship" salvation? I ask with two motives: 1) to point out that what some deride as a form of "works" salvation or legalism, may be more Biblical than it's given credit for -- see James for this perspective (of course, it should be noted for the record that I say that while in the midst of wrestling with this concept) and 2) to feel you out for your take on that subject.

This was in regards to a quote from Dr. Hulitt Gloer.

"Faith is trusting God with your life to the point of obedience."


Thanks for you honesty in your posting. I did not see the works angle in the quotation … but I’m still thinking about it. As for the Lordship Salvation, I personally do not see a problem with it. In truth I found that I was believed this prior to my discovery that there was a doctrine by that name. Later when I found that there was a heated controversy about it was shocked. I did not see it as an issue.

Lets us address the term “Lord” for a moment. The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines a lord as “a master; a person possessing supreme power and authority; a ruler; a governor.”
I think that Jesus has possessing supreme power and authority, that he does rule over and governs my life.

From Thayer’s –
1) He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord
1a) the possessor and disposer of a thing
1a1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master
1a2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor
1b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master

Others like the New American, Easton’s, Vine’s only do more justice to the term “Lord” having authority over us.

So if we look at the term lord like this and bring in Romans 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED," I think we are admitting that we are submitting ourselves to the Authority of Jesus.

Then look at Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? He Jesus gives us the idea that he does hold the clout of “Lord” and that obedience is suppose to come with it.

In closing I thing someone like John Piper could do a better job of bring the Lordship/obedience/faith

Additionally I think the quote deals more with the fact that as we grow in faith, we are trusting God more, we are surrendering more in the relationship and we are growing to be obedient in all area of are life. We submit ourselves more. Think sanctification.

More could be said and should be said about this, but my mind is a bit fuzzy at this moment and my eyelids droopy.
In closing a want to at least leave you with a few more verses that can kind of go with this. Are at least in my mind they do ….


Joh 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.

PS. You webpage for the Sunday School looks great!!! More that teach should do this.

the future of baylor


from wikipedia...

In 2000, the university sought to expand its vision of a scholarly institution with a strong sense of Christianity. Baylor, under then President Robert Sloan Jr., created a written statement to detail the exact goals of this vision. This statement was appropriately titled, Baylor 2012, the year by which the school hopes to achieve its aims. The university intends to "enter the top tier of American universities while reaffirming and deepening its distinctive Christian mission." It was presented in September 2001, and approved by the Board of Regents shortly afterwards. The Vision is based upon twelve key imperatives designed to create a more fulfilling educational experience in a unique Christian environment.

The twelve imperatives are:

1. Establish an environment where learning can flourish
2. Create a truly residential campus
3. Develop a world-class faculty
4. Attract and support a top-tier student body
5. Initiate outstanding new academic programs in selected areas
6. Guide all Baylor students, through academic and student life programming,
to understand life as a stewardship and work as a vocation
7. Provide outstanding academic facilities
8. Construct useful and aesthetically pleasing physical spaces
9. Enhance involvement of the entire Baylor family
10. Build with integrity a winning athletic tradition in all sports
11. Emphasize global education
12. Achieve a two-billion dollar endowment

faith = obedience

"Faith is trusting God with your life to the point of obedience."
- Dr. Hulitt Gloer

losing faith

wow. some times you read about some one and what has happened to them and you go "wow!" in this blog check out what happened to Dr. Bart Ehrman.

CHURCH AND EDUCATION -OR- THE LACK THEREOF

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

gre help

in my quest to get more info about baylor and their religion program i figured that i would goolge around and see what i could find. in the process i hit upon this about taking and studying for the gre. he also gave some insight about the test and the money side, that is you get money for it.


How to Study for the GRE

Sunday, December 10, 2006

when the koran hits the fan

wow the is article i nthe Houston Chronicle blew me a way. It seems war between the mason and and the muslim as broke out it katy, tx. If any one kind enjoy this is would be Byron of Isaiah 8:16 and Byronic fame, so ck him out too.

Baylor prof says Schaeffer remained a fundamentalist

i am not to familiar with Francis Schaeffer but i have an understanding that he has been of great aid to the church. the Baptist standard has an article that you might want to at least gloss over

Baylor prof says Schaeffer remained a fundamentalist

Saturday, December 09, 2006

David Ritsema at New Testament Studies Blog - Seeking Knowledge In Order to Serve has blogged an intresting post uses of the Ot in the NT. This is of keen intrest to me ask I have just finished a masters course at BMA Theologial Seminary with the amazing profesor Dr. Phillip R. Bryan.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

to read or to read better

if you are like me you like a great book, even a good book. i used to be a voracious reader ... but then i got hooked on magazines and reading on the net. this type of reading only fuels my A.D.D. i am trying to be a better reader and omprove my speed. with this in mide i share this with you for your pleasure of becoming a better readers.

How to Be a Bookworm...

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

81-Year Degree Plan

some times poeple are given great honor for what they have done. some times the good guys wins in the end. this is the case here as we see a man get a degree at 81 yrs old.

The 81-Year Degree Plan: BBA Degree Awarded to Oldest Recipient in Baylor's History

Monday, December 04, 2006

Bob Dylan on the Bible

“There are over 20 million Bibles distributed every year, and the Bible can be read aloud in 70 hours – though you might want to take a nap between the Old and New Testaments. Nine out of every ten Americans own at least one Bible – what’s up with the other guy?”

—Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour, Episode 19: “The Bible,” 6 September 2006.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

shoul i stay or should i go ...

better yet, should we fight to keep them or just let them go .... colleges and seminaries that is. There has been so much fighting over these pedagogary institutes it makes one wonder - SBC Leader Says Fighting Over Baptist Colleges a Waste of Time

Friday, December 01, 2006

baylor stuff

As the reading audience around here knows, after i complete my master's degree I would love to pursue a doctorate, phd to be percise. One school seems to be where my heart is purposed. Baylor. Please no hate mail, just prayers ... I'll take tuition money too. :^) So if you read around on Baylor you get all kinds of views. here are some links to some of the most intresting or from insiders.

oh and some on Baptist/Christian education


Baylor: A University in Need of Change

Excuse me, it’s a Baptist college

Baylor, Bibles, boots and education

Well, who'da thunk it?

The Francis Beckwith Story

academic-freedom-or-religious-education

Get your Mojo on

"The education of David Jeffrey" by Jennifer Green

From the Chronicle of Higher Education