Adoniram Judson on Christian Baptism

I recently finished the book Adoniram Judson on Christian Baptism. The book contains a sermon he preached before his baptism in Calcutta in 1812. Also included are letters written by Judson regarding his change in his position on baptism as well as an article by C.H. Spurgeon on baptisim and other material relating to this subject.

What needs to be understood about Judson’s change in position on baptism, from paedobaptism (infant baptism) to credobaptism (believer's baptism), is that this was done after his leaving for India with his support coming from a Congregationalist church that held to paedobaptism.  The letters included in this book reveal that he understood that his change in position would cost him his support but he also knew that what was most important was to be biblically correct. Thus his change was not done flippantly or without cost but was done as a result of him asking himself what scripture said about baptism. We too should ask this same question about all that we believe.

I would encourage both those that hold to infant baptism as well as believer’s baptism to read this book.  It is important to see the struggle that Judson went through as far too many people hold to their view on baptism based more on tradition than themselves doing the hard work of seeking out scripture.  I am not saying this is true of everyone but as with many doctrines far too many people take other people’s conclusions rather than seeing what scripture says for themselves.  Others opinions and finding are important but as with all things we are to take all of this and filter it through God’s word as the final court of arbitration.

In recommending this book my intention is not to start a debate over baptism but to encourage all that hold to whatever position they hold to make sure they themselves have worked through scripture to come to their conclusions.  So, read this book and search out scripture.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/26/10)

At the NCFIC Blog there is a post with an excerpt from Scott Brown’s upcoming book on youth ministry: A Child of the Movement. I can relate to this excerpt as I too have been a youth minter and read all the books. The problem was, even if unintentionally, I gave more weight to the pragmatic reasoning of the books over the sufficiency of Scripture to speak to this area, as it speaks to all of faith and practice.


For those of you that are reading, or have read, R.J. Rushdoony’s Law & Liberty, there is now a study guide out, thanks to The Chalcedon Foundation: Law & Liberty Study Guide. This is a great book and one that I would highly recommend.


Over at Voddie Baucham’s blog the February Welcome to the Continuing Collapse (Exposing Government Schools: The Youth Ministry of the State Church of Secular Humanism) by Bruce Shortt has been posted.


At Steve Camp’s blog there is a great sermon by Charles Spurgeon: God’s Will and Man’s Will ….the tension of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. As always I appreciated the words of Spurgeon.

“How to Build Your Own Business” Resource Kit

Vision Forum is having a great buy on the “How to Build Your Own Business” resource kit. It includes the following:

• Venture Academy: Equipping Christian Entrepreneurs (6 DVDS w/ workbooks)

• The Best of the 2006 Entrepreneurial Bootcamp (20 CDs)

• Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Christian Families (10 DVDs)

They have a 50% of coupon code ( BUSINESSKIT ) that is good until February 26th. The $339.50 (after 50% discount) price is great for the Venture Academy alone but with the other resources it is an even better buy.

Where We are Heading as a Country

We have been reading R.J. Rushdoony’s book Law & Liberty during our family worship time and it has been a very good book. Last night we read a chapter called The Family and Property and in that chapter is laid out the 10 planks of Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto. Read them for yourself and see how much they sound like our current state of affairs:

1. Abolition of private property and the application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communications and transportation in the hands of the State.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state, the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal liability of all to labor. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries, gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equitable distribution of population over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.

This is where we are heading, well we may actually be more there than many want to admit. When man turns from God’s law the only place left to turn to is himself and when man turns to himself to legislate life we end up with tyranny. We cannot turn back the tide of Marxism, Socialism, Fascism or any another “-ism” until we turn back to seeing the word of God as all sufficient for all of life. God has called a people to Himself and we need to realize that He has not done this in a vacuum. He has called us and empowered to follow His commands which most glorify Him and in the end benefit us.

Let us turn back to Him and follow His word and not our sin tainted reason. Yes, reason does still exist for the believer and we are to use it but it is to be used in conjunction with His word and His word is to be the arbiter of our reason.

I will post more from Law & Liberty as time permits.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/11/10)

We have been watching a DVD series on the history of the Christian Church called From Terror to Triumph by Dr. Marshal Foster. I would highly recommend this series as Dr; Foster shows that in the midst of terror and seemingly overwhelming odds God has continually brought about the triumph of the church.

Thanks to Steve Halbrook’s Theonomy Resource blog here is a good article by Mike Warren on: Some Objections to Postmillennialism Answered.


Over at the NCFIC website Scott Brown lists: Top Ten Things Ungodly Cultures Hate That the Bible Tells Women. Any argument with this list is with God and His word.


You can check out a number of videos from Haiti by Doug Phillips at: Rescue Haiti’s Children. Below is one of the video’s you can find there.

Solid Ground Christian Books

I thought I would post about one of the best book stores, as well as being a publishing company, I know of. Not only do they have great books they also have great prices. This books store is Solid Ground Christian Books in Vestavia Hills Alabama .

I have been buying books from them for some time and highly recommend them, especially for hard to find classics. You will not find fluff in their inventory but will find the type of meat that is all too often avoided but is needed to aid in the building up the body of Christ. Yes, we need to first and foremost read God’s inspired inerrant and sufficient word and if that is all the time you have to read make sure scripture reading fills that time. However it is greatly helpful to read what God has put on the minds of men and women in history and in this area Solid Ground and its owner Michael Gaydosh excel.

Here is what is on their site with regards to who they are:

Solid Ground Christian Books is a publishing company committed to the presentation of the cardinal doctrines of Holy Scripture. Our goal is to spread the fame of the Name of the Lord by finding, uncovering and restoring the best Christian literature from the past and bringing it into the modern world.

We believe that there are many treasured works from the past that the Lord has used in mighty ways, and yet are unavailable to the modern reader. We are always searching for works that have been used by the Holy Spirit in converting, sanctifying and keeping power.

Our desire is to serve the pastors, churches, missionaries, chaplains, the military, professors and students of the 21st century. We will seek to keep our prices fair, and our service prompt, personal and courteous.

Our prayer is that the God of sovereign grace will be pleased to smile upon our efforts to further His kingdom, and that multitudes throughout he world will be forever changed by reading the books we produce.

Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone Be The Glory!

BOARD OF PASTORAL REFERENCE
In order to assure that this publishing business remains on track we have established a Board of Pastoral Reference to oversee the direction of this work. These men have served the Lord faithfully for many years. It is a delight to place their names before you.

-Earl Blackburn, Heritage Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA
-Richard Denham, Missionary to Brazil for over 50 years
-David Dykstra, Reformed Baptist Church of Lafayette, NJ
-Erroll Hulse, Leeds Reformed Baptist Church, Leeds, England
-Peter Jeffery, Libanus Evangelical Church, Morriston, Swansea, Wales
-Tom Lutz, Edgewood Baptist Church, Anderson, IN
-Conrad Mbewe, Kabwata Baptist Church, Zambia, Africa
-Geoff Thomas, Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, Wales
-David Vaughn, Missionary to France
-Todd Wilson, Grace Covenant Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL (my pastor)

CHURCH BOOK TABLE PROGRAM
More than 85 churches have taken advantage of our no risk Church Book Table program. Now your church can participate as well. Contact us for more information. Get started today — call (205) 443-0311 or e-mail sgcb@charterinternet.com.

So check out their inventory and for sure to get on their mailing list so you can see the great specials Michael sends out.

Thoughts and Ideas on Future Posts

Thanks to a good friend in Tennessee who has done this on her site I thought I would ask if there are any questions, ideas or topics you would like covered on this blog. They can range from homeschooling to politics to theology or any number of other subjects. Just leave a comment on what you would like covered and I will work on writing some posts on those subjects.

Every subject in some manner deals with theology as it is our understanding about God that informs all we do. One cannot escape the fact that what we believe, or do not believe, about God will in the end drive what we believe about everything else. Thus my posts will seek to see whatever subject that is looked at from a biblical perspective and how it relates to our view of God.

I look forward to your suggestions.

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/2/10)

On the American Vision’s site is an excerpt from Joel McDurmon’s book God versus Socialism: A Biblical Critique of the New Social Gospel called What is the State? One can know who their, or others, God is by who or what they put their trust in and for many that is the state. We live in a time when the state is seen as the solution to all man's problems and God is seen, if at all, as a fall back plan. The state does have a place in God’s economy but it is not the position and place it holds in the US and much of the world today.


While I am sure the substance of these sermons may be difficult for some I think Pastor Weavers Sermons on the Civil War are a must hear. Whether, when you are done with the series, you hold to his views or not the material he provides is that which must be dealt. Since most history is written to broad brush the Civil War so as to make the South bad and the North good and the war being all about slavery Pastor Weaver will shed light on aspects you may not have heard or contemplated. You can download the 14 sermons here. I would also recommend his sermon on the Black Robed Regiment that speaks on the part pastors took in the revolutionary war and stands in stark contrast to today’s call for churches to sit on the sidelines when it comes to politics.


If you like the music of Sovereign Grace Music they are having a great sale this month. The music they produce is $6 for CDs and $5 for downloads, also for orders over $15 shipping is free in the US.


If you would like a source of articles on soteriology check out Caleb’s blog Biblical Soteriology. There are many great articles there.

Sanctified By God - Dan Horn

I just finished reading Dan Horn’s book “Sanctified by God: A call to keep the Christian Sabbath" and it is a book that I would recommend to others. Truly not much is written today on the Christina Sabbath as it appears that many try and steer clear of such a controversial issue. But to avoid the subject is to miss out on the joy and blessing God has given us in the Sabbath He has called us to observe. I heard Dan speak on this subject at the Sufficiency of Scripture Conference last month in Western Kentucky and that was what instigated the reading of his book. You can read my summary of his talk here.

Obviously from the title you know up front that Dan holds to the need to observe the Christian Sabbath today. What was so useful and profitable about this book is that it covered all aspects of the Sabbath and not just that we need to keep it. The overarching theme, I felt, was that to not observe the Sabbath as God intends today is to miss out on the joy God intended in setting aside a day for His people to delight in Him. So Dan deals with the various issues that come about when dealing with the Sabbath so as to help us see that God’s call to obey the Sabbath in the 4th Commandment is not one of burden but delight. All too often the talk on the Sabbath revolves around if it is legalistic or not and if the Sabbath is even required today for the New Testament Christian. What is often not dealt with as much are the other aspects that revolve around the topic of the Christian Sabbath such as: Why, How, When, What For and all those questions entail.

Yes this book will be convicting to some but anything that deals with areas we have been negligent in will be such. It is what we do with the conviction that is important. Do we brush it aside or do we truly turn to scripture and deal with the issue so as to please and honor God. I think Dan has helped in this area as this book is not merely a defense of the Christian Sabbath and the need to observe it but it also gives practical examples of how this all works out. Also included in the appendix of this book is Jonathan Edwards defense of the continuation and the change of day of the Sabbath. The following are the chapters included in this book:

1) The Need
2) The Sanctification
3) The Defense
4) The Judgment
5) The History
6) The Day
7) The Rest
8) The Mercy
9) The Delight
10) The Practice
11) The Exhortation
12) Appendix: Jonathan Edwards on The Perpetuity and Change of the Sabbath

We live in a time that has made the Christian Sabbath difficult to keep. By this I mean the world offers all sorts of baubles for us to reach for when God has placed a magnificent gift right before us in the Christian Sabbath. We need to realize this great gift is before us and partake of it and not just for a couple hours a day but to put aside the entire day for God and His people to delight in Him together. Let us seek to glorify God and delight in Him on the day He has set aside for us. Yes we need to worship Him daily in all we do but that does not negate the one day God has pointed to since creation.

Sufficiently of Scripture Materials

The Sufficiently of Scripture MP3s and CDs are now available at Vision Forum. Until January 27th the price for the MP3s (32 Messages) and CDs (22 Messages) are $95 There is also a 10-DVD collection of sermons from the conference also for $95. There is a combo set of the 10-DVD collection and the CDs also available.

10- DVD Collection:

1. Woe to Those who go Down to Egypt for Advice — Scott Brown
2. Scripture is Sufficient for Ministry to Youth — Scott Brown

3. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Biblical Manhood — Voddie Baucham

4. The Sufficiency of Scripture in the Disciple-Making Ministry of the Church and the Home — Voddie Baucham
5. The Defining Battles in the War Against the Sufficiency of Scripture — Doug Phillips
6. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Heart of the NCFIC — Doug Phillips
7. Scripture is Sufficient for Your Educational Decisions — Kevin Swanson
8. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Gospel — Paul Washer
9. The Genesis Three Attack in our Era of History — Ken Ham
10. Is the Sufficiency of Scripture a Biblical Doctrine? — Dr. Joe Morecraft

MP3 Collection:
1. Do Not Learn the Way of the Gentiles — Scott Brown
2. The Defining Battles in the War Against the Sufficiency of Scripture — Doug Phillips

3. Our Declining Church and Culture: The Genesis Connection and How to Continue a Godly Heritage — Ken Ham

4. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Manhood and Womanhood — Voddie Baucham

5. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Heart of the NCFIC — Doug Phillips

6. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Old Testament — Joe Morecraft

7. The Inerrancy of Scripture — R.C. Sproul, Jr.

8. English Bibles and the Sufficiency of Scripture — Bill Einwechter
9. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 1: Teachers of Good Things — Jeff Pollard
10. The Sufficiency of Scripture for the Laws of Nations — Doug Phillips
11. Scripture is Sufficient for Child Discipline — Steve Breagy
12. But How Could a Loving God Say...? — Dan Horn

13. Scripture is Sufficient for Personal Evangelism — Paul Washer

14. Applying the Sufficiency of Scripture in the Botkin Family — Geoff Botkin
15. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the New Testament — Joe Morecraft
16. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Family Life — Kevin Swanson
17. God’s Law or Chaos — Bill Einwechter
18. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 2: Keepers at Home — Jeff Pollard
19. Is the Sufficiency of Scripture a Bible Doctrine? — Joe Morecraft
20. Scripture is Sufficient for Ministry to Youth — Scott Brown
21. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Gospel — Paul Washer
22. The Sufficiency of Scripture and Family Integration — Kevin Swanson
23. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Evangelizing the Nations — Paul Washer
24. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Church Discipline — Joe Morecraft
25. Youth Ministry — Voddie Baucham
26. Scripture is Sufficient for your Educational Decisions — Kevin Swanson
27. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Culture and Aesthetics — Doug Phillips
28. Scripture is Sufficient to Define and Govern the Church — Dan Horn
29. Scripture is Sufficient for Times of Spiritual Decline — Bill Einwechter
30. The Importance of Biblical Family Life for the Spread of the Gospel — Paul Washer
31. The Sufficiency of Scripture in the Disciple-Making Ministry of the Church and the Home — Voddie Baucham
32. Closing Charge — Scott Brown and Doug Phillips

CD Collection:

1. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Old Testament — Joe Morecraft

2. The Inerrancy of Scripture — R.C. Sproul, Jr.

3. English Bibles and the Sufficiency of Scripture — Bill Einwechter
4. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 1: Teachers of Good Things — Jeff Pollard
5. The Sufficiency of Scripture for the Laws of Nations — Doug Phillips
6. Scripture is Sufficient for Child Discipline — Steve Breagy

7. But How Could a Loving God Say...? — Dan Horn

8. Scripture is Sufficient for Personal Evangelism — Paul Washer

9. Applying the Sufficiency of Scripture in the Botkin Family — Geoff Botkin

10. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the New Testament — Joe Morecraft

11. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Family Life — Kevin Swanson

12. God’s Law or Chaos — Bill Einwechter

13. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 2: Keepers at Home — Jeff Pollard

14. The Sufficiency of Scripture and Family Integration — Kevin Swanson
15. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Evangelizing the Nations — Paul Washer
16. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Church Discipline — Joe Morecraft
17. Youth Ministry — Voddie Baucham
18. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Culture and Aesthetics — Doug Phillips
19. Scripture is Sufficient to Define and Govern the Church — Dan Horn
20. Scripture is Sufficient for Times of Spiritual Decline — Bill Einwechter
21. The Importance of Biblical Family Life for the Spread of the Gospel — Paul Washer
22. Closing Charge — Scott Brown and Doug Phillips

You can see a list of summaries from the sessions I went to at the conference here:  Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference Wrap-up

The Law and Us

Often when speaking on the law I think there is a misunderstanding with regards to the law and the believer today. This misunderstanding comes from seeing the law monolithically, that is as only relating to the unbeliever but that misses God’s full intent for the law. We need to see that the law is eternal and is applicable to all people at all times but it’s relationship is different for the unbeliever than the believer.

First let me say that I agree that we are not under the law, as it relates to salvation. We are saved by grace alone and not by our works thus the law does not save us by following it. When we see the law spoken of as a school master (Gal 3:24) or in other such terms it is in relation to us before we become a child of God. It is the law that reveals our great need for the atonement provided by Christ on the cross. So, again as the law relates to us before we believe we are under it but that relationship does change once we believe.

After salvation God’s law is our guide to the life that most glorifies God and is empowered by His spirit. Paul in 2 Tim 3:16-17 speaks of the whole council of scripture being useful, not just some of it, and this would first relate to the Old Testament that Paul would have taught from. Of course it also applies to the New Testament but all too often the relevance of the Old Testament to the New Covenant believer is overlooked. This comes, I believe, from a wrong understanding of our relation to the law after salvation. God has given us His law word as a guide for the path we are to follow, a path that most glorifies Him. We follow the law not for ourselves, primarily, but to worship Him magnify His name in all the earth as we realize the sanctification God works in our lives.

Matthew 28:19-20 an oft quoted section of scripture says:

(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The call here is to teach the nations God’s commands that at the time of the writing of this passage would have been contained in the Old Testament and would also, necessarily, include what is in the New Testament as it came about. But, the call is not to simply teach about the commands but to teach to observe or follow them. The great glory in this is that as believers we are empowered by God to do just that. We may fail and struggle but by studying His word and by the power of His Spirit we are enabled to follow all God calls us to do in all His word, again, for His glory and His purposes.

It would be rightly called legalism to try and follow God’s law by our power. But to do so by His power is not legalism but is obedience to our Lord and Savior. We need to recognize this distinction with regards to position with the law if we are to correctly understand how we are to relate to it as believers today. The struggle should not be about what laws we are to follow but how can we follow all of God’s law, of course not the ceremonial law that pointed to Christ, for His glory

Charles Spurgeon in his sermon on The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar (Sermon 69) speaks on this distinction in how the law relates to us both before salvation and after and I think his words are helpful.

On the Law prior to Salvation
“The law is, so to speak, Jesus Christ's dog, to go after his sheep, and bring them to the shepherd; the law is the thunderbolt which affrighteth ungodly men, and maketh them turn from the error of their ways, and seek after God. “

On the Law after Salvation:
“What is God's law now? It is not above a Christian—it is under a Christian. Some men hold God's law like a rod, in terrorem, over Christians, and say, "If you sin you will be punished with it." It is not so. The law is under a Christian; it is for him to walk on, to be his guide, his rule, his pattern. "We are not under the law, but under grace." Law is the road which guides us, not the rod which drives us, nor the spirit which actuates us. The law is good and excellent, if it keeps its place.”

The law does not disappear once one is a believer but is simply in a different relationship to us. It is for the believer a path unto our feet and a path that we need to seek to follow diligently since it is a path set out by God first for His glory and secondly for our good.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (1/11/09)

If you have questions about Theonomy, here is a great site with many resources: Theonomy Resources: A database for resources for applying the law of God to every area of life.


Another new blog with much useful information is Biblical Soteriology.


If you have heard of J.C Ryle you may interested in J.C. Ryle Quotes. You can also have them sent to your daily in a number of formats including email and on Facebook. If you have not heard of J.C. Ryle check out this site.


A couple years ago I joined in a challenge to read the puritans for the year. Well this year you can join in and read A Year with Baptist Classics. To help in the cost Solid Ground Books is offering discounts on each book as well as the entire set. The list price for the entire set is $185 but it is on sale for $79.95 as of today and for at least right now there is free shipping. Here is the link to the books offered – SGB-Year with Baptist Classics.

Here are the books for the year and descriptions:

JANUARY - Benjamin Keach The Travels of True Godliness This is a work, written in the style of The Pilgrim's Progress, tracing the growth, struggles and temptations faced by 'True Godliness.' It is an enjoyable journey depicting the path of growth in holiness.

FEBRUARY - Andrew Fuller: A Heart for Missions (Pearce Bio) One of the best Christian biographies ever written! Samuel Pearce was the Baptist version of Robert Murray McCheyne--a young pastor known for godliness and zeal whose life was brief but impact was profound.

MARCH - Hercules Collins Devoted to the Service of the Temple A mighty man of God, Hercules Collins was a pastor of a very large London Congregation during the 17th century. This little book very helpfully collects some of his wonderful doctrinal and devotional writings.

APRIL - Adoniram Judson On Christan Baptism The Congregational Missionary Society was shocked when its first missionary, Adoniram Judson, adopted credobaptist views while on his way to serve in India. In this book, Judson demonstrates the nature of Christian baptism.

MAY - Southern Baptist Sermons on Sovereignty and Responsibility American Baptist history is full of great preachers. Here is a collection of sermons by Southern worthies, expounding vital topics; by Basil Manly, Sr., W.B. Johnson, R.B.C. Howell & Richard Fuller.

JUNE - John Broadus: Jesus of Nazareth Our Lord Jesus is wonderfully presented by another great Southern preacher, John Broadus.

JULY/AUGUST - Benjamin Beddome's Exposition of the Baptist Catechism Here is a gem, long out of print, but recently reprinted. Theology is made practical by this pastor from the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in the English Cotswolds.

SEPTEMBER - Andrew Fuller: The Backslider Christians struggle with sin--this is a fact. We need to consider this truth, learn about its dangers, and find the right method of recovery. This book will help.

OCTOBER - John Bunyan: Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ We can't neglect Bunyan! In this book, he calls us to find our full satisfaction in Jesus Christ.

NOVEMBER - Benjamin Keach: The Marrow of True Justification We live in a day when the doctrine of justification by faith alone is under attack. One of our fathers, Benjamin Keach, ably explains this doctrine here. This is the heart of the gospel.

DECEMBER - Charles Spurgeon: Sermons on Men or Women of the Bible What a great way to conclude the year! As always, Spurgeon shows us how the men and women of the Bible point us to Jesus Christ.

Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference Wrap-up

I did not do a summary of the last session as it was more of a reflection on the conference with Scott Brown and Doug Phillips.  They shared their thoughts on the conference as well as what was ahead.

If you want the audio from this conference you can get them in CD or MP3 format here:  Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference.

Here is a list of the Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference summaries:

Session 1 - Scott Brown (12/10/09)

Session 2 - Doug Phillips (12/10/09)

Session 3 - Ken Ham (12/10/09)

Session 4 & 5 - Voddie Baucham and Doug Phillips (12/10/09)

Sessions 6 & 7 - Bill Einwechter and Doug Phillips (12/11/09)

Sessions 8 & 9 - Joe Morecraft (12/11/09)

Sessions 10 & 11 - Scott Brown and Paul Washer (12/11/09)

Sessions 12 & 13 - Kevin Swanson and Dan Horn (12/12/09)

Sessions 14 & 15 - Dan Horn and Voddie Baucham (12/12/09)

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference - Summary of Sessions 14 & 15 (12/12)

The Sufficiency of Scripture to Define and Govern the Church – Dan Horn

This was a second break out session where Dan Horn covered the topic of scriptures being sufficient to define how the church is to be governed.  He began by asking the simple, yet often argued over question,  “what is the church and who is the church.”  The church is not like any other institution as it is unique in the world. The church is not a building or a club as often seems to be what it ends up being in a large part of the professing church.  Dan shared how the church is led by Elders who are as Eph 4:12 says to “equip the saints” for the work that God has for them.

Dan then spoke on three aspects of the church.  The first aspect covered was the church as a biblical institution.  He spoke on the three institutions or spheres of authority God has set up: the family, the state and the church.  The church is to be the light to the world while the state has been given the word and the family the rod; again each has its area of authority.  The church and it’s members are responsible to proclaim God’s word to the nations.  Romans 10:13-15 reveals this responsibility with the preaching that is spoken of not simply being just to speak the word but to publish His word in all activates of life so as to proclaim to the world the glories of God.  Dan also shared how the church is spoken of as the Bride of Christ (Eph 5:22-32) and how we need to love the church as Christ loves the church.  Also, the church is spoken of as a holy nation (1 Peter 2:7-9) such that in a sense we are like a nation as we are a people chosen by God, a people set apart.  As a set apart people we have the authority God has given us apart from what He has given the family and state.  Yet another metaphor God uses of the church in His word is as a household of God (Matt 22:30).

In still dealing with the church as a biblical institution Dan Horn spoke on how often the place of the church is commingled with the other institutions God has instituted.  Thus one result is that many churches have become creatures of the state.  Another area that is often blurred is the relationship between the church and family with often going to the extremes of either minimizing the family or maximizing it rather then seeking to finds its true area of authority as set out in scripture.  One last aspect with regards to the church as in institution set up by God Dan deal with was that of the error in far too many church of not having a plurality in leadership.

Dan then spoke on how the church is also universal in that it includes all the elect of God.  That all the elect are in the universal aspect of the church the bride of Christ (Matt 16:16-18; Heb 12:22-24).  Thus when we speak of the body of Christ in a universal manner we speak of the body of Christ as all those that have and will believe. 

The last aspect Dan spoke on was the church as a local body meeting together.  This is also known as the visible church.  This gathering is for more than simply to gather but is about building up people to do the work of God.  As the visible/local church gathers it does so with a dual purpose, first being to worship God corporately and to glorify Him in that gathering.  Secondly the church gathers to teach men and women to glorify God.  As part of this look at the local church, which was too short due to time, was to ask the question: When is a Church a Church.  As part of an answer Dan shared what Calvin had said:  There is the preaching of the word, the sacraments are rightly administered and discipline is carried out.  I would personally add, and Dan may have gone here if time had allowed, that the church is governed as God’s word defines.

This was a good talk and much more could have been said.  We live in a day and age where it seems more and more what the church is and how it is to function is defined more by the culture it is within than what God’s word declares.  We need to return to the sufficiency of scripture to define what and how the church is.

The Sufficiency of Scripture in the Disciplemaking ministry of the church and the Home – Voddie Baucham

This last talk, not including the closing comments by Scott Brown and Doug Phillips, looked at the synergy of the church and home in disciplemaking. To look at this Voddie Baucham looked at Titus 1 and 2 to see that God has given us; godly mature men and women in the church, godly manly elders, and godly biblically functioning homes.

The first of these he looked at was that of godly mature men and women in the church and focused on Titus 2:1-5. Verses 2 and 3 speak to godly men who have walked with God over time.  It is not just about age, but age and action in character formed over time.  Verse 2 gives the character traits of older men that are sanctified by His spirit over time.  Traits such as self control which is actually being controlled by God and thus yielding to the control of God.  Another trait is that of being sound in faith.  This is a man that is to lead others but sadly this all to often does not happen unless a person thinks they are called ministry.  Other traits that are found in V2 are to be sound in love and being steadfast.

Voddie then turned to looking at V3-5 of Titus 2 which says much the same about women.  According to this section of scripture women are to be reverent in behavior through their time with God and their words are not to be slanderous.  Among other characteristics women are not to controlled by outward influences such as wine  and is to speak so as to impart biblical wisdom – “teach what is good.”  The women of the church are also to teach younger women which while followed with many things is tied to the end of V5 – so that the word of God will not be reviled.

Having godly mature men and women in the church is just the first aspect of discipling in the church.  This aspect is to be such that it raises up godly men and women in the church who will in turn raise up others that will be godly and mature.  Based on this we need to do what we can to be around God’s people in His church even if it is to move or start a church.

Next, Voddie dealt with the issue of godly, manly elders by looking at Titus 1.  Voddie shared that Titus 2:2 does not give a list of characteristics as were given for women in 2:3-5 because the Titus 1 list for elders in essence is a list for all men and thus no list is needed in Titus 2.  We also see that in 1 Peter 5 elders are to be examples to the flock so again whatever list is given for elders is applicable to the men of the church.  In Titus 1:5-9 gives us some of those characteristics such as needing faithful children since leadership starts in the home.  The list of characteristics then moves to those of character such as being above approach.  Again, these characteristics given are a picture of not just a godly manly elder but also are the same characteristics men are to seek after in general.

The last area covered was that of a biblically functioning home (Titus 1:10-11).  What is stressed is that of protecting the home as the importance of the home to the church is critical.  The home is to be a place to saturate with the word of God so that when they come to the corporate gathering of the church they are ready to be equipped.

These three aspects of the disciplemaking ministry of the church build up continuously so that there is complete saturation.  We need all three aspects so as to build a healthy family and a healthy Church and to have families and churches that most glorify God.  As usual Voddie reveals his passion in his sermons and that passion for God’s church needs to be a passion we all have.

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference - Summary of Sessions 12 & 13 (12/12)

The Sufficiency of Scripture and Family Integration – Kevin Swanson

If you have ever seen, or heard, Kevin Swanson speak you know that he is passionate about whatever it is he talks about and this time was no exception.  He spoke on the family with a focus on education/discipleship.  He shared that how we educate our children will influence the nation.  It was not long ago, 1844, that the Supreme Court made a decision that argued against the establishment of the first secular school but today the fight is to do anything but educate in a secular school.

Kevin said that we may ask why faith is dying in the western world and shared that there are a number of answers.  One of he major causes is our educational system that is antagonistic to God.  Another cause is a dualism that exists among professing believers.  This dualism creates; a separation of faith and practice, separation of the spiritual and secular,  and a removal of the fear of God from all of life and in every subject.  Also faith is dying because people are separating equation and discipleship.

Kevin Swanson’s looked at the motives for education and how this greatly effects the way we educate our children.  Sadly most homeschoolers, professing believers included, motives for educating at home are to get their children to a good college so as to get a good job and make good money.  He spoke on how our motivation should be a focus on the character of the child and to prepare them for the correct city – The City of God and not The City of Man.  Often we just need to put aside “education” so that we can focus on what God desires and seek His word for direction.

In speaking on God’s word and education Kevin shared how the book of Proverbs is a whole book on education with a focus on character. We need to follow this lead and be focused on teaching our children wisdom and knowledge as God’s word reveals.  Proverbs 1:7 is the most important basic lesson on education as it speaks of knowledge beginning with the fear of God.  This type of starting point for education is not where secular schools begin but it is where Christians MUST start.  All subjects must be taught with the fear of God as the beginning and this relates to all subjects.

The natural conclusion from all of this is that the government school system cannot do what God calls for.  The conclusion that we should see from this talk is that if we are to rely on God’s word as sufficient for directing the discipleship of our family we cannot let others take this responsibility.  Not only are we to be responsible but we need to take charge of the discipleship of our children as directed by God’s word.

As usual Kevin Swanson made his point and made it emphatically.


The Sufficiency of Scripture for the importance of the Sabbath – Dan Horn

Dan Horn, an elder at Hope Baptist Church, spoke at one of the breakout sessions on the Christian Sabbath.  This is a subject that irks many as if one says the Sabbath is still commanded of us to keep today the usual cry is one of legalism.  But as Dan Horn shared it is not for us to decide this issue by feelings or culture but it needs to be discerned by the word of God itself.

Dan looked at the picture of the church as the bride of Christ and that the Sabbath is a call to spend time with our Husband.  That the church has by in large abandoned the Sabbath is a sign of effectively being divorced from God.  Dan shared also that we need to not confuse simply showing up for a couple hours on Sunday with observing the Sabbath.  Again, the Sabbath is about spending the day with our Husband as His bride the church.

Mr. Horn then dealt with what God is showing us in the Sabbath.  The focus of the Sabbath is not work and rest but the holiness of the day.  How we deal with work and rest are important but they are part of the Sabbath not its focus.  We need to also see that the Sabbath is a sign that God has sanctified us to Himself and points to God’s holiness.  He also shared how God sets the patterns for our days and God is the one that set it apart and thus so should we.  We should also see that the 4^th commandment proclaims God’s sovereignty over time and the calendar.  From all of this we need to see the Sabbath as a blessing not a curse.

Dan Ford also shared that when we go into the world on the Sabbath we tell the world much about what we think of God, that God is not over all days but we are.  We need to remember every week Who and What God is and What God is over thus to keep it holy is to remember that it is a Holy day because of God.  Dan reminded us that it is not just about what we do or do not do but about what God has done.  Keeping the Sabbath tells the world we trust God to provide as well as telling people we trust God for all things and obey because He is God.

Dan did share some of the practical outworking of observing the Sabbath in speaking on how not to pollute the Sabbath.  One of these ways is to not work, to not do what could be done on another day.  However, works of mercy are valid on the Sabbath as the Sabbath is itself a sign of mercy.  One other aspect of observing the Sabbath is that of taking part in no buying and selling.  As a conclusion we need understand that to see the Sabbath as a punishment is to pollute it – we need to desire the Sabbath. 

I think this is one of the harder subjects to broach as it so often goes against natural desires.  We need to seek out God’s word for our desires so that they coincide with what God wants us to desire.  One of those areas is to observe the Sabbath as god calls us to observe it.  Dan has written a book on this subject: Sanctified By God: A Call to Keep the Christian Sabbath

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference - Summary of Sessions 10 & 11 (12/11)

Session 10 - Scripture is Sufficient for Ministry to Youth – Scott Brown

Scott Brown spoke on Youth Ministry and how we are to see it in light of the sufficiency of scripture.  The issue is not that the Bible does not say that we need to care for youth it is just that modern youth ministry is blind to what scripture says about ministry to youth.  Due to this there is a form of youth ministry that is harmful but to critique the modern youth ministry movement is not to say there were no successes.  There are youth ministries that seek to foster godliness in youth and that are not all about fun and games but this does not mean they are biblical.  The end does not justify the means. 

The issue with modern youth ministry is that it by its actions and often its words does not see God’s word as sufficient for defining ministry to youth.  Throughout the 20th Century the church has adopted a programmatic age segregated method of youth ministry.  The effects of this move in modern youth ministry is at an emergency level and this calls for a great response.

Scott Brown then spoke about the biblical record on youth ministry.  Ministry to youth is a well developed theme in scripture and shows the consequences of the  neglect of youth ministry (Judges 2:10-11).  The stress of Scott Brown’s talk was that ministry to youth must conform to scriptural patterns and commands and that the family has the primary responsibility for ministry to youth – especially fathers (Mal 4:6).  The Church also has specific duties for youth ministry and has been designed by God to minister to youth in His manner.  Contrary to the modern youth movement in the church the youth are to be seen as members and thus should not be segregated as they are now.

As far as the content of the instruction in biblical ministry to youth we need to see what scripture specifies.  The focus needs to include the supremacy of God and should lead people away from ungodly culture rather than to it as modern youth ministry has a penchant to do.  Another aspect is that generational faithfulness is to be emphasized in biblical ministry to youth.

Also covered in Scott Brown’s talk was to speak about the characteristics of modern youth ministry.  Significant financial resources and personnel are dedicated to it.  Also, modern youth ministry has created its cottage industries that also hamper changes in its functions due to the jobs and money involved.  Another characteristic is that often church leaders set aside the commands of God for church and family life in order to grow their youth ministry.

Some of the effects of modern youth ministry include fathers being eliminated from the ministry to youth.  Also worldly practices are employed to popularize it and cultural fragmentation is used to unify it.  The result of all of this is biblical evangelistic impotence.

The conclusion is that we need to replace the Modern Youth Ministry with the biblical view of youth ministry, a youth ministry derived from God’s word and not from our own inclinations.  All too often this is a very touchy area of conversation because so much effort has been expended and to admit it is a failure and that the whole idea of how we are to minister to youth must change elicits emotional responses.  But something has to be done and that something needs to be derived from God’s word and must start with family and the church.  It will not be easy to change but it has to start somewhere and it needs to start now.

Scott Brown also spoke about a documentary/movie they are working on that will be coming out in 2010 that would deal with youth ministry.


Session 11 - The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Gospel – Paul Washer
As usual Paul Washer’s sermon was passionate.  He spoke to the youth of the gathering primarily but the message was equally applicable to all present..  He spoke of how the youth were well behaved, well dressed but this did not matter if Christ was not an all consuming passion of theirs.  He shared that the externals they may have relied on cannot hide sin and we need to realize this.

Paul basically spoke on the reality of sin and the nature of the heart so that we see how great Christ’s work was.  He shared about how embarrassed we would be if our sin was shown on a screen to those around us and asked the question if we are embarrassed that God sees all our sin.

On speaking about sin Paul Washer worked to give the picture of sin that we need to have.  A view that sin is a stench and only God can deal with that stench through the cross and the washing of our heart by the blood of Jesus Christ.  No works can cleanse the heart.  With this view of sin we need to ask what we long for – our lifestyle or Christ.

Paul Washer then spoke on Romans 3:10–12 &19 and that none of us are righteous in ourselves.  Thus, looking back to his initial comments to the youth, he related how it is not about externals but about the heart and who we seek.  He stressed that since no works, no matter how good they are perceived as being,  can reconcile us to God and it is this that strips us of any hope in the flesh and thus our only hope is in Christ.

In whole the sermon was one that was to lead to a focus on Christ not self and to truly realize the great gift of grace  that God has bestowed on us when there is nothing in us to deserve it.

This was a good end to long day and great teaching.

Contact Form Has Not Worked Correctly

If anyone has tried to contact me through the “Contact Me” tab I apologize for not responding. It appears my account with Kontactr did not get set up correctly as the emails never went through. I just checked it and it seems to be working now. Again I apologize if you have tried to contact me.

God is with Us

I had not intended to have a special sermon this past Lord’s Day for Christmas. My views on celebrating Christmas have changed over the years, that is a subject for a differ post, so I figured I would simply continue on in Genesis and look at Genesis 28:10-22 and Jacob’s Dream. Well, as I was doing my final review of the sermon on Saturday and then Sunday morning it occurred to me that the “God is with Us” theme is part of this passage. That is the message we need to remember all year long not just once a year.

As I read the front page of the Sunday morning paper there was an article about a family that cared for the homeless and the paper boldly proclaimed that this was what the season was all about. As great as it is that people would care for those who do not have that is not the reason to celebrate the incarnation. The reason for the incarnation was for God to be with Us in His Son. Moses message to the Hebrews as they prepared to cross the Jordon and the message to us as we journey in the City of Man is that God is with us. Jacob needed to be reminded that God was with him wherever he was and we need to remember that God is with us as His people wherever we are. We need to not simply see God as “for us” but that He is that and just as important “He is with us.”

For those that celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense keep this in mind as the externalities of this time of year vie for your affections. For those that do not celebrate Christmas as many do let us not for the sake of avoiding Christmas forget this message that we are to carry with us daily. Jacob was not given his dream by God for informational purposes; it was to change his life. We are not to read about his dream for informational purposes as it is to change our lives as if we had the dream ourselves.

Let us never forget that if we are one of God’s children through His electing grace God is with us no matter the circumstances. No matter what goes on in the world God will not forsake us or leave us. It is truly a message of victory to know that “God is with Us” and not just a victory spiritually but it is a victory in every aspect of life. Let us live as such. The martyrs of the past died knowing this and did not let their circumstances influence this great truth so let us also not let the circumstances that surround us hinder us living out this great truth.

If you would like to hear this past Lord’s Day message here it is: Jacob’s Dream – God Is With Us

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference - Summary of Sessions 8 & 9 (12/11)

Session 8 - The Regulative Principle in Worship in the NT – Joseph Morecraft 
I missed the talk on the Regulative Principle (RP) and the OT but was able to make it to Pastor Morecraft’s talk on the RP and the NT.  This is an important subject as many in the church today think that how we worship God is not regulated by God and feel it is just important that we worship Him. 

Pastor Morecraft related that some object that the NT does not have a book of Leviticus with a detailed list of does and don’ts on worship and would say due to this worship is now open to interpretation and thus we have more freedom.  However this contradicts the NT view on the Sufficiency of Scripture for worship and also denies that the NT is clear on worship.  However the view of there being more freedom in NT worship sets up a barrier or wedge between the OT and NT that does not exist. 

Pastor Morecraft also looked at what we are to draw from there not being a book of Leviticus in the NT and that we actually have less freedom as we have much light and are more accountable.  He also related that NT worship is more simple but at the same time more powerful in its ordinances.  The Westminster Confession of Faith (CH7:6) speaks to simplicity yet a fullness of worship.  We see that worship is different in the OT and NT but the principle is the same as the symbolic embellishments are gone. We also looked at John 4:1-24 and Col 2:6-10, 16-23 to see how they related to the RP. 

At the end of the day we need to realize that the depravity of man necessitates God telling us how He is to be worshipped.  It is arrogant of us to think that we can worship God apart from how He calls us to worship Him in His word.  So as with most things ones view of SoS will drive how one views worship.  Let us realize that for us to worship God as He is to be worshipped we need to worship as He dictates.


Session 9 - Is the Sufficiency of Scripture a Biblical Doctrine – Joseph Morecraft
This summary is from a main session in which Pastor Morecraft spoke on the Sufficiency of Scripture as a Biblical Doctrine.  This is important since if we are to see scripture as sufficient it is scripture itself that should reveal this.  He started by sharing how Deut 4:1-9 tells us about the sufficiency of the OT for faith and practice and that Deut 12:32 builds on that as we see that we are to do all God calls us to do.

Pastor Morecraft then spoke on inerrancy which means that whatever the bible teaches as true on any subject is true and whatever the bible says happened, happened just as the bible describes it.  He then defined Sufficiency of Scripture by first saying that it does not mean that all we need to live the Christian life is the bible and the Holy Spirit and that is it.  We do need the church, teachers and books.  As it relates to the SoS the Bible is authoritative in all that it speaks on and it speaks on all things.  Also, It is the supreme judge on all things and our all sufficient authority for life and thought, being void of any deficiencies.  Due to all of this it is applicable to all things in life and speaks to every issue of the day and provides the only workable solutions.

Pastor Morecraft then went on to go over a number of verse that speak to the Sufficiency of Scripture:

- Psalm 19:8

- Psalm 36:9

- Psalm 119:105

- Psalm 119:128

- Prov 30:5-6

- Is 8:19-20

- Matt 28:18-20

- 2 Tim 3:16-17

- 2 Peter 1:3

- 1 John 2:20-27

- Rev 22:18-19

Many think that the battle for the inerrancy of scripture is all we need to fight for.  But if one simply stops there they stop short of the scriptures call to see it as sufficient.  We need to avoid the autonomy our flesh so desires and see the need to rely on God and His word to direct our lives by His power.

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference - Summary of Sessions 6 & 7 (12/11)

Session 6 - The Sufficiency of Scripture - English Bible Translations - Bill Einwechter
 In this session William Einwechter spoke on English Bible translations and issues relating to them.  Mr. Einwechter spoke on the languages used for the Old  and New Testaments and how they are the final place we go as a church when there are questions in English translations.

He then spoke of the doctrines of Verbal Plenary Inspiration of Scripture and the doctrine of the Providential Verbal Preservation of the Scriptures as they apply to seeking a faithful translation.  This is key to finding the best English translation to use.

The next topic concerned to principles and philosophies of translation as this is important when seeking to find an English translation that is the closet to the original languages. The two main philosophies are the formal equivalent philosophy and the dynamic equivalent approach.  The formal equivalent seeks to be as word for word accurate as possible to the original languages while the dynamic equivalent is focused on relating the meaning of a text rather than dealing with the individual words.  Examples of formal equivalent translations are the KJV, NKJV, NASB and ESV.  While an example of the dynamic equivalent are the NIV, Message among others. 

As time was running out Mr. Einwechter only spoke briefly on textual criticism as it relates to the original Greek texts used in English translations.  Mr. Einwechter shared that he did not hold to the KJV as being inspired but did feel the Textus Receptus was a more accurate text than the Majority Text used for the newer translations and thus makes the KJV the best English translation.  It was unfortunate that he was not able to finish as this was to me a critical point as a translation can be an excellent English translation but if it is from a less than excellent original text it will still be flawed.  So this is an area I need to spend more time in.  One resource shared was a book by Mr. Einwechter called: English Bible Translations: By What Standard. 

Session 7 - The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Law of Nations - Doug Philips 
Doug Philips spoke on the law of God and how it relates to all of life and even to nations.  He spoke on how one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a love for the law of God.  This love for the law is not about legalism but about seeking God for His direction and not ourselves.  The alternative to God’s law is chaos.

Mr. Phillips also shared what he calls the Law Pyramid:

1. At the top is the Greatest Commandment which is he defining law from which all laws proceed.
2. The next level down is the Ten Commandments which are basic law declarations which proceed from the greatest Commandment.
3. At the bottom of the pyramid is the Case Law which are illustrations of the basic principles in terms of specific cases.

He then gave an example as to how the case laws which are so easily dismissed by many actually do have application today and are included in many of the laws we rely on daily.

Mr., Philips also showed how even the Ten Commandments can be seen in the garden:

- We are to worship and obey God alone

- Do not establish physical things as God

- Do not conspire with those who vainly use the name of God

- They rested on the Sabbath

- They were to honor the heavenly father

- So not do that which leads to the killing of humanity

- Marriage is sacred

- Do not testify falsely
- Neither steal nor covet that which is not yours

Mr. Philips also related that we need to realize that every legal system reflects the religion of that place.  As an example of the law of God being the law of a country Massachusetts took much of Deuteronomy and in many ways inserted it into its law books.  Blackstone adamantly tied God’s law to man’s law and that it is not to be any other way.  Since man due to sin is corrupt we can only rely on God and His Law-Word. 

While objections are put forth for not using the law of God as the law of nations there is no viable substitution given.  We are called to disciple/teach all nations all things including God’s law and this cannot be done if we feel God’s law does not apply.

This is often a controversial subject so it was good to hear this spoken of so openly since how we as believers view God’s law says much about how we view God.  Our choices are God’s law or autonomy and unfortunately many today in the professing church choose the later.