Getting to know each other
Since we have so many people who not only frequent this blog, but also post, I thought it would be good for us to take an oppertunity to get familiar with each other. I know that these tests are not always acurate, but I did find this particular one helpful. It seems to ask the right questions. Anyway, here is my profile. Click on this link, take the test, get the code and then post yours in a response below so that we can see yours! It is really easy.
Notice, I am an “Orignator, Intellectual.” Oh yeah. I am telling my wife.
Do Roger Olson and I Worship the Same God?
You may be surprised to know that my series of blogs this week was inspired by Roger Olson, a man I respect very deeply. Although I don’t agree with him on many theological issues concerning salvation and theology proper, his scholarship, winsome writing style, and clarity about the importance of understanding theology irenically and historically have deeply impacted my thought and general approach to theological issues. Olson is a professor of theology at Truitt Theological Seminary. I use his textbook Mosaic of Christian Belief in The Theology Program. We had him as a guest on Converse with Scholars just a few months ago to discuss his book on Arminian theology. The primary reason why I appreciate Olson is because he often represents balance and calmness in theological issues. If you are in my profession, these traits are hard to find.
This is why I was surprised to read his response to John Piper about Minnesota bridge collapse. I did not find the Olson that I have come to know and love. Their was hardly an irenic word on the page. It was as if he had never heard of Calvinism’s belief in the sovereignty of God. His comments were defensive and very emotionally charged. Granted, he is an Arminian who does not agree with the tendencies in Calvinism to see God as one who is in charge of all things, even the most atrocious events of evil. This is understandable. While I disagree with Olson on this issue, it is not this disagreement that encouraged me to write the “Do ____ _____ and I have the Same God?” series. It was Olson’s implication that the God of Calvinism (my God) and the God of Arminianism (his God) might be different. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 20th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Theology Proper, Calvinism, Current Issues in Theology | 52 Comments »Historical Renewal Friday: Gilbert Tennent
Provided by
D.A. LaGue
In 1741, a Colonial minister confronted the established clergy with this piercing question; ‘Do you a minister of Christ; know Christ in your own heart?’ He would go on to infuse new life into the pulpits of colonial America, challenging ministers to move from dead orthodoxy to living reality.
Gilbert Tennent was born on February 5th, 1703, in Northern Ireland. Gilbert’s father, William Tennent, came to the colonies in 1718 and gained recognition as a gifted Presbyterian pastor and teacher. Concerned about the growing number of Presbyterians and the lack of competent pastors, William Tennent established a small school for training ministers in a log cabin on the farm he owned in Bucks County. During the following decade, many Presbyterian ministers were educated in this ‘Log College,’ which became the forerunner of Princeton Seminary. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 20th, 2007 | Filed under Ministry, Church History, Historical Renewal | 1 Comment »Do Clark Pinnock and I Worship the Same God?
I am sure that most of you are not quite as familiar with Clark Pinnock as you are with Joel Osteen. Seeing as how the conversation concerning the possible distinction between Osteen’s God and my God was quite popular and produced some good reflection, I thought that I would take it to the next level and ask the same question about Clark Pinnock. Do Clark Pinnock and I worship the same God?
Clark Pinnock is an advocate of what has popularly become known as “Open Theism” (sometimes “Neotheism” or “free-will theism”). Open theism is a theological system which surfaced within evangelicalism in the mid-nineties. Essentially, it reinterprets the nature of God. Where in Classical Theism God is eternal and unchanging, in Open Theism God is bound by time and can change. Being timebound limits His knowledge according to Open Theists. Yes, God remains omniscient (all-knowing), but only in the sense that He knows only that which can be known. The future cannot be known, therefore God does not know the future. Hense the future is “open” to God. It is not settled. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 20th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Theology Proper, Current Issues in Theology | 33 Comments »Do Joel Osteen and I Worship the Same God?
What a presumptuous question, right? The presumption is in the fact that I would even pose such a question. The question itself presumes that I might answer in the negative. What is wrong with you Michael? Why take off your irenic t-shirt with the quote from Rodney King on the back? Why do you now shod the polemic boots of battle? What would possess you to ask such a question?
Calm down. It is just a question. But your are right. The presumption behind the question does evidence my uncertainty as to its answer. I was listening to Osteen last night. He was very pleasant and had a lot of nice things to say. For the most part, except for his interjections of the word ”God” here and there, his speech was a typical motivational speech. He did not use the Bible, but he attempted to give the impression that he was. He held it in his hand the entire time. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 19th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Culture, Theology Proper, Current Issues in Theology | 50 Comments »What if we found the original New Testament but did not know it? (Part 2)
These four criteria reveal that absolutely no original New Testament manuscripts have been discovered. So, let’s do a little speculating. What if some manuscripts were found that did fit all of these criteria? Should we regard them as authentic, as the long-lost originals of the books of the New Testament? Not necessarily. If such a manuscript were discovered—a single book, written on a scroll, paleographically dated to the first century, with a change in handwriting toward the end of the book—it could possibly be a very early copy of a New Testament book. The strongest argument for authenticity would be the change in handwriting, yet even here some scribe could emulate the apostle’s style out of respect or to show how carefully the original was copied. I would probably want to see two or perhaps even three or four other evidences of authenticity.
Theology Unplugged: “Marks of a False Church” (What is the “True” Church #6)
What is the “True” church? #5
What is the definition of a true church? Here we will continue our discussion of what a legitimate church.
Published by C Michael Patton on September 17th, 2007 | Filed under Evangelicalism, Ecclesiology (Church), Roman Catholicism, Denominations | 5 Comments »Calvinists often make the worst Calvinists
Labels are a postmodern taboo. This is understandable. Once you are labeled something, you live under the presumptions of the system that has been typified by others. This representation may or may not be accurate. Unfortunately, the inaccuracies inevitably rule the label.
Republican: War lover. Does not care about the environment. Apathetic to social issues.
Democrat: Liberal. Godless. Weak. Immoral.
Roman Catholic: Worships Mary. Ignorant.
Evangelical: Fundamentalist. Gay hater. Supports the killing of abortion doctors. Republican (see above).
Baptist: Can’t drink, dance, or smoke. Prideful.
Dispensationalist: Believes in two ways of salvation, one for the Old Testament and one for the new. Cares only about eschatology.
DTS Grads: Dispensationalist (see above). 
OU Sooners: The best ever. Supernatural. Incredible. (Oh, wait . . . this is all true)
Emerging church: Cursing. Compromise doctrine. Nose rings. Disrespectful.
Arminian: Humanistic. Denies God’s sovereignty. Pelagian.
Calvinist: Follower of a man. Believes God hates the non-elect. Denies free will. Denies responsibility. Believes God created evil. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 16th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Calvinism | 26 Comments »Tension in Calvinism - tension in the Christian faith
Since the blog “The Day I Became a Calvinist“ is way too long, I thought that I would take a very good question concerning the tension that Calvinism allows and post it along with my answer here. I guess it is Calvinism week here at Parchment and Pen!
_____________________________________
Michael . . . Please explain the statement, “The point is that Calvinism is the only system that allows tension.”
How does Calvinism allow for tension? I am trying, I just cannot see it.
I do see both sides of the issue and really appreciate why people struggle and fall out on both sides trying very hard to stay true to the text. Yet, I still cannot understand how Calvinism allows for tension.
___________________________
My answer:
Calvinism is the only system that can allow for tension. I am not saying that all Calvinists do. Some, for example, will deny God’s universal love to resolve the tension concerning God’s love and His unconditional election. But the most respectable Calvinists that I know of do not. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 15th, 2007 | Filed under Soteriology, Calvinism | 23 Comments »Friday Night Odds and Ends
Christianity Today links to Reclaiming the Mind (ETS Papers).
The Theology Program started this week: We have a great group. If you would still like to enroll, you can. Go here. (God is calling to you to join.)
Parchment and Pen sister blog: The Submerging Influence is now open. Sorry to Euangelion for taking their name for so long Hey . . . its a good name. By the way, from what I have seen Euangelion is a great blog. Worth a look.
Blog of the week: Tom in the Box. This is theological satire at its best. How does this guy come up with all this stuff? Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 14th, 2007 | Filed under Odds 'n Ends | 7 Comments »Historical Renewal Friday: Absalom Jones
Provided by
D.A. LaGue
As a group of African-Americans knelt for morning prayers in 1787, ushers tapped them on the shoulder and demanded that they move to the balcony so as not to mingle with white members. Outraged, they refused to comply and walked out of the church service. Within this group was a former slave that would become the first African American Episcopal priest in the newly formed United States of America.
Absalom Jones was born a slave in Sussex, Delaware, on November 6th, 1746. As a small child, he served as a house servant. By doing additional jobs, he saved enough money to buy a primer, a spelling book, and a New Testament and taught himself to read. In 1762, his family was split apart as his mother, five brothers and sister were sold to different masters. Jones was taken from rural Delaware to the urban setting of Philadelphia. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by D.A. LaGue on September 14th, 2007 | Filed under Church History, Historical Renewal | Comment now »What If We Found The Original New Testament But Did Not Know It?
Scholars today often note that the original New Testament disappeared long ago. Although late in the second century, Tertullian speaks confidently of the originals still existing, his reliability has been discredited. Even if he were right, that would hardly mean that the original documents still exist today. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by Dan Wallace on September 13th, 2007 | Filed under Text Criticism, New Testament, Dan Wallace - Contra Mundane | 10 Comments »Good Exegesis Does not Always Produce Good Theology
I know an Old Testament professor who is an exegete, but not a theologian. Let me put this better. I know an Old Testament professor who is so good at exegesis, he does not bother with theology.
Being a Hebrew exegete, this professor deals only with the Old Testament. When talking about particular issues in the Old Testament, he will almost never speak about the broader theological implications of the particular passage. He is so concerned with what the author was saying then, to his audience, that the now seems to have alluded his concern. Unfortunately, exegesis without theology is like a computer without an operating system. It cannot be used. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 13th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Hermeneutics | 21 Comments »The Day I Became a Calvinist
There are a few things that people never forget. The details of certain tragedies and trials stay by your side and the vivid details remind you of their significance. People remember where they were when the planes hit the World Trade Centers. I was leaving for work and glanced at the TV. People remember where they were when the first space-shuttle exploded. I was in eighth grade down by the snack machine getting Bugles. I remember where I was when I was told about my sisters death. I was driving down 635 just passing Preston Rd. I remember where I was when I was told about my mothers aneurysm. I was sitting on the couch on the middle cushion with cereal in my mouth. We remember certain events because of their significance. Unfortunately, most of these are tragic. It is funny to bring this up in this context, but most Christians remember where they were when they first heard about God’s election - predestination. Read the rest of this entry »
The Submerging Influence
Published by C Michael Patton on September 12th, 2007 | Filed under Blogs | 1 Comment »
Theology Unplugged: “Marks of a False Church” (What is the “True” Church #5)
What is the “True” church? #5
What is the definition of a true church? Here we will continue our discussion of what a legitimate church. We will also ask Is the Catholic Church a cult? In particular this time we will talk about the first two marks of a false church:
1. Radical Exclusivism
This is where the question Is the Catholic Church a cult? comes in. Radical Exclusivism is evidenced by those churches who claim that it is only in their denomination or tradition that salvation can be found. They have all the right answers, right practices, and right ordinances/sacraments. Once this is claimed then the institution itself becomes the determining factor of salvation. Ironically, as we argue in the broadcast, this is a mark of a false church.
2. Radical Inclusivism
Radical Inclusivism is just the opposite of Radical Exclusivism. Here you will find a “no holds barred” approach to the church. People can be a part of this type of church irregardless of their confession or practice. It is the church of the open door where toleration is the primary virtue. This, again, is a mark of a false church as we argue.
Published by C Michael Patton on September 10th, 2007 | Filed under Evangelicalism, Ecclesiology (Church), Roman Catholicism, Theology Unplugged | 21 Comments »What happened to the twelve apostles?
I have spent much time researching the deaths of the Apostles, looking at both primary and secondary historical resources. There are many legends concerning their deaths which makes the historical evidence hard to interpret since many times the accounts conflict with one another. Most early Christians wanted their home to be crowned with the stature of having been the final resting place of one of the twelve. It is probably for this reason that there were embellishments forged.
It is hard to sift through the wheat and the chaff. Some are credible and some are not. The basic thing we need to know is that the martyrdom of some of the Apostles is more certain than others. Historians will have different degrees of certainty concerning the circumstances of their deaths. For instance, unbiased historians will not take issue with the martyrdom of Peter, Paul, and James the Apostle because of strong historical evidence. Many of the other accounts have decent historic validity as well. Some accounts, however, raise the eyebrow and cause the honest historian to remain agnostic. However, if all the accounts are true and boiled down to their least common denominator, it is very feasible and likely that all but one of the Apostles suffered and died a martyr’s death, even if we can’t be sure of the exact details. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 9th, 2007 | Filed under New Testament, Apologetics | 13 Comments »The New Theology Program Site
Check out The Theology Program’s new online certificate student’s site.
You can still enroll. Online classes begin Tuesday. The cost is $100 per course. for those of you who cannot afford this, we do have a limited number of scholarships available from generous donors. Email us for more information.
Published by C Michael Patton on September 9th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, The Theology Program, Theological News, Reclaiming the Mind Ministry | Comment now »ETS Theological Library is Now Complete
Its finally complete!!! The RMM Theological Library.
Hundreds of theological papers online and available for search and download. These are papers from the past 5 years of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) annual meeting. Although RMM does not endorse the contents of all these papers, they are great for study, research, digging deeper, broadening your perspectives, and getting up to speed on current issues in theology. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 9th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Ministry Updates | 8 Comments »Is Natural Revelation Also God’s Word?
Is natural revelation God’s word? Or does Scripture only qualify for such a title? In other words, when nature speaks clearly about something can we say that this represents the voice of God to the same degree as Scripture?
Natural revelation is God’s communication through creation. It is seen in the vast expanse of the universe and in the minute details of the human cell. It is found in the very consciousness of humanity and in our capacity for rational and analytic thought. Nature tells us much about the attributes and character of God. While, without the Scriptures we would lack an understanding of God’s ultimate plan of redemption and Christian living, we would still have quite a bit of theological understanding.
Historical Renewal Friday: Henrietta Mears
Provided by
D.A. LaGue
A Sunday school teacher full of energy and contagious enthusiasm would stamp an indelible mark on 
twentieth-century Christian education and motivate hundreds of young adults to become pastors, teachers and missionaries around the world.
Dr. Henrietta Mears, was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1890, the youngest of seven children. From an early age she struggled with her eyesight and doctors told her mother that she would be blind by the age of thirty. However, Mears was convinced God had a purpose for her life so she read, studied and memorized large portions of Scripture in case her eyesight failed. Against the advice of her physicians, she enrolled in classes at the University of Minnesota. She graduated with honors with her eyesight still intact due to her determination to keep reading to a minimum through memorization. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by D.A. LaGue on September 7th, 2007 | Filed under Ministry, Historical Renewal | 6 Comments »The Evangelical Epidemic of Theological Accountability and Discipline
No one likes to be told they are wrong. Correction and critique are things we go out of our way to avoid. Those who can ask the tough questions about your life, probing deep when they suspect some spiritual sickness, are not often not welcome friends. We don’t pick up the phone when they call. We avoid them at work. We don’t return their emails. Why? Because they can tell us the skinny about our life and we don’t want to hear it. We are prideful people who, like the priest, choose to walk far around the problems in our life, and we ask others to do the same.
As problematic as this mentality is with regards to things having to do with moral integrity, I believe that the problem is just as severe with regards to theological integrity. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 6th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Christian Life, Current Issues in Theology, Church History | 31 Comments »The Gospel of the Young Earth
Are young earth creationists actually leading people away from the Gospel? This is not necessarily the argument that made by Vance McAllister at the Euangelion blog, but he does bring up some very good points. In a blog well entitled “Creation v. Evolution: the danger of misplaced dogmatism,” Vance challenges readers to consider the debate from a more philosophical perspective. He writes:
I want to remove the stumbling block to the Gospel message that is being created by a dogmatic presentation of Creationism. Not the belief in a young earth and creation without evolution per se, but the “either/or” teaching that comes with it. I am not here to argue for an old earth or evolution, necessarily, but against the false dichotomy that so often comes along with Creationism. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 4th, 2007 | Filed under Creation/Evolution | 177 Comments »
Why History Matters
You’re all familiar with the adage, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” originally uttered by the Spanish poet-philosopher, George Santayana. We all know that history is important for this reason. But what about unrepeatable history? What about one-time events that have shaped the way we think today? If we forget them, are we bound to repeat the unrepeatable?I think for the Christian there is another reason why we should study history. It is simply that God manifested himself in history. Although God is outside of time and space, he invaded it, ultimately, decisively, and magnificently, in the person of Jesus Christ. The life Christ lived cannot be repeated. So, what if we forget about him? Are we bound to repeat his story? Read the rest of this entry »
Published by Dan Wallace on September 4th, 2007 | Filed under Inerrancy, Dan Wallace - Contra Mundane, Church History | 12 Comments »
Theology Unplugged: What is the “True” Church #4
What is the “True” church? #4
What are the essential components that are necessary for a local church to be a local church? Do you have to have a sermon? Sunday School? a aulpit? A building? A cross? Join us as we continue to discuss the theology of a local church.
Published by C Michael Patton on September 3rd, 2007 | Filed under Evangelicalism, Ecclesiology (Church), Roman Catholicism | Comment now »
Recovering the Mind, Renovating the Soul, Restoring the Spirit’s Power
I’ve been reading J.P. Moreland’s superb book Kingdom Triangle, which was recently released by Zondervan. He begins with this true story by the missionary doctor to Zaire, Africa—Helen Roseveare. Though it’s a bit long for a blog, it is very inspiring.
One night, in Central Africa, I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all that we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying, two-year-old daughter.
We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive. We had no incubator. We had no electricity to run an incubator, and no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.
Published by Paul Copan on September 3rd, 2007 | Filed under Postmodernism, Prolegomena, Paul Copan, Christian Philosophy, Naturalism/Atheism, Books | 11 Comments »
The Best Theological Training on the Internet
It has been called “The best online theological education program, bar none.”
Published by C Michael Patton on September 2nd, 2007 | Filed under The Theology Program | 4 Comments »The time is now! You have considered it, feared it, and tested it, but now it is time to take the plunge. Enroll in The Theology Program today. Classes begin September 11. Read the rest of this entry »
Do I Believe in Inerrancy? It Depends . . .
I do believe in inerrancy. But maybe not how you define it. No, I am not trying to redefine anything, but the fact is that when it comes to this issue there is a spectrum of belief in those who confess the doctrine. I am sure, no absolutely sure, that there would be those out there would would see my view of inerrancy as a liberal compromise.
I remember when I first began to read the Gospels I was rather confused about the repetition of the story of Christ. I was further confused that there seemed to be many places where the same event was told in different ways, using different words, and sometimes with different people involved. Whether it was Christ’s encounter with the demoniacs (Luke 18:27ff; Matthew 8:28ff) or the words written above the cross (Mark 15:26; Mark 19:19), there were differences. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on September 1st, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Inerrancy, Bibliology, Hermeneutics | 55 Comments »
My View of Dispensationalism: Progressive Covenantalism
I am a dispensationalist . . . I think. Below is my explanation of my view. While the term “Progressive Covenantalism” suggests a hybrid between Covenant Theology and Progressive Dispensationalism, it is not really meant to. My view is simply Progressive Dispensationalism with two changes: 1) The emphasis is on the continuity brought about by the single covenant of redemption, not made between the members of the Trinity (as in Covenant Theology), but between God and mankind, represented by Adam. 2) The change of name. I don’t like the word “dispensationalism.” Sadly, it has lost its effectiveness due to the increadible amount of misrepresentation due to ignorance of its history and development. Therefore, I think it should be superseded (oh yeah, how was that for a play on words my young replacement theologians?). Anyway, here is a brief video clip describing what Progressive Covenantalism is. I have inserted the charts so that you can see them better. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 31st, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Dispensationalism | 11 Comments »
Historical Renewal Friday: William Wilberforce
Provided by
D.A. LaGue
Can a man be a Christian and a politician? This question plagued a rising member of the English parliament in 1785, as the young politician contemplated how he should live out his newfound faith.
William Wilberforce was born in 1759 in Hull, England. He was raised in a wealthy home, educated at Cambridge and won his first seat in Parliament at 21 years of age. Although small in appearance and plagued with physical difficulties, he was a gifted and persuasive speaker and was soon known as ‘the nightingale of the House of Commons.’ By the age of 24, he was already a powerful force in the British government. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by D.A. LaGue on August 30th, 2007 | Filed under Church History, Historical Renewal | 3 Comments »
Can Doctrine Develop? An Important Issue that Divides Protestants, Orthodox, and Catholics
How can Protestants justify their belief in sola fide (salvation by faith alone) when it does not seem to be existent prior to the sixteenth century? How do Catholics explain their belief in the Assumption of Mary when it was not dogmatized until the twentieth century? How do Orthodox justify their under-developed and often unbiblical beliefs concerning the atonement?
During the recording of Theology Unplugged today, Greg Cromartie (the ”muddying the water guy”) asked me a very difficult question that I have yet to make any definitive decision about. This should not surprise many of you knowing that there are many issues which I have yet to decide upon and many about which I assume that I, out of necessity, must be comfortable concerning my indecision until Christ comes. But the question touched on something that I feel is very important. Therefore, my indecision is an uncomfortable one. The issue has to do with the “doctrine of” the development of doctrine. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 30th, 2007 | Filed under Theology, Ecclesiology (Church), Questions and Answers, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Church History | 62 Comments »
Letting My Children Cry
My daughter Katelynn has always been as sharp as a whip. She loves to learn. At church, people used to get kicks out of her understanding of theological issues. When she was six she came to me and saw that I was reading the Greek New Testament and asked if she could learn. Within the month she started reading Greek. She has known the Gospel since she could listen. I watched a home video of her tonight. She was two-years-old. In the video I asked her where Jesus was and she pointed to the sky. Why? Because I told her that is where God is. She simply believed what I said.
Published by C Michael Patton on August 29th, 2007 | Filed under Personal (Michael Patton), Faith, Doubt | 9 Comments »
Has God Preserved the Scriptures? It Depends… (Part 2)
Published by Dan Wallace on August 28th, 2007 | Filed under Text Criticism, Bibliology, Dan Wallace - Contra Mundane | 18 Comments »
Theology Unplugged: What is the “True” Church #3
What is the “True” church? #3
What is the definition of a true church? Here we will continue our discussion of what a legitimate church. Are we supposed to “start” a church in order for a church to “true” or does church simply happen? In other words we pose the question of whether a local church is purely an intentional endeavor. With the obscurities concerning the “how to” of a local church in the New Testament, many have dogmatized a certain way to do church failing to recognize that it is the principles that ultimately matter, not so much the particular way which we implement those principles.
Published by C Michael Patton on August 27th, 2007 | Filed under Ecclesiology (Church), Theology Unplugged | 2 Comments »
Are We Condemned for the Sin of Another (Part 4: The Resolution)
Here is the situation: We are born with a propensity, bent, inclination to sin. Therefore, we cannot help but sin - it is our nature. Yet when we do act according to our nature and sin, we are held guilty by God and ultimately condemned to eternal punishment. Not only this, but we are already condemned for the sin of another - namely Adam - before we commit any personal sins. We are held guilty for something someone else did. Umm . . . Check please. I did not vote for this. I did not ask to be this way. I did not even have a chance. This seems unjust.
Published by C Michael Patton on August 27th, 2007 | Filed under Anthropology, Sin | 13 Comments »
Is Drinking a Mixed Drink a Sinful Compromise?
Sitting out on the back porch this evening with my mother, we watched a popular Baptist radio and television preacher teach on compromise. His lesson was a good lesson in principle. The basic thrust was taken from the story of Solomon. Solomon was given a promise that if he followed the Lord as his father David he would not lack a descendant on the throne of Israel. Yet Solomon compromised by disobeying God’s command and took many wives.
The preacher used this story wisely to explain the danger of compromise. Like any preacher, he had examples that would take the eternal principle of compromise and contextualize it for our day so that we might see the immediate danger that we face (since most of us don’t have the temptation to take too many wives!). Yet, the examples he gave evidenced the misplaced priorities of many in the church to misdirect the application of the principles to acts that in-and-of-themselves did not represent compromise. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 25th, 2007 | Filed under Folk Theology, Christian Life, Out on a limb | 23 Comments »
Mother Teresa’s Final Gift
As soon as I heard about the TIME (8-23-07) article, “Mother Teresa’s Crisis of Faith,” I commented to my husband that the publication of her personal letters telling of this decades-long “crisis” might very well become her greatest legacy. Then I read the article, which I discovered included a similar statement from Rev. James Martin, an editor of America, a Jesuit magazine. Speaking of her crisis, he comments: “It may be remembered as just as important as her ministry to the poor. It would be a ministry to people who had experienced some doubt, some absence of God in their lives.” Read the rest of this entry »
Published by Ruth Tucker on August 25th, 2007 | Filed under Suffering and Pain, Ruth Tucker | 6 Comments »
Friday Night Odds and Ends
1. I will finish my series on imputation on Monday.
2. Ben Witherington writes on authorial intent hermeneutics. His three basic guidelines: 1) It means what is means, not what you want it to mean or your presuppositions determine it means. 2) Context is king. No proof texting. This is one of the biggest interpretive problems in the church today. 3) Genre Matter. You have interpret according to the rules of engagement determined by the type of literature. Oh that people would embrace these principles. Here is an excerpt. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 24th, 2007 | Filed under Odds 'n Ends, Theological News, Site and Blog Plugs | 3 Comments »
Are we Condemned for the Sin of Another? (Part 3)
Continuing with our subject of the difficult doctrine of imputation, we now move to an interpretation of Romans 5. The question has come down to this: Is it possible that Adam’s sin has been credited or imputed to us in such a way that all men are born guilty of this sin of another before we ever exercise any personal sin. Evangelical Protestants and Catholics would say yes. Eastern Orthodox and Arminians would say no. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 23rd, 2007 | Filed under Anthropology, Sin | 3 Comments »
Historical Renewal Friday: Polycarp
Provided by
D.A. LaGue
In 155 A.D., an eighty-six year old man was brought out to the jeers of a crowded Roman arena. As he was about to be nailed to a pyre and burned at the stake, he told the soldiers, ‘Leave me as I am. The one who gives me the strength to endure the fire will also give me strength to stay quite still on the pyre, even without the precaution of your nails.’ Read the rest of this entry »
Published by D.A. LaGue on August 23rd, 2007 | Filed under Church History, Historical Renewal | 1 Comment »
Are we Condemned for the Sin of Another? (Part 2)
In the last post we discussed the problem of Original Sin, especially from an Evangelical Reformed perspective. Are we condemned for the sin of another. Let’s get some basic terminology down so that we can surf this wave with more balance.
Proposed three types of sin:
Personal Sin: Sins committed by the individual. All people have personal sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:10)
Inherited Sin: The physical and spiritual corruption which produces a bent and inclination toward sin and a natural enmity toward God (Eph. 2:3; John 8:44; Jer. 13:23; Ps. 51:5). This sin is mediated (inherited) directly from our parents.
Imputed Sin: God’s immediate declaration of guilt to every individual for the sin of Adam. This sin is “imputed” (or credited) to all people as if they had committed the sin.
Here is where the traditions fall with regards to these three. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 22nd, 2007 | Filed under Anthropology, Sin | 17 Comments »
New Intelligent Design Movie
Here is the trailer for the new Intelligent Design (ID) movie with Ben Stein. It looks like it is well done with a bit of humor that is going to drive many people mad. Get ready . . .Now, I want everyone to notice who is a rebel along with me and Ben. Yes, you can check right here. Those of you who know me will know exactly who I am talking about! Oh yeah! Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 22nd, 2007 | Filed under Apologetics, Theological News | 16 Comments »
Are we condemned for the sin of another? (Part 1)
The concept of “Original Sin” has long been a vital part of Christian Orthodoxy yet is being challenged and redefined by many in the Church today. Even conservatives are beginning to question the validity of the traditional Evangelical understanding of the doctrine asking questions of its legitimacy in its current form of understanding.
Perhaps John Calvin defines Original Sin most concisely as “The deprivation of a nature formerly good and pure.” More specifically, from a Reformed Evangelical perspective, it refers to the fall of humanity from its original state of innocence and purity to a state of corruption and guilt (distinguished later). It is the cause of man’s translation from a state of unbroken communion before God to one of spiritual death and condemnation. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by C Michael Patton on August 22nd, 2007 | Filed under Anthropology, Sin | 27 Comments »
Has God Preserved the Scriptures? . . . (Part 1)
Many Christians believe in what they would call “the doctrine of preservation.” What they mean by this is that God has preserved the scriptures. More sophisticated expressions would argue that God has preserved the scriptures in the original languages, down to the very words. This is where the problem begins.When we look at the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament), we soon discover that there are a few places in which, at least at this time in history, God has not preserved the scriptures. For example, in some places all the extant Hebrew manuscripts (as well as versions) are so corrupt that scholars have been forced to emend the text on the basis of mere conjecture. That is, there is no manuscript in any language that has the true, original reading. Among the passages that make the list are Deut 32.8, 1 Sam 13.1, 1 Sam 14.47, Isa 21.8, Isa 53.11, and Jer 2.21. Besides these are passages that up until fairly recently were corrupt in all the manuscripts. For example, Eugene Ulrich, Septuagint scholar extraordinaire, noted that Josephus preserved “at least four genuine Samuel readings which were preserved by no other witness until 4QSama was recovered” (Samuel and Josephus, 2). Ernst Würthwein, in his Text of the Old Testament, 142, noted that 1QIsaa confirmed conjectures that scholars had come up with at Isa 40.6 and 40.17. There are several other OT texts that could be added to the list. The point is that even in those places in which the Dead Sea Scrolls have confirmed the conjectures of scholars with hard data, the fact is that the Bible in its entirety—that is, in all of its very words—has not been available to God’s people for all these centuries. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by Dan Wallace on August 21st, 2007 | Filed under Text Criticism, Ecclesiology (Church), Dan Wallace - Contra Mundane | 15 Comments »
Theology Unplugged: What is the “True” Church #2
What is the “True” church? #2
Published by C Michael Patton on August 20th, 2007 | Filed under Ecclesiology (Church), Roman Catholicism, Church History | 14 Comments »
During this program we attempt to further distinguish between the Protestant understanding of apostolic succession and that of the Catholic and Orthodox churches. In essence, Evangelical Protestants who find their roots in the Reformation define apostolic succession as a succession of teaching not necessarily succession in person. We also discuss theological accountability within the Protestant church. Oh boy . . . this is fun indeed.
