Aug
3
2013
Abraham’s Bookends
In his book Why Baptize Babies?, Mark Horne writes:
The apostle Peter makes it clear that God’s Covenant still involves the promise to our children:
For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:39) We who now profess Christ are among those who are “far off,” whom the Lord has called to himself. Just like those to whom Peter first preached, the promise is not only for us but for our children as well. (p. 23)
So much that has been written about baptism is nebulous and confused. My friend Mark’s short book, however, is an excellent summary of this doctrine. Having his points honed into silver bullets makes them easier to discern, and easier to deflect!
Continue reading
3 comments | tags: Acts, Baptism, Covenant Theology, Luke Welch, Mark Horne | posted in Biblical Theology, Quotes
Aug
2
2013
![Paul-vs-Peter](http://www.bullartistry.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Paul-vs-Peter.jpg)
Paul’s Leviticus
“This is where he picks up the fivefold Covenant structure and turns ‘the right hand of fellowship’ into a set of holy knuckledusters.”
This post has been refined by fire and included in a new book, The Shape of Galatians.
Continue reading
Comments Off | tags: Circumcision, Food laws, Galatians, Hebrews, Leviticus, Literary Structure, Moses, Paul | posted in Bible Matrix, Biblical Theology, Ethics, The Last Days
Aug
1
2013
“Every conception and form of liturgy that focuses on man will eventually degenerate into intellectual or psychological manipulation.”
More from Jeff Meyers on The Lord’s Service.
Continue reading
2 comments | tags: Ecclesiology, Jeff Meyers, Worship | posted in Biblical Theology, Christian Life, Quotes
Jul
31
2013
Paul’s Exodus
To highlight what Paul is doing in the shape of his letter to the Galatians, I’ve updated the subtitle of yesterday’s post to Paul’s Genesis. The second cycle is thus Paul’s wilderness journey, concerning the “veil” of unknowing that remained between Paul and the apostles, and also between Paul and the churches in Judea. The “packaging” of his argument in the structure of the history of Israel is interesting. Like the birth of Israel as a nation under Moses, Paul’s ministry was not a product of the earlier apostles: his commission came directly from Christ. There is also the undertone that he has re-enacted the pattern of “prophetic” training in the wilderness, which was always a preparation of an “Israel” to minister to the nations.
Continue reading
Comments Off | tags: Circumcision, Galatians, Paul | posted in Bible Matrix, Biblical Theology
Jul
30
2013
Here is the first of a few excerpts from the condensed version of Jeff Meyer’s The Lord’s Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal.
Why Go To Church on Sunday?
When you come together as a church. . .
1 Corinthians 11:18
What is the purpose of our Lord’s Day assembly? Why do we come to a church service on Sunday? The answer to this crucial question will help explain why certain words and actions are included in the church’s worship and also determine the way in which the service is ordered from beginning to end.
Continue reading
Comments Off | tags: Ecclesiology, Jeff Meyers, Worship | posted in Biblical Theology, Quotes
Jul
29
2013
![Eden-tempera](http://www.bullartistry.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Eden-tempera.jpg)
Paul’s Genesis
It’s time to put another epistle under the matrix-scope!
Continue reading
Comments Off | tags: Covenant curse, Covenant Theology, Feasts, Galatians, Literary Structure, Paul | posted in Bible Matrix, Biblical Theology, The Last Days
Jul
26
2013
Is the book of Revelation a “Covenant lawsuit”? It certainly follows the fivefold legal Covenant pattern. However, its prophetic warnings are not addressed to the Jewish leaders. It was too late for them. The book does describe the destruction of Jerusalem through “the testimony of two witnesses,” but Gary DeMar suggests it was more like a libretto for the Christian spectators. He writes:
Continue reading
Comments Off | tags: Corinthians, Covenant Theology, Galatians, Gary DeMar, Hebrews, Paul, Revelation | posted in Against Hyperpreterism, Biblical Theology, Quotes, The Last Days
Jul
25
2013
There’s a new Press Release and some chapters from the free ebook over at the 3D blog.
Comments Off | posted in Biblical Theology, Reading the Bible in 3D
Jul
24
2013
![Portrait of John Calvin](http://www.bullartistry.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/john-calvin.jpg)
Jean flipped one page back and realized he had contradicted himself once again. This was tricky stuff, working out salvation, but at least he was showing his workings. “Oh well,” he thought. “One day they will invent word processors.”
In a post called Baptism Is Not Faith, Shane Lems points out where the Federal Vision guys depart from the “historic Reformed/Presbyterian confessions.” He writes:
Continue reading
5 comments | tags: Baptism, Federal Vision, Reformers, Steve Wilkins | posted in Biblical Theology
Jul
24
2013
Most of the feedback I get is criticism, which is helpful for me — so it’s great to hear from someone who has been helped in some way!
From Pamela in the upper midwest, USA:
Continue reading
1 comment | tags: Baptism, Postmillennialism | posted in Bible Matrix, Biblical Theology, Quotes