by Sam Waldron | Apr 21, 2011 | Family-Integrated Church, Uncategorized
I propose to take as my “text” for the next several blogs Scott Brown’s new book entitled A Weed in the Church. As you might guess by now, this is because I have a certain critique to give with regard to it. But that is not where I want to begin. Nor was it my first reaction to the book. My first reaction was to feel, as I explored Scott’s world of thought in this book, that I was on familiar ground.
I was struck by this at so many points in the book. He emphasized that the Old Testament is appropriately used for the ethical guidance of New Covenant Christians (76-79). This was a refreshing affirmation of the Reformed approach to the Old Testament and rejection of all the Dispensational, Neo-Dispensational, and “New Covenant” views around today which (in principle) throw the ethics of the Old Testament on the trash heap of history. In line with this emphasis he teaches the importance of family’s teaching their children the importance of Sabbath-keeping (149-150).
He strongly affirms the sufficiency of Scripture (80-81). Many today do not think the Bible has anything definitive to say about the way the church should be organized or do ministry. In a day in which pragmatism and human tradition seem to have unchallenged sway in many churches, this emphasis was welcome.
He clearly affirms the regulative principle of worship (81-84). He knows that it was historically formulated in contrast to the normative principle of worship. He even affirms that the statement of the regulative principle in the 1689 Baptist Confession (in chapter 22:1) is clarified or nuanced by the qualifying statement of 1:6 where the Confession notes that that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.
His use and citation of the 1689 Baptist Confession is, of course, another way in which I felt I was on familiar theological ground in reading Scott’s book. Praise God for the broadening influence of the 1689 Baptist Confession in our day!
All of this leads Scott to say something to which I can say a whole-hearted and loud “Amen.” Here it is: “The church is not the playground for our creative inventions. Scripture calls us to be faithful to the means which God has appointed…” (85)
Dr. Sam Waldron is the Academic Dean of CBTS and professor of Systematic Theology. He is also one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY. Dr. Waldron received a B.A. from Cornerstone University, an M.Div. from Trinity Ministerial Academy, a Th.M. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1977 to 2001 he was a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Waldron is the author of numerous books including A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, The End Times Made Simple, Baptist Roots in America, To Be Continued?, and MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto: A Friendly Response.
by Richard Barcellos | Apr 20, 2011 | Books, Current Events
Coming soon: RBTR VII:1, Spring 2010
ARTICLES
“EPHESIANS 1:8-10 IN LIGHT OF ITS IMMEDIATE CONTEXTUAL MEANING AND REDEMPTIVE-HISTORICAL/CANONICAL CONTEXT: God Getting Glory for Himself through the Work of the Redeemer and Reconciler of All Things,” Richard C. Barcellos, 7-35.
“ADAM’S QUEST FOR A BETTER LIFE: A Study in Calvin’s Doctrine of Pre-Redemptive Eschatology,” James E. Dolezal, 37-50.
“THE SUM OF ALL BLESSINGS: Jonathan Edwards on the Holy Spirit,” W. Gary Crampton, Th.D., 51-77.
“THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SABBATH, TOM WELLS: A Review Article (Part I),” Richard C. Barcellos, 79-91.
BOOK REVIEWS
Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church, Michael Horton (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2008), and The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World, Michael Horton (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2009), reviewed by John Divito, 93-97.
Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew, Jonathan T. Pennignton (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), 399pp, reviewed by Samuel C. Emadi, 97-101.
Imputation and Impartation: Union with Christ in American Reformed Theology, William B. Evans (Wipf & Stock, 2009, 296 pp.), reviewed by Matthew Barrett, 102-106.
That Scripture Might Be Fulfilled: Typology and the Death of Christ, Paul M. Hoskins (Xulon Press: 2009, 200pp.), reviewed by Richard C. Barcellos, 106-108.
The Ten Commandments: Ethics for the Twenty-First Century Mark F. Rooker (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2010, 234pp.), reviewed by Richard C. Barcellos, 108-114.
Dr. Richard Barcellos is associate professor of New Testament Studies. He received a B.S. from California State University, Fresno, an M.Div. from The Master’s Seminary, and a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Dr. Barcellos is pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA. He is author of Trinity & Creation, The Covenant of Works, and Getting the Garden Right. He has contributed articles to various journals and is a member of ETS.
Courses taught for CBTS: New Testament Introduction, Biblical Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology I, Biblical Theology II.
by CBTSeminary | Apr 18, 2011 | Apologetics
As a former Mormon, I try to keep up with the latest developments in Mormon scholarship and the defense of their faith. As many have pointed out, their approach has changed significantly over the last few decades. For those who would like to know more about this shift, I commend to you a new series by James White, the first post of which is now on his blog: “Guessing About God: Mormonism’s Inability to Resist the Onslaught of Modernistic Skepticism (Part 1).”
Here is his introduction:
I was recently referred to a blog article by a young Mormon writer and scholar, Daniel McClellan. He seems like a bright, intelligent young man, though, sadly, he has clearly been influenced by the less-than-mature behavioral ticks of his mentors at BYU, men like Daniel C. Peterson and William Hamblin. We will note how this mars his otherwise interesting article below.
I would like to use Mr. McClellan’s discussion in two ways. First, I wish to use it as a lens through which to view the rapidly changing landscape within Mormonism. Secondly, I would like to respond to his claims and demonstrate that the current forms of Mormon apologetic are incoherent and self-referentially destructive (let alone just bad examples of apologetic argumentation in defense of Joseph Smith’s religion).
CBTS Faculty fully subscribe to the 1689 Confession of Faith, hold an advanced
degree in their field of instruction, and possess significant pastoral experience.
by Richard Barcellos | Apr 16, 2011 | Biblical Theology, Current Events, Ecclesiology, Historical Theology, Practical Theology
The liturgical calendar seems to be the cool thing these days. I think the liturgical calendar was instituted with Dominical authority – 52 Lord’s Days per year!
Dr. Richard Barcellos is associate professor of New Testament Studies. He received a B.S. from California State University, Fresno, an M.Div. from The Master’s Seminary, and a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Dr. Barcellos is pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA. He is author of Trinity & Creation, The Covenant of Works, and Getting the Garden Right. He has contributed articles to various journals and is a member of ETS.
Courses taught for CBTS: New Testament Introduction, Biblical Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology I, Biblical Theology II.
by Richard Barcellos | Apr 16, 2011 | Current Events, Practical Theology
Carl Trueman has done it again. Surely some Americans will be offended, which he would say proves his point. Read it here, if you can handle it.
Dr. Richard Barcellos is associate professor of New Testament Studies. He received a B.S. from California State University, Fresno, an M.Div. from The Master’s Seminary, and a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Dr. Barcellos is pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA. He is author of Trinity & Creation, The Covenant of Works, and Getting the Garden Right. He has contributed articles to various journals and is a member of ETS.
Courses taught for CBTS: New Testament Introduction, Biblical Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology I, Biblical Theology II.
