Houses Divided (or…More Theological Jackassery)

Being a Southern Baptist who holds to Reformed theology is messy. I am connected to a denomination (more accurately, a convention) that is either largely unaware of or antagonistic toward this theological perspective. I don’t really talk about Reformed theology much outside a smallish group of friends, because my main objective in life is not to convert people to a Reformed perspective, but to see and reveal the glory of Christ. I find I can do that without mentioning Calvin, the TULIP or the Protestant Reformation. In some ways, in fact, I would consider myself (to take advantage of the parlance of our time) post-Reformed. By this I mean

Controversy

Warren Gage, Knox Seminary, R.C. Sproul, N.T. Wright, John Piper, Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, John MacArthur, Emerging Church, New Perspectives on Paul, Federal Vision.

I post this as an experiment to see how my stats counter registers it. My hypothesis is that it will go nutty. Controversy sells.

I read this today: “The blogosphere is the friend of information but the enemy of thought,” (Alan Jacobs in Books & Culture.) (cited here).

I’ll report the results in a couple of days (although my guess is that the findings will generate far fewer visits). C’est la vie.

[edit: click here]

[CLICK HERE FOR EXPERIMENT'S SCANDALOUS RESULTS ...go ahead...you know you want to]

Dr. Warren Gage and Knox

[Edit: Dr. Sam Lamerson of Knox blogs here.] 

The “stats” page on my blog reflects a high number of searches for “Warren Gage“. The increased activity is no doubt due to the reports of controversy at Knox Theological Seminary where Dr. Gage is an assistant professor.  Little information is available, but a friend who has spoken with Dr. Gage reports that he is optimistic.

One

It occurs to me that things don’t naturally integrate, they disintegrate. As surely as deterioration is the goal of physical matter, fracture and disunity is the inclination of human relationships (extending from our relationship with God to that with others and ultimately with ourselves). To borrow from Murphy, given the opportunity we’ll always fall apart, disintegrate.

Them’s (let’s stop) Fightin’ Words!

RTS New Testament Prof Reggie Kidd has made a statement calling for a truce in the PCA’s civil war over New Perspective and Federal Vision theologies, saying that outside enemies need to be fought, not inside allies. Some just say no, claiming divided forces necessarily can’t be united. I’m with the Kidd.

AJ on EC, SBC

I like Ariel (AJ) Vanderhorst. Well, at least his blog. I imagine from reading his blog that I would like him in person. He likes basketball, theology and C.S. Lewis. We would have things to talk about, I imagine.

At any rate, he has recently written a piece for the SBC Outpost blog on emerging church and SBC seminaries. I think it is helpful for those interested in such things. The comments are pretty good, too.

Denominations, Maps and Itineraries

Travel last week and surgery this week have slowed my blogging pace a bit, but if you’re bored and want something good to read, I recommend Alastair’s posts on Church Union and Reunion. Read the original post, then read follow-ups one, two, and three.

I particularly like the “itinerary” metaphor in follow-up three. He references a Boar’s Head Tavern discussion on maps that is summarized on The Internet Monk’s blog. Bon voyage!

Alastair on Denominationalism

Alastair Roberts has some excellent observations on denominationalism and church here. I was particularly impressed with this statement made by Al in the comments (#20).

The claim ‘Jesus is Lord’ is a claim that sums up the truth that the Kingdom of God has come in Jesus Christ. Whilst it clearly can be fleshed out more, this is the heart of the gospel.

It is a lengthy post, but well worth reading.

Wilson on Community

In a recent blog post of an old Tabletalk article, Doug Wilson says: 

Too often we are too quick to dash off to an evangelistic field which is exciting, fruitful, distant. How many churches think seriously of their duty to fulfill the Great Commission in their neighborhood? And even when we think “locally,” it is too easy to think about establishing a “ministry” in a town with a sufficient population to provide the new church with its “market share.” Thus we are selective in our local ministry. In order for this system to work we cater to our market niche. The church functions on exactly the same principles as a new department store. This also mitigates against true community. Community will never arise from groups with “special interests,” whether those interests include ham radio, square dancing, or the five points of Calvinism.

Someone raise a hand and say, “Amen.” Go ahead. Testify.

With a capital “T”

The PCA this week decided to call the New Perspective on Paul and the Federal Vision, for all intents and purposes, heresy (it isn’t the finding but the process and demeanor that is troubling). The SBC in its annual meeting decided, essentially, to do nothing at all. I’m not sure which is worse.

One thing seems clear: both denominations, which are equipped for and capable of doing great things, are in deep kimchee.

I am extremely optimistic about God’s purposes in the world. I am deeply pessimistic about the SBC and the PCA figuring prominantly in said purposes.

I’m still Southern Baptist, but I’m increasingly wondering why.