Reformed Christianity

Not specifically related to Reformed theology, but a good read and important for our understanding of scriptural transmission.

I've heard a lot of people on twitter, reddit, and YouTube arguing for baptismal regeneration. What's shocking is that many of these people call themselves Protestant, even Reformed. I've even heard claims that baptismal regeneration is part of Reformed Theology.

This doesn't make any sense, however. Reformed theology sees baptism as the new circumcision. But circumcision wasn't how people were saved, because if that were the case, then there would be no women who died under the old covenant in heaven. But the Bible distinguishes between circumcision of the flesh and circumcision of the heart. Remember that Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised, just like someone like me who wasn't baptized as a child is saved before their baptism. Water doesn't save you, it points to what saves you, which is God's grace given to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

If baptismal regeneration is true, then covenant theology makes no sense at all, not to mention that it contradicts Sola Fide.

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/171545

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/171544

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/171542

Counterpoint: Decline in religion doesn’t bode well for the republic

This might not seem like a crisis, but the American Founders would have disagreed. These men saw that self-government depended on morality and virtue, which, in turn, depended on religion. As George Washington stated in his Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indisputable supports.”

I was reading through the story of Samson in the book of Judges and his riddle is one of the greatest pictures of the gospel in the Old Testament. Judg 14:14: "And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle." Like the riddle, the gospel was a mystery that could only be revealed by the one who created it. The answer to Samson's riddle was "What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion?", but there is a better answer. Jesus is stronger than a lion and his gospel is sweeter than honey. Jesus died and from his dead body came his flesh and blood that he freely gives to us. Samson saw a glimpse of something so amazing it could only have been revealed by the Spirit.

Assuming you rest 1 day of the week, what do you typically do on that day of rest? What do you find restful? Are there still things that you must do that day that aren't so restful?

Besides this awesome one, of course. :-)

My kids are at Youth Camp this week and the theme is about Heaven and glory. It's been really good so far.

But it got me thinking about resources and I actually don't have a ton of books on the subject.

Any thoughts on if there's anything we can or even should do about that? There's not much here.

Mine is John

Not like you can't just post whatever you want... but here's a thread specifically for questions.

There's only a few of us right now, but we should pray for one another. What do you need prayer for?

Psalms 33:18-22 (NASB) Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who  hope for His lovingkindness, To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.