Happy Father’s Day – Enjoy

GO LAKERS!

more about “GO LAKERS!“, posted with vodpod

Caution don’t read that book! Say What?

I was over at Parchment & Pen (Michael Patton’s blog) and the comments got slightly off track I being part of the reason.  I don’t like doing that or when it happens so I wanted to move the discussion here.

They started talking about Grudem’s book being fair and balance, well I objected and said:

I find his position on Salvation highly Calvinistic, and barely makes a good argument for Arminism.

If I were new to the topic I would have walked away from his book thinking that Calvinism was the correct position, one would not walk away thinking otherwise. I don’t think that is being fair and balance of divergent positions.

I then stated that if you want to read a book that is fair and balance on various divergent books read Gregory Boyd’s book “Across the Spectrum, understanding issues in Evangelical Theology“.

Then a person responds to my post and says:

The only problem with Boyd’s book is that he is an admitted Open Theist. So I would urge caution in that respect alone.  (emphasis mine)

My partial response was: ..That is one of the most narrow minded remarks I have read at this blog in a long time…

First of all he thinks it’s a problem that Boyd is an open theist, and the second part which is what really bugged me, that one should take caution in not reading Boyd’s book just because he is an Open Theist.  I have had other reasons why I haven’t read much Boyd (I have read extensively at his blog/website), and none of them being because he is an Open Theist.

He continues with his line of reasoning:

I would just say that If you have not read Dr. Boyd’s books on Open Theism, I would suggest you do before recommending any of his other works.

Really?  The book that I recommended has no merit on it’s own?  Do I need to read every single book an author wrote before I can recommend one?  I was not recommending any of his other books I was recommending the one book I have read.  Why would I recommend books I have not read by any author?  Would I recommend Dr. Boyd’s books to others?  Sure I would.  Would I caution them?  No I would not.

Then someone else comments as says:

To me it only seems reasonable that when a book is recommended that is written by someone that it is not considered orthodox to “urge caution”.

Say what?  Does that seems reasonable?  Do these sorts of statements bother anyone else?  If they do share why, if they don’t then please help me out because I really have a hard time with these sorts of statements.

If you want to read the postings check them out here.  Scroll to the bottom and work your way up to you see my first post.

Finally 100 Posts!

Since switching from my old blog to here back in April of 2008 I finally posted my 100 blog.  That is an average of 7.7 posts per month.  Not to bad for someone who does not have that much time to post.  I have a lot of ideas but not enough drive to post them.  Plus when I am blogging I am too caught up reading all of the great bloggers I keep up with.  You all are the best!

But anyhow, it’s worth a celebration!  So cheers to my 100 posts in One Year.

Quote of the Day – N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright – Justification: God’s Plan & Paul’s Vision

Ever since I first read Luther and Calvin, particularly the latter, I determined that whether or not I agreed with them in everything they said, their stated and practiced method would be mine too: to soak myself in the Bible, in the Hebrew and Aramaic Old Testament and the Greek New Testament, to get it into my bloodstream by every means possible, in the prayer and hope that I would be able to teach Scripture afresh to the church and the world. The greatest honor we can pay the Reformers is not to treat them as infallible—they would be horrified at that—but to do as they did.  – p.23

Desktop Picture Meme

Nick, just posted his desk photo based on a challenge (mem) that he got from Mark Stevens, so I figured I would post my desk as well.  Since I have been almost dead silent now for a good while.  Click on photo to view original size.

If you notice on my monitor it is a picture of Nick’s desk.  Ok, now it’s your turn show us your desk.

Korn – Brian Welch – I Am Second

Does your Church have visitors?

The reason I ask is because I am curious as to how often un-churched (non-believers) visit your church.  Also, how often do these visitors become a part of your church?  What role does your church play in reaching out to your community?  Is reaching out a priority in your church?

Do you think that the theological (i.e. Doctrine of Salvation) position your church significantly impacts the emphasis on reaching out to your community (i.e. non-believers)?

Growing a church that simply adds existing Christians does nothing in expanding the kingdom of God, and by that I mean leading non-believers to Christ.  For example in our church which we run about 200 adults, I would say that easily 80% of those were not Christians prior to coming to our church.  We place a high emphasis on reaching the lost, and on prayer.  On a weekly basis we have visitors all of the time.

Just curious what is going on in your churches.

New Books

New books I recently received, in the last week or so.  Except for the Cornerstone commentary I have had that for a few weeks.

Grace, Faith, Free Will - Contrasting Views of Salvation: Calvinism & Arminianism by Robert E. Picirilli, 2002

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Randall House Publications (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892656484
• ISBN-13: 978-0892656486
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches

Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 38B, Romans 9-16 by James D. G. Dunn

• Hardcover: 502 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 29, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849902525
• ISBN-13: 978-0849902529
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches

Jesus, Paul and the Law by James D. G. Dunn

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (January 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664250955
• ISBN-13: 978-0664250959
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches

Romans, Galatians Cornerstone Biblical Commentary by Gerald L. Borchert (Author), Roger Mohrlang (Author)

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (March 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842383425
• ISBN-13: 978-0842383424
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches

New Perspective on Paul – The Paul Page

I found a great website that is dedicated in the furtherance and understanding on the New Perspective on Paul.  For those of you that are not familar on the on going writings on the New Perspective on Paul, I would encourage you to stop by this site.  They have book reviews, articles, links, and book recommendations.

Stop by and check out “The Paul Page“