The last couple weeks have left me a bit disconnected from the blog world. I have yet to catch up on my reading (I probably won’t read everything I could or would like to). This week, too, I have been a little under the weather.
Well, as I get caught up and refocused on my blog, I thought I’d pass along some good reading that I have found recently. This post is not exhaustive, just a few recommended reads.
- All you ever wanted to know about Luther and more! Seriously, there is quite the collection of informative posts, presented in an enjoyable and readable format, on Luther over at Captain Headknowledge. I put this at the top of the list because, A) October 31st is Reformation Day, and B) I haven’t yet read all, or even most of them yet. I do plan on reading most of it, John! And I do plan to observe 10/31 in a sacred way.
- Great article by Voyle Glover on leaving the IFBx fold, posted by Bread and Circuses.
- Newness in Music—a critique of both “old only” and “new only” positions on church music today by Brian McCrorie
- A Gospel Centered hermeneutical approach to Ecclesiastes, by Nathan Pitchford.
- An encouraging post on the faithfulness of one small Baptist church by Ryan DeBarr.
- A letter written by a Puritan pastor who had just recently lost his three children to death by disease—this was a challenging and encouraging read, posted by Gage Browning.
- Four posts defending a Reformed view of infant baptism by Gage Browning. (Note: I am sympathetic to this view, but do not share it.)
- And the latest two installments in Mathew Sims’ look at the doctrine of the Holy Spirit—he is taking on the whole cessationist/continuationist debate.
- “The Holy Spirit—Part 1—My Experience” (part 5 of the series)
- “The Holy Spirit—Part 2—My Experience” (part 6 of the series)
Glad you’re back, Bob!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Bob,
Regarding the cessationist/continuationist debate, did you read Pyromaniacs recently? Dan Phillips gave a review of “To Be Continued”, by Samuel E. Waldron (who is a cessationist). Dan presents Waldron’s arguments against continuationism in his review. I heartily recommend reading it. http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21212024&postID=116195422151453296
I read Matthew Sims’ two articles, and found it in need of exegetical commentary on Scriptural evidence for continuationism. If one were to rely solely on experience, which it seems that Sims has done, then the continuationists have won the ‘PR war’. One may have ‘heard’ of the use of tongues in some far-away land, but where are such instances given as way of a reference? All of this sounds like hearsay to me.
Larry,
I did see that article by Dan. The main argument in that book to me is unconvincing. I just read a good defense of the fact that “apostle” is an office and never called a “gift”.
Oh, and to be fair, Sims is not relying solely on experience. He is putting together a long series on the issue, and was just setting the stage, if you will. Cessationists often rely on the “lack of experience” argument. Or they tend to argue from Scripture’s silence on the issue and make unfounded assumptions.
I look forward to seeing how Sims further develops his case. In the meanwhile I do plan on reading books from both sides, although as I’ve told you I do strongly favor one position currently.
God bless you brother,
Bob
What’s interesting is that you might disagree with Waldron on cessationism, but he has written a book, “The End Times Made Simple”, which advocates amillennialism! I found his website, and Waldron is an interesting Reformed Baptist scholar.
Please keep us posted on Sims’ writings; I’d like to read his later comments, too.
Will do, Larry. But they are being posted over at World from Our Window, another great site.