Author: fundyreformed

With Friends Like These

~ fundyreformed ~ 19 Comments

One of the joys of blogging, is interaction with many new acquaintances. Virtual community, web camaraderie, electronic friendships — these are achieved in a very real sense. It is fun to meet new people as you gain readers, interact with comments, and interact on other blogs as well.

In part, this is what makes blogging, blogging. We could all just publish web pages with tons of content. But without the interaction, the appeal of blogging would wane.

Of course, part of the interaction and the thrill of blogging, is recognition from blog-peers, and the joy of being linked to. This along with a constant following of your blog stats (numbers of hits and page views), tend to encourage bloggers to be narcissistic and egotistical, and present a very real danger to a Christian blogger. Then again, a wider readership is part of the goal of blogs and even more so with theology blogs.

With these thoughts in mind, I want to publicly recognize the blogs that link to me. I appreciate the links, and really want to keep better track of those blogs. (Alas, the blogosphere has far too many good blogs to follow.) And since I find myself with such a large fan club, of sorts, I would be remiss not to recognize them.

Knowing I have many who tune in from time to time and listen to what I am saying is encouraging. It also helps keep me blogging, writing, and thinking. With my blog, many of you know that controversies and heated debates have been quite common. So especially in light of the blog wars and scuffles I can find myself in, it is nice to know I have some brothers and sisters who are cheering me on and benefiting from the debates and exchanges here.

So without further ado, let me provide a list of blogs which link to me. Those with asterisks below, have already spent time in my blogroll. The others, will now find a permanent home in the “Blogs That Like Bob” section of my sidebar. If I missed anyone, or if you have linked to me and want a reciprocal link.

10 Points on the Music Issue

~ fundyreformed ~ 17 Comments

My sporadic blogging of late has led me to ignore several outstanding posts on my favorite blogs. My friend Nathan Pitchford, earlier this month, put together an excellent piece on the ever controversial music issue. His post is entitled “10 Observations Against the Style-Specific Position on Music in Worship“.

Let me copy his 10 Observations here and encourage you all to read the fuller discussion of these points along with Scriptural defense over at his blog. You will find the comments provide an excellent defense of the post. There is some charitable back-and-forth over this issue that many will find profitable.

So here are Nathan’s 10 observations:

  1. God commands that we use music in worship.
  2. It is commanded or exemplified that in doing so, we ought to use every available instrument.
  3. It is commanded or exemplified that we ought to do so with the utmost emotional intensity.
  4. It is commanded or exemplified that we ought to do so with the expression of every conceivable emotion, only with regard to the right realities.
  5. The “new song” enjoined upon the believer has reference to the lyrical content, and not the musical style.
  6. The distinction between “clean” and “unclean” indicates a separation between the inherently moral and immoral.
  7. The specific Old Testament regulations were dissolved upon the coming of Christ.
  8. Nothing created by God is inherently immoral.
  9. Music was created by God.
  10. And so we finally conclude that music is in itself not immoral, but is to be used with thanksgiving.

Amazing Grace and a Contest

~ fundyreformed ~ 2 Comments

The History & Theology of CalvinismI haven’t yet featured this excellent resource on the study of Reformation Theology. Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism is a first-class video production and a resource second to none.

I have not yet actually purchased and viewed it, but I have enjoyed the several video clips of it that are available online. We plan on purchasing it sometime, and asking some of our relatives who are somewhat biased against Calvinism, to at least watch this DVD presentation.

The reason I am bringing this up now is that there is an opportunity to win a free copy of this DVD. Rhett Kelly has a contest running over at his blog, and promises to award the winner a free copy. I didn’t win, but perhaps one of my readers will. So go over and check it out.

Also, Rhett made me aware of a special sale price of 14.95 for the DVD through the NiceneCouncil.Com. This price is so good that it beats Monergism.Com’s longstanding sale price of 17.95! The DVD usually retails for $30.

So try your hand at Rhett’s contest, and if you lose, purchase that copy from NiceneCouncil.Com. Or for 2 dollars more total (with shipping and handling), support Monergism.Com, and order through them.

Calvinism — Categorized Scripture List

~ fundyreformed ~ 9 Comments

My friend Nathan Pitchford posted a categorized Scripture list of the doctrines of grace recently a few weeks back. It is the best such list I have found.

It lists the 5 points of Calvinism along with some sub-points and brief explanatory notes, then it merely cites Scriptural references which support each of the points. Although the list is simple, being primarily Scripture references, it is quite thorough. It was designed specifically for those unfamiliar with Calvinism, yet it will prove a handy reference tool for those who from time to time still debate the issue with non-Calvinist friends.

Nathan’s posting on his blog includes hyperlinks to all the verse references; so you can easily click on most of the reference and read them online. He also will kindly email you a copy of the list with all the verses typed out in full. Monergism.com has also posted the full version of the list, if you prefer.

This list is definitely worth checking out, even for you non-Calvinists. It clearly lays out the abundant Scriptural case for Calvinism, which should help others understand just why we adhere to Calvinism.

Thanks, Nathan! I’m sure this clear and simple list will be a great help to many believers.

The Kingdom is Coming

~ fundyreformed ~ 5 Comments

Christ is even now on His throne ruling. His global triumph over all evil is surely coming. But the title of this post is not only addressing this wonderful theme.

Kingdom Surge is coming as well. It is a team blog headed up by yours truly which focuses on missions. We have not yet officially launched, but I thought I’d notify you all so you could see some of what I’ve been up to lately.

As we’re assembling posts in preparation of our launch in a couple weeks or so, I thought I’d post some previews. The preview I posted today centers on the glorious theme of Christ’s coming Kingdom victory. Let the words of this sentence fill you with wonder and praise this Sunday morning. May you all be blessed in your various places of worship today.

Before the return of our great King and Savior, Jesus Christ, the gospel will “surge” across the face of the earth, flooding the peoples with the knowledge of the glorious God, a knowledge they were made for, and in which is their eternal life (see John 17:3), but which they lost in the great Fall of Adam.