tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62034260208738103652024-03-14T03:21:59.722-06:00The Sacred Pursuit“Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.” (Hosea 6:3)Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-90415252568171195452024-03-13T11:18:00.001-06:002024-03-13T11:18:35.851-06:00"Being Elisabeth Elliot" by Ellen Vaughn - BOOK REVIEW <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi87oFjGNVGb1ythC4KlfOxciFa-jmoWJI0NIyLM1l5uztx1UfXm1VNvNjF-BmDu3ETHt0uRUGBFIhLYa_xM00NNl_95bhi9u5JmUcNKdQcv5t053AbWrHowPnQ4Jy-6pt3RJMDZ4rwXiTHDDheYQa93umH48h8Y7U43U06ky2SS-xIhg1DHG7nNhPd_L/s1024/book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1024" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi87oFjGNVGb1ythC4KlfOxciFa-jmoWJI0NIyLM1l5uztx1UfXm1VNvNjF-BmDu3ETHt0uRUGBFIhLYa_xM00NNl_95bhi9u5JmUcNKdQcv5t053AbWrHowPnQ4Jy-6pt3RJMDZ4rwXiTHDDheYQa93umH48h8Y7U43U06ky2SS-xIhg1DHG7nNhPd_L/w240-h223/book.png" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I finally got to reading this book! If Ellen Vaughn’s first
book (“Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” which tells the first half of Elisabeth's life) was excellent, than this second part was something far beyond
that. It was really hard to put down…. I for sure lost some sleep this past
week being up reading. And I wept at the end. (I had a good idea/spoilers
of the ending ahead of time, but still, I wept.) I should also add that the only disappointing aspect of this 2-part biography was there were NO PICTURES! (If you'd like some, and a timeline of her life, here's a great resource: <a href="https://elisabethelliot.org/about/timeline/">https://elisabethelliot.org/about/timeline/</a>)<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I so appreciate how Ellen wrote this book. Like Ellen, I am a realist. Like her and Elisabeth I know
that those we admire should never be put on pedestals as (near) perfect saints. Like her and Elisabeth,
I want the whole truth to be spoken, regardless of other people’s opinions/reactions.
And Ellen modeled, “speaking
the truth in love”.... although I know I could grow in that particular aspect - I am probably more like Elisabeth in that regard.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I left the reading of this book with two emotions. One was utter
<b>sadness</b> at the ending of Elisabeth’s life and the wrong/hard last years she
suffered… largely because her views on marriage/submission were rather sadly
twisted (which caused her and many she advised harm). My heart broke so for
her (and her daughter/family members who had to watch) as it does for other
women stuck in similar controlling marriages (this is a passionate area for me,
one I’ve written about and continue to speak out about). While submission is one
aspect of marriage, while someone making you “feel like a woman” is great,
there is so much more to what God’s design is. Elisabeth desperately wanted to
feel secure, she missed the signs of Lars’ anger/control issues (although to
give her some credit, so did everyone else around her), and she believed that a wife’s
submission meant inferiority and being under a husband’s authority (which I
agree Jim’s unintentional but unfortunate treatment of her during their early courtship contributed to - see
the first book for more on that). Marriage was not intended by God to be authoritarian,
even though because of sin, it often ended up that way. Marriage, as in Ephesians 5, is mutual
submission, it is not one-sided, even though the wives’ submission is
emphasized, and the husband's responsibility to love is emphasized. It is supposed to be mutual love, respect, submission, Christ-like
giving, working together for the kingdom of God. Elisabeth, for her part, tried to do just that. But unfortunately, she married
a man who actually wanted to control her, not love her like Christ. <b>There are
still abusive, controlling men (and women) in churches today. </b>There are popular
pastors teaching authority/submission imbalance in marriage, overlooking
and even defending abusive behavior (even actual abuse that should be reported
to the police), all the while teaching on “God’s grace” and “love for others”. If
Elisabeth’s third marriage saddens and rather makes you angry that’s good… but pay
attention to the fact that it’s still happening all around us. <i>I should clarify here that I am a committed "soft" complementarian... I cannot reconcile the Egalitarian views on gender/marriage with Scripture. However, many "complementarians" are actually authoritarians or defenders of "Biblical patriarchy" so it's very important that we are careful and clear about what we mean in this area. For more reading on this topic, I highly recommend <a href="https://renew.org/on-gender-and-the-bible-what-john-mark-hicks-and-scot-mcknight-get-right-and-wrong-part-1/" target="_blank">THIS</a> series. <br /></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal">The other emotion I was left with after reading this book was
still, a very great <b>admiration</b>. Elisabeth was human, she made mistakes… but
still, I came away admiring her faith, her endurance through so much suffering, her
commitment to what she believed, her willingness to “tell it like it is”. She
spoke out about many things and was indeed rather a “seer” in her generation. Despite
being married to a controlling false believer for the last period of her life,
God used this season for her to write most of her books and influence thousands
for Christ. Our suffering is never for nothing, and despite our/others' sin, God uses us. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Elisabeth was a faithful servant of God who persevered
to the end… I seek to learn from her, follow her example in some ways and to do better in other ways, and earnestly praise God for the good
He did in and through her life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-85495001288435335472024-03-02T12:24:00.012-07:002024-03-02T18:06:24.800-07:00My Response to Why I Warn Against the Wilsons<p> A friend of mine recently asked me why I didn't like Rachel Jankovic (author and daughter of Pastor Doug Wilson) and thought she was a hypocrite. Here is my response. (I will probably add to this as time goes on and I have more time to write more specific things.)
</p><p class="MsoNormal">So my primary concern with Rachel is her affiliation and similar
teaching/theology as her father (thus this post is about "the Wilson's"). I have done extensive digging into his theology,
character, and handing of church/other matters and would put him in the
category of a false teacher. There are too many serious concerns to not to. I
believe his teaching to be dangerous. In fact, I consider Doug Wilson a dangerous false teacher <i>and</i> an abusive
narcissist. So, while I will admit I have not thoroughly
examined Rachel's writing/speaking very specifically, as she and her father work
together and teach/hold to the same things I haven’t felt it was necessary to
spend the time to do that. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">As for their hypocrisy... a hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another. If someone claims to be an orthodox, Biblical teacher, but teaches things that are opposed to, even offensive to the truths of Orthodox Christianity, than umm yeah that makes them a hypocrite. So the real issue here is whether or not what the Wilson's teach is consistent with Scripture and Orthodox Christianity. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will below list my main areas of concern with the Wilson's
(and by this I mean Doug Wilson, his family or really anyone associated with him). Please note I
don’t necessarily agree with everything his critics say or believe themselves,
but when it comes to the topic(s) at hand, I believe they are absolutely right in
their critique and concerns. Those who have gleaned good things from the Wilson's may think they are just throwing stones, but
most of them have tried very hard to be fair in their critiques and concerns. Some
of these are or seem small, but small things add up as well. Small flaws in
character add up to bigger ones. The more small things I saw, the more I slowly
became concerned. It will take some time for you to get through all this…. It was
several months of me listening, reading and researching to come to the convictions I have now. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Doug Wilson’s questionable (heretical?) theology: </b>It
is important to say that a lot of what the Wilson's say, *seems* orthodox
and right, and a lot of it IS orthodox. However, their false doctrine/teaching
is extremely sneaky and subtle. I will share a lot of what others have
written/said since they have done more extensive work and say it better than I
could. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>His view of Justification </b>This is one of the biggest
and most serious concerns. I really don’t have time to write out a whole explanation
and argument, plus the two below do it very well: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://theocast.org/is-doug-wilson-a-false-teacher/">https://theocast.org/is-doug-wilson-a-false-teacher/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://thelondonlyceum.com/on-justification-doug-wilson-and-the-moscow-doctrine/">https://thelondonlyceum.com/on-justification-doug-wilson-and-the-moscow-doctrine/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Federal Vision: This is rather complex, but to summarize for
you, Wilson says he’s Reformed, but the views he holds on the Covenants
and on justification do not line up with traditional/orthodox Reformed
theology. A lot of Reformed people outside his camp have serious concerns with
views on this (and obviously Arminians would strongly disagree with him in this area of theology as well). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://carm.org/about-theology/what-is-federal-vision-theology-and-is-it-biblical/">https://carm.org/about-theology/what-is-federal-vision-theology-and-is-it-biblical/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(P.S. Doug Wilson has claimed he no longer holds to “Federal
Vision” however, it is very important to note that he has NOT rejected the
theology that Federal Vision holds to - and that is the problem. In other
words, he’s rejecting the label but keeping the theology. Tricksy… and completely
hypocritical.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Views on men’s/women’s roles:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more I have read/heard from the Wilson's on this
topic, the more I have been seriously concerned - and downright disgusted. The extreme patriarchy is very subtle at times, but I would assert is NOT in line
with Biblical complementarianism. Again, they say a lot of things
thare are actually right or at least *seem* right, but digging deeper I have often seen some red
flags and have thoughts like “ehhh I’m not sure that’s quite right/balanced”.
And on further study, I've found their view to not be in line with Scripture. As Rachel has written more about the area of womenhood it's important to address her specifically here. But as she is collusion with her father, I cannot freely trust her view
on being a Biblical woman/wife/mother. While I have seen she does have many good and right
things to say, there are also some huge concerns and wrong theology... At best, I would have to give too many cautions to feel I could recommend
her to anyone. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is something from Rachel's own mouth... she's being grossly mistreated/controlled and doesn't even see it... seriously? What Christ-like husband would treat his brand new wife like this???: https://www.facebook.com/ExaminingMoscow/videos/346749201336488 </p><p>And while we're at it, here's another video from Rachel with a rather shocking condemning and
hypocritical attitude. Other's "know for absolute certain?" You're a
woman, you can't do anything right - that is the main message I've gotten from Rachel.
https://www.facebook.com/ExaminingMoscow/videos/1920306348165019 </p><p>And one more for you: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmJ1G5YtQhJYeRhX1D1kb2QPul3kxLSVsxDoZkjnGV0F80lnZhDyPNNsCsXhgjHTgk1WpyYNwxeXvr64QLOa3mJp5Xlx92UorcfU8l5yE2HiG_ZQANNGQG7d1MPHZr1oP82Hyt7fa_lN71REiRiZNo8PbGNT6HXFeGRRJi27VlVMRQIRv8NNMLQJTM31X/s1431/rjquotes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="1079" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmJ1G5YtQhJYeRhX1D1kb2QPul3kxLSVsxDoZkjnGV0F80lnZhDyPNNsCsXhgjHTgk1WpyYNwxeXvr64QLOa3mJp5Xlx92UorcfU8l5yE2HiG_ZQANNGQG7d1MPHZr1oP82Hyt7fa_lN71REiRiZNo8PbGNT6HXFeGRRJi27VlVMRQIRv8NNMLQJTM31X/w309-h410/rjquotes.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I can also talk about Nancy Wilson and her parenting advice.... you can watch clips of her "Biblical parenting advice" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75lZfjq_GWg The whole Wilson family also appears in this video - notice the gaslighting from several of them - Dean (the host/critic) is really good at pointing out the red flags you should notice. (P.S This is very similar to the Pearl's borderline(at best?) abusive parenting advice - STAY AWAY! P.S.S. I am not at all anti-spanking, I think it can be fine done correctly, but it can very easily be done wrongly.) </p><p class="MsoNormal">I will add here that I have personal experience of having to
submit to and respect a husband who was in the wrong - who was going the wrong
direction theologically - it was hard, I had to learn and grow a lot in my obedience
to God in my submission and attitude towards my husband, however, my
complementarianism/beliefs about submission are NOT the same as the Wilson's. I
would absolutely not put them in the same category. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have seen too many quotes and heard things Doug Wilson himself has
said that
are downright demeaning to women and completely unbiblical. Here’s an
example: It might just be a woman's fault if she gets raped.... “But
women who genuinely insist on ‘no masculine protection’
are really <b>women who tacitly agree on the propriety of rape</b>.”
(Douglas Wilson, <i>Her Hand in Marriage, </i>p. 13) (And no, I’m not taking this out of context, you can read more in articles I’ve shared). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s some people who have written about concerns in this
area:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://fullmetalpatriarchy.wordpress.com/category/doug-wilson/">https://fullmetalpatriarchy.wordpress.com/category/doug-wilson/</a></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://mereorthodoxy.com/sex-submission-and-evangelicals-doug-wilson-controversial-words">https://mereorthodoxy.com/sex-submission-and-evangelicals-doug-wilson-controversial-words</a></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/2016/01/15/pastor-doug-wilson-on-rape-submission-feminists-and-boobs/">https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/2016/01/15/pastor-doug-wilson-on-rape-submission-feminists-and-boobs/</a></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Doug Wilson/Christ’s church handing of sexual sin and
sexual abuse: </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is another HUGE concern. I'm not sure there is
another area of all of life that makes me more angry than the
ignoring/injustice of abuse in "Christian" environments. If I were to
curse like Doug Wilson and his crew does, this is where I'd do it. Not
only do the above patriarch
views allow for this kind of thing to flourish, there continues to be
very
little accountability or serious concern for protecting others and
dealing with
abusers appropriately. There has been NO admission of “hey maybe we got
this
wrong” only defensive tactics. I have looked into this probably the most
extensively - I have listened to the victims and others who witnessed
the situation(s), read reports, the actual court cases, etc. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can find more information about the abuse cases at this link
(which also provides links to actual court cases): <a href="https://bredenhof.ca/2023/07/10/doug-wilson-the-ugly/">https://bredenhof.ca/2023/07/10/doug-wilson-the-ugly/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another article on this issue: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://religiondispatches.org/sexual-abuse-is-inevitable-in-christian-patriarchy-just-take-a-look-at-doug-wilsons-christ-church-and-its-new-documentary-eve-in-exile-the-restoration-of-femininity/">https://religiondispatches.org/sexual-abuse-is-inevitable-in-christian-patriarchy-just-take-a-look-at-doug-wilsons-christ-church-and-its-new-documentary-eve-in-exile-the-restoration-of-femininity/</a></b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Other personal/character concerns:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His crude language and sexualized content. This is mentioned
in several of the resources I’ve shared, but worth stating again. Much of it is
downright disgusting and inappropriate for a Christian. I have directly read
and personally listened to SO many crude things, and swear words (F-word,
s-word, d-word and so much more) from Doug Wilson and from others who work
closely with him. I will not link any videos or proof of this one but it's easy to find. They literally throw these words around the same as an unbeliever would. Is this really the kind of people you want to recommend to others? <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, when he first was trying to become pastor of his current
church, the elders didn’t think he conformed to their statement of faith
(mainly having to do with his view of justification above). They asked him to either
conform or step down. Instead, he mobilized church members to support him and
basically forced the other elders to resign/leave and took over the leadership
of the church. It was a forcible power struggle that he won. This is not an
appropriate way to be any kind of respectable leader and I consider this a very bad indication of his
character - but it lines up with other control issues that are reported. (This whole thing is common knowledge and a number of people have
written about it - it’s mentioned in several of the resources I shared.) The main
reason Wilson formed his own denomination is that none of the other main (Presbyterian Church of America is where he first tried to join) denominations would accept
him. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with starting your own denomination, but
if it’s because you can’t find a single one you could at least be acceptable in
- that indicates a problem. Not to mention I'm pretty sure he's just a narcissist who wants to be in complete control. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Other resources:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would recommend checking out this facebook page (they are also on Instagram) - I wouldn’t
agree with all their angles or everything they say, but they bring to light a
lot of what I mentioned above and a lot of provide evidence in videos, quotes, documents, etc. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ExaminingMoscow">https://www.facebook.com/ExaminingMoscow</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is written by a unitarian, so obviously there are some
things in there we wouldn’t agree with him on, however he tries to be fairly
fair and goes through some of the other things mentioned above as well as some
I didn’t take the time to mention (i.e. Doug Wilson’s controlling nature, sloppy
writing and references in writing, his view on slavery in America, his extreme
patriarchy, extreme political views, etc. - all of which I would agree are
concerning). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/wilsonempire.htm">https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/wilsonempire.htm</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">In closing, so yes, I absolutely warn against the Wilson's, and anyone associated with them. If you're not convinced yet, take the time to listen to/read through the links provided. <br /></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-90783887050364117592023-08-15T14:54:00.008-06:002024-03-02T12:53:12.177-07:00Mama’s Tips for A Stress-Free Sunday<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sunday
morning we go to church. Church is very important to us for various reasons<b>.
</b>It’s important enough to <b>be there weekly</b>, to <b>be on time</b>, and <b>for
our kids to learn to behave/sit still</b> so they are learning/participating
and not being distracting to others. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Currently,
my husband is teaching the adult Sunday School class at our church so we have
to be leaving the driveway at 8:45 AM (and can’t be late!). Our kids (currently)
have just turned 5, 3 and 1. Two years ago we lived down the street from church,
so I stayed home with two littles ones while Mike went early to (again) teach
Sunday School, and I got myself, a toddler and a baby ready and up to church by
myself. So I have figured out a good routine to 1) make Sunday morning (mostly)
stress-free and 2) get us to church on time! (I say mostly because as we all know, the unexpected happens with kids and they don't always wake up on the "right" side of the bed!) At the end I’m also going to share
some tips for being in church with little ones and how to make that less
stressful (and less distracting for others). </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
<b>#1 tip</b> I’m going to give you for a stress-free Sunday morning is this: </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Prep Saturday
night!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
don’t think I can emphasize enough how important this is! It’s so important
that I do not make plans Saturday evening if I can help it. You might not think
there’s much to prep, but I’ll bet you’re running around Sunday morning before
church doing at least most of these things. Doing all this Saturday evening,
means (you guessed it) <i>you don’t have to do it Sunday morning</i> (AND you
don’t have a messy house to make it feel more stressful). So <b>here's my
general Saturday evening routine:</b> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.
Clean up: After dinner, the kids play (with Daddy or by themselves) and I clean
up after dinner. I do the dishes, wipe counters (etc.), pick up our kitchen/living
area (it’s all one room in our very small apartment) and vacuum. Having a clean
house reduces stress over all, and means I have less to do late at night/in the
morning…. Or later on Sunday for that matter!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.
Bathe kids. Around 7:15 is bath time for the kids. I wash their hair and then
let them play for a while while I finish cleaning or move on to the next thing.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.
Pre-pack diaper bag. Diapers, extra clothes (for the baby at least), snacks,
water bottle are the usual things I have to refill/check. Sometimes the diaper
bag needs a quick cleaning out so I’ll do that too if needed. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">4.
Prep kids’ room so it’s ready for bed. I basically do this every night if it’s
not already picked up… just a quick clean-up so it’s not a mess. Then I close the
curtains and get their pj’s out. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.
Pick out clothes for Sunday. I will pick out the kid’s clothes and have them either
laid out or at least obviously set-apart in case Daddy is the one to dress
them. I also decide what I am going to wear as well
(because I don’t want to waste time figuring that out in the morning). </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.
By 8 the kids are out of bath and having a snack and I’m nursing the baby and getting
him ready for bed. He goes down at 8:30. Then the kids have Bible Time with
Daddy, brush teeth and go to bed at 9. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sunday
Morning Routine</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
have a very simple and quick morning routine (an hour to an hour and 15 minutes
is all we get): </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Younger
two kids are usually up around 7:30/7:45, which is when we usually get up as
well. I take a shower and get dressed. Then I fix my breakfast and (try and)
get kids to eat (3-year-old doesn’t like to eat breakfast usually – which is
why I always have extra snacks packed for the car). My 5-year-old (Keller) usually
sleeps late so I’ll often just bring him something to eat in the car… it’s wayyyy
easier than waking him and trying to get him to eat. I’ll eat breakfast and do
my hair, then do my daughter’s hair. I dress the baby while my husband helps Keller.
Then we grab the diaper bag and Church activity bag (more on that below) and we’re
out the door. The only extra things I grab are my phone and personal water bottle.
(I usually do my make-up in the car since I don’t use a lot so that also saves
time.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">If
we got up earlier we could have more time for kids to eat, etc. but kids (and
Mom and Dad too!) like to sleep later, and so this works for us. <b>My biggest
tip here is to figure out what time you need to leave and work backwards. </b>Also,
<b>leave yourself 10 more minutes than you think you’ll need. </b>As you get
into a routine it may shorten, but when you’re first working on a routine you
need to allow extra time (especially when you have little ones who unexpectedly
will have a diaper blow-out or something). It might take some time to figure
out your routine (and how much time you need) but you’ll get it! It’s worth it
to have less stress and to be able to get to church on time! </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>2024 Update: </b>Currently, we are 40 minutes from the church my husband now pastors. We have to be heading out the door at 7:30am. Our kids aren't big breakfast eaters so they get big reusable applesauce pouches in the car. I take my shower the night before now and we all get ready in less than an hour! <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tips
for a less-stressful church experience with kids: </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work
on sitting quietly at home: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">We didn’t start this till fairly recently,
but when we have our evening “Bible Time” the two older ones are expected to sit
quietly and listen. We will evolve this as time goes on and expand the time and
our expectations for them. Kids can sit longer than you think. I remember being
surprised when my son first sat through an entire prayer meeting (about 30
minutes) with zero issues (and he’s a very busy child)! I realized he could do
a lot more than I thought he could! However, <b>it is not fair to expect your kids to
sit quietly at church if you do not practice at home.</b> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Church
Activity Bag:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">
(or box or whatever!) This a bag that is ONLY for church with quiet toys, fidget
toys, sticker books, books, coloring books, etc. Basically, whatever would help
your particular child(ren) sit more quietly. This gives your kids something to
do during the service if they get bored. We also try not to let them use the Activity
Bag right away – ideally not until after the singing so they can participate in
that. Kids do not “need” any kind of toys/coloring things during a service (or
even during a sermon) because they can learn to sit quietly, but it’s an option,
and a nice one especially when they are young. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">If
potty trained, take them to the bathroom BEFORE the service starts.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This is easy to forget
but it will hopefully eliminate the need for them to go during the service.
This is a good general habit for adults as well... Valuing being in church
means you think about even simple things like this so you’re not missing part
of the service or being a distraction to others. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sit
in the Back:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">
Have you ever sat behind a child in church who was fidgeting, moving a lot, and/or
misbehaving? If so, you know why it’s respectful to sit near the back with your
kids. If your kids are young, are still learning to sit still, and at an age
where you need to be prepared to correct (or discipline) them during the service,
it’s easiest and less stressful for you (not to mention much less distracting
to others) if you sit in the back (or at least on the side/near an exit). I
mean, full disclosure: we have on several occasions had to take a kid quickly out
of church who was misbehaving…and loudly (anyone else???). So I was pretty glad
we weren’t sitting up front! Valuing church means also helping others to not be
distracted if you can help it. Sometimes it can’t be helped of course, and it
is also important that we understand that <i>kids make noise</i>… and we shouldn’t
segregate families or children because they can’t sit quietly like adults can. <b>However,
you can still do your part to help others be less distracted by sitting in the
back with your little ones until they are at an age/stage where they can sit
quietly.</b> This is just generally respectful to others. And this will make church
less stressful for you as well! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ll
add we have a general rule of <b>no snacks in church</b>. We haven’t always
done this, but realized it was pretty distracting to others. Now my kids get
snacks on the way to church (and right now they can have some during the Sunday
School hour since there is no kids class), but once we’re in the sanctuary there’s
no more snacks. This eliminates 1) them asking for snacks, 2) snack noises, 3) mess.
The only exception to this is the baby who sometimes gets those little dissolvable
baby snacks to help him be quiet (but make sure they are not the ones in loud
packaging!). (Obviously nursing a baby doesn’t count either.) </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-82485302360223699352023-03-18T13:48:00.001-06:002024-03-02T12:54:04.719-07:00Book Review: Unholy Charade by Jeff Crippen<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Discernment is
not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right </i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>and wrong; rather
it is the difference between right and almost right.” -Charles Spurgeon</i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Incorrect
interpretations of Scripture, no matter what Christian theologian may </i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>speak
them, need to be treated as what they are: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>false teaching.</b> </i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Poor interpretation must be
corrected if we want to hold Scripture high. (-me)<br /></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jeff Crippen (pastor, advocate and writer at <a href="https://unholycharade.com">https://unholycharade.com</a>/) has written
this very educational book on domestic abuse in the church. With the experience
of nearly hundreds of interaction with victims (and abusers), Jeff reveals the Church-at-large’s
arrogant ignorance of abusers and their damage to their family members all
while wearing an effective mask of Christianity. <b>He quotes extensively from
victims (and some notable church leaders) proving the church-at-large’s weakness
in this area to understand and help.</b> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Church (and I speak of the Church-at-large) does not take abuse in the church seriously. One
reason is because <b>we don’t want to believe there actually ARE wolves in our
midst</b>. Surely, not in OUR church. Surely, not THAT “nice” man who teaches Sunday
School! But most people are also woefully ignorant of the nature of abusers –
that they are people without conscience and extremely skilled at deceiving
others. While I’m sure most of us have seen some news stories of a charming man
who ruthlessly murdered his wife (or others), we don’t think (or want to think)
that this kind of man could be part of our church – or even be in leadership! But
the truth is that Jesus himself warned that this WOULD happen:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Beware of false
prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or
figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased
tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased
tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire…” (Matt 7:15-23)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Churches are also deceived by <b>false repentance</b>. We
think that if someone SAYS they’re repentant and ACTS like it in the moment
that they must be genuine. But the truth is that repentance is only really
known by one thing: Fruit. And fruit takes time. <b>It is false teaching to
take the word of an abuser’s “repentance” and just expect the victim to “forgive
and forget”.</b> It is dangerous to rush reconciliation before we see evidence
of true repentance. We not only may risk the physical life of the victim, but even
more so, we put their emotional and spiritual health at risk. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Too many churches are also more concerned about their
reputations than about dealing with situation. Abuse in the church looks bad,
it’s far easier to just tell the victim to “submit more” “forgive and love him
anyway” than actually help and deal with the sin of the abuser. <b>Part of this
is ignorance, but it’s a willful ignorance where they ignore the pleas for help
and ignore the lack of repentance-fruit.</b> I personally know several churches
who were (or still are) either deceived or flat-out denied/ignored the plight
of the victim, siding with the abuser and excommunicating the victim when she
finally fled. Even when the elders were confronted with proof of abuse they
have refused to apologize for the injustice they’d given<b>. Instead of helping
they tell her to submit in ways that she was NOT commanded by God to do, and to
suffer unjustly. </b>This is the total opposite of what church leaders are supposed
to do. I have said <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2019/09/abusers-and-pharisees-who-enable-them.html" target="_blank">elsewhere</a> that those that don't deal with abusers are like the pharisees, here's what Jesus said about them: <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i>“Woe
to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth </i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i>of
your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important
matters </i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i>of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced
the latter, </i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i>without neglecting the former.</i></span><i>” (Matt 23:23)</i><i> You<span class="text"> “pile heavy burdens on people's </span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="text">shoulders and won't lift a finger
to help”. (Matt 23:4)</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christians can also idolize marriage so that their focus becomes
on “preserving the marriage” rather than seriously dealing with the sin and
protecting the victim. They do not understand that in their desire to “preserve
marriage” they are actually degrading marriage by continuing to validating it
when the vows have been broken (and continue to be broken with no true
repentance). <b>Many Christians also have a false interpretation of Malachi
2:16 that is so often quoted as “God hates divorce”. This is a completely inaccurate
translation.</b> This inaccuracy is prevalent despite the accurateness of the ESV says: “For the man who does not love his wife but
divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with
violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do
not be faithless.” Hating his wife and being “faithless” is exactly what an
abuser is. This isn't saying he should divorce (or that she shouldn't divorce him). Even if he does not pursue divorce (usually an abuser does not as he wants to stay in control of his victim, plus that would make him look bad) he
has broken the marriage vows to “love and protect” his wife. <b>THIS is what it
means to have a high view of marriage. </b>While no one will love their spouse
perfectly, the idea is that there is a genuine desire to love and do good to
their spouse. Abusers do not have this, and over time the true of any “repentance”
should be very clear – if we are paying attention. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jeff gives lots of practical instruction on how to spot
abuse, how to recognize an abuser, questions to ask to help you see through any
façade, ways to help the victim, how to know if divorce is Biblical, and more. This
book is a must-read for Christians, especially those in leadership who are called
to shepherd Christ’s flock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ignore
abuse is to ignore justice and mercy just as the Pharisees did. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Silence in the
face of evil is itself evil.” – Detrick Bonhoeffer</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May we repent of our blindness and arrogant ignorance in dealing
with abuse victims within our walls. May we deal rightly with the sin of abuse,
and not allow the victimization of others. May we set free the oppressed and
show true justice to the sinner and the victim. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Learn to do
right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause </i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.” (Isa 1:17)</i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Do not pervert
justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, </i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>but judge your
neighbor fairly.” (Lev 19:15)</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Some excerpts from the book: </b><i><br /></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFSLJGfCfEpmjAndI_52i6BBJeIOy3fiqXlGCmHs2HML3cBbtX1-sHAx5SLs4x_2UTlLUfH-IqgceO-DWaaDOL5aHND-EFn_5A0RHk0LJlnYXfBYqOyKpbKaXzqqXsrggCbRdKPtXCOOzq4SefbUDa8y7K947Xpd5d1gsiDUZ1ZMCTKwwBH3dHvhAJg/s4032/25296494-805A-4E2F-81CB-9D4297D4E5FA.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFSLJGfCfEpmjAndI_52i6BBJeIOy3fiqXlGCmHs2HML3cBbtX1-sHAx5SLs4x_2UTlLUfH-IqgceO-DWaaDOL5aHND-EFn_5A0RHk0LJlnYXfBYqOyKpbKaXzqqXsrggCbRdKPtXCOOzq4SefbUDa8y7K947Xpd5d1gsiDUZ1ZMCTKwwBH3dHvhAJg/s320/25296494-805A-4E2F-81CB-9D4297D4E5FA.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_qaa6M1GY3vOM36Zik7HtxvDqlGfyCvMs2MSqGZOxSJ7CNm7PWL31mL4BVSeNF6wwHHyjsc6K9dtwwMojeflTjic88KkYMugVtBfjgBiw62Cc01bDnM_pEXtJ8euhOg6ORMjv0mDF93ytSJOpiscus6PV85FTAraYL89SDopTQmoHWPMLw9xvwvh9g/s4032/96E0A050-BBC9-42E1-897D-DC37F34B9A86.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_qaa6M1GY3vOM36Zik7HtxvDqlGfyCvMs2MSqGZOxSJ7CNm7PWL31mL4BVSeNF6wwHHyjsc6K9dtwwMojeflTjic88KkYMugVtBfjgBiw62Cc01bDnM_pEXtJ8euhOg6ORMjv0mDF93ytSJOpiscus6PV85FTAraYL89SDopTQmoHWPMLw9xvwvh9g/s320/96E0A050-BBC9-42E1-897D-DC37F34B9A86.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVETZw9MLEqdZMfPmU-SHaobPqs6m2OQDQ0xC9F7ML0qYyjgLhh3ous7hw7x9FejONYo0ABJ_J5BBzb50M4oA2_svI38Y5kMa6fXu4YMaUkQwOq26jDCfGZaomVZ26w7ojlUFSl4nGUDah7KxXOJiSb_qLR-WbyGO5qTcJbehv5_VnlxCy7I2iAj0cg/s4032/9F459F46-8094-4083-8397-1AA0C5AE5C08.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVETZw9MLEqdZMfPmU-SHaobPqs6m2OQDQ0xC9F7ML0qYyjgLhh3ous7hw7x9FejONYo0ABJ_J5BBzb50M4oA2_svI38Y5kMa6fXu4YMaUkQwOq26jDCfGZaomVZ26w7ojlUFSl4nGUDah7KxXOJiSb_qLR-WbyGO5qTcJbehv5_VnlxCy7I2iAj0cg/s320/9F459F46-8094-4083-8397-1AA0C5AE5C08.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIcxDGVD18lBbcbqe0wUQEL_Uhr2wRkF1R-mruU5kCQztUKhKBsb4CxLVoaB4JjLqq3DZexaKFajE_llJBvUvwVX89mU3YeTaZB5R-5R3dGrgCDvn-xH90byNRZkjHKgcFskxKDOCLuBjAuu-8d9MIjSKiOsxpYGsWZPk3rkmFDAi6NWuYJOHWIWoLQ/s4032/0F1655A4-A7E0-490A-AA1F-68438F791F41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIcxDGVD18lBbcbqe0wUQEL_Uhr2wRkF1R-mruU5kCQztUKhKBsb4CxLVoaB4JjLqq3DZexaKFajE_llJBvUvwVX89mU3YeTaZB5R-5R3dGrgCDvn-xH90byNRZkjHKgcFskxKDOCLuBjAuu-8d9MIjSKiOsxpYGsWZPk3rkmFDAi6NWuYJOHWIWoLQ/s320/0F1655A4-A7E0-490A-AA1F-68438F791F41.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fleGSSU9a9bxAdo52Uvz8784HLh6sG4kpIbMdRncxmb1Y7Zg86QfQSFnPOanCZpfAH-F4AEFblCG8vRJ-g5jkizqyDWsOy5wy4UpF_kWeLdmJwcWhGPLZLddUGgiYe6QmAKEtTMD6EVLg215pO25mqvRmMVwZI2U7SbHQRa2J9v8dFa0hat-jpR77w/s4032/0A49B6B0-7CA4-436E-8E0F-23E150B39ECD.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fleGSSU9a9bxAdo52Uvz8784HLh6sG4kpIbMdRncxmb1Y7Zg86QfQSFnPOanCZpfAH-F4AEFblCG8vRJ-g5jkizqyDWsOy5wy4UpF_kWeLdmJwcWhGPLZLddUGgiYe6QmAKEtTMD6EVLg215pO25mqvRmMVwZI2U7SbHQRa2J9v8dFa0hat-jpR77w/s320/0A49B6B0-7CA4-436E-8E0F-23E150B39ECD.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p>Buy the book here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Charade-Unmasking-Domestic-Abuser/dp/0692533222">https://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Charade-Unmasking-Domestic-Abuser/dp/0692533222</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-21769314907061754262022-08-18T13:32:00.003-06:002022-11-26T16:42:31.620-07:00How to find a Good Church (Church Search Helps)<p>I would argue that being committed to a good local church is foundational to one's walk with Christ. We were saved to be part of a body, a community. We are not the "church" alone; not without other believers to meet with, grow alongside of and learn from. <b>We need others to walk this Christian walk, we were not meant to go it alone.</b> Paul specifically tells believers he is writing to that they should not be "giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb 10:25). <span class="p">If you've been in not-good churches, or even been hurt by people in a church, don't give up looking for a good one! <br /></span> </p><p>First, <b>I should probably define what a "good" church is.</b> Excluding specific secondary doctrinal issues, here's what you want to be looking for in a good church: </p><p><b>1. Expositional Preaching. </b>This means that the preaching almost always is structured so that it goes through a book of the Bible verse by verse and carefully dissects and explains the text for the purpose of teaching and instructing the congregation accurately. Good preaching also interprets Scripture based on the rest of Scripture, not primarily presuppositions or assumptions or only looking at one text alone. <br /></p><p><b>2. Biblical Theology.</b> This may differ depending on how you interpret Scripture on some secondary issues (ex. baptism), but the point is, the church needs to be rooted in theology that is defensibly Biblical and orthodox.</p><p><b>3. Biblical understanding of the Gospel. </b>The Gospel message should be clear and not watered down. A clear, Biblical explanation of sin, Christ's atonement and the need for repentance and faith are central to a healthy church. <br /></p><p><b>4. Biblical understanding of Conversion. </b>This goes in part with the last point; a church can present a fairly clear gospel and yet still have a muddled view of conversion and what it really means to become a Christian, which is really important. </p><p><b>5. Biblical understanding of evangelism. </b>Basically, we're supposed to be doing it, but the way we do it also matters. Is the church winning people to their church, to their programs, or to truly following Christ? This is why the previous point is also really important. <br /></p><p><b>6. Biblical understanding of Church membership.</b> Belonging and being committed to a local community of believers is really important for accountability, relationships and building community (see next two points). <br /></p><p><b>7. Biblical church discipline. </b>This really can't be practiced well without the last point. Holding church members accountable, correcting and rebuking if needed is important for a healthy church. </p><p><b>8. Promotion of church discipleship and growth. </b>It's not a healthy church if people aren't growing in their faith practically in daily life and in their understanding of Scripture. We should also be growing relationally, growing in what it means to love others. Church is more than Sunday morning, the church should be at least seeking to grow it's members with Bible study and discipleship opportunities as well as fostering relationships/community outside of Sunday mornings. <br /></p><p><b>9. Biblical understanding of Church leadership.</b> The Biblical model for church leadership is a plurality of elders/pastors. This is not as common today as it should be, but it is ideal for a healthy church. (Note that some churches/pastors view this as important and desire to move in this direction but it takes qualified men and often time to be able to make this happen.) At the very least the church should have a pastor/leaders who are faithful and committed to Scripture, </p><p>Credit for these points goes to 9Marks Ministries, for more on these points see <a href="https://www.challies.com/articles/9-marks-of-a-healthy-church/">this article.</a> </p><p> </p><p><b>Here are the links I share when people are looking for a church: </b><br /></p><p>Master's Seminary Alumni church finder. This is an excellent, solid
seminary and graduates of here would be assumed to be leaders of
likewise solid and healthy churches: <a href="https://tms.edu/find-a-church/">https://tms.edu/find-a-church/</a> </p><p>9Marks has a database/church finder with churches that meet these 9 qualifications: <a href="https://www.9marks.org/church-search/">https://www.9marks.org/church-search/</a></p><p>Of course there's more churches out there that would also meet the qualifications but for various reasons are not on these sites, and you should also keep in mind that there are still churches in there that are healthier than others based on how important they view these things or how well they do them - which can make a big difference. </p><p> </p><p><b>When checking out a church, here's some tips:</b></p><p><b>1. Look for a church website. </b></p><p>a) You're particularly looking for their statement of faith and other statements/documents like "church mission" or "what we value". How clear is it, and what do they stand for that's also important to you? (I always look for a clear and more specific statement of faith, some churches statements are more vague which, to me, can be an indication of something lacking.)<br /></p><p>b) Most websites will have information on the pastor(s)/leadership team so you can learn a bit about them. Where the pastor(s) went to seminary or their past experience can be an indication of the kind of church it will be. Not always of course, but it can be telling. Denominational or church affiliation can be really helpful as well. <br /></p><p>c) Look for online sermons, or even a livestream that you could watch. This can give you a great feel for the church before you actually visit. Obviously, a church is going to be different in-person, but watching a service online will let you know what they value about a church service, a general feel for the "church culture", the kind of music/songs/lyrics they are using to teach the congregation (which can sometimes be telling), the leadership and preaching style, and a whole lot more. If there's no livestream, then listen to some sermons (I usually recommend listening to at least 2 in case for some reason a particular sermon just wasn't that good that week). </p><p>d) Websites also usually have information on other ministries in the church. Do they do small groups, Bible Study or prayer meetings? Adult and children's education/Sunday school? Outreach? What other ministries do you value for your family? (ex. youth group, Awana-type kids ministry, mens/ladies Bible studies.) Some churches may not have much going on outside of Sunday's - for various reasons, some out of their control. But at least some of these are pretty valuable and should at least be areas the church leadership desires to grow in... mainly because they help a great deal in fostering relationships and discipleship. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>2. Visit in-person. </b>And visit more than once! (It's always good to give a church a second chance unless you're very sure it's not for you). <br /></p><p>a) Assuming you think the 9 Marks are already met, look for a sense of community. Friendliness is not an indication of community. Lots of churches have friendly people, but it doesn't always go beyond that. Do the people there seem to genuinely care about each other? About you? Do people just casually talk or does there seem to be deeper, more meaningful conversations happening? Church is much deeper than a service on Sunday mornings, it's supposed to be a community, a family. <br /></p><p>b) Intentionally meet some of the members, and the pastor, his wife, and/or other leaders. Have some questions to ask them about the church, ministries, etc. Here's some great questions: "What do you value about this local church?" "Where do you see the need for growth in this local church?" "What needs does this church have?" "In what ways have you been blessed by the church here?" </p><p><br /></p><p>Good churches can be hard to find! Pray, pray, pray as you look for one. If you can't find one, move or consider <a href="https://illbehonest.com/should-i-move-for-a-church-or-plant-one" target="_blank">starting one</a>! <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-88233236143310288022022-08-15T11:51:00.001-06:002022-08-15T11:51:35.644-06:00Home Sweet Homebirth: Daniel Alan's Birth Story<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The original plan
for this home birth was to have it at my mom’s house, because she has a nice jacuzzi
tub in a lovely master bedroom suite – and that’s where my <b><a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2020/07/liberty-hope-our-daughters-birth-story.html" target="_blank">daughter</a></b> was born
two years ago. My mom had everything all ready for us there, but this little
guy, <b><a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2018/05/answered-prayer-kellers-birth-story.html" target="_blank">like his older brother</a></b> apparently, didn’t want to follow our plans for
location. We had also hoped for Tuesday 8/9 for the birth because of some
work-related things of my husband’s, but baby decided that he also liked having
the same month and day for a birthday – again like his brother – and came a day
early (2 days before due date). </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sunday (the day
before) was a busy day! We went to a picnic with Faith Baptist where Mommy’s
nephew got baptized and we went swimming in the lake. Big sister Liberty was
making Mommy be pretty active with her love of the water. We had ice cream for
dinner because it was really hot out and apparently it ended up being out last
outing as a family of 4! That evening while getting out of the shower, I
slipped just a bit pulling some muscle between my legs. That was rather painful
and left me wondering if/how it would affect labor. Not sure if it did trigger
something or not, but just before 1am on Monday morning, I had what they call “the
bloody show”. Contractions started shortly after, but I tried going back to bed
to get some sleep… after calling the midwife to let her know the status. Mild
contractions continued, but they were 7-10 minutes apart so I didn’t think too
much of it (and didn’t want to bother people in the middle of the night!). I
dozed some and around 6am I got up after the contractions seemed to be getting
more intense (but were still consistently about 10 minutes apart). Almost immediately,
the contraction pace picked up to 3-4 minutes apart. When I text updated the
midwife and said I thought we should definitely leave for my mom’s, she called
me and said “we’re going to come to you, you should go lay down”. So I did.
Contractions slowed a little and gave us time for her and her assistant (Sue)
to both get there around 7:30-7:45AM. I had called my sister (Auntie Alicia) around
6:30 who came over to help get Liberty and Keller up and then she took them to
her house (thanks sis!!!!)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Daniel was born
at 8:59AM</b>, after me pushing for about a half an hour. He came out in one final
push, fairly fast, and cried right away! It’s such an amazing feeling
seeing/holding your baby after all that hard work! His cord was pretty short,
so he was next to me until it stopped pulsing. Once it was cut he was on my
chest. After the placenta came out a bit later, I did have some mildly serious bleeding
that the midwives managed fairly quickly and successfully (but I did have to
get two shots and extra pushing on my tummy for the next half hour-hour to make
sure I wasn’t still unusually bleeding inside). None of that was fun at all, and
my poor husband got a bit scarred by it, but everything ended up fine! Because
of that I was also a little weaker for the next day or so, but by the end of
the 2<sup>nd</sup> day was feeling pretty good! A week later, I'm feeling pretty good except for tension in my back/neck that gives me headaches (chiropractor visit today hopefully will help), and my blood pressure is still a bit on the high side so I'm trying to rest as much as possible. Midwife is still checking on Daniel and I for another 5 weeks so I feel quite supported during this season. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Daniel weighed 6
pounds, 7 ounces, 21.75 inches long</b> - my smallest baby by far... my other two were both over 8 pounds! I had rather hoped for a small baby and I got one! He’s
so little! He was a rather uninterested eater the first two days… it took him a little bit
to figure out that nursing was now how he was supposed to be fed, so it took
quite a bit of time and patience nursing, especially through that first night
and second day. You forget how hard it can be when they are so little and
learning to nurse. But he figured it out and is turning into a champ! A week old and he's back up and over his birth weight! <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">On realizing we
weren’t going to make it to my mom’s, I was slightly disappointed to not get a
water birth, but in the end 1) we didn’t have to go anywhere which was nice,
and 2) we didn’t have to travel home/going anywhere after having him either! As
hard work as natural birth is, I’m a big advocate of it, and of home births. It
was so sweet to be in our own room and home and have midwives there to help
take care of us/things and avoid so many interruptions by nurses and extra
people and who knows what else. I was able to just lay in my own bed holding my
baby until I was ready to hand him over for his newborn check, and just stay
there. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I felt very weak
going into this birth, for various reasons. I’ve dealt with a bit more
anxiety/fear this time and prayed a lot for God’s strength, through the delivery especially. I
was given the strength I prayed for. I am also so thankful for such a helpful
husband and a supportive family who’s helping us in various ways these first
days and weeks, and friends who have offered meals/help. Big brother Keller was
a bit confused at first that “baby brother” was no longer in my belly but is quite
sweet about his arrival. Big sister Liberty could pretty much care less, and is
mostly ignoring him. Haha! It will be a bit of an adjustment for her as she’s
been very much a Mommy’s girl, but she’s already getting used to spending more
time with Daddy so that’s sweet too. I’ve been rather apprehensive of going to
3 kids, but I know we will adjust and have a “new normal”. God will continue to
give grace and strength. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why we chose his name: </span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Names and their meaning are
important to us so we prayed and waited for the name we thought our son should
have. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DANIEL: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His name means "God is my
Judge", and he is named after the man of great wisdom, faith and courage
in the Bible. The name felt special as it seemed to almost come to Mike, waking
him up in the middle of the night, even though it would not have normally been
one of his picks. When he talked to me the next day, I told him that I’d actually
been thinking a lot about that name too even though we hadn’t discussed it! I’ve
always liked the name but didn’t think I’d really end up using it because it’s
more common. But we’re very happy with his name. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ALAN: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alan is the name of his paternal
grandfather and we are glad to honor him in this way. There are various
opinions on the meaning of the name; the Gaelic origin means "handsome,
cheerful" (and we certainly hope he's both of these characteristics!), but
we also like the Celtic meaning which is "little rock; harmony,
peace".</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"For the LORD is our judge, the
LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is He who will save us."
(Isaiah 33:22)</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"If we are thrown into the
blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will
deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you
to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of
gold you have set up.”<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> (Daniel 3:17-18)</span></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"></span></span></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0cOPY52LK_V0eE0zpjaRYnFtC9AaafYmR-0DRmVtJJq_g4JwXgroCIpgFRRk7s93Co2RE2LgOaaeeqJh-trUnATY-5ZXTEFcrHey4jd2tTv_M6_lVcoQ1jWWtMEUlraGJa2slrmdtZ0qgq8WFK0b7HgYaUEUogh2kt62ciYSJ_LGBDuWncGDwDdyvg/s664/Daniel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="498" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0cOPY52LK_V0eE0zpjaRYnFtC9AaafYmR-0DRmVtJJq_g4JwXgroCIpgFRRk7s93Co2RE2LgOaaeeqJh-trUnATY-5ZXTEFcrHey4jd2tTv_M6_lVcoQ1jWWtMEUlraGJa2slrmdtZ0qgq8WFK0b7HgYaUEUogh2kt62ciYSJ_LGBDuWncGDwDdyvg/w291-h388/Daniel1.jpg" width="291" /></a></i></b></div><b><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRbW51IO7zgWPg7GfwJKRFTSNI2oDktbi44BhH-82OV3WrM4zAQSnlyZ4eGuolQspUbmrrClH1i_3D_qaiCgqkhsbm-MH3n9Gm2XSP1jn61Ucv69nP6V4cnm5rVaD2QCLMHJn3PFKZkctHyCfuVihYZ-7g0AJjScPdb7BmXKvCRefFUPwR18ZxWu5Rg/s886/Daniel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="886" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRbW51IO7zgWPg7GfwJKRFTSNI2oDktbi44BhH-82OV3WrM4zAQSnlyZ4eGuolQspUbmrrClH1i_3D_qaiCgqkhsbm-MH3n9Gm2XSP1jn61Ucv69nP6V4cnm5rVaD2QCLMHJn3PFKZkctHyCfuVihYZ-7g0AJjScPdb7BmXKvCRefFUPwR18ZxWu5Rg/w497-h373/Daniel2.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><br /> </i></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-50265743137441078832022-06-21T16:25:00.002-06:002022-06-21T16:25:29.300-06:00Major Views on Baptism <p class="MsoNormal">When you start looking into specifics, it is rather astonishing
how many different views there are on the subject of Christian baptism. It’s actually a little disheartening that there’s so many different views since we
should hope that Christians would agree more on important doctrines like this
one, but here we are. In this post I have laid out a summary of each of the major positions trying not to show (much) bias. These are just the major ones, there are often variations within each group as well. Each group will appeal to Scripture for support and often many of the same Scriptures, some better than
others, but<b> the real difference in the views usually comes down to Biblical
interpretation,</b> which is why figuring out how to properly interpret Scripture is so important. Everyone is prone to interpret Scripture in light of their own denomination or church tradition and being able to break out of that and look at Scripture with fresh eyes is super important. We should never just believe something because our church or pastor or tradition teaches it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">A few things to keep in mind as we think about baptism and it's relationship to salvation: Scripture talks about believers
as those who have been saved (past tense, usually referring to conversion), who are being saved (present tense)
and who will be saved (future tense). <b>In the discussion of baptism, “conversion”
is rather central to the argument and whether that comes before baptism, after
baptism, or during or partially through baptism</b>. The discussion comes down to these two key questions: <b><i>What</i> does it mean to be in the New Covenant? And<i> when</i>/<i>how</i>
does God change the heart and give new life to someone?<br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I did not cite Scriptures in each view since again most views will
use the same Scriptures to defend their view. <b>Key verses on baptism used by
most or all groups in their defense are: Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:1-41; 8:36-39;
16:30-33, Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21, </b>I have discussed many of these Scriptures and more in a previous post<b> <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2021/07/scripture-texts-more-on-baptism.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Major Views on Baptism: </b><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Symbolic-Only Credo-Baptist View</i></b><i>:</i> Baptism is
the proper response to God’s grace in salvation through faith and repentance.
It is an act of obedience through faith, and an initiation into the church. It
symbolizes and demonstrates the death and resurrection of the soul through the
death and resurrection of Christ. It is a visible sign and seal of the person’s
entrance into the visible church and a confirmation to those witnessing it of
the individual’s faith and repentance. Thus, baptism should only be given to
professing believers. Baptism is not a "means of grace" it is strictly symbolic, and a testimony to one's conversion. It is not
essential for someone to be considered "saved," however, as it is commanded by Christ/Scripture, true believers should be
obedient to the Lord’s command. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a longer explanation on this view: <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-baptism.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-baptism.html</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Low-sacramental/Reformed Credo-Baptist view</i>:</b> This view is very similar to the last, but slightly different and views it as a little more important. Baptism
is the proper response to God when He has converted the heart and brought about
faith and repentance. It is an act of obedience through faith, and an
initiation into the church. It symbolizes and demonstrates the death and
resurrection of the soul through the death and resurrection of Christ. Thus,
baptism should only be given to professing believers. Furthermore, (and this is
what distinguishes this view from a strict symbol view) Christ (and the Holy
Spirit) are spiritually present in the act of Baptism and thus it is also a “means
of grace” and an opportunity for spiritual blessing/encouragement. It is a visible sign and
seal of the person’s entrance into the visible church, a confirmation to those
witnessing it of the individual’s faith and repentance, and a grace-filled, powerful
reminder of their position in Christ. <b>While this view sees Baptism as more than
just a physical act and more accurately as also a spiritual one that Christ meets
us in in a rather mysterious way, baptism does <u>not</u> bestow forgiveness, wash away sin, or put the person "into" Christ.</b> It is Christ that accomplished our forgiveness/justification on the cross,
and new life/adoption is bestowed upon us the moment we believe by the Holy Spirit. Baptism could be considered the culmination of the "salvation experience," but it is not “essential”
in the sense that one can temporarily or ignorantly delay their baptism and still be considered saved. However,
it is commanded, and true believers must be obedient to the Lord’s commands to
have true assurance of their salvation and for admission of their "official" membership in
the visible Church. Like a wedding where the witnesses give their testimony to what has occurred, baptism is an important moment where the individual is outwardly joined with the visible church. While baptism can be said to “save” (lower case “s” referring to our ongoing salvation) or be an
“effectual” means of grace, baptism doesn’t “save” (justify) us or put us "into Christ". It is meaningful and important, but still largely a symbol and outward sign of the work God has already accomplished internally. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Longer discussion and Q&A here: <a href="https://www.eng.auburn.edu/~sjreeves/personal/baptism_faq.html">https://www.eng.auburn.edu/~sjreeves/personal/baptism_faq.html</a></p><p> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Presbyterian/Low Anglican View</i></b><i>:</i> Baptism
is “a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, or one’s ingrafting into Christ,
of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of one’s giving up unto God, through
Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.” (WCF) Baptism is the act of God
bringing a person into the Covenant family. In addition to adult believers,
children of believers should also be baptized. Like circumcision in the OT
brought children of Israelites into the Covenant, so baptism also brings the
children of believers into the visible church and the New Covenant. By itself it is incomplete. It is an outward sign that must
be completed/fulfilled through personal faith and repentance. Therefore, baptism is not a
guarantee of regeneration or salvation, faith and repentance must (eventually) be
evident. Baptism is required to be considered a Christian but one can be saved prior to being baptized. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Presbyterian view is based largely on the Westminster Confession of
Faith (WCF) here: <a href="https://www.creeds.net/Westminster/c28.htm">https://www.creeds.net/Westminster/c28.htm</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the official Anglican position see below. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(These last 3 views are the most controversial, and [in my opinion] the furthest from Scripture.)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Efficacious Church-of-Christ View:</i></b> Man’s response
to God in salvation is six-fold: Hear the Word, Believe, Repent of sin, Confess
faith in Christ, Be baptized, Be faithful to the end. Baptism is but one aspect
of the being saved. Furthermore, baptism is the “occasion of salvation,” the moment
that God brings a person into Christ, into His body, His Church. It is not a work
that we do, rather it is God’s work in which He washes away our sin, gives the
Holy Spirit and bestows new life. Baptism is absolutely necessary for one to be a
Christian and be saved. Therefore, baptism should only be given to those who make a
profession of faith and should be administered with no delay. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Depending on who you talk to, some COC folks will say that
one may still go to Heaven if they die on the way to their baptism, but others
will say that God would not allow a genuine believer to die before being
baptized (thus that person would be lost). However, all would agree that if a professing Christian delays their baptism for any reason they cannot be considered saved. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See a longer defense of this view here: <a href="http://www.christianlandmark.com/the-church-of-christ-teaches-the-truth-on-baptism/">http://www.christianlandmark.com/the-church-of-christ-teaches-the-truth-on-baptism/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Sacramental High Anglican/Lutheran view</i></b><i>:</i>
Baptism is a means of grace whereby God gives or cultivates the gift of faith and graciously
bestows new life on the individual, bringing them into his family. It works
forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who believe. Baptism should thus be
administered to believing adults or children of believers. Although baptism kindles
God’s grace and turns our hearts towards God, it does not necessarily “convert”
our heart. God’s work in baptism may be resisted because for baptism to truly be
beneficial, it must be combined with a personal profession of faith (will be
later if they are baptized as an infant) and continued faith and obedience, otherwise the baptism becomes ineffective.
We should look to what God did in our
baptism and trust His ability to save us. Most would believe that one can ignorantly delay baptism and still be saved, but their salvation may still be questioned. This view also usually believes that the grace given in baptism can be lost, and the person baptized be unsaved. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The “official” Anglican position on baptism in the 39
Articles is rather vague. Some Anglicans hold to this higher sacramental view, for others, it’s more a “sign and a seal” (similar to Presbyterian above). For
a more thorough explanation see: <a href="https://anglicancompass.com/holy-baptism/">https://anglicancompass.com/holy-baptism/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">The main difference of Lutheranism from Anglicanism is that Lutherans believe infants can actually have faith and that baptism cultivates that faith. The official Lutheran position is
largely based on Luther’s shorter catechism: “[Baptism] works forgiveness of sins,
rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who
believe”.</span> The official Lutheran position believes in security of the elect, and while they believe baptism does "work forgiveness" they will also say that baptismal grace can be lost if the person does not continue to believe. Further Lutheran explanation: <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/justandsinner/what-is-the-lutheran-view-of-baptism/">https://www.patheos.com/blogs/justandsinner/what-is-the-lutheran-view-of-baptism/</a>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Sacramental Roman Catholic View:</i></b> Baptism is a
means of grace whereby God cleanses one of original and previously committed sin.
Faith is not given at baptism, rather the faith of the parents sustains them
until confirmation. Thus, those baptized must be confirmed later when the child is
older for it to be truly effective. Baptism is to be administered to infants or professing adults for
forgiveness of original sin without which there is no entrance into Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Catholic explanation: <a href="https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/a-guide-to-catholic-baptism/">https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/a-guide-to-catholic-baptism/</a> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>A few observations from this study: </b>In case you didn't already know, I personally am convinced of the
Reformed Credo-Baptist position. Baptism is very important and special
and there is "grace" given in it, but it is still completely separate
from conversion and, other than being a spiritually encouraging/enriching experience, and an affirmation/witness of one's acceptance into the visible church, it does not change anything spiritually. Every other view in this post falls short of what I see Scripture teaching and/or adds to it in some way. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">-It is interesting to note that the more "sacramental" one gets, the more (conscious) personal faith is separated from baptism. And the more unique spiritual conversion is blurred and ultimately eliminated altogether. Baptism becomes something done in order to attain forgiveness, which completely distorts the Gospel message. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">-Also, the more sacramental you go, the more baptism becomes what "makes" someone a member of the New Covenant, or even a "Christian", and, the more likely it is that they could lose that status. At the very least, "baptismal grace" can be lost and thus the meaning/symbolism of baptism is ultimately lost. </p><p class="MsoNormal">-When it comes to Infant Baptism, faith and/or salvation is often assumed unless it is not confirmed, the individual rejects their baptism, or they show themselves to be unrepentant. In keeping with this, there is sometimes not a clear calling of the child to personal saving faith in Christ and their need for salvation/conversion. There may be a call to "keep their baptism vows," the need to be confirmed, or something like that, but especially the more sacramental you get, the less there is a call or an emphasis on the need for conversion. My biggest concern with infant baptism is exactly this, and it's one way the Old Covenant failed: If they are already part of the "covenant community" what need is there for conversion? The New Covenant is better than the old - those that are in it, are truly saved not just quasi-members. You cannot be a member of Christ by birth or by baptism. Let's make one thing clear: <b>One is united with Christ by the Spirit and by the Spirit alone. </b>No circumcision or water baptism needed. To deny this is to deny basic Biblical teaching on justification. Furthermore, if baptism ingrafts one into Christ or into the New Covenant, it minimizes (or even destroys) the deep symbolism and meaning of baptism and ultimately, what Christ has accomplished for His people. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">P.S. I highly recommend <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99gmXTt-5Tk&list=PLlaSekpXJV7jTUNKVFkcvAKni50bshN92">this sermon series</a> by James White on this subject. It goes through all the various Scriptures and arguments. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-17266579548789998792022-04-26T08:00:00.003-06:002022-04-26T08:00:57.931-06:00Reading List: Voddie Baucham, Lysa Terkeurst & more<p class="MsoNormal"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Finished since last
post:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Gentle and Lowly</u>
by Dane Ortland</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This was a really
precious book. It highlights the love and grace not just of Christ, but of the Father
and the Holy Spirit. It was so encouraging and Scripture-saturated. Highly recommend,
it was so encouraging! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Fault Lines</u> by
Voddie Baucham </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Critical Race Theory
and Social Justice are taking over not just academics but churches as well. What
do these terms actually mean? Should Christians support these ideas? How should
Christians respond to social and racial issues? Voddie has carefully researched
this topic and also speaks from experience as a black man and from his position
as a pastor/theologian. A MUST read for the current culture we are in. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Read more/get it
here: <a href="https://www.voddiebaucham.org/fault-lines/">https://www.voddiebaucham.org/fault-lines/</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>It’s Not Supposed
to Be This Way</u> by Lysa Terkeurst</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This was a really,
really good book. Extremely good for anyone struggling with hardship in life
whether it’s health, finances, relationships or anything else. Lysa writes from
personal experience in trials and suffering and what God has taught and shown
her through it. Rich in Scripture and practical application (each chapter
closes with a review of key points, Scripture and reflection questions) this
book was a real blessing and encouragement to me. I would love to go through it
with a group of women one day, it would make a fantastic study. </span></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-62789047797342105632022-03-19T10:53:00.002-06:002022-04-09T06:18:09.888-06:00LENT: Yes, No or Maybe So? <p class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Historical Background: </b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lent</b> refers to the 40 days leading up to Easter
beginning with Ash Wednesday (but excludes Sunday’s). It is celebrated not just
by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Anglicans but also many Reformed and
various other Protestant denominations, although most of the latter aren’t as
traditional and don’t do anything for Ash Wednesday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The word “Lent” is an Anglo-saxon word that means “spring”,
but the idea of Lent originally came from a Latin word meaning “forty”. The 40
days is (supposedly) symbolic of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness
(although how this exactly relates to preparing for baptism or repentance I’m
not really so sure). There is some evidence that there was a springtime pagan
festival that lasted 40 days and many think that as the area was Christianized
that the festival was transformed into a period of preparing for Easter. This
could certainly be “a” reason, but I would not go so far as to say it’s the
only one, nor is it reason enough to write it off. (Some people also think
Easter was connected to a pagan holiday for the goddess Eoster. That certainly
could explain the name we give the day today, but in Scripture, Resurrection
Sunday [the term some prefer for beforementioned reason] was clearly the Sunday
following Passover and thus we celebrated it at that time.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Lenten season</b> dates back to the late 300’s where,
after the conversion of Constantine and the legalization/encouragement of
Christianity there were many new people coming into the Church. With the dramatic
increase of seekers, the Church found itself needing a way to “vet” the
newcomers to be sure of their seriousness and commitment to Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Prior to this the commitment of someone to
baptism in a culture that persecuted Christians was enough!) There are some
traces of the idea prior to this around the Easter season (looking forward to
the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection and being more focused on the
idea of death to sin/self and new life in Christ) but the 40 days and the
various things that went along with it were put into place quite a bit later.
Originally, these preparation days (it wasn’t 40 days in every area, but it
became unified over time) were specifically designed for new converts who were
preparing for baptism (that would take place on Easter Sunday). For x-number of
days they were required to focus on repentance and confession of sin (acts of
penance were later added), death to sin and self (which was practiced by
various forms of fasting) along with doing various good works/acts of service
in order to show/prove their repentance of their old way of life and their
desire to live for Christ. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It then somewhat gradually became an opportunity for
baptized believers to also take the season to prepare for remembering Easter,
reflecting on their sin, fasting in different ways, growing in repentance and
their need for Christ for life/deliverance from sin. The liturgy for Lent is certainly
beautiful and filled with Scripture on repentance, and our desperate need for
God’s forgiveness and mercy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ash Wednesday</b> is the first day of Lent. Catholic/Orthodox/High
Anglican churches will have Mass (church service with communion) and will utilize
ashes, making a cross sign with them on the forehead that often then is
symbolically washed off on Easter Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ashes symbolize death, and Easter obviously is the celebration of the
resurrection (and thus our new life in Christ). Not all lower Anglican churches
will incorporate the ashes (it is not required in Anglicanism) but will still
have a service (often with communion) and focus on the theme of death to sin
and self. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are various spiritual disciplines encouraged or
provided during Lent. Many higher churches have the “Stations of the Cross”
which commemorates the final hours of Christ’s life. Flowers are removed,
things are veiled, and various other symbolic means are used to aid in the
remembering of Christ death for sin. There are Lenten devotionals that are
focused on the theme of repentance and a deeper confession of sin that are
encouraged for families to go through together. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">----------------</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The idea of having a season for new converts to learn
doctrine and to give them a chance to bear the fruit of faith and repentance is
certainly NOT a bad thing. Taking care to disciple new believers is very
important. Of course, on the other hand, it would be easy for this preparation
time to become focused on one’s good works and acts of contrition as what makes
you “worthy” of being a Christian/being baptized. For baptized believers as
well, it’s not bad at all to have seasons where you do some form of fasting (it
is assumed in Scripture that believers <u>will</u> fast), and/or where you
spend more time focused on reading Scripture/immersing yourself in the things
of God. I have had seasons like this. They were seasons of growth (in various ways),
refreshment and spiritual blessing. The danger of course with any kind of good
works is that we can find pride in it. How natural is it for us to think “wow I
just gave up social media for a month” and find satisfaction in ourselves! What
prideful creatures we are! Scripture tells us over and over again to beware of
pride or of finding righteousness in ourselves/our good works. The parable of
the Unprofitable Servants (Luke 17:7-10) is very helpful for us in this area.
Here there are servants who are doing what they are supposed to, they are being
obedient, but the Master does not thank them for it. Jesus says in conclusion,
“So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are
unprofitable slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’”. In
other words, when we obey, do a good work, or take a season for fasting/repentance
we should not look to God as if to say “God, look what I did!” Rather, it
should humble us, and we should say “Anything I have done is worthless before
You, and all is by Your grace”. In all our spiritual disciplines, they should
humble us and bring us closer to God. <b>Again, I do believe Christians should
be fasting in some forms and taking seasons where we spend more time in
prayer/spiritual disciplines. It’s assumed and encouraged in Scripture.</b> If
you as a Christian have not really considered this, you should be. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But is Lent Scriptural? The season certainly is not. It is
hardly Scriptural for you to feel obligated to keep it since it’s not found in
Scripture and <b>no one should ever feel obligated or be pressured into keeping
a tradition.</b> However, is it “wrong” to celebrate Lent? No, it’s your heart
and attitude that is important. If you are celebrating Lent just because that’s
what your church tradition does, or to gain some sort of bonus points before
God, to attempt to “show” Him how repentant you are or even perhaps (even
secretly) to feel better about yourself, then you’re doing it wrong and
furthermore, you’re distorting the Gospel. But if you take it as an opportunity
to focus in more on Christ, to take time away from the world/things in order to
pour into others or into Scripture and prayer and your heart is humbled and challenged
by it, than it can absolutely be <i>very</i> encouraging and beneficial for a
Christian<b>.</b> Pastors can take the opportunity leading up to Easter to
preach a series on sin, repentance, the cross, etc. At the very least, taking
time to emphasize the coming of and the remembrance of Good Friday and Easter
is extremely valuable. Certainly, it will make Good Friday/Easter a little more
meaningful and special as you anticipate them together. (The same can be said
about the Advent season and looking forward to Christ’s coming.) <b>Personally,
I think most Protestant churches do not make a big enough deal about the Easter
season</b> – Palm Sunday is sometimes not even really referenced at all, “Holy”
week gets a Maundy Thursday OR Good Friday service (rarely both) but besides
making Easter Sunday more special that’s about it. What is the season really about?
I challenge you<b>: Are your decorations more about spring or bunnies and eggs
than they are about Jesus? Is the start of the baseball season more interesting
than gathering and remembering/celebrating with your church family? </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re wondering if I’m celebrating Lent, well, no. I do not
personally feel the need to something “just because it’s Lent”. Again, I do
think Christians should be encouraged to take times of spiritual fasting, etc.
but to emphasize a certain time of the year where people feel obligated to do
this (I think) takes away from the personal desire and conviction of the
Spirit. <b>Lent can be a reminder for us that we <u>should</u> take seasons to
fast, seek deeper repentance and spiritual growth. </b>Those are all good
Biblical things (and I will also say that I appreciate the emphasis of this in
the church services leading up to Easter). But it doesn’t <i>have</i> to be
during Lent, and especially should not be “just because” it’s Lent. Using the
Lenten season in a way that makes people feel obligated to follow tradition I
don’t believe is most faithful with Scriptural teaching. But it’s very important
to not make assumptions or judgements about those who do or question their
motives. Many Christians keep Lent from a desire to love and honor God and that
should be admired. But others see the season leading up to Easter as a joyous
time of looking forward to remembering Christ’s resurrection and the salvation
He accomplished for us. Both are acceptable. May our hearts just be every more
focused on Christ and His work for us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a follow-up, here is a helpful/interesting article on
Lent from a Reformed (non-Anglican) perspective: <a href="https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/yes-and-no-lent-and-the-reformed-faith-today/?fbclid=IwAR2Te0GnuV3D5L518SfTml-9d6BbJx54eTD0fdfKfIaaKSaU92ImAeR8utU">https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/yes-and-no-lent-and-the-reformed-faith-today/?fbclid=IwAR2Te0GnuV3D5L518SfTml-9d6BbJx54eTD0fdfKfIaaKSaU92ImAeR8utU</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">And <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-xsfIZ5pvc">HERE</a> is another Reformed perspective on Lent which I thought was really helpful from Doug Wilson. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-13313592285554059362021-10-26T07:16:00.002-06:002021-11-02T10:56:39.888-06:00The Case for Weekly Communion<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">One of
the things that I like about the current church we go
to is the fact that they do communion every week. The
non-denominational church we attended in Philadelphia for a few years also did communion every
week but it’s actually <i>very</i> uncommon outside of traditional churches (like
Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran or more traditional Presbyterian). Many "high" churches will actually do it almost <i>every</i> time the
church meets, so often during the week as well or for special/holiday services.
Personally, I feel doing it more than once a week is more unnecessary, but I can
appreciate their desire to be consistent on this point. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1SNgNmg-DULPbb0sWMk6uNyHMgOm-ACmcbAbA6KDX0dfa86DYBtB5tX2ZzJ-Ni8qLR8Y7B7aX2tmJeEMowmri427Y93XjCgk1TJuEB7klWfu_kvewyjv4oZ2ZCyotdB1eMxD-FBTf0JJ/s571/communion-cup-and-bread-picture-id530745222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="571" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1SNgNmg-DULPbb0sWMk6uNyHMgOm-ACmcbAbA6KDX0dfa86DYBtB5tX2ZzJ-Ni8qLR8Y7B7aX2tmJeEMowmri427Y93XjCgk1TJuEB7klWfu_kvewyjv4oZ2ZCyotdB1eMxD-FBTf0JJ/s320/communion-cup-and-bread-picture-id530745222.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When we
read the book of Acts and the formation and early practice of the Church, it is
rather evident that they “broke bread” very often.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acts 2:46:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their
homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts…” While they went
to the Temple daily, it’s not as clear as to the frequency or practicalities of
“breaking bread”. This is also at the very beginning of the Church so they had
yet to develop any kind of clear organization or pattern, so it is very
possible that they did break bread whenever they were able to gather together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Acts 20:11:</b> Paul is speaking to the church in Troas that
had gathered for worship "on the first day of the week" and they “broke bread and
ate”. This seems to be what they did on a weekly basis. (Based on
Scripture and very early church history, gathering on first day of the week very
quickly became the norm and breaking of bread was <i>always</i> a part of it.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In <b>1 Corinthians 11</b> we have the only time the Lord’s
Supper is clearly addressed in the Epistles. Paul is correcting some abuses,
including the fact that the wealthier Corinthians were not waiting for everyone
to eat, nor sharing their food with the poor (likely even segregating
themselves from them). It does seem that the communion time was a whole meal
centered around the bread and the cup – similar to the Passover which was also
a whole meal. It’s also evident here that the Lord’s Supper happened often,
“when you come together as a church” (assumption then is weekly, on the first
day of the week, see also 1 Cor 16:1-2). Paul warns them not to partake “unworthily,”
which in the immediate context refers to the division they were causing, since a
big emphasis of the Lord’s supper is the unity of the body. How can you partake
of the Lord’s supper if there is disunity in your heart or otherwise towards a
fellow Christian? (Note: I think there could absolutely be room for “unworthily”
including sin in general, I’m just pointing out the immediate context here.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some Christian groups that still think that the
Lord’s supper should be connected with an actual meal, but when Christ
instituted the sacrament, it is “after supper” and he is referring very
specifically to just the bread and the cup. (Of course, I’m all for fellowship
meals since eating together is a great way to fellowship, serve and be together
as a church family, it’s just not necessary.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would argue that the early church probably didn’t do
communion <i>every</i> time they had a gathering of some kind. For example, if
a small group was gathered for prayer (like when Peter was imprisoned in Acts
12)) or they had a church meeting (Acts 15). Of course, it doesn’t say they did
or didn’t, but it does seem that very quickly the pattern became that they broke
bread for their main weekly gathering. Early church
tradition reinforces this. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Why then do most Protestant churches only do communion
once a month?</b> Does not Scriptures indicate that communion MORE often is
more likely than having it LESS often? Below are two common reasons I have heard
for not doing it at least weekly:</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It’s
not necessary to do it every week. </span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">If by “necessary” you mean “clearly required,” I guess there is no
clear command in Scripture that says “do this every week”. However, Paul does
seem to indicate a pattern of this happening on a weekly basis and furthermore
he says, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."<span class="highl"> (1 Cor 11:26). So the question is:<b> How often should we be remembering and
“proclaiming” the Lord’s death? </b>Is this not to be a central part of our
worship together as a Church? </span>Are you really going to insist that it is
not necessary for Christians to “share in the Lord’s death” or “proclaim the
Lord’s death” at least weekly when you gather together? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Doing
communion too often turns it into a ritual or makes it not as “special”. </span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"> This is the most common excuse. I say excuse, because that’s
still what it is. Because <i>anything</i> can become ritualistic if we’re not
careful. Every church has traditions, every church has things they do “just
because that’s how we do it” but we don’t get all concerned about other things
becoming a “ritual”. While this might seem like an understandable concern, <b>ultimately</b>
<b>we should be more concerned about doing what Scripture says, not avoiding it
out of concerns of mis-use.</b> The church in Corinth was absolutely abusing
the Lord’s Supper… that was serious. But the solution to this was <i>not</i> to
avoid it or do it <i>less</i> often, it was to strive to take it more seriously.
So, Biblically, taking it “seriously” does NOT mean you do it less often. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> It makes the service longer, more complicated, more work/money.</li></ul><p>I resort to above arguments. If these are your excuses, you're in danger of possibly being lazy and/or plain disobedient. </p><p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d love to see the Church at large have the Lord’s Supper
weekly. <b>Pray about it and consider the importance Scripture lays on it. Whether you take a sacramental view or a memorial view it’s meaningful
and important. </b>And it’s the pattern we see in Scripture as well as very early
Church history.</p><p class="MsoNormal">On a side note: those who take communion should also be baptized. This is also the pattern in Scripture, and it's also very clear in early church history that new converts were not allowed to take the Lord's Supper prior to baptism. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-90082836025561995992021-07-05T13:41:00.004-06:002021-09-27T17:48:20.566-06:00Scripture Texts & More on Baptism<p>I have spent quite a lot of time studying baptism over the years. I'm no expert of course but I feel I've done a fair share. I studied believers/infant baptism (and Covenant theology/New Covenant Theology) a few years ago, and recently have dug deeper into the subject as a whole. In this post I look at various Scripture passages as well as some early church writing. Below are key passages that mention baptism, followed by additional important passages on salvation/justification that do not have any mention of baptism, then notes on early church history, and at the end is a further study/resource list. The additional Scripture is important because those who seek to equate salvation with baptism or defend infant baptism have to explain why it is completely left out of key passages on salvation. Church history is relevant because these are the people Scripture was directly written to and what they believed about what Scripture teaches matters. <br /></p><p>Before we begin<span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.20.23"><span class="wj"><span class="content">, the word for "baptism" (baptizo in Greek) means to submerge, to immerse, </span></span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.20.23"><span class="wj"><span class="content">specifically of ceremonial dipping. </span></span></span>It is important to note however, that <b>"baptism" does NOT always refer to physical water baptism</b>. For example:</p><p>In <b>Matthew 20:22-23</b>, Jesus is talking to the sons of Zebedee and asks, <span class="verse v22" data-usfm="MAT.20.22"><span class="content">"</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Are you able to drink </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">the cup that I am about to drink, </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">and be baptized with </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">the baptism that I am baptized with?”</span></span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="MAT.20.22"><span class="content"> When they say yes, he responds, </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.20.23"><span class="wj"><span class="content">“You will indeed drink My cup, </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;</span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="it"><span class="content">it is for those</span></span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> for whom it is prepared by My Father.” </span></span></span></p><p><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.20.23"><span class="wj"><span class="content">Very clearly this is NOT water baptism. His cup is suffering and his baptism is either suffering as well or I supposed you could argue that it's a Spiritual baptism (of the Holy Spirit). Either way, we have a passage that clearly uses baptism as spiritual and not in any way related to water. Also there are the numerous passages that refer to the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" which is also distinct from water baptism. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.20.23"><span class="wj"><span class="content">A common mistake people make is that when "baptism" is used in Scripture they assume it means water baptism, but that is not <i>always</i> the case. <b>Our task then is to discern what kind of baptism the text means by using the immediate context and then using Scripture to interpret Scripture. </b><br /></span></span></span></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>KEY TEXTS used for Baptism:</b><br /></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John 3:5:</b> "J<span class="text John-3-5" id="en-ESV-26115">esus answered, <span class="woj">“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text John-3-5" id="en-ESV-26115"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">While many think that "water" here refers to baptism, I believe born of “water and Spirit” here is referring to spiritual cleansing (water)
and spiritual power (Spirit). Water is very often used as a metaphor for spiritual cleansing throughout Scripture. Furthermore, if Jesus had meant water baptism, 1) why didn't he clearly say so (the word baptism is not used), 2) why doesn't he ANYWHERE else in the Gospels connect baptism to salvation? Especially if it is THAT important of a connection with salvation?<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Side note, in verse 3 the text can be interpreted as "born again" OR "born from above". Nicodemus interprets it as the former, but Jesus is talking about the latter. We see this "born from above" emphasis more clearly in other parts of John's writing (see John 1:12-13, 1 John 5:4). <br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text John-3-5" id="en-ESV-26115"><span class="woj">Also see: </span></span></span></span> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-John-3-5.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-John-3-5.html</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">(Note: I will cite some sources where I feel they explain the text better than I could.) </div><p><b>Matthew 28:18-20: </b><span class="text Matt-28-18" id="en-NKJV-24214">And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, <span class="woj">“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.</span> </span><span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NKJV-24215"><span class="woj">Go</span> <span class="woj">therefore and</span> <span class="woj">make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,</span> </span><span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NKJV-24216"><span class="woj">teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am</span> <span class="woj">with you always, even to the end of the age.”</span> Amen.</span></p><p><span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NKJV-24216">I read one author who tried to say that the "order" here doesn't matter. But Jesus very clearly says "make disciples.... baptizing THEM". Who? The <i>disciples</i>, the <i>believers</i>. If you change the order you are no longer baptizing who Jesus commanded us to. </span> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Romans 6:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">In our discussion of Romans 6, it is important that we note that this is the first mention of baptism in the book so in order to understand chapter 6 we must understand the context. A key verse of the book is found in<b> 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation <i>for everyone who believes</i>, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."</b> Paul spends the next chapter or so talking about the universality of sin, then spends almost three chapters on justification by faith. Over and over he stresses the idea that <i>justification is imputed apart from any works (or even any response) on our part</i>. At the end of chapter 5 we see that we have been saved by the death of Christ and been given new life in Him. Finally in chapter 6 he addresses the question of "well if I'm justified by grace than does it matter if I continue to sin?" Paul then uses the metaphor of baptism to talk about how we have died to sin and been raised to new life in Christ so completely that to even consider such a question is horrible. We are not the same, we are dead sin - and he furthers this idea in chapter 7 of a spouse having died is no longer bound to the marriage. In light of what Christ has done for us, we are to "reckon" this truth over and over so that we will live accordingly. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><b></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Many people assume that Paul is talking strictly about water baptism here, but what if he's talking about something deeper? There is a spiritual baptism that also occurs, some argue it happens at water baptism, but one cannot express faith apart from spiritually being baptized. Spiritual rebirth, spiritual circumcision, spiritual baptism are what make us a child of God, not the water rite. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text Rom-6-4" id="en-NKJV-28073"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>I will add a personal note here:</b> I have been (water) baptized twice. The first was when I was 11 and thought I was saved (I had prayed and asked Jesus into my heart when I was 8), and wanted to "do the right thing". I'm sure God was working in my life throughout my my good Christian upbringing, however, I had a very clear conversion moment when I was 13, and later in my 20's it was exactly this passage that convicted me I needed to be rebaptized. Since I was not convinced I was saved prior to my first baptism, and because I realized how powerful the baptism was that Christ had done in my heart, I felt I needed to make a public confession of it. It was a cold October day in a lake but I shall never forget it. The symbolism was so rich and to disconnect this moment from my faith and trust in Christ would drain it of it's beauty. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1 Corinthians 1:17: </b>"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect." </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Here Paul is admonishing the Church at Corinth for being divisive about who baptized them. Paul is saying "it doesn't matter who baptized you, that is not important, what is important is the Gospel." This verse is important because although Paul clearly indicates that baptism itself is important, he separates it from the Gospel message. In other words, baptism is not a part of the initial salvation/conversion, rather it comes afterwards. If salvation came in fullness only with baptism that it should be a part of the Gospel. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>1 Cor 7:14:</b> "<span class="text 1Cor-7-14" id="en-NKJV-28502">For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy" </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">This passage says absolutely nothing about water or baptism, it's not even implied, yet pedobaptists still try and use it in defense of it. The reasoning is that the rest of the family is sanctified/set apart/made holy through the faith of one spouse/parent - a covenant/family relationship, implying that the whole family followed the head into the new religion. One problem with that is that clearly here we have an "unbelieving" spouse and the passage is talking about unequally yoked marriage. Also, if the husband was not a Christian it is very unlikely he would have agreed to have his children baptized. There is a sense in which the children of believers (even an unbelieving spouse) are "sanctified." The person's faith in Christ affects the household, the parent's relationship and how the children are raised. But again, this passage says nothing about baptism so why should we assume that's what it's talking about?<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1 Cor 12:12-13:</b> “For as the body is one and has many
members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so
also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether
Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all be made to drink into one
Spirit”.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> We are baptized into one body, the Church. The question is, WHEN does this happen? I do believe that at baptism is when a person "formally" enters the Church. Prior to that they may be saved, but they have not yet been publicly joined to the Church. Notice that it is "by the Spirit" that this happens, and we are also "made to drink into one Spirit". Apart from the Spirit's working, baptism means nothing. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Galatians 3:26-27:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="verse"><b>“</b>for in Christ Jesus
you are all sons of God, through faith.<b> </b>For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse">The whole book of Galatians is
Paul responding the the false teaching that those who believe in Christ
must be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul destroys this idea and
argues that we are justified by faith, not anything we do as a result.
In light of this, it doesn't make sense that Paul would then turn around
and say "oh but you DO have to be baptized in order to be saved". In
this verse we become sons first (through faith), then baptism is as a
active
putting-on-Christ. As Children, we actively "clothe" ourselves in
Christ. This makes baptism very important, but it is fairly evident that
justification is apart from baptism. (See Romans above as well.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse"><b>Ephesians 4:5:</b> "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse">Recall that most people see "baptism " and immediately assume water baptism. I might be inclined to think this is spiritual although I will note the word "baptism" here in the Greek has a suffix on it which emphasizes it is a result (presumably of repentance). It could be spiritual or physical, but clearly it is the result of repentance not something that happens prior to it. This is another reason why I'm inclined to think my first baptism was not valid... I did not have repentance. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Colossians 2:11-12: </b>“<span class="text Col-2-11">In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, </span><span class="text Col-2-12" id="en-NKJV-29507">buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text Col-2-12" id="en-NKJV-29507"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christ’s circumcision (our justification, or what we usually
refer to nowadays as “being saved”) is a “putting off of the sinful nature” and
being “buried with him… and raised with him through your faith in the power of
God.” (Col 2:11-12). Clearly the circumcision here is spiritual, not literal.
It would make sense then for the baptism to also be spiritual and not strictly
literal. It would indeed be strange for Paul
to stress that the physical ritual of circumcision wasn’t what put off the sins of the flesh/united with Christ
but that it was a physical ritual of water baptism that did. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">See: <a href="http://www.lifeinchristministries.com/teachings/does-colossians-212-teach-salvation-by-baptism/">http://www.lifeinchristministries.com/teachings/does-colossians-212-teach-salvation-by-baptism/</a>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">And: <a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/buried-and-raised-in-baptism-through-faith">https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/buried-and-raised-in-baptism-through-faith</a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>1 Peter 3:21</b></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times;">:</span></span> <span style="font-family: times;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="text 1Pet-3-21" id="en-NKJV-30446">There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"</span></span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;">In the context Peter is talking about Noah being saved "through water". Noah was
not saved by the water, he was saved by the ark through the water. The water from the flood "cleansed" the earth - it killed everyone on it - although sin still remained. Remember water is symbolic of cleansing, it doesn’t <i>actually</i> cleanse because only Jesus can do that. So here Peter is using baptism as a "antitype" - baptism saves us <i>in type</i>, it doesn't actually save. It "cleanses" us in type. The symbolism is rich. </span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;">See: <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html</a></span></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"></span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Acts 2:38:</b> And Peter said to them, “Repent and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;">Remember
we must interpret Scripture with other Scripture. Does this verse mean
that unless we are baptized we CANNOT receive forgiveness of sins? How
can it, when other Scriptures talk about forgiveness apart from any
mention of baptism? Furthermore, does it mean we can't receive the Spirit until we're baptized (when other Scriptures show us otherwise)? Peter has likely just linked repentance and baptism because he assumes the 2nd must follow the former, but that doesn't necessarily mean that our sins aren't forgiven until the moment we are baptized. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span> <br /></p><span style="font-family: times;">Good explanation here:</span><span style="font-family: times;"> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Acts-2-38.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Acts-2-38.html</a></span>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is also James White on this verse: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nUR6-G8SNI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nUR6-G8SNI</a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><p><b>Acts 10:44-48:</b><span class="text Acts-10-44"> "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. </span><span class="text Acts-10-45" id="en-NKJV-27305"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And<sup> </sup>those
of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the
Gentiles also. </span><span class="text Acts-10-46" id="en-NKJV-27306">For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.</span><span class="text Acts-10-46"> Then Peter answered, </span><span class="text Acts-10-47" id="en-NKJV-27307"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have<i>?</i>” </span><span class="text Acts-10-48" id="en-NKJV-27308"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." </span></p><span class="text Acts-10-48" id="en-NKJV-27308">Salvation/justification
and the coming of the Spirit came to these believers prior to baptism.
Baptism was a sign and seal that they had been accepted into the
Church/were recognized as brothers/sisters in Christ. It was important
and "necessary," but not for their having received the Spirit/becoming
"born again". </span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">ADDITIONAL TEXTS on Salvation/Justification: </span></b><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians 1:13-14:</b> “In him you also, when you heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed
with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">We are saved through the Word of truth, the Gospel. Having believed, we are sealed
by the Spirit. No mention of water or baptism here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John 1:12-13: </b><span class="text John-1-12" id="en-NKJV-26057">"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: </span><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058">Here we see that we are born (literally "begotten") of God, not based on our nationality or our own will or of the will of other people, but entirely of God. To THESE, those who <i>believe</i>, are given the <i>right</i> to be children of God. How then can anyone who does not profess Christ be called a child of God or be considered a member of the Invisible Church? Also, if it is not our our "will" than how can we choose to be baptized in order to truly be saved? <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058"><b>John 6:37-40: </b>"Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.
<a name="39"></a><span class="reftext"></span>For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
<a name="40"></a><span class="reftext"></span>And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.
<a name="41"></a><span class="reftext"></span>For
it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes
in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last
day.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058">Jesus will save and keep all those whom the Father has given him. Should we dare presume that God has begun a work of salvation in a baby who does not yet believe? Certainly many adults are baptized that later show they are not converted, we cannot know people's hearts; we can only judge their profession and life of repentance/obedience. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NKJV-26058"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>Romans 8:5-8:</b> <span class="text Rom-8-5" id="en-NKJV-28122">"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit<sup>.</sup> </span><span class="text Rom-8-6" id="en-NKJV-28123">For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. </span><span class="text Rom-8-7" id="en-NKJV-28124">Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. </span><span class="text Rom-8-8" id="en-NKJV-28125">So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.</span></span><span class="text Rom-8-9" id="en-NKJV-28126"></span><span class="text Rom-8-11" id="en-NKJV-28128">"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text Rom-8-11" id="en-NKJV-28128"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text Rom-8-11" id="en-NKJV-28128">Here we see that those who are filled with the Spirit are "regenerated" (as we use the term today). They are illuminated, changed, "born again". Before they were at enmity with God, but now they are able to please Him. What changed? They have the Spirit. Water or baptism is never mentioned; this is not the result of man's faith acting in obedience, this is all God. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text Rom-8-11" id="en-NKJV-28128"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Romans
10:9-10: </span></b><span style="font-family: times;">"<span class="text Rom-10-9" id="en-NKJV-28198">that
if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. </span><span class="text Rom-10-10" id="en-NKJV-28199">For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.</span>"</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;">Salvation is attained or applied through confession of Christ as Lord and faith in His work; there is no mention of water or baptism in this passage. Some will assume that "confession" here means our public confession at baptism, but there is no reasonable reason to assume this since the text says nothing about it. Verse 13 goes on to say "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." It is not necessarily a public confession or baptism that saves you (although it is an important step and a validation of your salvation in a way), it is one's repentance and crying out to God for salvation. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>1 Corinthians 15:3-5:</b> a short summary on the Gospel and the resurrection. No mention of water or baptism. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Early Church History & Baptism: </b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&fbclid=IwAR1YSAZEFT2Rm_kBnumpUyR45Cny8jQlAJbG18KSgQIYS10etXM46KD68sM&v=X3msUZ-Ijyw&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank"> THIS VIDEO</a> is an excellent Baptist response by </span><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto">Gavin Ortlund </span>on baptism and the early church, and he addresses peudobaptism as well as baptismal regeneration. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="text Rom-10-11" id="en-NKJV-28200"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Reading the early church on this subject is a bit confusing. They often refer to baptism "regenerating". However, it is important to note a few things in understanding this. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><style>@font-face
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mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}d</style>1) Regeneration to them doesn't mean the same thing as we mean it today.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> T</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">he
word appears only twice in Scripture (and only once in reference to salvation) and literally means "born again/anew".
It is found in Titus 3:5 ("washing of regeneration and renewal by the
Holy Spirit") and Matt 19:28 where it refers to the new birth of the
world when Christ sits on His throne. When we talk about regeneration today we tend to mean the illumination of the Holy Spirit, or a moment of being "born again" in the heart, meaning conversion. But the early church viewed the term much broader.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">2) In the early church baptism happened immediately following a profession of faith and so they were often seen as the same event. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">3) The public confession of baptism was a public testimony of the person's conversion from Judaism or paganism - and this was a HUGE deal. If a person wasn't willing to renounce all and follow Christ (in baptism) they couldn't be accepted as a true convert. In light of this, it's understandable that the early Christians sometimes blurred the line between salvation and water baptism. This is also relevant because today people tend to minimize or put off baptism as not that important when that was not the case at all in the beginning. Baptism was SO important that you couldn't be accepted as a Christian without it, however that does <i>not</i> by default mean that one is not saved unless/until they are baptized. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">On infant baptism: There are scholars on both sides who say history is on "their" side. Seemingly more honest ones will admit history isn't conclusive. Personally I think you can find evidence to support either viewpoint if you look hard enough. Again, interpreting some early church writings is also rather tricky. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">One important document we should mention is the <b>Didache</b>. This was written sometime toward the end of the 1st century, and is one of the very earliest Christian writings we have. It was written to summarize some basic and core teachings for new converts. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It talks about the baptism
of “catechumen” (new converts) but there is no mention of family or children. The individual must be
able to fast before their baptism therefore presumed to be old enough to do so.
There is no indication that baptism has any “saving” benefit, but it is very obvious that it is an
important initiation into the Church (the persons are called "catechumen" prior
to baptism indicating that until they made this step of public confession they weren't fully accepted into the Church/allowed to participate in the Lord's Supper). </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>OTHER SOURCES: </b><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Charles Hodge on Baptismal Regeneration: </span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto" lang="en">We
are said to be saved by the truth, to be begotten by the truth, to be
sanctified by the truth. This does not mean—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto" lang="en">1. That there is any
inherent, much less magic, power in the word of God as heard or read to
produce these effects. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto" lang="en">2. Nor that the word always and every where, when
rightly presented, thus sanctifies and saves, so that all who hear are
partakers of these benefits. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto" lang="en">3. Nor does it mean that the Spirit of God
is so tied to the word as never to operate savingly on the heart except
in connection with it. For infants may be subjects of regeneration,
though incapable of receiving the truth. In like manner when the
Scriptures speak of baptism as washing away sin, Acts 22, 16; or as
uniting us to Christ, Gal. 3, 27; or as making Christ’s </span></span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto" lang="en">Gal.
3, 27; or as making Christ’s death our death, Rom. 6, 4; Col. 2, 12; or
as saving us, 1 Pet. 3, 21; they do not teach-i. That there is any
inherent virtue in baptism, or in the administrator, to produce these
effects; nor 2. That these effects always attend its right
administration; nor 3. That the Spirit is so connected with baptism that
it is the only channel through which he communicates the benefits of
redemption, so that all the unbaptized perish. These three propositions,
all of which Romanism and Ritualism affirm, are contrary to the express
declarations of Scripture and to universal experience. Multitudes of
the baptized are unholy many of the unbaptized are sanctified and saved.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto">How
then is it true that baptism washes away sin, unites us to Christ, and
secures salvation? The answer again is, that this is true of baptism in
the same sense that it is true of the word. God is pleased to connect
the benefits of redemption with the believing reception of the truth.
And he is pleased to connect these same benefits with the believing
reception of baptism. That is, as the Spirit works with and by the
truth, so he works with and by baptism, in communicating the blessings
of the covenant of grace. Therefore, as we are said to be saved by the
word, with equal propriety we are said to be saved by baptism; though
baptism without faith is as of little effect as is the word of God to
unbelievers. The scriptural doctrine concerning baptism, according to
the Reformed churches is —<br /><br />1. That it is a divine institution.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto">2.
That it is one of the conditions of salvation. "Whosoever believes and
is baptized shall be saved," Mark 16:16. It has, however, the necessity
of precept, not the necessity of a means sine qua non. It is in this
respect analogous to confession. "With the heart man believeth unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,"
Romans 10:10. And also to circumcision. God said, "The uncircumcised
male child — should be cut off from his people," Genesis 17:14. Yet
children dying before the eighth day were surely not cut off from
heaven. And the apostle teaches circumcision," Romans 3:26.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto">3.
Baptism is a means of grace, that is, a channel through which the
Spirit confers grace; not always, not upon all recipients, nor is it the
only channel, nor is it designed as the ordinary means of regeneration.
Faith and repentance are the gifts of the Spirit and fruits of
regeneration, and yet they are required as conditions of baptism.
Consequently the Scriptures contemplate regeneration as preceding
baptism. But if faith, to which all the benefits of redemption are
promised, precedes baptism, how can those benefits be said to be
conferred; in any case, through baptism?</span> </span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto" lang="en"><span style="font-family: times;">(From notes on Ephesians 5:27, source <a href="https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/hdg/ephesians-5.html?fbclid=IwAR2_z83IUAEE6WSRDxErvHWQWZF0TsCiO_9YKqzb4GvGuk_crtVeMMievqI" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">RESOURCES for further study:</span></b></p><p>Videos of Debates/Q&A's: <br /></p><p>Baptism Debate with James White (Baptist view) and Gregg Strawbridge
(Presbyterian view): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXSPKjypoO8</p><p>Baptism & Justification vs Salvation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbhZgh7gDYI </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">BOOKS:<br /></p><p><style><font size="3">@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;">On the topic of baptism (especially believer's versus infant baptism) it is crutial you understand the three major interpretational views of Scripture: Covenantal theology, Dispensationalsim and Progressive Covenantalism/New Covenant Theology. If you accept Covenant Theology it is very likely you will also accept infant baptism, if you don't, you probably won't. Below are two books I'd recommend:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"><u>Continuity and Discontinunity: <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" id="productTitle">Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments
</span></span></span></u></span>
<span style="font-family: times;"><span class="a-size-large a-color-secondary" id="productSubtitle">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> In this book, thirteen noted evangelical theologians discuss, fairly but
clearly, the continuity/discontinuity debate in regard to six basic
categories: theological systems, hermeneutics, salvation, the Law of
God, the people of God, and kingdom promises. This one is good although it really only discusses Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism, there is a third view that is down the middle (Progressive Covenantalism, which is where I would fall). But you can get it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Continuity-Discontinuity-Essays-Honor-Johnson/dp/0891074686" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span class="a-size-extra-large" id="productTitle">Three Central Issues in Contemporary Dispensationalism: A Comparison of Traditional & Progressive Views.</span></u><span class="a-size-extra-large" id="productTitle"> Find it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Three-Central-Issues-Contemporary-Dispensationalism/dp/0825420628" target="_blank">here</a>. </span>(Note: I have not actually read this one, but it's a more recent one that looks better because it has all three views.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Also would recommend: </b><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Kingdom Through Covenant</u> by Peter Gentry & Stephen Wellum. I read an older edition of this book<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>God’s Kingdom Through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology</u> - see book review in <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2016/01/reading-list-january-4-2016.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Infant Baptism & the Covenant of Grace</u></span> by Paul Jewett (see my review <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2015/06/reading-list-june-30-2015.html" target="_blank">here</a><b>.</b>)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></b></div><div class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="text-align: left;"><u>Understanding Four Views on Baptism</u> (review <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2021/07/book-review-understanding-four-views-on.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</div><div class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="text-align: left;"><u>Abraham's Four Seeds </u>by <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John G. Reisinger (review <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2014/11/reading-list-november-30-2014.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span> </div><div class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><u>It Takes a Church to Baptize</u> by Scot McKnight. This one is from an Anglican perspective and, to be honest, gives some of the best defense of infant baptism I've read, although I still remain unconvinced. I do agree <i>mostly</i> with McKnight's higher sacramental view of baptism however.<br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Articles/Websites:</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://www.earlychurch.net/Baptism.htm">http://www.earlychurch.net/Baptism.htm</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">This website was very helpful: <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://triablogue.blogspot.com/search?q=baptism">https://triablogue.blogspot.com/search?q=baptism</a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">especially these posts:<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://triablogue.blogspot.com/2015/10/baptism-saves-you.html">https://triablogue.blogspot.com/2015/10/baptism-saves-you.html</a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://triablogue.blogspot.com/2006/03/history-of-infant-baptism.html">https://triablogue.blogspot.com/2006/03/history-of-infant-baptism.html</a></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-28684000079905977422021-07-05T08:53:00.005-06:002021-07-05T13:42:47.671-06:00Book Review: Understanding Four Views on Baptism<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Book Review: <u>Understanding Four Views on Baptism (</u>John
Armstrong, general editor)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU7hhtfctQOborQValbV17NgTrgtMOPAIUOQEid0uBlJx7ZYtHoVXaZWGDD-8g7r3jtYgl2KtZp1CUzmWEUryKwInP-gc_wy10crR7DpBhBFOudrIJQ1sJI9wR1Rx6m9WwZ3EvZS2Mdca/s346/baptism.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU7hhtfctQOborQValbV17NgTrgtMOPAIUOQEid0uBlJx7ZYtHoVXaZWGDD-8g7r3jtYgl2KtZp1CUzmWEUryKwInP-gc_wy10crR7DpBhBFOudrIJQ1sJI9wR1Rx6m9WwZ3EvZS2Mdca/w149-h222/baptism.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Baptism. One might think the subject is very straightforward,
but the reality is that it is a complex subject in Scripture and among
Christians the world over. <b>This book lays out four major views on baptism within
Protestant Christianity</b>: Baptist view, Reformed (Presbyterian) view, Lutheran
view, and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ view. The forward and
post-script by the editor were also very well written, stressing the unity that
the four contributors do have in Christ and in other doctrine and expressing hope for
helpful discussion and tolerance towards fellow Christians who have a different
view. All four contributors have searched the Scriptures and become convinced of
their viewpoint, and we must not sneer at those who interpret Scripture in a
way that is different from ours - when these are views which have been held by many,
many faithful Christians who love the Word of God. While we might disagree, we
should at least seek to understand one another so that we might still have unity
in Christ. This is a difficult task (as the editor confesses) but we look to
Heaven where one day all shall be made clear. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In each section the contributor for each view gives his
defense and then the three other contributors respond. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Baptist View:</b> Thomas Nettles</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I fully agree with Nettles’ Biblical and historical arguments
for immersion, as well as for believers only baptism. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I did feel like the author shared his opinion more than Scripture
at times (one responder did point out exactly that), especially in that he tried
too hard to simplify baptism to just a symbol so that while the symbolism is certainly rich,
the rite itself doesn’t really mean anything. It’s so simplified that it’s merely
an initiation rite into the local church membership. This is unfortunate as I believe
Scripture infers that there is more than “just symbolism” in baptism. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Reformed View:</b> Richard Pratt</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pratt seemed to quote more from Confessions than from
Scripture (although I will fairly note that the Confessions cite Scripture as
their source), and I understand that Pratt quoted them because they summarized nicely
what (the writers though) Scripture teaches, however, it would have been better to have more Scripture
exposition. This was rather unfortunate. However, I have read other books/listened
to lectures on this particular view that did use a lot of Scripture and so I
certainly understand the reasonable Biblical arguments.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The first half of the chapter focused on baptism as sacrament,
most of which I would agree with. Baptism as a “sacrament” is defines as such: “Reformed
theology views baptism as a mysterious encounter with God that takes place though
a rite involving physical elements and special ceremony. Through this
encounter, God graciously distributes blessings to those who participate by
faith and also judgment to those who participate without faith”. Furthermore, “[s]piritual
realities occur in conjunction with baptism, but the Scriptures do not explain
in detail how baptism and divine grace are connected. Thus, Reformed theology
speaks of the connection as a ‘sacramental [i.e., mysterious] union.’”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Second half of the chapter focused on the covenantal nature
of baptism. I do <u>not</u> agree with the “Covenantal” view of Scripture as
taught by Reformed/Presbyterians. Also, if in baptism, the person does “undergo
‘the circumcision done by Christ’ as they are ‘buried with him in baptism,’” to
apply this to infants who have no faith is, as far as I’m concerned, a slap in
Christ’s face. Christ doesn’t save halfway. He is the perfect sacrifice and the
perfect Savior. When he saves, he does so completely. To put baptism (the sign
and seal) before the profession and actual conversion is a reversal of all that
the New Covenant was intended to do. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Christian Churches/Churches of Christ view:</b> John
Castelein</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Castelein also made a good argument for immersion and
believers only. He also views baptism as more that “just” a symbol (opposed to
the Baptist view) which I appreciate. However, while he avoids the word “sacrament”
this is exactly how he views it, and for all his dislike of Roman Catholicism
he makes the same mistake as they do. Whereas the Reformed view views baptism
as a sign and a seal of salvation, Castelein ties baptism so tightly with
salvation that it is in danger of becoming confused with having saving power
itself. He calls baptism the “Biblical occasion of salvation”. While he denies
the error of “baptismal regeneration” on the grounds that they do not baptize apart
from a confession of faith, because he ties baptism and salvation so together,
one could argue (and he admits some in his churches do) that apart from baptism
one cannot be saved at all, even babies or those who intend to be baptized (which
in the end is the same error because it is not Christ alone who saves, it is
Christ + baptism). In his response to Castelein, Pratt (Reformed view) very rightly
points out Castelein is confusing salvation (which is multi-layered and
includes justification, faith, repentance, yes also baptism but also ongoing
obedience and ultimately glorification) with justification (becoming right with
God through the sacrifice of Christ). Also, whereas the Reformed view leaves
the sacramental grace that comes through baptism a “mystery,” Castelein tries
too hard to define what the Scriptures don’t make clear – specifically <i>how</i>
precisely baptism relates to the process of salvation. Despite his desire to be
strictly Biblical (a quality I certainly admire) he is still holding to presuppositions
that affect his interpretation of Scripture. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lutheran View:</b> Robert Kolb</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I put this view last even though it’s third in the book
because it’s similar to other views, and I felt concerns were addressed better there.
To be frank I agreed with very little in this section and I feel Kolb made
similar mistakes as Reformed and Christian Churches. To summarize, their view
of baptism is closer to Christian Churches in that they tie it very closely
with salvation, but they also baptize infants (for some reasons similar to
Reformed but still different because of how they connect it with salvation). One
big difference between Lutheran and Reformed is that the latter leaves mystery and
Lutherans try too hard to define what actually happens in baptism. In tying baptism
and salvation so closely, they also blur the line between justification and
human response/faith/works (also the same mistake as Christian Churches). In light
of this, the fact that they baptize infants rather blows my mind and brings to
the surface even more concerns than one might have with the Reformed view of
infant baptism.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Conclusion:</b>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I would definitely recommend reading this book if you are
studying baptism as it very well lays out the four main views that are out
there. <b>There are, however, more than four views.</b> Beside another major view like Anglicanism or the various views within some Presbyterian or Methodist circles, I myself would consider myself
a “Reformed Baptist” – a hybrid between the Reformed and Baptist (with some appreciation
for Christian Churches as well in how seriously they take baptism). I have a
higher/sacramental view of baptism (very close to Reformed, not quite as
extreme as Christian Churches view), but am firmly convinced of believers-only
baptism. Furthermore, I see water baptism as a sacrament of the Church that signifies
and seals the work of Christ in the believer. It is not to be confused (or
fused) with justification (one being made right with God) but is nevertheless a
crucial part of the “process of salvation”. In the sense that you can say that “faith
saves” you can also say that “baptism saves” but we also need to be careful to
qualify that. Baptism is not necessary for entrance into heaven (only
justification does that) but is required for a person who professes Christ to
be accepted into the Church/be recognized as a Christian (I personally would add that a believer should be baptized prior to participating in the Lord's Supper as well). And obviously, if a
professor refuses to be baptized that is a sign that they are not saved since
they are refusing a very clear command of Christ. There is a sense in which a
believer prior to baptism does “lack” something, much like a couple prior to
the marriage ceremony but with their marriage license still lacks something to
make their marriage “official”. What exactly baptism does or what grace it bestows
is more of a mystery, but we must not try to define things that Scripture leaves
as a Divine mystery. <b>To put it simply: We are justified by grace
through faith alone (Romans 3-5 & Ephesians 2), but baptism is a such crucial element to our status and walk
with God that to be really Biblical, one cannot <i>fully</i> be recognized as a
“true Christian” without it. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>FOR FURTHER STUDY:</b> Please see <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2021/07/scripture-texts-more-on-baptism.html" target="_blank">THIS POST</a> on Scripture texts and more on baptism (and at the bottom of that post there is a further study/resource list if you want to study/read more on the subject). <br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><style>@font-face
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<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-12812285770522286702021-01-17T13:10:00.008-07:002021-01-17T13:10:56.301-07:00Book Review: The QAnon Deception by James A Beverly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjC9TCgSoyniQi2adCw7ZDY2RFMmhwiQIpG_VUrus8weQbsy2jxIvfwXzXzPcVxjrVsTvRUW-9Bzp9JoOIBXlSpuSJqA8jMBs5X8fR2HVi9PIlBF1hQsXMBc2oTcC42VBddQdtdRHi-NM/s1500/q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjC9TCgSoyniQi2adCw7ZDY2RFMmhwiQIpG_VUrus8weQbsy2jxIvfwXzXzPcVxjrVsTvRUW-9Bzp9JoOIBXlSpuSJqA8jMBs5X8fR2HVi9PIlBF1hQsXMBc2oTcC42VBddQdtdRHi-NM/s320/q.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Get it <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/QAnon-Deception-Everything-Dangerous-Conspiracy-ebook/dp/B08R99Z6B5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Qanon+deception&qid=1610912513&sr=8-1" target="_blank">here</a>: (only $7 on kindle!)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before
reading this book, I knew very little about Q. I knew a few basics and saw that
Q’s followers were really passionate, but their theories and beliefs were very
confusing. I was really glad to find a book I could read from a Christian who
is well-educated in the area of conspiracy theories, religions and more and who
had also done extensive research on this topic. The title is very negative, but
the author is very well-studied and is quite fair in his treatment. It is
written not just to the curious/skeptical but to Trump himself, and to all the
followers of Q. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Also,
if you don't believe in or trust Q, and yet you follow the "deep state"
conspiracies surrounding Trump, this book is for you! </span>I (like
the book's author) will remind you that it is always
wise to be willing to challenge your own beliefs and would encourage you
read this
with an open mind. Just because something is labeled a "conspiracy
theory" does not mean it is or is not true. But it does mean that we
need to be very careful in our research as there is often a lot of
speculation mixed in with facts. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">One
more important thing to realize is,
that at one point, “Q” instructed his followers to be more covert; to
drop mention of him in sharing things he’s said. As a result, there
are many people who are sharing ideas and theories that originate from Q
(or Q
teachers) AND THEY DON’T EVEN REALIZE IT.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">
This is exactly one reason why Beverly has labeled this as one of the
most dangerous conspiracies... because people are unaware of what they
are really following. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
summary, "Q" is a person who has claimed high military intelligence who
was/is working with Trump. Qanon has several theories with many more
offshoot theories, but there are a few key components: </span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>There
is a "swamp" of corrupt individuals in government and it needs to be
"drained". Trump is seen as the first President since Reagan to work at
doing this. </li><li>As a result, Trump is also viewed as a type of savior, and anyone that even criticizes him is not to be trusted. <br /></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Democrats
(and most of Hollywood) are involved with a Satanic international
pedophile ring which includes the murdering and sacrificing of children.
(Pence was actually added to this as well when he didn't do what Trump
wanted him to on January 6.)<br /></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">From
the introduction: “While I have no delusions that this book will change all
minds to adopt my conclusions, one of my chief goals is to illustrate how to
process topics, especially divisive ones, in terms of figuring out veracity of
views, integrity of believes, and rationality of a worldview.” (p 13) Thus, Beverly
goes on to give 15 principles that we should keep in mind as we think
critically about any topic really, but in this book of course the focus is Q, Q
teachers etc. Beverly shows the good intentions of Q and his followers, but
also critically examines the truth that he/they claim. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In chapter 1 he gives 9
key components to understanding QAnon (Trump, Q posts, Q Teachers, “Think for
yourself”, a battle between good and evil, etc.)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> He further </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">explains where Q came from, where he first posted and where
he has since, how Q teachers and followers have responded, various conspiracy
theories that have come out of the core. He also looks at who various people think Q is, and how Q has changed over time. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Because
of the connections with witchcraft and satanism (and the trafficking
and sacrificing of children) Beverly also examines both of these and
shows that both actually condemn human sacrifice and have no large links
to child trafficking. (This is not to say that it doesn't happen, or
that there aren't some fridge groups that might, but in general the
rumors about this are not true.)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
conclusion, it is clear that Q is a liar. He claims to be high military
intelligence, but this cannot be true based on several reasons. He
makes accusations against individuals and groups that are false. This is
true "misinformation". Whoever Q is now (the same or different), he
still cannot be trusted. As a result, the conspiracies that have sprung
from him (Deep State, government leaders and others being involved in a
child trafficking ring) also cannot be trusted. This is NOT to say that
there is not corruption in our government - there absolutely is! Nor is
it to say that child trafficking isn't a problem - it absolutely is!
There may be people here and there that DO have a "hidden agenda" (ie. I
for one am SUPER suspicious of Big Pharma and the way they try and
control things) but we need to be VERY careful about sorting out the
truth from the speculation/gossip. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
a Christian who seeks the truth but also to battle TRUE misinformation,
I must condemn "Q" AND anyone who follows the main
components/conspiracies. It is gossip, slander and it is hurting the
conservative cause, not to mention our Christian witness. I hope and
pray that those caught up in these conspiracies will become more
discerning in their search for truth. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">*page numbers taken from Kindle edition. </span>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-849938583838222042021-01-09T16:28:00.002-07:002021-01-09T16:28:22.371-07:00Reading List: Parenting, The Kennedy's & Discrimination<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Finished since last
post:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Grace-Based Discipline</u> by Karis Kimmel Murray</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was an excellent book! On top of having a great gift and
style in writing, Karis Murray shares a lot of very practical advice when it comes
to dealing with your child’s bad behavior. Many important reminders include: Don’t
take your child’s behavior personally, your child is a sinner so “we shouldn’t
be surprised if they act that way”, “you must separate your child’s behavior
from their heart” and what the book really boils down to: <b>How does God
parent/discipline us?</b> This is crucial because “Parents are the primary
reflection our kids see of God’s heart and His grace.” <b>How you parent and
discipline teaches your child more about God than anything you could possibly say!</b>
As parents we ought to seek to parent as God does His children, and for that we
need wisdom. “The only way we’ll be able to discern whether to give our
children consequences, mercy or anything in between is if we’ve built a close
enough relationship with our kids to afford us some perspective. That’s the
only way our discipline will truly be <i>for</i> them.” (emphasis hers)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Karis differentiates between grace and mercy, punishment or
retaliation and discipline, shame and remorse and gives practical examples. She
also helpfully lays out the type of discipline and/or consequences that are most
effective for different ages. Throughout the book there are great stories and
examples from Karis’ own experience under her parents (who modeled this well)
and with her own children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The Kennedy Curse</u> by Edward Klein</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was a very interesting biography of the Kennedy family.
Really good read! As in, I had a hard time putting it down! It explores the lives and
deaths of various members of the Kennedy family (from JFK’s great-grandparents
to JFK Jr.) and gives a lot of very insightful information into their family
traits and patterns. Traits of narcissism, perfectionism and a weakness towards
alcohol and sex led to destructive patterns and many times early avoidable
deaths. Is there a “Kennedy curse”? More accurately we should call this sin’s
curse, and the reality is that in some families, these kinds of sinful traits leave
patterns of destruction than curse its descendants in more unique ways. A sad
book in many ways because of this, but again, a very interesting read. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Discrimination and
Disparities</u> by Thomas Sowell </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was a really excellent book on understanding economics,
discrimination (not just race-based) and disparities among people. Definitely
recommend anything by Thomas Sowell, who is a well-known economist. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The chapter “Discrimination: Meanings and Costs”
distinguished the different kinds of discrimination and showed how things like
minimum wage laws and making it illegal for employers to do criminal background
checks were actually hurting the black community – not helping promote equality
which was the original intent. Employers who did background checks were
actually MORE likely to hire blacks than those who didn’t – because the fact
remains that more blacks tend to have criminal records so those who didn’t do
checks made assumptions rather than hire based on facts. Another interesting
thing was that while some people in America do have some discrimination against
blacks, in the end cost/benefit will win. For example, Harlem used to be a very
white neighborhood and landlords didn’t want to rent to blacks. However, as
things changed and more blacks moved into the general area and at the same time
whites were moving out – the landlords shifted as well. The cost to not rent to
a black was too high. One point from this is that laws are not as effective in
changing things as plain “cost/benefit”. Most people will trade their
discrimination for something that benefits them. Another example he gave was in
the south when the segregation laws were passed. Many of the trolley companies
fought these laws because they realized that not only would it offend many of
their customers (who were black) it would cost them more money since they ended
up needing more trolley cars to seat everyone in the “appropriate” section.
They lost in court but even then, many companies didn’t enforce the law at all
until the government started fining them. Again – cost/benefit affected discrimination
more than laws did. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His chapter on “Sorting and Unsorting of People” was very
interesting. People naturally “sort” themselves into like-minded groups. Indeed,
where the government has attempted to “unsort” people (move people around to
make communities more “diverse”), while it helps a few people, in general it
has not helped the majority of people (either those already in the community or
those brought in). In fact, it has tended to hurt the community/people already
there. While most whites have not complained out of fear of being called
“racist”, many blacks who were residents of communities where the government
was moving poorer blacks in complained and resisted about “those people” being
brought in. They knew that it would not benefit their community – in fact they
were very concerned about the likely increase of crime, devaluing of property
(because poorer people don’t tend to take care of their property well), etc. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“The net result of police backing off [because the don’t
want to be called racist] is often a rise in crime, of which law-abiding
residents in black communities are the principle victims. Some people think
that they are being kind to blacks by going along with unsubstantiated claims
of ‘racial profiling’ by the police. But, as distinguished black scholar
Sterling A Brown said, long ago: ‘Kindness can kill as well as cruelty, and it
can never take the place of genuine respect’.” (p. 85-86)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“As obvious as this
may seem, it is often forgotten. Nothing that the Germans can do today will in
any way mitigate the staggering evils of what Hitler did in the past. Nor can apologies
in American today for slavery in the past have any meaning, much less do any
good, for either blacks or whites today… The only times over which we have any
degree of influence at all are the present and the future – both of which and
be made worse by attempts at symbolic restitution among the living for what
happened among the dead…Pretending to have powers that we do not have, in fact,
have risks creating needless evils in the present while claiming to deal with
the evils of the past…. To admit we cab do nothing about what happened among
the dead is not to give up the struggle for a better world, but to concentrate our
efforts where they have at least some hope of making things better for the
living.” (p.127)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Up Next: Q and Social Justice.... should be interesting! <br /></span></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-91375508969138442642020-11-09T07:19:00.003-07:002020-11-09T10:18:52.344-07:00Social Media Review<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">A few comments on freedom of speech and censoring: A private
company (like the ones below or FB/Twitter) DO have the constitutional right to
censor and control their platform. However, this can be taken too far and
become controlling. Even in America we as individuals have the freedom of
speech – within limits. There are ALWAYS limits. If we didn’t have any limits
we’d have chaos. There are things that are illegal, and clearly hateful and/or
violent. Even on my personal pages/blog I occasional censor things that I feel
are clearly offensive or will be damaging to others to see. So when I say “free
speech” or reference “controlling content” below – I understand that there are
still some limits. Censoring to a small degree may still happen and that’s OK. Pedophiles
shouldn’t be allowed to have a platform where they are free to say/share disgusting
things do we agree? Good. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For spoiler, aka my top pick(s), scroll to bottom. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>MeWe:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MeWe was created in 2016 and has been steadily growing. The
app, <a href="https://mewe.com/" target="_blank" title="https://mewe.com/">MeWe</a>,
calls itself the "Anti-Facebook" and offers the industry's first <a href="https://mewe.com/privacy#bill" target="_blank" title="https://mewe.com/privacy#bill">Privacy Bill of Rights</a> offering
members control of their data, newsfeeds and overall privacy on the
platform. The app’s latest push for members comes on the heels of an op-ed
in the <i>New York Post</i> by MeWe founder and CEO, Mark Weinstein. MeWe pledges
to never mine, share or sell your data. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MeWe offers a free basic membership with a limited amount of
data storage, but there’s a premium one you can pay $4.99 a month for which includes
voice and video calling (business pages also have a fee). It used to have ads,
but no longer does. You have a personal profile and there are groups, but the focus
is largely around group chats which many people like (I for one though don’t
care for that feature).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Pros</i>: They don’t collect, use or sell your data. A number
of groups/public figures I follow on facebook are already fairly active on MeWe
so that’s a plus. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cons:</i> It’s not quite as attractive and easy as
facebook (or as some others below). It’s been slow at growing (no wonder the popularity
of facebook and twitter though) and there are some rumor’s about “hate groups” flourishing
on this platform (although that’s heresay, and it also seems you’re unlikely to
encounter them unless you go looking). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Parler:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Parler was created by John Matze as an alternative to
twitter. Thus the similarities in design and usage. He’s a right-leaning pro-freedom
of speech (within limits of course). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It does automatically make your profile public, but you can
change your settings to private (only people that you approve can see your parleys
[posts] – which I think means people you are following). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a good article explaining and reviewing Parler: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://thewire.in/media/parler-free-speech">https://thewire.in/media/parler-free-speech</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Pros:</i> If you like twitter, you’ll like the design and
usage fine as it’s pretty similar. I’ve also heard it’s similar to Instagram
but wouldn’t know since I don’t have that platform. I have Twitter but I rarely
use it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cons:</i> If you prefer facebook over twitter you
probably won’t like this design as much. It’s not super easy to figure out or
use, but it’s OK. There also still seems to be some concerning things about
censoring still happening and liability (see the article above). Also, no groups or pages, just profiles.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Orbys</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Orbys.net was founded by the owner of Right2Voice News,
Robert Farrow. It used to be <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://right2voice.com">http://right2voice.com</a></span></u>
but they’ve moved to orbys.net. My computer is giving me a warning about the
Right2Voice website <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://right2voice.com">http://right2voice.com</a></span></u>
but maybe that’s because it’s no longer active. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here's some info on it: <a href="http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/4503416710.html">http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/4503416710.html</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The layout and features are very similar to facebook - you have
“friends”, there are groups you can join, pages you can like/follow, you can “like”
things, etc. This is very attractive to me personally. It’s quite user-friendly
and was pretty easy to figure out. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Pros</i>: Accessible via computer and an app. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cons</i>: For having come out before Wimkin, it doesn’t
quite measure up. There’s less activity on there (at least it seems like it,
there are a lot less groups) than Wimkin, and you can only “like” (no other reactions
– at least when I was on there). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Wimkin:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wimkin is brand new, launched end of July 2020. Created by
Jason Sheppard as an alternative to facebook – and is almost same exactly the
same as Orbys in design and features (Orbys was created first).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It's been down a LOT because of attacks and things not
working, and lots of things have been lost, but they’ve kept data safe. It’s
still a site in the working so you’ll need some patience for now anyway. But
they’ve already done some great updates in the past week that have made it even
better! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="oi732d6d">The name derives from <a href="http://www.worldmustknow.com/?fbclid=IwAR0WplXtSSQaZl3rscVpaJQRLFIo1qJsRzM8bWpvD-sWbwJqVbwnXxWjYro" target="_blank">www.worldmustknow.com</a> and the WMKN News that will be out
soon. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="oi732d6d">You can do anything you can on Facebook
except GoLive as they're still building that feature. You can upload music just
like Myspace of old, and use instant messenger, create pages for your music,
art, movies, etc. Groups are encouraged and not policed. They only monitor for
true criminal intent. While Wimkin is serious about not being controlling and
censoring they have also stated they have a zero tolerance policy for pornography
or pedophilia activity. Good for them! That (any anything illegal) are their
only two rules – otherwise they do not censor anything. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="oi732d6d">No adds. No fees. They do not mine, share
or sell your personal data. They currently do not make <b>any</b> money from
Wimkin. This is pretty neat, and I hope it stays this way. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Pros:</i> The design and features are very similar to FB which
for me is a big plus. It even has various reactions (not just “like”) <i>including</i>
a “dislike” (thumbs down) reaction! Bonus points! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cons:</i> As it’s brand spankin’ new, it’s going to take
a while for more people to get on board…. thus it’s not very active yet. But I’m
hoping it’ll take off!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Colleqtiv:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So Colleqtiv was founded by the owners of Earthley – a company
that produces natural and herb-based tinctures and skin products that has for years
now stood and fought for honest reporting/news and medical freedom. Knowing the
founders (at least having followed them for some years now) makes me trust this
platform a whole lot. No adds, no fees, no collecting or selling data. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Pros:</i> Super trustworthy – I have confidence this
platform will stay strong with protecting free-speech and not controlling
content (unless it’s illegal or porn or something). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cons</i>: It is only available on the app, not on your
computer (I would like to be able to access it both places). It is also mainly
group-based – at least I haven’t figured out how to connect with specific individuals
on there. I personally don’t really like that. Features are extremely limited. They
are planning on updates, but don’t know what they are yet. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Chadit</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chadit does not coming up in online searches when I was
trying to learn more about it. But I did finally find the founders - two super
fun sisters who are super pro-conservative. Here’s their website: <a href="https://www.diamondandsilk.com/">https://www.diamondandsilk.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve been very outspoken about various
things and have been blocked from facebook and twitter on occasion. Thus the
reason behind their social media site! They also have a show here: <a href="https://www.newsmaxtv.com/Shows/Diamond-and-Silk-Crystal-Clear">https://www.newsmaxtv.com/Shows/Diamond-and-Silk-Crystal-Clear</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It has a nice layout and is fairly easy to figure out (better
than MeWe but not quite as good as Wimkin). Also has various reactions. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Pros</i>: Nice site, lots of similar features to
facebook. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cons:</i> No app for this yet so that’s a big downside. Also,
like Orby’s not a lot of people on there yet, but we’ll see. I’m not sure how
much it’ll take off because the founders are extremely right-leaning and
pro-Trump (which will turn off a lot of people). These other sites are
conservative as well, but not quite so overkill. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>CONCLUSION:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wimkin.com is my favorite layout, but Mewe and Parler are
larger and I more people I actually know. I am currently (somewhat) active on all
three - you should be able to find me by just searching my name. All of them have great features, are accessible via phone and computer, and
are pretty easy to navigate and figure out. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><style>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-14356214842560110662020-07-28T11:08:00.002-06:002022-03-29T07:13:21.235-06:00Liberty Hope: Our Daughter's Birth Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgxHt8MRh7istduk9gCz9qk8XmqSG6tvUpaHZb_6X3l1jiyiGOtKE9_jDBT7Zh26-inoHyv8KrMlEZg2AWDCzyLD7jKKVYi35BQr4HuhRJOZIklzqbcLNyqeQHkAyyKZb7M5ov6TD65uh/s1600/L1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="498" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgxHt8MRh7istduk9gCz9qk8XmqSG6tvUpaHZb_6X3l1jiyiGOtKE9_jDBT7Zh26-inoHyv8KrMlEZg2AWDCzyLD7jKKVYi35BQr4HuhRJOZIklzqbcLNyqeQHkAyyKZb7M5ov6TD65uh/s320/L1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Background:</b> (If you want you can skip this section to
the action below – but this part explains how we ended up choosing a homebirth!) Our firstborn’s
birth didn’t go <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2018/05/answered-prayer-kellers-birth-story.html" target="_blank">as planned</a>. However, this being my second time around I did
feel more confident about giving birth and would have liked to have done a
free-standing birth center again, but unfortunately in our area there are no
options for that so at the beginning of my pregnancy I was planning on giving
birth at the birthing center at St. Vincent’s in Worcester. I had a few
appointments with a midwife in connection with them and she was… just OK. There
was still this sense of formality and protocol and not a close connection or
respect for my choices that I had experienced before. I had thought on and off
about how amazing it would be to do a homebirth but it wasn’t something our
insurance would cover and so I resigned myself to making the best of it. Then
Covid-19 happened. The office I was going to transferred me from there to the
hospital (where they had covid-19 patients by the way, which I thought was
insane). There wasn’t good communication about this either and the more things
went on the more I knew that I really didn’t want to give birth there and
wanted to look into a homebirth more. I communicated with a few different home
birth midwives and found one up near my mom which actually worked out well
because I actually wanted to give birth at her place since she had a nice big
jacuzzi tub in her master bedroom (and our apartment didn’t have a tub at all)
and if I was going to have a home birth I wanted a tub! After my second meeting/appointment
with my midwife I knew I’d made the right decision. She is amazing! And despite
our insurance denying our appeal to cover the cost, I was over and over again
affirmed in various ways that this was the right choice. We still prayed for a faster and easier delivery this time around and I was very hopeful! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast forward to the end of July. It was SO hot and as I was
in the last week before my due date I began trying to get things moving –
especially since Liberty was so low and in a great position! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Friday, July 24:</b> I went for two walks, and my sister tried
some pressure points on my ankles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Saturday, July 25:</b> Went and saw a friend who did an
ankle massage/pressure points with castor oil, then swam some at a lake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sunday, July 26:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Afternoon:</b> We packed everything in the car just
in case, dropped Keller at my sister’s and went to my mom’s where I walked two miles
on the treadmill, then the midwife gave me a tincture (I forget what that was)
followed by some homemade ice cream with castor oil mixed in… it was actually
pretty good! The midwife said that usually (note: “usually”) that in a few hours
there would be an increase in contractions followed by a bowel movement and
then things would taper off. This could repeat in a few more hours before
actually labor would really kick in although sometimes it wouldn’t induce labor, in which case in the
morning she would come and we’d do a second dose. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Evening: </b>The first few hours after
that part a-typical of what was to be expected. We thought we’d have plenty of time and as we were
slightly concerned about Keller sleeping away from us/keeping his auntie up (he
doesn’t sleep great somewhere new) so around 7PM we decided Mike would go home and
get him and stay with him for the night – and of course I would call if/when
things started (and my sister would just go stay at the house with Keller). I had some mild contractions followed by a bowel movement and then nothing. I
facetimed with Mike and Keller around 9PM and then tried to go to sleep but around 9:30
contractions were starting up again. At 10 I asked my mom to come keep me
company and also began timing them – because they were seeming stronger and fairly close together. I
was texting with the midwife on and off and she suggested taking a shower and various
things to help (she thought for sure it was still just early effects from the
castor oil so wasn’t worried about needing to be there yet). Nothing seemed to
help. By 11 PM they were very consistently 3 minutes apart and very strong - and I was starting to get a little more concerned. Shortly
after I called Mike - 11 times! His phone for some reason didn't ring even though he had set it carefully to! He very shortly after checked his phone and called me though. I wanted him to come and just be
there – even though I STILL wasn’t positive I was actually in active labor. He
left shortly after on the hour drive back. A little after 11:30 I spoke to the
midwife and said I thought she should come and be there. Part of me still thought
that maybe it was still the castor oil (and so did she), but it also felt.... different. God knew and moved me to tell them both to come. Sure enough almost right after that I moved from having contractions
to actually pushing… and after<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a little
bit I realized this was no bowel movement! I remember my mom starting to fill
the tub and saying “try not to push til the midwife gets here!” – haha she was really getting
worried she might have to deliver her granddaughter! I remember thinking – “Ohhh no
I’m pushing!” and I think this moment is when I actually realized this baby girl was
really coming VERY soon! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monday, July 27<sup>th</sup></b>: at exactly 12:15am I managed
to text the midwife “think she’s coming” - I was pretty sure I could feel her head coming down. I thought of telling Mike to hurry at
more than one point but literally had no time in between contractions/pushing. Thankfully
the midwife had just pulled in the driveway and came running up right away. I
was still sitting on the toilet at this point and the tub was almost
filled/ready. Midwife checked me and quickly realized that yup she was
coming and helped me move into the tub. Then<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike
arrived about 12:20, as my mom was running down and bringing up the equipment
from the car for the midwife so she didn’t have to leave me. "Get up there quick" she told him. About 15 minutes later, at 12:33am, Liberty
Hope was born! As soon as she came out I reached down and brought her up out of
the water – that was super exciting because I had kinda wanted to “catch” her
myself and I DID! It was pretty amazing! </div>
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Right before she was born the midwife was having a hard time
finding her heartbeat because she was so low and so did hurry the process a bit
just in case. The cord was wrapped around her body twice, once around the neck - it wasn't tight around the
neck or anything so it was fine, but the midwife still had to help her get those big gasps of
air (was rubbing her chest pretty aggressively and gave her a few puffs in her mouth). I
think it took close to a full minute til she began crying and then she was just fine!
I was helping hold her during this and wasn’t really worried, I was sure she
would be fine, although that minute did seem pretty long! She is still doing
great! (FYI, it is VERY normal for this kind of thing to happen. The cord is often wrapped around the baby, but is not often dangerously so, and sometimes babies do take a minute or so to get their lungs clear from the amniotic fluid, again quite normal.)<br /></div>
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I had prayed a shorter labor and wow I got it – way faster
that I would have ever guessed! Really it was no more than THREE hours total! The midwife was originally going to have an assistant too.... yeah she didn't make it. It was funny though, I had imagined having this
relaxing time in the tub while in earlier labor with candles and nice music… none
of that happened! I had set up my oil diffuser before trying to go to sleep earlier
and the Christmas lights were on but that was it! Not that I minded of course –
it was very VERY intense (and honestly, I was screaming basically the entire time I was pushing) but then it was over! After about an hour she latched
and sucked really well and has done great in that department ever since!<br />
<br />
God was with us the entire journey. He knew what I and Liberty needed and got everyone there in time. It was fast and crazy but I wouldn't go back and change it for the world! Praising God for his grace, strength and this wonderful precious baby girl! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3ILnJwb0lXDBGd0Tkxt4XixtAGU99BffwQo8zFfnCJPiwzWndNlka20ya7QBwgWkhHAuDe1JsQSWjrLlu-nuLTA6IaoaThyT45yRf1ocCtD6XGNCVvTmYUP7h_MKa1q8k0zOr75nnFvJ/s1600/IMG_8374.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3ILnJwb0lXDBGd0Tkxt4XixtAGU99BffwQo8zFfnCJPiwzWndNlka20ya7QBwgWkhHAuDe1JsQSWjrLlu-nuLTA6IaoaThyT45yRf1ocCtD6XGNCVvTmYUP7h_MKa1q8k0zOr75nnFvJ/s320/IMG_8374.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
I caught her!!!! (Thanks Mom/surprise birth coach<br />
for this picture)<br />
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Keller meeting his sister! <br />
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<b>Why we chose her name:<span class="verse-24"> </span></b></div>
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<span class="verse-24">This was a fairly rough pregnancy for
me. For almost all of December I was not only physically not feeling well many
days with fairly bad “morning” (all-day) sickness, but my hormones were crazy
and I often felt depressed and anxious. Hope was something the Lord reminded me
of and encouraged me with during this time. Thankfully the sickness and
emotions eased, and I felt great until early April when the hormone/emotional
struggles came back. And this was also about a month into the Covid-19 shutdown
where I also began to be frustrated with how it was being handled. The liberty
we have as American’s has always been very important to me and to see those
being withheld, not to mention stripped (in various other areas as well) was
very distressing to me. But the end of April the Lord began reminding me that while
any freedom we have on this earth is temporal and can be so easily lost, but we
have a steadfast hope in an eternal and perfect liberty in Christ where there
will be no more sadness, disease or injustice. I<b> still remember the moment the
Lord pressed this name for my daughter on my heart and I wept with a sense of freedom
and renewed hope. Liberty Hope! </b>It took a little bit of time for Mike to come
around about the name, although he did want me to have the lead in naming our
first daughter, but it won him over too. Over and over this name has brought me
so much encouragement and I trust and pray she will be a light and hope to many
in this dark world. </span></div>
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<span class="verse-24">Here is her name meaning and Bible
passage it is based from:</span></div>
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<span class="verse-25"><b>Liberty:</b> The state of being free
- ultimately met our spiritual redemption and physical resurrection in Christ.</span></div>
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<span class="verse-25"><b>Hope:</b> Steadfast confidence in a
world of fear and uncertainty.</span></div>
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<span class="verse-24"><b>Rom 8:19-25</b> – “</span><span class="text">For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God
to be revealed.</span> <span class="text">For the creation was subjected to
frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected
it, in hope<sup> </sup>that<sup> </sup>the creation itself will be
liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of
the children of God.</span> <span class="text">We know that the whole creation
has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.</span>
<span class="text">Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the
redemption of our bodies.<sup> </sup>For in this hope we were saved. But
hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?</span>
<span class="text">But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it
patiently.”</span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-32708604860288512152020-05-04T09:55:00.001-06:002020-08-23T13:44:05.870-06:00Christians, Civil Liberty and Resisting Authority<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL5QL9WK1PUCK8cEGuB5fG3Hvx20EOrOhyK4QysjJW8xIb2O-ekt-oL-zt0KyBs6IjgfdenM1h2SVF1Uzj3d8tssymnQH6-QCtCdbS1oM0D8SlophsBl9ooMgmNQw5TkIJ2FpW9vsWvpX/s1600/RRquote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL5QL9WK1PUCK8cEGuB5fG3Hvx20EOrOhyK4QysjJW8xIb2O-ekt-oL-zt0KyBs6IjgfdenM1h2SVF1Uzj3d8tssymnQH6-QCtCdbS1oM0D8SlophsBl9ooMgmNQw5TkIJ2FpW9vsWvpX/s320/RRquote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">With
the health and economic situation going on in our country and the world right
now, there are all kinds of various opinions, feelings and beliefs on how the
virus should be handled and what rights the government has over personal
freedom even in a time of crisis.</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">I have
seen a few Christian organizations that have written articles arguing for the
Christian’s obligation to submit to governing authorities – specifically right
now with the stay-at-home orders etc. While they do make some valid points, and
while Romans 13/1 Peter 2 do indeed have a lot to say to us today, there are some very
key points that I believe these authors have neglected.</span></div>
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<b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1)
In America, our supreme “governing authority” is the Constitution, not the
governing leaders themselves.</span></b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">
Our leaders are supposed to be subject to the Constitution; “we the people”
hold the true power and are responsible to hold our elected leaders accountable
to the Constitution. Romans was written to Christians under Rome, indeed a
pagan government but still different in structure than ours. There are indeed
applications we must make, but they were not under the Constitution like we are
today. Therefore, it is not an equal or simple application. To simply quote
Scripture without considering these societal differences is not good exegesis
at all. Is it right to allow our <i>elected</i> leaders to ignore and/or misuse
the Constitution they, under oath, committed to defending? It is one thing to
respect the office someone holds; it is another to do nothing while a person
abuses that office.</span></div>
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<b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">2)</span></b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> There are always limits to our
submission to authority, and that includes many “gray” areas of <b>conscience</b>.
Complete, unquestioned submission is NOT Biblical. Clear Biblical violation is
obvious, we are called according to Scripture to obey God rather than men, but
in areas of conscience where the Word of God is not so clear it gets very
complicated. (We have this problem in churches and families too.) Some of the
authors acknowledge there is a time for “civil disobedience” but are vague
about what this means, and they do they acknowledge any issues of conscience.
We cannot just tell others they should “submit to governing authority” when
it’s not a clear-cut Biblical issue and their conscience tells them that what
the government is requiring is not right or lawful. To quote Scripture like
that is a cop-out and, I believe, an abuse of Scriptural authority.</span></div>
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<b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">3)</span></b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> I wonder if these authors have
considered that if we did follow “submit to governing authority” the way they
are suggesting that we most certainly would not be where we are right now. <b>The
American Revolution very likely never would have happened</b> – and even if it
had, our country would certainly <b>not</b> have been built nearly entirely by
God-fearing men (although not all Christians by any means). None of us would be
sitting where we are right now, perhaps we would not even exist. Slavery would
still be legal. The Civil Rights movement wouldn’t have happened, and neither
would hundreds of other movements that have built us a (mostly) better society.</span></div>
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<b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">4)</span></b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> At least one article quoted 1 Tim
2:1-6 (“Pray for your leaders so that you may lead quiet, godly lives…”) and
said we should “strive” to live quiet and godly lives but gave NO application
for what this actually means. If our leaders allow us to do this well then
great, but what if they don’t? Does being “quiet and godly” mean submissively
laying down under the whip? Are we not allowed to defend ourselves when we are
being unjustly treated? <b>Does it mean we should not seek to hold our leaders
accountable to the oath they took to defend our Constitution?</b> I think Micah
6:8 is a little more specific: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what
does the LORD require of you but to seek justice, and to love mercy, and to
walk humbly with your God?” We are called to stand for truth and justice, and
to seek to be kind and merciful towards <i>all</i>.</span></div>
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<b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">5)</span></b><span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> And then there's Jer. 29:7, where the Israelite's are instructed to “seek the peace and
prosperity” of the foreign nation where they dwell. This is <b>not</b> talking
about the internal peace God gives us despite suffering or hard circumstances. <b>This
peace is more external, and has a lot to do with <i>security</i>. To ultimately
feel secure you need to be free to live your life as you believe is right and
good</b>. Peace is freedom from oppression, unrest, injustice. This cannot be a
short-term freedom/security either; you can’t have peace if you are uncertain
about future security. We as Americans seek the peace of our nation by seeking
order and justice (adherence to the law, ultimately the Constitution), and also
by seeking to get along with/tolerating others even though you may have
disagreements. To have peace, sometimes you have to compromise on issues
(although there are lawful and moral limits of course). I don’t know about you,
but all this reminds me a lot of the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness” (from the Declaration of Independence).</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">6) <b>They
neglect Human Responsibility in the nurturing and preservation of truth and
justice.</b> This is rather connected to the last point. Like parents are
responsible for the raising of their children, like pastors are responsible for
their flock, <b>we, as citizens of this country, are responsible for her
preservation. </b>The results are always God’s, but we will be held accountable
for our stewardship. There are consequences for inaction as well as action. You
reap what you sow. “...whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6).</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">To
conclude, in respect to government, we as Christians are called to:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1. <b>Trust
God’s sovereignty, remember this world is not our home, etc. </b>This should be
a given, but we do need to be reminded from time to time.</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">2. <b>Pray
</b>(and support, and vote)<b> for leaders who will allow us to live peaceable,
godly lives. </b>Absolutely!</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">3. <b>Respect
authority, give honor to wear honor is due</b> - remembering that our ultimate
authority (and therefore due the most respect) in America is the Constitution.</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">4. <b>Seek
the peace, prosperity and preservation of our nation </b>– by seeking
justice and respecting the laws and protecting the liberty we are blessed to
possess.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><b>5.</b> And of course, try our best to be kind and gracious towards those who think differently. </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">So
Christian, humbly seek wisdom in how you should honor God, trust, pray, be
respectful to that which is the authority. Seek peace and security, stand up
for truth, for what is right and just and lawful. "Those who would give up
essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety." – Ben Franklin</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">I highly recommend everyone watching this video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7yn_LmJags&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0mMYASAE2IqU4s61MQZu9duqqgpL9rZJbHEKd3rNaHXAvwtyC-8RKhf5M" target="_blank">Freedom versus Fear video</a></span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“These
are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">sunshine
patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">country;
but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">man and
woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">this
consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">glorious
the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">it is
dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how </span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">to put
a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">so
celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Thomas Paine, The Crisis </span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-54656273561051472772020-02-17T19:13:00.000-07:002020-02-17T19:13:06.725-07:00Reading List: Parenting, The Sound of Music +more<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Some great books in the past few months! Working through some more now too! </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Finished since last
post:</b></div>
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<b><u>Grace-Based Discipline</u> by Karis Kimmel Murray</b></div>
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This was an excellent book! On top of having a great gift and
style in writing, Karis Murray shares a lot of very practical advice when it comes
to dealing with your child’s bad behavior. Many important reminders include: Don’t
take your child’s behavior personally, your child is a sinner so “we shouldn’t
be surprised if they act that way”, “you must separate your child’s behavior
from their heart” and what the book really boils down to: <b>How does God
parent/discipline us?</b> This is crucial because “Parents are the primary
reflection our kids see of God’s heart and His grace.” <b>How you parent and
discipline teaches your child more about God than anything you could possibly say!</b>
As parents we ought to seek to parent as God does His children, and for that we
need wisdom. “The only way we’ll be able to discern whether to give our
children consequences, mercy or anything in between is if we’ve built a close
enough relationship with our kids to afford us some perspective. That’s the
only way our discipline will truly be <i>for</i> them.” (emphasis hers)</div>
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Karis differentiates between grace and mercy, punishment or
retaliation and discipline, shame and remorse and gives practical examples. She
also helpfully lays out the type of discipline and/or consequences that are most
effective for different ages. Throughout the book there are great stories and
examples from Karis’ own experience under her parents (who modeled this well)
and with her own children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b><u>Don’t Make Me Count to Three</u> by Ginger Hubbard</b></div>
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Another parenting book I would HIHGLY recommend (I’ve had a
few other moms recommend it to me). Easy and fun to read with great practical wisdom
for moms seeking to raise their kids according to Biblical principles. She talks
about how to deal with getting to the heart of your child, handling manipulation,
using Scripture in our correction, when you’re feeling angry, how to Biblically
reprove and rebuke (NOT scold) and with physical discipline. Really excellent
and highly practical. </div>
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“Behavior is simply what alerts you to your child’s need for
correction. But don’t make the mistake that so many parents make and allow your
desire for changed behavior to replace your desire for a changed heart.”</div>
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“When we correct our children for wrong behavior but fail to
train them in righteous behavior, we will exasperate them because we are not
providing them with a way of escape.” - In other words, what they should do
instead. Most of the time, righteous behavior needs to be learned by hands-on teaching
and practice… it’s not automatic!</div>
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“Our desire should be for the child to ponder what he could
have done right rather than what he did wrong.”</div>
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“…truly beneficial communication is based not only on the
ability to talk, but also on the ability to listen. Let me suggest that rather
than talking to your child, you talk with your child.”</div>
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<b><u>Memories Before and After The Sound of Music</u> by
Agathe Von Trapp</b></div>
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Written by the eldest daughter of Captain Georg Von Trapp, we
are given the real and rest of the story of the “The Sound of Music”. Great
biography/autobiography of her family’s history, her upbringing and the real
Trapp Family Singers. </div>
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<b><u>Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing
Autism</u> by Jenny McCarthy</b></div>
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This was just an interesting account of one mom’s fight to
find a way to bring her son back after his regression into autism. (She did by
the way.) But it was a long, hard journey and she had to fight for so much
along the way. It’s a sad story in many ways (losing your son mentally and
emotionally is awful, and also because she does not know Christ and thus God’s
role in this story), but it’s still very inspiring. A mother’s love and a
mother’s instinct should never be ignored.</div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-10312798947086800112019-09-15T17:29:00.004-06:002022-11-26T14:56:58.723-07:00Abusers and the Pharisees Who Enable Them<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(This post is a
follow-up to <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2019/09/fractured-covenants.html" target="_blank">this</a> post. Readers are advised to read that one first.)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.” (Ps. 119:139, ESV)</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pharisees in the Gospels are not portrayed
in a favorable light. Over and over Jesus warns his followers to not imitate
them. They were proud, self-righteous, didn’t practice what they preached and
focused on their own interpretation of the law rather than what God intended.
No Christian wants to find out they are like the Pharisees. I tread on rather
dangerous ground even hinting that this could happen, but to not do so, I
believe would be pharisaical itself. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I read a book some time ago called <u>Accidental
Pharisees</u> (you can read my summary of it <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2014/12/reading-list-december-31-2014.html" target="_blank">here</a>). This is a fantastic book but not an easy read
as it reminded me that <b><i>all</i> of us have same tendencies and
sin-inclinations that the pharisees had and that it is deceptively easy to
slide into self-righteousness and pride.</b> (Lord, may this not be me right
now!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have a problem in the church today. <b>When
confronted with abuse, churches are not handling it in godly, Biblical ways but
rather in ways that fit with their pre-disposed ideas.</b> With abusive
marriages particularly, often church leaders value the marriage over the
individual people. As a result, they minimize the abuser’s behavior, believe
him over her and even shift the focus and blame on the victim for wanting out of the
marriage. This type of thinking and action is seen fairly often in patriarchal
churches that hold to an unbalance of power in marriage, for, “<b>When taken to
their logical conclusion, the teachings of patriarchal authoritarianism groom
men to become dictators, and condition women to accept abuse as God’s will.</b>”
(From <u>Fractured Covenants</u>, see my <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2019/09/fractured-covenants.html" target="_blank">last</a> post). Like the Pharisees, they
focus on the “letter of the law” rather than the person and the situation – the
real <i>heart of the issue</i>. Their focus is on “saving the marriage” rather
than dealing with the <i>real</i> sin issue and rescuing a sister in
Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I was getting my counseling degree from
Westminster Theological Seminary through Christian Counseling Educational
Foundation, one of the most impactful classes I took was an observation class
with <a href="https://www.darbystrickland.com/" target="_blank">Darby Stickland</a> where we watched her counsel a couple where the husband was emotionally abusive. It was incredibly eye-opening. The husband was an EXACT match for the
descriptions of an abusive person given in chapter 1 of <u>Fractured Covenants</u>
(See under heading “Where Does Subtler Mistreatment End, and Abuse Begin?” See
also additional descriptions in chapter 2). And the poor wife, she was so
conditioned that she had <u>no idea</u> she was innocent – and that <u>he was
the problem</u>! It was beautiful seeing the understanding dawn in her face as
she realized the way he was treating her was wrong and that she had done <i>nothing</i>
to deserve it. It was tragic to see a woman stuck in such an awful situation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 1 Cor. 5:11, it says this: <sup> “</sup>But
now I am writing to you <b>not to associate</b> with anyone <b>who bears the name
of brother</b> if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an
idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler - not even to eat with such a one.” <b>You
can be a practicing adulterer, reviler, drunkard, <i>or</i> you can be a Christian. You
can’t be both.</b> “In fact, according to this text, a reviler who calls
himself a brother is far, far worse than an outright unbeliever. A reviler who
is allowed to call himself a brother will corrupt the whole church” (<u>Fractured
Covenants</u>, and see <a href="https://myonlycomfort.com/2017/06/02/christians-who-revile/" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;">). Many abusers pass themselves off as “good Christian men”
but in reality, in secret, are slanderers and revilers of their wives. Jesus
had a lot to say about these kinds of people: “Woe to you, teachers of the law
and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look
beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead
and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside <b>you appear to people
as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness</b>”
(Matthew 23:27-28).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When church leaders misplace blame and demand a
woman return to an abusive husband – especially one who claims to be a
Christian - <b>they are disobeying 1 Cor. 5:11 and the rest of Scripture</b>
which says over and over to rescue those who are oppressed (see Psalm 82:3-4,
Lev. 19:15, and many others). Doing so they <b>spiritually abuse </b>their
position and add to the victims suffering by using Scripture against her and
disciplining her for fleeing her abuser. Jesus had a lot to say about these
kinds of people too:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<i><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin.<b> But you have neglected the
more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.</b> You
should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind
guides! … You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned
to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of
them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and
pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood
that has been shed on earth...” (Matthew 23:23-24, 34-36, NIV)</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These words are incredibly harsh and
frightening. Not only do these kinds of people persecute the righteous, but
they risk going to hell. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the book, <u>Fractured Covenants</u>, the
author shares much of her own story of abuse in her marriage and her church’s
tragic, abusive response. While initially supportive, <b>her two pastors chose
to side with her husband</b> <b>and, despite acknowledging she was a victim,
still demanded that she return to him.</b> In a letter to her (<i>after</i> she
had resigned her membership) in which they threaten church discipline they
write, “<b>Our</b> <b>first and greatest concern </b>is that you chose to
divorce…”. (This and subsequent quotes taken directly from the letter from the
church pastors which you can read <a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2016/12/16/heritage-bible-chapel-admonishes-a-former-member-to-repent-or-else/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">here</a>.) Their <i>first and
greatest concern</i> was not over the sin HE had committed towards her, it was
not that SHE needed safety and healing…. It was that <i>she</i> was
(apparently) sinning by divorcing this man who repeatedly and unrepentantly
verbally, spiritually and emotionally abused her. Again, while the leaders acknowledge the
abuse, they still somehow believed that <i>she</i> was the one “breaking (the)
marriage covenant”. They claimed she didn’t “attempt to address his sins” or
“didn’t want help or counsel”, (quote) which was <i>not</i> true – they
had done counseling, she'd tried to get help about his problems but nothing changed. He wasn’t
willing to change – that was the issue. Of course, he feigned sorrow and
“repentance” to the pastors, but then he turned around and continued in his
verbal abuse and antagonism towards her. This is completely typical of abusers.
<b>Yet the pastors, these “blind guides,” naively believed him over her – and
subsequently sought to discipline <i>her</i> </b>because she had “wandered from
the truth” (quote). What “truth” is that exactly? How could she seek to
“preserve the marriage” (quote) when <u>her husband</u> was the one breaking
the marriage covenant? <b>Is this what God intended when He created marriage?
Is this the kind of leadership and ministry God calls pastors to? </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for the church leaders who so sinned against
her, <b>God will judge them for downplaying and even condoning the sin of the
men in their congregation and for shooting their own wounded. </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brothers and sisters, we <b>cannot</b> tolerate,
excuse or downplay abuse. It is sinful, demonic and damaging. It is a sin
against the man to leave him in his sin, a sin against the woman to leave her
in her suffering or hurt her further, and a sin against the local church and
the church at large (in showing how we handle sin and oppression) and to Christ
Himself. Proverbs says that, “<b>He who justifies the wicked and he who
condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD</b>”
(Prov 17:15) and Jesus Himself said, <b>“For in the same way you judge others,
you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”</b>
(Matt. 7:2). Let us not be like the Pharisees, let us not imitate or follow those
who value their interpretation of Scripture over the soul of one oppressed. Let
us believe those who come to us with their stories of abuse and rescue them
from the hands of the wicked.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can read about the
events in this particular case for yourself in <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Fractured-Covenants-Hidden-Problem-Marital-ebook/dp/B0788BKCYL/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Fractured+covenants&qid=1568590105&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><u>Fractured Covenants</u></a> and in <a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2016/12/16/heritage-bible-chapel-admonishes-a-former-member-to-repent-or-else/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">THIS</a> article on Marie's story.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2016/12/16/heritage-bible-chapel-admonishes-a-former-member-to-repent-or-else/comment-page-1/"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="color: black;">For additional reading: <a href="https://www.ccef.org/spiritual-abuse-in-marriage/?fbclid=IwAR2OQo7UA2MzmrMbN7TBn6kBvBx8pXKAZFO6fxoHssHTbnSwqs1rDJCfpDo" target="_blank">Spiritual Abuse in Marriage </a></span></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqQxVbDJ9AWjxXhMIg1fdLzU0zd1CvjynsFFIE9m3NEXGSJ48S0E-2bIIcSUG08Fwj26FZ-XOj3j9iOB0UobhcrHA91doSsDPUDaQ583mf1yM60P4u5h9EtdmW0TrhEw_WjLRSdRNQt5r/s1600/DS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqQxVbDJ9AWjxXhMIg1fdLzU0zd1CvjynsFFIE9m3NEXGSJ48S0E-2bIIcSUG08Fwj26FZ-XOj3j9iOB0UobhcrHA91doSsDPUDaQ583mf1yM60P4u5h9EtdmW0TrhEw_WjLRSdRNQt5r/s320/DS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-63792375266710589912019-09-15T17:14:00.004-06:002022-11-26T16:41:33.145-07:00Fractured Covenants (Book Review)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where does a high-view of marriage lead you
theologically and practically?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marriage, after all, was created by God as a
reflection of Himself and the Church. So what does your view of marriage say
about God? And what does it say about the Church? If marriage is to be so
esteemed, is divorce <i>ever</i> an option? These are some of the key questions
that the author of <u>Fractured Covenants</u> deals with. More specifically, <b>is
marriage as God intended still a binding covenant even in cases of abuse?</b>
After all, “there is an enormous difference between a disappointing marriage,
and a destructive one”. <i>(All quotes in this post from <u>Fractured Covenants</u>
unless otherwise indicated.) </i>Scripture also has a lot to say on the value
and protection of women. “Mosaic divorce allowance was given by God for
humanitarian means – to protect women from cruelty.” It was permitted because
of sin. God himself “divorced” his bride (Israel) for their adultery. In fact,
does the Bible <i>actually</i> say, “God hates divorce”? I have heard this
quoted many times in my life, and I was shocked to realize that that is NOT
what the verse says! The author shows how the NIV here has an accurate
translation of the Hebrew:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The man who hates and
divorces his wife,” </span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, the God of Israel, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<b>does
violence to the one he should protect</b>,” says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> Almighty. - Mal 2:13</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">See <a href="https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/32003/the-original-hebrew-of-malachi-216" target="_blank">here</a> for explanation of the Hebrew. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God himself calls for husbands to love their
wives “as their own body” and judges those who oppress and abuse others (see Isa.
10:1–4; 30:12–14; Jer. 6:6-8; 9:6–11). If marriage is a reflection of God, then
both parties should mirror his love and grace (although imperfectly). But what
happens when one party continually and unrepentantly does the exact opposite? <b>What
should the church’s response be to a woman (or man) abused by their spouse?</b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The author of <u>Fractured Covenants</u> does a
fantastic job of exegeting scripture and showing us what God’s design for
husbands and wives in marriage is. Furthermore, as a trained Biblical counselor
and an abuse survivor herself she also writes about how we should respond when
there is emotional or verbal abuse in a marriage.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are Christian circles (many of them
Reformed or solid theologically) that sadly ignore or downplay emotional (or otherwise
non-physical) abuse in marriage. But this is not right. <b>“Averting our eyes
when one of our sisters is being abused, in any form, is not Christ-like.”</b>
Indeed not! But what exactly is emotional abuse? Examples include “verbal
attacks, silent treatment, destructive criticism, manipulation, lying, threats,
and withholding affection. These toxic relationships affect the victim’s
ability to trust others and enjoy healthy relationships in the future.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This book also uncovers the reasons many
churches and pastors do not take abuse seriously and push for victims to return
to their abusers. The issue of abuse is not one you can truly understand
without either experiencing it yourself, walking alongside someone who has
experienced it, or had very specific training about it. <b>Too many churches
and pastors are ignorant (or in plain denial) of the dark hidden aspects of
abuse, and also unaware that abusers are very good at hiding their sin and
appearing very godly.</b> They are ignorant of the fact that an abuser <i>cannot</i>
simply “repent” and suddenly be a great husband. Thinking someone can go from
being abusive to a true godly person is incredibly naïve. Any professional
counselor will tell you that men like this need intensive and long-term
counseling to overcome their abusive tendencies. He is a liar and a slanderer
and cannot be trusted until there is <i>real</i> remorse, repentance and <i>true
change</i> of character. To pressure a woman to return to her abusive husband
when they have not taken his sin seriously is wrong and damaging, not only to
the woman herself, but also to the church at large.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Ephesians 5:21, immediately prior to the
verse where it says, “wives submit to your husbands,” commands, “submit to one
another out of reverence for Christ”. This is speaking to both husband and
wife. <b>Submission is not just for wives, both husbands and wives are to
submit to one another. </b>Certainly, for the wife this is more specifically commanded, but it should not be taken in isolation. In the book, the author describes what this means
beautifully: “Biblical submission is an aspect of Christian liberty wherein we
prefer others to ourselves. It’s an expression of Christian love, intended to
glorify God in all that it chooses to do. It kindly and generously serves
others, to provide for their comfort. It defers to others, it edifies them, and
it blesses them according to their needs. It’s genuinely benevolent and seeks
the welfare and best interests of others. It diligently pursues life, health,
and dignity for others as well as oneself. Biblical submission, far from being
a sanctified form of dictatorship, honors God as supreme and honors others as
his creatures made in his image.” <b>The author does a good job at showing how scripture
makes it pretty clear that, “Men’s and women’s rights within the family are the same
size – with each having equal rights to having their opinions and desires
respected, as well as input into decision making and the right to live free
from physical and verbal abuse.”</b> Yes, wives are called to submit, but this doesn't mean she does not have a voice or can be ignored or abused. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet, sadly, as the author shows, there are
churches, organizations and Christians that emphasize the command of wives submission <i>over</i> the command on
husbands to love their wives as Christ and their own body. This is wrong,
dangerous, and a misuse of Scripture. For that is NOT how God intended marriage
to be. Indeed, “when a command for submission is wielded like a weapon, it is a
sure sign that the follow-up verses on ‘loving [your] wife as Christ loved the
Church’ are not being obeyed.” <b>If a husband is choosing not to love his wife
as God calls him to (verses 25-30), submitting to her out of love (verse 21)
and honoring her as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7), <i>he is willfully
breaking</i>, and not honoring the marriage covenant. </b>Furthermore, “Men who
verbally abuse their wives are what the Bible calls ‘revilers’…. You can be a
reviler, or you can be a Christian. You can’t be both.” According to 1 Cor.
5:11, the one who reviles, and slanders others is the one who is to be treated
as an unbeliever.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How should the church deal with a marriage that
is fractured by abuse? How should we respond to and counsel a man with this sin
pattern? He needs to be confronted with his sin but, <b>“the problem is that
when abusers are confronted about their behavior, not only will they often lie
outright to their pastors and/or counselors, they will spin events and hateful,
hurtful statements they have made in such a way as to minimize or project blame
onto the other party(ies).”</b> And these kinds of people are usually such
experts at manipulating the facts and seeming sincere that they nearly always
fool everyone. The author recalls a personal instance and other victims’
accounts where this kind of cover-up occurred and their husbands even boasted
about it to the wives later. Her own ex-husband even told her how he’d told the
pastor he wanted her back. She was incredulous and said, “Why would you say
that? You hate me! Did you tell him you loved me?” His response after laughing
was, “it never came up.” “Inexperienced pastors, pre-disposed to believe the
man’s side, often do nothing to help the woman – instead, they often side
against her along with her husband.” <b>The lack of seriousness of the abuser’s
sin along with their emphasis on the woman’s responsibility for her husband’s
treatment of them is not only unbiblical, it is sin. </b>Yet, sometimes pastors
add to the burden by pressuring the wives into returning to a man
who they know has no intention of changing. Some Christians have even told
women that they need to, “endure this suffering for Christ.” But “the real
‘truth’ that we display to the world by accepting abuse in a marriage is that
God would have us suffer for someone else’s pleasure (not His). “When the
marriage covenant has been broken through ongoing abuse, trust is shattered.
Try as they might, well-meaning clergy cannot always put the pieces back
together again, nor should the victim feel compelled to return when the
situation has not changed.” It is fairly common knowledge that if someone was
seriously sinned against – for example in sexual abuse or rape - you can
forgive that person, but that doesn’t mean you continue in close contact with
them. <i>Restoration is very different from forgiveness</i>. If someone purposely hurt
your child, you would not let them anywhere near that child again until you
were sure they had changed. Once again, even if they are “sorry,” sins like
these are deep, ingrained patterns and the person is not to be trusted
until there is assurance of true repentance. Yet wives with abusive husbands
are told to go back and submit to him? <b>Is this what God meant when He said,
“Marriage is to be held in honor by all” (Heb 13:4)?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Furthermore, church leaders lead the rest of the
Church and other Christians to also side against the abused woman and threaten
her church discipline for divorcing her unrepentant husband. <b>These women are, “shamed by
the churches they trusted to protect them – all in the name of saving a
marriage over a person.”</b> Although Scripture does admonish us to, “Obey your
leaders and submit to them,” (Heb 13:17) church leaders are human and sometimes
wrong and this verse does <i>not</i> mean <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2019/09/should-church-elders-be-obeyed.html" target="_blank">unconditional obedience</a>.
This pressure to return to her abuser and using spiritual authority to further
coerce her to submit tragically adds <i>spiritual abuse</i> to her suffering. <b>Spiritual
abuse is using the Word of God or spiritual position to convince or manipulate
another person into doing what you think they should do.</b> Of course, most
people don’t think they are manipulating or anything like that – they think
they are “standing for truth” and doing what the Bible says. But even as
Christians who value and love the Word of God we can sometimes have views and
opinions that do not line up with the full counsel of God.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When a woman finds the
courage to tell someone about the abuse she has been suffering, we need to
validate her experience and not disregard it.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
If there is some reason to doubt her story, we can ask for more details and dig
deeper, but it is <i>extremely rare</i> for someone to lie about ongoing abuse
and they are often taking a big risk by speaking out. “The words ‘I believe
you’ are incredibly empowering to an abused woman.” I recall two instances of three different friends telling me about their husbands and father. Both times I
was shocked, as I knew two of three men in question, and couldn’t imagine these men being
abusive in such ways. But I believed all of them – no questions asked. I
learned more about the situations later which confirmed I was right to do so,
but too often people assume that victims are at the very least exaggerating.
But worse that not being believed, <b>victims, instead of receiving help and
support, receive judgment from other Christians.</b> (In the book there are
several examples given of this happening to completely innocent parties.) It is
amazing how harsh and judgmental other Christians (who usually do not know the
whole story) can be. Too often we assume someone who was divorced (especially
if they seem to be initiating and wanting the divorce) was somehow to blame and
holds at least some responsibility, yet it is not right for us to assume if we
do not know. The author herself, lost friends, trust, respect from Christians
who should have known better than to make assumptions and pass judgment. Most simply just wanted to trust the church leadership - and this is probably what is most tragic. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I personally know the
author of this book. </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marie O’Toole (formerly Notcheva) has been
given grace to persevere and stay faithful to God despite the abuse from her
husband and subsequent spiritual abuse from her church. <b>I write more about her
story and this topic in my follow-up post which I encourage you to read <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/2019/09/abusers-and-pharisees-who-enable-them.html" target="_blank">here</a>.
</b>To my sorrow, other people I know personally did not believe her and/or valued the
opinion of these church leaders over her. But Christians, we <i>cannot</i> condone
sin. To shun a woman because she fled an abusive relationship and refused to go
back and submit to her abuser is wrong and damaging, to the woman, the church
and the name of Christ. <b>Divorce is <u>not</u> always a sin, sometimes, it is
the <u>most godly</u> thing a person can do.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brethren, let us stop passing judgment until we
have heard the whole story and searched the whole of Scripture. For Jesus
Himself said, <b>“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and
with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” </b>(Matt. 7:2). Let us
show mercy to those who are suffering, let us hold sinners accountable, let us
rescue those in distress as Scripture calls us to: “<i>Maintain the right of
the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them
from the hand of the wicked” </i>(Psalm 82:3-4).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For additional reading
on this topic see the following articles:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/may-web-only/patterson-sbc-divorce-god-hates-abuse.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God Hates Divorce? </span></i></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.ccef.org/sexual-abuse-in-marriage/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sexual Abuse in Marriage </span></i></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can find all my posts on this topic <a href="https://thesacredpursuit.blogspot.com/search/label/Abuse" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can purchase Marie's book <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Fractured-Covenants-Hidden-Problem-Marital-ebook/dp/B0788BKCYL/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Fractured+covenants&qid=1568590105&sr=8-1" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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</style>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-80996984398789784932019-09-13T20:02:00.000-06:002019-09-13T20:02:30.832-06:00Reading List: Summer 2019Oh my goodness it's been so long since I've updated and posted one of these! Toddler and home life keeps me busy and tired so I don't read nearly as much as I used to! But here you are!<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Parenting: 14
Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family</u> by Paul Tripp </b></div>
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(Read spring 2018) This was a really great book! It’s so easy
to think you know what to do with kids, that you’ll never do such-and-such or
yell at your kids… but Paul hones in on the fact that both parents and children
are sinners and need God’s grace to change us. A theme is that parents are
ambassadors of God and can only be used as they are themselves willing to
humbly embrace the difficult task God has set before them. Paul gives practical
examples from his own experience as well as others. How should the law be used?
What role does identity play? How do we teach our children to submit to
authority and rid them of their foolishness? How do we accept our inability and
learn to rest in God who alone has the power to change our children’s hearts?
So much encouragement for parents who are seeking to faithfully raise their
children in the Lord. </div>
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“…parents who admit they are inadequate and run to God make
the best parents. You see, he doesn’t ask you to be able; he asks you to be
willing.” (pg. 36)</div>
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“Our job is to help our children to be so blown away by
God’s glory that they find joy in submitting to his rule.” (pg. 133)</div>
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“Every single thing your child has ever said or done is
rooted in worship… change is not so much about behavioral management, but
worship realignment.” (pg. 150)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>In Defense of
Jesus: The New Lawgiver</u> by John Reisinger</b></div>
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(Read summer 2018) I’ve been wanting to read this for quite some time! This book
was written in response to Richard Barcellos’ book, <u>In Defense of the
Decalogue</u>. In his book Barcellos, a Covenant theologian who’s Baptist, addresses
his concerns about New Covenant Theology (NCT) and why he believes it’s not
Biblically accurate. Reisinger responds to these concerns and claims with sound
historical and Biblical arguments. Barcello clearly does not really understand
what NCT really believes, nor does he accurately view history and Reisinger
shows this without a doubt. Who is the supreme lawgiver? Is it Moses as
Covenant Theology claims? Does Jesus just keep and re-affirm the law and make
no changes to it? Or as NCT maintains, does Jesus give new laws and an actual
new covenant? Is the Decalogue (the 10 Commandments) the unchanging moral law
of God? Or was it given to and for the nation of Israel and thus not the
standard for us today? Are those who hold to NCT “without law” as Barcellos and
others think? Regardless of their opponents opinions and arguments, New
Covenant Theology has strong Biblical support and those curious about it and
those who oppose it would be wise to read this book and consider its contents. </div>
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“Difficulties [in discussion theology] result when people
insist on using theological terms instead of Biblical terms.” For example, the
Bible nowhere mentions a covenant with Adam. Covenant Theology argues for
several things that are not actually named in Scripture, which is problematic. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Devoted: Great Men
and Their Godly Mothers</u> by Tim Challies</b></div>
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(Read fall 2018) This is a great little book for moms of
boys! Challies introduces us to the mothers of 11 men throughout history, from as
far back as Biblical times to today. It’s inspiring to hear these stories of
mothers who simply trusted God and did their best to teach and train their sons
to follow Christ. Despite some of them being single parents and/or sick or very
busy their prayers and passion for raising their sons was so encouraging. At
the end of each chapter there are also reflection questions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Set-Apart
Motherhood</u> by Leslie Ludy</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Read winter 2019) This book was so encouraging. The book is
Ccntered around keeping Christ as the focus of your life and relationship with
your children, but gets into some of the practical stuff too. Great tips, good
reminders, funny stories…. Very thankful for this book!</div>
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<br /></div>
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“…when I approach motherhood for the sole purpose of
bringing glory to God, I find tremendous joy in making personal sacrifices for
my children. As I seek to honor Him in my motherhood, it becomes my delight to
give my best to my children, without concern for what I’m getting out of it,
but only with what He is getting out of it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Training, discipline, routine, and structure are important,
but these things are tools that enable me to focus on what matters in
motherhood: building healthy relationships with my children and leading them to
Jesus Christ.” </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Vaccines: A
Reappraisal</u> by Richard Moskowitz M.D. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Read winter/spring 2019) I originally got this book on
kindle, but before I’d finished, I went bought a hard copy as well. It’s one of
THOSE books…. One that you’re going to go back to, for reminders, information,
research, facts…. It’s ALL there. This is incredibly well-researched by a doctor who's been in the field and in research for over 30 years. For anyone and everyone who wants to (or
claims to be) educated on this subject, this is a MUST-READ. If you are
concerned about vaccines, this is a great resource, if you are solidly pro-vax,
there’s facts in it that you HAVE to deal with. So get it and read it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Currently Reading:</b></div>
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<u>Grace-Based Parenting</u> by Karis Kimmel Murray</div>
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<br />Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-36979528289123377872019-09-13T16:47:00.004-06:002019-09-15T12:04:16.147-06:00Should Church Elders Be Obeyed Unconditionally?<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their
authority, because they keep </i></div>
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<i>watch over you as those who must give an account.
Do this so that their work will be </i></div>
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<i>a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no
benefit to you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </i></div>
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<i>– <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews 13:17</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Over and over in Proverbs we are exhorted to pursue, value
and gain wisdom. One way we do this is by <b>seeking counsel from those more
spiritually mature</b>. One obvious example is church leadership. In the verse
quote above we have a fairly clear exhortation in fact to obey and submit to
our church leadership as having authority over us. <b>But is this obedience and
submission to be unconditional</b>? What happens if these leaders are wrong? They
are, after all, human and sinners too. In comparison, wives are also told to
submit to their husbands, but does this mean unconditional obedience as well? </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>In all things: seek wisdom</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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While wisdom is often found in seeking godly counsel, first
and foremost it is found in the whole counsel of Scripture - through prayer and
the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is there that we are reminded that,
ultimately, our head and authority is Christ, and <b>after Him then we submit
ourselves to others</b>. Submission in marriage is done by wives submitting ultimately
to Christ and loving and serving our husband first and foremost as their
brother in Christ (not as a master). Indeed <span style="color: black;">“headship”
in marriage “is only true authority to the extent that a husband is faithful to
Jesus, so that he is not a ‘head’ by virtue of simply being a husband” (from the book <u>Fractured
Covenants</u>). The same applies to church leaders. One does not automatically
deserve unconditional respect and obedience simply because of the office he
holds. I respect the office of the President of the United States. This does not mean I automatically respect the person holding that office or would do whatever
he told me. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I will share a personal example… A number of years ago I
attended a Bible/discipleship school for a semester and while there applied for
an internship with a sister-ministry that was literally my “dream job”. I did
not at all expect to get accepted so when I did, it appeared to be a pretty
clear calling as it was a wonderful fit for my gifts and passions and I had a
deep respect for the ministry, its founders, and team members. However, the pastors/elders
at my then home church had some theological and personal disagreements with the
school I was at and “strongly urged” me to stay home. I was confused. While I
could see their reasons for concern, I did not have the same concerns about the
certain points of doctrine (and at least one I disagreed with completely) and did
not consider these reasons to be “reason enough” for me to not go. But I
wrestled with the text above. Shouldn’t I listen to and submit to my church
elders? <b>I deeply desired to be obedient to God and submit my desires to the
Lord.</b> I responded to the elders and said that despite the fact that I disagreed
with them I was willing to submit to their leadership. One thing was still holding
me back, however, and that was that I hadn’t yet been able to discuss the issue
with my parents as they had gone out of the country. Immediately after I sent
that response, I was filled with a strong conviction that I was supposed to go.
I went to my parents as soon as they returned home, told them everything and
that I strongly believed I was supposed to go. They were in complete agreement and wrote
my elders telling them that I was going to go with their blessing. They weren’t
too happy about this, but respected my parent's authority. There did however continue to be some pressure until my parents basically told them that they were done discussing it. I interned with this wonderful ministry for 2.5 years
and several years later I have no regrets, still believe I did the right thing and greatly value the time that I
spent serving with this ministry. The elders at that church are wonderful people;
they love the Lord and have had positive influence in my life. I learned a lot
from them and I am grateful for their concern for my spiritual life. <b>But just
because someone is a church leader, or someone in spiritual authority, or even someone
you respect does not mean they are always right and should be unconditionally obeyed.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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If church leaders ever <i>demand</i> complete and unconditional submission/obedience
they are <i>spiritually abusing their position</i> and hurting the very people God
gave them to care for and protect. Similarly, if they use their position in
spiritual leadership to convince someone to submit to them on an issue that is
not clear in Scripture (example: they say something like “as your pastor/elder
I urge you to submit to us”) that is also dangerous. <b>If something is not
clear in Scripture all you can do is advise. You cannot “urge”.</b> (I tend to
think that this is sometimes a way of avoiding the word “command”. They are not
<i>really</i> “commanding” you, and so they justify their pressure on you.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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You can also get Scripture to mean anything if you utilize
it the right way. It’s important to remember that <b>just because someone can
quote Scripture to you does not mean that it is a right interpretation or
application</b>. If it seems like Scripture is being used as a weapon in order to
convince you to submit, be wary! This is not Biblical submission. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>In all things: seek Wisdom</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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As you are facing decisions in your life, by ALL MEANS <b>talk
to your church leaders and seek their counsel</b>. But Pray. <b>Seek the counsel of
<i>other</i> people</b> you respect and trust. Pray. Read and meditate on <b>the Word</b>. Did I
mention pray? <b>Above all, pray and seek the Person of Wisdom. </b>Then, do what you believe is
the right thing to do. As you seek to submit yourself to God, He promises to
guide you and you can trust that He’s got you and will work everything out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</style>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-64720986219367943092019-08-23T06:17:00.000-06:002019-08-23T06:17:00.556-06:00Book Review: Devotedly, The Letters & Love Story of Jim & Elisabeth ElliotDevotedly, - The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim & Elisabeth Elliot, complied and written by their daughter Valarie Elliot Shepard.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBiGWR0kBrl63mnYDl7oj9Ok9cbYoMkHGnrLw0U79UiSHsW4pI8KESOaYYoV1kX4RMQFco-9ZzGkyuVKuuXzwBfLa9snxX8_I6AAYx1BnJGCy7MJy90WSZ9P6TUGlSDGuQEG3c5IGV-3Y/s1600/Elliotbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBiGWR0kBrl63mnYDl7oj9Ok9cbYoMkHGnrLw0U79UiSHsW4pI8KESOaYYoV1kX4RMQFco-9ZzGkyuVKuuXzwBfLa9snxX8_I6AAYx1BnJGCy7MJy90WSZ9P6TUGlSDGuQEG3c5IGV-3Y/s200/Elliotbook.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Jim & Elisabeth Elliot are two of my heroes of the faith.</b> I have been so blessed by their lives, sacrifice and story through the writings of Elisabeth. Their lives/her books have impacted me more than anyone or anything else (besides God and the Bible of course). Needless to say, I was SO excited when I heard about this book! Here their only child Valarie publishes <b>never-before seen letters and journal entries of Jim & Elisabeth </b>from the time they first became friends at Wheaton College in 1947, through their long-awaited wedding in 1953, and closes with them as a happy family of three at Valerie's birth in 1955.<br />
<br />
<b>Can God be trusted to write the story of our lives? </b>Even more so, can He be trusted with the pen when it comes to our desire for love and marriage and family? The story of Jim and Elisabeth shows us that YES, He absolutely can! In their story there is struggles with singleness, there is loving someone and yet not feeling God's leading to pursue marriage, there is SO much waiting and patience.... but there is a beauty that is beyond what some of us have ever witnessed. Their story is one of faith, hope and true love. Not the fairy-tale, whirlwind love you see in the movies... this is a deep, eternal and holy love. All loves stories are different and we shouldn't compare too much - my husband and I had more of a whirlwind/fast relationship (only 9 months between when we met and when we got married). <b>But this is a beautiful testimony to what happens when two people are fully surrendered to God and willing to wait on Him rather than pursue their own desires. </b>It will be sure to bless and encourage your heart as you seek to pursue and wait on the Lord for the desires of your heart. <br />
<br />
There were so many beautiful quotes, as well as poetry written by both Jim and Elisabeth (let me tell you, Jim was an eloquent writer!) it's hard to pull out just a few quotes for you.<br />
<br />
Jim and Elisabeth dealt with a lot of people expressing "concern" or criticizing their relationship (they loved each other but were not in a formal relationship). But Valarie writes, "As long as God's will was uppermost in each of their hearts, they were under no obligation to explain themselves to anyone or give out the details of their prayer life and relationship dynamics." (p. 111)<br />
<br />
"... the way for [Elisabeth] to love [Jim] best and most appropriately - most Biblically, she determined - was by more and more loving the Lord Jesus." (p. 47)<br />
<br />
This was Valarie's favorite quote from her father, from a journal entry on October 28 1948: "Prayed a strange prayer today. I covenanted with my Rather that He would either do two things - either glorify Himself to the utmost in me, or slay me. By His grace I shall not have His second best. He heard me, I believe, so that now I have nothing to look forward to but a life of sacrificial sonship (that's how my Savior was glorified, my soul) or heaven soon. Perhaps tomorrow. What a prospect!" (p. 31)<br />
<br />
And this is probably my favorite from the book:<br />
<br />
"I can say, without any risk of overstating, much of my own decision to stay pure until marriage came from my mother's joy in telling me about <i>their</i> marriage, and about her and my father's determination <b>to keep their promises to God</b> during this time in their lives. They each ached for each other, as all lovers do. But as the woman, she understood well that she, even more than my dad, was the one in greater control over how much leeway they allowed themselves in touch and enticement. There is much wisdom on display here, amid much tension. <b>Be inspired by it. This is an actual demonstration of God wanting His children's best and of His children believing - despite their passion, despite their feelings - that nothing, <i>nothing</i>, offers any substitute. Times may be different today, but this truth is not.</b> And never will be." (p. 197, italics hers, bold added)<br />
<br />
Be inspired brothers and sisters! Be inspired to live a life fully surrendered to God. <br />
<br />Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-66006774134962235912018-08-09T07:12:00.000-06:002018-08-09T11:08:37.584-06:00Thoughts of a New Mama<br />
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My little boy just turned 3 months. The past few months have
been crazy… right around the time he turned 2 months we packed up our apartment
and moved from Philadelphia to Massachusetts where we have been living with my
parents for a month now (waiting for our new apartment to be ready). Keller
also has had some allergies which for several weeks made him spit up a LOT nearly every time I fed him and he
was very uncomfortable (and thus fussy) a lot of the time (poor little guy!). We finally figured that out all it
was (eggs, wheat and entire bean family!) when he was 10 weeks and he got
SO much better. Early on I also developed pain in my wrists that still hasn’t gone away
(currently wearing braces when he’s sleeping and going to see a doctor soon). Since
he was born I had worked hard at getting Keller into a routine (wake, feed,
play, sleep pattern) but his allergies made that difficult, then the stress of
the move and being in a different place messed him all up and he regressed to
taking 40 minute naps and wanting to eat every 2-2.5 hours. He was waking twice
at night which wasn’t too bad, it was more during the day and getting him to
sleep at night. When he was sleeping a lot of times I would think I heard
crying. Nearly EVERY SINGLE TIME he woke up from his nap I would sigh with
frustration – 40 minutes again! It was tiring! I tried at one point to get him
on a 3 hour routine (which involved letting him cry for a bit when he woke
early from naps) but then wasn’t sure he wasn’t quite ready, plus I knew we’d
be moving into our new place in a few more weeks. I didn’t want to make things
more difficult so thought maybe I should just roll with it until we were
settled? I had so many doubts… Do I let him cry? Do I rock him to sleep every
time? Do I roll with it? Was I doing the right thing? But then I had two nights
of him waking 3 times, plus only four 40 minute naps (which meant I only got a
half hour nap in the morning) and that night I couldn’t fall asleep for awhile
because I was (again) crying with frustration, uncertainty and from just being
tired. My sweet husband asks what he can do and all I can think is “I don’t
know”. I WISH I knew. I wish someone could just tell me exactly what to do and
it would fix everything. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem is
there’s so many different people telling you so many different things. </b>Do
this, don’t do that, have you tried _____? I mean, who do you listen to? I
would get SO annoyed with anyone who told me to “cherish every moment”… how the
heck am I supposed to do that? And then I’d feel like a failure because I wasn’t
enjoying motherhood very much at all at the moment. </div>
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I leaned towards just rolling with it, but I was so
exhausted emotionally and physically that then I was all anxious about having a
breakdown. This is even while we were living with my parents and my mom helped
me sometimes. But the thought of soon moving to be on our own stressed and
frightened me too. My sister-in-law reminded me that in order for my little one
to be happy and healthy his mama needed to sleep! That means either pumping a
lot (which gets complicated when you have a baby to take care of) or getting formula
so that my husband could do feeds when he was at home or, putting him on a
schedule and teaching him to sleep. All this came with another whole set of
emotional stress… I’m his mother, I’m supposed to be able to feed and care for
him. Having someone else feed him or giving formula felt like I was failing in
a huge way. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">My whole life I’ve wanted to
be a mom</b>, now here I am feeling as though I am failing miserably. Welcome
to reality I guess. It’s incredibly humbling to say the least.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I also had to work through being concerned about what other moms
might think… I can’t seem to figure this out when others have. Are they going
to look down on me for not being able to handle it? I had to talk to God a lot
about my concerns about being “successful” and having everything under control
and being too concerned about other’s opinions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I’ve had my pride
crushed</b>… I’m having to swallow it whole. I’m learning to be OK with not
having all the answers or having it all together. There are many times I just
feel like hiding away, afraid of being judged. But I know I need others around
me for encouragement. I have family members and friends who love me and understand
how hard it can be. I need to ask for help, for prayer. And I’m so thankful for
different family members taking the time to talk and give advice, and for the
encouragement of many others.</div>
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Motherhood is not easy. Whatever you might think, however it
may appear, it’s not! Even if you don’t happen to struggle much at first, it
will humble you eventually. At times it will mean having your pride utterly
crushed. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Motherhood is about growing in
patience, genuine self-less love, self-control. It’s about learning how much
you need God and others. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m in the middle of a big mess. I’m trying to work things
through with God. I’m trying to figure out what’s best for me and my son. It’s
hard, it’s tiring, there’s SO much uncertainty! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But there’s God and His grace, baby smiles and giggles. It’s enough.</b></div>
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</style>Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203426020873810365.post-39528695793155901892018-05-11T10:26:00.002-06:002018-05-11T10:26:42.477-06:00Answered Prayer: Keller’s Birth Story<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am very pleased to share that our son, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keller Michael Coburn</b>, was born at
2:33am on Saturday May 5<sup>th</sup>. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and is
doing great! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjPTy1V0QVcdbOLGMU78b45on6hykS75FRwAIFl_ys7Fei0r0TQielB5a8LfbTGp4onDEMzpkqwA4ahsuWy9Wl0wEpLyadnsmnqhjuGaSYnDn4rZGX4dErZDnCBsfMHXP90NmTgpfWYpF/s1600/Keller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjPTy1V0QVcdbOLGMU78b45on6hykS75FRwAIFl_ys7Fei0r0TQielB5a8LfbTGp4onDEMzpkqwA4ahsuWy9Wl0wEpLyadnsmnqhjuGaSYnDn4rZGX4dErZDnCBsfMHXP90NmTgpfWYpF/s400/Keller.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
The title of this post may seem a bit strange after I
tell you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that there were a lot of
prayers said before and during my labor and delivery with Keller that seemingly
<u>weren’t</u> answered</b>. We prayed for a “normal” delivery at the Birth
Center (easy/fast would have been great too but I was happy to settle for a fairly normal
one) and without complications. But the labor was <u>very </u>long and difficult… I
was in labor for 50 hours and pushed for at least 4! Things did <u>not</u> go
according to plan… I ended up transferring from the Birth Center to the
hospital across the street (after 3 hours of pushing and still feeling strong
contractions/urges to push – that was a crazy experience!) and needed the
assistance of a vacuum to finally be able to get him out. They had to cut the
cord right away and take him to clean him off because he’d pooped quite a bit
and needed suctioning so it was about 2 minutes before I was able to hold him. I
also developed pretty bad hemorrhoids which complicated my recovery on top of
getting an episiotomy (although that was better than tearing which I certainly
would have). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the most exhausting
and painful experience of my life! (And my poor, sweet husband – it was very
hard on him emotionally and mentally to watch me through the whole ordeal!) Needless to say, <b>there was a lot of very discouraging and disheartening moments. </b><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But the truth is, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God
DID answer all of our prayers</b>…. He just delayed many of them and said no to
a few. I don’t know why. There were multiple times God didn’t answer my prayer
in the timing I was asking for – especially in the pushing stage where one
prayer I prayed was “Please Lord, let this be the time he gets below the pelvic
bone” (he was not progressing past that point for quite awhile). Or later with “Please
let his head come out with this round!” (Again, he was crowning for awhile but
I didn’t get him out until the vacuum was used.) God delayed…. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Why does God delay answering prayer? Why does He say “No”
to certain requests? I don’t know. But I DO know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He is good</b>, that He did answer many prayers…. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayers God answered:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
--I have a healthy, beautiful, perfect little boy! (I
cried as I wrote this!) </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
--I was able to deliver vaginally and not have a c-section
(Oh man, I could not imagine having to have gone through all that labor and
then have a c-section & recovery on top of everything else!) Honestly, there
were several moments where I thought “just take him out, I can’t do this
anymore,” but afterwards, I was/am SO grateful to have avoided it!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
--I had amazing midwives and nurses helping me along the
way, and a great doctor at the hospital who pushed me through (and provided assistance
with the vacuum) and helped me avoid the c-section. One nurse from the birth
center who came over to the hospital didn’t have to stay but she did until he
was born – she wanted to see it through. Everyone was so encouraging through
the whole process and said that I did “just amazing”! (Apparently on my record
more than one of them said I was “heroic”… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To God be the glory of course, but I do have
to say, I was pretty amazing to do all that!) </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
--My husband was a rock through the whole thing! I’m so
thankful for his encouragement and strength through the whole ordeal. And he’s
already an amazing dad! </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
--God DID give me strength – I did it! I’m thankful God
gave me the ability and wisdom to prepare my body ahead of time (I worked hard
at eating healthy and exercising all through my pregnancy) and that I was
strong and fit to endure the process. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
All in all, while I certainly hope I never have to go
through that long and difficult a process again, I am so grateful for God’s
provision, grace and strength. Also, thankful for many family and friends
praying before, during and since Keller’s birth. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thank you, Lord,
for my precious bundle of joy! </b>(More pictures will come soon!)</div>
Amelia Coburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16257726353070945795noreply@blogger.com3