What a great quote by A.A. Hodge:

Above all the narrow, meagre patriotism on earth is the large, free, ecumenical patriotism of those who embrace in their love and fealty the whole body of the baptized. All who are baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, recognizing the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead, the incarnation of the Son and his priestly sacrifice, whether they be Greeks, or Arminians, or Romanists, or Lutherans, or Calvinists, or the simple souls who do not know what to call themselves, are our brethren. Baptism is our common countersign. It is the common rallying standard at the head of our several columns. It is our common battle-flag, which we carry forward across the enemy’s line and nail aloft in the heights crowned with victory (A.A. Hodge, Evangelical Theology, p. 338).

All who are baptized into the Triune Name, and recognize the Trinity and the Humanity of Christ are our brothers–these are the essentials!  This is what it means to be justified by faith, faith in the Triune God, the incarnate Son!  We are justified by this faith, NOT our understanding of justification by faith or any other doctrine.

(HT:  ReformedCatholicism)

Jeff Myers has been dealing with some questions posted at his blog regarding the recent Joint Statement on the Federal Vision.

The following is a reply of his regarding the debate over decretal election and covenantal election.

Jeff’s Response

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mattb

Read more in the upcoming issue of Credenda/Agenda, which is dedicated to the Federal Vision controversy.

(HT:  Douglas Wilson)

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mattb

Sorry I’m getting this up so late, most have read it by now, but for those who haven’t here it is:

Joint Federal Vision Statement

The statement was signed by

Orthodox Deviation has a post developing some thoughts on maturity versus merit, where he pointed some things about Christ’s maturing, as well as the connection between corporate maturity and the progressive revelation of truth.  His thoughts have spurred some of my own:

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

The idea that Adam was to mature in his relationship with God, rather than merit or earn his eternal relationship with God is hotly contested in the covenant of works debate.  But even the second Adam matured into His role as the captain of our salvation, the author of our eternal relationship with God.

This maturity helps us to see the reason for God’s progressively revealing truth to us, both corporately throughout history, as well as personally throughout our individual lives.  Hence, the reason for personal sanctification (our maturing throughout our lives) and corporate sanctification (the Bride’s maturing throughout history).

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

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mattb

John Piper is…

(HT:  Wittenberg Hall) 

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mattb

In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Eve thinks aloud to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, questioning God’s having forbidden them access to the tree, debating, questioning, wondering as to why she shouldn’t eat of its fruit.  Here are her thoughts, spoken aloud to the Tree and the Serpent near her.

http://bounddragon.com/__oneclick_uploads/2007/07/eve-and-the-tree_paradise-lost-by-john-milton.mp3

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mattb

P. Andrew Sandlin has a review of Michael Horton’s soteriology at the ReformedCatholicism blog. 

Horton contends, “While our confessions affirm that the faith that justifies is a living, active, and obedient faith [!], they universally insist that faith is justifying faith only in its act of resting in Christ’s merits” (CJPM, 205).

That is, legitimate faith is living, active, and obedient, although one aspect of that faith (which Horton terms “justifying faith”) is not “living, active, and obedient,” but rather, passive, i.e., “resting in Christ’s merits.” The faith that justifies is “living, active, and obedient,” but when it actually does justify (instrumentally), it is not “living, active, and obedient” but “passive trust in the finished work of Christ.”

One wonders how Dr. Horton got into the mess he’s in and if he’ll find his way out.

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mattb

Steve Wilkins, Pastor of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church has made public his response to the PCA’s General Assembly Declarations.  His response is addressed to the Louisiana Presbytery (his own) that they might be more aware of his positions.  Having read his response, I believe it may help all of us to better understand some of the Federal Vision views.

The response is well-written and very clear.  I didn’t find any waffling or wavering throughout, nor did I find him taking advantage of the nuances of the language.

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mattb

Many of you have probably already seen the YouTube video of the Welsh opera singer on Britain’s Got Talent.  If you haven’t, you must.  I’ve wanted to post on it myself for awhile now, but just couldn’t find the right words for it.  Someone else has.

So it is worth watching (either for the first or additional time) in light of these comments made by Michael J. G. Pahls at Reformed Catholicism.

And he has the video posted there as well.

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mattb