On a cassette tape in my basement, I found a 20-minute broadcast of James White giving reasons not to join a Reformed Baptist Church. This temporary link to the broadcast will only work for about another five or six days:
I think a strong church should emphasize Law/Gospel. In my church there is a reading of the law, early in the service, and then a proclamation of the Gospel in both the hymns and sermon.
I am very aware of this distinction when i visit other churches, or more accurately, i'm looking for it to see if this distinction is missing.
In regard to the audio link, I find Dr. White's comments more a comparison/contrast with the current variety show approach of the modern day evangelical churches- some of these churches are more like the Johnny Carson Show than actually churches.
I know Dr white, and i know his passion for the Gospel- I know he is dedicated to it being preached.
I absolutely agree, seems to me that in an RB Church, you get to hear about your problem but not the solution to your problem!
This is a Law centered church, Law/Gospel is not in focus. In fact, I hardly heard JW mention Jesus.
All the reasons for not joining such as a visitor will not like the music, will hear about sin etc they are fine. But one central reason why I will not join an RB church in the way JW put it is that I won't get to hear about Jesus - the dier and doer of what i could not do.
"He that has ever so little examined the citations of writers cannot doubt how little credit the quotations deserve when the originals are wanting"
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“Let nobody suppose that he has tasted the Holy Scriptures sufficiently unless he has ruled over the churches with the prophets for a hundred years. Therefore there is something wonderful, first, about John the Baptist; second, about Christ; third, about the apostles...“We are beggars. That is true.” - Martin Luther
"It is true that the best apologetics can be given only when the system of truth is well known. But it is also true that the system of truth is not well known except it be seen in its opposition to error."- Cornelius Van Til
"But a most pernicious error widely prevails that Scripture has only so much weight as is conceded to it by the consent of the church. As if the eternal and inviolable truth of God depended upon the decision of men!"- John Calvin
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4 comments:
I love the drawing of James White you posted there! Too cool!
Frank-
I think a strong church should emphasize Law/Gospel. In my church there is a reading of the law, early in the service, and then a proclamation of the Gospel in both the hymns and sermon.
I am very aware of this distinction when i visit other churches, or more accurately, i'm looking for it to see if this distinction is missing.
In regard to the audio link, I find Dr. White's comments more a comparison/contrast with the current variety show approach of the modern day evangelical churches- some of these churches are more like the Johnny Carson Show than actually churches.
I know Dr white, and i know his passion for the Gospel- I know he is dedicated to it being preached.
ric- the cartoon was from Dr. White's website.
phil- I just don't have the time to summarize the points, other than what i just mentioned to Frank.
I absolutely agree, seems to me that in an RB Church, you get to hear about your problem but not the solution to your problem!
This is a Law centered church, Law/Gospel is not in focus. In fact, I hardly heard JW mention Jesus.
All the reasons for not joining such as a visitor will not like the music, will hear about sin etc they are fine. But one central reason why I will not join an RB church in the way JW put it is that I won't get to hear about Jesus - the dier and doer of what i could not do.
Cheers,
Lito
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