Musings of an Incurable Lover of Jesus Christ

Archive for January, 2007

Covenant Theology, Theological, Notes / Summary, Other

Not Of The Letter by Moe Bergeron

A helpful and thought provoking letter from Pastor Moe Bergeron regarding the importance of acknowledging, understanding and embracing the role of the Spirit in the life of the New Covenant believer. As believers we are now under the New Covenant which is not of the letter but rather of the Spirit.
 
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Not Of The Letter
An Open Letter to advocates of NCT

Pastor Maurice Bergeron

 
For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Heb 6:4-6 ESV)
 
Within certain Reformed circles, especially Reformed Baptist circles there is a continuing theological discussion focusing on a greater understanding of the New Covenant established by Christ. Within the larger discussion is to be found dialog over the role of Old Covenant Law. The participants can be said to have a single objective and it is to answer this one question: What role does the Mosaic Law play in the life of the New Covenant saint? The answer to this question has evaded even the most erudite theologians alive today. Partial continuity or a radical discontinuity of the Mosaic Law remains the chief focus of those engaged in this dialog. There is little disagreement if we say we are persuaded that all of the Holy Scriptures, both old and new (2Ti 3:16-17), have a continuing role to play in the New Covenant era. Disagreement enters when we question what specific laws of the Old Testament scriptures, and in particular those of the Mosaic Covenant, remain binding on the conscience of the New Covenant saint (Rom 6:14, Gal 3:10). Those involved in this discussion know all too well how the question continues to seek the elusive answer.

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29 Jan 2007 Shane Becker 0 comments

Covenant Theology, Theological, Quotes, Shane Becker

Scriptures Speak of it as Though it Were Two!

"Since there is but one covenant, and the Scriptures speak of it as though it were two, we must consider in what particulars the old and new covenants agree and in what they differ." Dr. Zacharias Ursinus

Fancy that! The Scriptures speak of it as though it were two!!

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26 Jan 2007 Shane Becker 2 comments

Israel, Article, Shane Becker

Understanding Israel by Shane Becker

 

20 Jan 2007 Shane Becker 2 comments

Humerous / Interesting, Shane Becker

An Age Old Problem

The lookout reported, "He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi — he drives like a madman."  2 Kings 9:20

The problem of bad driving is an age old one - even before the modern horseless chariot.

11 Jan 2007 Shane Becker 0 comments

Sabbath, Theological, Notes / Summary, Shane Becker

The Sabbath(s) of Colosians 2:16 by Shane Becker

Study Notes

16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations– 21Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22which all concern things which perish with the using–according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.  Col 2:16-23
 

The “Sabbath(s)” of Colosians 2:16

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths . . . “

Four interpretations – 3 Sabbatarian & 1 Non-Sabbatarian:

1.      Sabbath = “Ceremonial” Sabbaths and not the Sabbath of the 4th Commandment. (Common among Sunday Sabbatarians such as the puritans).

2.      Sabbath = Old Testament ceremonial and civil elements which are abolished. However, a 1 day in 7 cycle still remains.

3.      Sabbath = a perverted “Sabbath” practiced in Collose which bears no resemblance to the Sabbath of the 4th Commandment. The condemnation is against this new and perverted “Sabbath” with no reference being made to the true Sabbath.

4.      Sabbath = The Weekly Sabbath day of the 4th Commandment.

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10 Jan 2007 Shane Becker 0 comments