Nice to be here

[Hazelelponi]

Just thought I'd say hi...

One would think I could manage an appropriate introduction but words escape when writing.

I am reformed in my faith which usually means Calvinist Or Calvinistic but I still haven't read the Institutes (I know it's a failing).

I have been saved 10 years. Glad to be here.

 

[DialecticSkeptic]

Greetings, Hazelelponi, and welcome to the forums.

When you say that you are Reformed as to your faith, what does that mean to you? I don't know if you're aware, but there is a categorical difference between Reformed and Calvinist; the former pertains to theology, the latter to soteriology (which is only one item of theology).

 

[Hazelelponi]

Greetings, Hazelelponi, and welcome to the forums.

When you say that you are Reformed as to your faith, what does that mean to you? I don't know if you're aware, but there is a categorical difference between Reformed and Calvinist; the former pertains to theology, the latter to soteriology (which is only one item of theology).

I don't know - does that help? Lol

I have read:

Wayne Grudems Systemic Theology,
Jesus and Israel: One Covenant or Two
A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times

All of which helped to shape my personal theology along with my husband teaching me some and guidance from God.

I just call myself reformed because everything I agree with is coined such. I fall in line pretty fairly with Particular Baptists.

 

[DialecticSkeptic]

I don't know—does that help? Lol

Fair enough.

I have read:

Wayne Grudem's Systemic Theology,
Jesus and Israel: One Covenant or Two [by David Holwerda], and
A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times [by Kim Riddlebarger].

All of which helped to shape my personal theology along with my husband teaching me some and guidance from God.

You are definitely on the right track! Kim Riddlebarger? You kidding me? I love that guy.

Judging by what you said about your husband (which you deleted while I was writing my response), I was thinking that maybe you were a Calvinist. But, judging by that reading list, if you're not Reformed already you soon will be.

You need to read Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview by Meredith G. Kline. It's a pivotal, landmark work by one of our greatest theologians.

I was Muslim before I was saved in 2014.

God is amazing. I praise him for your salvation.

I just call myself reformed because everything I agree with is coined such. I fall in line pretty fairly with Particular Baptists.

You'll come around.

I did, too, eventually. I went from Baptist, to Reformed Baptist, to Reformed (and it was covenant theology that brought me the rest of the way).

 

[Hazelelponi]

Fair enough.




You are definitely on the right track! Kim Riddlebarger? You kidding me? I love that guy.

Judging by what you said about your husband (which you deleted while I was writing my response), I was thinking that maybe you were a Calvinist. But, judging by that reading list, if you're not Reformed already you soon will be.

You need to read Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview by Meredith G. Kline. It's a pivotal, landmark work by one of our greatest theologians.




God is amazing. I praise him for your salvation.




You'll come around.

I did, too, eventually. I went from Baptist, to Reformed Baptist, to Reformed (and it was covenant theology that brought me the rest of the way).

I already believe in Covenant theology, at least I'm pretty sure I do, though I have never read the work you mentioned so I'll definitely look into getting that! Thank you for the recommendation.

And thank you for making me feel welcome. . it is nice to be among fellow believers in Christ!

 

[DialecticSkeptic]

I already believe in covenant theology. At least, I'm pretty sure I do, though I have never read the work you mentioned, so I'll definitely look into getting that! Thank you for the recommendation.

Well, the Particular Baptists have gone and made "covenant theology" a slippery term because they claim to affirm a covenant theology, too—but they don't, not really.

The theology of Particular Baptists is either not quite (e.g., Voddie Baucham) or not at all (e.g., John MacArthur) covenantal. Their views diverge on key issues related to the covenants, their continuity, and implications for the church and sacraments (not just baptism but also the Lord's supper). I prefer to call their view Baptist federalism.

In covenant theology (CT), there is a fundamental continuity between the old and new covenants; they both administer the same covenant of grace under different outward forms. But in Baptist federalism (BF), the old covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) are not administrations of the covenant of grace, but rather conditional and temporary types and shadows pointing forward to Christ through whom the covenant of grace was formally established. Again, under CT the covenant of grace began in Genesis, whereas under BF the covenant of grace began in the New Testament with Christ (which affects baptism and the Lord’s supper, which are thus signs of the individual's faith, not seals of a broader covenant community—definitely contrary to covenant theology).

• R. C. Sproul: Westminster Confession of Faith, Covenant Theology (Reformed).
• Voddie Baucham: 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Baptist Federalism (Calvinist, not Reformed).
• John MacArthur: Independent Baptist, Premillennial Dispensationalism (Calvinist, not Reformed).

And thank you for making me feel welcome. . it is nice to be among fellow believers in Christ!

You certainly are welcome! And I agree, fellowship among the family of God is so edifying.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Well, the Particular Baptists have gone and made "covenant theology" a slippery term because they claim to affirm a covenant theology, too—but they don't, not really.

The theology of Particular Baptists is either not quite (e.g., Voddie Baucham) or not at all (e.g., John MacArthur) covenantal. Their views diverge on key issues related to the covenants, their continuity, and implications for the church and sacraments (not just baptism but also the Lord's Supper). I prefer to call their view Baptist Federalism.

In covenant theology (CT), there is a fundamental continuity between the old and new covenants; they both administer the same covenant of grace under different outward forms. But in Baptist Federalism (BF), the old covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) are not administrations of the covenant of grace, but rather conditional and temporary types and shadows pointing forward to Christ through whom the covenant of grace was formally established. Again, under CT the covenant of grace began in Genesis, whereas under BF the covenant of grace began in the New Testament with Christ (which affects baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which are thus signs of the individual's faith, not seals of a broader covenant community—definitely contrary to covenant theology).

• R. C. Sproul: Westminster Confession of Faith, Covenant Theology (Reformed).
• Voddie Baucham: 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Baptist Federalism (Calvinist, not Reformed).
• John MacArthur: Independent Baptist, Premillennial Dispensationalism (Calvinist, not Reformed).

You certainly are welcome! And I agree, fellowship among the family of God is so edifying.

I absolutely love RC Sprout and Ligonier ministries, I listen to him as much or more than Baucham and Paul Washer (for famous people they are my favorites to listen to, I believe God loves them all)

I know they all have differences of opinion, they I'm sure cover a spectrum, but I don't catch nuance's as well as some people might, I am a larger picture conceptual thinker anyway, I map stuff out not nit pick, and tiny word differences are less bothersome or even noticeable, at least it seems so to me, but of course I haven't 30 years to learn either.

I do know McCarther is not in the circle of Pastors I will listen to. Dispensationalism seriously does bothers me, it's too foundationally incorrect in my view and I can't manage to attend their churches.

I do like being able to listen and learn from the Pastor without a desire to correct. Lol..

But you're right I have heard the term federal head before, though admittedly at the moment that sort of thing is over my pay grade, I'm not understanding the differenced at play between the Particular Baptists and Presbyterian.

What you said about administration versus type and shadow is something I'll have to look up specifically to understand better - or study more about to learn.

This has been a great conversation and I do thank you.

God bless you and I pray God heals you quickly, it's not a comfortable surgery.

 

[DialecticSkeptic]

I know they all have differences of opinion, they I'm sure cover a spectrum, but I don't catch nuance's as well as some people might, I am a larger picture conceptual thinker anyway, I map stuff out not nit-pick.

Well, for what it's worth, the categorical difference between CT and BF is "big picture" stuff, so it lands in your wheelhouse.

P.S. You and I are the same, in that regard. I don't normally care about minutiae, unless some aspect of it is negatively impacting the coherence of the Big Picture. If the Big Picture is not holding together very well, I need to investigate why—and remedy the problem.

You'll have to forgive me if I seem rude at times but it's not intentional.

I am on the Autism spectrum, so things that people normally pick up on that they could take as rude usually escapes my notice. I doubt that I'll notice anything rude from you—because I usually don't notice.

I gutted my daily speech of every "inshallah," etc., but I never realized how difficult it would be to replace with appropriate English terminology (this was my own personal choice, I just couldn't say that name anymore and I wanted to stop even thinking it).

"Deo volente" (often abbreviated DV) is a Latin phrase that means "God willing" or "if God wills it." You're a Christian now, so you have to throw around some Latin.

I very often say "Deo volente" in public, and very often have to explain what it means. Makes it a great opener. That's not why I do it, but it does make a great opener.

God bless you and I pray God heals you quickly, it's not a comfortable surgery.

It was a laparoscopic surgery, so it wasn't too bad, actually (all things considered). But thank you very much.

 

[Hazelelponi]

You need to read Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview by Meredith G. Kline. It's a pivotal, landmark work by one of our greatest theologians.

I just wanted to heads up since this is a thread as well that I found the title available from Ligonier ministries Here offered as a free download.

I thank you for the recommendation and I'll start reading today, or tonight now as the case may be

 

[Carbon]

Just thought I'd say hi...

One would think I could manage an appropriate introduction but words escape when writing.

I am reformed in my faith which usually means Calvinist Or Calvinistic but I still haven't read the Institutes (I know it's a failing).

I have been saved 10 years. Glad to be here.

It’s nice to have you here with us sister. I hope you enjoy the forum
Blessings