tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15361927.post8394767376299361948..comments2023-08-12T05:19:59.444-05:00Comments on The Reformed Angler: The Problem with Mere Christianity | Christianity TodayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05458269118174673968noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15361927.post-1818634841305532952007-02-13T17:15:00.000-06:002007-02-13T17:15:00.000-06:00Thanks, Mark, for your comments. I find much that...Thanks, Mark, for your comments. I find much that I agree with and some that I disagree with.<BR/><BR/>A writer is not stifled by the margins of a sheet of paper (or a computer monitor) -- within the margins one has complete and full freedom and creativity to write what one wants.<BR/><BR/>I'm not worried by clear and distinct margins, but I AM worried about margins that are too narrow, or margins that are so wide as to be meaningless. <BR/><BR/>A few paragraphs after "God alone is Lord of the conscience ..." is G-1.0302:<BR/><BR/>"<I>That, in perfect consistency with the above principle of common right, every Christian Church, or union or association of<BR/>particular churches, is entitled to declare the terms of admission into its communion, and the qualifications of its ministers and members, as well as the whole system of its internal government which Christ hath appointed; <B>that in the exercise of this right they may, notwithstanding, err, in making the terms of communion either too lax or too narrow; yet, even in this case, they do not infringe upon the liberty or the rights of others, but only make an improper use of their own.</I></B>" (emphasis mine)<BR/><BR/>As a Presbyterian baptized by sprinkling I would not be eligible for membership in a Baptist congregation -- but that would not put them (or me) outside the pale (except, perhaps, for a very small number of people).<BR/><BR/>What Presbyterians and Baptists have in common is a tradition of <I>sola scriptura</I> and, depending on which Baptist denomination, we also share the 5 points of Calvin.<BR/><BR/>As long as the focus is on the Lord and Scripture, then the Baptist, Presbyterian, and any other tradition can lay claim to "mere Christianity". It's when the focus turns from the Word of God (taken both ways) to denominational affiliation, that we start adding the "doctrines and commandments of men" to what the Lord requires.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05458269118174673968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15361927.post-60053778196312377992007-02-13T12:31:00.000-06:002007-02-13T12:31:00.000-06:00There is a danger in defining the boundaries of th...There is a danger in defining the boundaries of the faith too clearly and distinctly.<BR/><BR/>It is certainly true that one can be following "mere Christianity" and be outside of the boundaries of the denomination's faith. It may be true that those boundaries need to be clearly defined for those in a teaching role.<BR/><BR/>However, clear and sharp boundaries also stifle creativity. Now, don't get too bogged down on human thought vs. Godly creation - ALL creativity has a Godly angle. (Indeed, ALL human behavior has a Godly component if you believe CS Lewis). When we make hard and fast rules, we leave out the ability for God to provide new examples.<BR/><BR/>The same danger exists in turning inward to avoid the "stain of popular culture". If we've already decided that what we do and believe now is God's intention, we haven't left any room for God to show us new ideas, behaviors, concepts, beliefs.<BR/><BR/>I agree that jettisoning our distinctives and traditions in order to attract new converts can be dangerous. However, it's equally dangerous to blindly cling to them and not at least take a look around and see what new light God has shined upon us.<BR/><BR/>You can't see diddly-squat through a closed stained-glass window. Through a clear window or an open window - yes. Through the window but still within the church, you have a unique platform to observe the new and yet still be protected and safe.Mark Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06744333045874641836noreply@blogger.com