Penal Substitution and Impassibility

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Old errors have a habit of recycling themselves.  I’ve written recently about the resurgence of Federal Vision theology in the UK and how back in the noughties we faced a triumvirate of to theological errors, FV, the denial of Penal Substitution and Open Theism.  Well, I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that Open Theism is… Continue reading Penal Substitution and Impassibility

Dealing with demons and demonic posession today

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It is perhaps a generalism that there is a high expectation and reports of demonic possession in non-Western contexts. There may be a couple of reasons for this.  First, that we see what we expect to see.  Western-secular societies are more likely to see events and phenomena through that lens and so provide natural explanations. … Continue reading Dealing with demons and demonic posession today

Godly offspring, Malachi, paedobaptism and large families

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One of the popular arguments for paedobaptism is based on 1 Corinthians 7:14 which says: “4 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. Recently I’ve seen people attempt to… Continue reading Godly offspring, Malachi, paedobaptism and large families

Household baptisms, paedobaptism and the Onesimus problem

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Why does Onesimus cause a problem for paedobaptists? Well a lot has been made in their argument of the descriptions of converts being baptised with their whole households.   The argument is that it would run contrary to the culture for people to be only baptized if they repented themselves. Rather, we would expect them to… Continue reading Household baptisms, paedobaptism and the Onesimus problem

Household baptisms, headship, corporate salvation and paedobaptism

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A common argument for infant baptism is  that in Acts, whole households are baptised and that must have included children.   This has also been developed by some into the argument that the culture of the Bible was more corporate with a greater emphasis on fathers acting as heads of families so that it would be… Continue reading Household baptisms, headship, corporate salvation and paedobaptism

Federal Vision and the next Christendom

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In the joint Federal Vision Profession (2007), the authors and signatories state: “We affirm that Jesus Christ is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. We believe that the Church cannot be a faithful witness to His authority without calling all nations to submit themselves to Him through baptism, accepting their responsibility to obediently learn all… Continue reading Federal Vision and the next Christendom

Why am I so exercised over Federal Vision?

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This is a question that a good friend recommended I addressed as part of my articles on the subject.  Perhaps you’ve been thinking that very question. Why is Dave paying attention to this out of all the errors and issues that beset the church?  Well, first of all, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the… Continue reading Why am I so exercised over Federal Vision?

What was going on at Oak Hill in the noughties?

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In my introductory article about the Federal Vision controversy, I shared some autobiographical detail about my own introduction to the ideas and people. This related to my time at Oak Hill Theological College and  was really primarily about setting the scene and showing how I became aware of the issue.  However, I’ve been asked a… Continue reading What was going on at Oak Hill in the noughties?

Spiritual warfare: The devil, demons and proxies

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Iran has exercised a significant threat and influence around the world, far beyond its actual political, economic and military might.  The country is a significant military power in its own right.  However, much of its influence is indirect through proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas and The Houtis.  Similarly, Al Qaeda primarily relied on influencing people to carry… Continue reading Spiritual warfare: The devil, demons and proxies

Another terrible argument for paedobaptism

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One of the arguments that comes up from time to time for paedobaptism is: “How do Baptists approach reading the Bible and praying with their children?” This has included the suggestion that it would be inconsistent to teach the Lord’$ Prayer to children because they cannot pray to God as father. Linked to this, is… Continue reading Another terrible argument for paedobaptism