In the comments in the previous post, there were a couple of requests for me to amplify just a tad. So here goes. The NPP wants to say that Second Temple Judaism was fundamentally a religion of grace, contra those folks who tend to see it as a first century version of the monkish merit-mongering …
Two Kinds of Blamelessness
In a recent conversation with a friend about the New Perspective on Paul, we were talking about the center of Sanders’ contribution to that school of thought, the point which N.T. Wright regards as “settled.” This is not to say that Wright agrees with Sanders on everything, of course, and you may insert all manner …
Faith Alone, Faith Always
The reason there is a crisis in Galatia is because the saints have given the time of day to a teacher or teachers they ought to have ignored. Paul brings this basic problem home to the Galatian believers in a very pointed way. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey …
The Faith of Jesus
We now come to a discussion of a showdown between Peter and Paul at Antioch. The confrontation, the reasons for it, and the solution to it, are all filled with instruction for us. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that …
Veggie-Tale Eschatology
I tried to post a comment over at Pyromaniacs, but my google password is one I hardly ever use, and it is down at the office anyway, I think, Perhaps. Anyhow, I am driven to comment here. Under the heading of “The Plain Sense Meaning ‘World’ in John 3:16,” my friend Phil Johnson said: “I …
A Passing Cat by the Ears
It would be nice if we could work through the questions surrounding the FV without all the heat and acrimony that some are generating. But it is kind of like discipling kids. Paul says (Gal. 6:1) that if anyone is overtaken in a trespass, the one who is spiritual should correct him, considering his own …
Why Wouldn’t We Quote Him?
In a comments thread over at Greenbaggins, Jason Stellman says this: “And lastly, I do find it interesting that I can’t seem to ellicit a response from a Federal Visionist that doesn’t mention Scott Clark. If you all insist on complaining about being lumped together (which sometime you unfairly are), then you should stop doing …
Greed, Guilt, or Gratitude by Grace
You are Americans, most of you, and trying to speak to you about wealth is like addressing a congregation of fish on the nature of water. When we consider how the vast majority of the human race has lived up to this generation, and indeed, how most of the world still lives today, your wealth …
Bells On His Jacket
Scott Clark appears to be auguring in. First, he complains about someone on the URC list who received a request from China to have the Federal Vision statement translated into Chinese. Clark was displeased with the fellow on the list who then arranged for it. “. . . a post from China asking for a …
Westminster 28.6
Greenbaggins attempts to answer my challenges on Westminster 28.6 here. Before engaging with that response, let me say express some disappointment that Lane also says that this will be his “final statement on it.” When it comes to the efficacy of baptism, I get to have the last word. The problem with this is that …