One of God’s great patterns is that of taking apart, and then restoring fully. The restoration, the resurrection, is fuller, deeper, and richer than the original unity ever was. But before God tears, we consistently tend to panic, afraid that this time He will not be able to put anything back together. But He always …
Rationalism and Superstition
We must always remember the importance of eating. Food is not a consequence of the Fall, and the nourishment of creatures was no afterthought on the part of God. God created us as eating creatures. As we eat, and grow, and mature, and multiply, we find that God is in the process of turning inorganic …
Showing Up at the Wrong House for the Bible Study
Lane and I continue the discussion. In this segment, Lane repeats Venema’s argument that receiving the sacrament of bread and wine is just like receiving the Word, and that it is necessary for someone to be able to do the latter before they can be admitted to the former. Both require “active engagement” by the …
A Paper Plate Tied to the Chest
Just a few quick comments on Lane’s latest post so that we can continue to work through Venema’s book. Lane says that baptism “means” inclusion in the visible church, according to the Confession, and that all the other stuff (regeneration and so forth) only applies when the individual baptized has the thing signified. Lane goes …
Slicing It Lengthwise
Just a quick response to Lane’s latest, and then we can continue to move on through Venema’s book. I believe that the issues Lane raises here are really worth pursuing, and I hope we do that as our discussion proceeds. Lane says that baptism belongs to the administration of the covenant of grace because it …
Dead Silence
Time to reengage with Lane on the question of paedocommunion. First, just a few comments on his post, and then on to Venema’s treatment of the historic Reformed position on all this. Lane uses the example of citizenship and certain privileges like driving or voting. He wants to say that just because covenant children are …
Sacramental Tomfoolery
The next chapter of Venema’s book addresses paedocommunion in the history of the Church, and he provides us with a judicious and fair treatment. Lane’s response to that chapter is here. Venema handles the material from the fathers competently, grants clear evidence where clear evidence is present, and also gives a fair hearing to the …
All Who Are Bread Should Get Bread
Lane and I have both posted our first response to Venema’s book, and then Lane responded to my post here. There is some good discussion going on in the comments thread over there. Let’s try to do the same here, and maybe we can figure out how a doctrinal disagreement should be handled. Then we …
The Dragon in Your Heart
Green Baggins and I have agreed to blog through Cornelius Venema’s new book on paedocommunion entitled Children at the Lord’s Table? Lane has already posted his first response, and here is mine. In the first chapter, Venema begins with the right question. “On what basis should anyone be admitted to the Lord’s Table?” (p. 1). …
Charge It to Christ’s Account
We serve the living God. We are a people who have been ushered into new life. We have heard the word of life declared. This is the bread of life; this is living wine. Life is a mystery, and only the dead think they understand it. Life is glory; life is movement; life is joy; …