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    <title>RN Forum</title>
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    <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:52:44 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Re: Emerging Church</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,5,35#msg-35</link>
      <author>austinstorm</author>
      <description><![CDATA[A lot of the emerging church is just plain silly... like when Donald Miller undermines all apologetics or epistemic certainty. Or when Brian McLaren says that he can't say anything definitive about homosexuality because we need to have a lot of discussion about the issues first.

For some satire of the worst of the movement, look no further than the Pyromaniacs' &quot;Motivational Posters for the Emerging Free-for-All&quot;:

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/posters.htm

But I do like Robert Weber's Ancient-Future stuff, and that's considered part of the emerging church.

I suppose it's important to remember that it's not a monolithic thing, and there are many different people and strains of thought contained within. It's easy for me to want to make blanket condemnations of labeled movements, because it frees me from having to exercise discernment, which takes work. I don't mind condemning stuff, but you won't catch me saying I won't read anything emergent.]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,5,35#msg-35</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:52:44 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Christ and Culture] Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (spoilers!)</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?5,34,34#msg-34</link>
      <author>austinstorm</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I thought the last Harry Potter was one of the best in the series, as well as the most explicitly Christian.

There are some wonderful Arthurian moments, as well. Harry sees the Sword of Gryffindor in a pool, and initially confuses it for a cross. Ron then jumps in to retrieve it. Near the end of the book Harry goes to an Avalon-esque place (called King's Cross, no less!).

My initial question upon first reading was whether Harry's sacrifice was *real* enough. Was it a legitimate death-and-resurrection? The initial parallels to Narnia were striking... Harry willingly going to his death with all of his foes around watching and celebrating his demise, or so they think. But it departs from there. Harry doesn't actually physically die.

So, what do you think? Was it a legitimate Christian story?

And a few questions remain... who was the suffering child Harry saw at King's Cross? I think it was Voldemort's soul.]]></description>
      <category>Christ and Culture</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?5,34,34#msg-34</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:41:16 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Christ and Culture] Re: New Wilco Album</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?5,2,33#msg-33</link>
      <author>austinstorm</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I can't really place it in the Wilco canon, because I am not as familiar as I should. I do not think it is as good as Yankee Hotel, however.

It reminded me of the Beatles in many places, which I liked. I thought it tapered off in quality near the end, which was disappointing.]]></description>
      <category>Christ and Culture</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?5,2,33#msg-33</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:35:34 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Re: Emerging Church</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,5,32#msg-32</link>
      <author>John Ronning</author>
      <description><![CDATA[We've got a report on the conference at Westminster (last October) here:
http://postbiblical.info/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=38&amp;Itemid=32 
Also lots of articles on emerging church issues, things by John Piper, Paul Helm, etc., many helpful links.

&quot;Reformed&quot; is about the last word I would think to associate with the ECM although some such as Franke would like to wear a &quot;reformed&quot; label (he's &quot;reformed&quot; like Barth).

A big corner of the ECM is Emergent Village, a group held together by anger at their conservative evangelical upbringing.  See for example:
http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/response-to-ted-haggard-situation]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,5,32#msg-32</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:04:24 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,31#msg-31</link>
      <author>idotf</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks for the reply. I was just curious.  =)

I, myself, am in a southern Baptist church currently that has a staff fully reformed in their soteriology and some other areas.

I am on the Reformed Baptist Discussion list (RBDL) and have followed it for over two years. I will try my best to send you all news and information from the RB list and blogs that I follow. Mind you that I am no longer a Baptist in my views of the issue that 'define' a Baptist, but I have not yet found a suitable reason to leave the church I love and enjoy fellowship in with all of my dearest friends. So, I will simply pass along what I think you might find worthy or interesting about the RB world.

I totally understand if you all don't want to. But hopefully I can be of some help in this area since my entire life has consisted of Baptist church culture and consequently still does.  ;-)

Have a blessed weekend!

Here are some sites to look at for Reformed Baptist issues (including the Southern Baptist reformational issues):

http://www.mctsowensboro.org/blog/
http://reformedbaptistfellowship.wordpress.com/
http://www.founders.org/blog/
http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/
http://thereformedbaptistthinker.blogspot.com/
http://reformedbaptist.blogspot.com/
http://saidatsouthern.com/
http://theologica.blogspot.com/
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/

Now, I'm sure you might already know of some of these blogs, but I hope it's a good list to start out with. Let me know if you have any questions.]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,31#msg-31</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:21:36 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,30#msg-30</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Glenn - we have not yet decided about that issue.  The problem is that no one at RN has much knowledge of the Reformed Baptist world, and so we really don't even know where to start - what denominations exist, etc.  The problem is not that we don't consider Reformed Baptists to be reformed or anything like that.  We take a very pragmatic approach to that question - whoever is part of the conservative Reformed conversation is reformed for the purposes of reporting.  Some readers send us email challenging our decision to cover this or that denomination, but our goal is not to theologically rule out covering people beyond our general, practical decision to cover the more conservative parts of the calvinistic world.  We also respect the troubles that many predestinarian-leaning members of the Southern Baptist Convention expose themselves to.  So as our resources increase, perhaps we can cover the Reformed Baptist world as well.  If you have any suggestions for how to begin, feel free to email us at refnews@gmail.com.  Feel free to send articles, even.]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,30#msg-30</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:21:57 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: Reporters Needed, Help Wanted</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,29#msg-29</link>
      <author>idotf</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I am happy to help from the seminary student side. I'm at RTS Atlanta. Just let me know what you would like me to do. I will certainly send any news items that I find to the main RN E-mail.]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,29#msg-29</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2007 20:38:16 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,28#msg-28</link>
      <author>idotf</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes, I would like to know if you all are going to include the Reformed Baptists as well? What is the answer???  =)]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,28#msg-28</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2007 20:34:42 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Building the Kingdom] Re: The Environment</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?4,8,27#msg-27</link>
      <author>idotf</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Here is a good article on recent events within the science realm...

Prominent Scientists Reverse Belief in Man-made Global Warming
http://www.indefenseofthefaith.org/?p=117]]></description>
      <category>Building the Kingdom</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?4,8,27#msg-27</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2007 20:31:03 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Pastoral Letter on FV Report</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,26,26#msg-26</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[1 
May 30, 2007 
Fellow Presbyters, 
In a few short weeks we will meet in Memphis as a General Assembly to worship our 
great God, fellowship with one another and make important decisions for our 
denomination including voting on The Report of the Ad Interim Study Committee on 
Federal Vision, New Perspective and Auburn Avenue Theology. 
Many PCA pastors and elders have not read much on Federal Vision (either for or 
against) and are dependent on the report to represent accurately and adequately FV 
teachings.  A PCA General Assembly position paper should represent clearly and 
thoroughly all sides being debated and we believe the report leaves many questions 
unanswered.  We are not FV men.  We are PCA pastors and elders who believe that it 
would be premature and unwise to ratify this report as it now stands.  We also have 
procedural questions related to the forming of this committee.  In this letter, we cite 
statements from the report followed by related questions that we believe the report fails to 
answer adequately. Our questions are related to the following issues: 
1.  Procedure. 
2.  Confessional Interpretations. 
3.  Election. 
4.  Covenant of Works/Grace. 
5.  Visible/Invisible Church. 
6.  Baptismal Efficacy. 
7.  Justification. 
Procedure 
Committee Formation: 
• Several members of the committee had already pronounced their condemnation of 
FV teaching, prior to being named to the committee.   However, no FV men were 
appointed.  Robert’s Rules of Order states, “When a special committee is 
appointed for deliberation or investigation...it should represent as far as possible 
all points of view within the organization, so that its opinion will carry maximum 
weight.” 
Questions: 
• Why did the moderator ignore this aspect of Robert’s Rules when appointing the 
committee? 
• Do we really want to adopt a report without broader representation on the 
committee and without a minority report?
2 
Confessional Interpretations 
Study Report: 
• 2205- “The Westminster Confession...positively celebrates the importance of the 
doctrine of decretal election for assurance (WCF 3.8).” 
• 2214- “The Westminster Standards only speak of a “union with Christ” as that 
which is effectual; or to say it another way, as that which is saving and belongs to 
the elect.” 
• 2225- “The truly problematic claims of FV proponents come when some suggest 
that “Christ’s active obedience” is not transferred to his people...Such claims 
contradict the claims of the Westminster Standards and strike at the vitals of the 
system of doctrine contained there.” 
Questions: 
• How does the committee understand WCF 3.8 to “positively celebrate” the 
doctrine of decretal election?1 
• Why does the committee narrowly interpret our standards to speak “only” of 
union with Christ as belonging to the decretally elect when there are ways that our 
standards understand this more broadly?2 
• Where is the case for the view that our standards demand adherence to the 
imputed active obedience of Christ when the term “active obedience” is not found 
in them? 
• How does the committee reconcile their narrow understanding of the Confession 
in light of the PCA being a system subscription denomination? 
Election 
Study Report: 
• 2204- “The Confession is of course fully aware of national, ethnic, external, 
covenant election of Israel as a church under age.” 
• 2211- “Union with this people, through baptism, is what is required for one to be 
elect.” 
• 2212- “It is evident that the version of covenant and election taught by the NPP 
and FV is incompatible with the views of the Westminster Standards.” 
• 2212- “To affirm the decretal view of election and then to say that the Bible 
teaches that the elect may fall from their eternal election, is to set the Bible over 
against the standards.” 
                                                  
1 
 3.8 clearly indicates that “attending to the will of God” and “yielding obedience” unto God and humbly and diligently committing to 
“sincerely obey the gospel” help lead to assurance. 
2 
 For example, WLC 167 asks, “How is our Baptism to be improved by us?  Answer: The needful but much neglected duty of 
improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the 
administration of it to others...by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized.”  Isn’t this 
an instance when the standards encourage the entire visible church to draw strength from the one “into whom we are baptized?”
3 
• 2233- “For FV, election becomes a benefit that can be lost.” 
Questions: 
• Is the emphasis of FV authors to understand covenantal election?  If so, then 
shouldn’t their writings be interpreted through this lens and not decretal election? 
• If FV authors’ “version” of election is primarily covenantal, how is this 
incompatible with our Standards except for emphasis? 
• Do FV authors teach that one can fall away from decretal election or that decretal 
election is not secure or that decretal election can be lost?  If so, where? 
• Do FV authors teach that there is some sort of requirement for decretal election? 
If so, where? 
Covenant of Works/Grace 
Study Report: 
• 2210- “Rather than making distinctions between “first” and “second” covenant in 
the fashion of the Westminster Standards, some express hostility to the 
distinction, while others simply collapse any distinction at all.” 
• 2212- “Because the first covenant with Adam was a gracious covenant, coming 
from a gracious God...FV writers unanimously reject the concept of merit under 
the covenant of works.” 
• 2225- “The truly problematic claims of FV proponents come when some suggest 
that “Christ’s active obedience” is not transferred to his people.” 
Questions: 
• The report addresses the issue of monocovenantalism and its dangers at various 
points, but never gives specific references to or citations where FV authors use 
this term. Do they?  If so, where? 
• Does the report intend to communicate that there was no grace whatsoever in the 
first covenant or that God wasn’t gracious in any way toward Adam?  If so, how 
does this square with WCF 7.1 on God’s “voluntary condescension?” 
• Does the report intend to bind all PCA pastors to believe in “the concept of merit 
under the covenant of works?”  Isn’t this a family debate within the reformed 
community that has been going on a long time, even during the writing of the 
Confession?  3 
Visible/Invisible Church 
Study Report: 
• 2211- “A major consequence of covenant objectivity is that membership within 
the covenant is viewed within an undifferentiated manner.” 
                                                  
3 
 For example, many have understood WCF 16.5 which says, “We can not, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life” to 
apply to pre-lapsarian Adam as well.  
4 
• 2214- “FV confuses the benefits of salvation by attributing them to non-elect 
members of the visible church and so undermines the security enjoyed by the 
believer.” 
• 2227- “Our Standards imply some truths about the grace lost in apostasy.” 
Questions: 
• Where do FV authors teach the idea of an “undifferentiated manner” of all 
members of the covenant community? 
• Is the committee saying that no benefits of Christ’s work are ascribed to non-elect 
members of the visible church or that Scripture never speaks of such non-saving 
benefits in terms that are at least analogous to a true state of salvation? 
• If our Standards “imply some truths about the grace lost in apostasy,” then don’t 
we need ways to study and debate these issues? 
• Why didn’t the committee provide exegesis on passages referring to “grace lost in 
apostasy?” 
Baptismal Efficacy 
Study Report: 
• 2205- “The Standards qualify sacramental efficacy with the assertion that the 
sacraments are efficacious and effectual to the elect and to them only.” 
• 2208- Those “who assert that all the benefits of the covenant of grace accrue to all 
who are baptized, do err and are out of accord with both Scriptures and the 
Confession.” 
• 2211- “This confluence of “covenant objectivity” through baptism and “real and 
vital union” with Christ produces significant confusion about the relationship 
between the “sign” and “thing signified” and the nature of children who are “in 
this respect” within the covenant of grace.” 
• 2225- “When FV writers tie together water baptism and baptismal efficacy in a 
fashion that may feel to some like ex opera operato...” 
Questions: 
• Don’t the standards teach various types of sacramental “efficacy?”4  Isn’t baptism 
always efficacious to solemnly admit the recipient into the “visible church” and to 
“engage them to be the Lord’s?” 
                                                  
4 
 Did the committee read works on baptismal efficacy by Westminster divines and authors of the chapter on baptism? (e.g. Thomas 
Blake’s Infants Baptisme, Freed from Antichristianisme or The Birth-Priviledge or Covenant-Holinesse or Covenant Sealed: A 
Treatise of the Sacraments of Both Covenants or Cornelius Burgess’ work The Baptismal Regeneration of Elect Infants.)  If so, how 
does the committee reconcile their narrow interpretation of the Confession on this issue with the broader interpretation of the divines 
own writings? 
Did the committee read the chapter on baptism in Westminster Confession into the 21st Century Volume 1, edited by Ligon Duncan 
who serves on this committee?  If so, what is the committee’s opinion on what David F. Wright, scholar of Reformation theology at 
the University of Edinburgh, writes? 
“What then about the efficacy of baptism according to the Westminster Confession? Its central affirmation 
seems clear: &quot;the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost&quot; 
(28.6). It is true that a variety of qualifications to this assertion are entered in the chapter on baptism...But
5 
• Do FV writers really teach that all the benefits of the covenant of grace (narrowly 
defined and limited to the invisible church) are received by all the baptized or that 
only some receive these benefits, which are freely offered to all?  If it’s the 
former, where can that be found in their writings? 
• The report quotes several FV authors regarding baptism and union with Christ 
where the term “real” is used but not “vital.”  Why did the committee add “vital” 
to what FV authors teach when there are no references to “vital?” 
• Have FV writers completely denied the subjective side of being in covenant with 
God or have they merely concentrated on the objective side? 
• If FV authors are trying to understand “covenantal efficacy,” are they wrong to 
stress it in their writings? 
• Do FV authors actually use the language “ex opere operato” or does it just “feel” 
like they do?  If any have used it, have they used it in the same sense to which we 
rightly object?  If so, where does this appear in their writings? 
Justification 
Study Report: 
• 2215- “The standards assert that nothing that sinners do nor anything in them can 
serve as the ground of justification” and that “good works do not serve as the 
grounds for justification.” 
• 2224- “This orientation around corporate categories places theological reflection 
on a different trajectory than that of the Standards.” 
• 2234- “Our concern is that some of those who are baptized will simply presume 
upon God’s grace, continuing in the covenant without “apostatizing” but also 
without justifying faith; others will be driven to despair working for a salvation 
out of “covenant faithfulness” instead of resting and receiving Jesus alone for 
their salvation.” 
Questions: 
• Do FV authors teach that good works are the grounds for our justification?  If so, 
where is this found in their writings? 
• If NPP writers don’t deny individual justification (as the report points out), is 
there substantial problem with them emphasizing corporate terms? 
• Do FV authors see covenant faithfulness as including the fruit and evidence of a 
lively faith, which faith is the only instrument of justification?  Or do they see 
                                                                                                                                                      
these qualifications serve in fact only to highlight the clarity of the core declaration, which is set forth as 
follows in the preceding chapter on sacraments in general: 
Neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it, but 
upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution; which contains...a promise of benefit to worthy 
receivers (27.3). 
The Westminster divines viewed baptism as the instrument and occasion of regeneration by the Spirit, of the 
remission of sins, of ingrafting into Christ (cf. 28.1). The Confession teaches baptismal regeneration. (From 
&quot;Baptism at the Westminster Assembly&quot; in The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century, volume 1, ed. by 
J. Ligon Duncan III, Mentor 2003:168-9)
6 
“covenant faithfulness” as the grounds of justification or as the instrument of 
justification inclusive of faith’s fruit and evidence? If the latter, where do they 
teach this? 
• If FV authors teach that salvation comes by working and not receiving and resting 
upon Christ, where is this in their writings? 
Fellow presbyters, until the committee clarifies these issues, it would be premature for us 
to ratify their report.  We encourage you to carefully and prayerfully think through these 
issues and not enter into this vote hastily.  We are convinced that the report as it now 
stands lacks the quality and scholarship of a PCA General Assembly position paper. 
In the peace of Christ, 
Vito Aiuto 
Matt Brown 
Ray Cannata 
Sam Downing 
Josh Eby 
John Haralson 
Mike Khandjian 
Iron Kim 
Sam Wheatley 
Shayne Wheeler]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,26,26#msg-26</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2007 18:08:56 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] New News Roundup Posted</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,25,25#msg-25</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[New Roundup Posted today:

http://www.reformednews.com/2007/05/feature-weekend-news-roundup.html]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,25,25#msg-25</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 26 May 2007 13:21:50 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,24#msg-24</link>
      <author>re4med</author>
      <description><![CDATA[refnews Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
&gt; Mr. Hill - we'll definitely announce once the
&gt; radio show is complete, but we don't ordinarily
&gt; announce things in advance that can't be
&gt; participated in live anyway.  We look forward to
&gt; hearing the interview.  We would also appreciate a
&gt; shout out on your radio show - maybe just tell
&gt; people that the site exists and to send any news
&gt; our way that might be relevant to their neck of
&gt; the Reformed woods.  Thanks.

I am sure we can do something like that.  Thanks!]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,24#msg-24</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 26 May 2007 03:39:32 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,23#msg-23</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr. Hill - we'll definitely announce once the radio show is complete, but we don't ordinarily announce things in advance that can't be participated in live anyway.  We look forward to hearing the interview.  We would also appreciate a shout out on your radio show - maybe just tell people that the site exists and to send any news our way that might be relevant to their neck of the Reformed woods.  Thanks.]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,23#msg-23</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 26 May 2007 01:49:53 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Re: Federal Vision</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,4,22#msg-22</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[We've banned &quot;anders1&quot; from posting any more to the forums, and we will delete his message above as soon as we can figure out how to do it.
..........
OK, it's done.  We also deleted the other two posts that responded to his rudeness only because they contained quotes of what he said.]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,4,22#msg-22</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 26 May 2007 01:44:46 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: Reporters Needed, Help Wanted</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,20#msg-20</link>
      <author>Rogers Meredith</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Same with me!]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,20#msg-20</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 23:05:37 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Beckwith, Catholicism, Sola Scriptura</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,19,19#msg-19</link>
      <author>drm</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Carl Trueman wrote this response to evangelical philosopher and (former) ETS president Francis Beckwith's conversion to the Catholic Church.

http://reformation21.com/Upcoming_Issues/Professor_Beckwith/330/

Catholic philosopher Michael Liccione wrote an essay critiquing to Trueman's view of church authority and creeds here:

http://mliccione.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-beckwith-matters.html

Rick Phillips responds with this:

http://tinyurl.com/35tbg2

&quot;Thanks Carl for the link to Dr Michael Liccione's response to your piece on Beckwith.  I found it most illuminating.  On the key issue of tradition and authority, Liccione's main argument is that when it comes to interpreting Scripture we must either throw in our lot with the authority of the Church or the authority of private interpretation.  He sees the Protestant approach relying on the latter.  What he fails to appreciate, in this response at least, andwhat many other critics of the Reformation fail to appreciate(including evangelical postmoderns) is that we are not relying on theauthority of private interpretation but upon the ministry of the HolySpirit.  This is the lynchpin of Reformed hermeneutics, our convictionfrom the Scriptures that the Spirit will lead God's people into truthby the Word (Jn. 16:13).  Whereas Liccione and other Roman Catholicssee the divide as consisting between ecclesiastical and individualauthority, Reformed theology sees a divide between church authorityand the authority of the Holy Spirit.  We are not relying on privateinterpretation, but on the witness of the Spirit to the Word in thechurch to the people of God. Everyone sees the chaos in church history when it comes to Bibleinterpretation and each side blames the other: Rome blamesindividualism and Wittenberg blames tradition.  I would blame both,but then I would turn to the witness of the Holy Spirit as thesolution and hope.  I suppose that if I had to choose between thewitness of the Church and the witness of private interpretation, I,too, would reluctantly submit to Rome.  Fortunately, I am faced withno such dichotomy, because in step with the Reformed faith for thelast half-millennium I may rely on the Spirit's authority for both thechurch and the private individual.&quot;

Gee, that was easy.  You see the problem with Catholics, Anglicans,Orthodox, Pentecostals, FV people (and anyone who is not a southernPCA person) is that we just don't rely on the Holy Spirit.  If we did,we would think just like Rick Phillips on everything, and worldwide Christian unity and the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 would immediately ensue.  And we would all finally have the fullness of truth!

So remember, just listen to the Holy Spirit, and he'll tell you how to interpret the Bible correctly (i.e., just like Rick Phillips).  How gracious of Rick to let us in on the true solution to Christian disagreement.

Good grief.]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,19,19#msg-19</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 16:15:28 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[@General Discussion] Re: General Assemblies</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?1,3,18#msg-18</link>
      <author>JimWitt</author>
      <description><![CDATA[General Synod 2007 of the Canadian Reformed Churches has just wrapped up in Smithers, British Columbia. For those interested in goings-on in the Canadian Reformed Churches, unofficial acts of Synod and addresses by fraternal delegates can be found here: 

http://www.canrc.org/resources/govdocs/gs2007/index.html

Jim Witteveen
Hamilton, Ontario]]></description>
      <category>@General Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?1,3,18#msg-18</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 09:19:52 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[@General Discussion] Re: General Assemblies</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?1,3,17#msg-17</link>
      <author>re4med</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well of course the PCA General Assembly convenes in Memphis June 12-15.  The hot topic of that GA will be the study committee paper on the FV.  As I understand things this is docketed for Wednesday afternoon (June 13) between 2-3 PM.]]></description>
      <category>@General Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?1,3,17#msg-17</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 03:35:53 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,16#msg-16</link>
      <author>re4med</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I recently sent an email to refnews about the upcoming roundtable discussion with Jeff Meyers, Mark Horne and Mark Duncan covering the FV response to the PCA Study Committee on the FV as well as the &quot;30 Reasons...&quot; paper written by Rev. Meyers.  I think this would be a god news report given the fact that Covenant Radio (http://www.covenantradio.com) has over 2,500 listeners at this time.  Anyhow, we would be honored if you covered this news story and thanks for the work you are doing...great job!]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,16#msg-16</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 03:33:45 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: Reporters Needed, Help Wanted</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,14#msg-14</link>
      <author>re4med</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I would be interested in helping in the venture.  Please contact me and let me know what I need to do if you are interested in my help.  

Thanks!]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,14#msg-14</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 03:29:30 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Building the Kingdom] Re: The Environment</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?4,8,12#msg-12</link>
      <author>anders1</author>
      <description><![CDATA[you all should see the BBC documentary that responds to gore's movie:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=75C144F371DCB7A2

human-caused global warming is bunk]]></description>
      <category>Building the Kingdom</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?4,8,12#msg-12</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 02:00:17 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,11#msg-11</link>
      <author>anders1</author>
      <description><![CDATA[do you plan to cover Reformed Baptist churches and denominations?  we often feel like second class citizens in the &quot;reformed world&quot; as you put it.]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,11#msg-11</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 01:56:44 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Re: What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,10#msg-10</link>
      <author>barlow</author>
      <description><![CDATA[You should do more stuff on the Acts 29 network - I know that being in the PCA, I don't hear a lot of news about other reformed denominations, especially the ones that are edgier and newer.  I also don't see much in your coverage about the West Coast in general, and you haven't said anything about worship music at all, and there seems to be a lot of activity in that arena.  I'll try to send you some stuff about what's happening here in Missouri - we've got an Acts 29 church here, for instance, that just bought a cool older church downtown.  As for the shoestring budget, sorry about that; surely you could ask for donations without compromising your neutrality?  I've got nothing to give you, poor grad student that I am.  Thanks for your hard work, the articles have been good so far and the cartoon was a nice surprise, even if it wasn't funny :)]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,10#msg-10</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 01:34:58 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Christ and Culture] Re: New Wilco Album</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?5,2,9#msg-9</link>
      <author>barlow</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I love it, personally.  I listened to it today in its entirety while mowing the yard and I literally cried when it got to the &quot;What Light&quot; song (or whatever it's called).  Just a beautiful idea about everyone in the world singing one's songs and every one of one's pieces of art being hung around the world.  That's just the humanist heart strings in me that were being tugged.

On the jam band question, yes, there is a bit of extended guitar solos that I could see turning into jam band type stuff live.  My wife and I have seen them in St. Louis a bunch of times and they tend to extend guitar solos a lot already - that's kind of what Kidsmoke was all about, and they do it on that &quot;dimetapp and spinal tap&quot; song too.

It's like previous albums in that it is a bit like a combination of the last album and the double album (forgot the name).  Very warm recording style too - reminded me in places of the Beatles, some places sounded a bit Dylanesque, with cool doubled guitar solos and stuff.  Anyway, love the album.

And love the site - keep it up, RN!  Thanks for using BarlowNet.com for your hosting, too, we're privileged to host you.]]></description>
      <category>Christ and Culture</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?5,2,9#msg-9</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 01:28:55 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Building the Kingdom] The Environment</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?4,8,8#msg-8</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[This is such a difficult area; so many conflicting stories and theories.  But we know there must be some Reformed folks out there doing things in the environmental arena.  Please chime in here if so and let us know what you're up to; we'd love to do some stories in this area.]]></description>
      <category>Building the Kingdom</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?4,8,8#msg-8</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 18:56:53 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] Reporters Needed, Help Wanted</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,7#msg-7</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[If you are willing to write for free and cover your corner of the Reformed world, we need you!  We especially would love to have &quot;eyes on the ground&quot; at presbytery meetings, general assemblies, synods, etc.  Also news from seminary students can be helpful.  We're open to anonymous reporters, but you'll need to disclose your identity to us, at least.  We're also open to political cartoons, editorials, etc.  If you're willing to use your name, that would be even better.  Privileges would include a reformednews.com email address and all the free tap water you can drink!]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,7,7#msg-7</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 18:55:49 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Reformed News] What are we missing?</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,6#msg-6</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well, we get email all the time saying &quot;please cover this.&quot; And we love it.  Please keep the email coming - we can't cover everything on a shoestring, and until we stabilize our readership and ad revenue, we'll need to depend upon readers for legwork.  Help us out!]]></description>
      <category>Reformed News</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?3,6,6#msg-6</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 18:53:08 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Emerging Church</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,5,5#msg-5</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[This is another topic of interest - D.A. Carson seems to be a big critic of the movement, but other Reformed folks are friendlier.  Westminster Seminary's students even hosted a conference about the topic and invited emerging figures.  Is this movement contributing to Reformed churches now or is it something outside of the established denominations?  We're doing our best to cover emerging issues, but it is an area the editors are still learning about, growing up in sheltered reformed denominations as we did.]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,5,5#msg-5</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 18:51:55 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Theology] Federal Vision</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,4,4#msg-4</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well, we went ahead and created this topic because it seems to be the hot topic of the day in the Reformed world.  Discuss, but please be polite to one another.]]></description>
      <category>Theology</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?2,4,4#msg-4</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 18:49:42 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[@General Discussion] General Assemblies</title>
      <link>http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?1,3,3#msg-3</link>
      <author>refnews</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Can someone easily compile a list of the dates of the various denominations' general assemblies?  We at RN have already missed a few and it would be a great help if someone could do the legwork for us.  Thanks!]]></description>
      <category>@General Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reformednews.com/forum/read.php?1,3,3#msg-3</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 18:48:41 -0400</pubDate>
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