Theology &amp; Bible

Safe, to Lost, to Saved? (A Response)

This article is a response to John Mark Hicks’s “Safe, to Lost, to Saved?” __________ By Jeff Faull John Mark Hicks”s thought-provoking article in this week”sÂ “Reflections” column leads me to sympathize with him aboutÂ the ambiguity that appears to exist in regard to the process ofÂ our children coming to Christ and the timing of their baptisms. His line of reasoning questions our historically accepted assertions about the entrance of children into the kingdom of God. He questions “the theological underpinnings of the notion that our children move from safe to lost to saved (once baptized).” I respect and admire brother Hicks,

August 8, 2010

Safe, to Lost, to Saved?

Read Jeff Faull’s response to this article _______________ By John Mark Hicks What is the relationship of our children to the kingdom of God? Within the Restoration Movement we have historically held that children are safe (without sin) until they reach the “age of accountability,” at which time they own their sin and become sinners (guilty). At that point, as I generally understand the theology, children are not only unsafe but also outside the grace of God. They do not belong to the kingdom. Consequently, children (ranging from ages 9-13 generally) are instructed about baptism, their sin, and their need

August 8, 2010

Baptism Theology & Bible

Children and Baptism: In Search of a New Model (Part 1)

By Teresa D. Welch Susan and Kevin approached me after church and asked a series of questions I had heard before. “Could you talk to our son, Nathan, for us? He told us he wants to be baptized, and we don”t know if he is ready. What do you think?” Hearing questions about children and baptism was not uncommon in my role as a children”s minister, I regularly was asked by parents of elementary-aged children about matters of their child”s faith and readiness for baptism. However, the longer I served as a children”s minister, the more these questions concerned me.

August 8, 2010

Baptism Theology & Bible

Were You Old Enough to Be Baptized?

By Mark A. Taylor A discussion of baptism in Christian Standard usually stimulates spirited response, and that will probably happen after readers digest this issue, too. As always, we welcome your letters and e-mails, but we hope readers will keep two things in mind as they write us: Remember that a fourth article, Part 2 of Theresa Welch”s “search for a new model,” will appear next week. She offers a balanced, careful approach, one that does not reject current understandings, but only serves to enrich them. You may want to read the next issue before writing us about this one.

August 1, 2010

Time for a Name Change?

By Jeff Faull Have you ever thought much about the name we have been given as followers of Jesus? Christians. We wear a name that signifies our devotion to our Lord and Savior. Scripture reveals believers were first called Christians at Antioch. But there”s talk on the street these days about a name change for Christians, And at first glance, I can understand why. CHRISTIANS? Let me introduce you to Fred Phelps and his congregation. He and his tiny group of followers journey across the country and spew a message of hatred. His latest stunt is to show up at

May 30, 2010

What I Have Learned in 50 Years as a Theologian (Part 2)

By Jack Cottrell Previously (in the February 7 issue) I discussed what I have learned in 50 years as a theologian under two headings: Fads vs. Fundamentals, and Truth vs. Relativism. Here I will conclude by discussingÂ Law vs. Grace. In six years of seminary work (at Westminster and Princeton), I was especially drawn to Reformation studies and was thus introduced to the doctrine of grace in ways that were new to me. I also spent much time studying the book of Romans. In my first semester of teaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary (fall 1967), Lewis Foster asked me to teach

May 23, 2010

The Revolutionary Relevance of Christian Hope in Communion

By Ash Baker Last October 17, I shared Communion in Klong Prem prison (aka “The Bangkok Hilton”) for the first time. I now visit each week with Chris McCartney, a member of our team who has been going there for more than a year. It”s become a high point in my weekly routine, though not without challenges. When Chris first asked me to accompany him, I was outwardly thrilled, but quietly uncertain about how to meaningfully share Communion with these guys. Francis, for example, is in his 60s and has been in jail more than 40 years. What could we

May 9, 2010

Old Testament Theology & Bible

Like Father, Like Son

By Victor Knowles Abraham was such a godly man that he drew the applause of Heaven. God gave him ultimate praise: “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just” (Genesis 18:19). Dwight L. Moody said, “I believe the family was established long before the church, and my duty is to my family first. I am not to neglect my family.” Strong families produce strong leaders that produce strong churches. Perhaps the most famous father-son preaching pair in

April 11, 2010

Whatever Happened to False Doctrine?

By Jeff Faull OK, I might as well admit it. I”m a peacemaker by nature, an off-the-charts shower of mercy. A lover and not a fighter. I tend to look for commonality over differences””I despise legalism.Â Unity is not a bad word to me. I”m a Psalm 133/John 17 guy and glad to be one. Quickly skim over the New Testament with that mind-set. It only takes a few minutes. With a cursory glance at Acts 2 and beyond””you can see it. It”s beautiful to trace the harmony that existed when the church began. Christians were doctrinally aligned””all of one mind.

April 4, 2010

Salvation Theology & Bible

Good Friday: On Being Human

By John E. Wasem A gold cross””attached to a necklace or pinned to your lapel””tells the world of your faith. It is a testimony of your belief””or so we suppose. That simple cross also symbolizes a certain morality to which people may presume you adhere. Why? Because observers logically assume you are a follower of Christ. Wearing a cross can bring you a degree of respect from others. Now, travel back in time about 2,070 years. That little piece of jewelry dangling around your neck or from your pierced ear or attached to your toga would have resulted in far

February 17, 2010

Bible Study Theology & Bible

My Own Holy Land Testimony

By Mark A. Taylor When I returned from my trip to Israel, my wife said, “You are NOT going to begin speeches or sermons with, “˜When I was in Israel . . .” Right?” And I guess I never have. I don”t think I”ve ever written about that trip, either. But I couldn”t resist adding my testimony after reading Marshall Hayden”s and Tom Jones”s moving pieces this week. Their experiences help me remember my own special time there. I think the majestic Sea of Galilee was my favorite stop. Although it is usually still, wind churned it into waves the

February 7, 2010

Theology & Bible

What I Have Learned in 50 Years as a Theologian (Part 1)

By Jack Cottrell Since receiving my AB degree from Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1959, I have been either preparing to teach or teaching theology (Bible doctrine) in CBS”s (now Cincinnati Christian University”s) graduate school. I was recently challenged to sum up what I have learned during this lifetime of study. Here are my thoughts. FADS vs. FUNDAMENTALS First, I have learned that theological fads come and go, but the “fundamentals” are still fundamental. A fad is a seemingly new idea that bursts on the scene and receives lots of attention, especially by authors and publishers. Once the latter have milked

October 4, 2009

In Communion

Â by C. Robert Wetzel “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body” (1 Corinthians 10:17). In 1909 Christians from the Restoration Movement were making plans for the centennial celebration of the Declaration and Address to take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that October. At the same time, in what was then a remote part of mountainous western North Carolina, a small group of believers were making plans to establish a church. Late in 1908 there had been a 30-day evangelistic meeting that led to the baptism of 14 people. In the spring of the following year,

September 30, 2009

Tell Us About Your Celebration!

By Mark A. Taylor As we finished this issue in the final days of August, we continued to hear news about Great Communion celebrations planned for October 4 in community after community. “We started planning for the Great Communion in 2005,” Glenn Carson, president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, wrote. “And what we expected from the beginning is now occurring.” Many have posted details about their celebrations at www.greatcommunion.org. Yet we”ve also received notes from some who have searched in vain for a Great Communion service in their area. “I am profoundly disappointed that nothing is happening close

August 23, 2009

Baptism Theology & Bible

Baptizing Grace

by Bill Hallsted I was recently asked (again) why the Bible says, in Matthew 28:19, to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” but on the day the church began, Simon Peter said, “be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). The questioner asked, “If the wrong words are said, is the baptism valid?” Behind the question is failure to understand a vital, underlying tenet of Christianity, so important that God spent thousands of years teaching it. The lesson is this: Rules and regulations won”t help

August 19, 2009

How Will You Celebrate Great Communion?

By Mark A. Taylor It”s not too late for your church to plan a Great Communion observance October 4. Let me review what we”ve said about this event before, and then give you some new information. Review: Great Communion is an international celebration of the Lord”s Supper to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Thomas Campbell”s Declaration and Address, considered by many as the catalyst for our Restoration Movement. In it Campbell lifted up unity based on faith in Christ and obedience to the Scriptures. He decried divisions among believers in Christ and described the Lord”s Supper as “that great ordinance

July 12, 2009

The Lord”s Supper: We Are What We Repeat

Â By Ethan Magness Â This article is no longer available online, butÂ articles about the Lord’s Supper that appeared in the July 12/19, 2009, and June 10, 2007, issuesÂ of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–plus more–are available for purchase as a single, redisigned, easy-to-read and easy-to-useÂ downloadable resource/pdf (a fuller explanation is below). Â Â The Lord’s Supper: A Memory and More Item D021535209Â “¢Â $2.99 If you keep doing something often enough, long enough, it will change you. Take, for example, the Lord”s Supper. If we practice the Lord”s Supper in a meaningful way, week after week, it will change us for the better

July 12, 2009

The Lord”s Supper: Eight Ways to Experience the Meaning of the Meal

By Ethan Magness This article is no longer available online, butÂ articles about the Lord’s Supper that appeared in the July 12/19, 2009, and June 10, 2007, issuesÂ of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–plus more–are available for purchase as a single, redisigned, easy-to-read and easy-to-useÂ downloadable resource/pdf (a fuller explanation is below). Â The Lord’s Supper: A Memory and More Item D021535209Â “¢Â $2.99 If you keep doing something often enough, long enough, it will change you. Take, for example, the Lord”s Supper. If we practice the Lord”s Supper in a meaningful way, week after week, it will change us for the better by helping us

July 12, 2009

The Lord”s Supper: We Teach, We Remember, We Proclaim

Â By Ethan Magness This article is no longer available online, butÂ articles about the Lord’s Supper that appeared in the July 12/19, 2009, and June 10, 2007, issuesÂ of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–plus more–are available for purchase as a single, redisigned, easy-to-read and easy-to-useÂ downloadable resource/pdf (a fuller explanation is below). The Lord’s Supper: A Memory and More Item D021535209Â “¢Â $2.99 Â Â Â If you keep doing something often enough, long enough, it will change you. Take, for example, the Lord”s Supper. If we practice the Lord”s Supper in a meaningful way, week after week, it will change us for the better by

July 12, 2009