Thursday, January 12, 2006
Why I am the Reformed Baptist Thinker
Why have I named my blog "Reformed Baptist Thinker"? I must admit, it's not the most original label (just ask my wife, I'm not very creative). Nevertheless, I believe it accurately describes who I am and why I have entered the blogosphere. With this in mind, I figure it would be helpful to explain my blog's name.
Why Use "Reformed Baptist"?
Unfortunately, Reformed Baptist can mean many things to many people. For some, it simply means that they hold to Calvinism as well as deny infant baptism. I have even heard some four point Calvinists (those who deny "limited atonement" but agree with the other four points) use this designation when referring to themselves. When used in this broad sense, a person could be a Reformed Baptist and also be a dispensationalist, a charismatic, and/or hold to new covenant theology.
Along with others, I find this usage too open. I prefer to use Reformed Baptist confessionally, when referring to those who adhere to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689). I include myself in this category, and it is in this sense that I am a Reformed Baptist.
To learn more about Reformed Baptists, I recommend the following:
Samuel Waldron with Richard Barcellos. A Reformed Baptist Manifesto: The New Covenant Constitution of the Church. Palmdale, CA: Reformed Baptist Academic Press, 2004.
Michael T. Renihan. "Truth in Labeling: Reformed Baptist." Reformed Baptist Theological Review 2 no 2 (July 2005): 107-117.
Why Use "Thinker"?
As a Christian, I am called to think with my mind. What does Jesus say is the greatest commandment? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). I must love God not only with my heart and soul, but also with my mind. We also see the Apostle Paul writing on the centrality of the mind in the lives of believers: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). How are we to avoid worldliness? How do we discern the will of God? By renewing our minds. This means that as a disciple of Christ, I must be a thinker.
Why I Use "Reformed Baptist Thinker"
I am full (or strict) subscriptionist to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. I am also a follower of Christ who seeks to use my mind to know God and His truth. Therefore, it only seems proper to call myself the "Reformed Baptist Thinker." With this in mind, I desire to use my blog to glorify God by reflecting upon various questions and issues from a biblical worldview.
Why Use "Reformed Baptist"?
Unfortunately, Reformed Baptist can mean many things to many people. For some, it simply means that they hold to Calvinism as well as deny infant baptism. I have even heard some four point Calvinists (those who deny "limited atonement" but agree with the other four points) use this designation when referring to themselves. When used in this broad sense, a person could be a Reformed Baptist and also be a dispensationalist, a charismatic, and/or hold to new covenant theology.
Along with others, I find this usage too open. I prefer to use Reformed Baptist confessionally, when referring to those who adhere to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689). I include myself in this category, and it is in this sense that I am a Reformed Baptist.
To learn more about Reformed Baptists, I recommend the following:
Samuel Waldron with Richard Barcellos. A Reformed Baptist Manifesto: The New Covenant Constitution of the Church. Palmdale, CA: Reformed Baptist Academic Press, 2004.
Michael T. Renihan. "Truth in Labeling: Reformed Baptist." Reformed Baptist Theological Review 2 no 2 (July 2005): 107-117.
Why Use "Thinker"?
As a Christian, I am called to think with my mind. What does Jesus say is the greatest commandment? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). I must love God not only with my heart and soul, but also with my mind. We also see the Apostle Paul writing on the centrality of the mind in the lives of believers: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). How are we to avoid worldliness? How do we discern the will of God? By renewing our minds. This means that as a disciple of Christ, I must be a thinker.
Why I Use "Reformed Baptist Thinker"
I am full (or strict) subscriptionist to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. I am also a follower of Christ who seeks to use my mind to know God and His truth. Therefore, it only seems proper to call myself the "Reformed Baptist Thinker." With this in mind, I desire to use my blog to glorify God by reflecting upon various questions and issues from a biblical worldview.
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