tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2399009317202162227.post1458103945658069305..comments2023-04-26T09:41:11.714-05:00Comments on Another Reader's Review: On Being PresbyterianJoshua Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762961484152028177noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2399009317202162227.post-6051726124491140982008-06-13T17:36:00.000-05:002008-06-13T17:36:00.000-05:00Matt,Thanks for dropping in. I am more keen to th...Matt,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for dropping in. I am more keen to the theonomy issue, although I think Lucas' imprecision leads to the possible confusion that the civil law has no application whatsoever, which isn't the traditional Presbyterian position.<BR/><BR/>The sacraments are also an important issue to me, because I see it as one of the biggest points of refutation that Baptist point out with regard to baptism. The case is much less settled than Lucas indicates, at any rate.<BR/><BR/>But as I said, the book is still a great resource, and the history alone fills a much needed gap in the understanding of so many Christians in our day and age that the book is worth its weight in gold on its merit there alone.Joshua Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05762961484152028177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2399009317202162227.post-17234874472785667182008-06-13T06:58:00.000-05:002008-06-13T06:58:00.000-05:00Hey, Joshua, I'm glad you reviewed this on here. ...Hey, Joshua, I'm glad you reviewed this on here. I read this book about a month ago preparing to teach an "Intro to Presbyterian Theology" (the Pres instead of Reformed is intentional in regards to baptism and church-culture topics to come up later). My reactions were very similar to yours (in addition to prefering the stories section; love the American Reformed Biographies series that Lucas and Hart are editing, I think Warfield is next).<BR/><BR/>On the problem you found with the third chapter I do have to agree with you that the quoted paragraph was a little odd of a summary dismissal. You're probably a little more sensitive on the theonomy part than I am but there really wasn't any need to include that (or if he really felt the need to reference it then a footnote would have done).<BR/><BR/>I also agree with you that his work on the Sacraments could have been more clear. He could have dropped this paragraph entirely and held off mentioning paedo-communion until the fifth chapter. If he didn't want to do too much in this "introductory" book then he could have even just left his comments to what Murray does in his book on Baptism.<BR/><BR/>But thanks for mentioning this book. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad there's a reference out there for new members in Presbyterian churches (especially because Sproul's introductory book is really disppointing) and I really like that he included the historical sections.<BR/><BR/>- Matt (Slimpicks on DW)Matt Pickenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10964762520827450670noreply@blogger.com