DocTrinsoGrace
New Member
I am new to the forum, at least in relation to being a poster.
I am a Jew by nature, but more importantly, I am a Christian by God's grace. I am married to a Proverbs-31-wife -- one of the many of God's blessings that I do not deserve!
I am an Information Systems Engineer by trade (four decades) and an Astronomer by training (four decades ago). However, since becoming a Christian, I have been continuously taking theology classes (Missouri Baptist University, Covenant Theological Seminary, etc.).
I am confessional 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith and I am a member of a confessional Baptist church.
Those doctrinal distinctives can be summarized as follows. (I have edited this list over the years, but I do not believe that this summarization is original. I have poor memory about some things.)
REFORMATIONAL:
Note: If I hadn't had this already summarized elsewhere, I probably would not have written it all out here. But I was uncomfortable with the tone of the former threads in this category: it seemed sad to have that at the top of our Baptist Forum page. So, please excuse me for butting in and babbling about myself.
I am a Jew by nature, but more importantly, I am a Christian by God's grace. I am married to a Proverbs-31-wife -- one of the many of God's blessings that I do not deserve!
I am an Information Systems Engineer by trade (four decades) and an Astronomer by training (four decades ago). However, since becoming a Christian, I have been continuously taking theology classes (Missouri Baptist University, Covenant Theological Seminary, etc.).
I am confessional 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith and I am a member of a confessional Baptist church.
Those doctrinal distinctives can be summarized as follows. (I have edited this list over the years, but I do not believe that this summarization is original. I have poor memory about some things.)
REFORMATIONAL:
- Sola Scriptura -- The Bible is the complete, closed, clear authority in all matters of faith
- Solus Christus -- Our confidence is in Jesus Christ alone for salvation
- Sola Gratia -- Grace secured redemption without reference to works
- Sola Fide -- We are declared righteous by God through faith alone
- Soli Deo Gloria -- Goal of creation and redemption is God's praise
- Total Depravity -- The fall of Adam affected the totality of man's person
- Unconditional Election -- Election is not based on foreseen faith or works
- Limited Atonement -- Redemption was accomplished by Christ for the elect
- Irresistible Grace -- Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is efficacious for the elect
- Perseverance of the Saints -- God will, by grace, complete what He began in regeneration
- Godliness in Worship -- Regulative Principle of Worship; Lord's day as Christian Sabbath
- Godliness in Preaching -- Primacy of preaching; Both exposition and application emphasized
- Godliness in Instruction -- Confessional, catholic; Publishing what we believe the Bible teaches
- Godliness in Family -- Parents are to instruct (catechize) and discipline their children in the Lord
- Godliness in Behavior -- Maintaining a good conscience before God and man
- Unity of the Bible -- Many parts yet one message
- Christ-centered interpretation -- Jesus' person, work and kingdom is theme of Bible
- Law/Gospel distinction -- Law commands and condemns, Gospel saves
- One way of salvation -- Christ has saved all the elect throughout all the ages
- Optimistic view of history -- Jesus Christ is King ruling over all; He will come again
- Biblical Church Practice -- Ordinances for believers only; loving and restorative Church discipline
- Biblical Church Freedom -- The state is not to intrude into matters of conscience
- Biblical Church Polity -- Elders and deacons (the local congregation confirms its leaders)
- Biblical Church Growth -- Gospel proclamation to the lost world (repentance and faith demanded of all)
- Biblical Church Ministry -- Priesthood of all believers
Note: If I hadn't had this already summarized elsewhere, I probably would not have written it all out here. But I was uncomfortable with the tone of the former threads in this category: it seemed sad to have that at the top of our Baptist Forum page. So, please excuse me for butting in and babbling about myself.