DocTrinsOGrace

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:

• 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

CALVINISTIC:

• 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

PURITAN:

• 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

COVENANTAL:

• 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

BAPTIST:

• 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

Life verse: "And Jesus said to them, 'Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.'" (Matthew 13:52 NASB)

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.

 

Yes, sir, that is correct. (I take the expression from Galatians 2:15a "We are Jews by nature..." (NASB), where Paul is quoting himself in addressing Peter.)

We once would proudly say things like "I am a Jewish American!" The word Jewish was always and ever first. Now I say, "I am a Christian Jew!" By God's grace, Christian will always and ever be how I am defined. (Isn't that whole Ephesians 2 thing incredible?)

In God's providence, my entire immediate family came to Christ, slowly over the years; seven of us. Now, only three remain, but there are two more generations that the Lord has been pleased to redeem.

Thank you for asking!

Perhaps, one day, we will enjoy a warm Guinness together! :thumbs:

 

Hello! I appreciate everyone's greeting and welcome!

Yes, I am just North of the Twin Cities. John Piper was pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. If I understand correctly, however, Piper is now in Knoxville, writing.

The church that I attend is Providence Reformed Baptist Church, a very small congregation. Certainly microscopic compared to BBC.

Thank you for your interest, sir.

 

Hello, sir. Our church is not, however the church of which we were members last in Fargo, was. Our church here is not ARBCA, but unabashedly and explicitly and actively 1689 LBCF compliant (Deo volente).

 

Praise God that He has been pleased to work in our lives!

I have to admit that I have not had any alcohol since coming to the Lord. I'm not one of those temperance folks. Just something I did for my own purposes. Nonetheless, I do sorely miss a warm Guinness. Come to that, a nice Drambuie, after dinner, in a heated snifter... NOM! (As my grandkids say!)

By the way, my zaide used to swear by peppermint schnapps for a cold. That, and chicken broth... But the Jewish secret to that is it must be made with chicken feet.

 

I had forgotten, but I remember the slivovitz around my grandparents home. Particularly the plum brandy. Thank you for the link, but especially for the memory!

Right, I have had chickens too. When my wife is making chicken broth, she spends quite a bit of time on the chicken feet, cleaning and peeling, etc.

(By the way, keeping fresh sawdust in the bottom of their run, roost, and coup -- unless you have a very large operation -- will convert their feces into some precious garden compost! It also keeps the chickens a bit cleaner.)

What variety of chickens do you have? I used to have Aricauanas, Giant White Leghorns, Plymouth Rock, Bandies, Polish Rock, and some good old Rhode Island Reds. Perhaps, one day, I will be able to have chickens again!

Oh, sorry if this discussion should be carried on off the forum. I do not know all the rules yet. Anyway, I hope that you are recovering rapidly from your cold, sir.

 

Wonderful! I wish I could see them! One day, Deo volente, I will have chickens again.