Samuel Frost and the Westminster Confession of Faith – By Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot

Samuel Frost and the

Westminster Confession of Faith

 

“Who are you calling an idiot?”

I have known Samuel Frost for over 10 years. We are friends and we do disagree on many theological issues. I am Reformed and he is not. I am covenantal and he is not. However, we are agreed on Apologetics. I was a student of Dr. Gordon Clark, and Samuel was trained in Axiomatic Presuppositionalism. He knows the system well. We are both young earth creationists and I greatly appreciate his defense against the mislabeled ‘covenant creation’ theory. However, when Samuel writes universal statements like this one posted at SGP, I cannot help but respond in kind. Knowing that he is my friend, that we are both looking forward to the ‘debate’ over Preterism, I know he would not mind me responding to his rant on the “Westminster Confession and errant doctrine.”

Sola Scriptura and Tradition in Reformed Theology by Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot

Sola Scriptura  and Tradition

in Reformed Theology

 

The Defense of Councils, Creeds, and Confessions  

that Instruct and Equip the Church in the  Biblical

Traditions as Declared in the Holy Scripture

 

~ by ~

 

Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot

Whitefield Theological Seminary

Lakeland, Florida

 

Introduction to the Issues

 

When we speak of ‘tradition,’ it must be with specificity. Often we incur statements in the writings of Reformed men who are speaking against the ‘non-biblical’ tradition of Roman Catholicism or better stated, as ‘extra biblical’ tradition. Such writings are often mistaken and some think that Calvin and the Reformers were against all ‘tradition’ within the Church of Jesus Christ. This is clearly a mistaken presumption resulting from poor scholarship. For example, in Calvin’s letter to Farel on October 8, 1539, dealing with the issues of Carolia’s accusations against him about rejecting the early Church Creeds, Calvin writes: 

Death in the Garden

In the first century, the homes are not like they are today.  There was an attached room where the farm animals resided.  When a lamb was selected for sacrifice, it spent a little time with the family before that day.  I don’t know about you, but I’m quite sure my children would have been devastated at the loss of the lamb.  It would correlate today to a sacrifice of a family pet. 

 

In light of the current discussion within the hyperpreterist camp, I thought it might be good to address this issue in relation to the garden. 

Dying You Shall Die! posted by permission of Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot

Dying You Shall Die!

Thoughts on Genesis 2:17 Concerning the Death of Adam

The Nature of the First and Second Death

 

~by~

 

Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot

Professor of Theology and Apologetics

Whitefield Theological Seminary

 

Throughout the history of the Christian Church there have been various doctrines rejected as heretical. One of those doctrines dealt with the nature of Adam’s death. The British monk Pelagius (355-435 A.D.) popularized a heretical view by teaching, among so many other skewed doctrines, that Adam’s death was not the result of his transgression in the Garden of Eden. Adam, he maintained, was created according to the natural order of the world. Therefore, being a mortal being, he was dying from the first day of creation. The Council of Carthage declared Pelagius a heretic. Socinus, the Unitarians, and Liberals embraced this Pelagian heresy. What does the Holy Scripture teach about original sin and death? We shall exegete the text and then apply proper hermeneutical principles to derive the correct meaning of ‘death.’  

Woman’s roles – or Woman’s rolls

In my household I can bake rolls.  My mother taught me how and my husband, just like my dad, calls them burnt offerings.  I just say we’re very Biblical in our roles which brings me to the topic of woman’s roles and what scripture gives us for our model. 

I held a feminist theology position at one time and argued for woman’s rights to the pulpit, but I must say that when I literally searched the scriptures for myself, I could no longer support women in that role. Men and women have roles. They are different. I’ve seen much emotional argument by woman on this topic. I see scripture ripped out of context to support a view that just isn’t Biblical imho.  I’ve tried to keep this as simple as possible. 

Termites and Hyperpreterism

Living in Florida, we have a pest called subterranean termites.  They abide in the ground and love moisture.  The older the house, the more susceptible it is to an invasion.  They create tunnels and when they find a breach in a structure, they start eating away at it from the ground up.  They often manage to do some damage before you even know they’re there.  To eradicate them, you first have to identify them by opening up the damaged area, and then apply a treatment that creates a barrier they can’t cross.  Once defeated, then you can restore the breach.  Leave them alone and they will bring down the house on your head and theirs. 

Sometimes Life Gets In The Way

I’ve been working on the final piece for my presentation on Theonomy and it’s still a work in process.  As my title says – sometimes life gets in the way and this week it certainly has and the message was one I felt deserved sharing.    

Max King Critics – from his own backyard

Today I ran across this series of articles written by the Parkway Church of Christ in regards to Max King’s work.  For those who are unaware, it’s been from the root of the Chuch of Christ that much of the hyperpreterism has sprouted.  Since this criticism is from King’s own backyard, I thought others might want to take a peek and see how his fellow Church members feel about his work.

You can find all eight parts here.

Theonomy – Pie in the Sky or not? – Part 3

Most theonomists – no matter the garden variety – will say that moral laws are eternal laws.  Why?  Because they reveal the Holy and moral character of God and that never goes out of style.

 

One of the primary considerations that gives strength to theonomy is understanding when the 10 commandments went into force.  Many, probably most, would say it was introduced on tablets of stone and is considered Mosaic Law.  But was it?  Here are examples of God executing judgment on peoples and nations long before Israel was taken to Sinai, so my position is these laws are eternal. 

Theonomy – Pie in the sky or not? – Part 2

I tend to view covenant more as “house law” with promises made by God or sometimes both parties.  When I raised my kids, I had house laws and I affirmed that I had obligations towards them.  The kids didn’t have to agree with them and had no say so in the matter.  They could say they would obey particular laws, but that didn’t always mean they would. The law was the law and breaking the laws had consequences.  Obedience was demanded.  As parents we were the authority.  So when I look back at what I presented previously, I see God’s “house law” as the rule and he could enforce judgment when He saw fit.   He clearly stated what could happen when a law was broken.  In the case of Nineveh and their repentance, he withheld judgment.   For the second violation, judgment was rendered with no warning.