Behe's Boy said:
Kennith, Kennith, Kennith!
You have got to be kidding me!
I've taken a close look at this guy in the past couple of days and determined that he is anything but of the Reformed persuasion. If anything he is more akin to Rome than to Westminster - as his view on justification fits nice and neat into the semi-pelagian practice of grace and works working together. N. T. Wright's gospel is simply this: "That Christ is the Lord and Messiah" - his own words. Well that is garbadge and you should know it. Christ may be Lord and Messiah but the gospel is that He came to save sinners!
So I take serisous issue with someone saying that Wright is closer to Reformed Theology than me (a Reformed Baptist). The only thing that I (a Reformed Baptist) differ with Calvin on is padeobaptism - that is it - nothing else - so don't get on some theological high horse and claim that Reform Baptists don't agree with Calvin, Luther, or any of the Confessions. That is a bunch of rediculousnes that I quite frankly didn't appreciate.
Dear Behes boy,
First let me say that I hope I have not offended you, and if I have, I want to apologise. I meant no offence nor am I on a high horse, and I am sorry if I came across that way. I hope you will forgive me and accept that such an appearance was unintentional.
Paedo vs. Credo baptism is the point where the differences between Reformed Baptists and other Reformed Christians becomes visible, but behind this outward manifestation is a very different understanding of Gods covenant relationship with His people and who His people are covenantally. NT Wrights understanding of Covenant (being a paedobaptist) is much closer to the historic Reformed position than it is to the Reformed Baptist position.
That is what I intended for the reader of the above post to understand. It is obvious that I was not clear on that point. I sorry for that. I do grant that Calvinistic Baptists and Calvinistic Presbyterians are very close to one another on soteriology. Some of my favourite Calvinists, over the centuries and today, are Baptists. I did not mean to disparage my dear Baptist brethren and Im sorry that my words have been taken in that way.
Now back to N.T. Wright:
He is from the conservative/Evangelical/Reformed wing of the Anglican and he describes himself as "a good Calvinist" and I know many Calvnists who have read him and accept that he is as he claims.
I grant that there is much hoopla over some aspects of his teachings, but he is very FAR from Rome. I dont know where I stand on the issues that he has brought up, but I do know that there are SOLID Calvinists on both sides of the discussion that he is engaged in.
I have often found that when I hear people, whom I think should understand what I believe, repeat what they think I believe, they are often way off base and actually dont have a clue as to what I think. This has often amazed me.
I have read some of Wrights Reformed critics and I have read some of his Reformed defenders. But I have only read one book by Wright and a dozen or so articles. I am trying to let the man speak for himself before I jump to a conclusion.
I dont know where I will come down on the issue, but I do think some of the criticisms that I have read have been over the top and over blown. Yes he makes some points that have important implications. I have not studied what he has written enough to say what I think. I plan to read N.T. Wright and compare him with Scripture and see what happens.
This is the way I work. It took me more then two years of intense reading, study and prayer to make the move from Arminian Southern Baptist to a Calvinist. It took me about same amount of time and study to move from a credobaptist to a paedobaptist. Before all that I put about a year into the Trinity.
I am slow moving in areas of doctrine, and I like to give the one who is speaking the chance to speak and not just look at the "he said" stuff, though I read that too. I move slowly and carefully in matters like this, where there are solid people on both sides. That is why I am going to join the discussion of the NT Wright book with the Anglican dude.
Dominus Vobiscum,
Kenith
