Question of the Day
Where are the New Arminians?
Possible answer: If it ain't broke....
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
Top 10 Emergent/Missional/Post-Evangelical Blog Posts of 2008
If you're looking for objective criteria, rhyme or reason to this list, rest assured that there is none. Some of the posts were included for their impact. Some for their humor. Some for their beauty. Some for their wisdom. Some were by Emergers. Some were about Emergers. Some were by Emergers about Emergers... In other words, there were no hard-and-fast rules. Kinda like "The Movement Formerly Known as Emergent" (See Post No. 1). So without further ado, MY list of the top 10 Emergent/Missional/Post-Evangelical blog posts of 2008. 10. Osteen-Esque Entitlement and Knowing Your Place at Gospel-Driven Church Jared Wilson's biting commentary on the Victoria Osteen / flight attendant story. A poignant parable about the real-world consequences of the prosperity gospel. 9. Top 50 Possible Reasons Why You're Not Emergent at Missio Dei Jonathan Brink's classic list of...well, the title speaks for itself. Like all good comedy, it's real-ness makes it even funnier...
Comments
Simeon to Wesley(with Wesley's responses after each question)--"Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist;and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought tf turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?
Yes, I do indeed.
And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
Yes, soley through Christ.
But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
No.
What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?
Yes, altogether.
And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calivinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things wherein we agree."
Wesley also said he comes within a hair's breath of Calvinism. An Arminian or Methodist is a bit uneasy about insisting on use of the term "eternal security". Actually they wonder why present assurance is not good enough for others.
Kinda goes with our post nicely doesn't it?
Thanks for the updates from the conference, BTW. Great job. Get some sleep, will ya!
Grace and Peace,
Raffi