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6.25.2008

The Way is narrow, stumblingblocks and detours on either side are numerous


Look at this back and forth in the comments thread. What I've written should be read. It contains wisdom. But look what I have to go through. I have to make the argument that it's worthwhile to read Homer and Shakespeare for crying out loud. On my left I've got shallow, liberal, default-Romanist academics calling themselves Reformed Calvinists, and on my right I've got Christians on-fire for God and defending His Word but who are equally shallow in their development.

Switching gears, look at these two quotes:

"If someone is so strong that his assurance and certainty are independent of time, place, person and such like, then he has no need for sprinkling with water; but if he is a little stupid or thick-headed he needs some demonstration, so then that kind of believer is baptized because he is cleansed inwardly by faith in the same way as he is outwardly by water." - Zwingli, Early Writings, ed. Samuel Macauley Jackson, (Durham: Labyrinth Press, reprint 1987), p. 95


"We have also to note that we do not communicate with Jesus Christ except by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless let us not despise the helps that our Lord has ordained for us, knowing that they are needful on account of our infirmities. Why are we not taught simply that in having recourse to our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall find in him our washing and cleansing? It seems that that ought indeed to suffice us and that the water of baptism is only a veil to hinder us from coming to Jesus Christ. Yes, but let us pay some little regard to our ignorance. If we had the mind of angels, we should no more need this outward baptism than the angels do. But since we are earthly and it is hard for us to approach to God and the secrets of his heavenly kingdom, it is necessary for us to be helped in this way. It is God's wonderful grace that moves him to stoop to our infirmity and supply fitting and convenient remedies." - John Calvin, 40th Sermon on Ephesians


They're both saying the same thing. Calvin is saying it in a more gentle and diplomatic way, but both quotes are saying the exact same thing.

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