Silence concerning Jephthah’s sacrifice…

John Currid says that the “author of Judges neither condemns or praises Jephthah’s acts.” If there is silence in the text, then why are so many scholars quick to assume Jephthah’s sacrifice of his daughter as a literal sacrifice of fire? It appears that the text is not as quick to jump to such a harsh conclusion. In these cases it seems wiser to find clarity in other passages.

The Return of Jephthah

by Giovanni Pellegrini

Nine Marks? How about two?

Kevin Johnson has a thoughtful critique of the Nine Marks phenomenon.

This tends to confirm my thoughts on the emerging trend of many soteriologic calvinistic Baptistic churches to find common ground with southern Presbyterians. And the southern Presbyterians return the favor by joining hands in dozens of conferences. Since there is no sacramental unity, this marriage is bound to occur.

Calvin’s understanding of what constitutes a healthy Reformed church is a more biblical model:

“Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists. … If it has the ministry of the Word and honors it, if it has the administration of the sacraments, it deserves without doubt to be held and considered a church. For it is certain that such things are not without fruit” (Calvin, Institutes, IV.i.9).