Don,

You are correct, our goal was precisely to not be condescending. That we did not hit that goal is regrettable, and for it I am truly sorry. I esteem my baptist brethren and rejoice to hear of baptists who are confessional, I often have more in common with them than many of my Presbyterian colleagues.

Thanks for your comment!

I think what you are picking up on is the fact that we are convinced that these truths are actually true, and in being true exclude certain other doctrines from being true. Each man must hold to what his conscience believes is true from the Word of God. The reality of divergent views and other forms of Christianity does not phase me in the least. Because’s God’s providence is all inclusive, I believe God for his own purposes has ordained for truth and error to exist in the world and the universal church. But just because God ordains it to come to pass that does not mean its good (God ordains sin to occur, but that does not justifiy sin – even while at the same time that does not make God the author of sin). We believe that the best approach to bring Christians together is to stand on what we believe according to the Word of God is truth, and call all Christians everywhere to rally around that truth. Anything less only aids division among Christians.

…and gentleness. 🙂

A renewed love for God is not just a data trend for students of religions or political science. It is a blessing from God. And works of God, are often invisible, kinda like wind. Effects may be apparent in things like conferences and John Owen books downloaded, or in anyone who listens to your podcast… or perhaps even the existence of podcasts… God works all things well. The Christian life is far greater than those things however, it includes how we treat the Scriptures, how we speak to our children about ordinary things, how we pray and how we witness, it is seen in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. This is the Calvinist Resurgence… or if you will, God building his Church. It’s bigger than Luther and Calvin, and for me, my Arminian grandmother had a greater role than the Reformers and Puritans combined. No one seems to mention her when they document this “movement.” Those details are important. In Christianity, every victory is a win. And we should be incredibly thankful for grandmothers and Hortons and Driscolls and Grahams who courageously and faithfully pointed to the God who saves sinners.

You can use the now pejorative “YRR,” but if you are alive, you are young enough, and if sin makes you restless, and Romans 8 makes you get all Romans 11:33… Well then you just might be… A Christian.

Your brother,
Nathan