Wilson Marsh

It is equally clear that the practice of associationalism is an undeniable part of Reformed or Particular Baptist history.... Indeed, the very symbol of our unity, the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, would not have come into being or attained the status it has had except for the associational impulse of those churches that met in London together through their messengers and confessed their joint faith through it. This is a further reason why the paragraphs of the Confession discussed above must be understood to endorse associationalism. - Sam Waldron, ST 26 lecture notes, 278

Both law and gospel righteousness have in common that they fully conform to the law.They differ, however, in that the first requires perfection from man himself, and the latter is merited by the Savior, becoming man’s portion by imputation and acceptance.—Wilhelmus à Brakel The Christian’s Reasonable Service, 2:342,

@NWhite_GA Wonderful to hear brother! Do you give guidance on the sharing of testimonies? Especially with 7, I'd imagine brevity is in mind.

At church this Sunday we'll hear personal testimonies from 7 different prospective members. This is one of my favorite and most joyful aspects of Congregationalism. And, the growth of our church in maturity and size over the past year and a half is astounding, praise be to God!

In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport talks about the concept of an “any benefit” mentality. What is that? Newport explains the underlying presupposition: “You’re justified in using a network tool if you can identify any possible benefit to its use, or anything you might possibly miss out on if you don’t use it.” I see this mentality everywhere. Let me give you my favorite example: the news. I think the news is mostly a waste of time. Why? Postman captures my thinking, “[M]ost of our daily news is inert, consisting of information that gives us something to talk about but cannot lead to any meaningful action.” A news alert flashes across the screen: “Huge Earthquake in China.” So what? What does that have to do with me? I live in Ohio. I don’t have any direct connections to China. I’m not a global aid worker. This information is irrelevant to my life. Now, this is the point where a Christian will argue, “But but now you know how to pray for them.” Okay, I suppose that is a slight benefit. But let’s consider that in the light of opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is an economic principle which can be applied to any investment. It describes the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. Here we are talking about how you spend or invest your time. You chose to spend an hour or, perhaps even, hours on news for the gain of seconds or minutes of prayer for folks in China. That’s the cited benefit. But what better opportunities did you lose out on? Where else could have you spent that time to get better benefits? The question isn’t if there is “any benefit.” You can cite a small benefit from most activities. The question is what is the good, the better, and the best use of your time. That takes discernment. Newport recommends you take what he calls the craftsman approach: “Identify the core factors that determine success and happiness in your professional and personal life. Adopt a tool only if its positive impacts on these factors substantially outweigh its negative impact.” This has become my guiding principle. I only add “faithfulness to God” ahead of success and happiness. As my responsibilities have increased, I’ve gotten brutal in my application of this principle. If the benefit from an activity/investment doesn’t offset the opportunity cost, I kill it. At least, that is what I'm pushing for. Time and attention are our most precious resources. Choosing where to invest them is the key to a productive and, often, a happy life. Commenting on Ephesians 5:16, Matthew Henry writes: "It is a great part of Christian wisdom to redeem the time. Good Christians must be good husbands of their time, and take care to improve it to the best of purposes, by watching against temptations, by doing good while it is in the power of their hands, and by filling it up with proper employment, one special preservative from sin. They should make the best use they can of the present seasons of grace. Our time is a talent given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it is not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must endeavour to redeem it by doubling our diligence in doing our duty for the future." This is our task. Let's get to it!

'A Heart Aflame for God' is worth the cost for the chapter on meditation alone. Bingham addresses a number of our current societal and evangelical practices/habits in contrast to the biblical Puritan practice of meditation on the Word/promises of God.

Morning devotion, video editing, and sermon preparation on the docket this morning, accompanied by a bowl or two of Seersucker. It's a favorite cigar-leaf blend.

Matthew Bingham's summation on the practice of daily devotion/ "quiet time": "But whatever negative associations arise in our hearts and minds when we hear the term quiet time, the reality remains that historic Reformation Protestants were simply following the Bible's own prescriptions when they place God's word at the center of spiritual formation... Early modern Christians understood this, and their lives are examples for us to follow. For their part, they never use the term quiet time, but they nonetheless walked with God by daily leaning on his word." Matthew Bingham, A Heart Aflame for God, 126.

You will never be happy by pursuing happiness. Happiness is a byproduct of pursuing holiness in the Lord. ~ Joel Beeke

@__Conall Dude I didn't know there were still orthodox, Savoy affirming Congregationalists still around! Seriously, it's neat to see.

A true heir of Cotton Mather. This Southern Presbyterian can be allies with this Yankee Puritan.

Foster, as usual, well articulated this phenomenon. Several times I stopped reading and thought "Yup, I've experienced that" or even, "Crud, I've done that". New pastors would be helped greatly here

Benjamin Keach argues that 'contumacy' in the church is a heretical act, as it's a schismatic and divisive sin which is essentially the same as heresy, both of which are an affront to Christ's authority in the church. (The Glory of a True Church)

@EddyEkofo I think? I'll have to look again

@SpurgeonPiper I thought so… 🤨 Is there one of Coxe though?

How should you view your pastor? "If you have a true friend in the world, it is he that watcheth for your soull, tell you the truth, and travels (travails) night and day to present you perfect unto God: And let not his faithfulness in admonishing you, cause an abatement of your love to him; but if you love your own salvation, let it rather raise your esteem of him." Nehemiah Coxe, 'Ordination Sermon', 32-33

@EddyEkofo Lol it's Kiffen. I attached the wrong photo.

@SpurgeonPiper Is that Coxe in that photo?

@brandon_adams @jeremiahhurt That makes sense. Blackburn and Corey Smith are the only brothers I know who have, in some form, written their understanding that's opposed to 1689F. But, to your point, it's more of "this is what I'm against" than "this is what I affirm".

@SpurgeonPiper @jeremiahhurt The only reason something hasn't been written contrasting the views is because there isn't really anything to contrast 1689F with. There are some people saying they're not 1689F, but not really anything laying the position out.

Someone please pay @brandon_adams the big bucks to write a book on covenant theology.

@brandon_adams @jeremiahhurt Good question. The closest thing I could point to is Blackburn's book he put out a few years ago, but that's exactly what you're asking I know.

@SpurgeonPiper @jeremiahhurt Is there a complete statement of the 20c RB view anywhere that can be engaged with?

Ideally: 1) A work on CT from the 1689 Fed point of view. The Mystery of Christ was that for the most part but of course, that will be unavailable for most going forward. I think it would be the most helpful. 2) A work contrasting 1689 Fed w/ the 20th RB view. Bonus posts for including distinctions with Progressive Cov or Westminster CT , but I'm getting greedy there.

@SpurgeonPiper @jeremiahhurt What would you want to see in such a book?

Great to hear! For a larger scope of the book (and rest of the OT): 'Dominion and Dynasty' - Dempster. 'Typology'- Jim Hamilton (used it throughout the study) 'Covenant Theology: From Adam to Christ' (helpful with Adam, Noah, Abrahamic covs) Gen 1-3: Better Than the Beginning - Barcellos Last Things First - Fesko Gordon Wenham's Genesis vol 1 commentary (found him most helpful here than later in the book) Whole book: Sermons from Agustine Matthew Henry's commentary Calvin's Commentary 9 Mark's Bible Talk podcast (helpful nuggets, especially on typology)

@SpurgeonPiper And I’m just starting this Sunday! What resources did you find most helpful?

Over a year and a half later, I finished preaching through Genesis. It's always a bittersweet feeling, moving on from deep study of the book and shelving the commentaries. But how glorious and rich it was. It was one of my favorite book series I've preached through so far.