The hymn book seems generally acceptable. A strong line on the need for repentance, together with the overflowing and glorious grace of our ever loving God - slow to anger, swift in love. And plenty of reminders of the fiery fate that awaits those who fall away. Indeed, my eye was taken by a rather beautiful setting of Hebrews 6:4-12. A stern, yet loving, reminder indeed.
For much the same reason, I've decided we're going to introduce the use of a creed. The Frisby Independent Baptists aren't keen on liturgy. However I feel that the use of the Athanasian Creed on special occasions will help impress everyone with the importance of not sliding back into condemnation. I particularly like the beginning and the end, although I've had to expunge any references to the "Catholic" faith, or substitute the word for something more acceptable. Best not confuse the faithful. So the key passages for me are:
"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Reformed Faith. Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly .... And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire."
I think everyone will know where he (or even she) stands now.
Hmmm, I begin to suspect you. No American Independent Fundamental Baptist would ever require adherence to the Reformed Faith. At least half of them don't know what it is. The Reformation is normally ignored among the Independent Fundamental Baptists, to the point that a lot of them don't know what it was. The American IFB point of view is that the Baptists go all the way back to John the Baptist, so whatever happened to the rest of everybody is not their concern.
ReplyDeleteJeri
ReplyDeleteYou may be confusing me with an American? I realise that "American" is an anagram of "A Mercian", so that would easy.
Here in Frisby-on-Soar we are acutely aware of our history. Especially since the blond people who live on the east side of the bridge still refer to those on the west side ss "those Saxons". It is often thus in England, which is an old country. The Reformation seems as but yesterday. And our old and loved Salem Hall is older than your great nation.
In America, I notice, most place names have the word "New" before them. I suspect this may indicate a different view of history, and therefore may explain your confusion.