5.25.2006
Conferences
By Faith, Not By Sight
Last Friday my church hosted Dr. Richard B. Gaffin of Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) for a conference entitled "By Faith, Not By Sight: the order of salvation in Paul." It was only a one-day conference and Dr. Gaffin did not get to cover all that he had planned, but it was a very profitable and enjoyable time. I found Dr. Gaffin to be very charitable in his discussion regarding the New Perspective on Paul and the Federal Vision, which seems to be rare for most of the parties involved. I had typed up my noted from his lectures, if anyone is interested. I am not sure how much sense they will make, but nonetheless here they are (PDF).
Chalmers Conference
If you recall, I was hoping to go up to TN for a conference on Thomas Chalmers back in February. I ended up not being able to go and had been waiting anxiously for the conference tapes, which I received two weeks ago for my birthday. I finished listening to them yesterday and I have to say, with respect and hesitation, that I'm glad I didn't make the trip. While I'm sure everyone who was there had a great time and was able to profit from the teaching and atmosphere, the lectures did not measure up to my hopes nor my expectations.
The first lecture was Dr. Grant's typical Chalmers as superhero, which is always enjoyable, but he has done this lecture several other times. The next two CDs (I'm doing this without them in front of me) were slightly more detailed versions of his life and what he accomplished. The fourth CD contained testimonial/lectures by former Bannockburn (which is the college/internship/fellowship thingy associated with Grant) students. The fifth CD was a panel discussion involving the students, and the sixth was more Grant and some Q&A.
Besides the first three CD's the conference really could have been entitled something like "the role of 'covenantal education' in the community of the church" or "how to teach others through relationships." I was hoping the conference would cover some practical aspects of implementing a parish, but it seemed to be mostly high-flown, abstract talk. This is a major generalization (for which I am liable to be shot in some places), but it seems the effect of a classical education is to puff one up so high that they have trouble keeping their feet on the ground. OK, so that's a little unfair and dramatic, so I retract (although not really, because there it is, still on the page). But I do have a problem with reformed Christians who seem to think that you can slap the 'covenantal' label on something and that'll do. Covenantal this, and covenantal this, as if everything is real mysterious and hush-hush (I am guilty of this as well). Dr. Grant did attempt to bring things down to reality on one occasion, but not to much avail.
I wasn't planning on sounding so negative, so sorry. I don't regret getting the CDs, I did profit from them, and I'm sure it was a great conference, but if you are looking for more info on Chalmers and the parish system, Dr. Grant's four-lecture series is a much better choice (can't remember if it is the ones I have linked here or the ones titled 'The revelance of Thomas Chalmers' - get them all I guess).
Last Friday my church hosted Dr. Richard B. Gaffin of Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) for a conference entitled "By Faith, Not By Sight: the order of salvation in Paul." It was only a one-day conference and Dr. Gaffin did not get to cover all that he had planned, but it was a very profitable and enjoyable time. I found Dr. Gaffin to be very charitable in his discussion regarding the New Perspective on Paul and the Federal Vision, which seems to be rare for most of the parties involved. I had typed up my noted from his lectures, if anyone is interested. I am not sure how much sense they will make, but nonetheless here they are (PDF).
Chalmers Conference
If you recall, I was hoping to go up to TN for a conference on Thomas Chalmers back in February. I ended up not being able to go and had been waiting anxiously for the conference tapes, which I received two weeks ago for my birthday. I finished listening to them yesterday and I have to say, with respect and hesitation, that I'm glad I didn't make the trip. While I'm sure everyone who was there had a great time and was able to profit from the teaching and atmosphere, the lectures did not measure up to my hopes nor my expectations.
The first lecture was Dr. Grant's typical Chalmers as superhero, which is always enjoyable, but he has done this lecture several other times. The next two CDs (I'm doing this without them in front of me) were slightly more detailed versions of his life and what he accomplished. The fourth CD contained testimonial/lectures by former Bannockburn (which is the college/internship/fellowship thingy associated with Grant) students. The fifth CD was a panel discussion involving the students, and the sixth was more Grant and some Q&A.
Besides the first three CD's the conference really could have been entitled something like "the role of 'covenantal education' in the community of the church" or "how to teach others through relationships." I was hoping the conference would cover some practical aspects of implementing a parish, but it seemed to be mostly high-flown, abstract talk. This is a major generalization (for which I am liable to be shot in some places), but it seems the effect of a classical education is to puff one up so high that they have trouble keeping their feet on the ground. OK, so that's a little unfair and dramatic, so I retract (although not really, because there it is, still on the page). But I do have a problem with reformed Christians who seem to think that you can slap the 'covenantal' label on something and that'll do. Covenantal this, and covenantal this, as if everything is real mysterious and hush-hush (I am guilty of this as well). Dr. Grant did attempt to bring things down to reality on one occasion, but not to much avail.
I wasn't planning on sounding so negative, so sorry. I don't regret getting the CDs, I did profit from them, and I'm sure it was a great conference, but if you are looking for more info on Chalmers and the parish system, Dr. Grant's four-lecture series is a much better choice (can't remember if it is the ones I have linked here or the ones titled 'The revelance of Thomas Chalmers' - get them all I guess).
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