the7ones.comThe Lines of Fellowship
A wise preacher once commented that as New Testament Christians, we cannot draw the circle of fellowship any larger–or any smaller–than God Himself has drawn.
Lately that “circle of fellowship” has been questioned to a greater degree as Christian bloggers have latched on to Todd Deaver’s new book, “Facing Our Failure: The Fellowship Dilemma in Conservative Churches of Christ.”
In the coming days I will post a review of Deaver’s new book, along with other writings on the fellowship issue. Stay tuned!
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Just discovered your blog through Todd Deaver’s. Read your question about baptism. I recently had a blog about that myself at this location. Would be interested in your thoughts:
http://stoned-campbelldisciple.blogspot.com/2009/01/james-harding-design-of-baptism.html
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Tucson, AZ
Bobby,
Thanks for the invite. I’ll try to drop in when I get some time. I’m kinda swamped this week, but I’d like to read your thoughts.
Matt
I don’t see how Todd has questioned the circle–no one wants the circle any larger or smaller than God wants it. What Todd questions is whether those who have drawn a circle in a particular way are (1) consistent in so drawing it and (2) whether they have any good reasons for drawing it where they do. I will read your review of Todd’s book with interest.
Blessings, John Mark
John Mark,
Welcome, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your comments. Truthfully, though, I do not see any difference between what you are saying Todd is doing, and “questioning the circle of fellowship.” When he asked if brethren are “consistent in so drawing” such a circle, and whether they have and “good reason for drawing it where they do,” that is, in effect, questioning the circle of fellowship.
God bless you, and thanks for your comments!
Matt
It is questioning the circle humans have drawn–whether they have drawn it where God has drawn it, but it is not questioning that there is a circle that God has drawn.
John Mark,
While I appreciate the exercise in semantics, I did not say Todd was questioning whether a circle exists. I think most readers understand that God’s circle does not change, and that humans are the one with the problem, not God’s word.
God bless you
Matt
I glad we can agree on this: Todd questions the circle of fellowship drawn by some particular human beings. I will follow your review of his book.
Blessings
John Mark
John Mark,
Agreed. But that does not automatically make Todd correct, or those who oppose his view correct. Preacher A can have a view, and Preacher B can have a view, but that does not mean they both agree with God’s view.
I look forward to talking with you more on his later, after I’ve digested a little more.
Speaking of digesting, my work has been slowed greatly by a stomach virus that was so kindly passed on to us. lol I hope everyone will be patient with me as I try to catch up on my ministry work first, then grad course work, then the website here.
God bless you, and thanks again!
Matt