MARCH 2018 EDITION... by Dr. Keith J. Wise

INTRODUCTION: March is an interesting month as it appears the third month of the year according to our calendar.  Here are some interesting facts about the month of March.  Great Britain and her colonies continued to use March as their beginning until 1752.  Its birth flower is the Daffodil (Narcissus).  The Anglo-Saxons called the month "Hlyd monath" which means Stormy month, or "Hraed monath" which is translated "Rugged month."  In the United States March is the National Nutrition Month, National Peanut Month, National Women's History Month, and American Red Cross Month.  Four U.S. Presidents were born in the month of March: Andrew Jackson, James Madison, Grover Cleveland and John Tyler.

DIGGING DEEPER... A Debate of Alexander Campbell

One of the most interesting features of the 19th century was the filling of vacuums concerning educational information.  One of the vehicles employed in this venture was the widespread use of public debates.  It is now widely accepted that Alexander Campbell was one of the most skilled debaters on the American continent at the time of this phenomena. We will be looking in our March blog at the Walker-Campbell debate and others in the future.  There are three generally acclaimed outcomes of Campbell's debates. 

1. They commanded the attention of the leaders of their day both religiously and politically, especially the intelligentsia of the period. Consequently, later the Robert Owen debate.

2. These communication devices strengthened the concept of "truth" and reached both spiritually and nationally as America was seeking her identity in the early years the 19th century. 

3. They invariably hastened rather than retarded the concept of Christian Union. The innovative concept of being "Christian's Only" was ingrained into the American lexicon. They kindled a new zeal for spiritual discussion and cogent thought concerning Christ and the Church in a Biblical framework.

Without a strong focus on details, let me suggest a summary of the Five Public Debates of Alexander Campbell.  The first will be the Campbell-Walker Debate.

I. The Campbell-Walker Debate-  Through a series of letters to Campbell from John Birch, a Baptist preacher in Flat Run, Ohio, there drew a public interest.  Birch,  who was familiar with Campbell and his Baptist ties, obliged Campbell because of a confrontation which had been brewing between John Birch and John Walker, a Seceder Presbyterian.  Considering Campbell's Presbyterian roots, Birch felt it would be accepted by Campbell.   Eventually, Alexander Campbell accepted the debate with Birch's insisting and urging. Campbell selected Jacob Matin as his moderator and the rules were set. It was held in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio in June of 1820. The basic topic for the debate was the "subjects of baptism and the mode of baptism."  Walker held to a typically Presbyterian Calvinistic argument.  He argued that baptism replaced circumcision so infants were fit subjects for baptism.  Campbell responded that the only fit subjects for baptism under the New Testament covenant were repentant adults. Campbell argued that children were innocent and original sin was inadequate to explain any New Testament conversions.  Attacking the circumcision issue, Campbell noted several points:

a) Baptism was done to both men and women; circumcision just to men. 

b) Baptism has no age specification unless one can hear and believe--circumcision was always done on the eighth day and thus age specific age and purpose.

c) Circumcision required only one of Jewish descent-baptism required only faith in obedience to the scripture through repentance.   

d) Circumcision could be done by parents, relative or civil officials...baptism at this time was seen only to be done by Presbyterian ministers.

e) The emblems differed as well...baptism signified a death, burial and resurrection into Christ while circumcision signified the separation of a Jew from all the rest of the human family into the national identity of Israel.

f) Pedobaptist, such as the Presbyterians, applied water to the face---Jews didn't circumcise the face... Baptism properly applied would cover the whole person not a specific part of the body.

g) Circumcision in and of itself conveys no spiritual blessings but was for Abraham and his descendents; baptism conveys spiritual blessings... in comparison, circumcision did convey temporal blessings and baptism spiritual blessing with eternal consequences.

In conclusion, Walker upheld the identity of both covenants and that the old covenant was still binding to the Christian rather than informing the Christian.  Campbell challenged that concept maintaining the existence of two distinct covenants.  Walker then turned to the "household conversion" argument in Acts of the Philippian jailer.  Campbell in detail examined the context of the verses and explained how infants were excluded in such cases. When the debate turned to the mode of baptism, Campbell cited early church fathers and the etymology of the Greek words and this argument ended quickly.  

Thomas Campbell pronounced the benediction and the debate was over.  Campbell initially printed 1,000 copies of the debate which quickly sold out.  By 1822, he printed another 3,000 copies and these too, sold quickly.  Many commentators since believe this experience taught Campbell the value of putting biblical teaching into print and thus his future editing and printing career. 

III. DID YOU KNOW?  Some quotes of interest and information...

1. Sidney Smith a former President of the University of Toronto would often address the graduates with some wise words of wisdom for life.  One of his sagely quotes was as follows: "If you choose to work, you will succeed; if you don't, you will undoubtedly fail.  If you neglect your work, you will dislike it; but if you do it well, you will enjoy it.  If you join little cliques, you will be self-satisfied; if you make friends widely, you will be interesting to others.  If you gossip, you will be slandered; if you mind your own business, you will be liked.  If you act like a boor, you will be despised; if you act like a human being, you will be respected.  If you spurn wisdom, wise people will spurn you; if you seek wisdom, people purpose and meaning will seek you.  If you adopt a pose of boredom, you will be a bore; if you show vitality, you will be alive.  If you spend your free time playing bridge, you will be a good bridge player; if you spend it in reading, discussing, and thinking of things that matter, you will be an educated person." 

2. "Of all the deadly sins, the vilest is ingratitude, because the ingrate is both morally blind and spiritually sick.  People who constantly take everything they can grab by hook or by crook, are never happy individuals." Dr. Sweet Nicely

3. Francis Bacon, the English philosopher of the sixteenth century said: "It is not what men eat, but what they digest, that makes them strong; not what we gain, but what we save, that makes us rich; not what we read, but what we absorb, that makes us learned; not what we preach, but what we practice, that makes us lovable and genuine."

IV. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... A Sermon for Good Friday (March 30)

Title: When God is Finished He is Finished Once for All

Text: John 19:28-29; also Hebrews 9:26-28 and I Peter 3:18

Introduction: There are some tremendous passages that speak to the passion of Christ and the securing of our salvation in payment for sin from the cross.  However, none is so powerful than this passage from John 19:28-30.  It fits so beautifully with other passages in the Bible that bring us to a heighten understanding that what God finishes, He finishes as a masterpiece of theological and historical truth.  The center of this John 9 passage is the Greek word, "Tetelestai."  It is so pregnant with power that it requires three English words to express it; "it is finished" or "finished" as some manuscripts translate it.  For the students who read this it is found as (Perfect Passive Indicative).  Unique to John in its articulation from the other Gospel accounts, they only note that Jesus "gave a great shout."  Only John records the word that was shouted, or "Tetelestai."  Most study Bibles and Commentaries will tell you, and very correctly, that this was a common word in the Koine culture of the time.  It contains a dualism of "inquiry" and "truth" that is not only relevant for this moment in time but is also applicable to the Christian Church's historical faith "once and for all delivered to the saints."

     "Tetelestai" can be noted in the common language of the day in the following displays of societal interaction. 

1. To the servant or slave having accomplished his task he often who report to the master, "tetelestai" or finished.

2. To the judge in a court of law when justice was served the word to dismissed the proceedings was "tetelestai" or finished.

3. To the accountant when the last payment is made on the note, it was stamped "tetelestai" or finished. (Ostraca found in the digs in Athens at the Agora or marketplace, give testimony of this usage.)

4. To the artist who completes his artwork with the last brushstroke will say "tetelestai" or finished.

5. The priest in the temple who accomplishes all that he could with the worshipper's sacrifice will say "tetelestai" or finished.

Conclusion: When Jesus accomplishes the work of the promises made in the Garden of Eden at the fall, combined with his foreknowledge of the "Lamb of God, "slain from the foundation of the world" and shouts "Tetelestai," it is finished.  God masterfully accomplished for us in perfect completion this work of universal opportunity for the world.