Review: Finding the Right Hills to Die On by Gavin Ortlund

Body

“…everybody separates, has lines of demarcation around a set of acceptable views, lines that keep out unacceptable ones. Everybody, I think, stratifies doctrine, from the irascible discernment blogger who seems to treat every doctrine as of first importance to the liberal who makes it all negotiable.” - Mark Ward

Discussion

Reformed Church in America splits as conservative churches form new denomination

Body

“The departure of the theologically conservative congregations to the new group, the Alliance of Reformed Churches, leaves some who remain in the RCA concerned for the denomination’s survival. Before the split, the nearly 400-year-old denomination had fewer than 200,000 members and 1,000 churches.” - RNS

Discussion

The Ever-Changing Definition of a Fundamentalist

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“…while separation over the fundamentals is biblical and necessary, the fundamental doctrines of the faith are not the ONLY legitimate reasons for separation and whether a person (or church or institution) is fundamentalist or not must not be the only consideration in view.” - P&D

Discussion

Biblical Separation is About Doctrine, Not People

Body

“There is a difference between biblical (doctrinal) separation and limited fellowship over philosophical differences. Obedient believers will have to practice both, but they are practiced differently.” - Kevin Schaal

Discussion

Implementing Separatist Convictions, Part 3

By Ernest Pickering (1928-2000). Read Part 1and Part 2.

The Pitfalls of Separatists

Separatists are human. They have sins. They are not perfect. While the matters about to be discussed are not problems exclusively for separatists, separatists are especially vulnerable to them by virtue of their unique position.

Discussion

Implementing Separatist Convictions, Part 2

By Ernest Pickering (1928-2000). Read Part 1.

The Practical Implementation of Separatist Convictions

The teachings of Scripture regarding separation must be implemented in a practical manner, or separation becomes a meaningless theory to which one gives lip service but that has no practical value in everyday life and ministry. Consider some of the areas of Christian work in which this doctrine must be obeyed.

Discussion

Implementing Separatist Convictions, Part 1

by Ernest Pickering (1928–2000)

Considerable discussion is taking place today as to why so many younger men raised in the separatist tradition are failing to take a good position and, in some cases, are backing off from the fray. One of the major reasons, it seems to me, is that they are disgusted with the lack of discernment on the part of some separatists who cannot distinguish between what is truly crucial to fellowship and what is not crucial.

Discussion