Thanks a lot!!! How about I give you a buzz on Friday evening? I’ve got a road trip from GA to VA that evening, and it would leave plenty of time to converse. Be assured that I am definitely keeping watch and taking notice of my attitude and demeanor when it concerns biblical truth. I completely understand what you mean by the tendency to become prideful and condescending to others. I really don’t think that’s how Christ would have us to behave. I will admit though, that I do respond every blue moon to any completely crazy comments on pp.org. This mostly is for the purpose of not only helping to inform the individual (as I have lately been giving recommended reading material to them) but also to get them to THINK instead of just believing everything they see and hear. It’s my desire for the body to be able to do that, because I’m considering how much that mentality has plagued me in the past. Don’t worry, Gabriel keeps me balanced enough with all our discussion about different angles and viewpoints!!! (LOL!!!). Anyways, look forward to speaking with you, and if you have time before the weekend my # is 910-916-6776.

Solus Christus,
Craig

2. Yes. As long as the blacks there push for such a shift.

3. Yeah I saw this on someones site very interesting indeed.

4. I think that the 12, Paul, Timothy, Titus, Jude, James and others that were the main players in the 1st century church and the leaders that suceeded them were clueless about seminary. I think it would be VERY advantageous to do such a thing as long as you are working it out within the local body. You don’t want to get all of this information and be a theological glutton. I was guilty of this for the first 3 years of being introduced to “theology” and it can become extremely dangerous if you are not flushing out what you learn by either being held accountable to put it in practice or teaching others with the intent and prayer that the Holy Spirit would conform them to the image of Jesus Christ.

6. Email me your number I will hit you up this weekend. My email is lionelwoods@hotmail.com or you can call me at 972-816-7024. There are other good brothers that can give you more information on Seminary from an insider perspective. Hopefully I can put you in contact with them.

I am glad that the Doctrines of Grace has penetrated your heart brother. I think it is a rewarding and Christ exalting doctrine as long as it doesn’t produce haughtiness which I was guilty of early in my walk. I am very greatful for your kind words my friend.

I also wanted to let you know I am not Reformed in the sense of being PCA or even Reformed Baptist (Founders). So I would probably go to a more neutral seminary something that is Baptist and is open to the Doctrines of Grace.

Remember me? It’s possible that you may not. I know it’s been a while since you heard from me, but I have to let you know that I’ve been silently digesting and thanking the Savior for all of the entries that you’ve made on this blog. I credit you with being one of the first individuals to put me on to the distinctives of the Reformed faith and the doctrines of grace, and for that I am eternally grateful. I especially enjoyed the last series you did on “Young, Black and Reformed”. You speak to the same issues that I have been wrestling with for quite some time now, and God has given you the gift to be able to beautifully articulate the struggle many African-American brothers are having in our quest to balance sound, solid, biblical theology with the plight that our people face in everyday life.

I won’t take up your blogspace with the internal unrest that the Holy Spirit has been giving me lately, because as I’ve said, you’ve already covered much of what I was thinking. I know you are familiar with it, but I just came across the following post on RBA’s blog:

http://www.reformedblacks.org/blog1/index.php?itemid=251#more

It’s caused me to seriously consider the burden I have to contextualize the true gospel of Jesus Christ to my friends and family. There’s much to be discussed about how that looks (and much was discussed in the comment section), but it got me to thinking about some very crucial and pivotal things. Mostly it involves seminary level education for those of us who desire to be equipped and well-furnished for the deliverance and handling of the truth of God’s word to the places that need it. I’ll outline the questions for you so that it can be clear what I’m asking.

1. Did you (or are you) considering training at RTS Orlando or one of the other reformed seminaries?

2. Do you really think that the presence of more Blacks in these reformed seminaries will cause the faculty and staff to begin to pay more attention to instruction on bringing the gospel to those in poverty-stricken, low-income, crime-infested areas and neighborhoods?

3. I know that you’ve heard of some seminaries that offer some free classes online. With respect to the fact that many of us (although capable and academically proficient enough) cannot really afford tuition for a theology degree from an accredited and reputable seminary, I’d like to know if you’ve heard of or what you think about this COMPLETELY FREE online seminary.

http://www.tnars.net/

As you can see, it offers a complete curriculum and certification in the areas of biblical studies, theology and divinity. However, the school is not accreditated with any state or regional accreditation organization. Question: Do you think it would be advantageous for those who can’t afford seminary at this time to go ahead and enroll in something like this and complete what they can, then when able to attend seminary they have a good idea of the courseload and what to expect? I’m seriously considering and praying about undertaking this endeavor, because upon just a cursory look at the material one can see that it is very thorough and quite challenging, which is what I would expect seminary to be like. Now, there are those who even feel that this curriculum is insufficient and should not be placed on par with the education recieved at an actual seminary. Discussion about this can be found here:

http://www.puritanboard.com/f55/completely-free-online-reformed-seminary-28682/

I’d love to know your thoughts on the subjects mentioned, and if you want, I’d really enjoy speaking with you about some of the more refined details of where I am right now. You can get my number from Gabriel, or I can just email it to you. Thanks for your time, and keep the posts coming, as they are a blessing and refreshment to the soul.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Craig

Don K. Preston in an Up Coming Radio Debate

You can listen to the debate live, on http://www.Covenantradio.com on May the 22, at 7 Eastern time, 6 Central time.
Depending on the time available, there may be two propositions.

Don K. Preston will affirm the following.
Resolved: The Bible teaches that the Second (i.e. final) coming of Christ occurred at the time of the fall of Jerusalem in A. D. 70.

Don K. Preston: affirm

Melvin Jones: Deny.

If time permits, Mr. Jones will also have an affirmative, which will be:

Resolved: The Bible teaches that due to Jewish unbelief and rejection of Jesus in the first century, the Davidic Kingdom was postponed until the Second Coming of Christ which will occur at the end of the current Christian age.

Melvin Jones: Affirm

Challenge your eschatology, because it’s not what we believe, it’s what The bible affirms is Truth……..

I appreciate your comments bro. One thing, I am a brother, not a sister. No worries, it’s a common mistake people make because my name is a greek one used for both men and women.

I am speaking of hollering and screaming to where I cannot even understand what your saying because all that’s all that’s going on. I’ve heard Pastor John Coleman holler in some of his sermons, yet I could understand the very words he was saying. That’s all, thanks bro,

Karsten