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{Bro. Masoner writes}:
>
[Baptismal Regeneration]
>>I'm not sure I care for the phrase "baptismal regeneration."  My
 understanding of that phrase is that it implies baptism saves apart
> from faith.  David Bernard specifically rejects the doctrine of
> baptismal regeneration because it could lead to things like infant
> baptism.

{I write}:
Dear Bro. Masoner,

Thank you for your comments.  I, of course, do not agree with the definition
of baptismal regeneration apart from faith.  If there is no faith in the
remitting power of Christ's blood, then we are just wet.  However, the
original, post-Apostolic writings to which I refer, do not illustrate this
afidelity.  'Regeneration' in its raw definition is simply 'born again.'
And I believe the article clearly shows that I find baptism to be a sal-
vational aspect, but belief must come first.
>


{Bro. Masoner writes}
>[Heretic or Hero]
>
>  I've read in several places claims that Miguel Servetus was modalist,
>  but the Unitarians, who deny any divinity of Christ, count Servetus
>  as the founder of their belief system.  When Servetus speaks of the
>  divinity of Christ, I'm told, it's in a pantheistic sense -- i.e. the
>  way a New-Ager would speak of the "divinity" within each of us.  I
>  haven't read any source documents (yet).  I'd be interested in other
>  informed comments on Servetus.  I've also been told that involvement
>  by John Calvin in the death of Servetus is often overstated.

{I write}:
I have read Servetus's 'The Errors of the Trinity.'  There are some finer
points upon which we would disagree, some of which were later clarified.
Critics accused Servetus of understanding the Holy Ghost as an angel.  Later
apologies show that he believes the Holy Ghost to be the emanating power of
God.  He does assuredly affirm the divinity of Christ.

Concerning the Unitarians, you must remember that that Church (if we may
still call it such) has left its Christian roots.  They formerly affirmed
the deity of Christ, but have, increasingly become more pot-luck in their
religious beliefs.  They are now truly no longer Christian, but pantheists.
Their claim that Servetus was a forefather of faith are at best far-fetched.

Calvin's role cannot be overestimated.  It was through his direct prosecution
that the court condemned Servetus to death for anti-Trinitarianism and Ana-
baptism.

In my estimation, Servetus was truly a martyr for his belief in the incomparable
monotheism of God.

{Bro. Masoner writes}:
>>Like I said, the essays make for some good reading Bro Van Ooteghem.
>Thanks!
>
{I write}:								
Again, thanks for the kind compliment.  I hope you will enjoy reading
future articles and always feel free to send opinions to us or the list.


All Honour to Christ Jesus, our Holy God.
>



Matthew Shaw
00mcshaw@bsu.edu

--Boundary (ID Pt58K1/02eiSMbMDZV+7Xg)--



Matthew Shaw
00mcshaw@bsu.edu