My name is Caleb Munnell, and I grew up in the same church in Hastings as your family. You may remember my sisters Becky and Liz, and I have married James and Lisa Carson’s first daughter, Kiara. James shared this with me because he said it reminded him of our church in Oklahoma. We are members of a Reformed Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and we practice the Lord’s Day (the Sabbath), we sing Psalms exclusively (actually Scripture exclusively, not just Psalms but we reject hymns of men), and we also reject images of Christ. I just thought it was an interesting small world scenario.
Hi Caleb! Yes, I definitely remember you—and congratulations on your marriage with Kiara! You all were pretty young when I left for college, but I fondly remember you all. :)
That's great to hear about your church. I had a brief time in the Reformed Baptist world before coming to embrace infant baptism as biblical, but I was never able to be a part of a church like you describe. Becoming confessional was the big move, however. It was by no means a rejection of what I learned at the church where we grew up, but an outgrowth of it. I wrote some about that here:
Regarding the sabbath, it's disappointing to hear people justify activities such as shopping, eating out, etc, on the grounds (among others) that they are "plundering the Egyptians." Many of those hourly employees probably object to being compared to those who enslaved the Hebrews. Too, the sabbath law requires that we let even those who serve have rest.
This is a good point. To my shame, I myself said that very thing at one point several years ago. A fellow Christian called me out on how unloving (and anti-Fourth Commandment) that was, and that was one of the big catalysts in thinking more seriously about the Fourth Commandment and its wider implications.
Mar 23, 2022·edited Mar 23, 2022Liked by Jacob Gerber
Same here. It was actually something D James Kennedy (of blessed memory) said in an interview that made me rethink it. He was asked about his own view, and told the interviewer that one Sunday evening he and his wife went to a restaurant and while there got to talking to their server, attempting to share the gospel with him. It turns out the man was a believer and the conversation turned to church membership and attendance. If I recall correctly, the man wasn't a member of, or attending, any church. When Kennedy asked why not, the server said, "Because of people like you." Kennedy said after that he and his wife were a bit stricter in their sabbath observance.
My name is Caleb Munnell, and I grew up in the same church in Hastings as your family. You may remember my sisters Becky and Liz, and I have married James and Lisa Carson’s first daughter, Kiara. James shared this with me because he said it reminded him of our church in Oklahoma. We are members of a Reformed Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and we practice the Lord’s Day (the Sabbath), we sing Psalms exclusively (actually Scripture exclusively, not just Psalms but we reject hymns of men), and we also reject images of Christ. I just thought it was an interesting small world scenario.
Hi Caleb! Yes, I definitely remember you—and congratulations on your marriage with Kiara! You all were pretty young when I left for college, but I fondly remember you all. :)
That's great to hear about your church. I had a brief time in the Reformed Baptist world before coming to embrace infant baptism as biblical, but I was never able to be a part of a church like you describe. Becoming confessional was the big move, however. It was by no means a rejection of what I learned at the church where we grew up, but an outgrowth of it. I wrote some about that here:
https://www.twopathways.org/p/why-do-we-need-creeds-confessions-and-catechisms?s=w
If you ever find your way up to Omaha, let me know! I'd love to connect. Blessings!
Haha though I know there are some serious differences on baptism and church government especially if you’re quoting R. Scott Clark.
Regarding the sabbath, it's disappointing to hear people justify activities such as shopping, eating out, etc, on the grounds (among others) that they are "plundering the Egyptians." Many of those hourly employees probably object to being compared to those who enslaved the Hebrews. Too, the sabbath law requires that we let even those who serve have rest.
This is a good point. To my shame, I myself said that very thing at one point several years ago. A fellow Christian called me out on how unloving (and anti-Fourth Commandment) that was, and that was one of the big catalysts in thinking more seriously about the Fourth Commandment and its wider implications.
Same here. It was actually something D James Kennedy (of blessed memory) said in an interview that made me rethink it. He was asked about his own view, and told the interviewer that one Sunday evening he and his wife went to a restaurant and while there got to talking to their server, attempting to share the gospel with him. It turns out the man was a believer and the conversation turned to church membership and attendance. If I recall correctly, the man wasn't a member of, or attending, any church. When Kennedy asked why not, the server said, "Because of people like you." Kennedy said after that he and his wife were a bit stricter in their sabbath observance.
I look forward to the next installment.
Be sure to check out the bottom of the post for links to the other installments that I've already published!