Musings of a Snickerdoodle

Before I read this book, I didn't realize how controversial the subject of Elders has been in recent years, especially amongst Baptist churches.   My church family has always had at least two elders, and I guess I have just never really considered the concept of single eldership(pastor as the only elder).   Elders in the Life of the Church by Phil A. Newton and Matt Schmucker makes the case for the Biblical basis of churches having multiple elders.      The book begins with a short history lesson on the historical presence of multiple elders in Baptist Churches, and how the practice of plural eldership has declined.   The authors turn to the Bible to examine what is said about elders.   It is noted that the development of elders in Churches is not addressed in the New Testament, it is assumed, and appointing elders is practiced/promoted by the apostles rather than defended.   The qualifications a man must have to be an elder are addre...

I usually love chronological Bibles as it is very interesting to read the Bible through in the supposed chronological order, and I was quite excited to get this one. This Bible has full color throughout, and the headers that note the changing of epochs   are so vivid they almost look 3d.   But sadly, some of the pictures were inappropriate/indecent and it's not very nice to have such things in one's Bible, let alone have them be so visually crystal clear.    The NIV Chronological Study Bible seeks to present the Scriptures in their probable chronological order, with historical notes, chronologies, maps and pictures throughout. I thought it was interesting that they note that, "The Bible is not a theology book arranged according to topics: God, man, sin, salvation, etc.   Nor is it simply a chronicle of events from creation to the final consummation.   Historical events are often the Bible's subject matter, but these events are always reported f...