Discussion on the TFTG Blog

One of my blogs that I suggest to check out on the right hand side is the Together for the Gospel blog. Check out the August 21 entry by Ligon Duncan, a fellow PCA minister. The debate is on the fencing of the Lord's Supper, which incidentally I am leading a discussion on next week at our monthly prayer gathering as presbyters..

The issues is that Baptist require membership in a church like Presbyterians before someone can be admitted to the Lord's Table. The problem is that a Baptist membership requires a baptism as a believer. That means that Presbyterians who were baptised as infants can not participate.

Anyhow, here is a quote from Ligon Duncan I found interesting....

When Sam Storms says: "the claim to be 'Together for the Gospel' rings a bit hollow to me when some would decline to fellowship with others around the Lord's Table because of their disagreement on the proper recipients of baptism." — I take the concern expressed seriously.

And, for the record, John Piper, Wayne Grudem, Al Mohler, Mark Dever and Sam Storms would be welcomed with open arms as members at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi where I pastor. They would be joyfully invited to the Lord's Table too.

The point Ligon Duncan is making, and to a degree I have heard John Piper say something similar is this: Tim Keller, Ligon Duncan & R.C Sproul can all come to John Piper's church in Minneapolis and preach and teach and be warmly received. But they can not take communion at the church. For Piper in particular, he is deeply troubled by that reality.

Anyhow, read the blog, it is interesting, and I am sure the discussion will continue

For a great summary, check out Justin Taylor's blog, very helpful as it provides a timeline how the discussion begun.