Category Archives: Notes

THE TYRANNY OF THE PARADIGM Part 3

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THE TYRANNY OF THE PARADIGM Part 3 Jack W. Cottrell      Previously I noted that Michael Denton speaks of how modern science regards Darwinian evolution as the determinative paradigm or controlling interpretive principle to which all scientific data must be made to conform—even when the data are in conflict with the paradigm.  He calls this faulty methodology the “priority of the paradigm” (a la Thomas Kuhn). In that earlier essay I applied this concept to certain faulty theological systems, which likewise are distorted by the tyranny of their respective paradigms.  (I have changed the word “priority” to “tyranny,” a word that … Continue reading →

THE TYRANNY OF THE PARADIGM Part 2

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THE TYRANNY OF THE PARADIGM Part 2 Jack W. Cottrell             Previously I noted that Michael Denton speaks of how modern science regards Darwinian evolution as the determinative paradigm or controlling interpretive principle to which all scientific data must be made to conform—even when the data are in conflict with the paradigm.  He calls this faulty methodology the “priority of the paradigm” (a la Thomas Kuhn). In that earlier essay I applied this concept to certain faulty theological systems, which likewise are distorted by the tyranny of their respective paradigms.  (I have changed the word “priority” to “tyranny,” a word … Continue reading →

THE TYRANNY OF THE PARADIGM Part 1

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THE TYRANNY OF THE PARADIGM Part 1 Jack W. Cottrell             In 1986 Michael Denton wrote Evolution: A Theory in Crisis (Adler & Adler; pb, 1996), in which he is severely critical of evolutionary theory.  He presented compelling arguments for intelligent design, especially from the living cell, before most of us ever heard of Michael Behe. This is significant because Denton is a respected molecular biologist and medical doctor—and a complete agnostic.  Though he argues for design, he professes ignorance as to who or what the designer might be.  Nevertheless, throughout this large volume, Denton offers many examples of scientific … Continue reading →

GALATIANS 3:28 AND GENDER ROLES

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Sincere Christians have serious differences regarding the role of women in church leadership. The egalitarian (or feminist) approach begins with the assumption that God’s original creation purpose was for gender to be irrelevant with respect to leadership roles in both the home and the church. One effect of Adam’s sin was to replace this equality with a hierarchical relationship where only men may exercise authority and where women must be in roles of submission. This is considered to be a part of the curse imposed upon the human race in Genesis 3. One counter-effect of the work of Christ, however, … Continue reading →

MAY WOMEN PREACH IF THE ELDERS AUTHORIZE IT?

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It seems that more and more folks in the Restoration Movement (and elsewhere) are finding themselves comfortable with “women preachers,” or women teaching Christian doctrine to Christian men. An example (one among many) is the recent article in Christian Standard by Brian Mavis, “Women Preaching” (April 2013, pp. 53-54). Two Christian college professors of preaching are quoted as defending the practice. A professor from Ozark Christian College says the key issue is the difference between the act of preaching, and the role of preacher. The act of preaching (he says) is just proclaiming and teaching the gospel, but the role … Continue reading →

HOW FEMINISM INVADED THE CHURCH

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I first took serious notice of how feminism (also called egalitarianism) was invading the church in the later 1980s. For the next five years I devoted most of my research and writing to this subject. After a couple of years of concentrated research I concluded that the biggest problem in this area was in the area of hermeneutics. In a nutshell, I was convinced that feminist conclusions could be drawn from the Bible only by ignoring the basic rules of hermeneutics when interpreting the key gender passages. In 1990 I began to write my analysis of the feminist phenomenon. My … Continue reading →

APPLAUDING AND ABETTING EVIL

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Almost everyone will have heard by now of the recent announcement by Jason Collins, an otherwise unheralded pro basketball player, that he is “gay” (i.e., homosexual). This has made him famous; he has become the darling of the media. Many have noted the contrast between the way the media have treated Tim Tebow and the way they are treating Collins. One political cartoon has Tebow saying, “I’m a Christian,” and the media guy responding, “Keep it to yourself.” Then the cartoon has Collins saying, “I’m gay,” and the media guy gushing, “My hero!” This whole tawdry episode has reminded me … Continue reading →

CAN ONE BE “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE” WITHOUT BAPTISM? (PART TWO)

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CAN ONE BE “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE” WITHOUT BAPTISM? (PART TWO) by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 8:49am In part one we began discussing this question: If baptism results in death to sin and rebirth to new spiritual life, then (1) why do some unimmersed people seem to exhibit this new life and new lifestyle; and (2) why do some immersed believers not do a very good job of living a committed life? The “new lifestyle” that follows conversion is what we usually call “sanctification,” or the lifelong process of becoming more and more holy as God is … Continue reading →

CAN ONE BE “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE” WITHOUT BAPTISM? (PART ONE)

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CAN ONE BE “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE” WITHOUT BAPTISM? (PART ONE) by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 8:47am QUESTION: When I was a young adult I learned that baptism was important for my salvation, so I was immersed. My problem is that this did not seem to result in the death to sin and rebirth to new spiritual life described in Romans 6:1-4 and Colossians 2:12 as happening in baptism. At another time, however, quite separate from my baptism, I went through a particularly strong life event when I did die to self and begin to live for … Continue reading →

THE SPRINKLED BLOOD: A COMMUNION MEDITATION

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THE SPRINKLED BLOOD: A COMMUNION MEDITATION by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 2:35pm THE SPRINKLED BLOOD: A Communion Meditation In the days of the Old Covenant, the Law of Moses required many kinds of animal sacrifices. In such a sacrifice, when the animal’s throat was cut, a priest collected its blood in a basin, then sprinkled the blood on various things—sometimes on the worshipers themselves! For example, regarding the special covenant-making ceremony recorded in Exodus 24, verse 8 describes part of it thus: “So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, … Continue reading →