Trinity Fest--Day 2

The second day's seminars were exceptional. Dr. Peter Lillback opened with an empirical analysis of the works that influenced the American founders. As it turns out, the book with the largest number of citations by the founders is...the Bible. Huh. Moreover, most of the other authors cited had a fairly Calvistic view of the nature of man, with Locke being the notable exception.

Dr. Lillback went on to describe how Washington has been portrayed as a Deist who rarely cited scripture. When he looked into it for himself, he found all sorts of biblical allusions. This inspired him to write a 1200 page book about Washington's christianity. I look forward to reading it. I'm sure there will be an audio version for those with lower back problems.

Steve Wilkins used his last talk to describe the reaction against revivalism by John Williamson Nevin. Nevin was burned by revivalism and went on to argue for a very high view of the Church.

Nevin and Philip Schaff worked together on what came to be known as Mercersberg Theology. Wilkins argued that they were not trying to develop a systematic theology, but were trying to find solutions to problems they saw in the church. He thought it analogous to a certain current theology, but was too modest to say which one.

I'm going to reserve judgement on this one until I get some time to read Nevin for myself. Wilkins definitely challenged my thinking about the Church. We will need to deal with our individualistic conception of the christian life at some point, but I still have a fear of pointy hats.

The last talk of the day was Dr. Lillback's biography of John Witherspoon. Rather than give the whole spiel, here's a gem from the notes:

John Witherspoon's Students:

• James Madison
• Aaron Burr
• 12 members of the Continental Congress
• 5 Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
• 49 U.S. Representatives
• 28 U.S. Senators
• 3 Supreme Court Justices
• 8 U.S. District Judges
• 26 State Judges
• 1 Secretary of State
• 3 Attorney Generals
• 2 Foreign Ministers
• 114 Ministers

His school? The College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton. Some of the newspapers in England called the Revolutionary War "The Presbyterian Rebellion." If none of this sounds impressive, imagine a new form of governance, rooted in biblical principles, birthed by graduates of Azusa Pacific University. Don't laugh, Wheaton, I could have used you.

Dave amused himself by wearing Frank Turk's "Grab his Baptism" shirt. I wanted to get a picture of him with Doug Wilson, but I didn't have the camera with me. I was despondent, but after some reflection I realized that God would use this for Frank's sanctification.


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Innovations in Catechism

I had the distinct pleasure of hearing my 13 year old sister, Nadia, confess her faith yesterday. She had just completed a class with our pastor emeritus during which she was required to memorize the Apostle's Creed. My dad decided that he would help her through an innovative memory aid. He taped a copy of the creed to his motorcycle helmet and took her for a ride. I don't know if there is any advantage to memorization on the back of the motorcycle, but it seemed to work for my sister. And it says something about my dad, too.

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Trinity Fest--Day 1

Why is the Trinity Fest logo a toucan? I will know!

What can I say about our hosts? They have been gracious throughout and shown true hospitality. I shall post more on this later.

We began our session with some great hymns that I didn't know. I asked them if we could sing "Shine, Jesus, Shine." I learned to listen and enjoy the harmonies.

The first speaker was Steven Wilkins. He spoke about the Great Awakenings. He acknowledged that the Awakenings did lead to conversions, but in the process, the revivalists impugned good ministers of the gospel as "unconverted" and made a crisis conversion experience the norm. Pastor Wilkins cracked wise about the Auburn Avenue controversy, noting that his church was on a street that seems to get people upset for some reason. Throughout, he challenged the popular conception of being "born again" as an emotional response.

Douglas Wilson was next to speak. He described the Federalist/Anti-Federalist controversy. He made it very clear that he sympathized with Patrick Henry. He argued that had Patrick Henry not insisted on the Bill of Rights, our liberties would have eroded even faster than they did.

Wilkins took the stage again and gave an excellent biography and evaluation of George Whitefield. While Whitefield was incredibly charismatic and effective in his ministry, he also denounced other ministers as unconverted. Whitefield also made it clear, through open air preaching, that the local church was not necessary in the believer's life. Whitefield repented of many of his actions later in life.

The end of the day was spent at St. Brigid's Feast. Some excellent Idaho BBQ and even better pie was a nice end to the day. Yes, they did sell beer at the picnic. No, no one was swallowed up by the ground. After the picnic, some headed off to a big square dance. We considered playing cards just to complete the fundamentalist triathalon, but it had already been a long day.
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Trinity Fest--Day 0

Dave and I have made it up to Moscow and experienced Christ Church for ourselves. I've got to get to Trinity Fest in about an hour, but I wanted to post a bit about what I've seen of the Potato Militia.

I don't think anyone doubts Douglas Wilson's status as a controversy magnet, but I don't think that he is a publicity hound like a few internet denizens I shan't name. Rather, like Huckleberry Finn, he was "born for trouble." The service at Christ Church was a liturgical decathalon that left me exhausted, but edified. I can't recall when I have heard better music sung more boistrously by the congregation.

The really impressive thing about yesterday was the hospitality we were shown by the church. A very nice guy called Dave introduced us to some other guys who took us to lunch, showed us around, and were generally cool people. They were even nice to us after they found out we were from California.

Dave has been in theology geek heaven. If you want to have an theological argument, and money is no option, Moscow, ID is your place. To narrow it down a bit, the excellent coffee at Bucer's will keep you wired and spouting five-syllable words late into the night.

All of the very sharp folks we've met have disagreed with us (well, Dave mostly) in the most cheerful manner you could ask. They're probably the only people I know who will make sure that you get enough to eat while you're taking them to task about the Federal Vision (all Dave).

The concert last night was the best choral music I can remember hearing. The conductor (whose name escapes me at the moment)has created arrangements of the Psalms that deserve to be sung in your church (even you, Baptist boy).

Oh, and there is absolutely no evidence of a doomsday device called "Project Bahnsen." Just a nasty rumor. Move along.

Category: Theoblogia

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