By Living Waters

The Bywater family newsletter for the end of the year is now available for download. Cheers!

I’ve just received a copy of, and would like to bring your attention to, Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice, by Francis J. Beckwith (Cambridge University Press, 2007) (click here for a UK link to the book).

This nearly 300-page book breaks out into three parts with a total of nine chapters, plus an introduction and a robust 55 pages of endnotes (many of which are substantial).

I’m honored to know Frank and his wife, Frankie as friends and fellow faculty member of Summit Ministries summer seminars. He is a sharp mind, a keen intellect, and a very quick wit.

Below is the table of contents complete with links to some of Beckwith’s earlier essays relevant to the respective chapters (the essays are in a PDF format so you may download them and read them now). (more…)

I’ve been unusually ill over the last couple of weeks. It has been difficult to concentrate for longer than about twenty minutes at a time. But in order not to feel like I’m losing too much of my time, I’ve been listening to some programs from Mars Hill Audio. Years ago I had a Mars Hill Audio subscription. It must have been ages ago since I received the programs on cassette! Well, I decided to get a download subscription and give the audio journal another listen. I’ve not be disappointed at all! In fact, I feel that those times when I’ve not felt able to read or type have been richly rewarded by the Mars Hill Audio Journal. If you commute to work, use in iPod while walking or biking or exercising, then you should consider getting a subscription. Browse the Mars Hill Audio site a bit and you’ll find some material to sample. Enjoy!

The new website for the Summit Ministries Oxford Study Centre is up and running. Come and visit us!

Well, the time has come to mention Summit Ministries’ most recent and exciting venture: Summit Ministries’ Oxford Studies Centre.

Lord willing, the autumn of 2008 will witness the unveiling of a new facet of our work in Oxford, England. I’ve been asked to direct the program.

In the briefest of terms, we’ll host 15-20 students each semester, for two semesters a year. These will be Summit students who also will be associate students of Oxford University.

I’ll let you know more as our information and application are completed. Stay tuned!

I’ve begun to read Peter Leithart’s recently published book, The Baptized Body (Canon Press, 2007). Here I’d like to begin by providing a few excerpts that I deem worthy of consideration. Frankly, if the remainder of the volume is this insightful, then I cannot but highly recommend it!

Seas of ink have been poured out in debating whether there is any efficacy in the sacraments “in themselves.” The whole debate is worthless, because both sides begin from the false assumptions that 1) there is such a thing as a “sacrament in itself” and that 2) some things (though not sacraments) do have “efficacy in themselves.” Consider: Baptismal water is a sign authorized by Christ for His church. Validly administered, it is never simply water, but the authorized entry rite into the community of disciples (Mt. 28:18-20). We cannot, we dare not, think that this water is “mere water,” any more than we can think of the American flag as “just a piece of cloth.” Water is not a “thing in itself.” (3)

Nothing at all, other than the Triune God Himself, has efficacy “in itself.” (4)

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I’m rather looking forward to reading this book: The Baptized Body, by Peter Leithart. The table of contents is as follows:

Preface
1. Starting Before the Beginning
2. “Baptism” Is Baptism
3. The “Body of Christ” Is the Body of Christ
4. Apostasy Happens
5. A Tale of Three Servants
Appendix: The Sociology of Infant Baptism

The blurb at Canon Press reads as follows:

What does baptism do to the baptized? Nothing? Something? In this study, Peter Leithart examines this single question of baptismal efficacy. He challenges several common but false assumptions about God, man, the church, salvation, and more that confuse discussions about baptism. He aims to offer a careful and simple discussion of all the central biblical texts that speak to us about baptism, the nature of signs and rites, the character of the church as the body of Christ, and the possibility of apostasy. In the end, he urges us to face up to the wonderful conclusion that Scripture attributes an astonishing power to the initiation rite of baptism.

Our girls are involved in various classes outside their normal school routine at home. Both Elizabeth and Katherine participate in ballet and gymnastics classes. They are involved with Durham Musical Theatre Company and are to perform in the musical, Gigi, in early June at the Gala Theatre (with musical tunes such as, “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” and “I Remember It Well”). The performances run at 7:15pm June 5th-9th, with a additional matinée performance at 2:15 pm on Saturday. For anyone in Durham who’d like to attend, tickets may be obtained at the Gala Theatre (box office tel: 0191.332.4041).

Never, never, never surrender.