Budget-conscious geeky Dads out there: I've had great customer service experiences with TekRefurbs (Amazon seller). 3 renewed Dell Desktops (two 'micro'), and 3x renewed T480 laptops - each was between $200-$300. Direct email support better than via Amazon. Total steal, highly recommended.

GM ☕

WORD5 #669 4/6* (Hard Mode)

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https://otherstuff.ai/word5/

"6. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time." (WCF 28.xi)

Q: "Does the Westminster Confession teach baptismal regeneration?"

A: Yes, of a sort, but not of the sort that most people (e.g., the Romanists and the "Federal Vision"-ists) think. Note the three crucial qualifications at the end:

Qualification 1: "...to such...as that grace belongs unto..." -- meaning it is not objectively given to every baptizand "ex opera operato" -- the non-elect receive nothing (beneficial) in the sacrament, nothing 'realized'.

Qualification 2: "...according to the counsel of God's own will..." -- again, it's not based on the will of the recipient (nor on the will of the recipient's guardian in the case of infants) nor on the intent of the one administering it, but on the counsel of God's own will. A high sacramentalism does not necessitate sacerdotalism.

Qualification 3: "...in his [i.e., God's] appointed time..." this statement emphasizes the first of the section: "The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered..." - contrary to both Rome and (some of) the FV folks.

These conclusions are not primary, but are 'downstream' from higher doctrines like the Creator-creature distinction, the total depravity/inability of man (in Adam), and the absolute sovereignty of grace.

#TheologyGeekery

Q: "Is the divine nature of the Son inferior to the Father?"

A: No: how can a thing be inferior to itself?

"...the same in substance, equal in power and glory..."

(Make Nicea Great Again)

I'm not scrolling

I'm doing a npub crawl

🤓

I stopped recommending particular products and services after Swan. Lesson learned.

"Read Ammous, and figure it out."

I have a couple pi zero W I'm not using

maybe I should auction them off for sats

WORD5 #668 4/6* (Hard Mode)

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https://otherstuff.ai/word5/