New Book on Landmarkism

In an email from J.C. Settlemoir I learned of his new book on Landmarkism. I hope to put in my order. He writes:

Dear Friends:

Landmarkism Under Fire, Revised Edition, 2018 is now available.

The book is paperback, 424 pages. In it I have considered the best arguments presented in favor of the Mother Daughter position which I have seen.

Table of Contents FOREWORD......................................................................1
PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION 2017 ......................3
PREFACE TO 1ST EDITION ...........................................5
CHAPTER 1 .......................................................................7
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2 .....................................................................12
OLD LANDMARKISM DEFINED ........................................................ 12
CHAPTER 3 .....................................................................25
EMDA DEFINED ................................................................................. 25
CHAPTER 4 .....................................................................36
EMDA AND SCRIPTURE ..................................................................... 36
CHAPTER 5 .....................................................................53
THE MOTHER CHURCH IN EMDA .................................................... 53
CHAPTER 6 .....................................................................74
J. R. GRAVES, OLD LANDMARKISM AND CHURCH CONSTITUTION
CHAPTER 7 .....................................................................91
A CHALLENGE ISSUED AND ACCEPTED ........................................ 91
CHAPTER 8 ...................................................................107
BAPTIST TESTIMONY ON CHURCH CONSTITUTION ................... 107
CHAPTER 9 ...................................................................133
WHAT ACTUALLY CONSTITUTES A CHURCH? ............................. 133
CHAPTER 10 .................................................................149
THE ASSEMBLY OF SCRIPTURE ..................................................... 149
CHAPTER 11 .................................................................162
SAMPLES OF CHURCH CONSTITUTION........................................ 162
CHAPTER 12 .................................................................184
THE GREAT COMMISSION .............................................................. 184
CHAPTER 13 .................................................................204
GRAVES’ THEORY AND PRACTICE ................................................ 204
CHAPTER 14 .................................................................223 ix
MISTAKES-MISREPRESENTATIONS-MISQUOTES OF BROTHER FENISON
CHAPTER 15 .................................................................262
EMDA ON AUTO PILOT .................................................................... 262
CHAPTER 16 .................................................................281
PARANORMAL SILENCE OF EMDA IN BAPTIST HISTORY........... 281
CONCLUSION ..............................................................308
EMDA IS NOT A LANDMARK DOCTRINE ....................................... 308
APPENDIX I ..................................................................313
TERMS DEFINED .............................................................................. 313
APPENDIX II .................................................................326
CHURCH DEFINED BY BAPTISTS ................................................... 326
APPENDIX III ...............................................................336
OBJECTIONS TO DA CONSIDERED ................................................ 336
APPENDIX IV ...............................................................358
DID GRAVES CHANGE FROM DA TO EMDA ................................. 358
APPENDIX V .................................................................362
APPENDIX VI ...............................................................367
FENISON'S REFERENCES COMPARED .......................................... 367
APPENDIX VII ..............................................................389
DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE TO JERUSALEM .................................. 389
APPENDIX VIII ............................................................407
Wayne Camp’s Offer ........................................................................... 407
BIBLIOGRAPHY ..........................................................409
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY .........................................410
INDEXES ........................................................................412
AUTHOR INDEX 412
TEXTUAL INDEX

What others say about this book:

This book contains a feast of biblical and historical truth concerning the raging controversy over the issue of church constitution. The author’s work is both biblical and scholarly. Written in a loving Christian spirit, it should forever put to rest the errors and misrepresentations of those who oppose the Direct Authority view of church constitution. Added bonuses in the book include an exhaustive bibliography and scripture index. Laurence A. Justice, Retired Pastor

Brother Settlemoir has spared no effort in gathering contextual quotes from old Landmark Baptists. Quotes from these giants of the faith prove for the truth-seeking reader that these preachers of the faith once delivered unto the saints believed the Bible taught that churches could be established with two or three scripturally baptized persons without the aid of a "mother church." Moreover, these quotes prove beyond any shadow of doubt that these men believed no preacher was required to constitute a scriptural church. For them, the Lord's promise that where "two or three are gathered together in my name" was sufficient. When two or three baptized disciples purpose to carry out the Lord's commandments and keep the ordinances, they become a church. Is this not a church according to scripture? F. Leon King, Pastor,Hidden Hills Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Willow, Alaska 99688

The book is free but we request that you send $4.00 for postage. Please include a mailing label or include your mailing address in your email, for this will save us considerable time because we can copy and paste the mailing labels.

J.C. Settlemoir @ jcsettle3@outlook.com

Witty Remarks From Dr. J.I. Packer

Wrote J. I. Packer:

"...a half-truth presented as the whole truth is a complete untruth." (see here)

He also said:

"An imaginary Christ will not bring a real salvation."

Offering Hope to Hypocrites?

"And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24:51)

Hardshells of today, rather than warning and condemning "hypocrites," give them hope of heaven, just as they do to "unbelievers" (see my posting The Portion Of- Unbelievers), and to those who "live ungodly" (see my posting Fate- Of Those Who Live Ungodly), and to those who are "wretched, blind, bankrupt, and naked," spiritually speaking (see my posting Hardshells Affirm That They Are Saved). But, the "portion" of the hypocrites, like the "portion" of the "unbelievers," is to go to Hell, to the place where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Look at the following verses (highlighting mine) and see what is the fate of all hypocrites. I cannot offer them the hope of salvation so long as they remain so.

"He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him." (Job 13:16 kjv)

"That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?" (Job 20: 5)

"For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?" (Job 27:8)

"For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery." (Job 15:34)

"An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered." (Prov. 11:9)

"Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." (Isa. 9:17)

"Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye." (Luke 6:42)

"But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them." (Job 36:13)

"The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" (Isa. 33:14)

"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward...And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Matt. 6:2,5)

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." (Matt. 23:14)

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." (Matt. 23:15)

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." (Matt. 23:23)

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matt. 23:27)

I rest my case.

On The Right Track on Rev. 3:20

In a follow up to the two previous postings on Rev. 3:20 I want to cite from an article by a Progressive Primitive Baptist Church (Georgia) titled "AT THE DOOR – REVELATION 3:20" by Jason Solomon (May 23, 2017 - see here - emphasis mine).

"Call To Action: Listen for Jesus knocking today, and go open the door. Go to His Word, and Go to Him in prayer. Welcome His truth into your life, into your home, and into your work. Sit down with Him and take Him with you. He is your King. He is your Savior."

I am glad that this church saw through all the Hardshell fog on Rev. 3: 20 and saw what action the text is really calling for from those addressed. Why can't the Hardshells preach on the text like brother Solomon?

The web page says this about the church:

"Northside is a Progressive Primitive Baptist congregation. The Primitive Baptists hold to the doctrines held by the original Baptist pilgrims from Europe, primarily England. To this end we hold to the original 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith as summarized in our Articles of Faith below."

If they hold to the 1689 London Confession, then they must believe in the predestination of all things, in regeneration by the means of the gospel, and of the perseverance of the saints.

The hope for the Primitive Baptists is in such churches as this one.

Hardshellism's Sales Pitch

At a Hardshell Internet Web page, the PrimitiveBaptist.Net, we have these words to the reader which give the soteriological views of the cult:

"Primitive Baptist believe that heaven will be populated with thousands of millions from among mankind, (Genesis 24:60, Hebrews 11:12 & Mark 10:45) we know that only a few will find the church and the truth of God in this life and will be able to walk the strait and narrow way which leads to life in the kingdom of God. (Matthew 7:14 & Matthew 22:14)" (see here)

Only a few of the elect millions will "find the church and the truth of God"? Only a few of the regenerated will "be able to walk the strait and narrow way"? The strait and narrow way does not lead to eternal life in the world to come, but only leads to the Hardshell church?

What is the message they want to convey? We believe only a few are going to Hell! Your chances, just based upon numbers, of going to Heaven, are greater than your chances of going to Hell! You can live ungodly, be a heathen in faith, and still go to Heaven!

How can the narrow road apply to an event in life when the narrow road signifies that life as already lived? The "life," like the "destruction" that marks the destiny at the end of the broad road, comes at the end of the journey, at the end of life. How can one miss what is so plain?

Hardshells are so good at offering hope of salvation to unbelievers, to those who live ungodly, to those who have no knowledge of, love for, or faith in the one true God, in either the Father or the Son.

The web page also has these words:

"Primitive Baptist are not attempting to help God populate heaven, we believe Jesus did a prefect work in that regard...Nor are Primitive Baptist attempting to get people to know The Lord, because scripture says in Hebrews 8:11; And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."

It is a common misrepresentation of the Hardshells to say that those who believe that evangelical faith and perseverance in the same are necessary for salvation are "helping God" and that in order to "populate heaven." I don't see how God using prophets and preachers of the word can be interpreted to mean that God needs and is getting help from those means. It is a classic case of what is called in fallacious reasoning a non sequitur. It reminds me of what author Bob Ross said about many Hardshell preachers - "they really need to study the rules of logic and know what constitutes logical fallacies."

I have one simple question for those Hardshells who argue this way - "are you helping God in your efforts to convert others?" You may not be trying to be a means of getting souls saved and to heaven, but you certainly are trying to populate your own cult.

As far as the verse in Hebrews 8:11 upholding Hardshellism and being a condemnation of all soul winners, it actually teaches just the opposite! For my refutation of this misinterpretation of the passage, see my posting Hardshell Proof Texts XII.

An Inconspicous Error

Several past issues of The Banner of Love Primitive Baptist periodical can be found online. Just google it.  While browsing through one of them, I can across this very simple statement:

Faith is a gift of God. If you believe God and believe in Jesus Christ, this was given to you (Elder Bobby Poe, 'The Ability To Believe')

What the elder states is certainly true. The problem is that it is not consistent with Hardshell soteriology.  Most Hardshells would deny that actual faith in Christ is a gift of God.  The reason is because faith in Christ is synonymous with evangelical faith, requiring the preaching of the gospel.  Paul emphasizes this in Romans 10, the chapter which Hardshells apply to time salvation. So faith in Christ, then, in Hardshellism, is NOT a gift of God because it involves the preaching of the gospel.  "Work", as they call it, must be performed in order for someone to receive it.

This is simply an example of widespread confusion among the denomination.  Hardshells so juggle the concepts of seed faith, faith in God, faith in any God, the ability to believe, etc. as to what is given in regeneration, that you truly will receive 3 or 4 different explanations as to what the sinner believes, if anything, upon his new birth experience.

I think what is happening here is the same thing which J.I. Packer claimed in his famous introduction to Owen's classic work happens with those who promote universal atonement.  When it comes to preaching the gospel they want to magnify the grace of God and the work of Christ, so they feel the way to announce this is by saying that Christ is the Savior, died for all mankind, and paid their sin debt.  However, they must immediately retract such well-intended words upon analysis of their doctrine, for in the end Jesus did not really secure the salvation of anyone, unless fallen man contributes to see it through.

With good intentions it may be that Hardshell preachers likewise announce to their congregation that actual faith in Christ is a gift of God.  For those with the trained eye, however, who navigated the waters of Hardshellism for many years like myself, we know that this is not what is truly believed. Faith in Christ belongs to the doctrine of time salvation.  That means it is optional, coming by the works of the preacher, received weeks, months, years later!  And that only by a few of God's elect! That very small number of God's people who get a chance to hear the gospel in this life!

Am I not correct, my former friends?  Is it not really true that what you should be telling your  regenerated audience is that their seed faith or their faith in some sort of supreme being, for instance, was a gift of God?  But if they wanna believe in Jesus Christ, they better get to working! Because we know that if it comes through the gospel and instrumentality...well, that's salvation by works!  That's what we do for ourselves, right?

Also, why is the title of the article 'The Ability to Believe' when what is argued (simply read it) is not really the ability to believe, but actual belief itself?  Are they one in the same?  Is the ability of believe a gift of God? Or believing itself?

More confusion.

Concomitance

I have stated it many, many times.  Hardshellism, boiled down, is a dividing asunder of what God has joined together.  It is taking of those things which God has declared as necessary in the outworking of salvation, and making them unnecessary.  It is taking of that which is certain to the Lord’s elect, and making them uncertain.  Nothing could be more profitable, therefore, than for a powerful reminder of what the scriptures claim actually happen to souls upon their regeneration.  The following quote by the learned John Murray reminds me so much of an article that my colleague and friend Stephen once wrote which emphasized that when sinners are born again, they are…born unto something.  They are born unto something real that is tangible!  They really do begin to experience something spiritual! They are not born unto a vacuus state of nothingness, possibly living as spiritual vegetables until the day of the resurrection.

I know it must be hard to accept that some could be so unlearned as to espouse that regeneration does not produce an absolute, guaranteed effect, but this is Hardshellism for you. Its sole concern is to populate heaven so that God wins the numbers game. The “God” it portrays has little to no interest in rearing up a people in this life who actually become Christians. Very sad.

Murray rightly records:

"It was the apostle John who recorded for us our Lord's discourse to Nicodemus.  John had learned its lesson well and particularly the lesson that regeneration is the act of God and of God alone, that men are born again 'not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God' (John 1:13).  He has inscribed this teaching indelibly upon his first epistle, also.  Explicit reference to regeneration appears in that epistle on several occasions (1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,19).  The leading emphasis in these passages is upon the fact that there is an invariable concomitance or co-ordination of regeneration and other fruits of grace.  In 2:29 it is the concomitance (togetherness) of the divine begetting and doing righteousness; in 3:9 of the divine begetting, on the one hand, and not doing sin and incapacity of sin, on the other; in 4:7 of the divine begetting and love; in 5:1 of the divine begetting and believing that Jesus is the Christ; in 5:4 of the divine begetting and overcoming the world; in 5:18 of divine begetting and not sinning and immunity to the touch of the evil one.  As we shall see later, this is a very significant emphasis and warns us against any view of regeneration which abstracts it from the other elements of the application of redemption" (John Murray, "Redemption Accomplished and Applied").

He continues:

"The priority of regeneration might create the impression that a person could be regenerated and yet not converted.  These passages in 1 John should correct any such misapprehension.  We need to remember again that the leading emphasis in these passages is the invariable concomitance of regeneration and the other graces mentioned.  'Everyone who is begotten of God does not do sin, for his seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God' (3:9).  'Everyone who is begotten of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory which has overcome the world, even our faith' (5:4).  'Everyone who is begotten of God does not sin, but he who has been begotten of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him' (5:18).  When we put these texts together they expressly state that every regenerate person has been delivered from the power of sin, overcomes the world by the faith of Christ, and exercises that self-control by which he is no longer the slave of sin and of the evil one.  That means, when reduced to its simplest terms, that the regenerate person is converted and exercises faith and repentance. We must not think of regeneration as something which can be astracted from the saving exercises which are its effects.  Hence we shall have to conclude that in the other passages (2:29; 4:7; 5:1) the fruits mentioned - doing righteousness, the love and knowledge of God, believing that Jesus is the Christ - are just as necessarily the accompaniments of regeneration as are the fruits mentioned in 3:9, 5:4, 8.  This simply means that all of the graces mentioned in these passages are the consequences of regeneration and not only consequences which sooner or later follow upon regeneration, but fruits which are inseparable from regeneration.  We are warned and advised, therefore, that while regeneration is the action of God and of God alone we must never conceive of his action as separable from the activities of saving grace on our part which are the necessary and appropriate effects of God's grace in us."

Much like the Apostle Paul once marveled (Gal. 1:6) I likewise marvel that a professed Christian could deny this.  In short, all that Murray is saying here is that the cause produces the intended effect. Regeneration does in fact usher in all the godly habits which characterize a new creature in Christ; and that, for all the Lord’s chosen!  Once one sees this, which is admittedly an elementary point to most Christians, he begins to see the error of Hardshellism.

Hardshellism & Masonry & The Irony

The way the Hardshells of today explain how "faith" is both essential and not essential for being regenerated or eternally saved is to affirm that

1. the "faith" that is essential, yea "the faith of God's elect" (Titus 1:1), is without belief of any gospel revelation or of the God of Abraham, and

2. that this essential faith is simple faith in some deity and of salvation by such deity, and

3. that this simple faith in deity is the result of "regeneration" and the personal preaching of Christ via the Spirit and without human means

4. that the "faith" that is not essential for regeneration is gospel faith, the kind believers in the NT have, and a belief in one God in trinity.

But, did you know that the "faith" of the Freemasons is like the Hardshell understanding of "the faith of God's elect"? Yes, the faith that every Mason confesses, while on his knees in the center of the Lodge, is "I believe in God" (and this "god" can be any god the confessor wishes). The "faith" of Freemasons is like the "faith" of God's elect? Ironic, is it not?