We wanted to focus our attention on a couple more of the blogs that we link to here at Bread and Circuses. I want to assure everyone that we are simply going in the random order by which they are listed on our sidebar--we love all of these blogs and brethren equally in the LORD!
The World From Our Window is a blog that we became familiar with after meeting Mike Hess over on the FFF. Mike and I went to Hyles-Anderson College in the mid-90's. We were all stirring up a hornet's nest over on the FFF and Mike emailed me. At that time Mike was blogging with Ken Fields at The World From Our Window, but has recently ventured out on his own over at Extreme Fundamental Makeover which we highlighted a few weeks ago. Now there are four contributors--Ken Fields, Don Fields, Matthew Sims and Mike Hess. Most of the posting is done by Ken Fields who is a pastor in Illinois and Matthew Sims who is a student at Geneva Reformed Seminary near Greenville, SC. Many of you are already familiar with this site, but if you are not I would highly recommend that you check it daily for some really good stuff!
Fundamentally Reformed is a blog that we found through the old Texas Baptist Underground. Many of you will remember this blog by James Spurgeon that actually inspired our blog here at B&C. Bob Hayton spent some years under the influence of Fairhaven Baptist in Chesterton, Indiana. You will enjoy his analysis of the Cultural Baptists and some of his experiences at Fairhaven. I remember Fairhaven well--we used to play them in soccer while I was a student at Hyles High. As far as cultural fundies go, even the Hylesites thought that the Fairhavenites were strict! Now that ought to tell you something! Bob is currently a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church pastored by John Piper. If you enjoy Bread and Circuses you will no doubt find the postings over at Fundamentally Reformed both edifying and enjoyable.
Both of these blogs are committed to endeavor to bring more glory and honor to our LORD Jesus Christ. You may not agree with every single jot and tittle, but you will agree that these brethren are sincere in their desire to follow the Word of God and exalt the name of Christ. I thank the LORD for these blogs and pray that they will continue to shine as a light of discernment during these dark times.
We will be highlighting the other blogs and sites that we link to in the very near future. Our next post will be coming soon and it grieves our hearts to visit this particular topic yet again--stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for our next blog entry.
Phineas
12 comments:
Thanks for the link!
I likewise appreciate what you guys are doing to bring light to those within this movement.
God bless you all (and all your readers) richly in Christ Jesus,
Bob Hayton
As you know, I, too, am a former IFBXer and my life suffered greatly because of it.In the late '80's, I attended HAC after growing up in one of it's baby churches/schools as a child. Life is so much richer now. I live a very happy, grace-filled life now and find myself growing exponentially more because of learning how to really study and dissect the Word for truth and application. Also, I learned that above all, love is the main evidence that we belong to Christ, not works, although works are the result of love. I am so glad to have met other former IFBXers who are shedding light on darkness of the false teaching and practices of IFBXdom. You've listed most of my daily reading for blogs, LOL. I am sure that none of us are perfect in our interpretations of everything but at least we are evaluating what we hear and read by the Berean standard, searching the Scripture to see if the things are so. I am so happy to find others who have survived without throwing the baby(faith in Christ) out with the bathwater (extremist and false religion). I'm glad to be a part of the network of people who want to help others grow in the Lord and knowledge of the Word. Thank you all for keeping on with the good work.
Thanks for the link and the mention! I enjoy your site very much! I only wish you would post more frequently. Keep up the good work.
Bob Hayton spent some years under the influence of Fairhaven Baptist in Chesterton, Indiana.
Should I say "Thanks" for the link? I think so. I hope people will come to our site and also visit our section of sermon audio to hear what we preach. If they do, it won't take them long to find out that we are miles apart from FBCH (and not just geographically). No, we wouldn't agree with all your current positions, but we would agree with most of what you're trying to accomplish at B&C (if I understand your purposes here).
I remember Fairhaven well--we used to play them in soccer while I was a student at Hyles High. As far as cultural fundies go, even the Hylesites thought that the Fairhavenites were strict! Now that ought to tell you something!
You know, this is a funny statement because I grew up at Fairhaven and played against your school in soccer and wrestling. I think I could have made the same statement about Hammond Baptist High School. Now that ought to tell you something!
BTW, have you ever visited Fairhaven Baptist Church for a church service? I think you would notice a significant and appreciable difference. I have been to FBCH for a church service and so I think I can make a comparison.
If you ever come back to NW Indiana, please come by for a visit. If you can come to a service that would be even better. I would like to meet you and your brother. I think we could have a cordial visit.
I thought I would leave a link to my scattered thoughts concerning the time I did visit FBCH.
OK, I'm done. I'll come back to see what anyone thinks.
My brother attended Fairhaven College at one point and left after a year but I don't know much else about it. I, as an HAC student, never thought they or anyone else were as strict as HAC and as hyperfundamentalist. I do recall my brother saying they were ultra conservative though. We grew up in HAC churches. I can't say that label of ultra conservative bothers me. I've never gone to a church service there or visited the college. I'll have to ask my brother what he thought about Fairhaven.
Jeff,
I will check out the link you posted about your time at FBCH. Thanks for stopping by for a visit and sorry that we don't have anything fresh right now--stay tuned.
Matthew
Jeff,
I almost forgot about your initial comment. I just may take you up on the offer next time I am bumping around in the region! If you get a chance sometime, you should stop in at the Fifth Third Bank in downtown Chesterton to see my dad, Vernon Richards. He manages the bank down there in the old downtown area!
Wow! It's a small world. I will stop by and say "Hi."
I vaguely remember someone telling me about your dad. Of course at the time I didn't know it was your dad. Just something about someone at the 5/3 bank in Chesterton.
I need to go on record here. First off, I used to bank at the 5th Third in Chesterton. I liked the bank, even though they didn't give me anything special because my birthday is 5/3!
Seriously, though, I agree with Pastor Jeff Voegtlin here that Fairhaven and First Baptist of Hammond are miles apart. I do believe Fairhaven does hold some positions and has a semblance of the feel that I believe differentiates IFBx from IFB, so I do differ with them. I also differ with IFBs to a lesser extent, however. I classify Fairhaven as IFBx with an asterisk.
But these classifications and descriptive terms and in no way mean that the people in these groups, and particularly in Fairhaven, are not sincere and Christ-Honoring people. I think they are wrong and seriously so, in some respects. Yet I praise God for the emphasis on living a Biblical Christian life and for their drive to please God in every area of their life. I thank God for the time I spent there, even though there are some things I would change if I could.
You can go to this post and learn more about what exactly I mean by IFBx, IFB, or IFBx* and what my take is on fundamentalism (the comments are also important to look at under that post).
Just wanted to clarify my position about Fairhaven, although it probably didn't exactly clarify things that much.
May Christ mean more to us all than labels, and while we all must endeavor to reach the place we believe is most Scriptural, let us remember the great unity we have as fellow believers in Christ. One of the things I appreciate about Bread & Circuses is that they attempt to be fair and gracious in their interactions with others. And while they strongly disagree with many things concerning FBCH, they disagree lovingly and charitably, holding out hope for many who are caught up in the whirlwind over in Hammond.
In Christ,
Bob Hayton
Jeff,
Glad to hear you went by to see my dad. He called me and let me know that he enjoyed the fellowship. I have never been to Fairhaven except to play in soccer games, so I am definitely no expert on your church. When I was in college at HAC there was a bus driver who drove the Fairhaven bus in East Chicago who was very gracious. I have forgotten his name but he was always very friendly and went out of his way to show kindness to me. Maybe one of these times when we are up in the region I will stop by.
Bob,
Thanks for your post to distance Fairhaven from FBCH. I know that they are not exactly alike--I hope that my post did not convey that I did. I was just giving the perspective of punk high schoolers while I was at Hyles High! It was probably the military-style haircuts that impressed us so--of course I already know that this is the way you like to wear your hair even today!
God bless both of you,
Matthew
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