Summary: Dr. John S. Hammett explores the two ordinances of the Church, the Lord's Supper and Baptism, from a scholarly Baptist perspective.

Review: As Hammett acknowledges in the beginning of the book, there is an irony found in the rites of the Lord's Supper and Baptism. Whereas these practices should bring about Christian unity, they have historically caused division among the universal Church.

40 Questions About Baptism and the Lord's Supper does not try to reunify the Church, but it does spend quite a bit of time offering presentation of the various perspectives rather than an ongoing polemic against every non-Baptist understanding. I found this refreshing.

Additionally, Hammett explores the terms for these rites (i.e. ordinances or sacraments) with a balanced perspective.

Now, being an ordained Southern Baptist pastor, I generally find myself in agreement with Hammett's conclusions. I'm not a hard-nosed Baptist, though. My theological convictions don't arise from historical Baptist roots. And because of this, I found Hammett's approach to the viewpoints on Baptism and the Lord's Supper intellectually and biblically honest.

I never got the sense that Hammett was out to prove the Baptist viewpoint, and demolish the Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed theologies. On the contrary, Hammett approached the rites looking for as much common ground as possible, and only offered his evaluations after the common ground was affirmed.

I found the following questions of particular usefulness:
- Are Baptism and the Lord's Supper Sacraments or Ordinances?
- Is Baptism a Divine Means of Grace or a Human Act of Obedience?
- What Is The Correct Term for [the Lord's Supper]?
- What Is the Meaning of the Lord's Supper?
- In What Sense Is Christ Present in the Lord's Supper?

One last note, I began reading this book while waiting to have my tonsils removed and assumed during my recovery I would turn toward a more simple form of leisure. I returned to this book however. While Hammett is quite scholarly in his presentation, he's also very enjoyable to read.

Rating: 5/5 (I loved it)

Find it at Kregel here.
Find it at Amazon here.

I am hesitant to write this post.

At one point in my ministry I was a fire-breathing activist type, but these days most of that fiery passion has been poured into my preaching ministry. I don't want this post to detract from the ministry God has called me to.

But I also hesitate because on the other side of this issue I have beloved friends and family members who are vehement in their disagreement. More than that, though, I have people I love - both men and women - who've had abortions. I care for them deeply and I know that even the slightest opposition to abortion feels like intense hatred to them.

Yet I am compelled to write.
More specifically I am compelled to pray.

There have been plenty of articles published about the ongoing undercover videos. Russell Moore of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission wrote a strong, yet moving piece entitled Planned Parenthood Vs. Jesus Christ. 

So, rather than parrot much of what has already been said, I offer a few prayers and invite you to pray with me.

The Once Mothers
Merciful Father,
Gracious Son,
Comforting Spirit of God,
I pray for those who once were mothers,
and now are not.

For those dear women consumed by guilt
I ask they find comfort from the Holy Spirit,
as they run into the forgiving arms of Jesus Christ.
May they find the Great Saviour
                who welcomes all,
       and somehow will make all things right in the End.

For those dear women who have been deceived
into consenting to the death of their child.
May they find
        solace,
        grace,
        friendship,
and forgiveness,
                for themselves,
                for others,
in the Name of Jesus Christ.

For those dear women who embrace
                                           and celebrate
                                                    the departure and death,
of their unborn child,
their little girl,
their little boy,
may they understand the depth of their sin,
but also see,
how much deeper
             and wider
             and longer
             and greater
                            is the love God has for them,
                            in Christ Jesus 
                                   who calls them by name to be their Lord.    

For all the dear women who have aborted their children,
may they find a surprising joy in the Christ, who
even now,
        protects,
        nurtures,
        and holds the hands of
their children
           who have passed into eternity.

In the Name of the Great Redeemer
Jesus Christ
I pray.
Amen.

About Abortion

Dear Father,
We need you.
Help us.

Millions of persons have departed.
Millions of your precious children,
            made in your image,
            are now gone, 
            their candles extinguished.
Millions of
                        poets
                        doctors
                        scientists
                        engineers
                        writers
                        coworkers
                        friends
                        lovers  
                        aunts
                        uncles
                        blacks
                        whites
                        native americans
                        asians
                        human beings
                       
                        are dead.

Politics cannot stop this evil.
Arguments will not change hearts.
The Church cannot stand against this injustice.

Act!
Act Now!
Apart from You we can do nothing.

Act!
Act Now!
Why have you given us eyes to see?
Surely you must grieve more than we.

Act!
Act Now!
So all the world will know that there is a God,
and this whole assembly will know
that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves.

Act!
Act Now!
Our heart can no longer bear this weight.

Act!
Act Now!
Help us to trust you.

Act!
Act Now!
Even so.
Come Lord Jesus.
Come.

Amen.