Author Archives: Jay F Guin

About Jay F Guin

My name is Jay Guin, and I’m a retired elder. I wrote The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace about 18 years ago. I’ve spoken at the Pepperdine, Lipscomb, ACU, Harding, and Tulsa lectureships and at ElderLink. My wife’s name is Denise, and I have four sons, Chris, Jonathan, Tyler, and Philip. I have two grandchildren. And I practice law.

N. T. Wright’s “The Case for the Psalms” Chapters 1 & 2, Part A

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Jay F Guin

At about the same time Wright released his massive Paul and the Faithfulness of God, he released a much smaller, much more accessible book, The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential. The Churches of Christ, priding themselves on … Continue reading →

Posted in The Case for the Psalms, by N. T. Wright, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: An Open Letter

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Jay F Guin

[Because this is an unusually long post, I’m skipping tomorrow to allow more time for discussion.] We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. (And I guess I did change my mind. What can I say? But this … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 60 Comments

Muscle & Shovel Page

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Jay F Guin

I’ve created a Page that provides a table of contents for all the Muscle & Shovel posts, to make it convenient to read, or refer friends to, this material. A link to the Page will remain available at top of … Continue reading →

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Cageless Birds: “Mount Zion”

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We have come to Mount Zion City of the Living God Heavenly Jerusalem By His blood we have come Thousands of angels dance around the throne as thousands more sing out new songs the elders throw their crowns down as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: In Conclusion

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. And we are at the end (unless I change my mind). What’s Missing? Shank’s theology has several flaws. 1. It greatly de-emphasizes Jesus in order to emphasize baptism. You can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 39 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: Chapters 39 – 40 (Faith in the Plan and the Bible; Wrap Up)

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Faith = the Plan of Salvation? Back in chapter 35, Shank writes, The Bible definition of faith is belief, repentance, public confession of belief that Christ is God’s Son and … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 64 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: Chapter 38, Part 2 (No Creed But Christ)

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. In this post, we consider the history of the Churches of Christ some more. In the 19th Century, the founders of the Restoration Movement, rejected creedalism, that is, the idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: Chapters 36 – 38 (Shank is baptized; No creed but the Bible)

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Shank describes waking his wife up at 11:30 PM to discuss the conversion of Paul and his baptism. “Jonetta, I was baptized for the wrong reason and if that’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 37 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: Chapters 31 – 35 (the Spirit)

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Chapter 31 Shank is close to being re-baptized. Shank and his wife drink some beers, and he gets sick on too much alcohol. Chapter 32 Shank realizes that he smokes … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 20 Comments

Muscle & Shovel”: Chapter 30, Part 2 (the Real Restoration Movement)

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Thomas Campbell, Alexander’s father, in his “Declaration and Address,” stated the aims of the Restoration Movement. It’s generally considered the founding document of the Campbell wing of the Restoration Movement. And it … Continue reading →

Posted in Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank, Uncategorized | 6 Comments