Author Archives: Jay F Guin

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Chapter 9 In chapter 9, Randall thoroughly disproves the notion that the church was founded by John the Baptist. He is, of course, exactly right. The library taught Shank the … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. As promised, I need to tell the story of the Landmark Baptist movement, founded in the 19th Century and centered in Nashville, Tennessee. Alexander Campbell famously debated the leader and … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. This idea that the Church of Christ denomination is the only saved denomination is wrong on so many levels that I have to say a few more things before we … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. And having spent far too much time in chapter 5, dealing with baptism, we finally move on to — Chapter 6 Shank soon found that his studies with Randall resulted … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. And we’re continuing to consider the Bible’s teaching on baptism and faith, in particular, whether James teaches a works salvation that damns all who fail to be baptized in the exactly … Continue reading →

In the comments, Gary asked, Jay, is not baptism the re-enactment of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection? No one in the Ole Test. could be baptized for that reason. Are you saying we don’t need to be baptized. Maybe I … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. And we’re continuing a consideration of the Bible’s teaching on baptism and faith. [Two posts today and nothing on Muscle & Shovel tomorrow. I figured the readers needed to read both … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. As promised, here’s how I reconcile the dozens of verses that promise salvation to everyone with faith in Jesus with the many other verses that teach that water baptism is … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Up to this point, I’ve tried to keep the arguments free of Greek and such like, trying to learn from Shank’s popular (and effective) style. But sometimes, you just can’t … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. You’ll begin to notice several typos here and there in the text quoted from the book. I cut and pasted these electronically. They are all in the original. I’ll not … Continue reading →