Exploring 1689 Confessionalism with Steve Meister

About the Guest(s): Steve Meister is the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sacramento, California. Serving there for nearly a decade, Steve ministers in the heart of urban California, close to the state's political center. With a long-standing commitment to Christian orthodoxy, Steve has been an advocate for confessionalism, particularly the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession. Additionally, he serves on the board of Bible Translation Fellowship, an organization dedicated to promoting fidelity in Bible translation. Steve holds a seminary degree from The Masters Seminary in Los Angeles and has been a pivotal figure in his community for maintaining and advocating classical theological perspectives. Episode Summary: In this notable episode of Renewal Cast, hosts Coalt Robinson and Jay interview Pastor Steve Meister, diving into profound discussions on 1689 confessionalism and its relevance in today's theological landscape. Coalt and Jay aim to shed light on how historical confessions can effectively shape contemporary Christian thought and practice. Steve Meister, a passionate advocate for the Second London Baptist Confession, shares his compelling journey from a seeker-driven evangelical background through the emerging church movement, ultimately finding a home in confessional Reformed Baptist theology. Bringing forth critical insights, Steve elaborates on how historical context, doctrinal continuity, and biblical hermeneutics unite in the 1689 confession, emphasizing the enduring validity and applicability of these age-old truths. During the conversation, the dialogue also explores current debates in the doctrine of God, particularly addressing issues such as divine simplicity, immutability, and the Trinity. Steve points out how modern readings have diverged from historical understandings, highlighting the need for churches to employ confessional standards as a means of maintaining doctrinal integrity and fostering liberty for proper theological discourse. His reflections illustrate the importance of honoring past theological frameworks while engaging constructively with present-day theological controversies. Key Takeaways:

• Historical confessions like the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession hold significant value for guiding contemporary church doctrine and practice.
• Modern misunderstandings and debates over theological doctrines often arise from a lack of continuity with historical interpretations.
• The confessional standards provide a stable framework for evaluating and maintaining doctrinal purity within church ministries.
• The doctrine of God, including attributes such as divine simplicity and immutability, remains crucial yet underemphasized in modern evangelical teaching.
• Using historical confessions can liberate churches from subjective, individualistic interpretations and ensure a more collective adherence to biblical truths.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It is really understanding the impact that the Enlightenment and shifts in theological education have had on our approach to scripture."
2. "Many folks who are doggedly insistent about the historical context of scripture do not approach the confession with the same respect."
3. "The confession functions as a standard by which the public teaching and ministry of a church is measured."
4. "The idea that the people of God don't want to know about God is hogwash. God's people want to know about God."
5. "Having a disposition of trust towards our brothers in the past does not mean everything they said is right, but we benefit greatly from their collective wisdom."

Resources:

• Steve Meister's Church: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sacramento, CA
• Bible Translation Fellowship: Bible Translation Fellowship
• J.V. Fesko's Book: "The Need for Creeds Today: Confessing Our Faith from the Scriptures"