“The Twelve Doctrines of Christmas”: A Christmas Carol
Posted by deangonzales on December 11, 2009
Most of us are familiar with the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Well, some brothers have created and perform a modified form of that song that focuses on twelve doctrines that are common to our Reformed and Baptist heritage. Click play on the video below and try to sing along. Be warned, however. Some of these doctrines are tongue-twisters!
Enjoy!
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
December 11th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
[...] video, and try to sing along. Be warned, however. Some of these doctrines are tongue-twisters! "The Twelve Doctrines of Christmas": A Christmas Carol Enjoy! __________________ Bob Gonzales Jr., Dean Reformed Baptist Seminary Easley, South [...]
December 11th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
That is very funny. What a pastor he must be! Thanks for sharing.
December 11th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Can’t accuse the guy of withholding doctrinal meat from the congregation or dumbing down.
BG
December 11th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Hey Bob,
Thanks for posting this.
This was very funny and insightful.
Can you provide an explanation for the 12 words? A few of the terms I am not as familiar with.
Thanks.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Here’s an attempt to provide a brief definition and/or description of the “twelve doctrines”:
(1) The doctrine of perspicuity: namely, the teaching that the revelation of Scripture is clear and intelligible to humans.
(2) Dichotomy: the teaching that the constitution of human beings is essentially two-fold, namely, physical and spiritual.
(3) Hypostatic Union: the union of two natures (divine and human) in one person (Jesus, the Son of God).
(4) Forensic Justification: the teaching that God reckons sinners legally righteous on the basis of Christ’s atoning work and imputed righteousness.
(5) Five Points of Calvinism: also called “the doctrines of grace.” John Calvin did not present these truths in the form of “five points.” However, in response to the teaching of Jacobus Arminius, the Synod of Dordt (a council of Reformed pastors and theologians) responded to Arminius’ five theses regarding the nature of salvation with five responses that have since come to be known as the “five points of Calvinism.” Sometimes the acronym “TULIP” is used as a mnemonic device to teach these points: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints.
(6) Amillennialism: The belief that Christ is now currently reigning and that Satan’s blinding influence over the nations has been greatly restrained (i.e., he is now ‘bound’) by virtue of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. This present “missionary age” or “age of the Spirit” is the period depicted by the symbolic number 1000 in Revelation 20. Accordingly, those who affirm amillennialism reject the idea of a literal 1000 year reign of Christ after his Second Coming.
(7) Anthropomorphism: Human body parts and/or physiological capacities predicated of God. For example, the Bible describes God as “seeing” or “hearing” and speaks of his “hand” or his “mouth” or his “eyes,” etc.
(8) Tetragrammaton: the four (tetra) written Hebrew consonants (grammaton) that constitute the divine name YHWH (i.e., Yahweh).
(9) Ninety-five theses: these were the theological propositions Martin Luther nailed to the church door in Wittenberg for debate and which were partially responsible for sparking the Protestant Reformation.
(10) Credo-Baptism: the theological position held by Baptists regarding the proper recipients of baptism. Namely, only those who credibly profess faith in Christ are proper subjects of Christian baptism.
(11) Salvific Monergism: the idea that salvation is ultimately of the Lord. The term “monergism” is a compound of two Greek terms meaning something like “a solo work.” See 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
(12) Supralapsarianism: this term refers to a particular view of the logical order of God’s decrees related to his plan of salvation and is often contrasted with infralapsarianism. The latter tends to see the order of God’s decrees as corresponding to the order in which they transpire historically. God decrees to create humans, to permit the Fall, to elect some and pass by others, and, finally, to provide salvation for the elect via Christ. Supralapsarianism, on the other hand, tends to see the goal of history as the logically prior decree. Hence, God decrees to elect some and reject others, to create both elect and reprobate people, to permit the Fall, and, finally, to provide salvation for the elect. Actually, both sides claim Calvin as their advocate and throughout history both views have been advocated by Calvinists.
Hope this helps.
Your servant,
Bob Gonzales
December 11th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
You know you are a true Reformed Baptist if “perspicuity” was the first word you learned to speak!
December 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am
awesome.
and thanks for the explanation of some of them.
December 12th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Comic gold.
December 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Hello Brethren. I’m one of the guys who put this video together. There was a few comments about the pastor, and since he was mine, I’d like to opine as well. I have since moved out of CA, but miss the fellowship greatly. His name is Errol Hale and he pastors Grace Bible Church of Moorpark, CA. His teaching is, indeed, rock solid and biblical, but what I remember most is his emphasis on practical application in everyday life. When I first came to the church, I was a pretty prideful theologue, much to my shame, but Errol graciously smoothed out my rough edges. He made me a better husband and father, and for that I’m grateful. He is very unassuming and would probably gasp if he knew I was writing this, but I’m sure he would appreciate encouragement. He knows the video is out there. His email is errol_gbc@sbcglobal.net. Cordially in Christ,
Clint Hughes
December 17th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Clink,
Thanks so much for giving us the background info to the video as well as the positive commendation of your pastor. My first impressions of him from watching the video certainly match your portrayal of the man. Thank God for men who love the great (and sometimes deep) doctrines of Scripture but who also seek to promote a humble and practical orthodoxy!
I’ll be sure to send your pastor an email to thank him.
Your servant,
Bob Gonzales
December 21st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
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