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Post by Neil Damgaard on Mar 6, 2009 10:22:16 GMT -5
Those of you using this message board or reading Jack's sermons at ClearTheology.com, please feel to take a quick moment and give us a sentence or two of specific memories of your interactions with "Dr. Arnold," or Jack.  Be sure to check out the DVD of the memorial service where lots of Jack memories were provided. The link to it on the web is at the ClearTheology.com site under "About Jack" |
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Post by Ra McLaughlin on Apr 2, 2009 12:02:49 GMT -5
Many years ago, I remember being taught that all three major forms of church government -- congregational, presbyterian, episcopal -- had sound scriptural support. The idea was that we shouldn't be too dogmatic about church government. At the time, I simply assumed that assessement was correct. Now, I'm still all for uniting with others, kind dialog, avoiding unnecessary dogmatism, etc. But I no longer think that all three forms of government have equal support. And it was Jack who changed my thinking.
I remember a polity class he taught at RTS in Orlando. It was a 1-week crash course, if I recall correctly. Jack was our local guru when it came to polity. He was the most senior pastor in our presbytery, and everyone went to him for polity advice -- even famous people you would expect to fly solo. Anyway, Jack's arguments, proof texts, exegesis, etc. were terrific. After that class, I doubt there's any way I could ever be anything but Presbyterian. Again, I have great love for all my brothers and sisters in other denominations, and I personally work across denomational lines on a daily basis. But Jack's rigorous and biblical arguments have pretty well fenced me in. Regardless of where I worship, I'll be Presbyterian by doctrine until the day the Lord takes me home to hang out with Jack again.
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Post by Neil Damgaard on Apr 2, 2009 13:02:48 GMT -5
My first Jack Arnold message... Just before I found Christ in 1972, I was exposed to the notes from a paper/message Jack presented to the Sovereign Grace Theological Society of Roanoke (at which I also first met my wife.) The talk/message was entitled "Let God Be God." Although I was not "in the faith" yet, I absorbed his words well. Sounded right to me. If God is God then we all should let Him be so.
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Post by Daniel Richards on Oct 25, 2011 0:43:47 GMT -5
I was an intern under Jack in 1977. His approach to understanding scripture was unique, rigorous and illuminating. However, his biggest influence in my life was his sharing his struggles and flaws and his effort to deal with his own humanity. His living example of being aware of and working to overcome his own humanity kept me hammering away at my own frailties. His "living testament" helped me to have the faith to keep striving for victory even though there was sparse evidence that triumph was anywhere close.
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