So, E. Calvin Beisner has actively taught paedocommunion in PCA institutions and, as far as I know, still does so. (see first comment)
Using FV in order to engage in a revisionist expulsion of paedocommunionists from the PCA never looked very honorable. But now it even looks worse.
And that surprises me.
Wrong blog, Mark. 😉
Mark,
I don’t recall that Cal taught paedocommunion in class, though I’m sure we discussed it privately more than once. Paedocommunion wasn’t on near as many radars then as now. The only time I remember it being mentioned in class was in Christian Doctrine by Dr. Krabbendam after I asked him privately about it. He gave a brief critique along with his trademark “covenant vipers in baby diapers” comment.
Cal was a close friend in college and in a lot of ways, helped shape the trajectory of where I am now. He and his dear wife Debbie introduced me to Doug Wilson and Credenda in the early 90’s, and, shall we say, things haven’t been the same since. I could name numerous areas where he directly influenced me and in a lot of ways I could say that I wouldn’t be sympathic to FV without his influence (Sorry, Cal!).
Check that. Should be “baby vipers in covenant diapers.”
Mark,
I corresponded with Cal and he said he holds to credocommunion now (though possible for a very young child) and referred me to George Knight’s chapter on 1 Cor. 11 and self-examination in the Knox Colloquium book.
Aw man, that’s too bad for Cal.
So, do I understand that although he now holds to credocommunion (although very young children may be admitted), he once held to paedocommunion? And if he did once hold to paedocommunion, was he at that point heterodox or a heretic as many FV adversaries are trying to lay on FV adherents and friends? You see much of the contention between FV adherents and friends and the many vociferous opponents is not that there are disagreements over certain finer points of Reformed theology but that the opponents continually are crying heresy in spite of their lack of ability to hear what is really being said. This is a theological battle that seems to be being waged not on the basis of dialog but who can shout the loudest with the greatest number of supporters.
I would be surprised if Cal would label someone a heretic on the issue of paedocommunion alone. You’d have to ask him on that one. You can contact him through http://www.ecalvinbeisner.com.