James Beadle:
"The arrogance lies in deciding what we wish to accept from Gods words. The creation story makes no sense to our logic, so clearly it must be wrong, or just an expansive allegory. This bread doesn't look like flesh, so my reason tells me Jesus must have meant something else than what he actually said. Election and free will cannot coexist, human reason rejects it, so we must choose one over the other, ignoring the scriptures that do not support the position we choose (as opposed to living in the tension and admitting that some things are a mystery to us and God never lies in His word). No, the arrogance is all ours when it comes to making up our own stories instead of accepting the words God has given us in the scriptures."
Spencer’s history of Kentucky Baptists in the 19th century, p. 276-278:
David Thurman was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, August 12, 1792. At the age of ten years, he was left an orphan and went to live with an elder brother, who put him to keeping bar in a tavern. He was a youth of great energy, and was fond of books. He pursued his studies with the same enthusiasm that characterized him when horse racing and playing cards.
But his wild career was suddenly cut short, in his nineteenth year, by the preventing grace of God. He was overwhelmingly convicted of sin, and after a brief but agonizing struggle he found great peace and joy, in trusting in Jesus. He was baptized by David Elkin into the fellowship of Good Hope church. Soon after his baptism, he began to exhort his former companions in sin to repent and believe the gospel.
Meanwhile, he studied theology under Nathan Hall, a distinguished Presbyterian preacher. In 1814 he was ordained to the ministry and was soon called to the care of Stewards Creek and Hardins Creek churches in Washington county. In the spring of 1818, he moved to what is now LaRue county, and gave his membership to Nolin church, of which Alexander McDugal was pastor.
Of this church Mr. Thurman at once became the working pastor, and, on the death of the aged incumbent, was formally called to that position. He also accepted the care of Mill Creek in Nelson county and Rhodes Creek, in Hardin county. His removal to the territory of Salem Association marked a new era in the history of that ancient fraternity.
In 1828, after a season of coldness in the churches, which had continued many months, Thurman became greatly afflicted because of the spiritual chill that pervaded the churches of Salem Association. He did not, however, diminish his labors, but increased them. Laboring from house to house, night and day, God’s presence began to be manifest among the people on Barren Run.
The revival spread rapidly, and soon a large number were baptized at Nolin church. During this revival, Mr. Thurman was assisted by William M. Brown, then an active young preacher.
At Nolin church one Saturday, Mr. Thurman appeared very despondent. There had been a long dearth, and the pastor’s heart was discouraged. He told the church that his labors had not been blessed; it probably was not the will of the Lord that he should labor among them, and advised them to procure another pastor. He sat down, and a profound and painful silence ensued.
Among the members present was the aged widow of John LaRue, after whom LaRue county was named. She was one of those noble Priscillas with whom God occasionally blesses his churches. She had sat humbly listening to every word the pastor said, until he sat down.
After a few moments of profound silence, she straightened herself up, and pointing one finger directly at the minister, said, in a strong emphatic tone:
“Brother Thurman, I’ll tell you what the matter is — Stop preaching John Calvin and James Arminius, and preach Jesus Christ.”
After a few moments, Mr. Thurman arose, with the tears streaming down his cheeks, and repeated the text: “For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
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