About Us
Who I Am
My name is Nathan Pitchford. I am a notable sinner, saved by a Redeemer whose grace is more notable yet. My Father has blessed me with a Christ-centered and Kingdom-minded wife, Nicole; and one son, Mishael Calvin [Mishael, Hebrew for “Who is what God is?”; Calvin, after the reformer]; as well as every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
The Motivation Behind This Site
When I first began to consider the possibility of launching a web page on which to post various theological articles, I was largely driven by an overwhelming belief, and the recognition of a deficiency. That belief, which I trust all evangelicals will affirm with me, is that Christ is the central figure of all history and the fullness of all reality. The perceived deficiency was the overwhelmingly common way in which modern believers understand the Old Testament, in particular, so as practically to deny the former truth. I must candidly admit that I perceived this same deficiency in myself, and only began to recognize it through the means of several excellent and Christ-centered resources which God brought across my path, most notably A History of the Work of Redemption, by Jonathan Edwards; The Glory of Christ, by John Owen; and Monergism. Through these and other similar means, I gradually became convinced that I and a great many other believers besides me were not doing justice to Christ’s clear statement that all of the Old Testament Scriptures testified of him (John 5:39); nor to the clear example left for us by the apostles’ inspired usage of the Old Testament. Upon this realization, there began to burn within me the desire to disseminate, as widely as possible, a minutely and radically Christ-centered way of understanding, not just all of history and reality in the abstract, but more concretely, the Old Testament scriptures themselves. Such was my original desire: and I hope to God that it has remained firm to this day.
Since that time I have attempted to argue for a Christ-centered, redemptive-historical hermeneutic, and to flesh this hermeneutic out practically in the exegesis of various texts and the delineation of various biblical theological motifs. I have also written occasionally and variously on worship, Christian unity, the law, baptism, missions, and other topics that demand a Christ-centered perspective; and I have even published a few badly written poems and hymns. Throughout this time, I have written and said much that I later recognized to be in error, and I have learned much from gracious commenters who have been thoughtful enough to expose my inconsistencies; but through it all, as weak and imperfect as my paltry efforts have been, the Spirit has not allowed the flame of desire to see Christ made much of burn out in my heart. It has sometimes smoldered and smoked, and almost burned out – but praise be to God, who always arrives in due time to stir it up again with a new and exhilarating glimpse of Christ! The course of my life is running fast to its end; and God grant that, when it is finally and mercifully over, I will not be as that wicked servant who hid his talent in the earth. O Father, may I be faithful to proclaim the glory of Christ until you grant to me my final rest in him in whom is hid my life! Thus the brief history of Pitchford’s Ramblings. Feel free to browse through the various categories and engage in meaningful and scriptural dialogue on any topic.
Basic Descriptors of our Theology
This is not intended to be a thorough doctrinal statement, but simply (as the heading suggests) a few basic descriptors of what we believe.
First and foundationally, we believe in the inerrancy, infallibility, inspiration, and all-sufficiency of scriptures. We believe that the Spirit of God uses his word to open hearts to see the glory of Christ.
Second, we believe that this understanding of scriptures leads to the five “solas” of the Reformation: we are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in his Son Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, and the scriptures alone constitute the basis for our beliefs and practices.
Anyone else that holds to these “non-negotiables,” (including as well such foundational things as the orthodox conception of the Trinity, the true deity and humanity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, etc.) we embrace as a brother in Christ. Although we may argue passionately for certain other doctrines, as listed below, we hope by the grace of God never to be divided from someone who clings to the pure gospel of God’s grace.
Third, we subscribe to the doctrines of grace, commonly formulated as the five points of Calvinism.
Fourth, we espouse Covenant Theology, and reject all forms of Dispensationalism.
These things we consider to be of great importance, and will spend considerable effort in combating different opinions, although we hope to do so with the love of Christ. The following two points we consider of relatively less importance, and have no qualms about agreeing to a “truce” with those who believe differently, although we hope it will be a truce in which each will be sparking the other to a more consistent interpretation of scriptures.
Fifth, we subscribe to an amillennial eschatological position; but we consider the mere scheme of eschatology of relatively minor importance, and have no hesitancy embracing those with either historical premillennial views or evangelical postmillennial views.
Sixth, we subscribe to Reformed paedo-baptism, for reasons which we have set forth in various articles on the subject; however, we retain very close ties and fellowship with many credo-baptist friends in Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria