The Reformed (2/2) - My Beef with the Reformed

It looks so good on paper doesn't it? People realizing in the 5 points of Calvinism that they have absolutely no ground to boast in other than the fact that God, for some reason, set his sights and love on them. This fact alone should point straight towards humility.

However, often the reformed are known to be bible-knowledgeable blowhards who hit people over the side of the head with the good book rather than living and loving in light of their professed beliefs. It baffles me that the people who understand God's grace the most, atleast in their minds, show it the least. Here's my beef with the reformed.

1.) Some end up becoming the very adjective that they should despise: religious.

Yuck. I hate religion. Religion says "behave or God won't love you". The gospel says "God loves you and if the Spirit is in you, you are finally free to live, that is, to love and serve God. The gospel, while showing the wages of sin, ultimately displays love as a motivator. Fear of God is definitely not absent in the Scriptures, but religion uses fear alone- even against born-again Christians. This is theologically wrong and just foolish.

2.) Theological, intellectual snobbery

I'm talking about the theological conversation that starts with one person describing their views and ends with the other person saying, "Oh. Well I believe the bible." Do they not understand that "believing the bible" is a pretty complex task. It is a task that is spiritual, intellectual, and philosophically presuppositional. To say, "Oh, I just believe the bible" belies cockiness and a poor understanding of the bible itself. This elitism makes NO sense in the light of the doctrine of Unconditional Election. It's like cocky person bragging about their lack of anything to brag about. I know, it's ridiculous.

3. Coldness

Sometimes people just need a hug. I do believe good theology is a necessary foundation for good, lasting relationships, however, sometimes you don't need to quote a bible verse. Sometimes you can just say, "I love you", "you're doing alright", or "Hey, Honey, you look beautiful". This last year I left a church with possibly the best bible-teaching in the country (honestly, and you probably know which one it is). It wasn't theological differences, it was just, for lack of a better word, cold. Members didn't talk to each other. We got floored by the Word and left. Church must be far more than sound theology and good teaching.

That's all I can think of for now. I pray that I never rub Calvinism or any other part of my theology in anyone's face (especially a brother). I won't to be very strong with my convictions but when discussing I want to simply show my case from the bible in humility.

If you've got different beef (or beef with my beef), then leave a comment.

The Reformed (1/2) - What is "Reformed" and What's so Great about it?

Alright, so here's where I'm coming from: I'm just going to get this out of the way. My theology over the last year has been becoming more and more reformed. I love the diligence the reformed show in following truth through to whatever end. They hold God and His Word in a higher esteem than cultural or individual sensitivities. I like that- that's what truth should be. I realize that when I say "reformed" some might not know what I mean. Some might know the term but think of it only in its main distinctives (e.g. Calvinist soteriology).

By reformed faith I especially mean:

1. Centered on God
   
2. Based on God's Word alone
   
3. Committed to faith alone
   
4. Devoted to Jesus Christ
   

These are based on the 5 "solas" of the reformation.

• Sola Scriptura: The Scripture Alone is the Standard
  
• Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone
  
• Solo Christo! By Christ's Work Alone are We Saved
  
• Sola Gratia: Salvation by Grace Alone
  
• Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone
  

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For the churched, this is nothing too new. Many creeds are similar to this. The difference between the reformed and the rest lies in the extent that these are followed through in theology and in practice. Luther and Calvin were extremely like-minded. Why Calvin's church has had the staying power that Luther's hasn't is because of that first bullet point. It's based not on a set of traditions, procedures, or creeds: it's center is in who God is- reformed theology is rooted in God Himself.

My view is that people believing reformed theology deep in their heart (not just their head) would be a sort of spiritual utopia: deep abiding joy and humility would abound with a heart-level understanding of the grace of our Lord.

In short, I have much respect and much passion about reformed faith. My passion is for God himself to be glorified for the God He is. For God's name to be pulled out of the muck of prosperity and self-help that American Christendom has drowned it in. For people to start to actually understand what the bible says rather than just saying they believe it. O, to see what the Lord would do if we became passionate about truth, grace, love, and above all, Yahweh himself.