A Response to Reformed Presbyterians: Semper Reformanda

Background

The sine qua non of Reformed theology is soteriology. Covenant theology and certain types of eschatology are not essential core distinctives.

Sadly, the majority of Reformed Presbyterians seem to be so bigoted and locked into their infantile theological cliques that they look down upon and refuse to recognize believers such as Reformed Baptists as being worthy of the Reformed label. The arrogance and lack of charity is both astounding and nauseating.

Like the Pharisees, who Christ rebuked, they sat in the chair of Moses and demanded everyone obey them. The truth is that they were following man made traditions, rather than the Scripture alone.

These self-appointed haughty and smug gatekeepers of all things Reformed seem to take pleasure in informing other believers that they’re not Reformed! They need to humble themselves and repent!

Their argument for excluding folks like me is akin to arguing that only Germany is a European country!!

I have taken enough abuse from these myopic Presbyterians! I AM REFORMED!!!

Reforming What?

The principle of reforming comes directly from Scripture. The Reformers didn’t invent this concept, they recognized it and applied it. We should be continually reforming our doctrine to conform and match what Scripture teaches. Is there any Christians who are so arrogant they believe their interpretation of Scripture is perfect and infallible? I think not. If they did they’d be heretical and likely cultists.

For a detailed treatment of what it means to be Reformed please see my blog post referenced below, “What Does It Mean to Be Reformed?”.

What Does It Mean to Be Reformed?

Magisterial Reformers

Do the Reformers get to define what being Reformed means? No! They were a catalyst for theological discussion and rediscovery of doctrine, but they did not discover anything novel or new. The Reformation was a return to biblical orthodoxy. We should not confuse the non-essential distinctives the Reformers held, such as ecclesiology, the regulated principle of worship, eschatology such as amillennialism and postmillennialism, and covenant theology, with the essential core distinctives of Reformed theology which are defined by Scripture alone! Being good Bereans and Sola Scriptura adherents we know that ALL doctrine comes from careful study of the Scriptures.

Maybe being amillennial (a vestige left over from Roman Catholicism – seems in some areas the Reformers didn’t reform enough), and adhering to covenant theology was a popular position in the 16th and 17th centuries. However that doesn’t imply we modern believers must hold to it as if they are essential distinctives!

Confessions

These non-essential views made their way into Reformed confessions and once that happened the majority of Reformed believers became convinced that because a certain theological proposition was codified in a confession it must be both unchallengeable as well as an essential distinctive. This was a grave and tragic mistake.

Dispensational and Reformed?

As I argue in one of my blog posts, “Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism: Towards a Definition of Reformed Essentials”, referenced below, one can be fully Reformed while holding to a dispensational premillennial eschatology. It is true that for some dispensationalists they have 2 different paths to salvation and a non-Reformed soteriology, but that is not so in my case. I consider myself to be a Reformed Baptist who agrees with 95% of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and who holds to a premillennial eschatology.

Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism: Towards a Definition of Reformed Essentials

So Much Hate

Such is the hatred and bigotry of many Reformed Presbyterians that they even refuse to allow the label of Reformed to be used by 1689 Reformed Baptists who DO hold to covenant theology!

Some Reformed Presbyterians seem to hold to infant baptism (paedobaptism) as an essential core distinctive, but if one is a careful student of Scripture they will see that is wrong, and that the credobaptist position (believer’s baptism) is correct.

Observations

In my interactions with hundreds of Reformed Presbyterians online I’ve noticed the following:

• Some will deny you the Reformed label if you do not hold to infant baptism.
• Some will deny you the Reformed label if you hold to a dispensational understanding of eschatology.
• Some will deny you the Reformed label if you don’t hold to one of the historic Reformed Confessions 100% with no disagreement.

I will continue to be Reformed and carefully examine my doctrinal beliefs and compare them with what the Holy Spirit shows me in Scripture.

Just Who Is Truly Reformed?

I maintain that those Reformed like me, who haven’t turned off their minds and hitched themselves to 100% adherence to a Reformed confession without any possible variance, are stuck in the 16th century and have sadly never advanced past the non-essentials held by the Magisterial Reformers, such as Luther and Calvin, which they conflate with essentials, are the truly Reformed. I have Reformed beyond their static and anachronistic theology in the areas of eschatology and baptism.

Sola Scriptura

Sadly, many of these Reformed Presbyterians are guilty of the Appeal to Authority logical fallacy. I think for myself, I hold to Sola Scriptura and get my doctrinal beliefs SOLELY from Scripture. At the end of the day every Reformed confession, and every theological opinion of Reformers is subordinate to the authority of Scripture. But Reformed Presbyterians know this, so it’s odd that they have painted themselves into a corner doctrinally and cannot further reform. Sadly this is precisely what the Roman Catholic church did, and what the Magisterial Reformers rightly protested and challenged, even at the risk of their own lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, let me say that I love my Presbyterian brothers and sisters. And it’s my fervent desire that they will reform further. This post was a long time coming and reflects over 20 years of animosity and bigotry directed at me by Reformed Presbyterians for holding to what I believe are biblical theological positions. And intentionally excluding me from their club. So this post may be a bit strident and reactionary. If I have offended you please forgive me. I will keep contending for the truth as God leads me into all truth! Soli Deo Gloria.

My closing advice: Semper Reformanda (Always [Be] Reforming) saints! Don’t let Presbyterians or any Christian bully, denigrate, belittle, or be dismissive towards you for being truly Reformed!