I was thinking about this the other day so I wanted to briefly
share my thoughts on why I think people reject Reformed theology.
For those who are unfamiliar with it, I am using the term Reformed to distinguish it from other
theological systems. In fact, I don't really consider Reformed theology to be a
system per se (although many would disagree). I simply think it is synonymous with
biblical theology. The Protestant Reformers were not inventing a new teaching,
but recovering an old one. They were reorienting the church away from ecclesiastical
authority back to scriptural authority; Sola Scriptura. And while today, much
of the Reformed faith is known only by the doctrines of grace, (TULIP) there is
so much more to it.
Now I realize that Protestantism and Reformed theology or Calvinism
are not synonymous. There are many strains of Protestantism that have arisen
since the Reformation. However, the core doctrines which were also taught by
other church fathers such as Augustine, and were revived by the Reformers were
widely accepted, whereas today, when it comes to the Bible's teaching on
election, soteriology, grace, the sovereignty of God, free will, etc., much of
the Protestant church seems to have more in common with Roman Catholicism. And
while Calvinism has made a significant resurgence today, many people still misunderstand
it and even go so far as to think we follow John Calvin instead of Jesus, which
is absurd. As Spurgeon said, "It is a nickname to call it Calvinism;
Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else."1
A Short History Lesson
I find it ironic that many who identify themselves as
Protestants today not only disagree with major tenets of the Protestant faith,
but they don't even know why. Part of the problem is historical ignorance.
The Reformation, although faced with much opposition, quickly
spread throughout Europe. One of the places it took strong root was in the
Netherlands. In the early seventeenth century Jacobus Arminius was recommended by
none other than Theodore Beza for a position as professor of theology at Leiden
University. Soon there arose dissention around his teaching. Word spread that
he had some strange ideas concerning predestination,
Romans chapter 9, and other doctrines, but before
these matters could be investigated, Arminius died in 1609. His followers
however, drew up five articles of doctrine in opposition to accepted
Reformation teaching, which was called the Remonstrance of 1610. This raised
quite a disturbance. Although the government initially tried to quell it,
eventually an official synod was called and leaders throughout Europe convened in
the city of Dordrecht to resolve the conflict. This was known as the Synod of
Dordt (1618-19). There, the five points of doctrine delineated in the
Remonstrance were unanimously denounced as heresy. And yet these five doctrines
codify classic Arminian theology, which many evangelicals today believe. In
response to this heterodoxy, the synod produced what came to be known as the
Canons of Dordt from which the five points of Calvinism were derived. And yet
here I am in the twenty-first century trying to explain to those who hold a
position which the church deemed heretical why the orthodox view shouldn't be
resisted. Talk about irony! But we continue on.
Resistance
I think for many who were brought up in a different tradition,
resistance to Reformed theology is an unwillingness to be wrong about what they
have always believed. It is a form of arrogance which says, "No, I can't
possibly be wrong!" Or, "I've been a Christian for thirty years;
don't tell me I'm misinterpreting the Bible!"
For some, changing what you believe can be a frightening
proposition. As a recovering Arminian, I understand this firsthand. I remember
wrestling with these things and thinking, if I believe this, everything I
thought I knew will be turned upside down. But the more I began actually
reading Scripture and learning how to interpret it, the more I realized this
wasn't some new teaching at all. In fact, it was historically reliable, and the
reason it has been taught throughout church history is because it was right there
in the Bible all along.
Unfortunately, some aren't even willing to investigate whether
or not it is faithful to Scripture. They just rule it out a priori. This is
like me saying, "Quantum physics is ridiculous! I don't believe that
stuff!" The fact is, I don't know the first thing about quantum physics,
so I am not in a position to determine whether it is valid or not. Until you truly
understand something, you cannot dismiss it as false. I would argue, at least
in my experience, that those who reject Reformed theology are rejecting a
caricature of it, not the real thing. Some, however, claim to know it full
well, but are so committed to free will that it has become their idol; trumping
even God Himself.
Another reason why I think people resist Reformed theology is
because it is a humbling theology. It goes against the very grain of our human
nature. It is the most God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, man-humbling theology.
As soon as you start talking about predestination (which is a biblical word by
the way) people immediately object and say, "but what about free
will?" It is in our nature to be more concerned with our freedom than
God's. We are selfish by nature. We don't like the idea that Someone is
sovereign over us. But when is the last time you gave serious consideration to
God's freedom? Is He not the creator and we are the creatures? Has the Potter
no right over the clay? I think the underlying reason that people reject
Reformed theology is not because it is incomprehensible or unbiblical; but
because they don't like it.
Theology matters. And a proper understanding of theology;
understanding of God, is vitally important. In fact, it affects every aspect of
our lives. It affects the way we think about God, ourselves, salvation,
friends, family, the world around us, our vocation, hobbies, the weather,
everything! Getting theology right is of the utmost importance. So at the end
of the day, we need to submit ourselves to the authority of Scripture whether
we like it or not.
There is so much more that could be said in defense of
Reformed teaching, but perhaps I will attempt to tackle that in another post. I
would encourage anyone reading this, before you rule out Reformed
theology/Calvinism, you should at least investigate it first. Don't believe the
half truths or horror stories you may have heard. Be open-minded. You may find
a deep, rich, God-exalting, historically grounded, thoroughly biblical theology
you have been missing.
Here are some tools to get started:
What is Reformed Theology?
Five Points
6 part seminar with John Piper:
http://www.desiringgod.org/seminars/tulip-2013-part-1
1 A Defense of Calvinism by C. H. Spurgeon
