Confrontational Theology

I was talking with a friend last night who is part of Heartland Fellowship. And he was mentioning that his friend, who is part of Heartland too, came from the Mennonite tradition. Both are fantastic people, deeply committed followers of Jesus and invested in Heartland.

He was mentioning that the person from the Mennonite tradition found the Reformed Creeds and Confessions confrontational. And that the Reformed tradition was difficult to understand and accept because of some of the harsh language used to describe people who didn't agree with them (ie. anabaptist). This person, who cherishes their Mennonite tradition, questioned being a part of Heartland because of the CRC attitude towards others. They wondered if joining Heartland meant turning their backs on what they love and grew up with. I understand the difficulty. I went to an anabaptist seminary, yet appreciate Reformed theology.

My first reaction after hearing this was I am sure glad they worked through the hard things and the pastor before me was willing to see theology as something that should bring us together, instead of tear us apart. If there wasn't humility and honesty, they wouldn't be a part of Heartland today -- which would be a big loss. This all brings up many questions, like is theology to define ourselves over and against others? Or is theology for bringing people together for discussion and wonder? Or is Theology only apologetics? Any thoughts?

Tags: heartland fellowship, anabaptists

A Second Look At Theological Arrogance

I grew up hearing exclusive language used to describe our denomination's theology and worldview. It was language that suggested superiority over other theological systems or churches. Things were stated in terms that suggested we were the only ones who believed these things and others foolishly didn't. Phrases like sola scriptura (by scriptures alone) were used to suggest that the CRC used only scriptures for deciding issues of faith and morality. They would say, well what makes us distinctly reformed is that we are sola scriptura. Which sounds a whole lot like, "We take scripture seriously and other churches do not." As a kid growing up, this was confusing for me since every Christian I met functioned under the assumption of sola scriptura. I noticed that others also took scriputer seriously and that we weren't the only ones. So the question became, why does the CRC say it is a distinctive when most other's hold that value too? Maybe it's not a distinctive of the reformed tradition, but a value that is important to us.

Neil Plantinga, has written about how to understand and embrace the reformed identity without sounding arrogant. Plantinga is the president of CTS and he wrote in the spring 2006 issue of the "Forum":

For years I joined many in speaking of things that are "distinctively Reformed." I like to think and speak in this way of certain doctrines (the sovereignty of God) and practics (following the Ten Commandments as a guide to the Christian life). "Distinctively Reformed," I would say. The phrase has a private club feel to it that you could enjoy with a little spasm of pride. "Members Only," the phrase seemed to say.

Well, I'm older now and see somethings I hadn't seen before. I no longer speak of doctines and practices as "distinctly Reformed" because the phrase is ambiguous. It could be taken to mean uniquely Reformed, as if we are the only kind of Christians who believed these doctrines or follow these practices. But we aren't. We have unique combination of doctrines and practices, but the individual items belong, in some form or another, to other editions of Christianity besides our own.

So I now speak in terms of doctrines and practices that are "characteristically Reformed." I mean to speak of things that show are "in character" as Reformed people.

I appreciate Plantinga's heart as he desires to communicate the theological system that we function under without re-inforcing dividing walls. He suggests using "characterisically Reformed" which is better than distinctively reformed.

Tags: calvin theological seminary, crc, neil plantinga

Inside look Into SYTH 440: Contours of Reformed Theology

Within my experience of studying Reformed Theology, questions that push the validity of the confessions or the Reformed heritage were usually met with a low grade version of hostility.

The confessions were used as the final answer to questions of theology. The focus of study was narrowed into the boundaries of Reformed theology. The goal was to understand the system of thought within the system.

Attempts to step out of the system and see things from a different perspective made people nervous. Conversation usually stopped and eye brows were lifted if you asked the wrong question. Most of our tradition has been defined by what we are not. We are not catholic or Anabaptist or charismatic. Much of our theology and creeds were crafted in times of hostility and was written to refute others not like us.

As part of this Reformed tradition, I have observed that we have inherited some great theology, but poor behavior and attitudes (there is a move afoot today to sanitize the confessions of bullying language). We can be arrogant in our theology and anti-ecumenical. But there has been some refreshing change in the past years.

For the past couple of weeks, 15 of us have been part of SYTH 440 at Calvin Theological Seminary. All of us are either in seminary (fuller, regent, acts) or have already graduated and are in pastoral ministry. We are taking this class as part of the EPMC program. We arrived in town and most of us were a bit apprehensive to take another class on theology -- especially a class on reformed theology from CTS In the Christian Reformed Tradition, some of us experienced theological training in the form of "open wide and swallow."

Yet, many of us had a liberating experience. No question was frowned on. The class was more like a lab testing ideas than a place to brief new pastors on the supremacy of the Reformed theology. It was a safe place to dialogue, question and wonder. It was in this environment that many of us began to appreciate and enjoy Reformed theology. It isn't perfect, it has holes, but it's got some pretty cool doctrines (transforming society, historical-redemptive, covenant etc.)

It's an observation that questions and dialogue create ownership, rather than the feared non-compliance.

I also noticed that the book store now stocks John Calvin bobble heads and it's quite convenient that Fathers' day is coming up.

Tags: epmc, calvin theological seminary, reformed theology

Reformed Theology

One more day of lectures.  It's been a healthy time of dialogue and conversation about reformed theology and hermeneutics.  There are some sharp people in this class and the questions being asked show the depth and maturity of the students.  We have grown closer to each other.  I'm coming home in a few days.  I enjoy studying, yet I miss my family.  It's time to go home. 

Tags: reformed theology