The Reformed Paradigm: Thinking Like a Protestant in the Humanistic, Evangelical Wilderness

Introduction

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).

With heroic, unbending determination, the epistle of Jude stands as a clarion witness to all generations of the church, exhorting her to engage in the systematic argument proclamation of the truth of Christianity as the supreme and absolute religion over all opposition.

This “contending” is not a polite debate society where all facts, opinions and positions from all religions or philosophies are put forward on equal terms with Christianity. Christianity is not interested in an egalitarian “exchange of ideas” with corrupt alien worldviews. The Christian position holds that all true knowledge has its genesis in Scripture alone and that Scripture is the final authority on every subject of which it speaks. The truth of Christianity then, rests not on external evidence nor upon how well reasoned our argument may be, but on Scripture. Accordingly, as proclaimers and enforcers of truth, the elect of God enter the arena of life to prove and work out the Faith with a view of dominion through determined conflict. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4,5).

In the main body of this article, I hope to portray the battlefield, both within the Church and society at large, so that we may boldly pursue the reestablishment of Reformed presuppositions as a basis for enforcing Christ's Crown and Covenant in a comprehensive way. It is important to note that according to 1 Corinthians 11:19, truth and orthodoxy are always worked out against error and heresy. Thus, I will not flinch in expressing the clear superiority of the Reformed position verses our adversaries, including those within the Church.

The Battle Within

Modern American Evangelicalism has been in doctrinal decay for over 25 years. This degeneration has been well documented from many quarters in recent years. Regrettably, very few pastors seem to be heeding the warning signs of the resultant social disaster such decay will inevitably produce. While space does not permit me to examine the historical record regarding this negative phenomena, I will seek to examine the horrific effect hyper-Arminianism, so-called Creative-Love- Free-Will-Theism, neo-orthodoxy and corrupted church-growth philosophies have had on foundational doctrinal and ethical issues within the evangelical world. I will then contrast the end result of these trends against the truth of Reformed orthodoxy or Protestantism in its highest, most pristine form.

I fully realize many evangelicals will be offended by my conclusions. I do not pretend that every individual evangelical pastor, professor, church or seminary is guilty of treachery. Still, after cutting through all of the subtlety, subterfuge and excuses from the chaotic evangelical world, I stand unyielding by my conclusions that see a renascence of Reformed distinctives vigorously applied to the church, as the only hope to enforce Christ's Crown in society at large.

My method for contrasting modern evangelical thought verses the Reformed paradigm will entail a point-counterpoint format ranging over selected topics. Ergo, I hope to encourage a renewing of the mind so we may again think like Protestants.

Orthodoxy and Doctrine

Evangelical thought has rapidly declined in its once rigorous emphasis on doctrine. Doctrine is increasingly perceived as man-made. “No creed but Christ” and “Christ is a person, not a doctrine” have become popular refrains. Yet, even these are creedal statements, though ill defined. It seems the more vague the better in these ranks. This results in maximum latitude for infidelity to orthodoxy. A prevailing thought that all conflict is the result of inflexible dogmas, has caused truth to be sacrificed on the altar of convenience. Peace, unity and reconciliation at all cost are their present goals, and orthodoxy stands in the way!

Reformed thought sees orthodoxy and doctrine as paramount. Consequently, conflict is unavoidable. It is the plain duty of the Reformed man to strive in the establishment of Christ's dominion in the earth. This is accomplished through the superiority and efficacy of Reformed orthodoxy. Jude 3- 11; Titus 1:9,10; 2:1. Reformed distinctives are applicable to the regenerate and the unregenerate alike. Thus, Reformed thought refuses to amend or yield in its doctrinal absolutes and there is no surprise when autonomous man, an ethical rebel, balks at these absolutes, seeking solace in the fog of subjective mysticism. Reformed thought, like the sun disperses such haze.

The Nature of Man

Evangelical thought giving ground to semi-Pelagian judgment under the guise of “Free Will Theism,” perceives man as intrinsically good, born morally neutral or judicially innocent. Accordingly, give man enough evidence and he will believe. Man's will is free and supreme and able to frustrate God's will. In the most extreme cases, universal salvation is implied though formally condemned.

Reformed thought sees man apart from God as totally depraved. Unregenerate man, an ethical rebel, acts only in his own best interest in opposition to the truth. Man needs conviction of sin, not evidence. His will is a slave to sin nature under bondage to the devil. No human social evolution apart from God is possible.

The Gospel

Evangelicals generally hold that the gospel must be disguised so as not to offend. Presentations must be “seeker sensitive” to avoid condemnation. Care is taken not to use the Bible since it has a negative cultural context. Issues of sin are not to be discussed since this action has a tendency to make the hearer uncomfortable. Thus, man, not God, is the center of this kind of gospel.

Reformed distinctives demand the proclamation of truth, not the selling of it! The gospel is a covenantal lawsuit which judicially condemns man as dead in trespass and sin, yet for the elect is life and redemption. The gospel divides the sheep from the goats. It will not be accepted by all men and will never be palatable to those not called.

Relationships

Evangelicalism has put such a huge premium on harmonious personal relationships that doctrine and practice have become subservient. Unity is based on how well one “relates” to others. The view is one of greater enlightenment, making so-called name calling such as heretic, apostate, heterodox etc. obsolescent in favor of “healing therapeutic language” which promotes peaceful coexistence and unity at all costs.

Reformed thought holds that any relationship not defined by doctrine is idolatry. For example, it is treasonous, sinful behavior for one who is saved knowingly to marry an unbeliever. Another example, not dealing with the heretic according to Scripture is sinful. Unity based on confessional orthodoxy breeds sound relationships. Unity based on relationships is fraudulent.

Experience

Evangelicals, having rejected God's Law as the base of ethics, are left only with impressions, leadings and “felt knowledge” as a subjective mercurial standard for sanctification. Thus, great premium is placed on new and greater mystical experiences whether Biblical or not. I euphemistically call this “Debbie Boone theology” or “how can it be so wrong when it feels so right.”

Reformed orthodoxy demands the testing of all experience precisely by the Law-Word of God. Seeking to experience the communicable attributes of God as delineated in Scripture is permissible. You may not seek to experience that which is reserved for God alone. Herein was Adam's folly. Ethics is determined by God's Law, not by mystical subjectivism.

Revival and Reformation

Evangelicals tend to view “revival” as man-centered. Sentimentality and hyper-emotionalism stirred by impassioned guilt manipulation leads to pacifistic, pietistic introspection. This view tends to dualism and a compartmentalizing of life, which glorifies the spirit world and denies the material. This limits the rule of God to the unseen. Societal reformation is spoken of; yet due to antinomianism (rejection of God's Law), any “reforming” is turned inward, resulting in legalism and will worship.

Reformed distinctives depict revival and reformation as the consistent and persistent application of God's Law Word to all spheres of life. Biblical revival leads first to a return of doctrinal orthodoxy and fidelity to the Law of God. As a result of this “reviving,” conviction of sin and the public destruction of idolatry coextensive throughout society are evidenced. Finally, a reconstruction of culture or Christian civilization is erected, leading to national blessing, peace and prosperity.

Undoubtedly, I could sustain this comparison indefinitely ranging over a myriad of subjects. However, the point should be well taken that orthodox Protestant thinking, exemplified best by the Reformed Faith, is quite different from modern evangelical, man-centered subjectivism, which is unwittingly allied with humanism. The main points of Reformed distinctives show that neutrality is nonexistent and that the immutable truths of Scripture are in a state of war with all competing visions of reality.

“No neutrality” is an essential understanding if the church is to challenge the corrupt antichristian worldviews which rule in our society. You can't beat humanism with vague evangelical fuzzies. Only a fully articulated Puritan hope can engage and defeat the “bad guys” who hold competing visions of social order.

The Culture War

As previously stated, the Scriptural pattern for the working out of our Faith is always in juxtaposition to error and heresy. This pattern of dynamic tension is true when dealing with doctrinal issues within the church and is applicable when combatting alien philosophies outside of the church.

The church's present fight is against the kingdom of humanism. Humanism is a religion which seeks to deify man through statist, pagan and occultic influences. Humanism, replete with its own manifesto, is a fully articulated antichristian worldview. The kingdom of humanism has touched every social institution in our nation, including the church. Thus, it is imperialistic. The myth of humanism is that a scientific elite has through time, reinvented God and ethics in man's image (the antithesis of the Biblical record) and has engineered a superior secular culture, ever evolving into a cooperative society resulting in a Utopian ideal and ultimately immortality apart from the God of the Bible. Human progress is akin to divinity itself and therefore any religion (especially orthodox Christianity) which would impede such progress is seen as retrograde, fit for eradication. Humanism, then, tolerates no other gods before it.

The Nature of the Kingdom

Reformed presuppositions agree with the nature of the Kingdom of God in that neutrality does not exist in any area of life, the primary notion being that all knowledge has its genesis and application in Scripture alone and that any other man-centered idea, philosophy, political/social theory, economics, educational theories, indeed man's civilization itself, is at war with God.

Reformed distinctives and the Kingdom of God agree with the Biblical ideal or the sum of God's will, which requires the absolute destruction of sin and evil in the individual and society. Scripture clearly depicts the Kingdom of God as God's authorized and judicially required civilization which subjugates all competing kingdoms. See Psalm 2:1-12; 103:19; 110:1-3; Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:17- 23; 1 John 3:8. Thus, the Kingdom of God is not static nor passively ethereal, but, is actively conquering all before it.

The Reformed Faith sees the Kingdom of God, Christ's Crown and Covenant, disinheriting all interests of unregenerate man and his kingdoms. Thus, humanism and the Kingdom of God are locked in mortal combat and the righteous are divinely guaranteed absolute and comprehensive victory!

Action Stations!

Dear saints, what will you do about the murderous agenda of humanism? How will you respond? Do you have the ability to respond? If not, why not? Do you see the legions of apostates, neo- and anti-orthodox liberals, antinomians and flat-out traitors within the evangelical ranks and lose hope? Is the humanistic juggernaut with its brigades of skeptics, modernists, hedonists, atheists, statists, feminists and other assorted miscreants assured of victory? Are you serious about fighting? Then allow me to lay out a practical plan to prepare you for combat.

First and foremost, STUDY! Away with your popular sugar-coated devotionals and fanciful “Christian novels” which know nothing of real battle, majoring instead on introspective navel gazing and vain imaginings! Be determined to read and study real theology in order to build your faith and steel your mind to go on the attack! In other words, start reading the classic works of John Calvin, John Knox, John Owen, Charles Hodge, A.A. Hodge and B.B. Warfield to name just a few.

Embracing the Reformed Faith means that a fundamental shift in the way you view the world must take place. Once Reformed, you must forswear the compromise of evangelicalism, the apathy of pietism, and the apostasy of liberalism. It is time to think like, act like and fight like Protestants. If you want to bring honor to your King, nothing else will do.