Yearly Archives: 2011

What Is Reformed Theology?

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What Is Reformed Theology?

Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies
by Bob Burridge ©2011

There is often confusion about what is meant by “Reformed Theology.” It’s not the “Theology” part that gives people a problem. That clearly means that this is a view about God and how he is made known to us. It’s the “Reformed” part that has acquired many different meanings.

To some, being reformed means any change of something into something different. But renovation or remodeling is not quite the same as reforming it. Reformation means changing the form of something back into it’s original shape after it had become deformed in some way.

A simple illustration always comes to my mind. When I was young my dad and I would make lead soldiers. We would melt down pieces of lead, then pour it into a mold. When it cooled the mold was opened and I had a nice set of toy soldiers to stir my imagination in games of battle.

After some rough skirmishes the soft metal would bend or even break. The soldiers didn’t look battle ready when their rifles, arms, or legs were bent or broken off. The simple solution was to take them back to the kitchen table to melt them down again. We would pour the melted metal back into the mold so they would again emerge with their original shape.

In time the same thing happens to the teachings of God’s word. Mishandling of various texts causes the truths of Scripture to become deformed. They no longer resemble what God actually said. It most often takes place slowly. Questions are asked that try to look behind the things God has chosen to make known to us. Theories are offered to attempt an answer to the questions. Soon the models we think up become part of the facts we plug into other more highly developed theories. Before long the original theories are treated with the same authority as the biblical facts. What emerges is a distorted theology.

The Reformers of the 16th century saw a need to get back to the original teachings that derive from the Bible alone. Theories were doubted when they included assumed facts which were merely based upon earlier imagined truths.

Late in the afternoon, on Thursday the 18th of April, 1521, Martin Luther stood accused of heresy. He was a simple monk, a scholar, and pastor. He had been called to stand before an awesome court. It was made up of the Emperor himself, Charles V. Along with him was the Archduke Ferdinand and six electors of the Empire. There were 24 dukes who were each powerful sovereigns over their own countries. There were ambassadors from England and France and a great company of archbishops, bishops, and other dignitaries from the Pope.

Luther was being charged with defying the beliefs promoted by the Church of Rome. There at this historic meeting at Worms, he spoke a few simple but famous words which reflected the tsunami that was beginning to wash over the world at that time.

The day before he had been asked by the formidable Dr. Eck to retract and to disavow what he had written in 20 some books and pamphlets laid out on a table there in the court. Very humbly, Luther asked for a delay of one day to carefully consider his answer. It wasn’t that he doubted what he believed or what was right. He recognized how important his answer was. He wanted to give it prayerful consideration.

The day had come for him to give his response. he explained that his writings were of various kinds, some quoting the word of God directy which could never be disavowed. But regarding his challeges to some of the teachings of the church which were not supported by Scripture he spoke these historic words:

“I cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it is clear as day they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless, therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture, or on plain and clear grounds of reason, so that conscience shall bind me to make acknowledgment of error, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything contrary to conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. May God help me. Amen.”

The result of re-forming what was believe about God came to be called “Reformed Theology.” What had been accepted as fact was being poured back into the mold of Scripture to restore the original shape God had revealed in his written word.

Our Westminster Confession clearly takes the same reformed position.

1:10 The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.”

The Reformed Theologian is not in love with his theology. He loves God’s word and grace. He lets go of his dearest beliefs in a moment if they do not conform to what he discovers in the Bible.

We humbly rest upon the warning given in Deuteronomy 29:29,

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

We have enough to deal with in working to understand what God tells us in his written word. We dare not presume upon those things which remain unrevealed. When human inventions distort what God has said we need to be reformers for our present age. All that we believe must be poured back into the mold God has given so that a purified theology comes out, a set of beliefs that are formed by nothing less than, nothing more than, what God has revealed to us in his word. That is what we mean by “Reformed Theology.”

(Note: The Bible quotations in this article are from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.)

Regulating Worship (Lesson Intro)

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Regulating Worship – Lesson

Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies
by Bob Burridge ©2011

Today we have published Lesson 3 to Unit 5 of our on-line Syllabus on Reformed Theology. The topic is “The Regulative Principle of Worship.” This is the first installment of a series of lessons dealing with chapter 21 of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

All believers in Christ regulate their worship according to some principles drawn from God’s word. No one would include openly sinful things to be done imagining it to be worshipful. The “Proscriptive” form of regulated worship allows for anything to be included in worship that is not prohibited by direct biblical reference. The problem with the Proscriptive approach is that it assumes that worship can be anything we imagine it to be as long as it isn’t sinful.

The Reformers questioned that approach. In it’s place they called worshipers to a more careful examination of Scripture. The view that emerged as a result of their work is called the “Prescriptive” form or regulated worship. Only God can know how he is to be properly worshiped.

Our family has often done theme parties to celebrate birthdays for our children and grandchildren. We use decorations that fit with the things they are currently interested in. I’m sure they would be disappointed if instead I designed their party around things only I was interested in at the time. Similarly, the things that may seem honoring to God to us, may not be fit for the worship of our perfectly holy Creator-Redeemer.

The Bible shows us how worship is to be conducted. It tells us by direct statement and example what specific elements are proper for the gathering of a congregation on the Sabbath Day. It also shows us how God has been angred and offended by the inovations of well intended people who approached him their own way instead of the way he had prescribed.

This lesson in our Syllabus begins a study of the biblical principles that regulate worship. The next few lessons will expand upon that in more depth. View the lesson here.

Christian Liberty

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We have added Lesson 2 to Unit 5 of our on-line Syllabus on Reformed Theology. The topic is “Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience.” It deals with Chapter 20 of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

There are many opinions about what it really means to be “free.” The Lesson deals with how the concept is defined and applied in Scripture. Once the basic principles are known we gain way of evaluating the cultural questions that so often divide and confuse Christians in our changing world.

The Lesson does not get into giving answers to specific application questions such as the morality of various controversial practices which some condemn as “worldly”, while others freely engage in them. Issues such as moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking, dancing, wearing various kinds of jewelry, eating meat, playing occult type games at parties, watching certain movies (or all movies), etc. are best dealt with independently in separate articles. We have taken up many of these issues in our Thursday night Webchat times and will continue to address them as questions arise.

The purpose of this newly posted lesson is to lay out sound biblical principles that can be used in making decisions about specific issues that may trouble the conscience, but are not directly addressed in the Bible.

Dr. G. I. Willimason in his lessons on the Westminster Confession wisely comments, “It has been said, there is a Pope in every man’s heart. We are all tempted to think that we could improve our fellow Christians if we had charge of their conscience.”

Jesus Christ is Lord of our conscience. His written word informs us of the details of how we honor that lordship.

A Lesson in Humility from 1 Peter 5:6

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A Lesson in Humility from 1 Peter 5:6

by Bob Burridge ©2011

Humility doesn’t come easily. Our fallen human nature naturally tends to put itself first. It puts its own comfort and peace above the needs of others. It also tends to take for itself that that are God’s. The Sabbath Day is reduced to remembering God for a few hours on Sunday morning. Tithes and offerings are redefined so we have more to spend on our own needs. God’s glory is directed toward the creature rather than the Creator. Basically, fallen souls want to do what they want, even if God says otherwise.

Humility is the opposite of all that. It puts God first. It honors him with what is his. It obeys what God tells us to do and not to do. It gives him all the glory for all that is good.

Our verse for this study comes from what the Apostle Peter wrote in his first Epistle.

1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

The context of this verse is extremely important. Before we can understand the lesson about humility here we need to see how it fits into what the Apostle was writing about. Chapter 5 begins with a command from God to the Elders of the church.

The Elders he’s talking about here are not just the older people in the church. They are the Church officers, they are the “Presbyters”. The word “Elders” here is Presbuteroi (πρεσβυτεροι). They are the men called and ordained to teach and lead God’s People. The word was defined by Scripture long before Christ came, and the office was carried over into the church after his resurrection. Elders were appointed by the Apostles as each new congregation was formed.

Biblically the church is to be run by Local Elders. That’s why the Rule of Elders is called the Presbyterian form of church government. It’s the form followed by all the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Even the “Reformed Baptists” are organized under the rule of Local Elders. They should be looked to with respect for their office.

In verses 1-4 of 1 Peter 5 it tells what Peter commands them to be and to do:

(1) The Elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: (2) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (4) and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Submit to God, Resist the Devil

The Elders are to be shepherds of the congregation. They are to care tenderly for the spiritual needs of the members. They are to be overseers of the congregation. The word for “overseers” is Episkopoi (επισκοποι) which means literally “those who watch over something”. In older times this word was translated as “Bishops”. It’s where the Episcopal form of Church government comes from. That’s the form followed by the Anglicans (Episcopalians) and Methodists. But the word as used here clearly isn’t referring to a separate group of officers. It’s one of the jobs of all the Elders.

Their work is to be done not by force, or by greed for office, but by being humble examples. Their reward will come at the time of Christ’s final appearing as the Chief Shepherd of the church. They will receive God’s reward of glory for their faithful work.

The final word to them is that they should be submissive to God. It’s only as they are humble before God and follow Christ as their Shepherd that they can effectively shepherd God’s flock.

Then he adds that they need to resist the Devil. Satan is a spirit who is out to actively destroy the church and to get her off track. The Elders need to be resistant to all the Devil’s efforts.

Next Peter turns to those who are to be led by these Elders in verses 5-9

The word for “younger people” here is neoteroi (νεωτεροι), It comes from the Greek word neos (νεος) which fundamentally means “new”. They are the less experienced in the congregation, the members under the leadership of the Elders. They are to submit to the leadership and example of the Elders as long as those Elders are rightfully exercising the authority and responsibilities God has assigned to them.

However, this verse calls God’s people to do more than just submit to church leaders. It says they should all be submissive one to another. He’s talking about living humbly. Not always promoting their own glory, accomplishments or skills. Not always trying to have their own way. Not sulking or complaining when things go a way they didn’t want. Instead they’re to wear humility as if it was their clothing.

Then Peter reminds his readers of God’s attitude toward the proud and toward the humble. He refers to Proverbs 3:34, “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.”

Peter doesn’t quote this verse directly from the original Hebrew text. There is says he “scorns the scorner”, here Peter says he “resists the proud”. Peter is quoting from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament which was in common use then. The Septuagint has the same word Peter uses here, antitasso (αντιτασσω). It means “to oppose” or “to resist”. James 4:6 quotes the same verse in the same way Peter does here. That was the proper understanding of what the verse in Proverbs 3:34 meant.

The meaning of the quote is clear. God looks with anger upon those who are unsubmissive. His blessing of grace is upon those who are humble, submissive to God’s ways and authority. That includes those God calls to represent his authority on earth in the church (as the context here shows), in the home, in the work place, and in the civil government.

Then we come to the verse we are considering in this study. 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”

In all things, you are to submit yourselves to God’s rulership. Particularly as you are led in the church by God’s Elders. But the point is that all of us should follow God’s ways. The Elders are there to show God’s people those ways.

God’s promise is that he will exalt the humble.
The reward God promises here doesn’t come by a person’s own aggressive behavior to seek and to seize blessings for himself. It is a gift of God that he attaches to the obedience he puts in a person’s heart when he is saved by grace alone. No one can find true peace, happiness, security, and satisfaction in life unless it comes from God as he blesses the obedience he stirs up in a redeemed heart toward and by Christ.

This is accomplished by casting all your care upon him because he cares for you (verse 7). Rather than arrogantly looking to yourself, or to things merely made by God as a way of getting things, you put all your hope and concerns upon him who is your Loving Lord and Good Shepherd. You humble yourselves. You lay aside your own glory and personal wants for Christ’s glory and desires, and you do the same regarding the needs of others.

You can and should do that because, he cared for you and died to make you acceptable to God, and able to obey him.

Peter ends this section by turning our attention to God, the one who makes us able to obey.

(10) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (11) To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

There is no other proper response to God’s enabling us, than to worship him, to praise him, and to honor him by our obedience. The humble bow before God and consider him worthy of all their devotion and service. They steal nothing from him. All he calls them to do they do. They don’t put their own desires or interests before what their Lord knows is best.

(Note: The Bible quotations in this article are from the New King James Bible unless otherwise noted.)

How To Escape Temptation

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How To Escape Temptation

by Bob Burridge ©2010

People love to watch illusionists who seem to escape from locks, chains and ropes. But since it’s just an illusion, they’re not really captives or in need of escape. It’s just entertainment.

There’s a real danger of being taken in by a temptation to where it holds you and hurts you. To escape these temptations, you need to follow God’s advice.

A classic passage is 1 Corinthians 10:13.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

We could also translate the word temptations as “tests by trial”. They give you a choice either to do right or to do wrong. In a sense everything that comes along is a test. We can respond in ways that either honor God, or in ways that put our own desires above his.

If someone invites you to join them doing something wrong, the right answer is “No.” When you have a chance to do something good, the right answer is “Yes.”

Moral questions put your soul to the test. Your answer will either reveal your obedience to God’s work in you, or the lack of it.

You should be prepared and determined to say “No” when you’re tempted. It may be by some immoral behavior, or to take part in any improper forms of worship. Sometimes it could be to take what’s not rightfully yours, to covet what God gave to someone else, to show disrespect to those God made responsible for you, or to engage in the many other things God says offend him.

Instead, you should make preparations to say “Yes” to the good choices that come along. Don’t pass up a good opportunity to worship, to pray, to keep the Sabbath, to faithfully tithe, to encourage others, to be kind, patient, truthful, and to be a diligent witness for Christ to those who need to hear the gospel.

You can either decide to neglect what God calls you to do, or to obey him. That’s the test.

Thankfully the temptations you face are limited. The words “but such as is common to man” are originally three words: “if not human”. There are no temptations that are not human. They all come from our common fallen nature. The circumstances might differ, but the urges are the same as others have to deal with.

As fallen humans we are weak. If we don’t admit that weaknesses, we will surely fall under the weight of temptation.

God is faithful and provides a way to escape for each temptation that comes along. What we call the means of grace point out the path to overcoming temptation:

1. You need to know what’s right and true by studying Scripture regularly and diligently. His word not only points out what things you shouldn’t be tempted to do. It is also filled with directions that point the way to escape.

For example there are verses like Philippians 4:8 that give practical help.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

There’s a battle for your mind and affections. That verse tells us that what fills our thoughts shapes our lives and desires. If you think about and expose yourself to things contrary to God’s ways, you will take on those ways and values. If you think about things that honor God regularly, your values will develop properly and help you with self-control and spiritual growth.

The Bible warns that you can’t win the battle with a dead heart. Your efforts and methods will fail unless you have a spiritual birth by trusting in the completed provision made by Jesus Christ. By trusting him for your eternal hope and in nothing else, you become part of the ancient promise and are enabled with spiritual life.

2. You need to pray for God to deliver you from temptation’s grip. Pray whether you feel like it or not. Prayer isn’t just a pious pastime. It’s a means by which God directs his comfort and help into your life.

3. You need to worship faithfully and partake of the Lord’s Supper with expectant confidence. Our Lord established this ordinance promising strength when you rightly engage in it. Be regular in worship where you draw regularly from that source of power.

4. Be encouraged by other believers who share your values and hope in Christ. Have a good network of spiritually mature friends to be there for you when you need them most. When temptation comes along, don’t be among those who will encourage you to sin. Be with those fighting the battle with you to learn to do things God’s way.

By these means there is a sure and sound way of escape.

You need to make sure of these things now so they’re ready when temptations come. Plan just as you would prepare for hurricanes or other storms during threatening seasons. Don’t wait until you’re taken in by lies and dangerous offers. Make your salvation sure now, and start making plans to overcome temptation.

Don’t start looking to God’s word in the time of moral crisis. Start learning it now so you don’t have years of Bible education to squeeze in when a temptation grips you.

Don’t start prayer only when you’re already in deep trouble. Make it your regular habit all through every day to avoid the trouble. Be regular in payer so that your conversation with God doesn’t seem like talk with a stranger.

Don’t wait to go to worship like the hypocrite. They are content to gather with God’s people only when things get rough.

Don’t save making Christian friends for some future time of need. You need to be a brother or sister to them regularly, every day. They will be there for you, and you for them when they need you.

Have an escape plan ready. Have all you need to overcome temptations already active in your life. Have those godly thought habits well established, and good values already guiding you. Have something planned in advance to which you can immediately turn when specific temptations come along. Know exactly what you’ll do or where you’ll go the next time sin’s lure entices you.

If you do, God is faithful to help you to be able to bear up under it.

(Note: The Bible quotations in this article are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.)