Reformed theology is robustly biblical and it echoes the truths of Scripture so very well and clearly. I’m not Reformed because it’s cool or because I grew up that way. I believe Reformed truths like God’s sovereignty, total depravity, definite atonement, presbyterian ecclesiology, infant baptism, and the regulative principle of worship because they’re rooted in Scripture. I want to be part of the historic Christian church that has submitted to and followed God’s word.
Reformed and Calvinistic Christians and churches, however, are not perfect. [I’m far from perfect!] One major blemish found in Reformed and Calvinistic circles is the sin of intellectual pride. Or it might be called doctrinal pride. This is when someone who is well-versed in Reformed doctrine lets it go to his or her head. This person becomes a self-proclaimed expert theologian who begins to look down on others who do not know as much doctrine or who have “inferior” doctrine. Sometimes this kind of person can even become unteachable and very critical of and impatient with other Christians and their views. It’s even worse when someone who is self-taught gives himself an honorary doctorate in theology!
By contrast, the person who lives a truly Reformed life with a Reformed heart and mind will not be arrogant, but extremely humble and patient. One essential aspect of Reformed theology is that our sovereign God alone deserves all the glory, honor, and praise and that people are finite, sinful, and completely dependent upon him in every way. No one who is Reformed or Calvinistic should be doctrinally arrogant at all!
Petrus Van Mastricht (d. 1706) made an excellent point on intellectual humility when he applied the doctrine of God’s omniscience (omniscience is the fact that God knows all things in a divine way that is far, far beyond our understanding). Here’s a slightly edited excerpt:
[The doctrine of divine omniscience] offers us an argument for being humbled by a comparison of our ignorance and folly with the infinite knowledge and wisdom of God, after the example of Asaph (Ps. 73:22) and Agur (Prov. 30:2-4).
…Here, therefore, what will more effectively batter down our arrogance than to think how much there is that we do not know, especially when we compare our superficial wisdom with the abyss of God’s knowledge and wisdom? What will more effectively invite us to humility?
God instills this humility (Jer. 9:23), teaching us
1) To think that God is most wise since he is the one who made us wiser than brute beasts (Job 35:11).
2) To exclaim to ourselves, ‘What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you brag as if you did not receive it?’ (1 Cor. 4:7).
3) To take what you have freely received above others and to render it to God with submissive gratitude, and in that way ‘to cast down thoughts and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.’ (2 Cor. 10:5).
4) To think about God’s dreadful judgment upon the arrogance of worldly wisdom (1 Cor. 1:19-20).
Again, it’s worth noting that Reformed and Calvinistic Christians are sinful like other Christians. And sometimes we Reformed Christians don’t live out the theology we believe and confess. Sometimes we believe a doctrine but do not apply it to ourselves and live accordingly. May God help us live out the theology we believe and confess with humility, patience, and a strong desire to see his name be glorified – not ours!
The above quote is found in Petrus Van Mastricht, Theoretical-Practical Theology, vol. 2, p. 272-3.
Shane Lems
Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Hammond, WI, 54015
