A Letter to my Reformed Brothers

Dear Brother’s

As a deep Reformed-Orthodox-Calvinistic-Cessationist theologian living a Finland (we are very rare in this country, believe me), I have recently become aware of God working in the hearts of many young men in this country and the ‘’young, restless, reformed’’ resurgence is starting to take some ground. I’m overwhelmed by how passionate these men are for the Gospel, biblical inerrancy, God’s sovereignty and ecclesiology (robust expository preaching especially).

However, as this movement grows rapidly (Soli Deo Gloria), there are a view thoughts on my mind that may need to be considered so as to safeguard a church environment in this country that is more unified, than divisive:

Passion is not a license for condescension. At times our passion may overtake our faculty to empathy. We step over the line of tolerance speech and become intolerable to listen too. Hence, do not put away passion, for it’s a great quality within our character to have, but always be aware that it does not take the drivers seat when a topic of importance is brought up. Always be courteous, gracious and listen to what others have to say.

Now when it comes down to the Gospel and our view of soteriology, lets not reduce our particular view of soteriology as ‘the only gospel,’ for the Gospel cannot be reduced to a particular view of soteriology. Now I’m fully aware that as Charles Spurgeon, we consider the doctrines of grace as ‘’the foundation on which the gospel itself is built,’’ but, to equate Calvinism as the ‘true’ Gospel, stinks of elitism and sends many a young Calvinist back to their churches, thinking that if their pastor has not parsed the petals of TULIP, they are not really preaching the Gospel. Hence, it must be clear to us, that the Gospel is not a set of doctrines, but it is the royal announcement that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect life in our place, died a substitutionary death on the cross for the sins of the world, rose triumphantly from the grave and is now exalted as King of the world. This announcement calls for a response: repentance (mourning over and turning from our sin, trading our agendas for the kingdom agenda of Jesus Christ) and faith (trusting in Christ alone for salvation). If any church, no matter their soteriological view, is preaching this message, we must support and not debate gospel issues.

When communicating with others, we need to ask the following questions: Will it edify? Will it create a useful conversation? How will it increase their knowledge, or faith, or love? Are you accurately representing any positions you disagree with? How sure am I of my facts? If you have doubt to any of these questions, it may be best to lay aside the conversation to another time. We must do all in obedience to the command to love others, no matter their theological perspective.

If and when we are to communicate something provocative, lets seek advice from one another, if that which we are about to communicate tone appropriate. In other words, will the tone of your message be rightly received and will people understand and be encouraged in the truth that you communicate. Having another brother or two look over or hear what you communicate, may be helpful in achieve a good outcome. This area is especially important for our brothers still in the ‘cage stage’ of their development.

 Now I must point out, that there are times when we may need to communicate with toughness and dynamism, but if we truly follow the doctrines of grace, then by understanding how much grace we have been given to be called son’s, then let’s give other that much more. For by our humble, gracious and diplomatic engagement, we not only love others as we are commanded to do, but we show reformed theology to be what it richly is: grace.  

Sean Chalmers de Villiers is the editor of Christo Semper Blog. He has a B.A. In Theology and Pastoral Studies From the University of Wales. He lives in Keuruu, Central Finland, with his wife and two kids.