Are Baptists Reformed?

Iosias · May 14, 2013

NB: This is not related in any way with how CF defines 'Reformed' and who can post in this subforum!

What do you think?

In Are Baptists Reformed? Lawrence A Justice declares:

Baptists are not Reformed! In this message I am going to offer five basic reasons why Baptists cannot properly be called Reformed.

Prof. R Scott Clark also says No.

Michael McKinley says the following:

Are Reformed Baptists "Reformed"? Is it me or is this a silly question? It rather depends on how you use the word, doesn't it? We all agree that credo-baptists are not "Reformed" if by "Reformed" you mean "basically in step with Geneva and the Reformed confessions in all the major points of doctrine and ecclesiology". This is probably the more historically accurate way of using the word, though I appreciated Dr. Haykin's informative post. And I think we can all agree that credo-baptists can be "Reformed" if by "Reformed" you mean "believe the so-called '5 points', hold to a form of covenant theology and the regulative principle". This is the way the word is used by most people who don't wear bow ties. Hey fellas, sometimes the meaning of a word changes and develops over time! Sometimes words have both a popular and a technical definition! Wow, wasn't that an exciting exercise?...Believe what you believe Scripture teaches and leave the labels to the Reformed police.

What say ye?

Osage Bluestem · May 14, 2013

Iosias said:
NB: This is not related in any way with how CF defines 'Reformed' and who can post in this subforum!

What do you think?

In Are Baptists Reformed? Lawrence A Justice declares:

Prof. R Scott Clark also says No.

Michael McKinley says the following:

What say ye?

I think that the term "Reformed Baptist" works because they hold to Calvinistic soteriology and confessionalism like the rest of the Reformed community. The LBCF was taken from the WCF so agreement in critical areas is unifying within the Reformed umbrella. It is good that they specify "Baptist" though so one will know upfront their stance on Baptism.

The Conductor · May 14, 2013

As a Baptist, as far as I know in our convention, you certainly can be the second definition of reformed, as am I, but we don't tend to talk much about Calvinism/Arminianism. That being said, I do too wear a bow tie.

twin1954 · May 14, 2013

This Baptist isn't Reformed. I don't bind myself to any confession as there are places in them that I think are subtle heresies. I hold strongly to the Doctrines of Grace and am more in line with Gill and Pink on the covenants. I consider Dispensationalism as utter heresy and free will works religion as damning.

I probably fit closer to Particular Baptists than so-called Reformed Baptists.

Iosias · May 14, 2013

Keep your views coming, it's fascinating stuff!

actionsub · May 14, 2013

Iosias said:
NB: This is not related in any way with how CF defines 'Reformed' and who can post in this subforum!

What do you think?

In Are Baptists Reformed? Lawrence A Justice declares:

Prof. R Scott Clark also says No.

Michael McKinley says the following:

What say ye?

There are some Baptist denominations who are very strongly and consistently Arminian, such as the Free Will Baptists or the General Baptist denomination in the midwest.

Iosias · May 14, 2013

actionsub said:
There are some Baptist denominations who are very strongly and consistently Arminian, such as the Free Will Baptists or the General Baptist denomination in the midwest.

Well noted

Apologetic_Warrior · May 14, 2013

I say this is not worthwhile discussion, this is what I call "majoring in minors", and I see this type of discussion as an effort to create division, and while some divisions are necessary, this certainly is not something to divide over....I'll gladly drop the Reformed label, and just be a Calvinist, that we can rejoice in agreements concerning the Solas and the Doctrines of Grace among most other things.

Iosias · May 14, 2013

Apologetic_Warrior said:
"majoring in minors"

Welcome to the world of the Truly Reformed!

bsd058 · May 14, 2013

Iosias, I ask this without attacking you: Is there significance to the flag you are currently flying right now in your avatar? If so, what is it, in your view?

HereIStand · May 14, 2013

A label can have more than once sense. Reformed seems to take in someone holding a reformed understanding of the sacraments. Since Baptists don't see baptism or the communion as sacramental than they don't fit the definition in that respect. Obviously though some Baptists hold strong beliefs on election, so to that extent they would be reformed.

JM · May 15, 2013

Most Reformed Baptists hold to a Reformed understanding of the sacraments. (see baptist catechisms, confessions, etc.) As a Particular Baptist Reformed in my soteriology I do not. (see symbolic parallelism)

Keachian · May 15, 2013

I consider myself Reformed, I agree on Soteriology, Sacraments (apart from paedobaptism) and I think I mostly agree on Hermeneutics and Covenant theology, still figuring out those last two so we'll see.

HereIStand · May 15, 2013

JM said:
Most Reformed Baptists hold to a Reformed understanding of the sacraments. (see baptist catechisms, confessions, etc.) As a Particular Baptist Reformed in my soteriology I do not. (see symbolic parallelism)

Thank you, JM. I didn't know this. I'd always thought Baptist regraded baptism and communion as acts of obedience or as remembrances, but not as means of grace.

Iosias · May 16, 2013

bsd058 said:
Iosias, I ask this without attacking you: Is there significance to the flag you are currently flying right now in your avatar? If so, what is it, in your view?

It's a rainbow, a sign of God's grace to all creation.

bsd058 · May 16, 2013

Iosias said:
It's a rainbow, a sign of God's grace to all creation.

Oh ok. I thought you were supporting homosexual behaviour and pride. Thanks for clarifying.

Iosias · May 16, 2013

God's grace includes all of his creation including the LGBTQ community, but then I doubt such a discussion is related to whether Baptists are Reformed.

bsd058 · May 16, 2013

Iosias said:
God's grace includes all of his creation including the LGBTQ community, but then I doubt such a discussion is related to whether Baptists are Reformed.

Common grace only. Unless you're a universalist.

The LGBTQ community are not under saving grace. Some may be called out of that community by saving grace.

I couldn't find a way to send you a private message though, so I wanted to ask you, but didn't have a way unless posting on here.

But wait, are you saying that you are supporting that community with the rainbow flag? Or are you making a statement about the promise that God won't destroy the earth with a flood again?

Actually I'll just make a new thread.

BBAS 64 · May 16, 2013

I have not read this but it is on the list:

A REFORMED BAPTIST MANIFESTO:
The New Covenant Constitution of the Church
Samuel Waldron with Richard Barcellos

Esdra · May 16, 2013

I would say that they're reformed.
I've been in a Baptist Church and I have read the Heidelberg Catechism as well as the 2nd Helvetic Confession. - And I came to the conclusion that except the baptism thing, there are no other major differnces.

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