Inherently Conservative

[JM]

Earlier today I heard a Pastor say that Reformed theology was inherently conservative. It wasn't the first time I had heard that. Any thoughts on that statement? Is RT inherently conservative?

Yours in the Lord,

jm

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Is RT inherently conservative?

Yes. Firstly, that's a good thing. Conserve rhymes with preserve, and we are to preserve the message. This is a godly mission, and we can expect a fight when we take up the mission: "I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3)

When I was 8 I received a record player for my birthday (yes, I'm that old). I played a few records on it and then I decided to make it better. I didn't know how I would make it better, but I reasoned that in order to make it better I had to take it apart. I found a screwdriver and a butter knife and proceeded to dissemble my gift. As you might have already guessed, no music came out of that record player ever again. It was a perfectly good record player. It did what it was supposed to do. It worked until I messed with it.

Now that's an imperfect analogy. I'll grant that, and if I were a liberal I would have 3-4 arguments against it already formed, and yes, there might have been a way to improve on my little record player had I had the skills to do so. . .

However, the object of our faith is perfect, and the word He gave us is perfect. The story of redemption He has woven through history is beautiful. We only ruin Christianity when we try to improve on it. We only ruin Christianity when we think our ideas are better than those which come from the mind of God through the pen of men. We make Christianity unable to do what it was meant to do when we foolishly take our "screwdrivers" and "butterknives" to it, as I made my record player unable to do what its designer make it to do.

Reformed folks want to always press toward the original. We don't want to constantly change things up. We understand that what we have - what was given to us, does not need to be changed, so yes, RT is inherently conservative.

 

[1watchman]

In general usage, Conservative is viewed as somewhere between Fundamental and the High Churches (who hold to rituals, ceremonies, traditions, a hierarchy, etc.) That is what I have found. I know next to nothing about the RT group.

 

[Albion]

Earlier today I heard a Pastor say that Reformed theology was inherently conservative. It wasn't the first time I had heard that. Any thoughts on that statement? Is RT inherently conservative?

Yours in the Lord,

jm

IMO, that makes sense to the extent that it's solidly Scriptural, upholds and respects the sovereignty of God, and resists theological innovations.

I'd say that other Christian traditions/theology could be considered conservative, too; but Reformed theology seems to be well described by this term.

 

[JM]

Albion, correct me if I'm wrong...low/Evangelical Anglicans tend to be conservative?

 

[Albion]

Albion, correct me if I'm wrong...low/Evangelical Anglicans tend to be conservative?

That seems to be generally true. However, I wouldn't look at it in the way 1watchman did when he described these terms. That's because Low Churchmen, hardly any less than High Churchmen, do follow the ritual in the BCP, might be considered more ceremonial than most other Protestants, and of course take bishops and Apostolic Succession for granted.

For being Bible-centered, however, Low Churchmen do seem more resistant to innovations like Women's Ordination and modern language experiments, etc. As a generalization, I'd agree with what you are thinking, although it's possible to find exceptions on both sides.

 

[High Fidelity]

I think conservative in this instance would suggest someone that has a higher view of Scripture and its authority than the liberal counterpart.

Also, I imagine it would also paint a picture of someone that is generally more committed to what they believe Scripture, God and being a Christian expects of them.

It's my observation that the more liberal a church or movement becomes, the less emphasis is placed on Scripture as a whole but either on specific parts(which subsequently lack context because they don't weigh them against other parts of Scripture) or it becoming a general life guide that's more humanistic in its approach; being wise in our own eyes and leaning on our own understanding etc., as a means of determining what's 'right', and not Scripture.

To answer your question on whether Reformed Theology is inherently conservative? I'd have to say yes. In my opinion it's one of, if not the, most sincere groups of Christians I've seen so far at both searching and applying understanding to their walk.

It certainly seems to be one of the most scholastic groups at the moment that is seeking to correct bad doctrine/teaching.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

being wise in our own eyes and leaning on our own understanding etc., as a means of determining what's 'right', and not Scripture.

Amen.

To answer your question on whether Reformed Theology is inherently conservative? I'd have to say yes. In my opinion it's one of, if not the, most sincere groups of Christians I've seen so far at both searching and applying understanding to their walk.

Over dinner, I was talking about this with my wife. We can al be a little quirky but Reformed folks, in general, are the most level-headed Christians that I have ever met. I think that we are sincere because we have such a good grasp of the gospel.

 

[High Fidelity]

Amen.



Over dinner, I was talking about this with my wife. We can al be a little quirky but Reformed folks, in general, are the most level-headed Christians that I have ever met. I think that we are sincere because we have such a good grasp of the gospel.

I agree.

Most Christians I've met that are Reformed really take an interest beyond just the Sunday sermon. A lot of people are really reading and searching for themselves and have a solid grasp, as you say.

Just looking at the difference in literature most groups choose to read outside of Scripture. I have no doubt that a book by Spurgeon, for example, is far more spiritually nourishing than a book about living our best life now by Joel Osteen.

Summed up I think it could be called seriousness and sincerity. Most Reformed folks know that they aren't saved by the church they attend, the preacher they listen to or the denomination to which they belong; the burden is on the disciple. If that doesn't inspire a person to not just read but strive to understand as well as they possibly can for their own well-being but also that of their family and friends, I don't know what is.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I have no doubt that a book by Spurgeon, for example, is far more spiritually nourishing than a book about living our best life now by Joel Osteen.

That should be completely obvious to all Christians. It's not even a debatable point, yet you and I are in the minority on this. How crazy is that?!

 

[High Fidelity]

That should be completely obvious to all Christians. It's not even a debatable point, yet you and I are in the minority on this. How crazy is that?!

Matthew 7

13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

To be expected, it seems. Unfortunate nonetheless.

 

[huk945]

That should be completely obvious to all Christians. It's not even a debatable point, yet you and I are in the minority on this. How crazy is that?!

REALLY CRAZY, that's how crazy

 

[Job8]

I know next to nothing about the RT group.

RT = Calvinism
While Reformed Theology is conservative, it is also a deviation from Bible truth since it includes the doctrines of men.

 

[Tull]

I believe in God
I believe in Gods word
I believe a life lived by it is the best life.
I believe in getting up and going to work every day.
I believe in helping those who CANNOT help themselves.
I believe in loving they neighbor by being a responsible productive fellow citizen carrying my share of the weight.
I believe in modesty and reverence in dress and demeanor.
I respect people's time and property.
Do I do these things perfectly,absolutely not but with Gods help I can do better,if this makes me a "conservative" then I guess I am.

 

[Albion]

Earlier today I heard a Pastor say that Reformed theology was inherently conservative. It wasn't the first time I had heard that. Any thoughts on that statement? Is RT inherently conservative?

Yours in the Lord,

jm

In the sense that it aspires to be rigorously Scriptural, yes, it's a correct description, but neither does it mean that churches other than the Reformed/Calvinist variety aren't Conservative.