In light of what I have learned about Reformed theology, there are some questions I wish they would (or could) answer. It is true that from the perspective of the natural mind, that there are a great many mysteries that we can not now understand, such as the trinity, or how could a being be self existent and uncreated as God is. Nevertheless, when we form theology based on a certain system or through a certain lens that we must look through, then it is possible that questions which can't be answered, may reveal flaws in that theological system. So let's ask.
1. If we assume that the Reformed position of predestination is true, then why did the reformers require church attendance of the whole city or nation? Were they trying to "save" them? Didn't this mean that the vast majority of church members were unregenerated, or was every citizen of Geneva and Switzerland already among the elect? Forced church attendance makes sense if one is Roman Catholic, as no one has salvation yet, but merely trying to attain it through the "church. And of course since they "wanted" everyone to be saved, passing laws requiring infant baptism and church membership is the "compassionate" thing to do.
2. If the "church" has totally replaced Israel, and is now the "new covenant nation", which "church" is that new nation? Is the Roman Catholic Church the one founded by Christ and the apostles? And if it is, has God abandoned that church since the Reformed Churches are the "corrected" and "reformed" catholic church? Did the gates of hell prevail? Or will God at some point "restore" the Roman church which will then reunite with her daughter churches?
3. Were the Reformers in error when they persecuted other believers just as their mother church did, or did they have the right to do so, since they were now "Israel" and just purging "error" from the land as King Saul did when he banished witches? And if they were right in doing so, how is it now that they will accept those who received baptism from other churches, without being rebaptised? Weren't the reformers in essence, setting themselves up as a type of pope which could not err in his authority? Explain from Scripture where we are told to forcefully impose "Christianity" on anyone.
4. Does God favor certain people groups over others? How is it, from the reformed position, that some nations have many Christians while others have none or very few? It seems there are only 2 possible answers. Either hearing the Gospel isn't necessary and there are many regenerated persons in places where Christianity is small or non existent who aren't aware of it, or for some reason God does favor certain nations or people groups.
5. Can someone please tell me, at what point someone is no longer considered "Reformed" when they abandon certain Reformed doctrines? Is it when they abandon calvinistic soteriology as the Cumberland Presbyterians did? Is it when they abandon infant baptism? Is it when they abandon a hierarchical church gov't?
In closing, let me quote from an old history book published by the Christian Reformed Church. Please also remember that I do not require belief in Landmarkism to establish a valid New Testament Church, as I've stated in my previous posts. I do think it's very interesting though, that this statement was made by the Reformed Church itself. In the "Generations" book, which was written to show the history of the "Christian Church" from Pentecost to the 1980's when the book was published, and clearly has a "catholicity" view of church history, it says something quite remarkable when it gets to the chapters on the Reformation when speaking of Baptists. It says "The Baptists have no one founder, as they came from many backgrounds, and it has been claimed that they have always existed in some form since the time of the apostles. Of all groups who claim antiquity, the Baptists have the most valid claim of any. Is it possible that some Christians never went along with the Roman Church's gradual departure from the truth, and remained separate from it? If so, the Baptists may have valid claims."
May God lead us into all truth, humility when we find it, and boldness to proclaim it. Ken Mann
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