Douglas Wilson recently wrote a piece entitled “Farewell to Calvinism” in which he says “We must proclaim the truth, and we must love the brethren. If we sacrifice the truth for the sake of love, it is not really love; if we sacrifice love for the sake of truth, it is not really truth. The Bible requires unswerving allegiance to both.” Wilson is writing in response to the arrogance that often accompanies what is commonly known as “Calvinism.” His response is, as the title suggests, to say “Farewell to Calvinism.”

While I’m not sure his solution is the best, I do think that the issues Wilson raises are valid. I have been travelling in “Reformed” circles for something like 12 or 13 years now. Many who come to embrace the Doctrines of Grace are often doctrinally-minded to begin with, and this new insight often ignites a fire for more theological study. The curious aspect is that this increased doctrinal study can often lead to pride.

I have been guilty of and I have witnessed doctrinal pride. This is often a key criticism launched at many reformed believers simply because many reformed believers are guilty. I admit that this has been a process I have gone through, but looking back, it makes little sense. The realization that there is absolutely nothing we can bring to Christ and that if we are to be saved, it is only through Him ought to breed humility. The fact that it often breeds not humility but pride is testimony to our sinful hearts. These key Scriptural truths have often been used as a hammer and a means of exclusion rather than as fuel for worship.

For many this involves a delicate balance; a balance for which they are not trained. I fully affirm the importance of doctrine and theological study. Scripture repeatedly commends knowing “sound doctrine” (Romans 16:17, Ephesians 4:14, 1 Timothy 1:3 , 1:10, 4:6, 6:3, Titus 1:9, etc.). Yet Scripture also repeatedly commends the humble (Matthew 18:4, Luke 14:11, James 4:6, etc.). We must believe then, in the eyes of Scripture at least, that emphasis on sound doctrine is not exclusive of a humble heart but in fact promotes humility. We must reclaim a “humble orthodoxy.”

This idea of “humble orthodoxy” is important on several fronts. Some among the emergents have sought to redefine humility as uncertainty, trying to put forth the notion that it is arrogant to claim we can ever arrive at sure answers. Along this same lines, there is a push to widen the bounds of orthodoxy, making it them as “generous” as possible. The result is that we have people who no longer understand the essential nature of doctrinal precision nor live biblical humility. On a completely different front, many within the reformed camp have been guilty of doctrinal pride and needless exclusion. While they might understand the need for orthodoxy, humility has long been lost. It is primarily this last group that is currently on my heart.

I am thoroughly convinced that the system known as “Calvinism,” “reformed theology” and/or the “doctrines of grace” is the most God-centered approach to the God-centered Scriptures and I am committed to teaching and applying them. Due to that commitment, it pains my heart to hear charges of intellectual pride and hyper-Calvinism (which, by the way, is not the mere absence of an “altar call” despite assertions otherwise).

I have spent much time in reflection and prayer over these matters and the question often arises: “how would a church (or individual believer) know if they were guilty of these things?” One pattern I’ve committed and noticed is that much time and energy is spent tearing others down and engaging in (very) detailed theological debate. I must clarify because some will read these statements and say that I’m not committed to doctrine and that I said to let everyone believe whatever they want. That is not at all what I said, but I am worried that many reformed believers spend more time trying to convert other believers to Calvinism than non-believers to Christ. I love to study doctrine and I love to discuss it as well, but I pray that I have come to the point that I can embrace a brother who doesn’t hold all “five points” and we can join arms in Kingdom work, examining the Scriptures together as we go (provided that brother is within accepted orthodoxy, but that might be another post).

Another concern is when believers are not engaged in outreach and evangelism. The charge of hyper-Calvinism is one that is quite misunderstood and most often misapplied. However, it is true that many reformed churches engage in little evangelism (not that our so-called “Arminian” brethren are often much better but that’s not the point is it?). I have witnessed churches that have little to not engagement with their surrounding cultures. More often than not, this is not due to hyper-Calvinism, it is due to an over-emphasis on doctrinal study so that the group only focuses inward without ever taking what they’ve learned outward. Would you like to know how to squash the “Calvinism is a cult” or the hyper-Calvinism charge? Outreach. Get out there with people, love them enough to tell them about Christ. After all, it is Calvinists who ought to preach with the most confidence because we know that ours is to proclaim the message and the conversions are up to God, what could be more liberating than to be freed from the notion that I have to convince people with the right “tactic?” We must move our churches to actions, to what has become popular as “missional living.”

Another concern is a church or individual with dry or nonexistent worship. A church that takes doctrine seriously that does not take worship seriously does not understand doctrine. If doctrine/theology are comprehending (as much as finitely possible) truths about the Infinite, then passionate worship ought to be the natural outflow. As we see more of God revealed through His Word, how could we not be moved to worship Him with ever-increasing zeal. Yet many reformed churches turn even worship into a mere academic exercise. When the head does not move the heart, there is a disconnect.

We must reclaim “humble orthodoxy,” that balance between doctrinal precision and biblical humility. Far from being exclusive, these things are natural counterparts. The fact that we must struggle to reclaim this balance is again testimony to our sinful natures. We cannot let doctrinal study manifest itself in intellectual arrogance nor can we allow humility to be redefined as widened theological borders. I realize that posts like this often raise more questions than they answer, but I pray that we would have the humility to work towards the answers together.