As you know, this past Saturday was the inaugural Reformed Fellowship Conference of Texas. We gathered with other like-minded believers from throughout the state at the Leadership Development Center on the campus of Southwestern Theological Seminary. I’d like to thank everyone who committed time and energy to be a part of this wonderful day with us. We had approximately 125 people attend and we look forward to future events.

Randall Easter (First Baptist Church of Briar) preached an overview of Romans 9-11, focusing on how he came to be convinced of the Doctrines of Grace from the text alone. It was great to hear the testimony of a man who became convinced of the glory and sovereignty of God through the text. We know that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11), that it is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebews 4:12).

Brent Thomas (Grace Community Church, Glen Rose) preached on Psalm 147, focuing on the idea of God’s sovereignty as a doctrine and as a comfort and that we may only really look to God for comfort if He is indeed sovereign. I included warnings against intellectualizing or denying God’s sovereignty; it cannot merely be a doctrine but must also be a comfort.

Tim Presson (Christ the Redeemer Church, Fort Worth) preached on John 6, focuing on v. 63 and Jesus’ statement that His words are “spirit and life,” and that we cannot overemphasize either head or heart/intellect or emotions but must strive for a balance of both.

Steve Garrick (Heritage Baptist Church, Mansfield) preached on 2 Corinthians 5, focusing on verses 17-21 and the doctrine of the new creation as it pertains to salvation, examining the doctrine’s implications for the life (or lack thereof) of those claiming to be believers.

A common theme through each of the four sermons (though not planned) seemed to be the (sometimes) over-emphasis that Reformed believers seem to place on the intellect; the head over the heart. It’s interesting that four pastors of such diverse backgrounds and congregations would share similar convictions.

Why is it that many Reformed believers continually hear the charge that we are “dry” in our approach? Sadly, it’s because many of us are just that; we intellectualize our faith until it becomes mere systematic theology. Please do not misunderstand me, I absolutely think that doctrine is essential and I’m committed to teach and train in doctrine.

However, we must never forget, that we cannot overemphasize the emotions either. We see emotional excess in many churches today. It is common to hear the phrase “Don’t give me doctrine, just give me Jesus,” and to hear pastors openly disparage doctrine from the pulpit. When we hear these calls, we know that only too soon, heresy will answer.

We must strive for a balance between head and heart; between intellect and emotion. Our love for God (emotion) drives us to know Him more (intellect). Once we get a greater glimpse of Him, we love him more. Doctrine ought to drive worship, not stifle it. May this be an indictment to us all for elevating one above the other; head over heart or vice verse, because either excess will lead to a dead faith.

But doctrine that does not ignite our hearts to worship is not Scriptural. Doctrine is not an end in and of itself. It is a means to the end of glorifying God and if we ever come to a point when, after studying doctrine, our hearts are not moved to worship, it’s probably time to repent.

We look forward to much cooperation and many years of fellowship among these and other like-minded believers. To God alone be the glory, now and forevermore.

Visit the First Baptist Church of Briar website.
Visit the Grace Community Church, Glen Rose website.
Visit the Christ the Redeemer Church, Fort Worth website.
Visit the Heritage Baptist Church, Mansfield website.