Dr. R.C. Sproul & Reformed Theology!

As the month of January draws to a close, I wanted to update all of our blog followers on how things are fairing for the Stanton out in Missouri.  I'm pleased to report that the pastoral internship is going very well and that we have successfully completed our second book; "The Christian Ministry" by Charles Bridges.  It was by far the most comprehensive and practical book of pastoral theology I have ever read and I'm looking forward to reading it again in the years ahead.

That said, I am also very excited about the new book the intern class is beginning.  Transitioning from pastoral theology to distinctly Reformed theology, we will be working our way through R.C. Sproul's book, "What is Reformed Theology?"

So far, we have read up to chapter 4.  I would highly recommend this book to all of you!  For one thing, Dr. Sproul has such a talent for explaining very hard and complex doctrines so very simply.  It really feels as if the whole doctrine is unfolding before your mind's eye as Sproul writes.  God has definitely given him an incredible gift of teaching ability and communication skills!

Dr. Sproul begins the book with an important distinction: what is theology? Is theology different from religion? Dr. Sproul very convincingly argues that there is a night and day difference between the study of religion and the study of theology.

"There is a profound difference between the study of theology and the study of religion.  Historically the study of religion has been subsumed under the headings of anthropology, sociology, or even psychology.  The academic investigation of religion has sought to be grounded in a scientific-empirical method.  The reason for this is quite simple.  Human activity is part of the phenomenal world.  It is activity that is visible, subject to empirical analysis...To state it more simply, the study of religion is chiefly the study of a certain kind of human behavior...The study of theology, on the other hand, is the study of God.  Religion is anthropocentric; theology is theocentric.  The difference between religion and theology is ultimately the difference between God and man." - Dr. R.C. Sproul, "What Is Reformed Theology?", pages 10-11

As Christians, we can and should study the other world religions.  One main reason why is so that we can be equipped to speak accurately when we portray the false ideas and systems of the other beliefs in this world.  But we should never equate this examination of other religions with the study of our God, who alone is the one and only true God, most blessed forever! 

After restoring that important distinction, Dr. Sproul reminds his readers that Reformed theology is unique in that it "applies the doctrine of God relentlessly to all other doctrines, making it the chief control factor in all theology."  Every doctrine that has been marked as being part of the systematic Reformed doctrine is formed in light of the doctrine of who God is and how He has revealed Himself to us.  Predestination, sovereignty, perseverance of the saints, total depravity, limited atonement (or as Sproul likes to call it, Christ's Purposeful Atonement), and the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture all stem from and are built off of the doctrine of God.

One final lesson that I learned from Dr. Sproul which I wanted to share with you all, was the ways in which we make statements about God.  Dr. Sproul taught that there are three ways in which the Church makes declarative statements about God:

1) Way of Negation (via negationis) - Defining something by saying what it is not.  An example of this is the declarative statement that God is infinite.  By this statement, because we are finite, we declare what God is not (God has no end and no beginning) since we cannot express what infinity is positively.  Therefore we make negative assertions (infinite is not....).
2) Way of Affirmation (via affirmatas) - Defining something by making positive assertions.  An example of this is the declaration that God is holy, sovereign, and just.  These are all positive assertions of God's character.
3) Way of Eminence (via eminentia) - Defining or describing God by elevating His communicable attributes (the attributes which He created us to be able to imitate, i.e. justice, mercy, truthfulness) to the ultimate degree.  As an example, we say that God is the perfect expression of truth, love, holiness, and righteousness.

I hope these excerpts from Dr. Sproul's book have been helpful and instructive!  As I mentioned before, I would highly recommend this book both to the new student of Reformed theology, but also to the person who has been in the Reformed camp for many years.  This book will provide a refreshing review and explanation of the doctrines which makes us distinct and biblically sound.  Since we know that the human heart is a factory of idols, pumping out vain imaginations as fast as the day is long, we need to be constantly studying who God is because, as John Calvin said,

"So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods.  But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect what kind of Being He is, and how absolite the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue, to which, as a standard, we are bound to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness, will become polluted with the greatest iniquity; what strangely imposed upon us under the name of wisdom, will disgust by its extreme folly; and what presented the appearance of virtuous energy, will be condemned as the most miserable impotence."

"The people who know their God will display strength and take action." - Daniel 11:32