There are a lot of misconceptions about Reformed theology. I tackle these at length in For Calvinism. Here I’ve been asked to address a few of these in a nutshell.
1. “Reformed Theology Is Arrogant and Prideful”
There are several impressions bound up with this critique.
First, the very name suggests that we hold up John Calvin more than Jesus Christ.
Truth is, “Calvinism” was coined by critics who wanted to marginalize
Reformed teaching, when actually Calvin didn’t teach anything unique
that you can’t find, for example, in Augustine or Luther. Furthermore,
as important as he was, Calvin was one of many shapers of the Reformed
tradition. Our confessions and catechisms (none of them written by
Calvin) set forth what we believe. As Charles Spurgeon said, “Calvinism
is just a nickname” for what we should call “the doctrines of grace.”
Second, sinful attitudes and behaviors come from our own hearts, not from the word of God.
Reformed theology exalts God and his grace, while laying ourselves low
as helpless sinners and rebels who are on the receiving end of his
generosity. Puffed-up pride is about the most contradictory response one
can imagine to the deepest convictions Reformed churches confess. Continue at Michael Horton
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