Enough With the Puritans Already!
Why do proponents of Gospel Sanctification / Sonship theology quote creeds and Puritans so much? It’s because they can’t make their case from Scripture; and, the redemptive-historical hermeneutic eliminates the use of Scripture to draw conclusions about truth from the text. That’s why. When the supposed primary purpose of Scripture is to “show forth the gospel narrative” for both believers and unbelievers, rather than a proof text for issues of life—the gap needs to be filled with something, so why not Puritans and creeds? Besides, they are supposedly the last ones in redemptive history to be enlightened enough to know that every verse in the Bible is about justification.
I will soon be launching into some research regarding this issue, but I have already been sent some information suggesting that GS/Sonship advocates routinely misrepresent Marshall, Murray, and Owen to make points. But for now, my preliminary thoughts are as follows:
1. Puritans and creeds are not inspired, and we have the same Holy Spirit they had / have.
2. Puritan writings are available in massive volumes, and even if Owen, Marshall, Murray, etc., did believe that “the same gospel that saved us also sanctifies us,” or “we must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday,” such a minute portion could not be said to represent Puritan thought in general. And even if it did, so what? They are men, and the “Puritan” label is not a “Proof of Truth” seal. If what they said doesn’t align with Scripture, they can all hang it on their beaks as far as I’m concerned.
3. I have yet to see a Puritan quote, even by the New Calvinists, that resembles anything such as : “The same gospel that saved us also sanctifies us” or, “We must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday,”
4. Puritan writings are translated into modern English by heaven-only-knows who. They are uninspired translations from men, and translated by men.
5. New Calvinists rarely quote the specific Puritan source (for example, title, volume, page, etc.). So the accuracy of the quote cannot usually be verified.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Reformed Baptist here. I like the Puritans. But I am definitely staying away from the “New Calvinists.” Never liked the “young, restless and Reformed” stuff anyway … I prefer the life experience of elders who have proven over a long period of time to be tried, tested and true in the faith … and I am also seeing how absolutely imperative it is to separate from heretics.
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Amen.
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In my opinion the Puritans had a much higher view of God’s authority. They knew what it is to fear the Lord, to respect and reverence His Name. They knew God and were aware of how the relationship works. They actually believed that God could get angry at them for sin, as the Bible says. The New Calvinists don’t seem to have this in any of their vocabulary. For example, below are a couple Scriptures loved by Puritans, but kept under the rug by the New Calvinists. Keep in mind that fearing God is a gift because it turns us away from sin.
Psalm 111: 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Where is the fear of the Lord today? Is it not the “beginning of wisdom?” Can we never arouse the Lord’s anger? Am I accepted no matter what I do?
Arkansas Bill
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