What is the Single Most Important Thing for a Christian to Know Before Joining a New Calvinist “Church”?
Every New Calvinist church, by virtue of its body of thought developed over hundreds of years via the Reformed tradition, is a theocracy. Many churches in our day that claim to be part of the Reformation tradition are Calvinism Ultra-light. Know this: if you join a New Calvinist church, you are in a theocracy (or at least heading that way with intentionality). New Calvinism is the authentic Reformed article and theocracy goes hand in hand with it.
What is a theocracy? Wikipedia offers the following definition:
Theocracy is a form of government in which official policy is governed by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as (or claim to be) divinely guided, or is pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religion or religious group.
From the perspective of the theocratic government, “God himself is recognized as the head” of the state, hence the term theocracy, from the Greek θεοκρατία “rule of God.”
“But Paul, God isn’t down here on a throne.” Right. Instead, “divines” are appointed to rule for God by proxy. “Oh, ok, and the Bible determines how they rule, right?” Uh, no. If the Bible was the law (authority), what to do when Joe Church Member disagrees with the interpretation? No, no, we can’t have that, so the “divines” must predetermine what the correct interpretation is. Ever heard of the Westminster Confession? Ever heard if the Westminster Divines?
“Oh ya, New Calvinists quote that all the time. In fact, is that why they quote it more than the Bible?” You’re catching on. “But Paul, certainly they do not all agree on every element of the Westminster Confession.” Right, that’s why local New Calvinist elders have been “given the keys to the kingdom” and “whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” They have the final word on what all of the Reformed “doctors” and “divines” have determined as documented in the recognized “confessions.” This is known as orthodoxy. Their right to govern is known as church polity.
“Oh ya, God has given them the right to govern in the church.” Uh, it doesn’t stop there. In the authentic Reformed tradition, they believe they have a Divine mandate to rule all people as church and state. In fact, their eschatology is geared towards this as well. However, the American Revolution was the beginning of the end for the divine rights of kings. Nevertheless, this does not mean that they are going to slack on implementing their “full authority” in the local church regarding as it is in heaven, and if they had their way, on earth as well.
“Oh, so, that’s why they bring people up on church discipline for not tithing; in essence, they see it as a tax.” You are a very quick study. But of course, they wouldn’t state it that way. They would say that they are only holding you accountable as an act of love.
“So, what do congregants need their Bibles for?” It’s for the purpose of gospel contemplationism—not a book of authority to be interpreted individually. “Hmmm, sounds like this is an issue of authority. Are individual Christians mandated by God to interpret the Bible for themselves as His ultimate authority in their lives, or does that authority rest with the elders? It seems the latter is the Reformed position.”
Like I said, you are a quick study.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
[…] What is the Single Most Important Thing for a Christian to Know Before Joining a New Calvinist “Ch…. […]
LikeLike
Here is a problem. Some of the new YRR do not know waht to do with the Amer Revolution. I have seen them discuss this on some SBC pastor blogs. They are all over the map and it is amusing to see them try to fit it in with Reformed doctrine. Some outright agree with McArthur and Piper which basically comes down to Amer Rev was sinful even though they use a lot of words to try adn not make it sound that way. And I know this first hand becasue of family members who worked for Piper and their attitude toward the 4th of July celebrations!
But it is impossible for them to fit the American Revolution, which defied the concept of the divine right of kings, with their reformed philosophy. Some never make the connection of why Reformed philosophy is anti Liberty in all aspects. They cannot see it. Perhaps that is because they crave power over others?
I do not care one bit if the Founders were Deists or not. They got it. There would be NO true Liberty with a state church under a king. I have often wanted to do a study on how many Puritans were actively involved in the Revolution on the side of Patriots whether fighting or raising money. I bet there were few.
LikeLike
Lydia,
I went down this path in research for my book, and the only question now is how many pages do I want it to be. Reformed theology is nothing but Marxism dressed in Bible verses. I just finished production on Immels 3 sessions at the conference–it’s a damning treatise on this issue–he connects all of the relevant history directly to Calvin and the Puritans. Madison in particular saw Reformed theology as the single greatest threat to liberty. Madison actually answered your above question about the Puritans. In regard to ecclesiastical rule, and a special amendment to the Constitution, he stated that ER had never been cited in all of history as contributing to man’s liberty in any regard and on no wise.
LikeLike
Oh, and I cannot tell you how many New Calvinists have told me the enlightenment was evil. The whole thing. And they always cite the French Revolution. Cracks me up. Yeah, France was a state church, divine right of the “sun” king, who persecuted the non Catholics! And that was better, of course, beause there were “rulers” for the incompetent masses.
LikeLike