Paul's Passing Thoughts

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