Ch2 Sect 6 Reformed Dogmatics

I think the first paragraph of this section illustrates the richness and strength of the Reformed Church and Reformed Theology as a whole. “The Reformed church is not limited to one country and nation but has expanded into various countries and nations, and its distinctive expression is not laid down in a single confession but numerous creeds” (p44) Also Bavinck remarks that the primary difference between the Reformed and Lutheran is that the Lutheran is primarily concerned with salvation, “How can I be saved” while the Reformed are more concerned with Glory of God and how can God’s glory be advanced. Even as Bavinck made this distinction some 100 years ago, there seems to be some degree of this difference and distinction within the Reformed as well. There are some who focus primarily on the doctrine of justification and tend to divide the biblical text between Law and Gospel. Everything that the Law demands is freely given to us in Christ. While this is true, and indeed should cause all men to Praise God and give a resounding Amen, I think Bavinck is saying the reformed faith can go deeper and gives a much richer understanding of God and His word.

Here is perhaps what distinguishes the Reformed from all other protestant traditions.

The Reformed understand the scriptures as giving us the following formula. Indicatives followed by imperatives followed by blessing.

Indicatives - what God has done for his people. By believing, or having faith in what God has done enables man to embrace God and His covenant.

Imperatives – the commands and Law of God so His people may know how to please God, glorify him, and maintain a covenantal relationship.

Covenant promises - the blessings that God is pleased to give his people as they keep covenant. Also we could include Covenant Warnings or threats, what God promises to do if we don’t keep his commandments

Also please note that repentance is a commandment from God so that when we do sin, we are still commanded to repent and promised forgiveness.

A great illustration of this which Pastor van Eyk preached on Feb 12, 2012 is found in Exodus 19:4-6

4)You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Indicative – verse 4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself”

Imperative - verse 5a “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant”

Covenant Blessing – verse 5b – 6a “you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

For a much better , deeper, and more edifying explanation of this great truth see the Sermon titled, “The Obedience of the Redeemed” found here.

Back to Bavinck and the reformed tradition. As we can tell through these pages the Reformed tradition has a long history composed of many men from different nations which resulted in man confessions. Also it is worth noting that has Reformed tradition moves forward in time, the tradition moves forward in truth. As each generation of theologians builds on the prior, the truth of God and His Word becomes richer, deeper, clearer, and more profitable for the soul. The doctrine given to us by Calvin have been greatly advanced and improved through the years by Bullinger, and the men who formulated the Westminster Confession. So on the one hand the Reformed Church must continue to press on and continue to articulate the faith and advance the truth, but on the other the hand the church must be aware of any deviance from her reformed roots. This is what happened in America, with emphasis on personal conversion, and a new life as characterized by a superficial perfectionism such as abstaining from tobacco and alcohol.