You mentioned "Reformed" pastors as the culprit. I can personally testify I have found EVERY SINGLE Arminian to be legalistic, guilt manipulating, browbeating, works righteousness/salvation, false gospel heretics.
But I have found the "reformed" (calvinistic) pastors and teachers...whether they be Reformed or Sov Grace Baptists, to be humble and gracious to those who struggle. An understanding of the Doctrines Of Grace, are the foundation of the true gospel, and how one lives the Christian life.
Of course there are many that way, but after serving in Reformed/Presbyterian churches unordained for five and ordained for forty years, my experience differs substantially concerned the Reformed side. What you label "humble and gracious" is often flattering and somnolent, covering up the sinecure nature of the pastoral office in many reformed congregations and denominations. I can understand what a welcome relief this might be to men who grow up under legalism, manipulative guiltmongering, and browbeating, but Luther was right in warning that pastors who avoid preaching repentance as well as faith, the law of God as well as the doctrine of regeneration, would create a people characterized by "no compunction of conscience," and he added that this would be an error in the Protestant church which would be "worse than all the errors hitherto prevailing" in the Roman church.
It's my judgment this is what the Reformed church has become, and it defends itself by talk of Jesus being at heart, really and truly, centrally, more than everything else "gentle and lowly." This book perfectly scratches the ears of its market segment consisting of wealthy Presbyterians in DuPage County, IL. My wife and I grew up there, and it is the county where Dane preaches, in Naperville. It's also the home county of Wheaton College, Willow Creek, and Crossway Publishers. Love,
To be sure, sin and human failure will accompany every man who enters the pulpit or church work. Regardless of theological perspective. These Sov Grace Baptist (and the Particlar Baptists of England 1600-1700s and the American inheritors of the 1644 and 1689 Confessions, the Primitive Baptists), all preach repentance, do not preach cheap grace, preach an "experiencial" faith that cannot be divorced from doctrine. "Light in the mind and heat in the heart". We want nothing to do with most modern denominations of any stripe, because they have fallen off the rails in doctrine, misplaced "feelings" and arminian doctrine and practice. Most of what passes today for a "Christian" church I fear will be judged as apostate in the Judgment Day.
Nuff said. My rant is finished. May the Lord grant us all grace
With this type of teaching, W/O will soon be irresistibly attractive for the PCA. Or am I behind the times? Thank you Pastor Bayly for your consistent care of the sheep.
You mentioned "Reformed" pastors as the culprit. I can personally testify I have found EVERY SINGLE Arminian to be legalistic, guilt manipulating, browbeating, works righteousness/salvation, false gospel heretics.
But I have found the "reformed" (calvinistic) pastors and teachers...whether they be Reformed or Sov Grace Baptists, to be humble and gracious to those who struggle. An understanding of the Doctrines Of Grace, are the foundation of the true gospel, and how one lives the Christian life.
Of course there are many that way, but after serving in Reformed/Presbyterian churches unordained for five and ordained for forty years, my experience differs substantially concerned the Reformed side. What you label "humble and gracious" is often flattering and somnolent, covering up the sinecure nature of the pastoral office in many reformed congregations and denominations. I can understand what a welcome relief this might be to men who grow up under legalism, manipulative guiltmongering, and browbeating, but Luther was right in warning that pastors who avoid preaching repentance as well as faith, the law of God as well as the doctrine of regeneration, would create a people characterized by "no compunction of conscience," and he added that this would be an error in the Protestant church which would be "worse than all the errors hitherto prevailing" in the Roman church.
It's my judgment this is what the Reformed church has become, and it defends itself by talk of Jesus being at heart, really and truly, centrally, more than everything else "gentle and lowly." This book perfectly scratches the ears of its market segment consisting of wealthy Presbyterians in DuPage County, IL. My wife and I grew up there, and it is the county where Dane preaches, in Naperville. It's also the home county of Wheaton College, Willow Creek, and Crossway Publishers. Love,
To be sure, sin and human failure will accompany every man who enters the pulpit or church work. Regardless of theological perspective. These Sov Grace Baptist (and the Particlar Baptists of England 1600-1700s and the American inheritors of the 1644 and 1689 Confessions, the Primitive Baptists), all preach repentance, do not preach cheap grace, preach an "experiencial" faith that cannot be divorced from doctrine. "Light in the mind and heat in the heart". We want nothing to do with most modern denominations of any stripe, because they have fallen off the rails in doctrine, misplaced "feelings" and arminian doctrine and practice. Most of what passes today for a "Christian" church I fear will be judged as apostate in the Judgment Day.
Nuff said. My rant is finished. May the Lord grant us all grace
With this type of teaching, W/O will soon be irresistibly attractive for the PCA. Or am I behind the times? Thank you Pastor Bayly for your consistent care of the sheep.
kind, brother