Major Points In Reformed And Of Difference Baptist Theology -- By: Leon J. Wood

Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 07:2 (Summer 1964)
Article: Major Points In Reformed And Of Difference Baptist Theology
Author: Leon J. Wood


Major Points In Reformed And Of Difference Baptist Theology

Leon J. Wood

from The Baptist Bulletin

By the Reformed position here is meant the traditional, conservative view of the Reformed, the Christian Reformed, and in large part the Presbyterian Church. The intention herein is to show the major points of difference between this position and that of Regular Baptists.

Perhaps the value of such a comparison lies especially in two directions. First, members in our churches who have come from a Reformed background, or who have close friends or relatives who are yet of that persuasion, are best served by us when the Reformed position is well known. Second, often in our communities these churches provide our best help against the tide of liberalism, and to take the best advantage of this help, a good understanding of how their position relates to our own is highly desirable: we should not quarrel where no reason exists; neither should we compromise where difference is found.

The plan to be followed in this study is first to show these major contrasts in general; second, to treat one of them, namely baptism, at greater length showing principal argumentation involved.

I. The Major Contrasts In General

The greatest contrasts occur in the areas of ecclesiology and eschatology, with one coming in theology with which we shall concern ourselves first.

A. The Order Of God’s Decrees And “Limited Atonement”

Both positions are agreed that God decreed, but difference exists in connection with the logical order of the decree involving election, so that the Reformed position yields in “limited atonement” and the Baptist avoids it.

1. Reformed position: That God decreed, logically, the election of the recipients of His saving grace before the decree to provide salvation for them through Christ. Thus, Christ’s atoning work had only the elect in view, i.e., it was limited in its design to the elect; hence, “limited atonement.”

2. Baptist position: That God decreed, logically, the provision of salvation through Christ for a lost world; and then, in view that no man of himself would or could receive it, additionally decreed the election of certain of them to be voluntary partakers of it. This position sees God making the

benefits of atonement equally available for all and providing especially for its appropriation by the elect.

B. Ecclesiology

The most basic differences exist in this area. These can be summarized under the following four heads:

1. Concept Of The Church

a. Reformed position: That the ...

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