Robert Godfrey on the Necessity of the Reformation

The church is always in need of reform. Even in the New Testament, we see Jesus rebuking Peter, and we see Paul correcting the Corinthians. Since Christians are always sinners, the church will always need reform. The question for us, however, is when does the need become an absolute necessity?

The great Reformers of the sixteenth century concluded that reform was urgent and necessary in their day. In pursuing reform for the church, they rejected two extremes. On the one hand, they rejected those who insisted that the church was essentially sound and needed no fundamental changes. On the other hand, they rejected those who believed that they could create a perfect church in every detail. The church needed fundamental reform, but it would also always need to be reforming itself. The Reformers reached these conclusions from their study of the Bible.

In 1543, the Reformer of Strasbourg, Martin Bucer, asked John Calvin to write a defense of the Reformation for presentation to Emperor Charles V at the imperial diet set to meet at Speyer in 1544. Bucer knew that the Roman Catholic emperor was surrounded by counselors who were maligning reform efforts in the church, and he believed that Calvin was the most capable minister to defend the Protestant cause.

Calvin rose to the challenge and wrote one of his best works, “The Necessity of Reforming the Church.” This substantial treatise did not convince the emperor, but it has come to be regarded by many as the best presentation of the Reformed cause ever written.

Calvin begins by observing that everyone agreed that the church had “diseases both numerous and grievous.” Calvin argues that matters were so serious that Christians could not abide a “longer delay” for reform or wait for “slow remedies.” He rejects the contention that the Reformers were guilty of “rash and impious innovation.” Rather, he insists that “God raised up Luther and others” to preserve “the truth of our religion.” Calvin saw that the foundations of Christianity were threatened and that only biblical truth would renew the church.

Read the entire post here.

Book Review: Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by Robert Godfrey

Over the years, there has been a resurgence of Reformed Theology. Many have reading books from men such as John Calvin, John Owen, and Jonathan Edwards. Some have embraced a Reformed confession whether it is the Westminster Confession or the London Baptist Confession. These confessions are just simply an affirmation of what the Bible teaches. These statements of faith has been around for hundreds of years.

Of course over the years, Reformed Theology has been assaulted by those outside of it. Many have defined Reformed Theology and have written books on the subject. 400 years ago, there was a document was written in response to these attacks on Reformed Theology called the Canons of Dort. Robert Godfrey's latest book, Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort, takes us through what this document is all about.

Godfrey gives us the historical and theological background as to why the Canons of Dort were written. Godfrey clarifies that this is not a confession but rather "a clarification and defense of some points in the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Confession." So in a sense, you can say that the Canons of Dort is a commentary to the two confessions that Godfrey mentions.

The next part of the book is the entire Canons of Dort in five heads of doctrine with Godfrey giving his own interpretation to it. The heads of doctrine deal with predestination, Christ's death, the corruptions of humans, conversion, and the perseverance of the saints. Each head of doctrine express what it affirms based on what God has revealed in His Word and what it rejects. This is followed by an exposition by Godfrey on the Canons of Dort.

This was good book on a document from years ago that defended the Christian faith. Not to mention it is also a good read on church history. This book is another great edition to add to your study on the Reformation and church history.

Thanks Reformation Trust for letting me review this book.

W. Robert Godfrey On Loving The Psalms

Nathan Bingham conducted an interview with W. Robert Godfrey about his latest book, Learning to Love the Psalms.