What Is David Guzik’s Perspective On Reformed Theology?
Q: What is your perspective on Reformed theology? How should a believer evaluate it when close friends strongly adhere to it?
A: I am not reformed in my theology, but neither do I consider myself to be anti-reformed. I have gained and learned much from different Reformed pastors, preachers, and Bible commentators over the years. So, I think I understand what they believe, and I see how they have reached those conclusions, but I still fundamentally disagree on some issues. I don’t like debating the five points of T.U.L.I.P. (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints). I’m just kind of bored with that whole argument; it just goes round and round.
To me, the far more significant issue is whether or not faith precedes regeneration, and how God wants us to think about that. I just don’t find a compelling case in the Scriptures that we are born again before we believe. I know that there are a few passages which would seem to indicate that, but we don’t base our theology just on a few passages. We take the whole counsel of what God says about a subject, and then it’s up to us to rightly divide the word of truth and work out a biblical conclusion. In that light, I don’t think God wants us to think that people are born again before they believe. To me, that’s one of the more critical aspects on which I disagree with my Reformed brothers.
However, I have wonderful, blessed fellowship with many of Reformed brethren. In my experience, the problems I’ve had with people in the Reformed world have not been because of their Reformed doctrines, it’s because of the way that they hold those doctrines. Regardless of whether a person is Reformed, Arminian, Orthodox, Catholic, or something else, if they hold their doctrines in a proud, superior, arrogant way, it’s going to cause problems.
If you’ve got Reformed friends, praise the Lord. Don’t feel like you need to give them up. It’s okay to have friends with whom you disagree theologically. I just hope that you do whatever you can to encourage them to hold their doctrines in a humble and charitable way.
I’ll also say this, which I hope is said in a humble and charitable way as well; that attitude doesn’t just go for one side of the equation. We should all be there. Here’s what I would say: You can be humble and charitable while at the same time arguing enthusiastically for your position. We should not respect others less if they disagree with us on something.