Re Where in the World is God?, January
Dr. McLelland is a distinguished churchman, a venerable scholar, a clever thinker and a good writer. He is not however, what I would call Reformed. The ideas and conclusions which he puts forward in his writings, while unique and advanced in their construction, are merely the result of 19th-century German liberalism coming full circle, not Reformation theology.
They have more in common with someone whose motto is, Understanding Seeking Faith(s), than they do with someone who pursues the motto of Faith Seeking Understanding.
To be Reformed means that our first commitment is to saving faith in Christ, not modern knowledge and needs. As the Holy Spirit sanctifies and re-forms our intellects and minds we come to see how the key presuppositions which go along with modern knowledge and needs are the antithesis of the presuppositions of the scriptures.
Joseph McLelland responds:
The idea that “always reforming” involves attention to “modern knowledge” comes from the original mandate of the Articles of Faith Committee (now Committee on Doctrine) which was ordered to interpret our tradition in light of “thought-forms of today.” I disagree with the reference to 19th-century German liberalism. Like Karl Barth, I am “Kantian” in my theory of knowledge, but reject the Enlightenment thesis that reason rules. Calvin was influenced by Greek philosophers, and the Reformers had strong philosophical biases. Within a century after the Reformation the “second scholastic” movement led to strange doctrines such as double predestination (that God not only elects some to heaven but intentionally condemns most to hell), the absolute divine decrees and superstition about the sacraments. Not to mention denial of the benefits of wine (remember that part of Calvin’s monthly salary included a large amount of wine).
