Reformation Thinking

As I survey more and more of what passes for good teaching it continues to become increasingly apparent to me that we continue to experience a drift if not an all out abandonment from reformation thinking.

"The Cambridge Declaration" by the "Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals" laid out the following in 1996 and I have found it a good reminder.

The conference, and the eventual declaration that was created, was broadly influenced by the following:

*The culture of the modern world (as represented by postmodernism) is changing the message that the church preaches.

*The decision by many churches and denominations to directly enter politics and endorse political parties and candidates - and doing this instead of preaching the gospel.

*The erosion of Christian doctrine within the modern church, including the lack of Expository preaching.

*The increasing influence of relativism within the church, which has led to an environment where "truth" is subjectively determined, and where church leaders aim to preach only "positive" messages.

*The increasing focus upon man, rather than God, within the church.
An increasing focus on man's ability to respond to God's grace, rather than a focus upon God's ability to save man.

*A focus on the quantitative and measurable aspects of church growth (which thus links Christian ministry with outward success) rather than the qualitative and spiritual aspects of Biblical ministry.

The declaration is a call to repentance for the evangelical church in order to reaffirm the historical Christian truths that are articulated by The Five Solas and deny modern teachings:

1. Sola Scriptura: The Erosion Of Authority

A reaffirmation that the Bible contains all things necessary to understand and obey God. A denial that any other form of authority is needed to bind the conscience of the Christian.

2. Solus Christus: The Erosion Of Christ-Centered Faith

A reaffirmation that Christ alone and his penal substitutionary atonement on the cross are the means by which all Christians are saved. A denial that the Gospel can be preached without the atonement being declared and without faith being solicited from the listeners.

3. Sola Gratia: The Erosion Of The Gospel

A reaffirmation that salvation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. A denial that salvation is in any sense a work of the human heart, either fully or partially.

4. Sola Fide: The Erosion Of The Chief Article

A reaffirmation that a person is justified (declared innocent) before God through faith alone and through Christ alone - that Christ's righteousness is imputed to the Christian. A denial that justification relies upon any human merit, and that churches which teach this cannot be considered legitimate churches.

5. Soli Deo Gloria: The Erosion Of God-Centered Worship

A reaffirmation that salvation is ultimately for God's glory rather than man's, and that Christians everywhere should understand that they are under God's authority and act for his glory alone. A denial that God can be glorified through "entertainment"-style worship; the removal of law and/or gospel in preaching; and preaching that focuses upon self-improvement, self-esteem and self fulfillment.