James Goodloe, Foundation for Reformed Theology, Posted Sunday, February 3, 2013
On Essential Tenets
Much ado has been made in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) about “the essential tenets of the Reformed faith.” But before entering the fray, we need to examine some prior questions. First, there is an inherent and insurmountable problem with the language. If the tenets are “essential,” they are not reformable and therefore not Reformed; if they are Reformed and reformable, they are not essential. For more on this contradiction, please see:
On Essential Tenets, Part 1 of 3: An Inherent Problem
Second, even if it were possible to specify a list of “the essential tenets of the Reformed faith,” we would encounter a relational problem, the question of the status of such a list in relation to the rest of the constitution of the denomination. Would such a list have authority over the creeds and confessions? Would it in The Book of Confessions as if it were a confession? Would it be part of the easily amendable Book of Order? None of these seems appropriate. For more on the status and function of such a list, please see:
On Essential Tenets, Part 2 of 3: A Relational Problem
Third, an attorney of the law who is also a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ once told me, “Whoever frames the question wins the argument.” That is extraordinarily important here. We who are concerned about the historic faith of the Christian church cannot win this argument the way the question is currently framed. There is no way. It is a losing battle. There is no use in pursuing it. Instead, we must reframe the question. For more on this counter proposal, please see:
On Essential Tenets, Part 3 of 3: A Counter Proposal
This would change the game. This would encourage and strive for maximum faith instead of settling for minimum faith. This would encourage and strive for integrity instead of settling for disingenuousness. Let’s quit trying to do the impossible by specifying “the essential tenets of the Reformed faith.” Let’s jettison that language altogether. Let’s reframe the question and so win the day.
Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, Executive Director, Foundation for Reformed Theology