This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the 2007 Philadelphia Conference of Reformed Theology at Byron Center First Christian Reformed Church, just southwest of Grand Rapids. I heard somewhere that there were about five hundred people in attendance, and it was amazing to be there just to join voices with about 499 others, accompanied by the Westminster Brass, singing such excellent hymns as "A Mighty Fortress" and "Holy, Holy, Holy." But the singing was only a small part of an exciting schedule of speakers all focusing on the sufficiency of the Scriptures.
The speakers addressed some of these questions: Can we still speak confidently of knowing the truth? Does the Bible really have the authority it used to be given? Are the challenges of Bible interpretation too great for us to speak in absolute terms?
The first speaker, Dr. Ligon Duncan, introduced the theme with "The True Word." He pointed out that there are two major sources assaulting the truth of Scripture today: Those who say they are Christians but who think that it doesn't matter what we believe; and those who claim doctrine matters but don't show it in their lives. He based his address on John 17:17, Jesus' High Priestly prayer, and concluded with the following ways we can keep the truth: 1. In our study of the truth, we should turn to prayer; 2. We should praise God, because this decentralizes self; 3. We should meditate on the truth; 4. We should practice the truth, because we do not know the truth if we are not "doing" the truth.
The second address on Saturday morning was on "The Revealed Word," and the speaker was Dr. Donald Carson. He pointed out that our God is a talking God who has revealed His word to His people. God communicates in a variety of ways--through events, nature, institutions, rituals, and through His Son--but His actual words are crucial to understanding these other means of revelation. God's words are not exclusively intellectual and linear--He has spoken in lament, outrage, poetry, fable, and apocalyptic literature. His words are crucial to the revelatory nature of preaching, but His words must be borne along by the Spirit to be effective. With rich, challenging, and fascinating insights, Carson discussed Matthew 11 in light of his explanation of the revealed word, concluding with verse 30, that the words of Jesus become the Christian's rest. (This was my favorite speaker, and his breakout session on the recent undermining of Scripture was excellent as well.)
Pastor Mark Dever spoke on "The Mighty Word," basing his address on the parable of the growing seed in Mark 4:26ff. Just as man does very little in the growth of a plant (the seed is the active agent), he likewise does nothing to bring about God's kingdom. The mighty Word of God accomplishes its purpose, apart from human effort. And just as the seed will grow, the kingdom of God is inevitable. There is no uncertainty about the coming harvest because our optimism is based on our future hope. The mighty word is wonderful.
Dr. Philip Ryken, senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church, spoke about "The Accessible Word," affirming the truth that the Bible is meant to be understood. This is the reason the Reformers (and Wycliffe was an example) were willing, in some cases, to die so that the people could have the Scriptures in their own language. Some would argue that God is a transcendent mystery, the Scriptures are unclear, there are a variety of interpretations (so how can we know which is true?), and the Bible itself admits to being unclear (as in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch). And yet the Scriptures are able to make us wise, and if the Bible is not clear, then we would have to say that God is not an effective communicator. Of course this is not the case.
The conference closed with an amazing concert with the Westminster Brass and the South Christian Madrigals (Way to go, guys!) and a final address by Dr. Duncan on "The Sufficient Word."
With so many attacks on the doctrine of Scripture from postmodernism, the emergent church movement, and those promoting the New Perspective/Federal Vision theologies, this conference was an encouragement and a reminder of how amazing our God is to entrust us with the truth of His Word. We were reminded that God does not owe us His Word, and yet in His mercy He has given it to us so that we can know Him, know His truth. There have been those in history who have been willing to die so that God's Word could be known by His people, and we must always be on guard against the attacks that will come on this priceless gift. I'm so excited for next year's conference . . .
4 comments:
Chicago was one of the stops of the PCRT. I was never able to go, however, due to my work schedule. My brother had gone to a few of the conferences. They moved it from Chicago to Indy. When did Byron Center become a stop of the PCRT?
Now more than ever, this type of message needs to get out. Especially with the bad "theology" of New Perspectives/Auburn Avenue/Federal Vision.
I suppose this would fall into Dr Duncan's first category, but there are also those people who call themselves Christians, yet say he was not divine and human at the same time. Or they will deny His active obedience, but affirm His passive obedience. These 2 are distinguishable, but cannot be separated.
I'm not sure when Byron Center (Grand Rapids) was added, but I do know that it was here last year, and it will be held here next year. This was my first time to go.
Sounds very interesting, Annette. We'll have to talk soon.
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