“Reformed theology is historical and confessional. Tradition can be the bane or blessing of the church. Tradition hurts the church when we elevate it to divine authority (Matt. 15:6–9) but helps the church when each generation receives, examines, and passes on what our predecessors learned from the prophetic and apostolic word (2 Tim. 2:2). Innovation can be very helpful for technology, but in Christian doctrine we should seek the “old paths” (Jer. 6:16) in order to hold to ‘the faith which was once delivered unto the saints’ (Jude 3). Reformed theology informs our faith with centuries-old Christian doctrinal standards such as the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Westminster Confession and Catechisms.”
—Dr. Joel Beeke, Reformed Systematic Theology
Reformed theology is both Biblical and Historical. Our historic confessions are carefully worded documents that clearly express the teachings of Scripture and keep reformed churches and pastors from doctrinal error. The fact is, that those who reject such written confessions as the Westminster Standards still have confessions and doctrinal positions that they teach, but they are often not clearly articulated. An interesting irony of history is that the theology that was condemned as unbiblical in 1619, by the protestant Synod of Dort, has become the predominate view among evangelicals. Arminianism may be popular today, but it is still unbiblical.
–Pastor Prentice
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