Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Rev. Ronald Hanko, in his article “A Plea for Creeds”, states the importance of doctrine and creeds.  His article in full can be read at the following link – http://www.prca.org/articles/plea_for_creeds.html

Here is a brief quote from the article explaining what happens when a denomination or church dismisses or minimizes the importance of doctrine:  ” …  by cutting herself off from the church of past, the church today says in effect that every generation must start all over in its searching of the Scriptures and pursuit of the truth.  Thus she sets herself an impossible task – a task that is either set aside as too great so that there is little knowledge of the truth in the church, or which leaves her no time for other things.”

‘This is well-stated by the Presbyterian author, G.I. Williamson:

“The Bible contains a great wealth of information.  It isn’t easy to master it all – in fact, no one has ever mastered it completely.  It would therefore be foolish for us to try to do it on our own, starting from scratch.  We would be ignoring all the study of the Word of God that other people have done down through the centuries.  That is exactly why we have creeds.  They are the product of many centuries of Bible study by a great company of believers.  They are a kind of spiritual “road map” of the teaching of the Bible, already worked out and proved by others before us.  

He adds:

And right here we see one of the most important things about a creed that is true to the Bible – it remains true down through the ages.  It does not need to be changed again and again, with each generation, because it deals with things that are unchanging.  Thus, an accurate creed binds the generations together.  It reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is not confined to one age, just as it is not confined to any one place.  In other words, there is a unity in what Christians have believed, right down through the ages.  Just think of it:  when we confess our faith together . . . we join with all those believers who have gone before us.  Does not this demonstrate that there is indeed just one Lord and one true faith?” 

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Note by Bill Hornbeck

The Reformed creeds used by Reformed churches are Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, and Heidelberg Catechism which the Protestant Reformed Churches denomination labels collectively as the “Three Forms of Unity”, which is a good name consistent with the purpose of unity of creeds.

The creed used by Presbyterian churches is the Westminster Larger Confession.  Although it is not one of the three creeds of the Reformed churches, it has good points and can be read for profit so long as the reader understands that Reformed churches do not necessarily agree with everything in them.  As I stated at the conclusion of the “About Me” page:  “The reader is advised to follow the example set forth in Acts 17:11:  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

These creeds are all organized and easily readable.  You can find them in the right margin under “Links”.

In conclusion, our unity should include the Canons of Dordt, because it focuses on the specific and most important subject of salvation which is the distinctive heart of Reformed Doctrine.  The Canons of Dordt is the best expression and confession of the Gospel and unites us “just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith”.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6.