Discipleship in the Reformed World - by Ryan Denton

Excerpted from here. Our comments in bold.

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This is actually a rather good article on the need for discipleship. The author quotes Scripture, approaches the issue from various angles, and overall provides a good exhortation.

But because the author is "Reformed," i.e., he holds various doctrines peculiar to the Reformed perspective including Calvinism, he makes some curious statements. Twice he mentions Calvin and the regulative principle of worship, which would suggest that he considers these two things to of primary importance when it comes to discipleship. Let's first explain, then analyze.

John Calvin: He was a pastor and theologian in the 1500s, and is best known for developing what has come to be known as the Doctrines of Grace. These are roughly explained by the acronym TULIP:

• Total Depravity
• Unconditional Election
• Limited Atonement
• Irresistible Grace
• Perseverance of the Saints

We have written extensively on these, and have concluded that they are entirely useless. Knowing these doctrines adds nothing to informing one's daily Christian obligations. They do not come to bear on any matter regarding getting saved, walking out a life of obedience, service, or generosity. They are mere intellectual exercises, often resulting in division between Christians, churches, and denominations.

We have no use for Calvinism.

Regulative principle of worship: Calvin provided the most succinct definition: “God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by his Word.” This actually has nothing to do with worship per se, it actually is a principle that applies to how a Sunday service is conducted. The whole premise is that there is a "proper" way to conduct a corporate worship service, and that we cannot do so outside of the specific commands of the Bible.

In actual fact, the forms and practices of a traditional Reformed church service is the true benchmark. This for example means a contemporary worship service with a band and rock songs violates the regulative principle of worship.

Now, we concede the author does mention a number of things about discipleship that are profitable, like prayer and Bible study.  But it seems like he expects that at some point a convert should embrace Calvin's teachings and the regulative principle. 

There is no fruit that comes from this.

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The Reformed church has many obvious strengths. We prize robust theology, confessions, and historic Christianity. We are committed to church discipline and the regulative principle of worship. We deeply care about how we approach and think about God. These are all to be commended.

But we should also be willing to acknowledge our weaknesses and to seek to correct and address them. One of these areas of weakness is discipleship, especially when it comes to those who are new to the faith or less cultured and refined in their mannerisms or bearings. We often don’t know what to do with people who have never heard of John Calvin or is currently on his third marriage. 

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Pastors and teachers are not the only ones called to disciple others. All of us as Christians should be engaged in such a practice. We can’t expect that everyone who comes into the church will know John Calvin or believe in the regulative principle of worship. We can’t expect everyone who is converted to have everything in their life put together and well-ordered. We must know how to walk with such persons in their faith. We must put in the time and energy to help them grow. May the Lord help Reformed churches everywhere see the importance of intentional discipleship in the lives of our congregants.

(...)

Ryan Denton is a Presbyterian minister and church planter (Vanguard Presbyterian Church). His work has appeared at RHB, DesiringGod, Founders, The Confessional Presbyterian, and others. He has a Th.M. from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. You can find him on X @texaspreacher.