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DAY SEVEN

            Even though it is my opinion that even Calvin would have been embarrassed by Warren’s disrespect of the actual language used in the Scriptural text, this Chapter affords the reader a direct confrontation with Reformed Calvinism.  Accordingly, before I comment on Warren’s teachings within Chapter Seven, a brief review of Calvinist theology may be in order.  In that a detailed examination of Reformed Calvinism is beyond the scope of this writing, I do recommend that readers of Warren’s book obtain and study a detailed comparison of Calvin’s theology with God’s Word as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, such as the Religious Bodies of America, by F.E. Mayer, who was a professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., published by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo., copyright 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1961. 

            With all credit given to Dr. Mayer, Calvin’s Formal Principle of Theology, i.e. what Calvin considered to be the source and authority for all teachings and life within the church, was that the Bible is a corrective and absolute standard and norm for all conduct in all realms of this life.  Calvin made the Bible a code for right belief and living.  Calvin stated an agreement with the principle of “Sola Scriptura”, but Calvin saw the Bible as presenting God’s law as the basis for, and the ground of, the relationship between God and man.  He treated the law’s chief function as a rule for living, not as a mirror revealing above all man’s sinfulness.  It should also be understood that Calvin elevated human reason to a position of authority alongside the Scriptures by his teaching that human reason and faith are not opposed to each other such that even in matters of doctrine, nothing contrary to right human reason may be admitted even if that means a denial of the clear, unequivocal and plain statements of Scripture itself.  The Scriptures, however, afford human reason no such magisterial function and allow human reason, which was also completely corrupted by original sin, only a ministerial function. 

            In addition, this Chapter is founded upon the material principle of Reformed Calvinism.  A material principle is the central idea or teaching that runs through and connects all the teachings of a system of theology.  Calvin’s material principle was Calvin’s concept of the glory of God with the dominant thought being the sovereignty of God.  Calvin emphasized God really as the Master, with man His servant, and therefore focused upon what God expects of man for God’s own glory.  Accordingly, Calvin’s theology is legalistic in nature.  The Scriptures, however, emphasize what God has done for man according to His grace and mercy and presents itself really as the letter of a loving Heavenly Father to His dear children.  Therein lies the danger of Warren’s presentation in this Chapter.  Rather than focus upon God’s work of man’s salvation in and through Christ Crucified, Warren focuses upon the idea that somehow man has the power of himself to do that which serves the glory of God.

            Warren’s material principle of the glorification of God is clear in the opening paragraphs of this Chapter Seven where Warren states, for example, “The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God,” page 53.  Even Warren’s choice of paraphrase for Romans 11:36 shows his willingness to deny the clear intent of the Scriptural text to serve Warren’s purpose.  The paraphrase chosen by Warren should be compared to better translations such as the NASB, or even the NIV, and the context for that verse in the Doxology that begins with verse 33 should be considered. 

            I find it interesting that Warren acknowledges that glory is part of the essence of God which is complete, immutable, and lacking nothing. 

            On page 54, Warren clearly presents a distorted view of the Scriptures and even our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus by treating Christ Jesus as but one the revelations of God’s glory to people.  The very name “Jesus”, a Greek form of the shortened Hebrew name, means “the Lord, God of the covenant, is salvation”.  God’s grace is most clearly revealed in the Person and work of Christ Jesus.  Contrary to Warren’s teachings, Christ Jesus came to earth to save sinners, a work to which sinful man could contribute nothing and cooperate not at all! 

            Contrary to Warren’s teachings, a believer’s response to God’s gracious work of our salvation is a response empowered only by the Holy Spirit with the Word, leaving the believer still only boasting in the Lord. 

            Warren also fails to understand that all of creation bears the curse of man’s sin and only the Gospel of our salvation as a free gift worked only by God in Christ Jesus allows us to even see dimly the revelation of God in nature.  Without faith in the Person and work of Christ Jesus, particularly His vicarious satisfaction on our behalf, the knowledge of a god that man can achieve in viewing creation is in fact, a denial and a rejection of the True God revealed in Christ Jesus. 

            Contrary to Warren’s teachings on page 55, the worst sin and biggest mistake man can make is a rejection of the forgiveness of all mankind given in the Cross and Resurrection.  It is that sin that condemns people to eternal damnation. 

            Warren says that he will present “God’s five purposes for your life”, page 55.  Accordingly, rather than examine these overviews in this Chapter, I will await his full presentation of those five purposes as they are presented apparently later in Warren’s book. 

            However, the presentation of making a choice for God denies man’s state under original sin and denies the very sacrifice and free gift made by Christ Jesus in His crucifixion and resurrection.  God is giving all mankind forgiveness and reconciliation through the life, death and resurrection of His Son and empowering man to have faith in that free gift through the Gospel, by Word and sacraments.

            Warren’s treatment of saving faith moves the focus away from justification, both objective and subjective, and places the entire focus on sanctification, at best.  I do not see how Warren can consider Paul’s Epistles particularly as the very Word of God in that Warren seems to take great pride in mixing Law and Gospel.

            Before beginning a reading of the upcoming Chapters which will purportedly deal with the five purposes, a brief review of the matters encountered in this book already might be useful.  So far, we have encountered the following:

1.         A material and substantial commingling of Law and Gospel. 

2.         A disrespect for the Scriptural text themselves.

3.         A denial of Scripture’s teaching concerning its own authority, properties and attributes.

4.         A disregard of the centrality of God’s gracious and forensic work of our justification.

5.         A denial of man’s sinfulness and the doctrine of original sin.

6.         A denial of salvation only through the Person and work of Christ Jesus.

7.         A denial of saved through faith alone without works or merit on the part of man.

Therefore, as the poor cowboy stated halfway through his fall, “its going okay so far”. [You may need to read the Article entitled “Unionism, Syncretism and the Poor Cowboy” posted on this same website to fully understand this reference.]

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