Scott,

Thanks for your clear and useful post. As a baptist (albeit an increasingly conflicted one), it seems to me that your points are sound and fair. While firm, they are not unfriendly, merely discriminating.

A couple of observations . . .

First, when people speak of being "Reformed Baptists," they are using the adjective in much the same way as those who call themselves "Calvinistic Baptists." They may be muddying the waters of defintion, but they are not necessarily trying to steal your franchise on the adjective.

As you clearly note, being "Reformed" entails much more than a shared commitment to the five points. Issues of infant baptism, the meaning of the terms Old Covenant and New Covenant, and matters of polity come into play.

While it may not be the most precise and univocal way of framing it, claiming to be a "Reformed Baptist" seems fair to me, but suggesting that one is truly Reformed as a baptist would not be.

The compound term "Reformed Baptist" has a unique meaning and an historical signification just as Reformed Judaism does. One cannot simply divide the terms and protest the use of the adjective. However, as you rightly note, Reformed implies so much more than TULIP, that people like Piper should (IMO) probably call themselves Calvinistic. One reason for the failure to do so is that some prefer to differentiate the specific kind of baptist they are rather than to appear to be following a man, even a great man like Calvin.

Second, don't you at least find it somewhat ironic, that even granting the differences you identify in your blog, many Calvinistic baptists (especially those holding to the 1689 LBCF) agree with you on more issues than some of those ministering in "Reformed" denominations? Given a choice, I would think that you would prefer some of the baptists on the PB to some of the members of liberal "Reformed" denominations in the US and Europe.

In any case, I remain grateful that my paedo brethren allow me a place on the PB. The fellowship of the Truly Reformed and those of us who are merely Calvinistic is a rich one indeed.

__________________
Dennis E. McFadden, Ex Mainline Baptist (in Remission)
Atherton Baptist Homes, CEO
First Baptist Church of Alhambra, Member, Transformation Ministries (CA)

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