What Do YOU Believe?

As some of you may know, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a conference entitled Calvinism and Culture this weekend at Princeton Seminary (yes, that's THE Princeton). I was able to hear 10 different papers/lectures, most (if not all) were slightly above my head. The presentations were all by very educated men and women whom I am sure all had either Masters or Doctorates. Although I had trouble understanding and following more than I would have like to, I did find myself thinking a lot about one particular aspect of faith.

So much emphasis, which sort of culminated in this conference that was ALL about Abraham Kuyper and Calvinism, seems to be put on denominational and belief differences, especially in the reformed tradition (possibly because they are under a certain amount of heat and the natural reaction is to defend themselves). As the conference rolled along, I seemed to think more and more about what I believe and how that fits into different sects of the Christian religion. I came, and fairly quickly too, to the conclusion that I have decided to put very little, if any, stock in what denomination or branch I am considered. I mean, at Dordt, what is inevitably one of the first questions you get asked when church or faith comes up - "What branch are you from?" Does that really matter? I am going to decide what I believe regardless of what another human says, which brings me to one of my main points.

When we treat what other humans say (i.e. John Calvin, Abraham Kuyper, Martin Luther, MLK) as perfect and without any fault or error, they become God. We cannot take what another human says, who must interpret the Word of God themselves, as such. We must be in Scripture ourselves and figure out what we believe on our own. Is there anything wrong with listening to others who are more spiritually mature, or just flat out smarter than us: of course not! But realize that they are interpreting the Bible just like you or I have to and realize that it is ultimately your responsibility what you choose to believe and practice. If my beliefs end up lining up with someone, say John Calvin, then sure, maybe I'm a Calvinist. But I am sure as heck going to make sure it is in that order and not the other way around.

So do me a favor. Please don't believe something just because a giant of the reformed tradition (or any other tradition for that matter) says it. Please don't fit your beliefs to shape up exactly to what someone else says or what some other group of people says. Be your own Christian, and believe what you have decided is true. If your struggling or have questions, yes, go to sources (books, sermons, spiritual leaders/mentors) and get their opinion, but realize that their opinion is a human one that is not without possible error. And if you can, use the Bible - make sure your sermon, book, spiritual leader/mentor uses the Bible as well; if their answer is rooted in Scripture it has a lot better chance of being true!