Matters of church fellowship and compassion

The gradual departure of the churches from the historic reformed faith is an alarming reality of today's confused ecclesiastical context, and one that can only notch up an even greater departure from the faith by these churches.

The absence of compassion in confessing reformed churches is a measure of that departure from the truth. I think it is unfair to criticise Christians for their lack of real compassion, when they are shown a very poor example by the churches. In our family reading last night, we were reminded of the centrality of love as an expression of faith. If the church refuses to demonstrate genuine love for its members, then it is very difficult to insist that individual Christians show it. They do not have a credible mentor whose example they can safely follow.

This raises the interesting question as to the role and influence that Westminster theology has had on those who have embraced it. I do not subscribe to the criticism that because the Westminster Confession of Faith never mentions 'love,' the thing is thereby absent; for that would be a weak argument to forward.

But where it does fall down is its insistence on predestination being the central doctrine around which everything else revolves. This departure from Calvin is serious because his view was that 'faith' lies at the very centre of the reformed religion, not predestination or election. These two precious doctrines bring the greatest comfort and consolation imaginable to the Christian, and are the guarantee of the success of the evangelistic enterprise.

But when these two doctrines replace faith as the core, certain knock-on effects follow. One is the lack of compassion and love that are shown to those deemed to have transgressed - and that includes all of us! Where are the Christians who are prepared to throw their loving arms around the Christian brother or sister whose heart is longing for biblical comfort and consolation? Where is the genuine friendship that ought to be expected within a church fellowship? To whom does a needy Christian go in search of support? Or where does he turn when he has profound personal issues that must be addressed?

One way of refuting my contention is for someone who has embraced Wedstminster theology to rise above that confession and show the kind of love that heals and restores.

If anyone reading this knows of such a person, please let me know. This person will by definition have to be someone who is of the spiritual ilk of a Richard Baxter rather than that of a John Owen. What burdened Christians need is the milk of human kindness such as Baxter was known to have shown to his flock in Kidderminster. They certainly do not need the scholastic approach as used by the Owenites - they need real love.