Dry Scholasticism

"What is an Evangelical?" by Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  Banner of Truth Trust: Edinburgh, 1992.

While we thank God for the great work of Christ in the past, e.g, the Reformation and other minor reformations, not even this work was complete because the reformation of the church according to the Word of God is or ought to be an ongoing task (semper reformanda).  The Second Law of Thermodynamics will see to it that reformation is needed constantly.  This is why we must not be "slaves to them", he says, referring to what the Lord has done in the past.

"This is the way to develop a kind of scholasticism and an arid intellectualism," wrote the Doctor (p.36).  These twin evils grow out of exaggerated adoration for past achievements, and not least in confession writing.  He continues, "It is as important to define the evangelical as being against a form of Protestantism or even reformed scholasticism, as it is that we should define the evangelical by contrast with those who are heterodox in their practice and their belief, " (p.34).

So DMLJ was not impressed with scholasticism because he could see clearly the results of such an approach to theology.  Reformed scholasticism is particularly malignant because it hides the Gospel by claiming to be Gospel-centred.  It is a distraction that the church could do well enough without.  Look how it has been used to hide the Gospel from a lost and perishing world.  Look how it has caused needless controversy between brethren.  Look how it has masqueraded as scholarly.  Look how it has confused the common people. 


Reformed scholasticism has a lot to answer for because despite claiming to be in submission to the Word of God, it actually forms a Procrustean bed for the Gospel; and ministers then tailor their preaching content to fit into this cramped bed - to the spiritual and eternal detriment of those they are trying to reach for Christ.