The Reformed Magisterium

I don't know if you saw it, but E. T. Kirkland wrote a nasty review of the John Calvin 500 book in the English Churchman.  At least he had the grace and courage to make public his views.  Is this the Mr E T Kirkland from NI?  From his review, it is very clear that he is lacking in any Christian grace whatever.  Does he hold to the doctrines of grace?  I shouldn't have asked this question because anyone who treasures grace could not possibly write as he did.  It was disrespectful, prejudiced and unbecoming a Christian minister.  Lack of grace in a Gospel minister is like a diamond on a pig's nose.

I have no problems with people disagreeing with another traditionally reformed theology - that's their privilege; but I would expect fellow Christians who claim to uphold reformed truth to exhibit a semblance of grace when criticising a fellow reformed Christian believer.  I doubt if he has read much of Calvin, and by that I mean the available writings of Calvin - Institutes, Commentaries and, not least, his excellent sermons.  I recall the sage words of Dr Iain D. Campbell at the recent Puritan conference saying that if you wish to know what a man really believes, read his sermons.  

Why is it that this is the last place reformed people will look in order to understand Calvin's theology?  Linked to this, why is it that some Christians regard DMLJ's sermons on Acts as not his best; I listened to these 'wise' reformed men and did not read these sermons until relatively recently.  They are vintage DMLJ.  If any preacher wants to know how to preach the everlasting Gospel, go to DMLJ's eight volumes of Acts.

What do you think is happening within the reformed world?  Have reformed evangelicals now latched on to the Roman teaching that if we are to understand what the Bible teaches, it must be read through the lens of man-made documents, however good and excellent they are?  Are the Scriptures not perspicuous after all?  Is it the case that they can only be properly understood when received through accredited teachers?  I think we have been on a slippery slope for many decades, and no one seems to care one whit.

Do you think that men have sold their souls to a 'system' and are more faithful to it than to Christ?  Do you think the temptation is to hold to the system in order o be well thought of by colleagues.  "The fear of man brings a snare," 'tis true.  I remember being told as a young minister within PCI that if you keep in with the main people, you'll be well looked after.  This idea has not abated today.  The drive is to keep in with the right people (whoever they might be); but by so doing a man is selling his soul into a form of slavery - and it is not slavery to the Word of God.  Luther's phrase "My conscience is captive to the Word" has been my mainstay for many decades now.  Sadly, good reformed men are captive to something else.

I'd be very glad to get your response to this mini-'sermon.'