My theological position is conservative evangelical and Biblically based in the Reformed tradition (the branch of Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century). I uphold that Scripture alone is the authoritative Word of God; that Church government is separate from the government of the state; that baptism and communion are the only sacraments; that all believers are priests who have access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ; that we are sinners by both nature and choice and are consequently under the judgment of God.
I believe I am called into salvation because of the definite plan, mercy and compassion of God: But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.” (Galatians 1:5 NLT; also see Romans 9:10-13 & Jeremiah 1:5). It is grace that drew me to the Godhead in the first place: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19). The heart of intangible faith is the confidence that God is not an illusion, but a reality whose will cannot be resisted; that He is comprehensively sovereign, and beyond our complete understanding performing “wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” (Job 9:10); who sustains and guides by His Spirit – the silent shepherd, teacher and comforter. We are able to question our existence, to think and choose. The most important decision we can make in life is to accept God’s grace gift of salvation: “So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…’” (Hebrews 3:7-8).
As an ordained Minister of the Word I strive to uphold Biblicism, which is adherence to the factual meaning of the Bible, which claims to be divinely inspired: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17) which is the sole source of guidance on matters of faith. However, I don’t adopt an absolute fundamentalist reading of Scripture, as it cannot be forced to say more than it does. Examining all of Revelation, for example, proves that it cannot be understood in the literal sense alone. I believe the Bible literally when it is being literal and I believe it metaphorically when it is being metaphorical. So when I read: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride had made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7) – it’s a figure of speech: the Lamb is Jesus, the bride is the Church, and the marriage is symbolic of their heavenly union. Likewise, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12) I don’t see mountains singing, or trees with arms! But I do believe this verse (and other similar texts) is symbolically true that all nature worships with ‘voices’ that we cannot hear: “Day after day they pour forth speech…they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth…” (Psalm 19:2-4). Finally, when God’s Kingdom is fully realised, and all wrongs made right, the whole of creation will rejoice. Therefore, “…to those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given…” (Luke 8:18 NLT).
Consequently, theology (the study of God) can only be based on the Bible’s systematic teachings (i.e. what do the Scriptures say about a certain topic), trusting the Holy Spirit for interpretation with the assurance that: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10). Additionally, historic theology through Church confessions and creeds, although not infallible, help guard against error, allowing affirmation of the Faith, as well striving to provide an orthodox defence (evangelical theology) of Christianity in affirming its foundational truths:- the doctrine of the Trinity; the Incarnation; Virgin birth; substitutionary atonement; bodily resurrection and Second Coming of Jesus Christ; the new birth through regeneration by the Holy Spirit; pre-millennialism; final judgement; heaven and hell. Apologetics seeks to provide a defence of the Faith against those who refute and have objections to it. I am continually analysing my core beliefs, revaluating ministerial experiences and the subjective experience that people have of God. It’s one thing to be in the ivory tower, possessing an MA in Contextual Theology, but Biblical scholarship must integrate into everyday living (practical theology). I understand that evangelicalism is not, for everyone, the quintessential expression of the faith and accept it’s the Holy Spirit who converts, not defenders like me! I also realise that labeling myself ‘evangelical’ may serve some earthly purpose, but is totally meaningless in terms of eternity. Nonetheless, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NRSV).
Tim Mullings 