Maintaining Sovereignty in Theological Discourse and Debate
Maintaining theological sovereignty in discourse and debate involves a commitment to sound doctrine, careful communication, and humility. Ministers are called to "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" [2], ensuring that their teaching aligns with the Gospel and adorns the doctrine of God [2]. This includes faithfully dispensing the Gospel, keeping it pure and uncorrupt, and diligently preserving it from adulteration or being taken away by false teachers [4].
The manner of communication is also crucial. Speech should always be "with grace, seasoned with salt" [1]. This means that communication should be edifying, opposing and preserving against the corruption of sin, and tending to exemplify and recommend Christianity [1]. It should be holy, wise, gracious, and intelligent, avoiding a harsh method of proposing or defending Christian doctrines, which can repel rather than attract [1]. Matthew Henry, reflecting on Psalm 119:43, prays for "the tongue of the learned," desiring the wisdom and courage to speak a word in season for God's glory, to instruct others, and to profess faith when called upon [5].
Humility is another vital aspect. Believers are warned against being deceived by those who present a show of deep learning or eloquent words, as an overreliance on human wisdom can lead away from the truth and simplicity of the Gospel [6]. Calvin, known for stating his views with calmness, clearness, and precision, reasoned dispassionately and never shrank from the consequences of his theological positions [3]. While slander cannot always be avoided, believers should strive to give no occasion for it through their own imprudence [7]. The goal is to ensure that there is no appearance of evil in one's conduct or speech, even when proclaiming the Gospel [7].
Sources
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 4:6: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt - Let it be such as has a tendency to oppose and preserve from the corruption of sin. The rabbins say: "He who, in prayer, omits any word, should begin again at the beginning; for he who does not is like boiled pottage, in which there is no salt." Berachoth, fol. 34, 1. Let all your conversation be such as may tend to exemplify and recommend Christianity; let it not only be holy, but wise, gracious, and intelligent. A harsh method of proposing or defending the doctrines of Christianity only serves to repel m”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 2:1: But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Concerning sound doctrine, and the form of it; see Gill on Ti2 1:13. The things which become it are a good life and conversation, the various duties incumbent on professors of religion, according to their different station, age, and sex, which are observed in some following verses; these become the Gospel of Christ, and are ornamental to the doctrine of God our Saviour; and these are to be spoken of by the ministers of Christ, in their proper places, and at proper times; who ought not to be dumb, and keep silence at”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.4: and energetic declamation; and as a balm to wounded consciences, it remains to the present hour without a rival. The doctrinal system of Calvin is too well known to require explanation in this place. It is, however, a mistake to suppose that, on those points in which Calvinism is deemed peculiarly to consist, he went a single step farther than Luther himself, and the great majority of the Reformers. He states his views with calmness, clearness, and precision; he reasons on them dispassionately, and never shrinks from any consequenc”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:20: Keep that which is committed to thy trust,.... That is, the Gospel, see Ti1 1:11 which is a rich treasure put into earthen vessels, and ought to be kept pure and uncorrupt, and faithfully dispensed, and diligently preserved, that so it may be continued genuine and sincere, and not be either adulterated and depraved, or be taken away by false teachers. And it may also include his gifts for the ministration of it, which were to be kept in use, and stirred up, and not neglected, but cultivated and improved to the advantage of the church, and of the interest of Christ:”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:43: Here is, 1. David's humble petition for the tongue of the learned, that he might know how to speak a word in season for the glory of God: Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth. He means, "Lord, let the word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and courage which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for the instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out of my treasury things new and old, and to make profession of my faith whenever I am called to it." We have need to pray to God that we may never be”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:18: Here he prescribes humility, and a modest opinion of themselves, for the remedy of the irregularities in the church of Corinth, the divisions and contests among them: "Let no man deceive himself, Co1 3:18. Do not be led away from the truth and simplicity of the gospel by pretenders to science and eloquence, by a show of deep learning, or a flourish of words, by rabbis, orators, or philosophers." Note, We are in great danger of deceiving ourselves when we have too high an opinion of human wisdom and arts; plain and pure Christianity will be likely to be desp”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 22.5: presence for blaspheming against the name of God and his word, because there will be no appearance of evil in us. True, we cannot avoid being slandered; but let us always attend to this, that no occasion may be given on our part, or by our imprudence.” — Fr. Ser. 97 “Since the gospel is preached to us, it is Jesus Christ who holds out his scepter, and shews us that he wishes to be our king, and to take us for his people. When we have thus made profession of the gospel, if we do not persevere till the end, if it happen that we de”