Time and again I will refer to what I call âReformed glossesâ, âescape routesâ, or âwaste-paper basketsâ. 1 Let me explain. We all meet awkward biblical statements on the law, texts which are hard to fit into our system. We all do, I say. The temptation is to trim the text, pare off awkward corners, insert words, and such like, and thus leave our system pristine. The right way, however, is to trim our system, not Scripture. âLet God be true but every man a liarâ (Rom. 3:4). Running the undoubted risk of being accused in terms of pots and kettles, I contend that the Reformed are particularly subject to this glossing, escape-route, waste-paper basket approach. Let me say at once, if any reader feels I have done it, I would appreciate it very much if he would write to me and give me a chance to examine the accusation and, if necessary, take steps to put it right. All I say is, we must always take full account of the context, and do all we can to avoid imposing our template on Scripture. I contend that the Reformed fail badly in this area. |