Southern Fried Presbyterianism April 27, 2007
Posted by reformedville in : culture, Ethnicity, Theology , trackbackYou may ask, “What is Southern Fried Presbyterianism?” Great question. You see, a huge number of Reformed folks in America are Southern Fried without knowing it. Their theology is more shaped by the nuances and perspectives of Robert Lewis Dabney and James Thornwell (19th century Southern-American / post-revivalist theologians) than John Calvin and John Knox (16th century continental / Scottish theologians). For example, what is “the” Reformed understanding of children in the covenant? Calvin’s view was that we should rest in the covenant promises of God and believe that they have a “seed of faith,” are presumed regenerate, and should be nurtured as God’s children. In contrast, Thornwell’s view was that covenant children are unregenerate souls in need of evangelism and conversion.
When people appeal to the Westminster Standards, it is important to understand what lens they are reading it through - a Calvinian or a Southern Fried lens? If you read through a continental lens, you see continental theology - if you read through a Southern Fried lens, you see Southern Fried theology. That’s the way it goes.
Look, this isn’t about Calvin and Knox always being right, and Dabney and Thornwell always being wrong. Not at all. There are differences and we should admit them. What gets me is that some Southern Fried Presbyterians won’t admit that their perspective on certain of these matters is unique to their lens, not to the Bible or the confessional standards themselves.
I once heard some folks talk about certain positions not being in accord with “PCA Presbyterianism.” At the time, I laughed and then got a bit perturbed. Looking back, I think they were on to something. I just would prefer to call it “Southern Fried” instead of “PCA.” Whether or not its finger-lickin’ good - well, I don’t think Colonel Sanders would go that far.
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