John Gill and Isaiah 59:2 - Reformed Churches

Of Isaiah 59:2 ("But your iniquities have ever made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have caused him to hide his face from you, so that he would not hear."), Gill says: ". . . which is greatly the case of the reformed churches: they profess the true God, and the worship of him, and do attend the outward ordinances of it; but this is done in such a cold formal way, and such sins and wickedness are perpetrated and connived at, that the Lord does not grant his gracious presence to them, but stands at a distance from them." Was not John Gill a Reformed Theologian? Sorry for my ignorance about the Reformed movement.

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Comments

MJ. Smith

In cases like this it is best to omit the quote and simply ask the question. All the quote does is stir up denominational arguments which is not in the domain of these forums. You can find an answer on Wikipedia:

[quote]

John Gill was the first major writing Baptist theologian, his work retaining influence into the 21st century. Gill's relationship with hyper-Calvinism in English Baptist life is a matter of debate. Peter Toon has argued that Gill was himself a hyper-Calvinist, which would make Gill the father of Baptist hyper-Calvinism. Tom Nettles has argued that Gill was not a hyper-Calvinist himself

Todd Phillips

I don't think his comment means he was separating himself from them, but just being critical of their sins.

Previously, in his comments on Is 58., Gill makes it clearer: "and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins; by whom are meant the professing people of God, the present reformed churches, as distinguished from the antichristian ones, spoken of in the preceding chapter; who yet are guilty of many sins and transgressions, which must be showed them, and they must be sharply reproved for; and particularly their coldness and deadness, formality and hypocrisy in religious worship; their "works not being perfect" before God, or sincere and upright, as is said of the Sardian church, which designs the same persons, Revelation 3:1."

So yes, I think Gill considered himself reformed.

Gregorio Billikopf

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/861430#Comment_861430

Thanks to both of you.

Gregorio Billikopf

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/861431#Comment_861431

Todd, your comments were particularly helpful, for which I am most grateful.