What are Confessions?
In the 1860s, several different views of confessions were found amongst people claiming to be Reformed in the Netherlands:
Modernists considered confessions to be articulations of reality based on scientific endeavours that could be overthrown at any moment.
Apologists considered confessions articulations of reality based on historically reliable sources.
Calvinists considered confessions articulations of reality based on divine, infallible revelation.
Ethicals considered confessions articulations of experience based on the work of the one Spirit.
Evangelicals (Groningers) considered confessions articulations of personal experience that could vary drastically from individual to individual.
From “By This Our Subscription,” R.C. Janssen, 139.
