--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No confession is inerrant; Reformed…" description: "\"No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians are supposed to be those who seek to be constantly reformed according to the Word of God - and that incl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg" --- # No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians are… ![“No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians are supposed to be those who seek to be constantly reformed according to the Word of God - and that includes our confessions as well.” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg) > “No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians are supposed to be those who seek to be constantly reformed according to the Word of God - and that includes our confessions as well.” [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A confession can be flawed; believers must continually align their statements with Scripture. **In simple terms:** Confessions need ongoing correction. Key Takeaway Keep teachings Scripture‑aligned. Themes faith reformation humility Mood reflective serious Type theological didactic When to use this quote - church leadership - personal study - doctrine review Key Concepts theology interpretation continuous improvement Questions to Reflect On - How do you test your beliefs against Scripture? - What steps ensure ongoing reform? A Different Perspective Human error can persist despite good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Confession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confession/) [Confession Inerrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confession-inerrant-3935503/) [Inerrant Reformed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inerrant-reformed-3935502/) [Reformed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reformed/) [Reformed According](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reformed-according-3935501/) [Reformed Christians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reformed-christians-1817958/) [Supposed to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supposed-to-be/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Word of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-of-god/) ## Related quotes > [The emerging church, reformed according to the needs of self-esteem-starved-souls under the Lordship of Christ… will help us to affirm the concept that 'While…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/the-emerging-church-reformed-according-to-the-needs-of-self-esteem/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [My feeling is that if all Catholics or Reformed Christians had been deported to Germany, the Dutch government in London would have instructed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/els-borst/my-feeling-is-that-if-all-catholics-or-reformed-christians-had-been/) [Els Borst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/els-borst/) > [“Of all people however, Reformed Christians should resurrect the biblical teaching on self-denial from its unjust obscurity. it is not the property of Medieval…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-chantry-2/of-all-people-however-reformed-christians-should-resurrect-the/) [Walter J. Chantry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-chantry-2/) > [In the twentieth century the Reformed tradition was developed in several ways including additional confessions (Barmen, the Belhar Confession, the 1967 Confession of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/in-the-twentieth-century-the-reformed-tradition-was-developed-in/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [Now, don't get me wrong: I'm not rubbishing penal substitution. But there are other options that have been advocated by Reformed thinkers of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/now-don-t-get-me-wrong-i-m-not-rubbishing-penal-substitution-but/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [Reformed theology belongs to this confessional tradition, and Reformed theologians and churches continue to write confessions even today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/reformed-theology-belongs-to-this-confessional-tradition-and-reformed/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ The book \[Saving Calvinism\] itself is not recommending that we move the borders, so to speak. It is recommending that we look at what… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-book-saving-calvinism-itself-is-not-recommending-that-we-move-the/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ The atonement chapter \[from the book Saving Calvinism\] shows how there are real riches in Reformed theology that most Christians today have no idea… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-atonement-chapter-from-the-book-saving-calvinism-shows-how-there/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [That is the great contribution of Reformed thinking to the Christian church: theology for a life well-lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/that-is-the-great-contribution-of-reformed-thinking-to-the-christian/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [One of the things we in the Reformed tradition are very good at is writing doctrinal theology!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/one-of-the-things-we-in-the-reformed-tradition-are-very-good-at-is/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [The best Reformed theology isn't just about careful arguments for theologically sophisticated conclusions. It is about how to live the Christian life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-best-reformed-theology-isn-t-just-about-careful-arguments-for/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ To my mind \[ Jonathan Edwards\] is an interesting figure because he is both a canonical Reformed thinker, and yet also someone that pushed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/to-my-mind-jonathan-edwards-is-an-interesting-figure-because-he-is/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [There are constraints on what counts as "Reformed." It's more than a name or a label. It's about belonging to a particular theological stream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/there-are-constraints-on-what-counts-as-reformed-it-s-more-than-a/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [These days I'm often called a Deviant Calvinist, but I don't really think my views do deviate from the Reformed tradition, though in some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/these-days-i-m-often-called-a-deviant-calvinist-but-i-don-t-really/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [I think everyone who has an interest in Reformed theology, or just in Christian theology more generally, should read John Calvin Institutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/i-think-everyone-who-has-an-interest-in-reformed-theology-or-just-in/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) ## More by Oliver D. Crisp > [ \[John Calvin's\] treatment of the person and work of Christ, of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, of prayer and liturgy,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/john-calvin-s-treatment-of-the-person-and-work-of-christ-of-the-holy/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [The alternative of hypothetical universalism, according to which Christ's work is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect, was alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-alternative-of-hypothetical-universalism-according-to-which/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ What I am trying to argue here \[Save Calvinism\] and in other works before this one is that the Reformed tradition as I have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/what-i-am-trying-to-argue-here-save-calvinism-and-in-other-works/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [I think everyone who has an interest in Reformed theology, or just in Christian theology more generally, should read John Calvin Institutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/i-think-everyone-who-has-an-interest-in-reformed-theology-or-just-in/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [Christ's work is a kind of deterrent to us, and a way of upholding the justice of God's divine government of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/christ-s-work-is-a-kind-of-deterrent-to-us-and-a-way-of-upholding-the/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [These days I'm often called a Deviant Calvinist, but I don't really think my views do deviate from the Reformed tradition, though in some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/these-days-i-m-often-called-a-deviant-calvinist-but-i-don-t-really/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ \[John Calvin\] writes clearly, directly, without artifice, and gets straight to the practical heart of the matter. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/john-calvin-writes-clearly-directly-without-artifice-and-gets/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [I do think that I have been fortunate to make friendships with other scholars, and form reading groups where ideas are exchanged and papers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/i-do-think-that-i-have-been-fortunate-to-make-friendships-with-other/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ In the chapter on the nature of the atonement \[in the book saving Calvinism\] I argue that it is a mistake to think that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/in-the-chapter-on-the-nature-of-the-atonement-in-the-book-saving/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ Reading \[John\] Calvin is a breath of fresh air. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/reading-john-calvin-is-a-breath-of-fresh-air/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [There are constraints on what counts as "Reformed." It's more than a name or a label. It's about belonging to a particular theological stream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/there-are-constraints-on-what-counts-as-reformed-it-s-more-than-a/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ To my mind \[ Jonathan Edwards\] is an interesting figure because he is both a canonical Reformed thinker, and yet also someone that pushed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/to-my-mind-jonathan-edwards-is-an-interesting-figure-because-he-is/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ \[Jonathan\] Edwards definitely shows up in the book \[Saving Calvinism\]. He appears as one of the interlocutors in the chapter on free will, the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/jonathan-edwards-definitely-shows-up-in-the-book-saving-calvinism-he/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [The best Reformed theology isn't just about careful arguments for theologically sophisticated conclusions. It is about how to live the Christian life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-best-reformed-theology-isn-t-just-about-careful-arguments-for/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ Here is the interesting twist:\[McLeod\] Campbell came to his views through reading Jonathan Edwards who suggested at one point in his ruminations on the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/here-is-the-interesting-twist-mcleod-campbell-came-to-his-views/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) [Explore all 53 Oliver D. Crisp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians are supposed to be those who seek to be constantly reformed according to the Word of God - and that includes our confessions as well.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oliver D. Crisp" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-christians-are-supposed-to-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-christians-are-supposed-to-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/oliver-d-crisp-12863_christian_no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-chris_2061590.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians are supposed to be those who seek to be constantly reformed…” — Oliver D. Crisp", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Oliver D. Crisp", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "No confession is inerrant; Reformed Christians...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-christians-are-supposed-to-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/no-confession-is-inerrant-reformed-christians-are-supposed-to-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```