Montanism (Reformed Baptist Perspective)

Definition:

Montanism was a Christian movement that emerged in the 2nd century AD, founded by Montanus, a Christian prophet from Phrygia (modern-day Turkey). Montanism is characterized by an emphasis on direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, the role of prophecy in the church, and an intense focus on eschatology, particularly the imminent return of Christ. Montanus and his followers claimed to have received new revelations and prophecies, which they believed were a continuation or even an elevation of the teachings of the apostles.

Montanism taught that the Holy Spirit was still actively speaking through living prophets and that the church needed to return to a stricter, more rigorous standard of holiness, with greater prophetic authority. The movement also had strong ascetic elements, encouraging a lifestyle of strict moral discipline and rejection of worldly pleasures.

Reformed Baptist Perspective:
From a Reformed Baptist perspective, Montanism is considered heretical due to its claim to ongoing, authoritative revelations outside of Scripture. Reformed Baptists affirm that Scripture is the final, complete revelation of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and they reject the idea that God continues to give new, authoritative revelations through individuals today. The canon of Scripture is closed, and any teaching or practice that claims to have new divine revelation is seen as unbiblical.

Montanism is often viewed by Reformed Baptists as an early example of charismatic excess, where prophetic gifts were claimed to be operating in a way that was not consistent with the biblical understanding of prophecy. The church’s belief in the sufficiency and finality of Scripture leads them to reject any movement that claims to add new authoritative teachings or prophecies to the biblical canon.

Theological Basis:
Reformed Baptists believe that God’s revelation is complete in the Bible and that the canon is closed. They uphold that the gifts of prophecy and tongues were part of the early church but are not operative in the same way today. Montanism’s claim to new prophecy and revelation contradicts the biblical doctrine of Scripture's sufficiency.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
  This passage affirms that Scripture is complete and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice, rejecting any claim to new, additional revelation.

• Revelation 22:18-19 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
  This warning against adding to or subtracting from the words of Scripture speaks to the closed nature of the biblical canon, reinforcing the Reformed Baptist position that no new revelation can be added.

Historical Context:
Montanism arose in the 2nd century, and its teachings were initially embraced by a significant number of Christians in Asia Minor. However, the movement was quickly rejected by the orthodox Christian church for its emphasis on ongoing prophecy, the strict asceticism it promoted, and its claim to new revelation. Church fathers like Tertullian (who initially supported Montanism) later distanced themselves from the movement after recognizing its theological errors. The council of bishops in Asia Minor condemned Montanism as a heresy, and it gradually declined.

Reformed Baptist View on Prophecy:
Reformed Baptists believe in the cessation of certain spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and tongues, after the completion of the New Testament canon. While they believe that the Holy Spirit still works powerfully in the church, they reject the idea that the Spirit gives new revelations or prophecies today. Instead, they believe that the Spirit illuminates the Scripture and empowers believers to live according to its teachings.

Theological Implications:
The Montanist movement raises questions about the authority of Scripture, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the nature of church discipline. For Reformed Baptists, the Montanist error underscores the importance of adhering to the sufficiency of Scripture and the danger of elevating personal experience or subjective revelation above the clear and final word of God. Reformed Baptists argue that when individuals or movements claim new revelation or prophecy, they risk distorting the gospel and undermining the authority of Scripture.

Sources for Further Study:
For more information on Montanism and its implications in Reformed Baptist theology, the following resources can be consulted:

• The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (Chapter 1, "Of the Holy Scriptures") – This chapter emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture and rejects any additional revelations.
• John Owen’s Biblical Theology and The Works of John Owen – Owen’s works provide deep theological insight into the role of Scripture and the cessation of extraordinary spiritual gifts like prophecy.
• Michael Horton’s The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way – Horton provides an excellent Reformed understanding of the sufficiency of Scripture, which directly contradicts the Montanist emphasis on ongoing prophecy.

These resources offer a theological foundation for understanding the error of Montanism and the biblical doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture in Reformed Baptist thought.