The way some Christians talk, you’d think theological confessions threaten the church by making it impossible to truly experience God without doctrinal restriction. The way other Christians talk, you’d think the pursuit of piety threatens the church by elevating subjective experience over the ordinary means of grace such as preaching, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. Piety and confessionalism, then, must be enemies. Right?

Three teachers from Reformed churches gather in this video to discuss confessionalism and pietism in the Reformational tradition (Continental, English, and Scottish). Kevin DeYoung moderates a high-level discussion that cites the writing of Herman Bavinck, Philipp Jakob Spener, John W. Nevin, and others. Michael Horton explains his concern with pietism, arguing that it creates a church within a church where some Christians pursue the really exciting spiritual experiences. Ligon Duncan responds by drawing on the Scottish confessional tradition, which managed to encourage vibrant experiential Christianity without denigrating the church’s ordinary ministry.

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Even if you stand on the sidelines of these debates, you’ll inevitably encounter the problem of nominalism in the church. Evangelicals have too often looked outside the local church for answers. So watch this discussion for guidance on how to help Christians delight in God through the ordinary means of grace.

Kevin DeYoung (PhD, University of Leicester) is senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Matthews, North Carolina, and associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). He is the author of more than 20 books and a popular columnist, blogger, and podcaster. Kevin’s work can be found on clearlyreformed.org. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

Michael Horton is professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. The author of many books, including The Christian Faith, Ordinary, Core Christianity, and Recovering Our Sanity, he also hosts the White Horse Inn radio program.

Ligon Duncan (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, president of RTS Jackson, and the John E. Richards professor of systematic and historical theology. He is a board and council member of The Gospel Coalition. His new RTS course on the theology of the Westminster Standards is now available via RTS Global, the online program of RTS. He and his wife, Anne, have two adult children.