Reformation

As Reformation Day, 2021 approaches I am thinking about the idea of a Reformed church and Reformed thought as it exists and is defined in our culture today and in modern evangelical America. Like the word "Christian" the word "Reformed" has morphed into something, perhaps unrecognizable from the historical meaning.

Reformed does not simply mean adherence to the 5 points of Calvinism. That barely scratches the surface. It does not simply mean practicing sacramentalism, although that is part of it. Volumes have been written on it. Men and women have staked their lives on it, because the Gospel is central to it.

The Reformation happened over 500 years ago and is still happening today.

As Reformed Christians look to Scripture as their highest authority, view salvation as the work of the Triune God received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, as they view the Word of God as two words to us (Law and Gospel), as they confess their faith with heart and lips as their brethren have for centuries, they transform (minds), conform (to the image of Christ) and reform (as individuals and corporate bodies).

Reformed Christians worship with one catholic and apostolic church. They confess with believers from ages past, the Nicene, Apostles, and Athanasian Creeds, The Belgic and Westminster Confessions, The Westminster and Heidelberg Catechisms, The Canons of Dordt, The 39 Articles and they pray along with the church,  from the Book of Common Prayer.

They listen to teachers, scholars, and theologians like Luther, Calvin, Cranmer, and Ursinus for wisdom and instruction in the Word.

They reject movements and religions that distort God, Gospel, and good works.

They look with confidence assured hope to the work of Christ for and outside of them, for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.