What Does it Mean to be "Reformed?"

George Marsden, a historian of the highest rank, wrote an article entitled "Reformed and American" which sought to define "Reformed" in historical context. In that article, "Reformed" was used to describe three movements (which often overlap): doctrinalistic, pietistic, and culturalistic. While such historical studies can be quite helpful, they fail in two regards: 1) historical trends tend to describe terms much more effectively than they define them, and 2) the implication that a word can only be defined along such lines involves a certain degree of unwarranted cynicism.

The first point can be demonstrated quite easily by applying Marsden's standard to the term "Christianity." This term has meant very different things to different people spanning the globe and two thousand years of church history. The doctrinalist may think Christianity to be nothing more than a sophisticated worldview; the pietist, a moral way of life; the culturalist, a social program. Should any of these groups be considered a part of that unique redemptive religion known as Christianity? In the present day and age, there are many nominal "Christians" who label themselves as such because it is part of their culture. Should they be included in that definition of Christianity because they include themselves in the label?

Absolutely not. Christianity, according to the true Christian, is the one true religion revealed in God's Word which offers the one true hope in the one true Savior who in life and death opened the way of salvation for sinners. This definition would be considered static and objective by the true Christian. The term cannot be effectively applied to a State, culture, or way of life. To do so does violence to the meaning of the term.

The second point can be demonstrated on simple philosophical terms: If, a) a term or fact can have no objective meaning and b) can only be described in different ways by different people of different ages, then c) the way of cynical relativism and baseless skepticism is inevitable. J. Gresham Machen made this point in a different form over and over again against those adherents of Liberalism, who claimed the label of Christian, using the pragmatist argument that doctrine (facts) is merely an expression of each generation's experience. This wrong-headed logic has since extended beyond the bounds of the Church (where it did incredible damage) and spread its sickly cynicism to society-at-large. The appeal to experience is no real appeal at all.

Before this post gets bogged down in negative argumentation, a positive presentation of what Reformed means will be offered. To begin with, Reformed, as it originated in the Reformation, was used to describe the theology derived from Scripture, particularly espoused by John Calvin. This understanding of "Reformed theology" was soon cemented in the Dutch Confessions (Three Forms) and the non-continental Confessions (Westminster). Thus, three "C's" will be proferred in order to provide an accurate understanding of historical Reformed theology.

Calvinism. This primarily refers to the core beliefs of Reformed theology. One of the best expressions of Calvinism was the Reformation "solas" (Latin=only). Sola Scriptura holds that God's Word was the sole authority of the Christian for doctrine and life. Solus Christus holds that Christ is the sole mediator of salvation. Sola Gratia holds that God's grace alone can rescue sinners from death. Sola Fide holds that faith is the sole instrument through which salvation may be attained (as opposed to works in any part). Soli Deo Gloria holds that the glory of God is the sole motive and purpose of human life. These five solas stood opposed at every point to Roman Catholicism and Arminianism, both of which exalted man and denigrated God.

Confessional. Reformed theology is by nature Confessional, as the historic confessions best describe the system of doctrine contained in the Scriptures. It is not merely a belief in predestination or God's sovereignty, but an entire worldview under subjection to God's Word and the confessions that present Its truths systematically.

Covenantal. Finally, Reformed theology is inherently covenantal, in that it considers God's relationship with man to always be conducted through a covenant. Thus, throughout the Scriptures God lovingly binds Himself to His people, declaring "I will be your God and you will be my people." All truth of God is revealed and mediated to man through this covenantal relationship. The eternal binding of this Covenant of Grace is of course found in the perfect life and atoning death of Christ for God's elect.

In addition to all of this, Reformed theology does not claim to be one competitor among many or simply one interpretation of Scripture, but claims to be the proper and faithful understanding of Scripture. In an age in which any claim to exclusive truth is viewed as hostile and arrogant, such a claim comes under frequent attack. Yet, if one is truly gripped by profound truths of the Gospel as they come to light in Calvinism, the confessions, and the covenants, then one is thrusted into incredible awe, wonder, and humility. Out of those truths come the piety and desire to engage the culture that is spoken of by Marsden. As Machen once remarked, Christianity rightly-understood is the "religion of the broken-hearted."