This past week I was asked what it means to be Reformed, as in Cornerstone Reformed Church. I seem to always answer that question differently depending on who I’m talking to. But I wonder if you could answer that question. What does it mean to be a Reformed Christian? What is a Reformed Church?
Put very simply, to be Reformed means to be biblical. To be reformed and always reforming according to God’s Word. But since most Christians claim to be biblical, let me elaborate. To be Reformed means to be in line with the theological convictions and traditions that were recovered and emphasized in and through the Protestant Reformation, especially those tied to John Calvin. But what does that mean? Some believe being a Calvinist or Reformed simply means believing that God is sovereign, even and especially in our salvation. But that is a watered down version of Reformed Theology at best. True dark roast Calvinism, or oatmeal stout Reformed Theology, or I would argue, to be truly biblically faithful means that one embraces a covenantal understanding of God’s relationship with His people, emphasizing the sovereignty of God, the efficacy of the sacraments, and the continuity of the church’s mission to transform culture with the gospel.
To be Reformed is to live within the framework of God’s covenantal dealings with humanity, where His grace is not just a personal but a communal reality, expressed through Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as means of grace, as well as the reading, praying, preaching, teaching, and singing of God’s Word, and the fellowship of the Saints. It involves a deep commitment to the sovereignty of God in all things, including salvation, which is understood through the lens of Calvinist theology, yet with a strong emphasis on the visible church as the body of Christ actively engaging in the world. This engagement is characterized by a desire to reflect and advance God’s Kingdom in every aspect of life—the church, the home/family, and the state/society—advocating for a transformation that aligns with biblical justice and righteousness, all while maintaining the creedal and confessional standards that have historically defined the Church and Reformed identity.
There’s a lot in the above paragraph, so what follows is a five point (pun intended) breakdown and application of the key points contained in it.
Calvinism: Calvinism, often encapsulated in the TULIP acronym, underscores the sovereignty of God in salvation. Each petal of TULIP—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints—serves not merely as a theological checklist but as a profound testament to God’s majestic control over the redemption of humanity. Most notably, Calvinism finds its roots in passages like Romans 9, where Paul speaks of God’s election, and Ephesians 1, which discusses predestination, though the whole Bible clearly lays out all five points again and again. This doctrine matters because it exalts God as the author of salvation, ensuring that the glory of redemption is directed towards Him alone. It also liberates us, Christians, from self-reliance, encouraging a life of profound gratitude and service, knowing that our assurance lies ultimately in God’s unchangeable decree rather than our fluctuating faith or deeds. Salvation is by God’s sovereign grace, and this is indeed good news (GOSPEL).
Creeds and Confessions: Creeds and confessions are the church’s collective confessions of faith, formulated over centuries to articulate what the Scriptures teach. These documents, like the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, etc, are not above Scripture but serve under it, helping to guard against heresy and to instruct the faithful. They are biblical because they are drawn from the careful study of God’s Word, often in response to theological controversies. They matter because they provide a theological backbone, fostering unity among believers, ensuring doctrinal purity, and giving us a shared language for faith. They are not static relics but living tools for teaching, worship, and catechizing, helping each generation to stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us in the faith.
Covenant Theology: Covenant Theology is the lens through which we understand the Bible’s narrative as a series of divine covenants that unfold God’s plan of redemption. It demonstrates the unity of Scripture, connecting the Old Testament with the New through the covenant relationship God establishes with His people. This theology is biblical because it reflects the covenantal language and structure found throughout Scripture, from the promises to Adam to the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. It matters because it provides a framework for understanding the whole Bible as well as our relationship with God, not merely as individuals but as part of a covenant community. This communal aspect underscores the corporate responsibilities and privileges of being in Christ, shaping how we view baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the life of the church.
Church: In and through the church come the ordinary means of grace—reading, praying, preaching, teaching, and singing God’s Word, and the fellowship of the Saints under the authority of biblical leaders where we seek to bring every area of life into joyful submission to the Lordship of Christ. These are the primary channels God has instituted for the spiritual growth and nourishment of His people. Our liturgy orders our worship in a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting biblical way that magnifies the glory of the Triune God. Through calling, confession, consecration, communion, and commission, we are edified and God is glorified. These elements align with the practices of the early church and the commands of Scripture. They matter because they are God’s appointed means for sanctifying His church, ensuring that our faith is not only intellectual but embodied in communal acts of remembrance, commitment, and celebration; and all of these things equip us for and shape our everyday lives. And in response, we, as individuals and as a community, commit ourselves to living and helping each other live for God’s glory, the good of God’s people, and the life of God’s world.
Culture: The church stands as a beacon of cultural renewal, acting as both a microcosm of heaven and an agent of transformation in the world. Through worship, the church experiences a foretaste of the heavenly culture, where the presence of God reshapes the community into His image, instilling values of justice, beauty, and truth. This worship isn’t merely a ritual but a transformative encounter that equips believers to live out these heavenly principles in every sphere of life. The power of the gospel, the faithfulness of God, and His great promises fuel this mission with optimism. For God has promised that the gospel’s spread will lead to a cultural transformation where Christ’s Lordship is acknowledged in increasing measure across the earth. As God’s people equipped with God’s Word, and thus everything necessary for life, godliness, and the ethical framework for society, seek to apply biblical principles to law, education, arts, politics, and every area of life, the culture of the world will become the culture of Christ. This starts in the church, in our homes, and then out into the world. Every act of faithfulness, that is everything done in a posture of faith and in obedience to God’s Word, is pushing back the darkness of evil and advancing the light of God’s Kingdom. Therefore, the church must engage culture not by retreat but by active participation, confidently working towards a world where the knowledge of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea, driven by the certainty of ultimate victory in Christ.
While there’s a lot more that could be said, these five points should prove helpful in knowing, explaining, and living out what it means to be Reformed. Wholeheartedlycommit yourself to these things, and seek to be faithful in all things. That starts with the local church and works out from there. Make the church central to your life, and actively engage in God’s means of grace. Participate in the life and worship of the church faithfully. Embrace your role in God’s covenant people for God’s Kingdom purposes. Embrace the culture of Christ received in and through the church, and seek to cultivate it and advance it in your home and society. Use your time, your talents, and your treasure creatively and usefully for the advancement of God’s Kingdom on earth. Be reformed and always reforming for God’s glory, the good of God’s people, and the life of God’s world. May the Lord help us. Amen.