Many Geneva College professors, some of its students, and its sponsoring denomination call their theology “Reformed,” a cognate of the word “Reformation.” Some students and professors come to Geneva College quite clear that their theology is “Reformed.” Others have never heard the term before, hear it often, and perhaps wonder what it means. The purpose of today’s column is to explain the word “Reformed” to both groups.
The sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation included Lutherans, Anabaptists, and Anglicans alongside “Reformed” churches. So “Reformed” theology was one of the main expressions of the Protestant Reformation. At first, in the 1520-40 period, what distinguished Reformed churches from other Protestant churches was its teaching about the Lord’s Supper (also called Communion, or the Eucharist). After about 1540, it was the doctrine of predestination. By 1600, Reformed theology became identified with covenant theology. Reformed believers today still get into arguments with fellow Christians over predestination and covenant theology (and infant baptism and total depravity and…), but less often over the Lord’s Supper, and rarely about these matters with people outside the Christian fold.
The classic expressions of Reformed theology are the “Three Forms of Unity” (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt), written originally for Reformed churches on the continent of Europe, and the Westminster Standards from the British Isles. Churches that call themselves “Reformed” in the United States with German, Swiss, or Dutch origins look to the Three Forms of Unity; Presbyterian churches from the British Isles use the Westminster Standards. Certain theologians are also usually counted as teaching reliable expressions of Reformed theology, for example, John Calvin (French), Francis Turretin (Swiss Italian), Charles Hodge (American), and Herman Bavinck (Dutch).
The main point of the term “Reformed” or “Reformation” is that it intended to reform the existing Catholic Church, not start from the beginning again. That awareness of continuity is one reason why John Calvin constantly interacted in his books with both ancient and medieval writers, like Augustine, Chrysostom, and Aquinas, sometimes agreeing with them, sometimes disagreeing, but always treating them as part of the Christian family. He accepted the Scriptures as his final authority, but he did not refer to, or quote from, only the Scriptures.
There were many central teachings of the existing church that Reformed theology did not try to reform because it accepted them as true: one God in three Persons, maker of heaven and earth, and judge of all; Jesus Christ, God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever; miracles; the facts of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and Resurrection; objective standards of ethical behavior; mankind, male and female, made in the image of God, but fallen into sin; salvation by the grace of God; the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God; and our final destiny in heaven or hell. In today’s world, it is the historic Christian teachings that generally offend an unbelieving society and also divide people within churches (“conservative” against “liberal).”
As part of its identity as a Reformed institution of higher education, Geneva College firmly holds to historic Christian beliefs. In its Foundational Concepts of Christian Education, it clearly affirms them, and in its classes teaches them. So now you know what “Reformed” means—not Presbyterians set right and reformed, but one of the great theological streams flowing from the Protestant Reformation.
—Dr. William Edgar, Interim President
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Feb 15, 2016
Faithful Doubt: Habakkuk, written by pastor Travis Scott, explores the short prophetic book of Habakkuk, in a practical and meaningful way through the lens of a doubter. Travis approaches the passage of scripture from an honest and humble perspective, recalling difficulties experienced as a husband, father, and pastor.
Our perspective of ourselves can impact the beauty and value we see there. This view can end up being very different from how God and others see us. When we look at ourselves, we tend to see all the qualities that we dislike. But we need to adjust our perspective and make sure we are using the lens of Christ.
Handing our cares and worries over to God gives us peace which keeps us from falling into doubt, as stated in Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
At Easter, a good question to ask is, "How are people saved?" This should be a question that Christians can easily answer, and indeed most can. However, sometimes Christians are less knowledgeable about the doctrine of justification and its important distinctions than perhaps they should be.
When someone shows us mercy, they are not giving us the punishment that we deserve. Jesus models this action for us in multiple ways. The importance of the exhibition of mercy by Christians is displayed throughout the New Testament, and there are many ways for us to show mercy daily.
In a world that has been impacted by sin, there is always more that can be done to ensure a mindset of good stewardship and redemption. It starts with understanding that God intends to connect man’s physical existence with the environment from which he was brought forth and continues with educating people with sensible information.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." Yet sometimes, when the world seems to be in crisis all around you, resting in the Lord seems nearly impossible. With worldwide pandemics, civil unrest, and violence on every news headline today, how can you turn your focus to the Lord and find your hope in Him? In the year of COVID, you may find that your stress and anxiety levels are higher than normal. How should you respond?
Find a semblance of balance by planning when and how you will take advantage of your newfound sense of freedom.
On this National Day of Prayer in the United States, we remember our students in their finals week taking exams, finishing papers and closing out the semester at home. We are thankful that God has provided them and entrusted them into our care during their college years. We pray God will uphold us in this task and them in their challenges.
College is more than just a place to continue your education after high school. The time you spend at college will change and shape you in ways you could never imagine.
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