Good question. There's an underlying implication that Calvinism and Reformed are the same. I don't really think that they are. There are several ways (eg - the TULIP) that describe the essentials of Calvinism, but I haven't seen one that describes the essentials of being Reformed. Is a belief in Covenant Theology and Paedobaptism a necessity for being Reformed? If so, then that will leave out some who claim being Reformed.

In addition, it is important to distinquish between calvinistic and Calvinisn. Presbyterianism in America is Reformed and calvinistic in its theology, but its heritage is not that as the Continental Reformed which is more Calvinism. Of course that is if there is a difference between being calvistic and Calvinism itself. It may be a nitpik.

Last edited by John_C; Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:55 AM.
John Chaney

"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ." Colossians 2:7