I am a person who has listened to Derek and I understand he claims to be a Reformed Christian. But I think, he needs to look long and hard on that. Why would he make one of his heroes a Roman Catholic priest, if he is a Reformed Christian?
What is it that makes a "Reformed Christian"? Is there some set of external rules and guidelines thay say "A Reformed Christian does this but doesn't do that" that makes someone that way or is it a Reformed understanding of theology?
I call myself a Reformed Christian yet I don't agree with infant baptism. Does that mean I'm not Reformed?
One of the people who I have a lot of respect for and have learned a lot from in regards to song writing and lyric writing is Bob Dylan. Does that mean I'm not Reformed?
Back to my original question: what is it that makes someone "Reformed"? Is it an external list of do's and don'ts or is it the theology? Why do you take the stance you do?
I think there are two different aspects here; ones theology and actual application. I believe that one can have excellent theology and yet fail to apply that in some areas of there life. It's a problem of inconsistency.
The other problem is defining reformed. I have wondered this myself several times and began a couple of threads to help understand just what it means. As best as I can tell, the loosest definition is "one who holds to the five SOLAS and TULIP. I also believe that those who hold to the amryldian doctrine and deny the L of TULIP have been known as reformed but with some suspicion.
There are so many other differences within the "reformed camp" on eschatology, sacramentology, ecclesiology, the understanding of the covenants, etc., that I dare not add much more to the definition I already gave.
I would agree with averagefellar’s assessment and merely add the being Reformed is always reforming. It is not merely a belief in the 5 solas (however these are foundational), but a continual maturing of not only how to live out the faith once delivered, but the enablement to also proclaim the truth against false beliefs of our day (not only Arminianism, but third eye theology, Muntu Christology, liberation theology, postmodernism, process theology, etc.). A reformed person in my opinion will continue to study the Bible and it by its very nature it will continue to reform them to the very image of Christ growing in “eschatology, sacramentology, ecclesiology, the understanding of the covenants,” etc. to the glory of God alone. And yes, you will learn from “general revelation” and learn to biblically evaluate it and transform our culture to God’s glory as well.
(this ought to cause allot of differing opinions…). <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/chatter.gif" alt="" />
Averagefellar lamented: There are so many other differences within the "reformed camp" on eschatology, sacramentology, ecclesiology, the understanding of the covenants, etc., that I dare not add much more to the definition I already gave.
Couldn’t we just all get together and appoint some one person and then confer upon him the proper authority to make definitive statements concerning these differences....and then he could pass this authority on to other selected persons....so that we could just quit studying the the bible and leave it to him to make pronouncements upon these difficult issues.....
Averagefellar lamented: There are so many other differences within the "reformed camp" on eschatology, sacramentology, ecclesiology, the understanding of the covenants, etc., that I dare not add much more to the definition I already gave.
Couldn’t we just all get together and appoint some one person and then confer upon him the proper authority to make definitive statements concerning these differences....and then he could pass this authority on to other selected persons....so that we could just quit studying the the bible and leave it to him to make pronouncements upon these difficult issues.....
Dave
As you know (and are insinuating <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" />) the Catholics already tried this!
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
Couldn’t we just all get together and appoint some one person and then confer upon him the proper authority to make definitive statements concerning these differences....and then he could pass this authority on to other selected persons....so that we could just quit studying the the bible and leave it to him to make pronouncements upon these difficult issues.....
Isn't that what Pilgrim's for? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hairout.gif" alt="" />
Kyle
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.
(this ought to cause allot of differing opinions…)<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/chatter.gif" alt="" />
I don't know I kind of like your definition. Its sort of like a Big Tent view. (that's a reference to the big tent view of Republican government first done by Ronald Reagan for you Canadian folks <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/comfort.gif" alt="" />)
Peter
If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. Augustine of Hippo
