The curse and blessing of labels
Although it would be good, we can't return to the first century when all Christians were just known as Christians.
Over time a hundred adjectives have been added which define the precise tribe we belong to, from baptist to presbyterian from arminian to reformed.
It's a pity, but titles are now essential, for there are wolves in sheep's clothing; people who call themselves Christian by title but deny Christ in truth and life.
Reformed is a common label, "I am a reformed Christian" some will say.
So what is a "reformed Christian?"
The narrow definition
The narrowest definition of reformed is claimed by those who hold to the doctrines recovered in the 1500s by reformers such as Calvin and Zwingli. Sometimes they summarise those doctrines with the title "doctrines of grace" and sometimes with the acrostic TULIP (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace and the Perseverance of the saints).
At heart of this system is a passion for the majesty, sovereignty and glory of God.
The trouble with this definition of reformed is that it is locked in time past. While much truth was recovered by these reformers, they had enormous blindspots which prevented them from anything like full spiritual vision.
Besides any doctrinal system developed by humans bears the hallmarks of their world for we are all deeply influenced by the culture of our day, not to mention our various upbringings.
There is no good reason to think that God's plan to restore truth to the church was restricted to these few men.
"God hath more light to shed from his Word."
A better definition
A better and broader definition of reformed is to include the heartwarming advances made in the same 1500s by the radical reformers called the anabaptists. Not only did they restore the idea of a church separate from the state (which we take for granted and so enjoy today) they were more concerned with the inner devotional life of the believer than the magesterial reformers (Calvin et al) whose writings tend to be cerebral, wooden and stiff.
(Unfortunately you'll need to ignore all the comments made by Luther, Calvin and Zwingli about the anabaptists, because they were biased - to put it mildly. Instead, go to the 14 volumes of the series Classics of the Radical Reformation by Plough Publishing House and read the refreshing anabaptists for yourself).
The best definition
The best definition of reformed is claimed by those who while enjoying the reforms of the past are not locked into any century but look to restored light God has revealed in all centuries and are in a constant desire to reform today.
The need to reform is never ending for Satan's attempts to lead the church away are persistent and relentless.
It is quite possible to be reformed in the narrow sense and to be utterly worldly because we are unware of the contemporary ways we have been/ are being led astray.
There are many ways the church today needs reforming. The present evangelical church worships numbers and education for example. It is increasingly tying itself up in legal knots acting out of fear (as the world does) rather than being faith-ful and taking Gospel risks. On the gender front it is also drifting from the witness and example of the New Testament.
There is a continual need for reformation.
When we use the word "reformed" to describe ourselves, I suggest we aspire to this third, broad and better definition.
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