Critical Summary of “What is Reformed Faith?” by John R. de Witt

The question of identity of Reformed community is not an easy task both historically and in the context of current society. This is difficult from a historical point of view due to numerous personalities whom we ascribe our origin. Within the Reformed persuasion, none claimed to rise above all others affirming that his voice is the most authoritative one. However having said this, if we want to understand the Reformed tradition from a confessional perspective, it is best to examine the monumental confessions and catechisms of the church.

Reformed faith in the present day context connotes various meanings defending on which standard one used to measure the truthfulness of the claim. Some would have a very limited conception of Reformed faith only in the areas of soteriology and confined doctrines pertaining to the church such as infant baptism and communion service. As a matter of fact, Reformed faith is as vast as the ocean and any attempt to have given the absolute definition would be judged presumptuous. Moreover, this conviction on the greatness of Reformed faith ought not to frustrate us for there are distinct paths where we can thread going to the aimed direction. And de Witt has given us these paths through seven interrelated themes.

1. High View of the Bible

The first distinctive of Reformed faith is its high view of the Holy Scriptures. “Only the Scripture, the total Scripture” is a popular conviction among Reformed thinkers. In the Scriptures, we hear Christ speaking with all authority over all aspects of human life. Not even the church could interfere in this absolute authority of Christ. The Scripture’s authority does not rest on any human institution, neither human reasoning nor any human documents. Its authority rests on its own testimony.

2. The Sovereignty of God

The second hallmark of Reformed theology is the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. He displayed this sovereignty in creation, providence, government of the world and human history.

3. Power of Grace

The third remarkable component of Calvinism is the amazing power of divine grace.

4. New Life in Christ

Connected to the power of grace is the fourth inseparable affirmation of Reformed faith is the doctrine of the new life in Christ. The Christian life is a holistic kind of life. It is opposed to any dualistic tendency or a neo-platonic kind of life. It does not condole mysticism, asceticism, and legalism on the one hand and it opposes licentiousness on the other hand. It respects both body and soul, honors the present existence here on earth and expects eagerly for the life to come.

5. Law and Gospel are Inseparable

The fifth precious treasure of Reformed tradition is its unshakable belief in the inseparability of law and gospel. The Holy Spirit uses the law to convict people of their sins and to point them to the Savior. The law prepares the people for the message of the gospel.

6. Relationship Between the Kingdom of God and the World

The sixth prominent characteristic of Reformed theology is its healthy view on the relationship between the kingdom of God and the world. The biblical doctrine of “cultural mandate plays a central role in this relationship, not only because Reformed thinkers are interested in humanities and the culture of the world, but have realized that God has given her a task to transform the kingdoms of this world. Personal piety that results to social impotence and calloused conscience to the sufferings of this world is alien to the mindset of Reformed community.

7. High View of Preaching

The loftiness of view on the preaching of God’s word and its relation to the life and ministry of the church is the seventh essential component in the Reformed mind. Preaching is perceived as faithful exposition of the word, practical, proclamation, and characterized with freedom and confidence.

CONCLUSION

It is good that the writer has the recognition of the vastness of the subject in attempting to define the meaning of “Reformed faith” or Reformed theology.” This is commendable for it is arrogance of a most deceptive kind to claim that someone has already grasped the breadth of Reformed theology. To affirm this claim is but a proof of the superficial and shallow understanding of the wealth and depth of Reformed theology. It is always beneficial for teachers and students of Reformed theology to be reminded that it has been the conviction of reformed thinkers throughout the ages that the ultimate standard is not any human formulation but the Holy Scriptures. With this conviction, arrogance due to superior understanding has no place and there is always room for constant reformation both of the church and of human society.