Reformed Tradition Versus Calvinism (Non-Exhaustive)

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Reformed Tradition

W.S. Reid explains the Reformed Tradition as having the term 'Reformed' distinguishing the Calvinistic from Lutheran and Anabaptist traditions. Reid (1996: 921).

The Reformed tradition being from Ulrich Zwingli, the first reformer from Zurich and John Calvin of Geneva. Reid (1996: 922).

Calvin's views have been followed from the time of the Reformation until today and persons 'have not always followed exactly the same line of thinking or development'. Reid (1996: 921).

Reid states that therefore in the Reformed tradition, Calvinists, while in basic agreement on theological issues have differences based on historical understanding and geography. Reid (1996: 921).

It is stated the tradition was first developed in Northwest Europe in the 16th Century in Switzerland, France, Holland, Germany. Perhaps Germanic Kingdoms or like is better, as Germany was not yet a nation. Also Hungary was influenced as was the Waldensian Church of Italy. Basically, Italian territories, again Italy not yet one nation.

Nation states being more of a development later in history and so the situation with Germany and Italy as known today would be common in the 16 Century.

Cairns notes the 'Reformed and Presbyterian churches', followed Calvin in France, Holland, Scotland, Switzerland and Hungary. Cairns (1981: 283).

Calvinism

Reid writes that Calvin was often regarded as 'the systematizer of the Reformation'. Reid (1996: 186).

He basically made a theological system of/from Biblical doctrines.

Noted in my United Kingdom, PhD:

Calvin was...

...One who systemized Scripture, and a vast number of the doctrines that came from Calvin’s work are within the system known as Calvinism. Green (1971: ii).

My Use Of Terms

Academically, it seems difficult, perhaps not reasonable to academically and technically, definitively, historically separate the terms 'Reformed' from 'Calvinist' and Reformed Tradition from Calvinism.

On the other hand in practical terms today the terms are at times used differently.

In my case as a theologian and philosopher of religion, I prefer the use of Reformed over Calvinist for a few reasons.

True, I do hold to TULIP, but even those theologies are debated within and are complicated.

For example, some deterministic Presbyterians deny any human free will whatsoever and yet claim persons 'freely' believe when regenerated. Although I certainly agree God must initiate regeneration and it is irresistible grace in a sense, I do not see God using force and coercion in the process. Basically theologically, God regenerates and persuades, moves and molds the elect that have limited free will to accept salvation. This could be seen as 'freely', but I intellectual prefer my studied terms and explanation.

Philosophically, I view God as first cause, cause1 causing the regeneration of secondary cause, cause2 in election without force or coercion. Non-election would happen in a similar way as cause1 does not regenerate cause2 and cause 2 remains in sin without force or coercion.

I am definitely and definitively not a 'confused Arminian', as clearly I am a soft-determinist and compatibilist, based on theological and philosophical research and reasoning, not holding to libertarian free will and incompatibilism.

In today's theological and cultural context my view may better fit under an umbrella of Reformed, as in via the Reformation, influenced by John Calvin and John S. Feinberg, notably, and yet not Lutheran or Anabaptist; as opposed to more strictly Calvinistic. Calvin and Feinberg being very crucial guides in the development of views, but philosophical thinking, via philosophy of religion also was very crucial.

I understand that there is a consistency approaching free will and determinism in both the disciplines of theology and philosophy.

Not strictly views developed from Calvin or Calvinism.

But to call myself Protestant would not be more accurate, as today many Protestant churches are apostate and quite liberal. And there are negative political connotations in places such as Ireland and the United Kingdom which do not involve me whatsoever.

I also for social and geographical reason, am no longer attending a Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) church, but am back with the Mennonite Brethren Church (MB) where I was baptized and attended by undergrad Biblical Studies degree.

It was actually a Mennonite Brethren professor, that is now a Pastor of a major local MB church that was the first to tell me in his office, that God did not want to save everyone.

Now perhaps he meant it as God's permissible will (will2) and not his perfect will (will1), but this understanding verified the Reformed track I was on, even at that time, before publicly labeling myself as Reformed about a decade later, as I had done more serious, academic research.

There is significant Reformed thought within Mennonite and Anabaptist circles.

As well, I hold primarily to Believer's Baptism (Matthew 28) and will acknowledge infant baptism as not heresy, but a theological construct that was documented as being practiced by early Church fathers Ireneaus and Origen.

Therefore, it is possible Reformed Theologian is a more accurate term in my situation, but 'Calvinist' would not be untrue, but the term does not seem quite as accurate as description largely based on more modern interpretations of terminology.

CAIRNS, EARLE E. (1981) Christianity Through The Centuries, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.

GREEN, JAY (1971) Five Points of Calvinism, ‘Forward’, Grand Rapids, Sovereign Grace Publishers.

REID, W.S. (1996) ‘Calvinism', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

REID, W.S. (1996) ‘The Reformed Tradition', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

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January 15, 2014