There are often big battles fought in Reformedville over just who is really Reformed. Many people who are Calvinists claim to be Reformed because they equate Calvinism with being Reformed. Then there are people who claim that to be Reformed, one must hold to all the historical Reformed beliefs. So Reformed Baptists really aren't Reformed because they don't sprinkle infants, etc., or so the argument goes. All the same holds true for those claiming to be Calvinists. Just how much do you have to agree with all of Calvin's writings to be considered a Calvinist?
I've thought of a helpful label to describe and differentiate a bit. My label is "Five and Five" Reformed. At a bare minimum, these are people who hold to the five points of Calvinism and the five solas of the Protestant Reformation. This speaks even of some country bumpkin sovereign grace Baptist types, who, aside from their five and five, are really garden variety Baptists.
So anybody who holds to the five points and five solas I'll call "Five and Five" Reformed.
I think how many of Calvin's points are required to be a Calvinist depends on how many you believe. Most 5 pointers say it's all or nothing, but obviously a 3 or 4 pointer would say that 3 or 4 points are all that are required to be a Calvinist (or else they wouldn't call themselves a 3 or 4 point Calvinist!) It's all in who is defining the terms I guess.
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Dan. I forgot all about the half-breeds who want to make full claims on the family inheritance. LOL!
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteI don't really fit because although I hold to both the five points and five solas, I'm becoming increasingly less interested in any labels other than follower of Jesus.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Reformedville is shrinking as people are moving out to the theological suburbs.