On Being “Reformed”

R. Scott Clark has reposted a piece on what it means to be “reformed.”  He addresses the popular minimalistic definition of “reformed” as “Calvinist” or “adheres to the doctrines of grace.”  I agree with Clark who says

The Reformed faith is a contiguous, organic whole. It is a coherent thing. Our theology, piety, and practice are inter-related. We approach God (piety) as we do, by the due use of the ordinary means, because of our theology. We practice the faith by observing the regulative principle of worship and by observing the Christian Sabbath as we do because of our theology and piety.

Though I still use the word “reformed” in reference to credo-baptists who hold to the doctrines of grace, I prefer to say they are reformed in their soteriology to be more accurate.  Granted, there are variations in doctrine and practice among the reformed – the Dutch and Scottish traditions being examples – but the essence of being “reformed” is much larger than soteriology.