Reformed churches hold to specific historical standards in order to ensure that they are interpreting the Bible faithfully.  For instance, have you ever been in a Bible study where one of your friends made drew a conclusion from the Bible that seemed like a stretch?  That issue can extend to the pulpit and church leadership as well—just search “Adventist” on the internet.  Reformed standards help churches stay faithful.

But what are those standards, and where did they come from?

Reformed refers to the Reformation, the worldwide movement started by Martin Luther in 1517 to reform the Church.  When the Reformers were excommunicated from the church of Rome, the principles of the Reformation, including the authority of the Bible and salvation by grace alone and not by works, became the theological underpinning of the Protestant church.  Within the Protestant category, Reformed distinguished followers of John Calvin’s theology from followers of Martin Luther’s theology.

In an age when the Pope claimed unique authority to declare God’s will over and against the Bible’s teachings, it became important for Protestant leaders to summarize the teachings of the Bible.  In that spirit, Protestant theology was captured in a number of summary statements.  One of those statements was the Westminster Standards.  Comprised of the Westminster Confession and the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechism, the Westminster standards were developed by ministers and elders of the Church of England in 1646.  It largely follows the theology developed by John Calvin and the Protestant churches in Switzerland and Germany that was subsequently imported to England during the English Reformation.

At Reforming Emporia, we say that we adhere to the Westminster Standards not because they are as authoritative as the Bible.  Nor do we think that they are unchangeable.  Instead, we believe what American Christians believed for centuries: that the Westminster Standards are the best summary developed so far of the teachings found in the Bible.

This is important for many reasons, but for this post, I just want to discuss just one.  In an age where we have access to so much information, where conspiracy theories abound, we need the help and advice to understand the Bible. 

The Bible itself makes this clear.  On the road to Emmaus, Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to his disciples because they needed help to understand the scripture (Luke 24:13-35).  The Ethiopian eunuch, likewise, needed Philip’s help to understand the scripture (Acts 8:24-40).  Solomon himself sought wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15). 

Some of my wisest advisors are dead.  The Westminster Standards have unlocked countless Biblical truths—truths that historic geniuses like John Calvin have already mined; truths that the Westminster divines had the foresight to record.  The Westminster Standards help us interpret scripture faithfully and consistently.

Unfortunately, in Emporia, Kansas, no church holds to the Westminster Standards.  At Reforming Emporia, we’re committed to reconnecting with the riches of the historic Reformed faith.  If that’s interesting to you, please send us a note at reformingemporia@gmail.com.