The Church Must be Reformed

Abraham Kuyper, a notable Reformed theologian and statesman, once asserted: 

"Therefore our church must again become not merely Christian, not merely Protestant, but Reformed: God is her Sovereign, eternal election is the heart blood of her life, and God's Word the foundation that cannot be dislodged, upon which she stands with both her feet."

This declaration encapsulates a vision for the church that goes beyond just being Christian or Protestant. It calls for a dynamic, Reformed identity. To understand Kuyper’s words fully, we must explore four key points: the church must be based on the Word of God, always reforming, firmly grounded in truth, and resistant to the spirit of the age.

The True Church is Based on the Word of God

The foundation of the true church is the Word of God. Kuyper emphasizes the necessity for the church to root its doctrines, practices, and mission in Scripture. In an age where societal trends and cultural norms often seek to redefine truth, the church must anchor itself in the unchanging Word of God. This biblical foundation ensures that the church remains faithful to its divine calling and mission. The authority of Scripture must not be compromised or subordinated to human wisdom or contemporary ideologies. Only by standing firmly on the Bible can the church maintain its integrity and fulfill its purpose. As the Westminster Confession of Faith states:

"The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined...can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture" (WCF 1.10).

The True Church is Always Reforming

The principle of Semper Reformanda, meaning "always reforming," is central to Reformed theology. Kuyper's vision for the church calls for continuous reformation, not in the sense of adopting every new trend, but in constantly returning to the Scriptures to correct and align its beliefs and practices with God's revealed truth. This ongoing reformation is a response to the ever-present danger of complacency and doctrinal drift. By being always reforming, the church remains vibrant, relevant, and true to its mission. It acknowledges that while God’s Word is infallible, human interpretations and applications of that Word are not, thus requiring continual reassessment and renewal. The Belgic Confession emphasizes this, stating: 

"We believe that this Holy Scripture fully contains the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein" (Article 7).

The True Church is Reformed and Stands Firmly on the Truth

Kuyper asserts that the church must not only be Christian or Protestant but distinctly Reformed. This identity is characterized by a robust commitment to the doctrines of grace, the sovereignty of God, and the centrality of Christ in all things. The Reformed church stands firmly on the truth of God’s sovereignty, recognizing that God is the ultimate authority in all aspects of life and faith. This stance provides a solid theological and practical framework that guards against theological liberalism and moral relativism. The Reformed church is unwavering in its proclamation of the gospel, its adherence to biblical doctrine, and its commitment to living out the implications of the faith in every area of life. As stated in the Heidelberg Catechism:

"Christ, by his Spirit, is also renewing us to be whole-heartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him" (Q&A 1).

The True Church Doesn't Comply with the Spirit of This Age

In his statement, Kuyper implicitly warns against conforming to the spirit of the age. The true church must resist the pressure to conform to secular values, ideologies, and practices that are contrary to Scripture. Instead, the church must be a countercultural community that bears witness to the transformative power of the gospel. This non-conformity is not an excuse for isolationism or irrelevance but a call to engage the world from a position of biblical faithfulness and prophetic boldness. The church’s mission is to be salt and light, preserving the truth and illuminating the darkness, rather than being swept away by the currents of the prevailing culture. As Romans 12:2 exhorts: 

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 

Conclusion

Kuyper’s call for the church to be Reformed is a summons to return to a biblically faithful, theologically robust, and continuously renewing identity. The true church must be rooted in the Word of God, always reforming, firmly standing on the truth, and resisting the spirit of this age. In doing so, the church fulfills its divine mandate and remains a faithful witness to the sovereign God, whose eternal election is its lifeblood and whose Word is its unshakeable foundation. Kuyper’s vision is not merely a call for doctrinal purity but for a living, vibrant faith that transforms individuals and societies to the glory of God.