Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda! The Church Reformed and Always Reforming

Introduction

We are Christians. We are reformed. We are confessional. We are historic. 

The Christian heritage is rich and deep, vast and wide. We should be proud of it, and exult in the work the Lord has done in times past, even up to our day, and pray that he would continue to grow his church in faith and gratitude. But the church, in every age, must not sit on its laurels, so to speak, and be content with past achievements. This is not the way new generations are grown, or wars won, or faithfulness endures. This is how a people crumbles, and how the church - in a given area - will eventually die and be counted as faithless, and her lamp stand be removed. The church in every era must continue to be reminded of how she ought to conduct herself, what the Bible says, and what we have confessed in history. 

This phrase, “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda” has been used in various contexts, and not all profitable. But we want to take it to heart and embrace it, and live it out. 

What it Meant

Jodocus van Lodenstein

The phrase “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda” has been traced by scholars to have its origins in a devotional book written by Jodocus van Lodenstein, in 1674. Born in 1620, Jodocus van Lodenstein was educated by two of the finest theological minds of that day, Gisbertus Voetius of Utrecht and Johannes Cocceius of Franeker, each with their own particular set of priorities and specialities. Jodocus van Lodenstein was more heavily influenced, however, by Gisbertus Voetius, who was himself a pietist, and who stressed a precise theology as well as Christian living.

During his time as a minister, from 1653 to 1677, Jodocus van Lodenstein saw several changes take place within the church, in regards to the three categories that the reformed tradition has generally recognized: doctrine, worship, and government. During his life van Lodenstein observed the development of a covenant theology, as well as the use of organs in worship. And with these changes, as well as many others, the question is always, “is this a reformation or a deformation?” However, Jodocus van Lodenstein, was not supremely concerned with these types of reforms. He believed that the Bible was not obscure in regards to doctrine, worship, and government. He believed that the outward reforms that occurred during the reformation were necessary and right, and that the reformers were correct in what they had achieved. 

For van Lodenstein, the concern for reform was the inside - the internal side of religion - the heart. The great danger of his day was not a mixed bag of churches functioning however they pleased, for the reformation had been quite successful. The great danger he faced was that of formalism. This is the error of those who enjoy right doctrine, faithfully attend proper worship, and delight in the church’s authority, and yet still have no true faith. This was his battle and his passion when he penned the words, “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda.”

Martin Luther
In the days of the reformation, however, it was the outward portion that Luther was battling for.[1] He saw the need for the church to reform its practices and to return to scripture, and preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Luther’s day the church had eclipsed nearly all areas of life. Most people had their own take on the bible, God, the faith, and so on, yet hardly anyone had actually read the bible. Actually, it was very much like our day. 

Luther’s goal was not to start a “reformation” but merely to debate those within the church, to win them over to his view. He desired a meeting with his theological peers - the scholarly bunch at wittenberg university, to discuss the pastoral issue of the sale of indulgences. This issue was near and dear to Luther’s heart, because his flock was near and dear to his heart. He cared for his people as an under shepherd ought to. And thus, he posted his 95 Theses. 

Ultimately, however, the reformation ended up being about two things primarily. It was about who has the authority to say what is and is not true, it was about how to reconcile who we are with who God is. During the reformation and due to Luther’s passion, God’s word became - once again - the ultimate authority, and sinners were reminded of the mediatorial and sacrificial nature of Christ, and that it is through his atoning death that the evil of the world, the evil which penetrates the church, and the evil in our hearts, can be canceled and wiped away! 

The reformation was a reorientation of doctrine, worship, and government. 

What it Means

This phrase continues to mean exactly what van Lodenstein intended by it. But, the phrase was never limited only to the internal, it was just that the internal was the real battle ground in his day. In our day however - at least in America - we have taken many steps backward. Not only does the Christian landscape still maintain many of the errors of Rome in Luther’s day, but we also have many similar issues that van Lodenstein faced. We have hearts that are playing games with Christ, or on auto pilot, pretenders who will hear “go away from me you worker of iniquity” on that last day. We need a reformation of everything it seems. 

Were Luther to walk the streets of America, he would likely be crushed to see how the Gospel - salvation by Christ alone through faith alone - has been darkened, yet again! And as R.C. Sproul would say, we are facing many of the same theological issues today that Luther and the Roman Catholic church faced in the 1500’s. In other words, in many places there is little discernible difference between the Roman Catholic mass and the evangelical church. We are in a very dark place today. 

Unlike Luther’s day, however, we have some unique challenges that need to be dealt with also. Moral relativism, the LGBTQ+ ideology plaguing the church, the rise of CRT and Black Liberation Theology creeping into various churches and camps destroying the Gospel, the entire secularization of the nation, the hatred of the family, the downplay of marriage, and loss of children to public institutions, the loss of men with spines and women with hearts, and much much more. A reformation is sorely needed.

What Are We To Do?

Where do we go from here? This can be tricky, because what tends to happen when reformation begins, is the current systems or regimes don’t want to be overturned, toppled, or shown a new way. Resistance to change, or admittance that there may be a better way, is a major issue within the human heart. This is of course what happened to Luther, as well as former attempts at reform. Fortunately for Luther, God had other plans for him and prevented his death at the hands of the authorities. 

Today we maintain the motto, “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda” but are we really willing to allow reformation? Or do we just say it and then fight tooth and nail when there is an attempt? This is a question that we must all ask ourselves? Reformation, afterall, if rightly understood is just a return to the bible - to biblical doctrine, worship, and government. So, the question stands: is it the bible or tradition that drives us? If its tradition then change will be few and far between. If its the scripture, then change will be like a pleasant song or a sweet aroma.  

Suggestions

Some suggestions[2] for reform may be in the area of the distinctives of theological camps. Distinctives like baptismal views, or songs to be sung during worship, etc. should not be made into matters of orthodoxy. In other words, churches aren’t unorthodox and sub-Christian for not singing only the Psalms. Likewise, I believe Presbyterians should be allowed full membership at Baptist churches and vice versa, despite their particular views on baptism. If someone serves Christ, he or she is acceptable to God and ought to be approved by men. I believe as the body of Christ we have done a good job of unnecessarily dividing ourselves, and this has harmed the church more than these distinctives are worth. We have not pursued peace and unity as we ought to, but have chosen our correct theology over loving our brothers.[3]

Another suggestion[4] would be that of understanding the sufficiency of the bible, again. We have slowly but surely lurched away from the scriptures and their unquestionable sufficiency for all of life and faith. We have become a nation of doped up, psychologized, dependent, excuse makers, and we need to take on board once again “thus says the Lord” and “you shall be holy for I am holy.” The bible has the answers. For. Everything. If you don’t believe this, then that is proof positive that reformation must happen here. 

Conclusion

The reformation is not over. The reformation, frankly, will never be over, because the work of building the Kingdom of God will never be over. Not till Christ returns, that is, to reign over his kingdom! So, what must we do? We must continue to pursue faithfulness, have diligence to obey God’s word, maintain a deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ, persevere in genuine love for our brothers and sisters, and conserve a strong resolve to hold the word of God - which is the torch to the only true path - up high in the air and proclaim it loudly! Our aim is for Christ to be exulted and for his kingship to be recognized everywhere! Love your wife, love your husband, teach your children, be faithful in your church, submit yourselves to Christ’s rule and reign, be the leaven growing slowly in the Kingdom of God, and never, ever let your light be snuffed out! 

Your King has called you to this task. Do it like a man!

[1] Of course it can be said that whatever happens outwardly first occurred inwardly. Making an outward reformation a need for an inward reformation as well.

[2] These are the suggestions of the author only and do not reflect the thoughts of any other contributors.

[3] This can be done without embracing theological liberalism. Taking an approach for reformed catholicity/solidarity is not an abdication of a robust and accurate theology.

[4] These are the suggestions of the author only and do not reflect the thoughts of any other contributors.