The Reformation And Why We Still Need It Today

The Protestant Reformation happened almost 500 years ago but its Theology is still relevant and gripping today, even in our Postmodern Western Culture

Standing in a crowd of 2000 at the Minneapolis convention center’s main auditorium singing hymnals at a heightened, yet restrained volume was just one of the many delightful experiences I had at this theologically Reformed conference.

Hosted by Bethlehem College and Seminary, probably best known for being the home church of John Piper, the fiery Calvinist pastor, Reformed theology is alive and well in America even today, amongst the landscape of decaying morality and spirituality where one would assume that the only faith options are skinny jeans and leather jacket cool-kids church like what is found in Los Angeles, or “spirituality” that says that one should meditate and search for meaning while making a pilgrimage to Burning Man.

Fortunately for you, there are other options. Better ones.

Reformed denominations and churches are not culturally relevant.

That’s not their bread and butter, the “bait and switch”, as I’ve heard some famous celebrity pastors refer to it, or the “Show them we’re culturally relevant and hip and they’ll pay attention to us”.

The Reformed camp, for the most part, adheres to the same lifestyle and Theological points as it did 500 years ago when Martin Luther and John Calvin first led the charge against the decadences of the Catholic Church in Europe.

And that’s a good thing because things that are tried and true stand firm over the rocky and harsh test of time.

Instead of wigs and coats with tails, they wear Men's Wearhouse suits.

And that’s ok.

What’s surprising is that after a while, you’ll find there is something about this understatedness that comes off as trustworthy and genuine.

For a lot of folks, myself included, who were swept up in the rock and roll pentecostal movement when I was first introduced to the faith, we think there are capitalistic, professionally marketed, narcissistic undertones that permeates a lot of the pentecostal and charismatic movements.

Not all of them, but a lot. Most of the influential ones.

They’re aware that visuals and images have a psychological effect on people, especially young people. Young people want to be relevant and trendy, so this hunger is fed.

They invest heavily in world-class marketing, are heavy into social media, and a lot will flaunt their designer brands and luxury cars for clout.

That isn’t unchanging. That’s blowing with the wind, this way, and that way. Not strong and true.

The Jig is Up, Rock n’ Roll Pastor

John Piper walked alone down the aisle 10 minutes before the service started Bible in hand, weaving through people standing in the aisle conversing.

There was no entourage. No “armor-bearers”. No Gucci draped on him. Just a beige suit jacket and Bible.

Ten or so years ago was the rise of the Rock and Roll pastor. Leather jackets, Gucci shoes, worship band that moonlights as secular musicians, “armor bearer’s” that act as chauffeurs. Green rooms.

Pastors aren’t rock stars. They aren’t Elvis, but you wouldn’t guess that if you ever attended one of their services.

After singing four or five hymns, Piper took the pulpit, immediately diving into scripture, no stories of kids’ little league games, high school tales of being a big shot, or anything of the like.

Just the Word of God.

The Hillsong’s of the world started out meaning well, I’m sure.

They saw a gap in the market, they saw that there was a divide between young people and the old-time religions.

Most people would say that it worked. Most would say look at the average attendance of these churches, they’re through the roof.

It’s spreading like wildfire. Hillsong has dozens of campuses across the World. From Europe to L.A. to its original home down under.

So what’s the problem then?

People grow out of dressing to impress and playing status games. People grow tired of sermons titled “Game of Thrones” and “A Day At The Beach”.

People are smart. Young people are smart.

And many, many of them grow out of it and move on to grown-up church where heavy scripture that reflects our all too often bleak existence isn’t avoided.

If you believe hell exists and it’s something to be feared, say it plainly. If life is full of suffering, speak up.

We’re gonna experience it anyways, you may as well prepare us as best as you can.

Besides, faith is supposed to be counter-culture, radical, and subversive to the dominant “in-group”.

I don’t go to church to be in the “in-crowd”. The “in-crowd” is foolish and easily taken by emotional manipulation.

It goes along with mainstream trends and fads.

We want something that transcends time and place.

There is a reason Reformed theology swept Europe in the 16th century and hasn’t gone anywhere.

It takes life, God, and the Bible deadly seriously, trends be damned.

Give Us The Word

To all up and coming pastors. To all current pastors.

We don’t need to hear about who you know.

We don’t need to see you have Gucci on your feet. We don’t care.

We don’t care that you came up with a slick name for your Tedx Talk.

The pressure is off.

Just give us the Word of God.

-The Flock