Repented and Always Repenting  vs.  Reformed and Always Reforming

Many of you have no doubt heard the Reformation slogan ‘ecclesia semper reformans, semper reformanda’ or the church, reformed and always reforming. This is a popular motto among Reformed Christians, and it expresses a worthy sentiment. In its essence it refers to a constant, ever improving, adherence to God’s word in all things. This is a good thing.

However, this phrase always made me a little uneasy. I don’t know if it is because it sometimes seems to denote a ceaseless striving for doctrinal purity, or a subtle hint that the Christian life is about moral and spiritual reform rather than death to self and sin. Many will say that I mis-apply these words, but in the circles I have traveled in, my observations are well founded. The obsessive struggle for doctrinal purity, while on some level is necessary, often results in a fracturing of congregations and a multiplication of denominations.

I have long since rejected any idea or doctrine that centers on the reform of the Christian’s life. Christ bids us to come die with him in the waters of baptism, die to self and sin. In other words repent.

Martin Luther, in the first of his Ninety-Five Theses, said ‘Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ…willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.’

I maintain that a better motto for the Church and believers themselves should be ‘Repented and always repenting.’ This more accurately reflects what God’s word says about believers and the church. It also denotes a position of humility rather than highlighting our improvement or reform of the church or ourselves.

In the Gospels and the Revelation, Jesus’ repeated refrain is ‘Repent.’ We could do much worse than to keep this in the forefront of our thoughts.

By Pat K

Posted in General