The following beliefs make a person Reformed.
- Calvinist soteriology (TULIP).
- Affirming the 5 Solas.
These are the sine qua non of being reformed!
Covenant theology is not essential to being reformed. It was inherited from Rome. Scripture teaches dispensationalism. The truly reformed, including myself, affirm believer’s baptism, not infant baptism. The latter was inherited from Rome. An amillennial eschatology also came from the Catholic church. A biblical eschatology is premillennial (and a pre-trib rapture).
Confessions are useful, and they contain much good. However, a believer can be reformed without being confessional. I affirm much in the WCF and LBCF, but I disagree on some key points, such as covenant theology. Many Reformed tend to treat confessions as if they are infallible and inerrant. Confessions are not inspired by God. We must be careful not to make them idols. I am not a fan of theological straitjackets. Sadly, many believers are placing confessions above the revelation by the Holy Spirit, which illumines the truths of Scripture. If a believer is convinced of the truth, such as dispensationalism, yet their church adheres to a Reformed confession, they will be forced to ignore the Holy Spirit and side with the confession. This is Satanic.
We can jettison the parts of reformed confessions that are at odds with the clear and plain meaning of Scripture. Having the right hermeneutic is absolutely critical to ensure we are accurately exegeting Scripture as we arrive at an interpretation.
My hermeneutics affirm the historical, grammatical, and literal ( plain meaning) interpretation of Scripture, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Sadly, most Reformed no longer recognize the Reformation exhortation of Semper Reformanda (Always be reforming). If they did, they would remove the confessional theological shackles and allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth.
Zach Uram's Blog 