Theological Term of the Week: Semper Reformanda

semper reformanda
A Latin phrase meaning “always being reformed,” which is a slogan used in the Reformed tradition of the Christian church. It is part of the larger phrase ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbi Dei, which means “the church is reformed, and always being reformed according to the Word of God.” The phrase has been attributed to Jodocus van Lodenstein in 1674.

• From What Does Semper Reformanda Mean? by W. Robert Godfrey:

  [W]hat did van Lodenstein mean by his famous phrase reformed and always reforming? Probably something like this: since we now have a church reformed in the externals of doctrine, worship, and government, let us always be working to ensure that our hearts and lives are being reformed by the Word and Spirit of God. 

Learn more:

1. Kevin DeYoung: Semper Reformanda
2. A Craig Troxel: Always Reforming?
3. Burk Parsons: The True Reformers
4. Carl Trueman: What Semper Reformanda Is and Isn’t

Related terms: 

• norma normans non normata
• testimonium spiritus sancti internum

Filed under Reformed Theology

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Sunday Hymn: The God of Abram Praise

The God of Abraham praise,
Who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days,
And God of love:
Jehovah! great I AM!
By earth and heav’n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name,
For ever blest.

The God of Abraham praise,
At whose supreme command
From earth I rise, and seek the joys
At his right hand:
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and power;
And him my only portion make,
My Shield and Tower.

He by himself hath sworn,
I on his oath depend;
I shall, on eagle’s wings upborne,
To heav’n ascend:
I shall behold his face,
I shall his power adore,
And sing the wonders of his grace
For evermore.

The goodly land I see,
With peace and plenty blest,
A land of sacred liberty
And endless rest;
There milk and honey flow,
And oil and wine abound,
And trees of life for ever grow,
With mercy crowned.

There dwells the Lord our King,
The Lord our righteousness;
Triumphant over the world and sin,
The Prince of Peace
On Zion’s sacred height
His kingdom still maintains,
And glorious with his saints in light
For ever reigns.

The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high;
Hail Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
They ever cry:
Hail Abraham’s God and mine!
I join the heavenly lays
All might and majesty are thine,
And endless praise.

Other hymns, worship songs, or quotes for this Sunday:

• I Know Whom I Have Believed at The Happy Wonderer
• Join to Sing at The Outspoken Tulip

Selected Reading, October 17, 2020

 

A few suggestions for your weekend reading and listening.

Defining Terms

Worse Than We Think: What Total Depravity Is (and Is Not)
Robert Letham explains total depravity: “The reality of total depravity leaves no possibility of salvation by our own efforts. It points to our dire condition from the fall and the sovereign work of God in rescuing us. Only the Holy Spirit can change us and transform us into the image of Christ, who is the image of the invisible God.”

Semper Reformanda in Context
What was the original meaning of the phrase reformed and always reforming? What did Jodocus van Lodenstein mean when he used it way back in 1674? 

Self-Promotion

Women’s Hope: Delighting in Doctrine
Here’s an interview I did with Dr. Shelbi Cullen and Kimberly Cummings for the Women’s Hope podcast. We talked about how I became interested in doctrine, what obstacles women face when they want to learn theology, and how to live out our theology, among other things.