Our friends at DGM have done it again. This time it’s a lecture by Tope Koleoso
that has folks discussing the question of the relations between the
charismatic movement(s) and Reformed theology, piety, and practice.
Tom Chantry, a Particular Baptist friend, has replied to this specific video. This topic was covered on the HB in 2008 in response to an essay by Calvin College prof Jamie Smith and in 2009 in response to a query from HB reader Nick. There’s no need to repeat those posts here but I want to say a couple of things:
There is an objective definition
of the adjective “Reformed.” Words mean things and the adjective
“Reformed” signifies “that theology, piety, and practice derived from
Scripture and confessed by the Reformed churches in their ecclesiastical
catechisms and confessions.”
Objection: But the meaning of words change. The word “nice” used to mean “stupid” but that’s not how we used it any more.
Answer: I understand that the meanings of words change but there is a
difference between the natural evolution of the meaning of a word and
theft. When a word has been in continuous usage by an identifiable
society of people, and when the meaning and intention behind the word
has remained constant, the sense of the word cannot suddenly be said to
have “changed” when another group simply lays hold of the word by force
and re-defines it. Continue at R. Scott Clark
