Finding the Reformed Favorites
If you spend any time reading blogs with a Reformed bent, you know that there are certain characterizations that can be made: we like the English Standard Version, the Puritans, John Piper, and complementarianism, among many other (sometimes stereotypical) distinctives.
Lately I’ve been realizing how funny it is that I sort of stumbled upon a lot of these likings without even realizing they were hallmarks of my theological persuasion. I guess that is probably what happened to a lot of us!
The English Standard Version. I’ve detailed my history with this version before. But in brief, I’ll just say that I learned about the ESV in high school. My uncle and aunt tried to convince my family to buy into it.
The Puritans. I knew about Jonathan Edwards because of John Piper’s emphasis on him, but I was never a big fan. In my J-term class this past January, I did a twenty-page review of Puritan literature, a subject I selected because it sounded vaguely interesting. Then I realized how very much I admired the Puritans, and since then have loved reading more about them. I’ve also discovered that a lot of other Reformed people love the Puritans!
John Piper. I think I learned about him from my dad, who liked Desiring God and Don’t Waste Your Life. He read some of Don’t Waste Your Life to us, again, when I was in high school. I love that book. From there I began accessing Desiring God’s online resources, and have been so blessed by them.
Complementarianism. My history with this is kind of complicated, actually. My extended family has a background with it that I can’t really get into. But suffice it to say that from a very young age I have believed in the complementary order - without knowing to call it that, or before I ever heard of CBMW.
It’s been fun finding an online community that shares my affinity for these particular aspects of our faith. More than that, I love challenging and being challenged in the essential elements of the faith - the gospel and the cross, Scripture, the church, etc. Good times are had by all!
17 Comments to Finding the Reformed Favorites
You forgot Amillennialism in the stereotype! I feel as if I’m the only Reformed guy on the planet who hasn’t read John Piper.
I’ve found Grace Gems (http://www.gracegems.org/) to be a wonderful site for Puritan literature. Many full-length books and sermons are available there to read online and print out for free.
Jacob, come on, man! You’re probably the only Reformed guy on the planet who hasn’t read John Piper!
AnnaApril 24, 2008
Jacob, until you wrote that, I didn’t know about the amillennialism thing! Interesting!
Joe, thanks for sharing that site. It looks really good.
Joshua… funny. I think we have a name trend going on here.
Since I’ve been at Seminary I’ve become more aware of these similar characteristics as well amongst those that are reformed. It’s amazing how you meet someone and you both get really excited once you find out you are both reformed…this is usually discovered by throwing things like “Puritans”, “Piper”, “ESV”, etc and seeing what kind of reaction you get!
LindsayApril 24, 2008
Haha, I think I had better break the J’s trend…yes, Anna, I do enjoy sharing aspects of my faith with you…
LindsayApril 24, 2008
…but I enjoy debate as well…
Interestingly, I have never associated Reformed theology with amillenialism either. I find that Reformed people tend to focus more on things like the Gospel, which of course, is one reason I like Reformed people. 
Jennifer, that’s hilarious, and I’m sure that’s happened to me at least once. Yesterday, in fact, I saw someone with Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Ministries. At that point, I felt like waving my arms in huge motions to grab his attention, introducing myself and entering into conversation about his beliefs. Of course, he was involved in conversation with someone else, so I decided not to. Finding a person like that is like finding water in a desert to me.
Hi there, can you please tell me what complimentarianism is? I went to your link of CBWM, but knowing nothing about this, is still isnt making a lot of sense. Could you explain it please? By the way, lovely blog! Thanks!
nice blog…
AnnaApril 24, 2008
Courtney and Taylor, thanks for stopping by! Courtney, I’m sorry that was unclear. I’m not sure if I’m the best person to explain it. But basically, it is the traditional interpretation of Scripture that views relationships between men and women as complementing each other, instead of being identical. In the home, the husband is the leader. He is to love his wife, and the wife is to submit to his loving leadership. In the church, men are to be the ones in primary authority. Of course, there are many different facets to this. I’ve written on it quite a bit under my “Biblical Womanhood” section to the right.
There’s a question and answer section at the site I linked that makes a lot of clarifications: Questions & Answers. I hope that helps! 
ahhh… that makes more sense, that is about what we believe too, as you said there are quite alot of facets in this matter. But now I know where you are coming from. Thank you for taking the time to explain that to me. I really do enjoy your posts. God bless!
AnnaApril 24, 2008
Yay! I’m glad that made sense.
I am wondering - are you talking reformed as in RCA or reformed as in CRC or reformed as in united reformed? Those are vastly different facets of reformed, and depending on which you are talking about this theology doesn’t really fit….I grew up in a dutch reformed region and so I am curious…no one there read piper, used the esv…but most were amillenialists!
AnnaApril 24, 2008
Alaina, you’re right. I didn’t grow up in a Reformed church per se. I personally hold to a lot of Reformed Baptist beliefs. In this entry, I was referring to the breed of Reformed that’s becoming common among young evangelicals… anyone else, can you define it better?
I’ve actually never heard of Reformed Baptist. When I hear ‘reformed’ I think Reformed Church of America or Christian Reformed Church - so apparently we’re talking past each other…the reformed churches I know affirm women in ministry and that’s why I was confused. No biggie.
Hey there, do you mind if I put a link to your blog on mine? It has become one of my favorites
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Anna, 21. Saved by grace, called to follow Christ. Book-lover, writer, caregiver, wannabe runner.
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April 24, 2008