Progressing with the Times and Responding to the Challenges: The Contemporary Face of the Reformed Tradition

Progressing with the Times and Responding to the Challenges:
The Contemporary Face of the Reformed Tradition

CHENG Yang-en

After first offering a succinct definition of the Reformed tradition, this article introduces the gradual evolution of her contemporary face in three parts. In the first part, the article describes the worldwide development of the Reformed tradition starting from the sixteenth century, by means of the notion and current research of the so-called “international Calvinism,” and her multiple ecclesiastical polities throughout the historical contexts. Secondly, the historical heritage and present ethos of the Reformed tradition are expounded by, on the one hand, reviewing the theological tradition which continues to shape her identity and, on the other hand, portraying the common cultural temperament which is manifested in this historical process. Lastly, in the third part, the contemporary face of the Reformed tradition is showcased through the new perception on human nature in the Enlightenment and the social praxis under the effect of the Ecumenical Movement, the former using the Scottish Enlightenment as a key example and the latter with the affirmative responses to economic, ecological, ethnic and gender issues by the present-day Reformed communities. The article concludes that, viewing from the historical development over the last five centuries, the Reformed tradition is an ever-renewing faith tradition that is both progressing with the times and responding to the challenges.