The historic Reformation was an attempt to return the church to the Scriptures. Even as the Reformation first spread through Europe, Reformed practice and theology diverged widely from region to region. As the Reformation has now spread across the globe, these divergences have only increased. Even as we are approaching the five hundredth anniversary of Luther’s ninety-five theses, the variety of expressions found in Reformed churches continues to increase.
At the same time, not every segment of the Reformation remained true to what the Reformation was originally about. At some point, such infidelity causes a church to be Reformed in name-only.
Because of this infidelity, various Reformed sects have tried to claim that they alone are the true heirs of the Reformation. We at the AFVSB are proud to carry on this sectarian battle.
Although we represent a microscopic trickle from the ocean of Reformed traditions, nevertheless, we are currently engaged in a hostile takeover of the historic Reformation. This is a political attempt to kidnap the historic Reformation and destroy those who disagree. Some might call this a reign of terror. We like to call it “Modern Reformation.”
We make every effort to present the Reformation as a monolithic movement of which we Klinians are alone the heirs. This has been done through a very selective reading of church history by people who know better. Historical revisionism is our middle name.
The chief error of the Federal Visionists is not theological, but political. The Federal Visionists want a piece of the pie; they want a place at the table called “Reformed.” This is a tactical mistake.
We do not want merely a piece of the pie or a place at the table. We want to be the pie. We want to be the table. That is why there is no room for charitable discussion or peacable disagreement. Those who disagree with us are out. It has to be this way. Our gospel is at stake!
