Continental Reformed Protestantism

Lore & Background

The first Reformed (Calvinist) churches were established in Europe after 1519 and were part of the Protestant Reformation. In the sixteenth century, the movement spread to most of continental Europe, sometimes with the protection of monarchs or members of the nobility, as in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Hungary, some German states, and France. The continental Reformed churches had an impact on Anglicanism and Presbyterianism during the Protestant Reformation in England and Scotland. It continued to influence the Church of England and Church of Scotland through the Puritans, who wished to reform them along continental lines. The Continental Reformed churches are represented in the International Conference of Reformed Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and World Reformed Fellowship.

Reader's Guide

Continental Reformed churches teach a real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist, a doctrine developed by John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger, who taught that Christ's person, including his body and blood, are presented to Christians who partake of it in faith. In the Continental Reformed tradition, confession and absolution is normatively practiced corporately, though confession on an individual basis is an approved rite. The Second Helvetic Confession states that sincere confession made to God alone, either privately or publicly in the Church, is sufficient, and that it is not necessary to confess sins to a priest. The Heidelberg Catechism teaches that the moral law as contained in the Ten Commandments is binding for Christians. The doctrine of the Christian Reformed Church in North America stipulates that Sunday must be so consecrated to worship that on that day we rest from all work except that which charity and necessity require and that we refrain from recreation that interferes with worship. Most Reformed churches in the world, such as the Netherlands Reformed Congregations and the Heritage Reformed Congregations, only support marriage between a man and a woman. Some Reformed churches allow local churches to decide about blessings of same-sex marriage, such as the United Church of Christ (USA), the United Protestant Church of France and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. In contrast to the episcopal polity of the Anglican and many Lutheran and Methodist churches, Continental Reformed churches are ruled by assemblies of 'elders' or ordained officers. This is usually called Synodal government by the Continental Reformed, but is essentially the same as presbyterian polity, with the elders forming the consistory, the regional governing body known as the classis, and the highest court of appeal being the general synod. The Reformed Church in Hungary, its sister church in Romania, the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and the Polish Reformed Church are the only continental Reformed churches to have retained the office of bishop.

Did You Know?

• The Swiss Reformation was inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli, who formulated the first expression of the Reformed faith.
• John Calvin became recognized as the leading figure in the Reformed tradition.
• The Three Forms of Unity are the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism.
• The Reformed Church in Hungary, its sister church in Romania, the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and the Polish Reformed Church are the only continental Reformed churches to have retained the office of bishop.
• The Continental Reformed churches had an impact on Anglicanism and Presbyterianism during the Protestant Reformation in England and Scotland.