In 1415, John Hus was killed for his teachings against the corruption of the Church. In 1517, Martin Luther publicly defied similar practices with his 95 Theses. In 1536, John Calvin published his Institutes. Throughout the sixteenth century, we have many examples of such scholars and martyrs: Zwingli. Bucer. Wycliffe. Knox. Ad infinitum.

And we have much to thank them for – their advances in doctrine and radical rebellion against false teachings fuel the way many Christians think today, “Reformed” and otherwise. Many celebrate these people on Reformation Day – October 31st, the day Luther posted his Theses.

But we are sinful creatures – and we can to fall into two main errors regarding the Reformation. The first is thinking nothing happened before it; the second is thinking we shouldn’t advance beyond it.

It’s been said that evangelicals often think nothing went on between Revelation and Billy Graham, while Presbyterians think nothing happened between Revelation and Martin Luther. Nobody would say this out loud, but our thoughts and focus can reflect it. God has his hand in everything that happens, and simply because the Roman Catholic Church has its problems doesn’t mean it was never a true Church.

People like Augustine and Athanasius fought as hard for the purity of the church as Luther, and they made as many advances in doctrine. The cathedrals of the Middle Ages, the copying of classic books by Irish monks, the writing of the creeds – all this was done by God’s people. We would do well to remember them and not solely focus on more recent history.

The second error also involves placing too much importance on the Reformation – and it goes hand in hand with the first. It’s possible to be so caught up in the works of Calvin et al. that we fail to see their progress was only a step. A big step, but a step nonetheless.

Semper reformanda – always reforming – was the principle behind these changes in the 16th century. By resting our laurels, as it were, on how such men interpreted Scripture and applied it to government, worship, and family is to throw their achievements back into their faces.

The benefit of Time is that as it goes on, we can grow wiser and more mature. It happens in our individual lives – but it happens through history as well. We learn from others’ mistakes, and use their achievements as a starting point for our own. When we decide that everything in, for instance, the Westminster Confession was definitive (consciously or no), something’s wrong.

Calvin didn’t get everything right – as any enemy of his will gleefully point out for you. And even if he did, there’s only so much you can study and write about in a lifetime. Where he stopped, we must begin, so the next generation can build upon us and go farther than we will. Reformed churches are known for becoming stagnant and boring. Perhaps it’s no wonder people often choose a more popular option when converting to Christianity – after all, a charismatic worship service is fun.

Of course, I’m not talking about throwing out the Westminster confession. It’s very useful as a starting point to determine doctrine. But remember not to stop there. It’s not reason by itself to reject, say, paedocommunion or Christmas. It’s worth considering, but the Westminster Assembly never intended their confession to be inerrant.

We have an amazing legacy in the Reformation. But if you call yourself Reformed, be careful not to take the name too seriously – we are not reformed, but reforming. Semper reformanda. If it were otherwise, you would have no right to identify yourself with the likes of Calvin and Luther.

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Tim Eaton edits Chasing Hats and lives in New Hampshire.