Studying at a Christian university with a different denominational background is enriching. Three examples:
1. Discussions and disagreements are resolved with an open Bible. (The KJV and ESV are most frequently referenced, with the NIV and Berean Study Bible second.)
2. Considering themes not an issue in my church forces me to find out what happened and what is going on in other churches and why.
3. Authoritative sources in our churches may not be authoritative outside our churches. Defending my point requires more than “John Calvin said so…” or “Dr. Bredenhof sad so…” Especially other students ask for Scriptural proof or peer-reviewed sources.
4. Although I have never met another Reformed student (Lutheran is the closest), I look regularly in the Reformed mirror because psalm singing, Calvinism, and Reformed churches are frequently part of the discussion. Like this:
“Often Reformed worship resonates with post-moderns because it eschews emotional manipulation but provides a forum to experience the transcendent God.”
And:
“The Reformed worship movement has focused the evangelical community on scriptural and intellectual integrity. Liturgical influences have reminded evangelicals to focus on Christ during worship…” (Elmer L. Towns and Vernon M. Whaley, “Worship Through the Ages: How the Great Awakenings Shape Evangelical Worship”)
This focus also includes Christ in music, as the Evangelical tradition is aware of their worship of music issues and singing Psalms and Hymns is foreign to them.
It makes me reflect on reading about the influence of the Reformed worship on the Evangelical tradition. In the Evangelical tradition, there is a craving for what the Reformed churches do routinely. I wonder when Reformed churches flirt with Evangelical traditions, are they losing the understanding of the riches of their Reformed worship and liturgy?