It doesn't mean that they haven't found ways to participate and to take political and institutional questions seriously. That's a challenge for us. The moments when the Reformed tradition has been the biggest kid on the block have not always been the moments we look back on with pride. I'm thinking of the Dutch in South Africa. I think that's its greatness.
Theological reflection is taken seriously.
In some ways it's the heart of the tradition. That's right there in the way that Calvin structures his system of theology, which is about the knowledge of God. It's not a luxury for people who don't have other important things to do. It's necessary for a right thinking and acting faith. I think we ought to be evangelists on this point, because it's sometimes difficult to uphold vigorous theological conversations in different venues, to uphold high quality theological conversation and education in congregations, in seminaries, in colleges, and in church journals.