In our own day Reformed theology has almost become a brand unto itself—we have somehow convinced ourselves that there is a unique Reformed approach to all doctrine. Yet, our Reformed forefathers knew better—they benefited from the riches of their common patristic and medieval heritage. We should do likewise.

I can remember hearing a colleague once boast, “I never read anyone except Reformed authors. I don’t want to waste my time with what other less-informed theologians think.” I didn’t have the time to inquire more about the statement but was nonetheless concerned with such a narrow view of theological reading. Don’t get me wrong—I love the Reformed faith and confessions, and I usually enjoy reading hearty Reformed theological literature. But if we only read Reformed books, I fear that we may unintentionally cut ourselves off from tremendous God-given resources, indeed, God-given gifts to the church. How so?

Pick up a classic Reformed author like John Owen—few, if any, would challenge his Reformed bona fides. While it’s not an airtight indicator, the fact that Banner of Truth has published his collected works in Smyth-sewn hardback books should alert us to the fact that they hope to have his books around for hundreds of years, not to mention the fact that Crossway is now reissuing his works in a new multi-volume set. Yet, as you peruse the pages of Owen’s voluminous writings, one of the things that you might quickly notice are the abundant references to patristic authors, such as St. Augustine, and medieval authors, such as Thomas Aquinas. From one standpoint, these two theologians certainly aren’t Reformed—it’s actually a historical impossibility given that the Reformation occurred hundreds of years after they lived. Nevertheless, we might identify both authors as Roman Catholics. Again, this too is a misnomer, as technically speaking, the Roman Catholic Church didn’t technically begin until the Council of Trent, which held its final sessions in 1565. Prior to the Reformation there was really only one church, at least in the West. Rather than identifying Augustine and Aquinas as Roman Catholic theologians, I think it’s fair to say they are catholic writers—they comprise the common catholic (or universal) heritage that belongs to both Protestants and Roman Catholics. In fact, Herman Bavinck, another Reformed giant, once wrote:

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