Definition and Context
Reforming, in a biblical context, refers to the process of making changes to something with the intention of improving it, often by returning to a previous state of purity or adherence to divine standards. This concept is frequently associated with spiritual renewal, moral correction, and the restoration of religious practices in alignment with God's commandments.

Old Testament Examples
The Old Testament provides several notable examples of reforming efforts led by kings and prophets who sought to restore Israel and Judah to covenant faithfulness. One of the most significant reformers was King Josiah of Judah. His reforms are detailed in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah initiated a series of religious reforms, including the removal of idolatrous practices and the reinstitution of the Passover. 2 Kings 23:25 states, "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses."

Another example is King Hezekiah, who also enacted significant reforms to purify worship in Judah. He reopened the temple, removed pagan altars, and restored the observance of the Passover (2 Chronicles 29-31). 2 Chronicles 31:21 notes, "In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered."

Prophetic Calls for Reform
The prophets frequently called for reform, urging the people to return to God and abandon their sinful ways. The prophet Isaiah, for instance, called for repentance and a return to justice and righteousness. Isaiah 1:16-17 exhorts, "Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow."

Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah called for a return to covenant faithfulness, warning of the consequences of continued disobedience. Jeremiah 7:3 declares, "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: Correct your ways and deeds, and I will let you live in this place."

New Testament Perspective
In the New Testament, reforming takes on a spiritual dimension through the transformative power of the Gospel. Jesus Christ's ministry was marked by calls for repentance and spiritual renewal. In Matthew 4:17 , Jesus begins His ministry with the proclamation, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the need for personal and communal reform in the life of believers. In Romans 12:2 , he writes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Theological Implications
Reforming is not merely about external changes but involves a deep, internal transformation that aligns individuals and communities with God's will. It is a return to the principles and practices that honor God, often requiring a rejection of worldly influences and a commitment to holiness. The process of reforming is ongoing, as believers are continually called to examine their lives and align themselves more closely with the teachings of Scripture.

This Wisdom was the Great Evil Root, at which the Reforming Ax ...
... Address 217: This wisdom was the great evil root, at which the reforming
ax should have been? This wisdom was the great evil root ...
/.../address 217 0 0 this wisdom was.htm

I Wonder that You with Your Consummate Wisdom have not Understood ...
... When I say, But not in such a way that, as held by another heresy, all should be
placed in one rank, that is, all by a reforming process become angels,' I ...
/.../27 i wonder that you.htm

Theater-Going.
... with the hope that he will become a Christian; a steady, sensible woman in all other
matters marries a man who drinks, with the thought of reforming him; one ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/v theater-going.htm

A Period of Transition
... While in ecclesiastical affairs the conservative factions in the two colonies had
much in common and continued to have for a long time, the Reforming Synod of ...
/.../the development of religious liberty in connecticut/chapter v a period of.htm

The Council of Constance (Ad 1414-1418)
... Huss had no friends in the Council; for the reforming part of the members could
have nothing to do with him, lest it should be thought that they agreed with ...
/.../chapter xxiv the council of.htm

Circular Letter to the Clergy of the Arch-Deaconry of Suffolk.
... In sum, no one that pretends any thing to religion, can ever be offended with any
method that you take for the reforming of such as profess none at all. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/circular letter to the clergy.htm

The Beginnings of Church Reform
... the new Pope, Leo IX, take this inflexible advocate of the Church's claims as his
chief adviser, but he surrounded himself with reforming ecclesiastics from ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter i the beginnings of.htm

Footnotes
... Hume Brown, ii.300-302.) The Regent wrote from Dunbar, July 1559, that she had in
vain implored the Pope to aid her in reforming the lives of the clergy (as in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lang/john knox and the reformation/footnotes.htm

The People among whom we Labour.
... [Sidenote: MUHAMMADAN REFORMERS.]. Of late years a reforming party has arisen among
the Muhammadans with both political and religious ends in view. ...
/.../chapter xxviii the people among.htm

Sabbath Observance
... hands on you.'. The methods adopted may yield suggestions for all who would
aim at reforming abuses or public immoralities. One most ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sabbath observance.htm

Reforming (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reforming (2 Occurrences). ... Luke 15:10 So I say to you,
joy doth come before the messengers of God over one sinner reforming.' (YLT). ...
/r/reforming.htm - 6k

Reformation (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse
to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or ...
/r/reformation.htm - 14k

Reformed (5 Occurrences)

/r/reformed.htm - 8k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... So Josiah's first reforming step was to break up the high places, the numerous centers
of the evil, to destroy the symbols and utensils of the idolatrous ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Reforms (2 Occurrences)

/r/reforms.htm - 7k

Eden (19 Occurrences)
... (3.) Son of Joah, and one of the Levites who assisted in reforming the public worship
of the sanctuary in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:12). ...
/e/eden.htm - 28k

Excommunication
... At the restoration (Ezra 10:7, 8), the penalty of disobedience to Ezra's reforming
movements was that "all his substance should be forfeited (cherem), and ...
/e/excommunication.htm - 15k

Rather (176 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:7 I say to you, that so joy shall be in the heaven over one sinner reforming,
rather than over ninety-nine righteous men, who have no need of ...
/r/rather.htm - 36k

Messengers (182 Occurrences)
... for peace. (WEY). Luke 15:10 So I say to you, joy doth come before the
messengers of God over one sinner reforming.' (YLT). Luke 16 ...
/m/messengers.htm - 36k

Country
... It was no doubt among these that Josiah exercised his reforming energy (2 Kings
23:19 2 Chronicles 34:6 f). Here also must have been that "remnant of Israel ...
/c/country.htm - 23k

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