Summary of What I believe (in a nutshell) for those who are still wondering: Broadly speaking, Reformed theology includes any system of belief that traces its roots back to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century. Of course, the Reformers themselves traced their doctrine to Scripture, as indicated by their credo of “sola scriptura,” so Reformed theology is not a “new” belief system but one that seeks to continue apostolic doctrine. Generally, Reformed theology holds to the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace through Christ, and the necessity of evangelism. It is sometimes called Covenant theology because of its emphases on the covenant God made with Adam and the new covenant which came through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20). Reformed theology teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice. Reformed theology teaches that God rules with absolute control over all creation. He has foreordained all events and is therefore never frustrated by circumstances. This does not limit the will of the creature, nor does it make God the author of sin. Reformed theology teaches that God in His grace and mercy has chosen to redeem a people to Himself, delivering them from sin and death. The Reformed doctrine of total depravity teaches that man is completely helpless in his sinful state, is under the wrath of God, and can in no way please God. Total depravity also means that man will not naturally seek to know God, until God graciously prompts him to do so (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18). Reformed people also believe in unconditional election, that God, from eternity past, has chosen to save a great multitude of sinners, which no man can number (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12), and in limited atonement, or more properly called definite atonement, that Christ took the judgment for the sin of the elect upon Himself and thereby paid for their lives with His death. In other words, He did not simply make salvation “possible,” He actually obtained it for those whom He had chosen (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25). We also believe in something called irresistible grace, that human beings in our fallen state resists God’s love, but the grace of God working in our hearts causes us to desire what we had previously resisted. That is, God’s grace will not fail to accomplish its saving work in the elect (John 6:37,44; 10:16). Finally, we believe in perseverance of the saints, that God protects His saints from falling away; thus, salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14). Generally held in high esteem by Reformed adherents are the writings of Augustine, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, and more recently John Piper, R.C. Sproul, Michael Horton, Tim Keller and James R. White. The Canons of Dordt, Westminster Confession and Heidelberg Catechism embody the general theology of the Reformed tradition. Modern churches in the Reformed tradition include Presbyterian (PCA), Congregationalist, and historical Baptists.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:02:43 +0000
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