What is Reformed Theology?

[Arial]

I tried to listen to this guy but then I remembered 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."

I did not discern love in this man's sermon. So how about we have Reformed Theology 2.0 instead where we add Sola Love?

That is simply a personal judgement call, derived I would presume, because one holds differing doctrine. Is it love to teach sound doctrine and soundly derived doctrine, even if not everyone accepts it, so that the body of Christ grows into maturity and leaves childish ways? Would it be love to withhold it? I direct you to Paul's letters to Timothy. Is it love to pass judgement of the sort seen above, on fellow brethren, and cause division? Perhaps we could see some actual commentary and support on what the poster thinks is wrong with Reformed theology? And Without misstating the beliefs, resorting to personal experiences, or the use of inflammatory language to describe the doctrines in the theology?

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Call me guilty of sarcasm, but really so much for being spiritually alive that Sardis church eh?

Let me ask you this. Which group of people within Christianity is calling itself spiritually alive, and everyone else the dead church? Now read the Rev passage again. Only one group refers to themselves as that and they look alive what with all the noise, and dancing, and the rapid beat driven worship, just like at a rock concert, and magnificent displays of the Holy Spirit in them: unintelligible language, falling down, sometimes even barking. I am not making any judgement here, but when you brought up that passage, I couldn't help but think of my early teaching, that that was evidence of being alive and mature. Whereas sitting in a pew, having the actual scriptures expounded upon, awe and respect in the worship, behaving like a grownup, was a sign of a dead church.

 

[Arial]

I have a couple of things to add to this thread, then I am done here.

Guys, TULIP represents the FIVE points of Calvinism which are a summary of Reformed Theology soteriology. The interesting correlation here is that the Church of Sardis is also the FIFTH church addressed by Christ.

Also, by the way subtleties of reasoning do not substitute for Godly Wisdom. And the church in Sardis is full of subtlety of reasoning.

Anyway, I am not to judge any of you Calvinists out there, for it's between you and Christ whether you shall walk with Him in white.

And Free I am indebted to you for proving to me the nature of the true triune God.

Blessings! See ya in another thread. From now on, I am calling you Calvinists Sardists.

The love in that post and complete absence of judgement, overwhelms me!

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

What is Reformed Theology?​

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).

Authority of Scripture. Reformed theology teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice.

Sovereignty of God. 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.

Salvation by grace. 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 salvation is commonly represented by the acrostic TULIP (also known as the five points of Calvinism):

T - total depravity. 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).

U - unconditional election. 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).

L - limited atonement. Also called a “particular redemption.” 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).

I - irresistible grace. In his fallen state, man resists God’s love, but the grace of God working in his heart makes him desire what he 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).

P - perseverance of the saints. God protects His saints from falling away; thus, salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).

Gotquestions.org

I have some doubts on the P - what about the five bad churches in Revelation? What about the warning of falling away in 2 Thess. 2:3 - "that day will not come unless the falling away comes first"? In 1 Tim. 4:1 - in latter times some will depart from the faith? What about Jesus's own prediction of betrayal, deception and apostasy (Matt. 24:9-12)? Just retrospectively dismiss them by saying that those who fall away were not "saints" to begin with?

 

[JLB]

Again, define "reformed theology" first.

All I can do is give you my opinion since it’s an extra-biblical phrase, and is the commentary and opinion of men.

 

[JLB]

What is Reformed Theology?​

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).

Authority of Scripture. Reformed theology teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice.

Sovereignty of God. 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.

Salvation by grace. 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 salvation is commonly represented by the acrostic TULIP (also known as the five points of Calvinism):

T - total depravity. 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).

U - unconditional election. 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).

L - limited atonement. Also called a “particular redemption.” 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).

I - irresistible grace. In his fallen state, man resists God’s love, but the grace of God working in his heart makes him desire what he 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).

P - perseverance of the saints. God protects His saints from falling away; thus, salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).

Gotquestions.org

I’m sure these opinions are well meaning.

 

[JLB]

Of course Reformed theology agrees with that. The fact you even asked proves you don’t understand it.

Then no one should has any disagreement with the scriptures I post.

 

[atpollard]

What do you mean by "reformed theology"? The Reformation?

As a Particular Baptist, it means the “Doctrines of Grace” to me. There are many things from the Reformation and Westminster Confession of Faith that are contrary to Baptist Distinctives and what we see as Biblical Truths (we reject Paedobaptism).

So:

• Total Inability of man to initiate salvation
• Unconditional Election of man by God based on no innate merit in men
• Limited Atonement of Christ to effectively save actual people, rather than merely earn man a chance to be saved.
• Irresistible Grace of God that draws all who will be saved to the Son to be saved.
• Preservation of the Saints by the power of the Holy Spirit until our ultimate glorification.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

As a Particular Baptist, it means the “Doctrines of Grace” to me. There are many things from the Reformation and Westminster Confession of Faith that are contrary to Baptist Distinctives and what we see as Biblical Truths (we reject Paedobaptism).

So:

• Total Inability of man to initiate salvation
• Unconditional Election of man by God based on no innate merit in men
• Limited Atonement of Christ to effectively save actual people, rather than merely earn man a chance to be saved.
• Irresistible Grace of God that draws all who will be saved to the Son to be saved.
• Preservation of the Saints by the power of the Holy Spirit until our ultimate glorification.

OK, to me it's the five sola's (alones):

In God alone (as opposed to any other idols or deities);
In Christ alone (as opposed to any other access to God, any other ways of worship);
In grace alone (as opposed to merit, pedigree or pestige);
In faith alone (as opposed to work, especially religious observance);
In Scripture alone (as opposed to man made doctrines, traditions or extra-biblical books)

 

[Free]

Then no one should has any disagreement with the scriptures I post.

Of course not, but they may disagree with your personal understanding of any scriptures you post.

 

[electedbyHim]

Why would what Jesus taught need to be reformed?



Jesus admonished us to remain in Him.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6

Here is how we are instructed to remain in Him.


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24

You do not understand.

 

[electedbyHim]

I have some doubts on the P - what about the five bad churches in Revelation? What about the warning of falling away in 2 Thess. 2:3 - "that day will not come unless the falling away comes first"? In 1 Tim. 4:1 - in latter times some will depart from the faith? What about Jesus's own prediction of betrayal, deception and apostasy (Matt. 24:9-12)? Just retrospectively dismiss them by saying that those who fall away were not "saints" to begin with?

Apostates are not reborn christians, they are imposters.

Many claim to be saved but are not really saved.

Jesus' words come to mind.

I Never Knew You
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, in Your name did we not prophesy, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’
Matthew 7:23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

 

[hawkman]

The rules are this .

Bible Version References
All Bible verses and passages must be referenced (NASB, NIV, etc.) unless it is public domain like the KJV, YLT, etc.
Info on copyrights can be found at BibleGateway - Available Versions
This is not just a request, it's the law.

 

[Arial]

I have some doubts on the P - what about the five bad churches in Revelation? What about the warning of falling away in 2 Thess. 2:3 - "that day will not come unless the falling away comes first"? In 1 Tim. 4:1 - in latter times some will depart from the faith? What about Jesus's own prediction of betrayal, deception and apostasy (Matt. 24:9-12)? Just retrospectively dismiss them by saying that those who fall away were not "saints" to begin with?

Scripture interprets scripture. We do not pit one Scriptutre against another.

Did Jesus shed his blood on the cross to purchase a people for God?

Does Scripture say that Jesus will lose none of those the Father has given him?

Does Scripture say I Romans that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ?

Does Scripture say that he who began a good work in you will complete it?

Does Scripture say the there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?
Does Scripture say that Jesus will raise up on the last day all the Father gives him?
There is a preponderance of Scriptural evidence and logic based on who God is, that says we cannot lose our Salvation.

Therefore those scriptures that sound like they say we can lose our salvation must be contextually searched to find what they are saying.

2 Thess 2---that word "apostasy" is rendered in some translations as "rebellion". It is the description of a rebellion that follows through verse 12. So the falling away can be those who once professed to faith but in times of persecution abandoned even the profession, showing it was profession only, not confession in a heart sense. They became part of the rebellion against God and his people, the church.

1 Tim 4:1 "depart from the faith", not their faith.

 

[Fastfredy0]

Why would what Jesus taught need to be reformed?

Rolling On the Floor Laughing.

electedbyHim (hyperbolic editorial)
To "reform" is to make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.

Jesus/God is perfect and thus there is no reason to reform what He has said. Therefore, the reformation must be a waste of effort. We should go back to what Jesus said and disregard these erroneous changes that the reformation is trying to establish. We should go back to the abuses and totalitarian control that the Roman Catholic Church put in place. The line of Roman Catholic popes extends through the centuries all the way from the apostle Peter to the current pope and this obviously should not be reformed. The reformation tried to show that indulgences were not biblical; this did not need changing. And it gets worse for the reformation tried to establish the bible as the only source of revelation rather than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. This also did not need to be changed. The pope and bishops know best and are the only ones that should add to scripture like the work of Mary in regard to the forgiveness of our sins; again, not need for reformation ... God forbid.
... and furthermore, the reformation tries to establish salvation by faith alone. The R.C. churches stance on the need for "works" for salvation did NOT need to be reformed. It's obvious that to some extent we earn our salvation by self-determine whether to believe or not and then doing works to earn it.

Perhaps, since I am of the "reformed" persuasion I should re-evaluate my stance.

 

[electedbyHim]

Rolling On the Floor Laughing.

electedbyHim (hyperbolic editorial)
To "reform" is to make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.

Jesus/God is perfect and thus there is no reason to reform what He has said. Therefore, the reformation must be a waste of effort. We should go back to what Jesus said and disregard these erroneous changes that the reformation is trying to establish. We should go back to the abuses and totalitarian control that the Roman Catholic Church put in place. The line of Roman Catholic popes extends through the centuries all the way from the apostle Peter to the current pope and this obviously should not be reformed. The reformation tried to show that indulgences were not biblical; this did not need changing. And it gets worse for the reformation tried to establish the bible as the only source of revelation rather than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. This also did not need to be changed. The pope and bishops know best and are the only ones that should add to scripture like the work of Mary in regard to the forgiveness of our sins; again, not need for reformation ... God forbid.
... and furthermore, the reformation tries to establish salvation by faith alone. The R.C. churches stance on the need for "works" for salvation did NOT need to be reformed. It's obvious that to some extent we earn our salvation by self-determine whether to believe or not and then doing works to earn it.

Perhaps, since I am of the "reformed" persuasion I should re-evaluate my stance.

Wow, I need to use that.

Ha.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Apostates are not reborn christians, they are imposters.

Many claim to be saved but are not really saved.

Then what about the five bad churches in Rev. 2-3? If they were all "imposters", Lord Jesus wouldn't have bothered to address and chastise them. He KNEW their works.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

There is a preponderance of Scriptural evidence and logic based on who God is, that says we cannot lose our Salvation.

We cannot lose our salvation, but we can lose our reward. Sadly most don't know the difference.

 

[JLB]

You do not understand.

Here’s what I understand.


Jesus admonished us to remain in Him.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6

Jesus plainly stated that if anyone does not remain in Him they would be gather up and thrown into the fire and burned.




Here is how we are instructed to remain in Him.

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24

 

[JLB]

Jesus/God is perfect and thus there is no reason to reform what He has said.

I agree.


Why not read, and study and teach what He and His apostles said that what man teaches?

 

[Arial]

We cannot lose our salvation, but we can lose our reward. Sadly most don't know the difference.

For example: Everything built on the foundation (doctrine) that the apostles laid with wood, hay or straw--- 1 Cor 3:10-15 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other that that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw---each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (ESV)

The shepherds put over a flock as teachers are most accountable. But all of us should be much more careful of what we teach, making sure it is biblically sound, that it is not building on the foundation with things that are not true. Every one I suppose, thinks that whatever they believe at the moment is true. But our growth in understanding should be growing all our lives. We may come to realize as we pursue the knowledge of God and study his word, that what we were first taught and believed, was missing the mark. That there is more, and a time comes to put away childish things, and move towards a vertical view----God down to us---rather than never leave the horizontal---God and life viewed from the human perspective only. To seek him and the things of God, and not just the "loaves and fishes".

We can't do that if we lock ourselves into one way of thinking and believing and resisting the growth and change God is working in us. Shutting our ears to the voices he sends, comfortable where we are. We always have his word to check all that we hear and we should do that. We always can go before his throne of grace and ask for the grace we need to hear and understand, for sanctification, to ask for his help to not confuse communing with him and communing with our own mind. A seeking his truth not our own. There needs to be an element of "No matter what." and "Even if I don't like it." when we do that.