Is Reformed Theology a good theology?

[Xeno.of.athens]

Should we ask our Lutheran and Catholic brethren here, such as @JM and @RileyG ? Lutherans and Catholics may have slightly different viewpoints from Evangelical folks. I am Catholic myself, but not a hardcore one.

I too am a Catholic.

 

[AlexB23]

I too am a Catholic.

Same, and I can tell, obviously by your avatar.

 

[Richard T]

First, I think that Jesus took the sins of the whole world, not a subset. Atonement is available for all. Secondly, God offers the gift of salvation to every man. Some have sins and other impediments but ultimately they will be judged on whether they accepted Jesus as Lord or not. Judgment would appear to be quite weak if God had predetermined who would be saved.
Also believers have a part in who goes to heaven or hell. Evidence of this is found in the OT where God told the prophets who did not prophesize correctly that blood would be on their hands, for such a failure. Also, the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, and many other scriptures indicate that what saints do in this life will bring more people to Christ. Intercession goes way back to Abraham and Moses and still works today. Find a church that focuses on prayer and intercessions for more salvations and you will see it growing and getting people saved. Find a church with basically no prayer and you will see very little. This does not mean that reform believers do not pray or evangelize but just like non-reform churches their results for the kingdom are based on prayer. Of course salvation is not based on works, but prayer and the gifts of the spirit in operation sure do help others.

 

[Andrewn]

Is Reformed Theology a sound and reliable theological framework?

Stay as far as you can from Reformed Theology. It is wrong, IMHO.

What specific recommendations or methods do you propose that I adopt in order to achieve a nearly perfect and comprehensive understanding of the Bible, ensuring that my interpretation aligns closely with the original intent and meaning of the Scriptures?

Read books by NT Wright. He is arguably the most famous theologian alive.

 

[Lukaris]

I believe a Christian can find their confession whether within an Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant understanding. There will be good and bad examples among them all. None of us should embrace a reckless ecumenism and we need to carefully discern. For ex. while I am not under the Pope of Rome as an Orthodox Christian, I would gladly listen to what former Pope Benedict XVI had to say while I have nothing against Pope Francis, I avoid his witness of faith.

Reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a big help on matters like this.

 

[Andrewn]

I believe a Christian can find their confession whether within an Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant understanding.

Calvinism As Heresy - Glory to God For All Things

Met. Jonah of the OCA today addressed a group of conservative Anglicans. In the course of outlining what would be necessary for true ecumenical dialog and union, he stated, “the renunciation of Calvinism as a heresy.” This probably came as a surprise to many of the evangelical Anglicans in the...

glory2godforallthings.com

 

[Daniel9v9]

Actually, Catholics refer to the Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, and the Magisterium, which serves as a judicial body to resolve contentious matters. The brief statement mentioned above may be somewhat misleading.

Apologies if that's misleading. It's not intended to be.

Yes, the bishops in communion with the Pope form the Magisterium, of which he's the head and held as the Vicar of Christ.

From the RC Catechism:

"... the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted ..."

"Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God in which, as in a mirror, the pilgrim Church contemplates God, the source of all her riches."

"The Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes"

"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him."

"The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."

All of this is sometimes summed up as "the Church", though I find it helpful to specify it as the Roman Catholic Church.

 

[HarleyER]

Is Reformed Theology a sound and reliable theological framework?
What specific recommendations or methods do you propose that I adopt in order to achieve a nearly perfect and comprehensive understanding of the Bible, ensuring that my interpretation aligns closely with the original intent and meaning of the Scriptures?

May I recommend monergism.com? It will give you a good comprehension of the issues (synergism vs monergism). I would also recommend reading the Westminster Confession of Faith and the London Baptist Confession of Faith.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I find it helpful to specify it as the Roman Catholic Church.

Indeed, the term "Roman Catholic" is used by many, with varying capitalization, but the Catholic Church refers to itself simply as the Catholic Church, as evidenced by the title of its catechism.

 

[Lukaris]

Calvinism As Heresy - Glory to God For All Things

Met. Jonah of the OCA today addressed a group of conservative Anglicans. In the course of outlining what would be necessary for true ecumenical dialog and union, he stated, “the renunciation of Calvinism as a heresy.” This probably came as a surprise to many of the evangelical Anglicans in the...

glory2godforallthings.com

I know this stuff gets complicated depending on the situation. A Calvinist who would want to be Orthodox would have to renounce Calvinism. In another situation though a Christian Calvinist who just lives their life by the Lord’s commandments is just trying to live by faith as I should also be doing. I wonder who the Lord would say is the heretic if I called the Calvinist a “heretic”?

 

[Andrewn]

I wonder who the Lord would say is the heretic if I called the Calvinist a “heretic”?

We all have heretical opinions in the view of those who hold different opinions. I have wonderful Reformed, Baptist, and Jehovah's Witnesses friends. I would not call them "heretics." However, the Eastern Orthodox have rejected their theologies.

 

[Mark Quayle]

It appears that your underlying assumptions are becoming evident, particularly the principle of sola scriptura.

You say that like it's a bad thing!

 

[Mark Quayle]

It appears that your underlying assumptions are becoming evident, particularly the principle of sola scriptura.

You say that like it's a bad thing!

 

[Mark Quayle]

It appears that your underlying assumptions are becoming evident, particularly the principle of sola scriptura.

You say that like it's a bad thing!

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

You say that like it's a bad thing!

Objectively, it may be considered a bad thing; however, from a Calvinist perspective, it could be seen as good.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Objectively, it may be considered a bad thing; however, from a Calvinist perspective, it could be seen as good.

Is there someone among us that considers things objectively?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Is there someone among us that considers things objectively?

Christ, and through Christ his Church.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Christ, and through Christ his Church.

Christ, for sure. His church ...not so much. The individual members of his church ...not even one considers things objectively.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Christ, for sure. His church ...not so much. The individual members of his church ...not even one considers things objectively.

Your post appears to endorse a form of theological relativism.

 

[LayHong_Loves_Christ]

Reformed Theology (RT) offers a full and insightful explanation of the Gospel's deep meaning.
There is no wrong teaching in RT.