Essence of Reformed Theology

[JM]

What is the essence of Reformed theology?

 

[ClementofRome]

What is the essence of Reformed theology?

If by "essence" you mean a singular crucial element, I would have to say that it does not exist. If by "essence" you mean crucial principles I would say that they would be the Creation>Fall>Redemption>Consummation motif of Scripture,TULIP, and the 5 Solas. Reformed Theology cannot be so easily boiled down to a singular crucial thing, but must be understood in light of its whole. I once heard it said that if you remove 1 of the letters of TULIP the entire theology comes crashing down with it. I would agree to a large extent, but would say that Reformed Theology is so much MORE than TULIP.

Maybe if you are looking for a singlar element it would be GRACE....but then again that would be many theologies.

 

[Jon_]

I think the essence of Reformed Theology is the five solas and the acrostic, TULIP. This is the core, althought not the whole, of Reformed, i.e. biblical, faith.

If I had to narrow it down to a single doctrine, though, it would easily be Sola Scriptura. Without Sola Scriptura, all of Reformed Theology is nothing more than speculation. If Scripture Alone is a false premise, then the word "Reformed" does not mean a thing.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

There is a gripe I have about much of the teaching within the church today, and it is not solely a weakness of the TULIP so much as it is a chink in all of the armor of God. It is a concentration on either the depravity or the salvation of man with no contextual information about just how far we have fallen.

The doctine that all that God made was pleasing to His eyes in the beginning shows us better what it is that we are saved to, not just what we are saved from. Because of this unmentioned fact, people are led to believe that "getting right with God" means saying a quick prayer and being done with it. The ticket is punched and the reservations are in.

While I have not seen as much of that in Reformed circles, much less than arminian groups actually, I believe that a proper theological teaching cannot begin with Total Depravity. Yes, people do realize that they are sinners to the core when they take an honest look at themselves, but that is like beginning a story in the middle of the book. We need to stress the goodness of creation and the fact that the creation will be redeemed, including our bodies, because we are exceedingly valuable. We are made in the image and likeness of God, even before our effectual calling.

This is in the confessions, and it is good that it is there. But are we beginning with this value that man has or are we beginning with the fall of man in our evangelism? Some may say that this sort of preaching would sound like the cotton candy gospel of the new-paradigm church, but I say that it doesn't. If you fall off a chair, it's only a couple feet to the ground. If you fall from a ladder, it hurts much more. And when man realizes that we were created to remain on that ladder and are unable to climb it on our own, Total Depravity takes on a new reality. Once we have established the chief end of man, we are able to contextualize how far we have fallen and how much we owe our creator.

Let us quote the references of this to ourselves as we live out the fact that this creation is worth restoring. The death and resurrection of Christ tells us the value of His creation and the glory of His redemption.

 

[StAnselm]

I would have gone for, "the Sovereignty of God".

 

[McWilliams]

I would have gone for, "the Sovereignty of God".

Yes, I agree! Semper reformanda, always reforming! The total focus is on a holy, sovereign God, high and lifted up! Its not about what we do but totally about what God IS, does, will do! It is so clear, so pure, no muddled ideas or opinions but totally, always God focused! That is the very essence of reformed theology!

 

[frumanchu]

What is the essence of Reformed theology?

The holiness of God (see Isaiah 6)

 

[Erinwilcox]

In some ways, the doctrine OF God is the essence of Reformed theology. Since there is such a difference between the God (i.e. how much He is glorified, how holy He is, how much power He has, how He uses that power, His honor in the salvation of man, etc) that many serve and the God that the Reformed serve, one way to sum up the essence is in the doctrine of God Himself.

 

[DrWarfield]

The essence of Reformed Theology is Covenant Theology.

 

[JJB]

Welcome to SR, DrWarfield!

 

[Erinwilcox]

The essence of Reformed Theology is Covenant Theology.

Is it?!? I hope not! I have no problem with my brethren who believe in Covenant Theology (especially since I have a much better understanding of it now and many of you are now my friends), rather I love you all dearly. But if the above statement is true, than I AM NOT REFORMED!!!!!
But I AM!!!! Don't kick me out!!!!!

But, isn't Reformed Theology supposed to be about God? Isn't there a huge difference between our thoughts of God as opposed to the non-Reformed's thoughts of God? Isn't it supposed to be God-centered? Somebody explain it to me! Is this a correct assertion?

 

[Erinwilcox]

You know, I haven't gotten a reply to the last post yet! I'm starting to get a little worried!

 

[Jon_]

You know, I haven't gotten a reply to the last post yet! I'm starting to get a little worried!

I thought Covenant Theology was a strange reply as well, but it is a part of Reformed Theology. I mean, Reformed certainly doesn't mean Dispensational.

*Gasp*

Say it isn't so, Erin... You're not a... dispy!?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Erinwilcox]

I thought Covenant Theology was a strange reply as well, but it is a part of Reformed Theology. I mean, Reformed certainly doesn't mean Dispensational.

*Gasp*

Say it isn't so, Erin... You're not a... dispy!?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

AHHH! You may now give a sigh of relief! No!!!!! I'm not a dispy! I'm very, very, very, very far from it. I'm just not a paedobaptist. If you want my end-times views, I'm an A-mill.

 

[Jon_]

AHHH! You may now give a sigh of relief! No!!!!! I'm not a dispy! I'm very, very, very, very far from it. I'm just not a paedobaptist. If you want my end-times views, I'm an A-mill.

Oooh, she's a smart baptist. She realizes that Covenant Theology necessarily implies paedobaptism. Sooo, uh... what's your sign?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[michaelmonfre]

I Prefer The Acronym Tulep Vice Tulip. The E Means Effectual Grace Instead Of Irresistable Grace.

The Word Draw In John 6:44 Means "to Drag" Reformers Love Ephesians Chapter 1 And John 6:44 And Romans 9.

The Only Solas I Know Is Sola Scriptura And Sola Fide.

God Is Certainly Sovereign And Holy But Also Caring And Compassionate And Involved With His Children. I Am Hoping To See More Reformed Books On God's Emotions.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

Interesting thread. I don't know what I would say to be the "essence" of Reformed theology. All the things mentioned are interwoven like fabric. I am leaning toward Sola Scriptura though, because if we don't have a rule or standard to go by, everything else deteriorates quickly.


CC&E

 

[cygnusx1]

What is the essence of Reformed theology?

this about sums it up for me .......... and it is a quote

WHAT THE DEBATE IS about:​

While we need to look at certain subjects on their own, we need to remember that they all fit together like a jig saw picture. We cannot isolate the various arguments, but we can lift them out for examination on their own.




​

​

1) A CRUX ISSUE IN THE CALVINISM DEBATE IS WHETHER OR NOT GOD HAS ORDAINED ALL THAT COMES TO PASS…INCLUDING SINFUL ACTS.​

​

Calvinists believe that God has a plan and, basically, any event which comes to pass has been included in this plan. Nothing, repeat nothing, therefore happens by chance or outside the plan of God. We believe this on the basis of statements like the following:


​

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11)​

​

We know that God's working extends to small matters (Proverbs 16:33/Matthew 10:29) and great matters (Daniel 4:25/35) We know that it includes sinful deeds, including the deeds of wicked men at the Cross (Acts 2:23) Such working does not in any man force the hand of the creature.​

​

The making of an event certain does not make it necessary and therefore God can remain sovereign and pure, while man is responsible and sinful. God makes the wrath of man to praise Him (Psalm 76:10) while still punishing man for that wrath.


The enquirer has to establish whether Calvinists are right in so believing. Remember, Calvinists do not hold God to be the author of any sin. Nor do we believe that men are robots. But we do believe that whatever happens has been ordained of God. It is because of this that Calvinists can consistently believe in Romans 8:28

​

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)​

​

​

If God has done something - or is about to do something - then He was always going to do it. He is immutable i.e. He cannot change His mind (Malachi 3:6/Numbers 23:19/James 1:17) or change His plans or adopt something new. Therefore He must have planned to do what He eventually does or allows to be done.​

If Calvinists are right, then this perfect plan of God extends to the most important matter of all…the salvation of precious souls. Calvinists believe that all who will be eventually saved have been saved purely on the basis of God's sovereign grace. Those who will be eventually lost were never in God's salvation plan. Calvinists do not believe that men are damned without any reference to their sins. The immediate cause of spiritual death is sin (Romans 6:23) and Calvinism affirms this as much as any school in Christendom. No man is in hell without the right to be there.

If Calvinists are wrong in this overall belief that God has ordained whatsoever comes to pass, then you have to come up with a viable alternative which still allows God to be God. Bluntly speaking, I cannot see what alternative there is. You will reduce God to being helpless or a mere spectator in His own universe. You will rob believers of their assurance in prayer because if God is not absolutely sovereign but is under some obligation to wicked men, then how can we pray with any confidence that we are not overstepping some boundary behind which God has caged Himself in?

Under careful consideration of all what is revealed in the Bible, I think the earnest Bible student will come to accept the Calvinistic interpretation.

​

SUMMARY: You must decide how sovereign is God as revealed by the Bible. Absolutely sovereign or with a reduced sovereignty.​

http://www.geocities.com/cfpchurch/simplified.html
​

​

 

[Erinwilcox]

Oooh, she's a smart baptist. She realizes that Covenant Theology necessarily implies paedobaptism. Sooo, uh... what's your sign?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

My, umm, sign? Didn't you know that all Reformed Baptists are smart baptists?!? So, since you wouldn't call me Reformed since you believe that Covenant theology is a vital part of Reformed theology, what would you call me? "A Flaming Calvinist Who is a . . .(blooped out because she lacks the essential ingredient to be called this word) Baptist?"

 

[cygnusx1]

Is it?!? I hope not! I have no problem with my brethren who believe in Covenant Theology (especially since I have a much better understanding of it now and many of you are now my friends), rather I love you all dearly. But if the above statement is true, than I AM NOT REFORMED!!!!!
But I AM!!!! Don't kick me out!!!!!

But, isn't Reformed Theology supposed to be about God? Isn't there a huge difference between our thoughts of God as opposed to the non-Reformed's thoughts of God? Isn't it supposed to be God-centered? Somebody explain it to me! Is this a correct assertion?

Covenant Theology is varied , some hold as many Covenants as Dipsy's hold dispensations ..... I accept 'The Covenant of Grace' , as for the rest ........ I am a Reformed baptist with Covenant leanings , God is interested in families , but there is no scriptural qualification for certainty of the conversion of the children of believers , I mean Jacob and Esau were twins , and Isaac and Ishmael were half brothers etc etc ......