Faith Icon

[Sidheil]

What exactly is the Calvinist faith icon?

 

[heymikey80]

What exactly is the Calvinist faith icon?

It's a tulip and Cross.

Generally, the question of "Calvinist" is over the Canons of Dordt. Somewhere around here there's a listing of which confessions are accepted, but this one is the watershed for the "Reformed" or "Calvinist" name.

There are other items in "Reformed" thought beyond its view of salvation; they are generally discussed in Semper Reformanda among those who hold to Calvinist views of salvation.

 

[Sidheil]

It's a tulip and Cross.

Is it really? Wow, I did not get that. Okay, thanks for the response.

 

[Sidheil]

Generally, the question of "Calvinist" is over the Canons of Dordt. Somewhere around here there's a listing of which confessions are accepted, but this one is the watershed for the "Reformed" or "Calvinist" name.

There are other items in "Reformed" thought beyond its view of salvation; they are generally discussed in Semper Reformanda among those who hold to Calvinist views of salvation.

I see what you're saying here. I really don't know much about Reformed theology, but it caught my attention, and what I do know I find myself agreeing with.

 

[A New Dawn]

My faith icon is the Calvinist icon. It is a tulip with a cross over it.

There is more to reformed theology than just believing in the Doctrines of Grace. It is generally agreed that all who carry a Calvinist icon agree with the Doctrines of Grace, but not all go on to believe all of reformed theology. I, personally, believe in dispensationalism rather than covenantalism, which many who are reformed believe in.

 

[Sidheil]

My faith icon is the Calvinist icon. It is a tulip with a cross over it.

There is more to reformed theology than just believing in the Doctrines of Grace. It is generally agreed that all who carry a Calvinist icon agree with the Doctrines of Grace, but not all go on to believe all of reformed theology. I, personally, believe in dispensationalism rather than covenantalism, which many who are reformed believe in.

Interesting...I do agree with the Doctrines of Grace, but I'm not well enough educated on Reformed thought to have a definite stance on much else. Oh, from what I understand about covenantalism I agree with that too...but what I understand isn't much. Any tips on where to begin learning more?

 

[ChristianDude123]

Any tips on where to begin learning more?

The two places you should look are the Bible and the historic Reformed confessions. My denomination holds the the Heidelberg Catechism, The Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort. The Westminister Confession/Catechism are also good sources. If you have baptistic leanings, the 1689 London Baptist Confession is good also.

 

[Sidheil]

The two places you should look are the Bible and the historic Reformed confessions. My denomination holds the the Heidelberg Catechism, The Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort. The Westminister Confession/Catechism are also good sources. If you have baptistic leanings, the 1689 London Baptist Confession is good also.

Thanks, I'll do that.

 

[kenrapoza]

As previously mentioned, the Reformed Confessions are definitely a good place to start. If you want some contemporary introductory reading, these books are really good:

What is Reformed Theology by RC Sproul - Introduces both the 5 points of Calvinism and Covenant Theology

The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel by James Montgomery Boice - Focuses on the 5 points of Calvinism

God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Mike Horton - This book really fleshes out covenant theology and it's implications for understanding scripture, redemptive history and salvation. It includes an extended discussion of the sacraments and how they relate as covenant signs and seals. This book may not be the easiest reading for the uninitiated, but it is amazingly enlightening.

 

[heymikey80]

Interesting...I do agree with the Doctrines of Grace, but I'm not well enough educated on Reformed thought to have a definite stance on much else. Oh, from what I understand about covenantalism I agree with that too...but what I understand isn't much. Any tips on where to begin learning more?

My favorite introductory books on covenantal thought are unfortunately from books out of print. Like Robertson's "Covenants". The Two-Covenant approach or even the Covenant of Redemption principle has some extremely well-developed concepts, but they're not easy to derive from Scripture without understanding the nuances of the texts they're pulling from. On the other hand, a covenantal approach is broader, but subject to more shades of understanding as to how the explicitly-stated covenants are related to the intent God has for His people through each explicit covenant.

I always recommend Boettner's "Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" for the Five Points. I'm pretty sure it's online at ccel.org. It's a good overview.

 

[Sidheil]

As previously mentioned, the Reformed Confessions are definitely a good place to start. If you want some contemporary introductory reading, these books are really good:

What is Reformed Theology by RC Sproul - Introduces both the 5 points of Calvinism and Covenant Theology

The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel by James Montgomery Boice - Focuses on the 5 points of Calvinism

God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Mike Horton - This book really fleshes out covenant theology and it's implications for understanding scripture, redemptive history and salvation. It includes an extended discussion of the sacraments and how they relate as covenant signs and seals. This book may not be the easiest reading for the uninitiated, but it is amazingly enlightening.

Hm...is it not easy reading because it requires previous knowledge, or is it just difficult writing?

 

[Sidheil]

My favorite introductory books on covenantal thought are unfortunately from books out of print. Like Robertson's "Covenants". The Two-Covenant approach or even the Covenant of Redemption principle has some extremely well-developed concepts, but they're not easy to derive from Scripture without understanding the nuances of the texts they're pulling from. On the other hand, a covenantal approach is broader, but subject to more shades of understanding as to how the explicitly-stated covenants are related to the intent God has for His people through each explicit covenant.

I always recommend Boettner's "Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" for the Five Points. I'm pretty sure it's online at ccel.org. It's a good overview.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[kenrapoza]

It's not because you require previous knowledge (Horton assumes that you are unfamiliar with the material), but that it's written in such a way that there is sometimes a lot to digest in a single sentence or paragraph. There's some meat to it and he words things in a way that packs the thoughts pretty tightly. It's a good thing, but you may find yourself re-reading a sentence or paragraph here and there to ensure comprehension. I don't want to give the impression that it's overly difficult, if you're used to reading at least a moderate amount of stuff regularly then you will be fine.

 

[Sidheil]

It's not because you require previous knowledge (Horton assumes that you are unfamiliar with the material), but that it's written in such a way that there is sometimes a lot to digest in a single sentence or paragraph. There's some meat to it and he words things in a way that packs the thoughts pretty tightly. It's a good thing, but you may find yourself re-reading a sentence or paragraph here and there to ensure comprehension. I don't want to give the impression that it's overly difficult, if you're used to reading at least a moderate amount of stuff regularly then you will be fine.

Sounds good. I like my books with a bit of substance to them.

 

[file13]

Hm...is it not easy reading because it requires previous knowledge, or is it just difficult writing?

BTW: You can watch the entire video series of What is Reformed Theology here:

What Is Reformed Theology? Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries

Ditto with two other works most Reformed people would agree are if not modern day classic, at least pretty darned good:

Chosen By God Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries
The Holiness of God Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries

All of these basically follow Sproul's books by the same name. So yeah, free and don't require reading! Good good stuff!

 

[Sidheil]

BTW: You can watch the entire video series of What is Reformed Theology here:

What Is Reformed Theology? Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries

Ditto with two other works most Reformed people would agree are if not modern day classic, at least pretty darned good:

Chosen By God Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries
The Holiness of God Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries

All of these basically follow Sproul's books by the same name. So yeah, free and don't require reading! Good good stuff!

Nice! Now that I'm back to a real computer I'll take a look at them.