What is Reformed Theology?
Those who hold to a Reformed faith often have one main problem with other types of theology, especially in disagreement, and that is in the simple fact that most people do not understand what Reformed Theology really is. There are a ton of misconceptions, however, the main one is that people believe we are either hardcore determinists or fatalists. Others seem to propose that those who hold to a Reformed theology most likely believe that we are unfeeling robots, that we shouldn't evangelize since we believe that people will come to faith no matter what.
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I hope that this section can give you at least a general idea of what we believe and why. I hope to explain, or at least, briefly touch on, the main parts of what we believe. In this section I plan to only touch on the parts of the faith that set us apart from the faith of others and not the entire faith, as a whole. For an entire systematic theology as to what we believe I highly recommend you check out our Book Recommendation section!
Sola Scriptura
"Scripture Alone"
When the Reformers use the phrase "Sola Scriptura" we simply mean that Scripture is the final authority; we do not mean that there are no other documents in use as an authority, however, we maintain that Scripture, alone, is inspired by God, and thus is the document of Special Revelation that all other documents must be held to. Sacred Tradition is of no account in Sola Scriptura.
(1 Corinthians 4:6; Luke 1:1-4; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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Sola Fide
"Faith Alone"
The phrase "by faith alone" is the merit of which we are saved - thus it is not of us but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This was the central doctrine in which the Reformation began. Justification, or, a right standing with God, is simply by faith alone and by nothing in the person. We can supply no meritorious work nor can we appeal to God in any other way for our salvation other than by faith.
(Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
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Sola Gratia
"Grace Alone"
The phrase "by grace alone" means that it is one hundred percent by the grace of God that we are saved and not by our own merit. We could not merit our own salvation, and, if we could, it would not be by grace as it would be earned which would be completely contrary to Scripture. Grace alone is that by which we receive faith.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
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Solus Christus
"Christ Alone"
Christ alone is through Who we receive mediation through both His active obedience and His passive obedience. Through His oblation we receive propitiation and through His resurrection we are justified. We are not saved by the intercession of the saints, nor by any other are we thereby justified. It is by Christ, and Christ alone.
(John 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; 1 Timothy 2:5)
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Soli Deo Gloria
"Glory to God, Alone"
For the final point of the Five Solas we are annunciating how the only One to receive any glory for the work in salvation is God, and not in any way the church. Through any and all parts of the Covenant of Redemption there is only One who planned it, followed through with it, and applied it, and that is our perfect, Triune God.
(Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 96:1-3; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
Total Depravity
"Total Inability"
When we talk about Total Depravity we do not mean that men are as bad as they can be. This is why we disagree with the naming of this point as "Total Depravity." It is more in line with the true meaning of the phrase to suggest that we, as men, are incapable of grasping or understanding the things of God. We are spiritually dead. We cannot, and will not, choose the things of God in our fallen, sinful, and dead nature. To explain, we can still make choices in our spiritually dead nature, and the choice of the things of God exist and are present. But we will only choose things that are in line with our natural inclination until rebirth from above.
(John 3:3,5; Ephesians 2:1; Psalm 143:2; Romans 11:31)
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Unconditional Election
"Sovereign Election"
While the phrasing of "Unconditional Election" is accurate, it is probably the most hotly refuted. The premise of our election being unconditional is based upon the idea that God chooses those for whom salvation will be placed based upon nothing done or within that person but upon His (God's) own good pleasure. Our election is not based upon a "looking down the corridor of time," nor is it based upon anything we would do, but upon God who "will be merciful on who He will be merciful." Unconditional Election is probably the hardest-to-accept point of Calvinism, even more-so than Limited Atonement.
(John 6:65; Ephesians 1:4-5, 1:11; Romans 9:11-13; 2 Timothy 1:9)
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Limited Atonement
"Definite Atonement"
The phrase "limited atonement" is not attractive to behold. The direct implications, which many see, is that not all will have the opportunity for salvation, but that is simply not the root of what is meant. Both Arminians and Calvinists limit the atonement. It is simply the object of the limitation that is under dispute. Arminians limit the effectiveness of the atonement - in other words, Arminians limit the power of the atonement of the souls of those saved. Calvinists would suggest that the atonement is limited in the reception rather than in ability. The atonement does what it was meant to do effectively and completely, therefore, suggesting that the phrase be changed to "definite atonement" is more accurate.
(John 6:35-40, 10:11, 14-18,17:1-11; Matthew 1:21; Ephesians 5:25-27)
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Irresistible Grace
"Effectual Grace"
This point of the Doctrines of Grace is often the biggest "Gotcha!" People proof-text instances when people resisted grace and claim it makes the entire thing fall. However, that is not what is meant when we use the phrase "Irresistible Grace." The idea behind this point is that, when God so deems it time, His elect will be regenerated. There will be no resistance in the way of not being regenerated; it just happens. When God, of His own volition, so deems it time, you will be born again - just as you had no say of when you were born of your mother, you have no say as to when you are born of your Father. The grace of God, in this instance, is in effect, irresistible. But, for the sake of reason, we prefer "Effectual Grace," or, grace that is effective.
(John 6:37, 44, 10:16, Romans 8:28-30, 32)
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Perseverance of the Saints
"Preservation of the Saints"
In our understanding of the Perseverance of the Saints, or, the Preservation of the Saints, we see it so plainly understood in Scripture that God predestines the ends of our resting in His heavenly places, as well as the means that will get us there. For instance, we do not suggest that post "regeneration" you can live in an antinomian lifestyle and make it to heaven, as we would say you were never of us. Rather, your perseverance in the faith is both ordained by God through means that will encourage you, as well as sanctify you leading you to live a life more representative of Christ and the salvation for that of which you have been called.
(John 3:16, 5:24; 6:35-40; Romans 8:29-30, 35-39; Ephesians 1:13-14)