Distinctive Marks of Reformed Theology
Rev. Marcus J. Serven, Th.M
(part 5 of 14)
The Doctrine of Predestination::
By God’s sovereign decree he predestines the Elect to everlasting life and he damns the Reprobate to everlasting judgement (i.e. Douple Predestination or Supralapsarian). Some within the Reformed community believe that God predestines the Elect to life, but passes by the others leaving them in their fallen condition (i.e. the doctrine of Preterition or the Infroalapsarian view of the decrees of God). In either case, the Reprobate ultimately follow their wicked and sinful nature to its destructive end (John 6:37-40, 17:9-11; Romans 9:6-13, 22-24; I Peter 2:7-8). Thus, Reformed theologians emphasize the sovereign grace of God in salvation and reject the notion that God chooses the Elect on the basis of their good works or their personal decision through the means of Divine Foreknowledge. The Reformed steadfastly assert that God alone determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation (Divine Monergism). Salvation is not determined by fallen man’s autonomous decision apart from God (Evangelical Arminian theology).
Distinctive Marks of Reformed Theology
Rev. Marcus J. Serven, Th.M
(part 4 of 14)
The Doctrine of the Law of God::
The Reformed generally believe that the Law of God breaks into three categories: the Moral Law (Ten Commandments) which is eternal, the Ceremonial Law which was completely fulfilled through the sacrificial death of Christ, and the Civil Law which passed away with the end of the nation of Israel. The Law of God both convicts as individual of sin and is a tutor in leading the sinner to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The Moral Law has not been abolished by Christ (Matthew 5:17-20). Instead, it is an eternal standard of righteousness for holy living (Romans 3:31), and a way unto life for every Believer (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 19). There are some Reformed theologians who favor a Theonomist view of the Law. Essentially, a Theonomist would argue that the Law must be seen as a single document and cannot be broken into three categories. Hence, every aspect of the Law (except that which has been fulfilled by Christ) is relevant and applicable for today. This theological position has also been known as Christian Reconstruction (Bahnsen, Chilton, DeMar, North, Rushdoony). A moderating position in regards to the Civil Law extends the principles into the present day, but not the exact particulars.
Distinctive Marks of Reformed Theology
Rev. Marcus J. Serven, Th.M
(part 3 of 14)
The Doctrine of Man & Sin:
All mankind is totally depraved and completely unable to save himself from God’s wrath (Total Inability). Adam’s sin is immediately imputed to all humanity, so that all are born in original sin. Most Reformed theologians believe that man was created by God on the sixth day and did not evolve from lower life forms. Thus, the evolutionary process is rejected as completely spurious. Each human being is created in the image of God, the Imago Dei, and although this is tarnished at the Fall its distinguishing marks are not removed altogether (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12, 6:23).
Distinctive Marks of Reformed Theology
Rev. Marcus J. Serven, Th.M
(part 2 of 14)
The Doctrine of Holy Scripture:
Historically, the Reformed have always held to a high view of Holy Scripture – the full verbal plenary inspiration, total infallibility, and complete inerrancy of the Bible, Scripure alone, or Sola Scriptura, is the Reformation’s affirmation that the Bible is man’s sole source of authority (John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). There are some in the Reformed world who have sought to avoid a Reformed Scholasticism by adopting a view of inspiration called limited inerrancy (Bloesch, McKim, Rogers). This effort has failed and has led, instead, to advancing the views of Neo-Orthodoxy and a truncated view of inspiration (Barth, Brunner, Jewett).
Continuing my posting of the refreshing things we heard at our Church Last Thursday…
Distinctive Marks of Reformed Theology
Rev. Marcus J. Serven, Th.M.
(part 1 of 14)
The Doctrine of God & the Trinity:
Reformed theologians place a resolute emphasis on the holy, sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, immutable, eternal attributes of God. The Lord has Chosen to reveal Himself in the Bible as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is not a portrayal of three individual gods (Tri-theism), but of three persons by whom God is fully revealed (Monotheism). The make-up of the Trinity is such that each of the persons is equal in in substance, glory, and power---yet different in function, role, and activity. Each divine person seeks to serve the wishes of the others.
Our church recently had a visiting pastor from another reformed church share with us on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. I greatly enjoyed what he had to say and it was very refreshing. He handed out some literature that he wrote that, while it is certainly not anything new, and not earthshaking, and while it is what I believe and have believed for a little while, I thought it would be profitable to post it here on my blog. I will post it by bits at a time so it will be over the next few days.
The Rallying Cries of the Reformation
Rev. Marcus J. Serven, TH.M.It is appropriate for Christians to remember the significant heroes of the past. This is especially true for Protestants, since there have been so many truly great champions from the Reformation era (c. 1517-1650) who made a major impact upon the present day church. Men such as:
Theodore Beza, Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger, John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, John Hus, John Knox, Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, Pierre-Robert Olivetan, Caspar Olevianus, Nicolas Ridley, Samual Rutherford, Menno Simons, William Tyndale, Zacharias Ursinus, John Wycliffe, Ulrich Zwingli, and many other lesser known persons. Each of these Reformers, despite some of their individual differences, greatly influences the Church in their own particular region to hold to right doctrine (orthodoxy). This is why taking the time to remember these men on reformation day (October 31st), the very day that Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral, is good and right and proper. Consider the following “rallying cries” as hard won blessings which have been “bought with blood” for the benefit of Christ’s Church during this current era in which we live.
- “By Christ Alone” (Solus Christus): Jesus Christ is the only name by which we may be saved (Isaiah 53:1-12; John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
- “By Scripture Alone” (Sola Scriptura): The Bible alone is the source of God’s revelation; it contains the Law, the Gospel, the principles for how we should live and worship and think (John 10:35; II Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12-13).
- “By Grace Alone” (Sola Gratia): God’s grace alone is the ground of our salvation, and this is received by faith alone (Psalm 31:1; Ephesians 2:4-10; Titus 2:11-14).
- “By Faith Alone” (Sola Fide): God-given faith is the only way to receive the imputed righteousness of Christ, which results in our justification (Romans 1:16-17, and 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9).
- “In the Presence of God” (Coram Deo): Christians are exhorted by the Bible to live all of life in the presence of God. This implies that there is no area of life where we do not “business with God” [Negotium Cum Deo] (Proverbs 15:3; Ephesians 5:1-14; Colossians 3:1-17).
- “To God Be the Glory” (Sola Deo Gloria): God alone is the proper recipient of our gratitude in the matter of salvation and the Christian life (I Corinthians 10:31; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 4:10-11).
- “The Priesthood of Every Believer” (Communio Sanctorum): Every Believer is exhorted by God to live out the Christian life as a “holy venture” that pleases God (I Peter 2:9-10). Our sanctification and assurance of salvation are based solely upon the finished work of Christ on the cross (Romans 12:1-2; I John 1:9; I Peter 2:21-25).
- “After Darkness Light” (Post Tenebras Lux): This was the motto of Geneva, Switzerland during the time of the Reformation. It reflects the wonderful deliverance from their former way of life that the local population came to feel as they lived by the doctrines of the Bible (John 3:19-21 and 8:12; Colossians 1:13-14).
