OK, so you guys want to know why I believe what I post is consistent with Reformed theology. Why do I say that I’m blogging from a Reformed perspective and yet I usually only blog about politics? What does the Iraq war funding bill have to do with Reformed theology? Or gun rights?Or politics in general?
Well, before I can answer those question, you have to understand what Reformed theology is because without that background, you won’t understand my reasoning (goes without saying, I would think). So, I decided to give you a quick primer in Reformed theology, just enough to introduce the terms and concepts. The reason I didn’t make this fuller is the impatience of the commenters who continue to demand an accounting of my position on almost every post and my fear that if I wrote a more thorough accounting, it wouldn’t be read. I’d rather put my time to more useful endeavors. Plus, why reinvent the wheel? If you really want to know more, there are tons of places you can go to read more indepth articles for each of these doctrines. I recommend Monergism.com, they have links to articles covering just about any theological issue you would be interested in. I also recommend Putting the Amazing Back into Grace by Michael Horton. It is one of the best introductions to Reformed theology that I have read.
Total Depravity – man was created good but fell in the Garden because of his disobedience. He is now in a state of condemnation and will remain in that state until he turns back to God in obedience. But man is unable to do so because of his fallen nature. He’s in rebellion to God and doesn’t want to be obedient. Without the intervention of God, man will never turn to God, he does not want to.
Unconditional Election – It is God who chooses who will be saved. He is well within his right as Creator to select those to whom he will be merciful. He does not owe us salvation; each of us will receive what we deserve which is justice. There is no condition that the person has met to merit salvation, election is unconditional. God does not base his election on anything good that the person has done.
Limited Atonement – Christ died for the sins of his people alone. Just as the yearly atonement offering was limited to Israel under the old covenant, Christ’s atonement is limited to those who are united with him in his death.
Irresistible Grace – It is God’s will to save a people for himself and since he is the Creator, he can accomplish what he wills. He will bring to salvation every single person that he chooses because they cannot resist his will.
Perseverance of the Saints – God will ensure that all of his people will be saved. None will fall away but will be kept until the day of judgment.
I didn’t bother with proof texts because I believe that the entire Bible clearly teaches these doctrines and so proof text are really not necessary. But for those of you who are used to a more atomistic view of Scripture, read Romans. These doctrines are clearly taught there.
As I mentioned, Reformed theology isn’t just limited to soteriology but encompasses more aspects of God’s revelation to man including:
Creation – God created man in his image and to be his vice-regent in his place. We are to have dominion over creation and bear the responsibility for it. This is the creation mandate.
The Fall – Adam was the representative of mankind and in him we all fell. Adam was the only person born with the ability to choose between good and evil, obedience and disobedience. The rest of mankind is born into sin and lacks the ability to choose to be obedient.
Covenants – this is actually a complicated and controversial subject, so I’m going to punt and quote the Confession:
WCF 7.1 The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.
The Confession goes on to talk about what the covenant looks like. You can read it here.
Union with Christ – we believe that union with Christ is central to the doctrine of salvation, that it is through our union with Christ that we die with him, are raised with him in newness of life (Romans 6), ascended with him to heaven and are seated on the right hand of God the Father.
The threefold office of Christ: we believe that Jesus came as prophet, priest and king. As prophet, his word is the final word of God, he is the final revelation (Hebrews 1). As priest, he is the sacrifice and the one making the sacrifice for our sin. As king, he is to rule nations with a rod of iron but his kingdom is the church – his kingdom is not of this world.
I could talk about other distinctives like our view of communion, baptism, the nature of God, the nature of man, other aspects of salvation, election (when did election take place before the fall or after, this is another area of controversy in Reformed circles), recreation, etc. but I don’t want to keep the commenters waiting any longer. So, here is the basic background on Reformed theology, just enough so that I can reference these terms and you’ll have some vague idea what I’m talking about.
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