Bruce-Leiter
Well-Known Member
Of course, it's biblical, or I wouldn't have joined and become a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. What is unbiblical about it in your estimation?
IS THE REFORMED FAITH BIBLICAL?
- Thread starter GodsGrace
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Bruce-Leiter
Well-Known Member
I suggest that everyone read John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion instead of books about Calvinism to get to the original source rather than filters that try to interpret it for the reader.If you read my posts, you will find my answer.
Reformed Christianity
"Reformed church" redirects here. For Reformed churches originating in continental Europe, see Continental Reformed Protestantism.
"Calvinism" redirects here. For John Calvin's personal beliefs, see Theology of John Calvin.
Reformed Christianity,[1] also called Calvinism,[a] is a major branch of Protestantism that began during the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation, a schism in the Western Church. In the modern day, it is largely represented by the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregational traditions, as well as parts of the Anglican (Episcopal) and Baptist traditions.
Statues of William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox, influential theologians in developing the Reformed faith, at the Reformation Wall in Geneva
Reformed theology emphasizes the authority of the Bible and the sovereignty of God, as well as covenant theology, a framework for understanding the Bible based on God's covenants with people. Reformed churches have emphasized simplicity in worship. Several forms of ecclesiastical polity are exercised by Reformed churches, including presbyterian, congregational, and some episcopal. Articulated by John Calvin, the Reformed faith holds to a spiritual (pneumatic) presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper.
Emerging in the 16th century, the Reformed tradition developed over several generations, especially in Switzerland, Scotland and the Netherlands. In the seventeenth century, Jacobus Arminius and the Remonstrants were expelled from the Dutch Reformed Church over disputes regarding predestination and salvation, and from that time Arminians are usually considered to be a distinct tradition from the Reformed. This dispute produced the Canons of Dort, the basis for the "doctrines of grace" or "five points" of Calvinism.
How do you answer and what does “ reformed faith” mean to you?
Bruce-Leiter
Well-Known Member
The Good News is the sincere offer of salvation through Jesus for all who believe and trust in him as the only way to the Father's acceptance. What is unbiblical about that offer?
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Not sure if I posted this information further up, anyway here it is again.
Generally, Reformed theology holds to the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace through Christ, and the necessity of evangelism. It is sometimes called Covenant theology because of its emphases on the covenant God made with Adam and the new covenant which came through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20).
Authority of Scripture. Reformed theology teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice.
Sovereignty of God. Reformed theology teaches that God rules with absolute control over all creation. He has foreordained all events and is therefore never frustrated by circumstances. This does not limit the will of the creature, nor does it make God the author of sin.
Salvation by grace. Reformed theology teaches that God in His grace and mercy has chosen to redeem a people to Himself, delivering them from sin and death. The Reformed doctrine of salvation is commonly represented by the acrostic TULIP (also known as the five points of Calvinism):
T - total depravity. Man is completely helpless in his sinful state, is under the wrath of God, and can in no way please God. Total depravity also means that man will not naturally seek to know God, until God graciously prompts him to do so (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).
U - unconditional election. God, from eternity past, has chosen to save a great multitude of sinners, which no man can number (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12).
L - limited atonement. Also called a “particular redemption.” Christ took the judgment for the sin of the elect upon Himself and thereby paid for their lives with His death. In other words, He did not simply make salvation “possible,” He actually obtained it for those whom He had chosen (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).
I - irresistible grace. In his fallen state, man resists God’s love, but the grace of God working in his heart makes him desire what he had previously resisted. That is, God’s grace will not fail to accomplish its saving work in the elect (John 6:37,44; 10:16).
P - perseverance of the saints. God protects His saints from falling away; thus, salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).
The necessity of evangelism. Reformed theology teaches that Christians are in the world to make a difference, spiritually through evangelism and socially through holy living and humanitarianism.
Other distinctives of Reformed theology generally include the observance of two sacraments (baptism and communion), a cessationist view of the spiritual gifts (the gifts are no longer extended to the church), and a non-dispensational view of Scripture. Held in high esteem by Reformed churches are the writings of John Calvin, John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli, and Martin Luther. The Westminster Confession embodies the theology of the Reformed tradition. Modern churches in the Reformed tradition include Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and some Baptist.
Generally, Reformed theology holds to the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace through Christ, and the necessity of evangelism. It is sometimes called Covenant theology because of its emphases on the covenant God made with Adam and the new covenant which came through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20).
Authority of Scripture. Reformed theology teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice.
Sovereignty of God. Reformed theology teaches that God rules with absolute control over all creation. He has foreordained all events and is therefore never frustrated by circumstances. This does not limit the will of the creature, nor does it make God the author of sin.
Salvation by grace. Reformed theology teaches that God in His grace and mercy has chosen to redeem a people to Himself, delivering them from sin and death. The Reformed doctrine of salvation is commonly represented by the acrostic TULIP (also known as the five points of Calvinism):
T - total depravity. Man is completely helpless in his sinful state, is under the wrath of God, and can in no way please God. Total depravity also means that man will not naturally seek to know God, until God graciously prompts him to do so (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).
U - unconditional election. God, from eternity past, has chosen to save a great multitude of sinners, which no man can number (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12).
L - limited atonement. Also called a “particular redemption.” Christ took the judgment for the sin of the elect upon Himself and thereby paid for their lives with His death. In other words, He did not simply make salvation “possible,” He actually obtained it for those whom He had chosen (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).
I - irresistible grace. In his fallen state, man resists God’s love, but the grace of God working in his heart makes him desire what he had previously resisted. That is, God’s grace will not fail to accomplish its saving work in the elect (John 6:37,44; 10:16).
P - perseverance of the saints. God protects His saints from falling away; thus, salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).
The necessity of evangelism. Reformed theology teaches that Christians are in the world to make a difference, spiritually through evangelism and socially through holy living and humanitarianism.
Other distinctives of Reformed theology generally include the observance of two sacraments (baptism and communion), a cessationist view of the spiritual gifts (the gifts are no longer extended to the church), and a non-dispensational view of Scripture. Held in high esteem by Reformed churches are the writings of John Calvin, John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli, and Martin Luther. The Westminster Confession embodies the theology of the Reformed tradition. Modern churches in the Reformed tradition include Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and some Baptist.
Yes-I have a problem with that.
Sola Scriptura: The doctrine of Scripture as the ultimate authority is drawn from passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which emphasizes that "all Scripture is inspired by God." Reformed theology emphasizes that no external tradition should have equal authority with the Bible.
Total Depravity: The Reformed faith teaches that humanity is inherently sinful (Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:10-18) and unable to choose God without divine intervention. While this view is consistent with certain readings of Pauline theology, others interpret these passages differently, emphasizing free will.
Unconditional Election: This doctrine of predestination, based on passages like Romans 9 and Ephesians 1:4-5, asserts that God chooses some for salvation before the foundation of the world, independent of human action. Some argue that the biblical concept of election is more corporate, focusing on God's plan for humanity rather than individual predestination.
Limited Atonement: Reformed theology teaches that Christ's atonement was intended specifically for the elect (John 10:11, Matthew 1:21). Critics argue that the Bible presents Christ’s atonement as available to all (1 John 2:2, 2 Peter 3:9).
Irresistible Grace: The belief that God's saving grace cannot be resisted when applied to the elect (John 6:37, Acts 13:48) contrasts with views that emphasize the role of human will in accepting or rejecting salvation (Matthew 23:37, Acts 7:51).
Perseverance of the Saints: The doctrine of once saved, always saved (OSAS) is grounded in passages like John 10:28-29 and Philippians 1:6. This is similar to your belief in OSAS, though interpretations of passages like Hebrews 6:4-6 challenge the idea of eternal security for all believers.
The Reformed faith is built on a systematic reading of Scripture, but whether it aligns perfectly with biblical teaching depends on one's hermeneutical approach. You may find that while some aspects of Reformed theology align with Scripture, others are more influenced by theological tradition.
We will leave Wiki and Got questions out of this since it is not very reliable.
Do you have assurance re your salvation and how do you know you are one of the elect? @Bruce-Leiter
J.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
If this is off topic I apologise....I’m trying to get to the bottom of the offer of salvation, that this poster has posted?
The offer of salvation means what?
When are we saved from eternal damnation?
Ritajanice
Born-Again
I too would like to ask you how you know that your are Born Again and one of the elect?
Has something in you been Born Again?
What is the purpose of the elect?
Christian Soldier
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry to see how hurt you are by the truth, but I'm not surprised at all because most professing Christians hate the awful truth of the gospel. So they twist the truth of he gospel to make it say something completely different, so they can sell, it like a consumer product and make a lot of money like your Arminian religion was doing for 1500 until Martin Luther exposed it.
You claim that you don't know what Arminian theology is, but you theology is 100% pure Aminianism. You are no different to any other Arminian, none of you know what you believe, you all follow the crowd because you think there is safety in numbers. But Jesus warned us about your crowd, He said broad is the way that leads to hell and many travel on it, but narrow is the way that leads to heaven. Good luck with your crowd.
I can tell by your theology that you don't know the truth. I know the truth, because He is in me. Jesus said "I am the Truth", so the truth is a Person and not a thing that your religion invented.
You say I can't support my beliefs, but the your big problem there is that you're contradicting yourself because you admit that you're not biblically literate and yet you think your qualified to examine what I believe and to determine if it's true. Let me remind you of the fact that you need to know the truth before you can recognize it.
Your theology can not be supported by any scripture, so you have either invented it yourself or you have been deceived by a Wolf in Sheep's clothing. It's one or the other, but the result is the same.
I belong to an independent, Non Denominational, Reformed Baptist Church. So your comment about "my denomination's teaching" doesn't apply to me. My Church is Governed by only one authority, and that's Gods Word as He gave it to us. We don't follow dead Saints or Popes, or any man. We only follow the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and nobody else, so you need to reevaluate your comment as t was spoken out of ignorance.
Reformed theology is the Orthodox interpretation of the Word of God, the Reformed Church is modeled on the Apostolic Church. All the Denominations, like yours broke away from the Apostolic Church because they hate the truth of the gospel so much that they had to change the very foundational doctrines, to turn the gospel in to a consumer product to sell to the crowd.
Please tell me why you don't believe any of the verses below, let me guess, they expose your (Arminian free choice) false gospel and they confirm that Reformed theology is biblically correct, right!!!
Ephesians 1:4
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
John 15:16
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
John 10:27-29
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
I believe the referenced post 1340 in a different thread and written by Christian Soldier is something I can agree with.
Bruce-Leiter
Well-Known Member
It's the offer that if we repent of our sins and trust in Jesus as the way to the Father's acceptance, we will be saved.
Gods will is ' nothing ', you have a low view of God.
Going backwards.
It is a strawman argument because it misrepresents their views.
That is a shocking thing for a follower of the person who is The Truth.
You may not accept how they interpret scripture, but as a follower of Truth you have to acknowledge there views are based on scripture.
Lambano
Well-Known Member
Did you hear @Ritajanice's testimony? Really hear it?
Her experience was that regeneration came before (or simultaneous with) faith. My experience was that faith came first. Our experience informs our theologies, and I'm in no position to tell someone else, "You didn't experience what you think you experienced" because I wasn't there.
So, God worked with another person differently than He did me? He still loves me, and who says one size fits all? Praise and thanksgiving would be appropriate; feeling threatened or envious would not.
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Lambano
Well-Known Member
I recommend the book Grace, Faith, and Free Will by Robert Picirilli if anybody is interested in the Biblical arguments and counter-arguments for BOTH sides of the debate. Dr. Picirilli advocates a position he calls "Reformation Arminianism", but I think he did a creditable job in presenting the Calvinist side in terms they would agree with. That's important.
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St. SteVen
Well-Known Member
GodsGrace said:
Ephesians 2:8 is an interesting verse....
On the one hand it proves that we have been saved through faith...
so faith must come before salvation.
I need to go back to the beginning and better inform myself about this subject.
However, I was struck by your posted response to @GodsGrace post.
I am familiar with the hair-splitting that goes on about this chicken-and-egg question.
In general I like to separate "salvation" from anything that we do. Only God can save.
[
Ephesians 2:8 is an interesting verse....
On the one hand it proves that we have been saved through faith...
so faith must come before salvation.
I'm late to the party here.
I need to go back to the beginning and better inform myself about this subject.
However, I was struck by your posted response to @GodsGrace post.
I am familiar with the hair-splitting that goes on about this chicken-and-egg question.
In general I like to separate "salvation" from anything that we do. Only God can save.
[
St. SteVen
Well-Known Member
How did you determine that Reformed theology is unbiblical?
Just because we disagree with a doctrine (or set of doctrines) doesn't in itself make them unbiblical.
Those in support of Reformed theology can present biblical "proof-texts" to support their position, correct?
If so, how can it be unbiblical?
[
Lambano
Well-Known Member
I had to step away from the argument for a couple of days. I found myself going back into battle mode again.
Reaching for his saddlebag,
He takes a rusty sword into his hand.
Striking up a knightly pose,
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
'Til he can shout no more
(Gordon Lightfoot, Don Quixote)
"Blessed be the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God" - Matthew 5:9. Says so on the baseplates of my Glock 17's magazines. (Really!)
Lambano
Well-Known Member
The point in question is whether "election" is unconditional (the "U" in TULIP) or conditioned on something we do, faith.
Years ago, when Mr. Clinton was in office, one of our Japanese vendors came to the states about the time of the American 4-year voting cycle. He asked us what we thought about the upcoming "Presidential Erection".
I did my best to keep a straight face. After all, his English was a helluva lot better than my Japanese.
What do you mean you like to stay open-minded?
TULIP is something particular....it can't be changed.
Did Jesus die on the cross or did He just swoon?
Are you open minded about that too?
You know Lambano,
I kind of agree with you about this.
Walk away or face it.
I think, in my case, I need to take a stand on this.
It's incredibly incorrect and needs to be addressed.
It's clear from some posts on here that some don't even understand what reformed faith is
If we don't see the danger - how do we protect ourselves from it?
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