Reformation Theology Blog

What does it mean to be “Reformed”?

by Brandon Solberg

Historically Reformed

– Affirm the great “sola’s” (Latin for “only”) of the Reformation.

Sola Gratia…Grace Alone
Sola Fide…Faith Alone
Solus Christus…Christ Alone
Sola Scriptura…Scripture Alone
Soli Deo Gloria…To the Glory of God Alone

To summarize, salvation by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, according to the Scriptures Alone, to the Glory of God Alone.

What Went Wrong with the YRR/New Calvinism Movement?

1. Not rooted in the historic reformed tradition

2. Eschews scholasticism entirely.

3. Myopic focus on "five points of Calvinism" to the detriment of covenant theology which undergirds the entirety of the canons of dordt.

4. Autonomous churches with a tendency not toward congregationalism but de facto episcopalianism with none of the safeguards of either system.

5. Church growth prioritized over church health.

6. Lack of conversation with classical Christian theism in favor of individual ingenuity of particular theologians.

8 Ways to Redeem the Time in This Season of Isolation

The apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, exhorts God’s people to “walk as children of light…and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph. 5:8b,10). This is not always easy, especially when our three great enemies—the world, the flesh, and the devil—never cease in their attempts to lure us away from Christ and destroy our walk with God.

God "Remembers" His Covenant

Just as in seeing the rainbow God will "remember" His covenant to never again send a flood to destroy all flesh, so in the covenant in Christ's blood God "remembers" not to treat believers as their sins justly deserve.

"When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." Gen 9:14-15

Purgatory is a Deadly Fiction

“Purgatory is a deadly fiction of Satan, which nullifies the cross of Christ, inflicts unbearable contempt upon God’s mercy, and overturns and destroys our faith.” - John Calvin

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