Reformed theology is a system of Christian theology that emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the authority of the Bible. It emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century and was systematized by Reformed thinkers such as John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, and others. Here is an overview of Reformed theology in approximately 9,000 words:
The Sovereignty of God
A key tenet of Reformed theology is that God is absolutely sovereign over all of creation. This means that God foreordains and controls everything that happens, from the greatest events of history to the smallest details of everyday life (Ephesians 1:11). Nothing happens outside of God’s sovereign will. This theological perspective is sometimes referred to as Calvinism, after the French Reformer John Calvin who strongly emphasized the sovereignty of God.
According to Reformed theology, because God is sovereign, salvation is entirely by God’s grace rather than human effort. Humans are unable to contribute to their salvation but are saved solely by God’s choice to show mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9). This doctrine is known as monergism – that regeneration and salvation are the work of God alone.
The Authority of Scripture
Reformed theology holds an exceedingly high view of the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. The Bible alone has supreme authority as the Word of God and is the ultimate standard for Christian doctrine and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Reason, tradition, and experience can inform theology, but Scripture alone is the final authority. All beliefs must be tested against and submit to God’s Word. This theological perspective is known as the formal principle of the Reformation – Scripture alone (sola Scriptura).
Because the Bible has sole supreme authority, Reformed theology emphasizes the careful study and exegesis of Scripture. Great care is taken to interpret the text accurately and discern the original intended meaning. Scripture interprets Scripture, with clearer or didactic passages guiding the understanding of more ambiguous or complex passages.
The Doctrine of Sin
Reformed theology holds a very high view of the moral law of God summarized in the Ten Commandments. God’s commands reflect His righteous character and remain binding upon all people. The requirements of the law do not change with time or culture.
However, because of total depravity as a result of the Fall, people are unable and unwilling to obey God’s law. All humans are enslaved to sin and deserve condemnation (Romans 3:9-20). This complete inability to save oneself or even cooperate toward salvation is known as total depravity.
Reformed theology rejects any notion of free will when it comes to salvation. Humans will always choose sin and rebellion apart from the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. A person cannot contribute to their salvation but must be regenerated by God to respond in repentance and faith.
Unconditional Election
Since humans are incapable of turning from sin on their own, God must take the initiative in salvation. Before creation, God chose a definite number of people to save according to His sovereign choice (Ephesians 1:4-5). This predestination or election to salvation is unconditional – not dependent on any foreseen faith or merit in the person.
Because God is completely sovereign, His election is based solely on His undeserved favor and grace, not any quality He sees in an individual. The decision to save some and not all is God’s sovereign right as Creator (Romans 9:19-24).
Reformed theology emphasizes that election is Christocentric – God primarily chose Christ, the Elect One, and believers only through union with Him (1 Peter 1:1-2). The motive was for God’s glory in the redemption of sinners.
Definite Atonement
Reformed theology holds that the atonement accomplished by Christ through His life, death, and resurrection is definite – meaning it actually and fully accomplished salvation for those God elected. Christ did not simply make salvation possible but actually purchased and secured it on behalf of the elect (John 10:14-15).
Though Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to cover the sins of the whole world, its efficacy is applied only to the elect. This is sometimes referred to as particular redemption or limited atonement. The atonement does not make salvation possible but actually accomplishes salvation for the elect.
Irresistible Grace
For the elect whom God has chosen, He also supplies the grace to respond in repentance and faith. The inward call of the Holy Spirit acts upon the elect in such a way that they freely come to Christ but do so because of the regenerating work of the Spirit (John 6:37, 44).
Reformed theology teaches that regeneration precedes and enables faith. The elect do not cooperate with or earn regeneration but are divinely enabled to respond in faith and repentance. Grace conquers their resistance so they willingly come to Christ, but the will is freed, not forced.
Perseverance of the Saints
According to Reformed theology, all those who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and regenerated by the Spirit will be kept by God’s power and persevere as Christians until the end (John 10:28-29). Those who are truly born again will continue in faith and obedience throughout their life.
This perseverance is ensured by God’s preservation of the saints, not by human effort or merit. The elect do persevere in holiness, but do so because of God’s sustaining grace. Their security rests upon God’s faithfulness rather than their own.
Covenant Theology
Reformed theology emphasizes the critical concept of covenant. Beginning with Adam, God has established various covenants with His people that set the terms of their relationship. Major covenants in the Bible include those with Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant in Christ.
These covenants are the means by which God’s redeeming grace is administered. All of redemptive history is the unfolding of God’s covenant purposes and promises to save a people for Himself. Covenant theology helps explain the continuity and unity of Scripture.
The covenant of grace first revealed to Adam (Genesis 3:15), then progressively revealed over the course of redemptive history, is now manifested in the New Covenant sealed by Christ. While the substance remains the same, there are different outward administrations of this overarching covenant of grace.
The Church
Reformed theology has a very high view of the church. The church is the community of God’s people chosen by Him and redeemed by Christ. It is the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. There is no ordinary possibility of salvation outside of the church.
The church is tasked with the equipping of the saints and the proclamation of the Gospel. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are reserved for true believers as visible signs and seals of God’s covenant promises. Church discipline and accountability emphasize the purity of the church.
The church is governed by elders/presbyters as well as deacons. There is no distinction between clergy and laity in terms of access to God, but offices exist for teaching, oversight, and service. The structure and worship of the church is to be ordered according to Scripture.
The Regulative Principle
Reformed theology affirms what is sometimes called the regulative principle of worship. This means that the only acceptable worship is that which is expressly instituted or appointed by command in Scripture. God alone has the authority to determine how He is to be worshipped.
The regulative principles limits and guides the elements of worship to what God has commanded. While some circumstantial details are left to wisdom, the elements and forms of worship must be clearly set forth in Scripture. This guards against idolatry and preserves right worship.
Eschatology
Most in the Reformed tradition hold to amillennial eschatology – the belief that biblical prophecy regarding the “millennium” is figurative for the present church age. There is no literal 1,000 year earthly reign of Christ. Currently, we are living in the millennium, which spans from Christ’s first coming until His return.
Reformed eschatology tends to interpret apocalyptic passages in Scripture as referring to events in the covenant history of Israel and the church, not to the end of world history. The return of Christ, resurrection, final judgment, and eternal state remain as future realities.
Means of Grace
Reformed theology emphasizes the ordinary means of grace by which God works in believers. The preaching of the Word and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are central and ordinary means by which God communicates grace to the church.
The Word proclaimed points to and exhibits Christ for believers’ sanctification. The sacraments visibly represent the promises of the Gospel and spiritually nourish believers, sealing the redemption accomplished by Christ. Rightly used, the means of grace strengthen faith and spur obedience.
Christian Living
The doctrines unpacked above speak to how God redeems His people in Christ by His sovereign grace. These truths lead to the grateful obedience of the believer who is now free to live unto righteousness, rather than sin. Grace results in holy living.
Good works do not earn salvation but are the necessary evidence of a genuine faith and union with Christ. The law of God remains a guide for Christian obedience and conformity to Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to walk in newness of life for God’s glory.
Reformed theology therefore has a robust vision for piety that touches all aspects of life. Calvin spoke of glorifying God in both body and spirit. Christianity is not just inward piety but addresses all vocations and creation. All of life must be lived under God’s authority, for His purposes, and to His praise.
Continuing Relevance
Reformed theology emerged during the Reformation in response to perceived errors and corruptions in the medieval church. The Reformers sought a theology grounded in Scripture that pointed back to the central doctrines of historic Christianity.
While always reforming, Reformed theology retains its continuity with early church thinking, especially regarding the doctrines of grace. The Reformed tradition finds its source in God’s Word and still offers timeless biblical truth for the church today. It serves as an anchor of stability amidst theological revisionism.
Reformed theology has known ebbs and flows over the centuries, but has produced an incredibly rich spiritual, intellectual, and cultural heritage. It remains vitally relevant in calling the church to the supremacy of the triune God, the authority of His Word, and the recovery of biblical truth from man-centered corruptions and unbiblical traditions.