Reformation Theology

The Reformers themselves traced their doctrine to Scripture, as indicated by their credo of sola scriptura, so Reformation theology is not a new belief system but one that seeks to continue apostolic doctrine.

Reformation 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 emphasis on the old covenant God made with Adam and the new covenant which came through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20).

Reformation theology teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice. Reformation 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. Reformation theology teaches that God in His grace and mercy has chosen to redeem a people to Himself, delivering them from sin and death.

The 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).

Reformation theology teaches that Christians are in the world to make a difference, spiritually through evangelism and socially through holy living and humanitarianism. Some distinctives of Reformation theology 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 Reformation churches are the writings of John Calvin, John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli, and Martin Luther. The Westminster Confession embodies theology of the Reformation tradition. Modern churches in the Reformation tradition include Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and some Baptist.

The word translated doctrine means instruction, especially as it applies to lifestyle application. In other words, doctrine is teaching imparted by an authoritative source.

In the Bible, the word always refers to spiritually related fields of study. The Bible says of itself that it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

We are to be careful about what we believe and present as truth. 1 Timothy 4:16 says watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Biblical doctrine helps us understand the will of God for our lives. Biblical doctrine teaches us the nature and the character of God (Psalm 90:2; 97:2; John 4:24), the path of salvation through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9–10), instruction for the church (1 Corinthians 14:26; Titus 2:1–10), and God’s standard of holiness for our lives (1 Peter 1:14–17; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20).

When we accept the Bible as God’s Word to us (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21), we have a solid foundation for our doctrine. There can be disagreement within the body of Christ over secondary points of doctrine, such as eschatology, church organization, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

But truly biblical doctrine is that which incorporates the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and draws conclusions based on that which seems most closely aligned with the character of our unchanging God (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8); however, the Bible is not always the foundation upon which people or churches build their doctrinal statements.

Our sinful natures do not easily submit to God’s decrees, so we often pick and choose the parts of the Bible we are comfortable with and discard the rest. We replace what God says with a man-made doctrine or tradition.

This is nothing new. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for teaching as doctrines the commandments of men (Mark 7:7; Isaiah 29:13).

False doctrine was rampant in New Testament times, and the Scriptures tell us it will continue (Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1). 2 Timothy 4:3 says for the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

The Bible gives stern warning to those who would teach false or incomplete doctrine simply because it is more compatible with man’s ideas. 1 Timothy 6:3–4 says if anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.

The apostle Paul wrote harsh words about perverting the gospel with false doctrine: Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse. (Galatians 1:7–9).

Doctrine is the worldview by which we govern our lives. If our doctrine is based soundly upon Scripture, we can know we are walking in the path God designed for us. However, if we do not study the Word of God for ourselves (2 Timothy 2:15), we are led more easily into error.

Although there are a variety of minor issues upon which Christians disagree, true doctrine is clearer than many imply. 2 Peter 1:20 says that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation. There is a right interpretation of everything God says, and it is our job to discern that meaning, not create an interpretation to suit our tastes. 

God wants us to know His heart and has given us His Word upon which we can build godly lives (Matthew 7:24). The more we study true doctrine, the more we understand God and ourselves.

Protestantism is one of the major divisions of the Christian faith. Traditionally, Protestantism includes all churches outside of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church traditions. Protestant churches affirm the principles of the Protestant Reformation set into motion by Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517.

Protestants were first called by that name because they protested against the papacy and Roman rule within the Church. Protestantism itself contains many different denominations. They include the Lutheran Church, named after Martin Luther, the Presbyterian Church, associated with John Knox, and the Baptists, also called the Free Church movement and associated with churches that baptize only believers.

The Protestant tradition has historically been represented by the five solas: faith alone, Christ alone, grace alone, Scripture alone, and God’s glory alone. The five solas emphasize the following three doctrinal points: Protestants hold to the Holy Bible as the sole authority regarding matters of faith and practice.

The Orthodox Church, by contrast, recognizes sacred tradition as equally authoritative. The Roman Catholic Church includes sacred tradition and the authority of the Pope. The Reformers expressed this distinction with the term sola scriptura, Scripture alone. Protestants emphasize the inspired Word of God as our perfect authority (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

Protestants hold to faith alone for salvation, apart from works. The Roman Catholic Church requires the keeping of seven sacraments and often speaks of works as part of a person’s salvation; however, Ephesians 2:8–9 clearly supports the Protestant doctrine that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone: It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Protestants believe in living for God’s glory alone. While Roman Catholic teaching agrees with this belief, it is often expressed in conjunction with faithful obedience to the Church and its leaders.

In contrast, Protestants teach the priesthood of every believer, as stated in 1 Peter 2:9: You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Protestants reject the Catholic priesthood system and instead pledge allegiance to God and His glory, affirming the giftedness of every follower of Jesus Christ (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12:1–8).

Protestantism continues to reach approximately 800 million people today seeking to worship God under the authority of Scripture, believing in salvation by faith alone, and honoring the priesthood of every born-again person.