Reformed theology is a branch of Protestant Christian theology based primarily on the theology of Calvin and Zwingli. The term is often used synonymously with Calvinism. Reformed theology forms the doctrinal basis for the Reformed branch of churches.

Reformed theology is often equated with the "Five Points of Calvinism",but acually encompasses a much larger view of theology than that. The great doctrine of justification by faith alone first expressed by Martin Luther is at the crux of the 15th century reformation and thus of reformed theology today. Reformed theology took hold in many different denominations, yet seems to be found in its most pure form today in the Reformed Presbyterian Churches.

Begining with the "five points" someone can start building a soild understanding of the reformed faith. The acromyn TULIP is often used to help explain the bibilcal doctrines found in the five points.

They are;

T.otal Deprivaity U.nconditional Election L.imited Atonement I.rresistable Grace P.erservance of the Saints

A very brief definition of each would go something like this:

The idea of total deprivaity teaches that man, fallen man, is as extensively, though not as intensively sinful as can be.In other words, through the fall of mankind through the federal headship of Adam, everyone has a predisposistion towards evil. This predisposistion permeates every area of our being.

Unconditional Election then says that our salvation through Jesus Christ is not based on anything in or of ourselves. God does not elect people based on any "conditions" or status. His chosing those who come to saving faith is wholly of His own good pleasure.

The doctrine of Limited Atonement is the most controversial part of this scheme. It proposes that the work of Jesus Christ on behalf of mankind is "limited" in is intended scope. The atonement is both effecient yet suffcient in its purpose. It is effecient in the sense that only those unconditionally elected by God the Father have the work of Christ applied to them. It is suffcient in that we add nothing of our own to the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Irresistable Grace flows naturally from the previous doctrines teaching that those who God calls will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, the call to faith is effectual. Since the atonement is limited to those whom God has elected, those who are elect are given hearts of flesh and the heart of stone is removed. Sinners who God has chosen to save do not resist Gods call because God changes their heart placeing within them the will and desire to believe.

Finally the Perseverance of the Saints explains that those who were once totally depraved, unconditionally elected, had the work of Christ's atonement applied to them, and effectually called will in the end fully and finally perservere in their faith.But again this relies not wholly on the individual, but rather on the help of the Holy Spirit working in and through that person. So it can be said that believers perservere, not because they are faithful, but rather that God is faithful in perserving them.

None of this in any way should demean the responsibility of the sinner to repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ. One of most difficult aspects of reformed theology has to deal with the concept of God's sovereignty and it's relationship to human responsibility. Most in the reformed faith hold that both are true, that the bible teaches both so we are obligated to believe both.

In the end it is the purpose of Reformed Theology to exhalt God through His Son Jesus Christ in every area of life. But this begins with the understanding and appreciation that God is both the Author and Finisher of our faith.

External links

• Monergism http://www.monergism.com
• Tulipedia http://www.tulipedia.org
• Theopedia http://www.theopedia.com