MamaArcher's Blog

Reformed Theology Basics

I just finished a great book.  I am one who likes to underline things in the books I read so that I can go back and ponder them or even just for quick reference.  I underline the things I had not thought of before or things that I just really agreed with and liked the way it was worded.  It is hard when you find a book and want to underline every other sentence!

There is much confusion today in Christian circles about what Reformed Theology really is.  There is misunderstanding in what it really means.  In Reformed circles it is what we distinguish between little r reformed and big R Reformed.  Many think that Reformed Theology means merely being Calvinistic, this is little r reformed.  Calvinism is most definitely a central part but it is by no means an all encompassing definition.  There is more to the big R Reformed.  This book covers the other aspects of Reformed Theology as well as those of Calvinism. It explains using scriptural support for the all or nothing nature of the doctrines of grace.  One cannot be a 3 or 4 point Calvinist, it simply does not work.  All points work together and cannot be separated.

I find it also important that those who seek to know more about Reformed Theology look to those who truly understand it as well as believe it.  There are  many authors who write on Reformed Theology from a disagreeing and often not fully comprehending point of view and therefore do not adequately explain or try to discredit.  This benefits only the dissenting view.

One of my favorite authors has written a book on Reformed Theology just to explain the basics.  It is a book I would recommend to anyone, not just those looking to know more about Reformed Theology.  It is a great book!

Here is the book blurb from Ligonier Ministries:

In What is Reformed Theology? (formerly titled Grace Unknown), Dr. Sproul explores the depth and richness of God’s grace in saving sinners. Through it you can enrich your understanding of key biblical teaching about the nature of God, man, and salvation as it was recovered and defended by the Reformers.

“We believers must ask ourselves why we have come to faith while many of our friends have not. Did we exercise faith in Christ because we are more intelligent than they are?” asks R.C. Sproul in this book. “Did we respond to the gospel positively because we are better or more virtuous?

“We all know the answers to these questions,” continues Dr. Sproul “I cannot adequately explain why I came to faith in Christ and some of my friends did not. I can only look to the glory of God’s grace toward me, a grace I did not deserve then and do not deserve now.”

This book can help believers become more firmly anchored to the important theological truths that remind us we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and not by our works.

If you have read this book already, I would love to hear your thoughts. Or maybe you could share a favorite quote. I may be sharing quotes from this book from time to time, there are just a lot of good ones in there!

If you have not read this book, I would highly recommend it!