Reformed Theology

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” - 1 Cor 3:11-12

Reformed theology is a theological system that emerged with the Reformers (Luther, Calvin, etc) and the contributions of those prior (John Knox, Erasmus, etc) who sought to address issues within the institutionalized (Catholic) church. It entails a dogmatic approach to understanding God and His relationship with people with doctrines and teachings that have a semblance of truth but lack biblical truth and soundness in certain areas. Though these principles are not entirely wrong, it is their exposition that makes them destructive: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). These “alones” conflict and are self-contradictory since by definition one “alone” is by itself and sufficient.

Note that one is not questioning sincerity or even attributing malicious intent to these destructive doctrines. The reality is that one can be sincerely wrong. Especially, when man’s opinion and rationale are held as truth and the sure foundation of biblical truths, reflective through Scriptures, are explained away as merely suggestions or impossibilities. Jesus nonetheless stated, “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” - Matt 7:26-27. As it is, that which is not rooted in the consistency and cohesive truths of Scripture will be uprooted (Matt 15:13). One must break away from these enforced structures and explanations, to instead rely on what the Word states explicitly in harmonization.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)

This is a well-intentioned and correct assertion primarily motivated against the Catholic traditions of ‘extra-revelatory’ information and practices that had no basis in Scripture but had been embraced as right. It is important to note that God does give His people revelation but it is never in contradiction to His word or Spirit. This principle of Sola Scriptura states that Scripture is the only inspired word of God and is sufficient as the supreme and spiritual authority. In principle, it is true. However, this is not evident in ‘Reformed’ thought and discipline. The irony, again, is that Scripture is used to support man-made ideas and doctrines (like once saved always saved regardless of what one does/doesn’t do, faith without works, grace without obedience, sinful nature, infant baptism, and others) whereas Scripture itself teaches comprehensively and is the concrete doctrine. It speaks for itself: sound and true. And those who do not abide in or come with the doctrine--this complete and whole doctrine of Jesus Christ evident through the balance and coherency of the Word--have not the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9-10). 

Another question to consider is which Scriptures/translations? Translations such as NLT, NIV, and the ensuing translations have these doctrines within that redefine what the Word states, thus raising concern for what people are building their faith and knowledge on. We are to build on the rock (Matt 7:24) and are reminded by Christ that it is His Word that will judge us in the last day: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” - Jn 12:48-50. If any man speaks then, let him speak as the oracles [words] of God (1 Pet 4:11).

Solus Christus (Christ alone)

This rightly states as the whole of Scripture teaches, that salvation cannot be obtained without Christ. That it is by His atoning work, apart from individual works that man is saved. It is true that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one can come to the Father except through Him (Jn 14:6). It is true that Christ is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5) and that there is no other name by which mankind is saved (Acts 4:12). So what is the issue here? The issue again is what this doctrine neglects--the appropriate and necessary response of individuals to Christ. Salvation is found in no one other than Christ, and if one does not respond in the ways Christ teaches, one will not be saved. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” - Lk 9:23-24. Is this not a necessary action on the part of man? Christ taught that He came to set people free from the bondage of sin (Lk 4:18) and to forgive their sins so that they go and sin no more. Who the Son sets free is free indeed! (Jn 8:36), and this is not only from their past sins but also the freedom to no longer continue in such. Christ taught that anyone who follows after Him must abide (Jn 15) and endure to the end to be saved (Matt 24:13).

Please note that this is not to take away from the work of Christ because without Him one cannot obtain forgiveness of sins. Rather but rather to emphasize the necessity of man’s response in the form of repentance (Prov 28:13), and obedience to Christ (Jn 14:15). As well as to glorify the power of God that truly transforms willing people from sinners to children of God, not just in theory or abstract imputation but in reality!“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Tim 2:20-21.

Sola Fide (faith alone)

This asserts that salvation is also by faith alone not works. Though one could not have done anything to earn the opportunity to be saved, and that it is solely God’s gift to the world (Jn 3:16-17), consider that the Word continues, and states: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (Jn 3:18-19). There’s an aspect of doing. Faith in itself is an action, a work: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Heb 11:6.

Faith is faithfulness and loyalty to God and His Word by His Spirit. The word also states that those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom 8:8). Galatians 5 also explains what the works of the flesh are, so one who professes Christ but is still in their flesh is not living by faith. Faith is not just believing because even the demons believe and they tremble (James 2:19). Even they acknowledge Jesus’ power and the fact that He is the Son of God. What then is the difference between one’s faith and demonic faith?  James explains clearly that faith without works is dead because these two go hand in hand. Faith should result in action in one’s life. Faith saves because faith truly encompasses righteous works that we must do as believers following after the true example of righteousness Christ set out for us. “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief ?” (Heb 3:14-19). If you are familiar with this Scripture (and the reference in the book of Numbers), you would realize that those who sinned, committed fornication, rebellion, etc in the wilderness were those considered to have had unbelief. 

Sola Gratia (grace alone)

This principle teaches that salvation is a gift from God and not anything that anyone could have earned on their own; that it is by unmerited favor. The extent to which this principle is taken to justify sin, to eliminate obedience, and one’s necessary response (if indeed they are of faith in Christ) is what makes this principle problematic. Grace is also not properly defined but is reduced to only ‘unmerited favor.’ The word of God is certainly very clear, and all saints do attest to this truth: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9). Nobody could have done anything to have earned God’s grace on mankind. This is solely the work and gift of God.

Nonetheless, we are informed in Scripture what the grace of God is and what our response must be: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14). The grace of God is not anything we earned and it teaches us to deny ungodliness. What must we do in response? Obey! If indeed we have been cleansed and redeemed from all filth and are to walk in holiness to our Redeemer. Salvation is attained by the grace of God and one’s submission to this grace. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” (2 Cor 6:1). 

Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)

Glory to God indeed that by His Grace, sinners who come broken and contrite in acknowledgment of their sins, who repent, and believe that Christ forgives them for their past sins, become children of God -- cleansed, filled with the Holy Spirit and live in obedience to the word of God as taught by the Holy Spirit! The power of God demonstrated in His people isn’t that they keep sinning. It is that they overcome regardless of the tribulations and trials that they face! Why? Because they truly believe that who the Son sets free is free indeed (Jn 8:36) and they exercise that faith in continually overcoming. Their lives are no longer theirs but the Father’s and His will is what they pursue. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (Jn 1:12).  So, “and he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Rev 2:26). And yes, God ultimately gets the Glory because it belongs to Him. Nonetheless, Reformed thought bases  "Glory to God alone" upon an out-of-context reading of Isaiah 42:8 & 48:11 when God states He won't give His glory to idols.  God gives glory to men, kings, & especially those who walk uprightly (Ps 8:5, 21:5, 84:11).  Jesus even said God gave Him glory, and He, in turn, gave it to his disciples (Jn 17:22).  By us seeking God's glory, and honor & immortality (Rom 2:7), Jesus brings us (many sons) to glory (Rom 2:7, 8:18, Heb 2:10).  Even in the Old Testament God intended to give His glory/praise to Israel, Jerusalem, etc. (Isaiah 46:13, 62:7). So even though God is the ultimate source of glory & worthy of all glory, the "glory to God alone" argument from Reformed Theology also wreaks of the ideas behind God doing and receiving everything, and us doing and receiving nothing.  As Jesus said, "apart from me, you can do nothing." It is those who confess they can do nothing who are actually apart from him.  

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” - Phil 1:9-11.