People often think of Reformed theology as one interpretation of Christianity among many, and they usually think of some of the distinctive doctrines such as predestination and limited atonement. Thus, most people believe that to be Reformed is to believe that God predestined the saved from eternity and Jesus died for them alone.

While it is true that Reformed Christians believe in the doctrine of election and particular redemption, it is not just belief in certain doctrines which others reject that defines what Reformed Christianity is or who a Reformed Christian is. The Reformation was not an attempt to establish another interpretation of Christianity or to set up a set of beliefs that would automatically distinguish its adherents from the Roman Catholics. Rather it was an attempt to define truth and to restore the church to its apostolic purity before corruptions led the church into serious error. The Reformation sought to accomplish this goal by a return to the Scriptures as the only source of authority, the only rule of faith and practice. The leaders of the Reformation sought to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent. They did not set out to destroy the Medieval Roman Catholic Church but to return it to its ancient purity and foundational truth.

The first area of corruption that the Reformers identified as needing attention was that of redemptive theology; that is, the doctrines that teach how man comes to be right with God and thus saved. When they turned to the Holy Scriptures, they found that we are saved not by our own wills, efforts, or human works, but rather by God’s grace through faith (Rom. 9:16, Eph. 2:8-9). Paul stated that the righteousness of God is a matter of “faith to faith,” that is, of faith from beginning to end, and that very faith is a gift from God (Rom. 1:16-17, Phil. 1:29, Eph. 2:8-9). As Scripture taught that God gave His people the grace of salvation before the beginning of time (2 Tim. 1:9), they understood that our salvation flows from God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 1:11), carried out in Christ by his atonement (John 19:30), and applied by the Holy Spirit. They understood the deadly effect of sin on the human soul, and that we are all dead because of those sins and unable to respond to God (Ezek. 18:4, Rom. 3:9-20, Rom. 5:12-19, Eph. 2:1-3, John 6:44, 1 Cor. 2:14). Salvation belongs alone to God (Rev. 19:1), not to the church, traditions, heritage, or human works. What emerged was a theology that was first of all Biblical, then consistent, true to human experience, and resulting in good fruit. Often it is summarized as salvation that is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, that God alone may receive all the glory. In short, Reformed theology is Biblical theology, and Biblical theology is truth. Thus Reformed theology does not claim to be just another interpretation, but a systematic expression of the teaching of the Bible regarding human redemption.

But there is more to being Reformed than embracing a Biblical belief system. Reformed people believe in the application of those great principles in everyday living. We often refer to this life-style as pietism, but it is simply living out the Christian life in day to day activities and relationships. The Reformers set up communities to put their faith into practice, and none were more zealous about Christian living than the Puritans. When we examine the Bible, we note that Paul and Peter always discuss doctrinal matters first and then the practical application of those doctrines. This process is well summarized by Paul’s admonition to the Christians at Philippi to “work out your own salvation (put it into practice) with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13).

A third area of emphasis in being Reformed is a Christian world view. The Bible teaches that we are in the world but not of the world, and we should not love the world or the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17). Our view is to heaven and our concern the Kingdom of God. That means a Christian perspective, a Christian interpretation, and a Christian evaluation of everything. Reformed people believe that God is sovereign over all created reality, so all is of God (Rom. 11:36), all truth is God’s truth, and we should think God’s thoughts after Him. But what is said of the Reformed view of Christian living and a Christian world view is simply what the Bible teaches and what every Christian should embrace.

In conclusion, to be Reformed is to take the Bible seriously: all of it, Old and New Testaments. It is to take Bible passages in both their immediate context and in the context of the entire flow of scripture, letting scripture interpret scripture. The Reformation holds up this model to the entire Christian community with the hope that the Spirit of God will convict hearts, not that Reformed people are right, but that the Bible is right and true and should be followed, for to do so results in great peace, joy, and assurance for the Christian, and gives to God all the glory and honor.