1. Sola Scriptura: The Scripture Alone is the Standard
2. Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone
3. Solo Christo! By Christ’s Work Alone are We Saved
4. Sola Gratia: Salvation by Grace Alone
5. Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone

Reformed theology came out of the Reformation and in particular the theology of Calvin (1509-1564), although its roots go back to Augustine (345-430), it was formulated by the puritans, especially in the Westminster confession of faith (1646). This Confession is the enduring fruit of the solemn Assembly of some 100 leading Puritan divines, convened at Westminster Abbey in London from July 1, 1643 through to Feb.,1649. Other reformed confessions: Belgic (1580), Baptist (1689), 39 Articles of the Church of England – Anglican and Episcopal (1571, 1662, 1801)

Examples of some reformed theologians are Thomas Manton (1620-1677), John Owen (1616-1683), Richard Baxter (1615-1691), Thomas Goodwin, Jonathan Edwards (1703-1759), George Whitefield (1714-1770) and later Charles Hodge (1797-1878), AA Hodge (1823-1886) Spurgeon (1834-1892), B. B. Warfield (1851-1921), John Gresham Machen (1881-1937). Louis Berkhof (1873-1957) , William Hendriksen (1900-1982), Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987), R C Sproul, John Piper.

Reformed theology holds to the five points of Calvanism, although not all Calvanists would be reformed. The five points of Calvinism (TULIP) are:- Total Depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irrestistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints. “While these doctrines, though certainly not originated by John Calvin, were re-emphasized and taught anew by him at the time of the Reformation, it remained for the Synod of Dordrecht, 1618-19, which was convened to settle the Arminian controversy in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, to formulate these truths with great clarity and in painstaking detail. This official formulation was accomplished in a creed which represented the consensus of all Reformed churches of that day, the Canons of Dordrecht.” The Five Points of Calvinism by Herman Hanko

Reformed theology emphasizes God rather than being man centered (Arminian). God chose us rather than we chose God, only those chosen by God will come to him and those who come to him he will not cast out. According to R C Sproul reformed theology is sometimes called covenant theology being based on the covenants of redemption (within the trinity), works (made with Adam) and grace (made with sinners). The idea of unconditional election means that there is nothing within us, even in God’s foreknowledge of us that moved Him to elect us. His choice of election was based on His good pleasure and wisdom and not on anything good or bad in us i.e. it is not conditional on us, hence our election is unconditional. Reformed theology places regeneration before faith. The perseverance of the saints or preservation of the saints effectively means once saved always saved.

Creation: Chapter IV of the Westminster Confession of Faith states: “Of Creation I. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good.” In the light of the the Westminster Confession I would expect Reformed churches to adopt a young earth – six day literal creation approach.

Homosexuality: Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; the Bible calls homosexuality sin (Rom. 1:26-27).

We are indebted to www.apocalipsis.org for the above summary.