Have you ever heard someone ask, “Are you Reformed?” or “What does it mean to believe in Reformed theology?” These questions are common in Christian circles, yet they can sometimes be tricky to answer.
So, what exactly is Reformed theology? At its core, Reformed theology is a framework of Christian belief that emerged from the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. The Reformers—leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli—challenged key theological teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They rejected certain doctrines regarding justification, church authority, and the sacraments, emphasizing instead the supremacy of God’s Word and salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
Today, the term Reformed theology is often associated with a high view of Scripture, a belief in God’s sovereignty over all things, and the doctrine of predestination. It is also frequently linked to the five points of Calvinism, which outline a theological perspective on salvation. However, Reformed theology is much broader than just predestination or Calvinism—it is a God-centered way of understanding Scripture, salvation, and Christian living.
What Are the Core Beliefs of Reformed Theology?
At the heart of Reformed theology are five foundational statements, often called the Five Solas of the Reformation. The word “sola” comes from Latin, meaning “alone” or “only.” These five solas serve as the pillars of Protestant belief and define the key theological differences between Reformed Christians and other traditions, such as Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Arminianism.
The Five Solas of Reformed Theology
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) – The Bible is the highest and final authority for faith and practice. Church traditions, human opinions, and personal experiences must be tested against the Word of God.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) – Salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, not something we earn or contribute to through good works or religious rituals.
Solus Christus (Christ Alone) – Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. Salvation comes through His atoning work alone—no priest, pope, or personal merit can add to it.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone) – Justification comes by faith alone, not by human effort. Believers are declared righteous before God through faith in Christ’s finished work.
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) – All of life, including salvation, exists for the glory of God. Worship, work, and daily living should all point back to Him.
These five solas laid the foundation for Reformed theology’s emphasis on God’s sovereignty, human depravity, and salvation by grace alone.
Beyond the Solas: Key Distinctions of Reformed Theology
While the Five Solas provide a broad framework, Reformed theology is also known for its specific doctrinal positions, particularly the five points of Calvinism (often summarized as TULIP):
- Total Depravity – Every part of human nature is affected by sin; we are incapable of choosing God apart from His grace.
- Unconditional Election – God sovereignly chooses who will be saved, not based on merit but on His divine will.
- Limited Atonement – Christ’s atonement was specifically for those He would save.
- Irresistible Grace – God’s grace, when extended to a person, cannot ultimately be resisted.
- Perseverance of the Saints – True believers will endure in faith until the end, preserved by God’s power.
These doctrines emphasize God’s absolute sovereignty over salvation and every aspect of life. They distinguish Reformed theology from Catholicism, Lutheranism, Arminianism, and other theological traditions. Let's dive more into specifics below.
Reformed Theology's Belief in Predestination
Reformed Theology believes our final end, whether heaven or hell, is determined solely and sovereignly by the Lord God, and not only before we get there, but before we are born. Other faiths believe man has a role in where he ends up after his time on earth is done. Predestination holds the firm belief that God is all the Bible declares Him to be, which is merciful, holy, gracious, and just, etc. Whether He decrees a person saved or not, God is glorified wherever that person ends up.
Scripture: Proverbs 16:4; John 13:18; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:3-14
Reformed Theology's Belief in the Atonement
Reformed Theology believes Christ’s death on the cross is the atonement necessary to save people from God’s wrath. Sinful man cannot save himself; he needs a perfect, sinless Savior to save him. Through Adam, sin came to all humanity, Jesus, as the Last Adam, brought spiritual life to all who come to Him in repentance and faith and surrender to Him as Savior and Lord. Because God is sovereign and because of His plan of predestination, the salvation of the elect is sure (hence their assurance of salvation).
Scripture: Romans 3:21-28; Romans 5:17-19; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Matthew 1:21; John 3:16; John 17:9-12; Romans 8:30
Reformed Theology's Belief about the Role of Free Will in Salvation
Dr. R.C. Sproul said the “very essence of free will [is] to choose according to our desires.” But as regards salvation, because we are fallen beings, we would choose our own way apart from God. That is the question: what causes man to choose to follow Christ? The great eighteenth-century pastor, Jonathan Edwards, said, “as fallen human beings we retain our natural freedom (to act on our own wishes) but lose moral freedom (our inclination toward righteousness). God must change our hearts for us to choose Him. God draws the elect to Himself through the Lord Jesus Christ."
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19-20; John 6:44; John 15:5; Romans 8:5-8
Reformed Theology's Belief about Baptism
Reformed theology holds that baptism is an ordinance mandated by Christ as a symbol of our alliance with Him, His death, burial, and resurrection/ Baptism is not what saves us, but rather a picture of what Christ has already done in our lives and hearts.
Scripture: Romans 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Titus 3:3-7
Reformed Theology's Belief about Communion
Reformed theology believes communion is the second ordinance Christ directed the church to observe regularly. Communion is what we call the Lord’s Supper, where we proclaim His death and life in remembrance of what He did for us “until He comes again.”
Scripture: Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Reformed Theology's Belief in the Triunity of God
God is One and he is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, according to Reformed belief. The Godhead is comprised of three persons with one essence. This triune nature of God will remain a mystery to our finite minds, yet it is true according to God’s Word.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:2
Reformed Theology's Belief in the Deity of Christ
Jesus Christ is God, and He is fully God and fully man, according to Reformed belief.
Scripture: Mark 2:28; John 1;1-14; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:19
Reformed Theology's View on Faith
Our faith is rooted in the truth of the infallible Scriptures and salvation is through faith in Christ's atoning work.
Scripture: Romans 1:16-32; Romans 5:1-11; Galatians 3:1-14; Ephesians 2:8-9
Reformed Theology's Belief about the Church
The church is all the people who belong to the Lord—the Bride of Christ—God’s elect, according to this theology.
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-14; Revelation 7:9-10
Reformed Theology's Views about the End Times
Reformed theology believes in the “it-can-happen-at-any-moment” rapture of the church, when believers will join Christ as he returns and be part of His triumphal procession. The invisible kingdom of God is here on earth in Christ's Body, the church; it will be physically revealed at Christ’s return when He will reign as the true king.
Scriptures: Psalm 10:16-18; Daniel 2:44; John 18:36; Hebrews 1:8-14; Matthew 24: 1-25:46; Luke 21: 5-36; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
Is Calvinism Part of Reformed Theology?
In short, yes. An important arm of Reformed Theology is Calvinism, named after its developer, John Calvin, a Swiss Reformer. Its basic tenets are comprised of five points, commonly known through the acronym, TULIP which is explained below.
Total depravity: because of the Fall (Genesis 3), humanity cannot save themselves and are blind, deaf, and dead to the Lord God. Man has no free will.
Unconditional election: God chooses people based on His will alone, and not on any person’s worth.
Limited atonement: Jesus died only for the people God has chosen (the elect).
Irresistible grace: God will sovereignly give His elect the gift of faith (salvation).
Perseverance of the saints: No one saved by Jesus will ever lose their salvation (Once saved, always saved).
How Does Covenant Theology Relate to Reformed Theology?
Reformed Theology argues that covenant is central to Scripture’s organization, and God’s redemptive plan is organized around His covenants with humanity with Christ central to all. Reformed Theology is, in effect, Covenant Theology, and all covenants are culminated and encompassed in Christ. The biblical covenants are:
- The Adamic Covenant (works) – Genesis 3: This covenant established the terms of obedience for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where their disobedience brought sin and death into the world, initiating humanity's need for redemption.
- The Covenant of Grace (Genesis 3:15): The overarching promise of salvation through a Redeemer, first introduced after the Fall, in which God pledged to defeat evil through the offspring of the woman, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
- The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 6:18): God's promise to Noah after the flood, where He vowed never to destroy the earth by flood again, symbolized by the rainbow, ensuring the continuation of life and the stability of creation.
- The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15): God's promise to Abraham that He would make him the father of many nations, bless his descendants, and give them the land of Canaan, ultimately pointing toward the coming of the Messiah.
- The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:4-6; 20:2): The covenant in which God gave the Law to Israel through Moses, establishing a special relationship with them as His chosen people and setting the moral, civil, and ceremonial laws for their conduct.
- The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17): God's promise to David that his lineage would produce an eternal kingdom, ultimately fulfilled in the reign of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
- The New Covenant in Christ (The New Testament): The culmination of all previous covenants, where Christ's death and resurrection secured eternal redemption for believers, fulfilling the law and providing a new relationship with God through grace.
What is the Historical Background of Reformed Theology?
Martin Luther and John Calvin are the two most famous men of the Protestant Reformation, and we will center our look at the historical background of Reformed Theology on these two, with a mention of the other important figures in furthering Reformation Theology.
German monk Martin Luther sparked the Reformation in 1517 when he posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Chapel, wherein he listed his findings from deep biblical study and prayer. His beliefs were based solely on his discoveries from the Bible, and they opposed the Catholic theology which melded the Bible with tradition. His theses also negated the pope’s autonomy.
Luther’s public profession of faith departed from the Catholic doctrines, and of course raised their ire. He defended himself and, at the end, was excommunicated as a heretic by Pope Cajetan at the Diet of Worms (a Diet was a formal assembly with the goal of oratory and making determinations). At this 1521 event, Luther stood his ground against the Catholic church council and made his famous reply to their demand he recant of his public professions, “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves, I am bound by the Scriptures that I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise. Here I stand, God help me.”
Even in exile from the Catholic church, Luther continued his work and translated the Bible into the German language (a task he finally completed in 1534). Martin Luther died in 1546, but his Reformation legacy includes bringing forth part of the Five Solas of the Reformation with the other Reformers; he coined the term Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), which is the bedrock for the Reformation doctrines.
John Calvin was a Swiss Reformer and is considered by many to be the greatest of the Protestant theologians. In 1532, Calvin started a Protestant movement in France (where he was born). One year later, the Catholic church labeled Calvin a heretic and he fled Paris. Calvin went on to write his most famous and enduring apologetic for the faith, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536), which explains Protestant beliefs.
Calvin brought prominence to belief in the all-inclusive sovereignty of God and in the doctrine of predestination. His theological approach has been labeled “Calvinism,” a powerful theology embraced by an estimated eighty million Reformed Christians.
What are Other Key Figures in Reformation History?
John Wycliffe, an English priest who, in the fourteenth century, proposed limits to the pope’s taxation policies and his civil powers. He challenged the Catholic belief of transubstantiation and believed Scripture should be available to the “common folk.” Followers of his later published the Wycliffe Bible, the first English Bible translation. Condemned by the Council of Constance of 267 heretical acts, Wycliffe died of complications from strokes; the Catholic church ordered his remains be unearthed, burned, and scattered on the river.
Jan Hus of Bohemia spread Wycliffe’s ideas through a published paper. He refused to recant his stated beliefs and was burned at the stake.
In 1456, Johannes Gutenberg printed the first Bible in Europe (the Latin Vulgate) using moveable metallic type.
William Tyndale taught Scripture and is labeled a heretic by the Catholic council; his plans to print the New Testament in English, but upon discovery escapes with only a few sections completed, which he later finished in Germany. Tyndale was later imprisoned and then strangled and burned at the stake for heresy.
What Influence Has Reformed Theology Had on Modern Christianity?
Reformed Theology places its emphasis firmly on Christ and His Word. The reformers stood against tradition, doctrinal errors, and an imposition of man’s authority superseding God’s. Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to regard those who have gone before, from God’s ancient prophets to the disciples and Apostles, and through the faithful men of the Reformation who exalted Christ, many at the cost of their lives.
Most importantly, Reformed Theology looks to Christ, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)—to what Christ has done, what He is doing now, and forward to what He will do. People who adhere to a Reformed Theology see Christ at the center of redemptive history and live accordingly, seeking to love Him and obey Him in all they do.
Reformed churches are unified in their stance that Christ and His Word define and govern their teaching and preaching. Worship encompasses all parts of life, not just Sunday praise and fellowship. Reformed churches tend toward more Bible studies, community groups, and evangelism outreaches.
Because Reformed Theology churches are secure in their salvation, Pastor Edwin Hurley states, “Rather than trying to earn our salvation or justify ourselves, we live lives of grateful service because of what Christ has done for us.” Reformed churches come together with open Bibles and hearts, eager to hear what the Lord will teach through the pastor. The congregations are likened to the Bereans noted in Acts 17:11, who, “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” What a noble and worthy endeavor for us to follow after.
Further Reading
What is TULIP in Calvinism?
What are the Five Points of Calvinism?
5 Things All Christians Should Understand about Reformed Theology
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
