Reformed Theology: A Practical Guide for Life

 

Summary

Reformed theology is often misunderstood as being purely doctrinal or theoretical, but it is deeply practical and comprehensive, impacting every aspect of life. Reformed theology is not limited to the five points of Calvinism or the five solas; rather, it is a rich tradition rooted in the Reformed confessions, such as the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Confession of Faith. These documents provide a framework for understanding the Christian faith in a holistic manner, encompassing ecclesiology, soteriology, and more. The practical nature of Reformed theology is evident in its emphasis on the knowledge of God and self, which are foundational for spiritual growth and assurance of salvation.

Reformed theology addresses real-life issues such as assurance, suffering, and decision-making. It teaches that assurance of salvation is not based on personal feelings or experiences but on the promises of God in Christ. This perspective provides a stable foundation for believers who may struggle with doubts. In times of suffering, Reformed theology offers comfort by affirming God's sovereignty and fatherly care, reminding believers that their trials are not random but are used by God for their sanctification. When it comes to decision-making, Reformed theology emphasizes the importance of Scripture as the primary guide, while also recognizing God's providence in guiding believers through life's uncertainties.

The transformative power of Reformed theology lies in its ability to shape the believer's instincts and worldview. It encourages a deep, instinctive understanding of God's nature and the gospel, which influences how believers live and interact with the world. This theological framework fosters a life of integrity, humility, and joy, as believers grow in their knowledge of God and themselves.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reformed theology is comprehensive, rooted in the Reformed confessions, and not limited to the five points of Calvinism. It provides a holistic understanding of the Christian faith, impacting every aspect of life, including ecclesiology and soteriology. [00:52]

2. The knowledge of God and self is central to Reformed theology, leading to spiritual growth and assurance. A clear understanding of God's holiness and mercy helps believers recognize their sinfulness and need for grace, fostering humility and love for God. [09:03]

3. Assurance of salvation is grounded in God's promises, not personal feelings. Reformed theology teaches that assurance comes from looking to Christ and His work, rather than introspection, providing stability for believers facing doubts. [12:56]

4. In suffering, Reformed theology offers comfort by affirming God's sovereignty and fatherly care. Believers are encouraged to trust that their trials are used by God for their sanctification, transforming bitterness into joy and Christlikeness. [19:12]

5. Decision-making is guided by Scripture and God's providence. Reformed theology emphasizes the importance of biblical principles and trusting God's sovereign guidance, even when His will is not immediately clear, fostering patience and reliance on God. [21:59]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Defining Reformed Theology
[00:52] - Comprehensive Nature of Reformed Theology
[02:13] - Personal Pathways to Reformed Theology
[03:36] - Practicality of Reformed Theology
[05:28] - Personal Impact of Reformed Theology
[08:04] - Knowledge of God and Self
[10:56] - Assurance of Salvation
[15:54] - Suffering and Providence
[20:38] - Decision-Making and God's Will
[24:44] - Right Doctrine and Right Living
[29:06] - Theology and Knowing Jesus
[31:20] - The Necessity of Reformed Theology

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Practical Nature of Reformed Theology

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
3. Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Reformed theology provide a comprehensive understanding of the Christian faith beyond the five points of Calvinism? [00:52]

2. What role do the Reformed confessions, such as the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Confession of Faith, play in shaping Reformed theology? [00:52]

3. According to the sermon, how does Reformed theology address the issue of assurance of salvation? [12:56]

4. In what ways does Reformed theology offer comfort during times of suffering? [19:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the knowledge of God and self, as emphasized in Reformed theology, lead to spiritual growth and assurance? [09:03]

2. What does it mean for assurance of salvation to be grounded in God's promises rather than personal feelings? How might this perspective provide stability for believers? [12:56]

3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty and fatherly care transform a believer's perspective on suffering and trials? [19:12]

4. In what ways does Reformed theology guide decision-making through Scripture and God's providence? [21:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with assurance of salvation. How might grounding your assurance in God's promises rather than personal feelings change your perspective? [12:56]

2. Consider a current trial or suffering you are experiencing. How can the understanding of God's sovereignty and fatherly care provide comfort and transform your response? [19:12]

3. Think about a recent decision you had to make. How did you incorporate Scripture and trust in God's providence in your decision-making process? [21:59]

4. How can you cultivate a deeper knowledge of God and self in your daily life to foster spiritual growth and assurance? [09:03]

5. Identify an area in your life where you feel uncertain about God's will. What steps can you take to seek guidance from Scripture and patiently wait on God's providence? [21:59]

6. Reflect on how Reformed theology has shaped your instincts and worldview. In what ways can you further align your life with the principles of integrity, humility, and joy? [27:02]

7. How can you apply the teachings of Reformed theology to foster a life of integrity and joy in your interactions with others? [27:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Reformed Theology's Comprehensive Impact on Life
Reformed theology is not merely a set of doctrines but a comprehensive framework that influences every aspect of a believer's life. Rooted in the Reformed confessions, such as the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Confession of Faith, it provides a holistic understanding of the Christian faith. This theology encompasses ecclesiology, soteriology, and more, offering a rich tradition that goes beyond the five points of Calvinism or the five solas. By engaging with Reformed theology, believers can gain a deeper understanding of their faith, which in turn shapes their worldview and daily living. This comprehensive approach encourages believers to see all of life through the lens of God's sovereignty and grace, impacting how they interact with the world and live out their faith. [00:52]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow the comprehensive nature of Reformed theology to influence a specific area of your life today, such as your work, relationships, or personal growth?


Day 2: Knowing God and Self for Spiritual Growth
Central to Reformed theology is the knowledge of God and self, which leads to spiritual growth and assurance. Understanding God's holiness and mercy helps believers recognize their own sinfulness and need for grace, fostering humility and a deeper love for God. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but transformative, as it shapes the believer's instincts and worldview. By growing in their understanding of God and themselves, believers can experience spiritual growth and assurance of salvation, grounded in the promises of God rather than personal feelings. This perspective encourages believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, which in turn impacts their daily lives and interactions with others. [09:03]

"Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your knowledge of God and yourself this week, and how might this impact your spiritual growth and assurance?


Day 3: Assurance of Salvation in God's Promises
Reformed theology teaches that assurance of salvation is grounded in God's promises, not personal feelings or experiences. This assurance comes from looking to Christ and His work, providing stability for believers who may struggle with doubts. By focusing on the promises of God in Christ, believers can find a stable foundation for their faith, even in times of uncertainty. This perspective encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness and to find their assurance in His unchanging promises, rather than in their own fluctuating emotions or experiences. This assurance provides a sense of peace and confidence in their relationship with God, allowing them to live out their faith with boldness and joy. [12:56]

"And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life." (1 John 2:25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's promises today, especially when you face doubts or uncertainties about your salvation?


Day 4: Comfort in Suffering Through God's Sovereignty
In times of suffering, Reformed theology offers comfort by affirming God's sovereignty and fatherly care. Believers are encouraged to trust that their trials are not random but are used by God for their sanctification. This perspective transforms bitterness into joy and Christlikeness, as believers learn to see their suffering as part of God's loving plan for their lives. By trusting in God's sovereignty, believers can find comfort and hope in the midst of their trials, knowing that God is using their suffering for their ultimate good and His glory. This understanding encourages believers to rely on God's strength and to find joy in the midst of their struggles, as they grow in their faith and Christlikeness. [19:12]

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face." (Job 13:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you find comfort in God's sovereignty and fatherly care during a current trial or difficulty you are facing?


Day 5: Decision-Making Guided by Scripture and Providence
Reformed theology emphasizes the importance of Scripture as the primary guide in decision-making, while also recognizing God's providence in guiding believers through life's uncertainties. By relying on biblical principles and trusting in God's sovereign guidance, believers can navigate life's decisions with patience and reliance on God. This perspective encourages believers to seek God's will through prayer and Scripture, while also trusting in His providence to guide them, even when His will is not immediately clear. By doing so, believers can make decisions that align with God's purposes and experience His peace and guidance in their lives. [21:59]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What decision are you currently facing where you need to rely on Scripture and God's providence for guidance, and how can you seek His will in this situation today?

Quotes


Calvin writes his Institutes in order to enable the reader to grow in piety. And you look at the issues that are dealt with in every Reformed confession, and they are practical issues dealt with. I think the reason why people could imagine it is not practical or that some Reformed folk could make it less than practical is because Reformed theology is known for being clear and precise in its doctrinal statements, and that is meant for the sake of faithful clarity to God's revelation. [00:03:28]

I think at the very heart, and this is where Calvin starts his Institutes, the very heart of the practical difference Reformed theology makes, is the knowledge of God and the knowledge of self, and without a clear knowledge of God, which Reformed theology gives you, your knowledge of God will be small, it will be indistinct, it will be inaccurate in a number of ways. [00:08:21]

And, therefore, you will think that God is less holy, less beautiful, less adorable, less majestic than He truly is. And as a result, your own sinfulness won't stink as it should when you have a right view of who God is, and so, therefore, your self-righteousness will be high. And because your self-righteousness is high, your assurance of salvation will be low and your sensitivity to the views of others will be very high. [00:08:50]

Well, one thing Reformed theology does that I think the Arminian tradition, at least in my lifetime, has failed to do is to recognize it is actually possible to be a Christian and not to have full assurance of salvation. I remember when I became a Christian the counsel that was given to the counselors was "Here, 1 John says this. You agree with that, you have assurance of salvation," that did not take account of what one might call the psychology of spiritual life, the psychology of responding to the gospel. [00:11:32]

And so, part of the whole thrust of Reformed theology was the way in which it turns people, what Mike was saying here: How do you discover the truth about yourself? Not by turning into yourself, but by turning out to the knowledge of God. And, I think, for many of us because of the kind of influences that we've had in the last fifty years, we may not have the appreciation we should have of the extent to which certain individuals, books, and ministries have really transformed the landscape. [00:12:42]

And the really arresting statement he makes there is that the bitterest afflictions will become sweet to us if we know they proceed from the hand of our heavenly Father. And at every point there Calvin shows the practicality of Reformed theology, but also shows his pastoral heart. If we know that the sufferings of this life come from a loving heavenly Father, not from chance, not despite the impotent work of a less than sovereign God, that God has a loving purpose for us in the worst of our afflictions. [00:15:58]

And when these afflictions are sanctified, when we react faithfully in our afflictions, we very rarely understand them at the time, but we can even through them and maybe even see it, we can begin to grow in our Christlikeness and even grow in our joy at the care of our Father in the midst of our afflictions. But I would recommend reading some of the great works, like Flavel, for someone who is in a situation like that. [00:19:36]

We discover the will of God where He has revealed His will to us and the one place we are sure He has revealed His will to us is in the pages of Scripture. And there we find God's will revealed to us in a variety of dimensions, some crystal-clear, commandments, for example, "Should I commit adultery or should I not commit adultery? How do I discover God's will in that?" Crystal clear? [00:20:45]

And if it doesn't at that point lead you to the decision, what do you do? You do the thing that none of us wants to do. You learn what it means to wait on God and to wait for God, and in this way, God's will will be disclosed to you." And think for these men, for ourselves, you know, there is a selection of female names in Scripture that you might accidentally land on a text of Scripture and think, "I need to marry Mary" or "I need to marry Ruth," or "I need to marry Elizabeth." [00:22:28]

And if I can put it this way: It is classical music with depth and quality, but It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing. And I think that is a beautiful thing when you see it and you can see that in young people as well as old people just the way their lives stand out from the general mishmash crowd of Christians because of this dignity, this poise, this character, this stability, the music that attracts you. You want to be with such people. That's practical. [00:28:11]

The liberals in Machen's day said, "We love Jesus. That's all we need, and don't come with all of your doctrine." And Dr. Machen said, "You can only love the Jesus truly whom the Bible teaches," and that remains just as true today, that Jesus must not be our invention, the Jesus whom we love must be the Jesus that the Bible reveals, and we have to change our attitudes about Jesus and about life and about everything in conformity to what He says." [00:29:46]

That claim "I don't need theology" misses the fact that you've already got theology, you're always doing theology; the problem is, naturally, your theology is messed up. And so, your theology needs to be reformed. It needs to be corrected by the Word of God. [00:31:12]

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Transcript
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