In summary, Reformation Theology is consistent with historic biblical Christianity and maintains that:
The term Reformation is an historical term that goes back almost four centuries. It refers to a period when the church underwent a "reformation" as men of God attempted to return Christianity to the authority of Scripture. The desire of the Reformation was not to change God's word but rather to bring the church back into accord with it. Led by men like Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin, the Reformation churches split off from the errors of the medieval Roman church and began what we know today as Protestantism. The Protestant churches were born out of the Reformation.
Martin Luther and the early Reformers spent much of their time trying to convince the church that man was saved by God's grace alone (sola gratia) through faith alone (sola fide) in the Lord Jesus Christ. They believed that all teachings and doctrines should be based upon Scripture alone (sola Scriptura). Through the work of Luther and John Calvin, the Reformers recognized the clear teaching of Scripture, that God is indeed a sovereign God.
They believed that God was not an idle viewer but was active in all of nature and the affairs of man, that "He who keeps you will not slumber." They taught, as Paul the apostle did, that "in Him we live and move and have our being." They were sure that God ruled over His creation sovereignly and that all events came to pass by God's design, for He "works all things according to the counsel of His will." They also acknowledged that the purpose in all God's work and the chief end of man was God's glory alone (soli Deo Gloria).
Does the Creator of all have the right to do whatever He wants with the peoples of the earth? The Reformers believed not only that He had that right but that He exercised His will righteously and that this
principle was clear in Scripture."He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'what have You done?' " His sovereignty was especially realized in the salvation of the elect. Those who followed in the footsteps of the Reformers brought this teaching into clarity in the doctrines of grace, commonly denoted by the mnemonic
Early Protestant leaders found that they had to defend the scriptural teachings of the sovereignty of God against those who denied God these rights. Many felt that salvation was at least in part by their
own hands and were aggravated that anyone would bring this pride under the authority of Scripture. Reformation Theology valiantly proclaimed the biblical answer to this attack on God's rightful place as Lord over His creation. Briefly stated,
Man in his fallen, sinful state does "not receive the things of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned." Fallen and unregenerate man finds himself "dead in trespasses and sin." He is unable to help himself and cannot be delivered from this dreadful state except through the unmerited grace of God our Savior.
God has not justify mankind to perish in its sin, but has from all eternity chosen to save unto himself a people which no man can number. God has chosen "us in Him before the foundation of the world." This means that those who will be saved are those who have been chosen to be saved by the sovereign Lord, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy." He does not base His election on any condition within man, "lest anyone should boast."
Christ's atonement was designed specifically for the redemption of His people; "I lay My life down for My sheep." He did not shed His blood for those who will not come to Him, He has not paid the price for their sin -- they will. "I do not pray for the whole world but for those you have given me."
Those whom He has chosen will surely come to Him. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." God sends His Holy Spirit to effectually work in the hearts of His elect for whom Christ died; "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." The "gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
"My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." Salvation was not merited by any, and the eternal security of His true sheep is never dependent on them, for "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." The true believer will persevere by God's grace. Those who fall away from the faith prove that they were never really saved in the first place.
Four centuries ago the Reformers sought to humble man and exalt God. This objective has been carried on from the beginning of time by those who desire to know the Lord of Hosts. Reformation theology maintains that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The need for today is a return to Reformation theology and the sharing of the word of God in and out of season so that Christ's church may benefit from sound doctrine and a deeper appreciation of the God we serve.
Reformation Theology is not an opinion on Scripture, nor were its doctrines written to bend scriptural teachings. We encourage you to search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so, just as the Bereans did in Acts 17. By God's grace, may you find that this is indeed the faith once for all delivered to the Saints that all may be edified according to His will and for His glory.