Questions tagged [reformed-theology]
A branch of Protestantism emphasizing the sovereignty of God and his covenants with humanity. Also known as Calvinism.
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What reason might there be for the claim that it would be logical to find a Calvinist who was convinced he was one of the damned (non-elect)?
I ask due to a comment to this old question According to Calvinism, why does God give mercy to some and not to others?
Under the answer by a Calvinist that got 16 up-votes and the Green Tick, a person ...
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what does it mean in The Canons of Dort article 17?
From What does Calvinism teach about infant death? Do newborn babies go to heaven when they die because they haven't committed sins yet, or do they go to hell because they, like everyone else, have a ...
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What kind of trinitarian was Thomas F. Torrance?
If I understand correctly (and I might be wrong). When it comes to the doctrine of the Trinity, as opposed to the Cappadocian Fathers (or at lest against Basil), Torrance believed that not just God ...
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How do Lutheran discern Law and Gospel in the Lord's Prayer?
In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus famously says:
Matthew 6:12 NMB
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
This seems to be a law thing, as it means "unless you ...
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Is there a theological link between the views of Cassian and Pelagius and Arminianism?
During the fifth century, John Cassian claimed that the initial steps to salvation were in the power of each individual, unaided by grace. He reacted against Augustine’s view of the irresistible ...
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Why is Adoption placed before Sanctification in the Reformed ‘ordo salutis’?
I am trying to understand the Reformed ‘ordo salutis’ or order of salvation events and the rationale for the placement of adoption in that order. I take this (from Wikipedia) as the Reformed (...
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Arguments for and against images of God
I am orthodox christian and on my walls I have icons of Jesus and Saints. But theese days I thought of the stature Christ the Redeemer from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and I remembered some words from a ...
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What Did the "Geneva Reformers" Have Against Exodus 2:22?
I have been reading The Catholic Controversy by St. Francis de Sales (pdf here). On page 109 one finds:
In Exodus, at Geneva and elsewhere among these reformers, they have cut out the twenty-second ...
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According to major Reformed theologians, what is the Christian fulfillment of the Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)?
According to major Reformed theologians, what is the Christian fulfillment of the Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)?
I'm particularly interested in what a Reformed theologian determines to be the Christian ...
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What do Reformed theologians mean that Catholics have the "more metaphysical conception" of God's grace?
In Derek Rishmawy's blog article defending how Reformed justification is not sub-Trinitarian, he compared fully Trinitarian Reformed approach as "the forgiving mercy of God" (via a quote ...
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What were John Calvin's arguments against John of Damascus on Icons?
What were John Calvin's counterarguments for iconoclasm aniconism against John of Damascus' arguments in favor of icon veneration?
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Scriptural basis of the "Notitia Assensus Fiducia" definition of faith?
I have read about the Reformed definition of faith - noticia, assensus, and fiducia. But what is the Scriptural basis for this definition of faith? Some point to Heb. 11:1, but I do not see the ...
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How does a Baptist church handle a believer who was already baptized as an infant and confirmed as a youth?
Let's say a Christian grew up in a non-Baptist Reformed church and was baptized as an infant. This Christian went through a catechism and confirmation during his youth (12-15 yr. old) and in the ...
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What is the term in spiritual theology to denote the aspect that increases within a believer as God carries his work to completion (Phil 1:6)?
The background
I grew up in a Reformed church since I was a kid. In my adulthood as I become more concerned with my spiritual health, I increasingly expect theology to provide at least a rich enough ...
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Catholicism - Is the TULIP Formula more or less true? (Semantics)
Catholic convert here. It is of my understanding that the differences between the Calvinist and Catholic predestination theology is mostly a game of semantics, and I was curious to see other opinions ...
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Do Arminian Protestants agree with Chapter 3 Article 1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith?
Q: Do Arminian Protestants agree with Chapter 3 Article 1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith?
We read:
CHAPTER 3 -
Of God’s Eternal Decree
God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy ...
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Did R.C Sproul consider any historical-seeming book to be non-historical?
I was watching this video on YouTube by R.C. Sproul and it discussed the Sensus Literalis, and how genre matters. One comment that surpised me was that, Sproul says it may take a lot of technical work ...
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Do any living, Reformed authors interpret ‘the life the eternal’ as anything other than an expression of the eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ?
My header question had to be curtailed - this is my question in full :
Do any living authors of Reformed, Protestant, Trinitarian systematic theologies interpret ‘the life the eternal’ (1 John 1:2) as ...
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What is the Reformed Protestant view of Theodicy?
The definition of Theodicy is:
"the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the
existence of evil. ("the question of theodicy")
My question is: What is the Reformed ...
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How do Reformed Calvinists interpret 1 Corinthians 10:13?
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also ...
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How do Christians who believe in libertarian free will respond to R.C. Sproul's critique in the article "What Is Free Will?"?
I'm referring to this article: What Is Free Will?, which is a transcript of a sermon by Reformed Theologian R.C. Sproul (a video recording of the sermon is available in the same article). I highly ...
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According to Reformed Theology, how can one justify infant baptism?
I have read the entire Westminster Confession of faith before; and I agree with pretty much everything except for the infant baptism section:
Not only those that do actually profess faith in and ...
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According to Reformed Theology, what is the exegetical basis for the claim that 1 Timothy 2:4 means "all kinds of people"?
I am not an expert with Hermeneutics or methods of Exegesis, yet I am in the process of learning such things. This particular verse is easier to understand in terms of a basic tenet of Hermeneutics, ...
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How can God be loving and just whilest creating people for His wrath? I cannot wrap my head around Calvinism!
I just recently left a church that I attended for nearly a decade that is rooted in Calvinist beliefs. I am really struggling with their conception of the Lord and their understanding of the scripture....
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What is the Reformed Protestant view of Progressive Christianity?
My question has been inspired by this question: Can a Christian be a Conservative?
It led me to investigate ‘Progressive Christianity’ which is a "post-liberal movement" within Christianity ...
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According to Arminians, why do they find Calvinism distasteful or inaccurate? [duplicate]
R.C. Sproul, a Reformed thinker said in his book “Chosen by God” that: “Jimmy Swaggart has made it clear that he considers the Reformed view a demonic heresy.” (Page 7)
Obviously, disagreements can ...
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What is a brief history of the term "reformed" as in Reformed churches and Reformed theology?
Why do theologies and churches based on the teaching of Calvin consistently self-identify using the term "Reformed" even down to the 21st century, such as the 2019 Reformed Systematic ...
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Who said, “The exegesis favors the Calvinist”?
I’m trying to find an obscure quote from a particular theologian who in his commentary on a particular verse of Scripture wrote something along the lines of the following:
“The exegesis favors the ...
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In Reformed theology or Reformed churches what does the confirmation "ceremony" do?
When I was a baby I was baptized in a Reformed church descended from the Dutch Reformed Church. I still have my certificate of baptism. Then I went to Sunday school with other kids in the ...
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What is the Reformed Protestant Interpretation of 1 Timothy 1:19 in relation to “eternal security”?
Q: What is the Reformed Protestant Answer/interpretation to 1 Timothy 1:19 as it pertains to “eternal security”?
We read in the immediate context:
“I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in ...
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What is the reformed perspective of why God continues to give breath & life to those who are sinners in Adam?
I am aware of Romans chapter 9 and it’s eternal implications for eternal destinies, especially given the Reformed interpretation of it.
I am also aware of the doctrines of “Original Sin” & “God’s ...
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According to Calvinists, why does God not predestine all to Heaven?
It seems to me that if God chooses not only those who will go to heaven, but those who will go to hell, a Calvinist would hold the position of Universalism, that being that all people will be saved. ...
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According to Reformed Calvinists, are all of a person's volitional states causally determined by prior causes in time?
From the Wikipedia article on Determinism:
Determinism is the philosophical view that all events are determined completely by previously existing causes. Deterministic theories throughout the history ...
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Does the Confessional Calvinism rule Arminianism as a heretic teaching?
While searching on the Web about the Synod of Dort, I have found this post on Heidelblog. It takes a long time preparing the ground to defend that the Arminianism is mere repackaged Pelagianism:
Did ...
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What is particular about Psalms according to Exclusive Psalmodists?
I've run into some adherents of Exclusive Psalmody in my denomination. The general argument they've been running with is that if we teach the inspiration and perfection of the Psalms then they should ...
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What is the earliest example of the concept of Total Depravity?
Total Depravity is the Calvinist doctrine that human nature is thoroughly corrupt and sinful as a result of the Fall. Thus we can only do good works through God's grace.
What is the earliest document ...
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Why in the Reformed tradition the 7 spiritual gifts mentioned in Isaiah 11:1-3 are no longer taught?
Two lists of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Protestant vs. Catholic
In the Evangelical church circles, when they do retreats / workshops, when they talk about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they usually ...
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By Reformed Theology, Which Beliefs Accompany Saving Faith?
Which articles do Reformed Theologians say are always part of our salvation?
(For instance, I have heard recognized figures teach that saving faith will always carry with it a recognition of the Deity ...
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What is the appeal of John Piper (Desiring God Ministries)?
This question is not a slight or belittlement of the pastor but I simply don't understand. He is the most referenced and watched pastor at my college, even among those that wouldn't identify as ...
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Basis for believing services are for the regenerate?
This is actually needed for an upcoming communication.
I’ve heard several Reformed Theology preachers criticizing the focus some modern Protestant churches have on using services largely or even ...
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Did C.S. Lewis misunderstand or did he truly repudiate the Reformed / Anglican doctrine of Total Depravity?
In the book The Problem of Pain CS Lewis said explicitly that he disbelieved the doctrine of Total Depravity despite his
dedicating the whole chapter 4 (Human Wickedness) with 8 very good insights ...
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What is the Reformed perspective on how the Holy Spirit is present or is growing a church at the institutional level?
With my Pentecostal friends I often hear comments like these:
There is God's presence in the church worship today.
The Holy Spirit has moved from church A to church B since church B is growing ...
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Does John 6:64-65 prove total depravity?
John 6:64-65 reads:
“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him. And He was saying “For ...
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According to Calvinism does God both issue commands AND withhold the ability to obey?
Although this question regarding 1 Corinthians 10:13 is thematically closely related it differs in specifics to what I am asking. It asks about God's provision of a way to escape and endure ...
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Are the weaknesses in man intended by God? What are those weaknesses? Are they sinful?
In the scriptures, it says in Romans 8:20
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.
I also remember Paul saying in 2 Corin. 12:9 that:
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Does Calvinism recognize that it has God working at cross purposes to His stated desire?
Just to set the stage for this question, Jesus said that the gate is narrow and there are few that find it. As this question has to do with the Calvinist understanding of Election (and the flip side ...
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Is the doctrine of "Particular Election" synonymous with that of "Unconditional Election"?
I learned today, from The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, that the phrase "Damned if you do and damned if you don't" was coined by Lorenzo Dow, the 19th century American preacher. According ...
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What heresies have required (since the Reformation) 'rejection' after the 'first and second admonition' (Titus 3:10)?
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; ...
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What does Paul mean by "divine nature", as revealed through creation?
In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul says
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what ...
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Is the "righteousness of God" more than a life of perfect submission?
Many reformed protestants believe in "double imputation" - the idea that our sin is imputed to Christ, and his righteousness is imputed to us. 2 Corinthians 5 is often the source quoted for ...
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