"Reformed Theology"

The reader may have at some time come across the phrase, "Reformed Theology" and wondered what it meant. It refers to Calvinism. The name implies that someone's theology needed to be reformed; its adherents also purport that the new is an improvement of and correction over the original. Hmm. Isn't it the case that the original theology was taught in the Scriptures? Then what was wrong with it that someone presumed to correct it? Oh! They claim to be reforming Christianity from Catholic traditions—going by Sola Scriptura—the Scriptures alone. Well, that's certainly a noble idea, but Calvinism echoes the theology of Augustine, who influenced the formation of Catholic Church theology. Confusing, isn't it?

So, let's get down to what Reform Theology teaches. Glenn Colley defines it succinctly in "Obedience to Christ is Required," which appeared in The Church of Christ is Right, the October, 2025 issue of the Spiritual Sword: "Reformed Theology teaches that salvation is brought about exclusively by God through His sovereign will without our effort, willpower, or obedience" (26). We should all agree that we must abide only by the what the Scriptures teach. That would eliminate as authoritative the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants (along with all the other Mormon "revelations"), the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Ellen G. White, Mary Baker Eddy, and every modern Pentecostal "revelation."

However, after we agree that mankind should abide by the Scriptures only, we diverge in our beliefs. While we agree that Christ is our only Savior, He saves us in conjunction with our response to Him. We agree that we are saved by grace and by faith also, but only in conjunction with an appropriate response from us. The Reformed Theology folks object to there being any response necessary to God on the part of man. One might ask, "Don't we need to have faith?" Of course we do, as John 3:16 teaches. But, according to Reform Theology, we don't even choose to believe on the basis of the evidence God provides, as the Scriptures teach (John 20:30-31). No, the Holy Spirit enables us to believe. In other words, our salvation comes through God's sovereign will. We are saved by His will—not our own. And we are saved regardless of anything we say or do.

What this means is that it does not matter how moral or immoral we might be; our salvation is up to Him—not us. Of course, if He chooses whom He will save, He also predetermines who will be lost. You may think that you have chosen to be saved, but what do you know? That decision is God's. He has already chosen to save you or condemn you; you really have no say-so in the matter. If such were true, then why offer an invitation (Matt. 11:28; Rev. 22:17)? Just for fun? Why warn against apostasy (Heb. 2:1-4; 10:26-31)? Our choices matter! Reformed Theology needs a little more reformation.