© 1997 by R. C. Sproul
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
Repackaged edition published 2016
Ebook edition created 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-58558-652-3
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The proprietor is represented by the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.
In memory of
James Montgomery Boice
Contents
Title Page 3
Copyright Page 4
Dedication 5
Illustrations 9
Introduction: Reformed Theology Is a Theology 11
Part 1: Foundations of Reformed Theology 25
1. Centered on God 27
2. Based on God’s Word Alone 49
3. Committed to Faith Alone 69
4. Devoted to the Prophet, Priest, and King 93
5. Nicknamed Covenant Theology 117
Part 2: Five Points of Reformed Theology 135
6. Humanity’s Radical Corruption 137
7. God’s Sovereign Choice 163
8. Christ’s Purposeful Atonement 189
9. The Spirit’s Effective Call 207
10. God’s Preservation of the Saints 229
Glossary of Foreign Terms 259
Index of Subjects 261
Index of Persons 265
Index of Scripture 267
About the Author 269
Illustrations
Figures
0.1 God-Centered View of Theology 20
0.2 Man-Centered View of Theology 21
7.1 The Golden Chain of Salvation 171
Tables
1.1 The First Foundation Stone 28
2.1 The Second Foundation Stone 50
2.2 The Canon 60
3.1 The Third Foundation Stone 70
3.2 Justification 91
4.1 The Fourth Foundation Stone 94
4.2 Christological Councils 98
5.1 The Fifth Foundation Stone 118
5.2 The Structure of Ancient Covenants 126
5.3 Three Covenants 132
6.1 The TULIP’s First Petal 138
6.2 Augustine on Human Ability 144
7.1 The TULIP’s Second Petal 165
7.2 Predestination of the Elect (PE) and of the Reprobate (PR) 187
8.1 The TULIP’s Third Petal 190
8.2 The Will of God 195
9.1 The TULIP’s Fourth Petal 208
10.1 The TULIP’s Fifth Petal 230
Introduction
Reformed Theology Is a Theology
What is Reformed theology? The purpose of this book is to provide a simple answer to this question. What Is Reformed Theology? is not a textbook on systematic theology, nor a detailed, comprehensive exposition of each and every article of Reformation doctrine. It is, instead, a compendium, a shorthand introduction to the crystallized essence of Reformation theology.
In the nineteenth century theologians and historians, busy with a comparative analysis of world religions, sought to distill the essence of religion itself and reduce Christianity to its least common denominator. The term Wesen (being or essence) appeared in a plethora of German ...
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About What Is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the BasicsWhat Do the Five Points of Calvinism Really Mean? Many have heard of Reformed theology, but may not be certain what it is. Some references to it have been positive, some negative. It appears to be important, and they'd like to know more about it. But they want a full, understandable explanation, not a simplistic one. What Is Reformed Theology? is an accessible introduction to beliefs that have been immensely influential in the evangelical church. In this insightful book, R. C. Sproul walks readers through the foundations of the Reformed doctrine and explains how the Reformed belief is centered on God, based on God's Word, and committed to faith in Jesus Christ. Sproul explains the five points of Reformed theology and makes plain the reality of God's amazing grace. |
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