An Introduction To Reformed Theology

What 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.

Study guide for What is Reformed Theology? includes lesson objectives, message outline, study questions, and discussion questions. Suitable for individual or group study.

An Introduction to Reformed Theology is a rich resource of selections from the preaching and teaching of John H. Leith, a well-respected Presbyterian pastor and Reformation scholar. A new pastoral leader could find guidance for a funeral service. A seminary student might discover how the Nicene doctrine of the person of Jesus Christ can give depth to sermons for a contemporary congregation. A teacher may find help from the history of theology to guide students in Christian formation and life. These essays deal with the topics of evangelism, pastoral caring for each other, and living as a Christian in secular society. The author gives practical applications with the deep conviction that faith frames the mystery of God’s creation of human beings and nurtures them from childhood through the pilgrimage of life with the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, the hope for eternal life. An extensive bibliography of sources is included for those who want to probe further and study more closely. Anyone looking for a deeper understanding of basic Christian beliefs will enjoy this book.

A concise and readable study for laypersons and clergy alike, this book is indispensable for all informed people in many different confessional communities. With the passion of one who not only observes but believes, John Leith touches on all aspects of Reformed history, theology, polity, liturgy, and Christian culture with a balance of enthusiasm and critical judgment that always rings true.

This book introduces Reformed theology by surveying the doctrinal concerns that have shaped its historical development. The book sketches the diversity of the Reformed tradition through the past five centuries even as it highlights the continuity with regard to certain theological emphases. In so doing, it accentuates that Reformed theology is marked by both formal ('the always reforming church') and material ('the Reformed church') interests. Furthermore, it attends to both revisionary and conservative trends within the Reformed tradition. The book covers eight major theological themes: Word of God, covenant, God and Christ, sin and grace, faith, worship, confessions and authority, and culture and eschatology. It engages a variety of Reformed confessional writings, as well as a number of individual theologians (including Zwingli, Calvin, Bullinger, Bucer, Beza, Owen, Turretin, Edwards, Schleiermacher, Hodge, Shedd, Heppe, Bavinck, Barth, and Niebuhr).

In this thorough introduction to theological anthropology, Joshua Farris offers an evangelical perspective on the topic. Farris walks the reader through some of the most important issues in traditional approaches to anthropology, such as sexuality, posthumanism, and the image of God. He addresses fundamental questions like, Who am I? and Why do I exist? He also considers the creaturely and divine nature of humans, the body-soul relationship, and the beatific vision.

Many people react negatively to the word theology, believing that it involves dry, fruitless arguments about minute points of doctrine. They prefer to focus on the basic truths of Scripture and may even declare, "No creed but Christ." Yet as Dr. R.C. Sproul argues, everyone is a theologian. Any time we think about a teaching of the Bible and strive to understand it, we are engaging in theology. Therefore, it is important that we put the Bible's varied teachings together in a systematic fashion using proper, time-tested methods of interpretation so as to arrive at a theology that is founded on truth.

An Introduction to Reformed Theology is a rich resource of selections from the preaching and teaching of John H. Leith, a well-respected Presbyterian pastor and Reformation scholar. A new pastoral leader could find guidance for a funeral service. A seminary student might discover how the Nicene doctrine of the person of Jesus Christ can give depth to sermons for a contemporary congregation. A teacher may find help from the history of theology to guide students in Christian formation and life. These essays deal with the topics of evangelism, pastoral caring for each other, and living as a Christian in secular society. The author gives practical applications with the deep conviction that faith frames the mystery of God's creation of human beings and nurtures them from childhood through the pilgrimage of life with the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, the hope for eternal life. An extensive bibliography of sources is included for those who want to probe further and study more closely. Anyone looking for a deeper understanding of basic Christian beliefs will enjoy this book.