How would you answer the question, “What does it mean to be Reformed?” Perhaps you would say it is to believe in predestination, where we are chosen by God alone, apart from anything we have done. Maybe you would say it is holding the emphasis on God’s sovereignty. You might even say it is to believe in Calvinism, the very thing John Calvin taught. What we will come to find out to be true is that Reformed theology is all that and much more. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Reformed theology is nothing other than biblical Christianity.” At the root of truthful, accurate biblical Christianity, I believe the Reformed position to be the closest thing we have; hence, why we are Reformed here on this site.
In your opinion, what does it mean to be Reformed theology wise
Before we go to far into defining what it is to truly be Reformed, I would like to take a moment and go over some of the responses I have received when asking the question to “reformed professing Christians” who actively attend and serve at a reformed church.
“I think reformed theology is rooted in the five Solas, the teachings of Luther and Calvin (although they are not without error), and a general assessment of the Catholic church during the early days of the Reformation, and the rejection of doctrines added by the Catholic church which did not conform with Biblical wisdom.”
“Ephesians 2 is my favorite chapter in the bible. Specifically versus 4-9, really speak to having a reformed theological view. Also, Romans 8 is another chapter I would point to. Basically, we have absolutely nothing to do with our salvation. We were dead, and only because of a God who is rich in mercy sought us out, do we have the hope of eternity. Nothing else.“
“A summery of Reformed theology would be, Scripture is the Authority and Word of God, God is completely sovereign over all people and things. Salvation is by Grace. Man (me!) is totally depraved. God predestines and elects us unconditionally, in no way based on merit or my individual actions. Covenants – God makes covenants with His people throughout the Bible and the Church is a fulfillment of that continued covenant. Scripture based worship services – in song, elements (communion), and expository preaching from the Word. Living your life in a way that brings glory and honor to God.”
“God chose us in His Grace before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).”
“believing in the 5 Solas, the 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP), and the concept of predestination.”
“Specifically, adhering to the teachings of Luther, brought to a head during the protestant revolution. but generally, i believe it means to reject “religion” as prescribed by most religious institutions including sadly most of the American Christian churches with regards to the various types of gospels that allow us to “worship a great god” while also performing the requirements of our own choosing that we think qualify us for eternity in paradise. To instead cling to Christ alone as our salvation that we didn’t earn, and couldn’t have and wouldn’t have on our own, ever.”
“It means to have an understanding and embrace the 5 Solas. sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) sola fide (faith alone) sola gratia (grace alone) solus Christus (Christ alone) soli Deo gloria (God’s glory alone). Put together, these solas clearly express the central concerns of Reformed Theology. To be Reformed in our thinking is to be God-centered. Salvation is from the Lord from beginning to end, and our mere existence is a gift from Him.”
“Calvinism and having a right view of God”
“What does it mean to be reformed? Well, it means, I believe in the sovereignty of God and as such, there is not one Maverick molecule in the universe that doesn’t do his bidding and is not under his control. Yes, even the decisions a man chooses or makes under his own free will, including ones decision to follow Christ. Does Man have free Will? Yes, he does! Man always chooses and does exactly what he wants to do. I could go on about this for days!! All this to say, I never understood to the extent of which God loved me, nor was able to enjoy the freedom and Security of the gift of salvation (until becoming reformed).”
“Reformed theology looks at scripture as one big story, beginning to end. At the center of that story is the work of Christ for the redemption of his people. We are sinners who can only be saved through Faith in Christ. In scripture we see God’s sovereignty and his faithfulness to his people in the promises he makes as he works out his plan of redemption. Reformed theology believes scripture is our ultimate authority and we must work to ensure we do not stray from it.”
“To me, Reformed theology is the understanding that our salvation is not earned and there was nothing we could do to achieve it. It is a gift from God. Growing up, I believed that there were things that had to do to be accepted by Jesus and that my good works helped me gain my salvation. I now have a fuller understanding that my good works simply come from me wanting to please God because of what he has given me.”
“Saved through faith by grace alone. Works as a result not as a means.”
“Some of the key components of reformed theology are the sovereignty of God, the absolute authority of scripture and salvation coming by grace and faith alone in Christ. It is most generally summarized in the 5 points of Calvinism. I believe that the sacraments of communion and baptism are important points of emphasis as well.”
“My theological background is what I would call traditional reformed. That would mean things like, high view of scripture and it’s inerrancy. Five Solas. Calvinist. Westminster confession and larger and shorter catechism.”
The Core of Reformed Theology
As you can tell from the answers above, there was a great mix of responses—some more detailed than others, some more accurate than others. This highlights the broad overview of Reformed teaching, but what we are aiming for is the core of the Reformed doctrines altogether. Reformed theology covers every aspect of the Scriptures, so it’s no wonder why multiple answers can be given, and all can still be correct to a degree. Some might respond with what the Reformed Soteriology view is, while others might explain what ties the Bible together, like Covenant theology. Both are aspects of Reformed theology, but what are the core doctrines of Reformed theology?
“We are bound to believe no more nor less than what is revealed in the Word of God.” – John Owen
I like to simplify it by simply remembering the three C’s. To be Reformed is to simply be Covenantal – Calvinistic – Confessional/Creedal. While many might mention the five Solas, which are true of Reformed theology, they more so find their root in the reformational split between the Reformers (which led to Protestantism) and that of the medieval Roman Catholic Church. Others have mentioned a high and lofty view of Scriptures, which I agree is held by the Reformed, but I do not find this quality or belief to be limited to the Reformed view alone.
Covenant theology is the view of God’s plan of redemption and how it is applied to His people1. It manifests through the Covenant of Works (with Adam) and the Covenant of Grace (fulfilled in Christ), which are brought about by the Covenant of Redemption (an agreement within the Trinity). It emphasizes a strong continuity between the Old and New Testaments, as they represent one continual story. Just as John 8:56 tells us Abraham saw Christ’s Day and rejoiced, God has always saved His people the same way from Genesis 3:15 to today. The Old Testament anticipates Christ through types and shadows, ultimately leading to the unfolding of the covenant of grace. The New Testament fulfills the covenant promises found in the work and person of Jesus Christ. God has entered into a covenant with His people, and the Reformed tradition is known for its high view of God’s plan of redemption.
“All Scripture is one harmonious doctrine of redemption.” – Herman Witsius
Calvinistic, by that we mean the soteriology of Calvinism. This usually finds its expression in the acronym TULIP, meaning Total Depravity 2– Unconditional Election3 – Limited Atonement4 – Irresistible Grace – Perseverance of the Saints. (We have a series on these; therefore, I will not go in depth on this.) These all flow harmoniously throughout Scripture from beginning to end. This is a more detailed version of how God plans to apply His covenant to His people, rooted in Scripture like Romans 3:10-18, Ephesians 1:4-5, John 6:37-39, and Romans 8:29-30. This is the best way for believers to understand the outpouring of grace that is in salvation. You will also find a lot of emphasis on the five Solas throughout the Reformed view of salvation.
“Calvinism means placing the eternal God at the head of all things.” – Charles Spurgeon
“God is not only the Creator of all things, but the disposer of all events.” – Thomas Watson
All of this and much more can be summed up and wrapped up in the Confessions and Creeds5 of the Church and the Reformers. Hence, we say that to be Reformed is to be Confessional, as we must clearly and simply be able to confess our beliefs. Creeds have been used since the beginning of the Church, even Paul told Timothy to use a pattern of sound words when holding fast to the faith in 2 Timothy 1:13—scripture shows that we are to have confessions and creeds to systematize our beliefs in an organized format. They encompass the basic core doctrines that are fundamental to the Christian faith. Essentially, if you do not align with these creeds, then you find yourself outside of the Orthodox teachings of Christ and the Church; therefore, you would not be considered a believer in the same God and faith. After affirming the original core creeds of the universal Church, you would arrive at the Confessions. The Confessions provide a great summary of the important practices and beliefs of the Church, as many different denominations hold them. They serve as a safeguard against erring in our own thoughts and opinions rather than adhering to the truth found in lofty view of the Scriptures.
“A creed is a hedge to keep truth from being overrun with error.” – Thomas Watson
“Confessions are the public testimony of the church’s faith, whereby she declares the truth she holds from the Word of God.” – William Ames
Conclusion
To be Reformed, then, is not merely to affirm a handful of doctrines or to adopt a theological label—it is to embrace a comprehensive, God-centered understanding of Scripture that shapes how we see salvation, the church, and the entirety of life. To be Reformed is also to stand within the historic stream of the church, confessing the faith alongside believers who have carefully summarized biblical truth in creeds and confessions. These are not replacements for Scripture, but faithful guides that help guard against error and preserve doctrinal clarity.
The Reformed tradition seeks to take the whole of Scripture seriously, recognizing it as one unified story of redemption unfolding through God’s covenantal dealings with His people. It affirms that salvation is entirely the work of God—from election to glorification—and that man contributes nothing but his need. This produces not pride, but humility; not passivity, but grateful obedience. Right doctrine, in this sense, is never meant to terminate in intellectual agreement alone, but to lead to worship, assurance, and a transformed life.
My hope in writing this is that you might have a fuller understanding of what it truly means to be Reformed. That when we think of being Reformed, our minds would simply run to the thoughts of being Covenantal – Calvinistic – Confessional/Creedal. Reformed theology is a confessional, covenantal, God-centered system of doctrine that submits all of life to Scripture and emphasizes God’s sovereign grace in salvation and worship. Making much of God and less of ourselves.
- https://thoughtsinthelight.com/2026/03/02/the-promise-for-you-your-children/ ↩︎
- https://thoughtsinthelight.com/2024/09/12/total-depravity/ ↩︎
- https://thoughtsinthelight.com/2025/05/09/unconditional-election/ ↩︎
- https://thoughtsinthelight.com/2025/08/22/limited-atonement/ ↩︎
- https://thoughtsinthelight.com/2025/12/22/why-confessions-and-creeds-matter/ ↩︎
Leave a comment