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Chapter 20

Chapter 20. The Reformed t radition. Questions to be addressed in this chapter. How did the Reformed t radition emerge as distinct from Lutheranism? What was Calvin’s contribution to Reformed theology? What were some significant developments in Reformed thought after Calvin?

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Chapter 20

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  1. Chapter 20 The Reformed tradition

  2. Questions to be addressed in this chapter • How did the Reformed tradition emerge as distinct from Lutheranism? • What was Calvin’s contribution to Reformed theology? • What were some significant developments in Reformed thought after Calvin? • How was disagreement between Calvinists and Arminians resolved in Holland?

  3. The great sola statements • sola gratia (grace alone): justification is by God’s gift of grace, not because of any merit on the part of humans; • sola fide (faith alone): this gift is received through faith, not by doing any good works; • sola scriptura (Scripture alone): the final authority of doctrine and practice is the Bible, not the Church. (p. 337)

  4. Zwingli • Swiss theologian and pastor (1484-1531). • Debated with Luther on the nature of the Eucharist, interpreting it symbolically. • Influence of philosophical ideas on the doctrine of predestination. • The providence of God precludes human free will and turns into the distinctive Reformed doctrine of sovereignty.

  5. Calvin • (1509-1564), born in France but spent most of his life in what is now Switzerland. • Most important Reformed theologian, though drew heavily from Zwingli and Bullinger. • Objective is to work out the logic of the idea of God inherited from Zwingli and to produce scriptural support. • All God’s decrees are for God’s glory.

  6. Beza and Arminius • Theodore Beza (1519-1603) succeeded Calvin in Geneva. • Attempted to work out the logic of Calvin’s theology, arguing for supralapsarianism. • Jacob Arminius (1560-1609) argued against supralapsarianism and its seeming fatalism, emphasizing human free will. • Monergism vs. synergism.

  7. The remonstrance of 1610 and the Synod of Dort • The Remonstrance of 1610 detailed five points of disagreement with Calvinist theology. • The Synod of Dort convened in 1618 to respond, condemning the “Arminians” and detailing their own five points.

  8. Five points of Calvinism • Unconditional election: God’s predestination is not based on his foreknowledge, but completely on his own choice. • Limited atonement: Christ did not die for the sins of all, but only for the elect. • Total depravity: since the Fall, every person inherits a corrupt nature that makes them incapable of any good. • Irresistible grace: God’s saving grace offered to the elect cannot be refused. • Perseverance of the saints: once saving faith has been given to people, it cannot be revoked. (p. 347)

  9. Summary of main points • Zwingli disagreed with Luther on the Eucharist and developed an understanding of God influenced by his humanist education. • Calvin became the greatest articulator of the Reformed doctrines, interpreting Scripture to be fully supportive of them. • Beza was influential in developing the stricter supralapsarian version of Calvinism; Arminius considered himself Reformed but objected to Calvinist doctrines. • The Arminian Remonstrance of 1610 was condemned by the Synod of Dort, which identified the “Five Points” of Calvinism.

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