Paramo

Melissa Paramo
Dr. Mclhenny
Christian Mind Sect. 3
18 December 2015

Truth in All Its Glory

Christian theology has developed, throughout the years, across many different churches

and denominations. One branch of Christian theology is Reformed theology, explored in the

book, Truth in All Its Glory. William Edgar defines Reformed faith as a particular account of God

and the world (19). This is established through a Reformed worldview, the Bible, the Holy

Spirits application of Jesus work to Christians, and continued pursuit of what is true. Reformed

theology emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the belief that salvation belongs to the Lord

because He ministers it the way He sees fit.

Part of Reformed Christian culture is being biblically faithful and speaking accurately

about God. Faith comes from God, whose plan is executed by Jesus, and the Holy Spirit applies

the work to the people. Human beings are never satisfied apart from God, as Augustine says,

our desire to praise God is so deeply ingrained. People will never be contended until they find

God to then praise and glorify Him (15). The relation to salvation is God who is the center of all

things and good theology is how that salvation is accomplished and applied.

Reformed faith maintains historical confessions. The Reformation occurred because there

was tension in the Eastern and Western churches (35). The Reformers believed that, over time,

the gospel had been suppressed and the true cause of salvation was forgotten. The Reformation

was a movement in the beginning of the sixteenth century, protesting the exploitation in the

church; the driving force of which was preeminently theological (39-40). In order for

Reformers to correctly follow Scripture they reexamined the churchs central beliefs, which

were: placing God at the center of life, getting right with Him, and exalting Jesus in a new way
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(42). A major threat to Scriptural truth was Arminius who taught that people have a role in their

own salvation (59). In response to this challenge, the doctrines of divine predestination, limited

atonement, human incapability, and perseverance were established (63-68). Evangelicalism was

a significant movement in Christianity; it meant to believe and proclaim the Bible (87). Another

movement was fundamentalism, which stressed the reliability of Scripture (88). Reformed

Christians find salvation through Christ alone, but they look back at their foundations to continue

proclaiming Gods mighty works.

Gods revelation is a gift bestowed upon Christians. Gods plan of redemption requires

humility and is received by the Holy Spirit (124). There are two modes of Gods revelation:

general and special (125). Through general revelation, God proclaims His goodness through

creation, while special revelation is connected only to the Bible (126). Gods love is

unconditional; therefore there should be praise for His predestining salvation (155). Gods

common grace is given to everyone, but not all are saved by it. His covenant of grace is freely

offered; it is given to those that are willing and able to believe through the Holy Spirit (157). The

Holy Spirit offers spiritual rebirth; regeneration is an absolute requirement for salvation.

God made redemptive promises throughout the Bible. God promises redemption through

the covenant of grace, as determined by Gods sovereign requires four participants: the Father,

the originator; Jesus Christ, the mediator; the Holy Spirit, the validator; and Gods people, the

beneficiaries (160). Because Jesus is the one who executes Gods plan he has two natures:

human and divine, which are proven throughout the Bible. He has three roles that he fulfilled

when he was on earth, which are prophet, priest, and king (163, 166). Gods promises from the

Bible do consist of saving those who believe and are received, which then they gain His

salvation.
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The aim of theology is to speak Gods truth because He is the great I am (97, 99). Gods

being is important to understand the saving grace Reformed Christians wish to receive. God is

intimately connected to creation by sharing His wisdom, truth, and holiness. He is also

transcendental; He has attributes that He alone has such as being infinite (103). God is spirit,

light, and love (105).

Reformed Christians are meant to understand and evaluate the world, to take the worlds

riches, to offer it to God, and rule the world as kings to subdue it with care (167). Jesus was the

fulfiller and was willing to be obedient to Gods plan that was made perfect by his victory over

death (167). The glorified life that is lived by humans, specifically Christians, is given by the

Spirit making Jesus work exalted (170).

Redemption is applied through the gifts of salvation, which are: calling, regeneration,

faith, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification. The calling, in a

narrow sense is divine summons, the calling towards salvation; and in the broader sense are the

specific tasks people are called to do on earth (180). God is trustworthy, by showing Himself

faithful by His word; the nature of faith is the human response to the divine offer; and living it is

doing good works through His instrument (182, 184, 187). Being justified is a legal standing

before God used to make right (194). This is Gods way of making humans righteous, which

will have its final meeting on judgment day (196). Christians obtain justification through the

regeneration of the Holy Spirit (197).

Christians live and grow in Christ by grace through the church. The church is a place

where God ministers His gifts. The church is defined as: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic (220).

Reformed Christians should live today through the understanding of the world and life according
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to the Reformed faith (247). God calls Christians to live under His law and by His love. The

ultimate goal is to be in union with Christ in order to receive His salvation.

Salvation belongs to God and to be delivered from evil there must be a right relationship

with Him. This comes from having a good theological understanding of who He is (14).

Reformed Christians know the Bible is ultimate truth. In order to seek truth, the Reformed

worldview has to be in line with the Bible. The world offers a number of distractions that can

keep them from having a relationship with Christ. By Gods grace and the Holy Spirit as His

helper, Christians have the ability to take what is right, make a cultural impact, and receive His

saving grace.