Reformed Theological Traditions

Other Topics about Presbyterians Brief Statement of Faith Jesus Christ Worship Style Holy Spirit Our Confessions The Bible Sin & Salvation	Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings established the Reformed thinking that brought about the formation of the Presbyterian Church. The title "Reformed tradition" is shorthand for the fuller statement, "reformed by the Word of God." which places importance on the church's need to seek constant renewal. The church is a living organism, subject to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Implicit in the Presbyterian understanding of the church is dissatisfaction with the status quo. The church is always in need of improvement; we must never cease learning with relevance and sensitivity in response to changing realities. We continue to be influenced through Calvin's legacy of writings, especially his Institutes of the Christian Religion. William Perkins, a sixteenth century English Reformed theologian, defined theology this way: "Theology is the science of living blessedly forever." Theology is incapable of saving us. Reformed theology can not save us. Reformed theology expresses a way for us to begin to understand God, but theology is useless if it cannot reveal to us the riches of the Word of God and lead us into God’s presence through Jesus Christ and to power of the Holy Spirit. Reformed theology serves as a gateway to living a blessed life in the presence of God.
As a congregation of the Reformed tradition we are first all members of the church of Jesus Christ before we are members of our specific denomination. We are Christians before we are reformed Christians. The reformed tradition begins with the Word of God and God’s self-revelation through scriptures as the source of beginning for our theology. Scripture is the foundation of our theological understanding. As people of the reformed tradition we listen to God’s Word in Scripture and remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that new insights can emerge. We, Presbyterians embrace the reformed tradition because we believe it will enhance and deepen our Christian faith. Reformed faith is one way of understanding what it means to be a Christian person, but is not the only way. The Reformed tradition throughout its history has taken theology seriously. We believe God created us with minds capable of knowing God and hearts with the capacity to love God. Presbyterians have always asked questions about their faith, "How Do we know God?" "How do we love God and serve God by loving others?" "How can we make a difference in this world?"		John Calvin indicated that we know Scripture as the Word of God, not on the basis of human reason, but by "the secret testimony of the Spirit." The "testimony of the Spirit." said Calvin, is "more excellent than all reason."
God is made know to us by what we read within scripture.	Theology Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.