Say, now just what exactly is a "Presbyterian" anyway?
Key Aspects of Reformed Theology
PC (U.S.A.) Book of Order 2015-2017
The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
Introduction to the Reformed Tradition by John H. Leith The Church: A Believing Fellowship by John H. Leith
- The word “Presbyterian” comes from a Greek word meaning “Elder.”
- “Presbyterianism” refers to our church’s unique form of government, which includes: our session (local group of elders), our presbytery, our synod, and our general assembly (our national government).
- Presbyterians are a part of the “Reformed tradition.” The Reformed tradition is a term referring to all churches who follow Reformed theology. Reformed theology is a type of Protestant theology that came out of the Reformation in 16th century Europe. Presbyterians follow Reformed theology but not all Reformed churches follow Presbyterian government. (In other words, all Presbyterians are Reformed BUT not all Reformed are Presbyterian.) Some types of Reformed churches have different types of government (some examples: Reformed Church of America, Congregational churches, etc.).
Key Aspects of Reformed Theology
- The One Holy Catholic Church — The Reformed tradition believes that all Christian Churches who profess faith in Jesus Christ are part of the one, holy, and universal church past, present, and future. This means that Reformed theology does not see itself as something “new,” but rather as a continuation of the church that has existed since the creation of the first human being, Adam. Churches of Reformed heritage would not exist without the witness of the saints that came before them, including: the witness of the saints of the Old and New Testament, the ancient Catholic Church, Christian faiths that existed before and after the Reformation, and the witness of the many different faithful Christian denominations that exist today all around the world.
- God is Sovereign — This may seem pretty obvious at first. What type of theology wouldn’t emphasize God’s absolute power over all things? Actually some types of theology tend to spend more time talking about the possibilities of people and in what ways men and women might be “co-operating” with God in their day-to-day lives. In contrast, Reformed theology points out that above all else, God is in control. This means that there is no part of our lives in which God is absent or doesn’t care. God didn’t just create the world only to sit back to let people take control. God is a personal God who is always with us.
- The Bible — Churches of the Reformed tradition place a lot of weight on Biblical preaching and teaching. Biblical preaching in every Sunday service is a concept that came straight out of the Reformation. The PC(U.S.A.) believes that the Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The Bible is absolutely indispensible to the worship and work of the church.
- Predestination — Different branches of Reformed theology believe different things about this controversial subject, but all types of Reformed theology emphasize predestination. However it’s important to note that all Christians have some type of understanding of predestination. Reformed theology points out that every human life comes from God’s own will and intention. Nothing happens by accident. See how this goes right back to God’s sovereignty? God is a personal God. God thinks of each and every one of us before we are even born, gives us an identity as a child of God, and plans a purpose for our lives.
- Learning — Reformed pastors, teachers, and theologians always emphasize the importance of having an informed faith. It’s important for us to know what we believe and why we believe it. This is because our informed faith is what will carry us through during life’s celebrations...and sorrows.
PC (U.S.A.) Book of Order 2015-2017
The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
Introduction to the Reformed Tradition by John H. Leith The Church: A Believing Fellowship by John H. Leith