Reformed Soteriology describes the Doctrines of Grace as espoused by Reformed Theology. Soteriology is the part of Christian theology that deals with salvation.
The Doctrines of Grace
Reformed Soteriology starts with the concept of the Five solas of the Reformation. That is, we are saved:
- by grace alone
- through Faith alone
- in Christ alone
- to the glory of God alone
- as proclaimed by Scripture alone.
Reformed Soteriology differs from other forms of Soteriology by its consistent application of the Five solas. This outworking is found in the Five Points of Calvinism as espoused by the Synod of Dort. This system has been called by some the doctrines of grace, because as Charles Spurgeon put it:
- Nor do I, in this speaking, even vindicate Calvinism as if I cared for the name, but I mean that glorious system which teaches that salvation is of grace from first to last.
The following is a brief outline of the doctrines of grace:
- All mankind is totally unable to live righteously to the satisfaction of the Lord ...or even seek God.
- Since ALL humans deserve Hell, the Supreme Being before the creation of the world chose a people to gratuitiously save (Divine Election).
Condemnation
When dealing with salvation there is something to be saved from. This is the state of condemnation. Reformed Soteriology holds that all of mankind was plunged into a state of
alienation from its Creator when our first parents disobeyed God. The consequence of this is called Original Sin, which ISN'T the first sin ever committed but -instead- the hereditary result of that sin. Adam and all of his posterity are being punished by estrangement from the Lord and have a consequent enslavement to evil. Reformed Soteriology looks to the universality of sin in the world as everyday proof of this! As all humans are naturally sinners, all humans naturally fall under the condemnation of their Creator.
Justification
The opposite state of condemnation is the state of justification, being made just. Much of Reformed Soteriology deals with this vital doctrine. No person being able to justify themselves before God, the Most High arranged for an alien righteousness. This righteousness is solely Christ's and thus alien. Christ vicariously died for the sins of God's chosen ones (Substitutionary Atonement), and lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father in their stead (Imputed Righteousness). That is, we are saved because of the righteousness credited to us and not any righteousness infused into us. We only need to have faith in Christ and His redemptive work. This faith the Lord gifts to the Elect (Gifted Faith). Those accounted righteous by God are done so solely for God's sake and nothing else (Forensic Justification). Justification takes place in Time when a person converts to Christ through gifted faith.
Predestination
Reformed Soteriology teaches that the salvation of the Elect is predestined. The Elect of God are subject to Irresistible Grace. This does NOT mean they are forced against their will to come to faith in Christ. Irresistible Grace is "irresistible" because it achieves its purpose every time rather than because it overrides human volition. In regeneration, the Elect's corrupted and degenerate will (Sin Nature) is healed and reformed. In Reformed Soteriology, predestination takes two forms: election and reprobation.
Election
The Lord elected a chosen people out of the mass of sinners to save. God did this before the creation of the world, and without reference to their future merit, good works, or deservedness. (Unconditional Election) The Elect are redeemed by the Most High for His glory alone.
Reprobation
Those not subject to Irresistible Grace (the reprobate) are thus passed by and abandoned to their sin and hatred of God (Preterit Reprobation). This does them no injustice, as they are by nature sinners. They only receive the just punishment for being in a state of rebellion against their Creator.
External Links
Theological Glossary
Scripture
