‘How would you define the Reformed faith?’

I recently received an email from someone thinking about moving to Erie. One factor in his decision has to do with finding a good church. In this he is wise. In his email he asked me this simple[!] question. ‘How would you define the reformed faith?’ This is what I wrote to him.

As you probably know, whole books of some length have been written trying to answer your question. I am guessing that you aren't interested in something like that and I am positive that I couldn't write something like that.

Here are, in no particular order, some key thoughts within Reformed theology:

* God's complete sovereignty over all things

* God's astounding grace for sinners

* The covenant of grace

I leave out of this list those things that we have in common with Christians who do not claim to be Reformed.

Now, there's thinking according to Reformed theology and then there's living according to Reformed theology. The two, sadly, are not always connected.

Here are, in no particular order, some key themes to living according Reformed theology:

* A sense of wonder at who God is

* Love for the lost

* Humility

* A profound dependence on the Spirit to guide, correct and protect

* A willingness to sacrifice anything in order to follow Jesus

* Heartfelt worship

I hope that this gives you some sense of who I am. I am more than willing to answer any further questions that you might have.