Lecture Notes on Reformed Theology

Introduction

• Professor David Wells published a book titled "No Place for Truth".
• Subtitle: "Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?"
• Wells discusses the decline of confessional theology in the church today.

Key Concerns Raised by Dr. Wells

• The disappearance of theology in the life of the church.
• Observations on:
  • Vacuous worship prevalent in the evangelical world.
  • Shift from God to self as the focus of faith.
  • Psychologized preaching that follows this shift.
  • Erosion of conviction, pragmatism, inability to think incisively about culture, and irrationality.

Purpose of the Series

• Overview of the essence of Reformed Theology.
• Distinction of Reformed Theology from other historic branches of Christianity.
• Aim for a compendium/introduction to the main ideas in Reformed Theology.

Defining Reformed Theology

• Reformed Theology is a theology, not just religion.
• Distinction between Religion and Theology:
  • Theology: Study of God Himself.
  • Religion: Study of human behavior regarding beliefs about the supernatural.

Personal Illustration

• Experience at a Christian college where the Department of Religion was previously the Department of Theology.
• Emphasis on the difference between studying religion (human-centered) and studying theology (God-centered).

The God-Centered vs. Man-Centered Approaches

• God-Centered Approach:
  • Theology as the queen of the sciences, with all other disciplines subsumed under it.
  • Understanding humanity in the light of God’s character.
• Man-Centered Approach:
  • Study of anthropology and religion from a human perspective, often in secular contexts.

Cultural Context

• Popular belief: "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere."
• Conflict with Biblical Christianity, which emphasizes a specific focus on God and His character.
• Historical context: The Jewish covenant with God emphasized a different faith from surrounding religions.

Biblical Example: The Golden Calf Incident

• Reference to Exodus 32: The Israelites worship a golden calf after God sets them apart to be holy.
• Idolatry: The danger of creating tangible gods that distort the true character of God.
• Paul's teaching: The primary sin of humanity is to suppress the truth about God and exchange it for a lie.

Core Focus of Reformed Theology

• Strict focus on the knowledge of the true God.
• Contrast with contemporary attitudes that prioritize feelings over doctrines.
• Luther's Perspective: The importance of sound doctrine to reform lives and align with Christ.

Conclusion

• Reformed Theology emphasizes the necessity of theology in understanding and living out the Christian faith.
• Acknowledgment that Reformed faith is comprehensive and essential for a true understanding of God.