What Is a Reformed Christian?

In our digital age, many Christians are on a journey of discovery regarding their faith, especially when it comes to Reformed theology.

Our goal is to encourage those who are new to Reformed theology—a group sometimes known as the “Presbycurious.” These are people who find themselves standing at the crossroads of Evangelical/Baptist beliefs and Presbyterian and Reformed teachings, often wrestling with their convictions in the face of family pressures.

From our own experience, we’ve found that when sharing with a friend or family member that you’re interested in Reformed theology, they might ask, “What is Reformed theology?” Perhaps you’ve already been asked this question but struggled to give a satisfying answer. Here’s a brief overview of what we believe are the key principles of Reformed theology:

The Solas of the Protestant Reformation

The DNA of Reformed theology lies in the core pillars known as the Solas of the Protestant Reformation:

• Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone is our ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice (Isaiah 40:8).
• Sola Fide: Salvation comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by our good works (Galatians 2:16).
• Sola Gratia: From beginning to end, salvation is a gracious gift from God (Romans 3:21–24).
• Solus Christus: Jesus Christ is the sole mediator of our salvation (John 14:6).
• Soli Deo Gloria: To God alone be the glory (Ephesians 3:21).

Of these pillars, Sola Fide—justification by faith alone—is at the very heart of Reformational teaching. Calvin called justification “the primary article of the Christian religion,”[1] and “the main hinge on which religion turns.”[2]

The stunning reality of the gospel is that Jesus Christ died for the ungodly, not for the righteous (Romans 5:6). Through faith alone, He imputes His perfect righteousness to us. Therefore, we are justified—not by works of the Law—but solely through faith in Jesus Christ. This was the great rediscovery of the Reformation.

The Five Points of Calvinism (TULIP)

TULIP is a succinct acronym summarizing the Reformed doctrine of salvation, commonly known as the Five Points of Calvinism:

1. Total Depravity: Humanity is spiritually dead in sin (Romans 3:10–12).
2. Unconditional Election: God graciously elects according to His sovereign will (Ephesians 1:4–5; Romans 9:11–16).
3. Limited Atonement: Christ laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11, 15).
4. Irresistible Grace: God effectually calls His elect to faith (John 1:12–13).
5. Perseverance of the Saints: True believers are preserved by God to the end (John 10:27–29).

Reformed Confessional Standards

Reformed theology emerged from the Protestant Reformation and was articulated in the historic Reformed confessions such as:

• The Belgic Confession
• The Heidelberg Catechism
• The Canons of Dort
• The Westminster Standards

Covenant Theology

The doctrine of the Covenant is central to Reformed theology. God relates to His people covenantally, accommodating Himself to us by voluntary condescension (Westminster Confession 7.1).

Louis Berkhof explains that God’s covenants are “sovereign dispositions imposed on man.”^[4]

Reformed theology teaches that believers in both the Old and New Testaments are saved in the same way: by faith in Jesus Christ, the Mediator (Romans 4:2–3).

John Calvin explained, “The covenant made with all the patriarchs is so much like ours in substance and reality that the two are actually one and the same. Yet they differ in the mode of dispensation.”[5]

The Westminster Confession summarizes covenant theology by teaching that God revealed the covenant of grace after Adam’s fall, freely offering salvation in Christ to sinners by faith (WCF 7.3).

Infant Baptism

In Reformed theology, baptism replaces circumcision as the sign and seal of the covenant of grace (Colossians 2:11–12). Just as Abraham gave the covenant sign to his children, believers today extend baptism to their covenant children.

Concluding Thoughts

In summary, the distinguishing marks of Reformed Christianity include:

• Justification by faith alone
• The Solas of the Reformation
• The Five Points of Calvinism
• The Reformed confessions
• Covenant theology
• Infant baptism

Why go from being Presbycurious to fully Reformed? Because Reformed theology magnifies the sovereign grace of God and calls believers to grateful obedience.