Major Tenets of Reformed Theology
Scripture, the Word of God - the River
Sola scriptura (Scripture alone) is one of the mottos of the Reformation. The Bible is God's "special revelation." The Bible is called the Word of God because through the Scripture God speaks, conveying who God is and what God does. The river (the Word of God) is the basis for all we know and how we live out our faith. It is that which reveals God to us, carries us along, sustains and supports us. Reading, studying, and preaching the Word is of central importance in the Reformed tradition (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; The Book of Confessions: The Second Helvetic Confession, 5.001-5.004, The Larger Catechism, 7.114).
Sovereignty of God - the headwaters of the river (a pool or waterfall)
All flows from God. The sovereignty of God refers to the supremacy and primacy of God--God is above all, in all, and through all. It is God who initiates and acts, and with gratitude we respond in worship, education, and service to the glory of God (Daniel 4:2-3; John 1:1-4; Revelation 22:13; The Book of Confessions: The Westminster Confession of Faith, 6.012).
The human tendency to idolatry - a tributary flowing away from the river
We tend to stray from our intended purpose and go our own way. We turn from God. The idolatry is that we believe we are self-sufficient or we find other "gods" to which to attribute worth (Exodus 20:3; Judges 10:10-14; The Book of Confessions: The Heidelberg Catechism, 4.095; A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 34-38, 69).
Covenant life - a boat
The image of a boat has represented the ecumenical movement of the church. The word ecumenical comes from the Greek word oikumene, which means the whole earth. It expresses the hope of Jesus' prayer that we all may be one in Christ (John 17). We are all in the boat together, in community caring for one another. Unity in Christ also recognizes diversity in Christ. As we have a common calling, we celebrate our differences (John 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:1-6; The Book of Confessions: A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 30-32, 56-57; Book of Order: G-4.0200, G-4.0400).
Election for service as well as salvation - people on the boat
Election for salvation means that God chooses, or elects, to save us. We are not capable of saving ourselves. That is the gift of grace. Election for service means that we have been called to serve God with our particular talents and abilities (1 Corinthians 12:4-30; Ephesians 2:8-10; The Book of Confessions: The Confession of 1967, 9.48; A Brief Statement of Faith, line 64).
Stewardship and transformation of society - a waterwheel, irrigation and plans, and drinking water
God created this earth as our home. We are to be good stewards and caretakers of God's creation, using its resources wisely. We are to work for God's kingdom on earth by pursuing peace and justice, binding up the brokenhearted, and proclaiming the Word of God. Using the image of the river and water, how can water be used for the good of society? How can it be used wisely? (Genesis 1:28-30; Isaiah 61; Amos 5:24; Matthew 6:10; 25:35-40; The Book of Confessions: The Confession of 1967, 9.43-9.47; A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 65-71; Book of Order: G-3.0300).
Priesthood of all believers - compass and map
Each person has access to God through Jesus Christ. We do not need an intermediary to speak with or listen to God. Jesus gave us a model for prayer that addresses God in an intimate and familiar way. Jesus is our compass, pointing the way, giving us direction. The Scriptures are available to all of us for reading, inspiration, and guidance. They are our map. As Presbyterians in the Reformed tradition, we each have a compass and a map (1 Peter 2:9-10; The Book of Confessions: The Second Helvetic Confession, 5.153; Book of Order: G-1.0301).
Scripture, the Word of God - the River
Sola scriptura (Scripture alone) is one of the mottos of the Reformation. The Bible is God's "special revelation." The Bible is called the Word of God because through the Scripture God speaks, conveying who God is and what God does. The river (the Word of God) is the basis for all we know and how we live out our faith. It is that which reveals God to us, carries us along, sustains and supports us. Reading, studying, and preaching the Word is of central importance in the Reformed tradition (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; The Book of Confessions: The Second Helvetic Confession, 5.001-5.004, The Larger Catechism, 7.114).
Sovereignty of God - the headwaters of the river (a pool or waterfall)
All flows from God. The sovereignty of God refers to the supremacy and primacy of God--God is above all, in all, and through all. It is God who initiates and acts, and with gratitude we respond in worship, education, and service to the glory of God (Daniel 4:2-3; John 1:1-4; Revelation 22:13; The Book of Confessions: The Westminster Confession of Faith, 6.012).
The human tendency to idolatry - a tributary flowing away from the river
We tend to stray from our intended purpose and go our own way. We turn from God. The idolatry is that we believe we are self-sufficient or we find other "gods" to which to attribute worth (Exodus 20:3; Judges 10:10-14; The Book of Confessions: The Heidelberg Catechism, 4.095; A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 34-38, 69).
Covenant life - a boat
The image of a boat has represented the ecumenical movement of the church. The word ecumenical comes from the Greek word oikumene, which means the whole earth. It expresses the hope of Jesus' prayer that we all may be one in Christ (John 17). We are all in the boat together, in community caring for one another. Unity in Christ also recognizes diversity in Christ. As we have a common calling, we celebrate our differences (John 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:1-6; The Book of Confessions: A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 30-32, 56-57; Book of Order: G-4.0200, G-4.0400).
Election for service as well as salvation - people on the boat
Election for salvation means that God chooses, or elects, to save us. We are not capable of saving ourselves. That is the gift of grace. Election for service means that we have been called to serve God with our particular talents and abilities (1 Corinthians 12:4-30; Ephesians 2:8-10; The Book of Confessions: The Confession of 1967, 9.48; A Brief Statement of Faith, line 64).
Stewardship and transformation of society - a waterwheel, irrigation and plans, and drinking water
God created this earth as our home. We are to be good stewards and caretakers of God's creation, using its resources wisely. We are to work for God's kingdom on earth by pursuing peace and justice, binding up the brokenhearted, and proclaiming the Word of God. Using the image of the river and water, how can water be used for the good of society? How can it be used wisely? (Genesis 1:28-30; Isaiah 61; Amos 5:24; Matthew 6:10; 25:35-40; The Book of Confessions: The Confession of 1967, 9.43-9.47; A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 65-71; Book of Order: G-3.0300).
Priesthood of all believers - compass and map
Each person has access to God through Jesus Christ. We do not need an intermediary to speak with or listen to God. Jesus gave us a model for prayer that addresses God in an intimate and familiar way. Jesus is our compass, pointing the way, giving us direction. The Scriptures are available to all of us for reading, inspiration, and guidance. They are our map. As Presbyterians in the Reformed tradition, we each have a compass and a map (1 Peter 2:9-10; The Book of Confessions: The Second Helvetic Confession, 5.153; Book of Order: G-1.0301).