Pastor John, here's a question we get with some regularity now from people who have no

idea what we're talking about.

Give us a simple definition or description of reform theology or this thing we call Calvinism.

What are we talking about when we use those terms on this podcast?

Here's what I ordinarily mean when I use the term reform theology or Calvinism and please

our listeners should understand that others may want to give a lot fuller or more precise

meaning.

So don't be surprised if you hear someone say Piper's definition is way too narrow.

They're right in one sense.

Historically, reform theology would include everything you read in a big systematic theology

written by reform theologian.

So that's reform theology which is why certain reform folks get all uptight if you just

give it a little teeny definition.

So I totally am okay with that and affirm that but I think what people want to know and

what I mean is what are some of the distinctives that you're talking about when you use this

phrase and so here's what I mean.

One theology as I mean it is a view of God and his way of working in the world that grows

like a tree with lots of branches out of a deep conviction that God's glory is the goal

of all things and his freedom and his sovereignty are essential to his deity and because he's

free and sovereign and glorious he doesn't need to be served by anyone to meet his needs

and therefore he is gloriously free to be gracious to us.

That's it in a nutshell.

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