Reformed theology is a branch of Christian theology that emerged in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation. It is characterized by a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Bible, and the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Reformed theologians have made significant contributions to Christian thought and have provided us with timeless quotes that continue to inspire and challenge us today.
“God never makes mistakes.” This powerful quote by Jonathan Edwards reminds us of God’s perfect wisdom and sovereignty. It reminds us that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, God is in control and working all things together for our good.
“Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” This profound statement by Augustine captures the longing of the human soul for God. It reminds us that true fulfillment and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with our Creator.
“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” This classic quote from the Westminster Shorter Catechism encapsulates the ultimate purpose of human existence. It reminds us that our lives are meant to be lived in worship and fellowship with God, finding joy in his presence.
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” This wisdom from Proverbs serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate trust should be in God alone. It challenges us to overcome the tendency to seek approval and validation from others, and instead find security in our relationship with God.
“The deepest level of worship is praising God and acknowledging his sovereignty regardless of personal comfort or the lack thereof.” This insightful quote from R.C. Sproul encourages us to worship God not only in times of blessing and ease, but also in times of hardship and suffering. It reminds us that true worship is not dependent on our circumstances, but on our recognition of God’s greatness and glory.
These quotes from Reformed theologians serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement for believers of all generations. They challenge us to deepen our understanding of God, to trust in his sovereignty, and to live lives that bring glory and honor to him.
Best Reformed Theology Quotes
Reformed theology, also known as Calvinism, has had a profound impact on the Christian faith. Its emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of man, and the unmerited grace of salvation has shaped the beliefs of many believers throughout history. Here are some of the best quotes from Reformed theologians that are both inspirational and thought-provoking:
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“The Calvinist, in his view of God, dethrones both Good Luck and Bad Luck; he neither woos nor cowers before chance. His divinity is free from whims.” – C.S. Lewis |
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“God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son without suffering.” – John Calvin |
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“The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” – C.H. Spurgeon |
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“Reformed theology teaches us that we are not saved by our works, but for good works.” – R.C. Sproul |
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“Do not nurse that viper in your bosom, but throw it out from you; the venomous thing will not die of itself.” – Ulrich Zwingli |
These quotes from influential Reformed theologians remind us of the timeless truths and deep theological convictions that have guided the faith of countless believers. They challenge us to think critically about our beliefs and to delve deeper into our understanding of God’s sovereignty and grace.
Inspirational Quotes for the Believer
- “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.” – Max Lucado
- “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.” – Mother Teresa
- “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
- “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thought-provoking Quotes on Divine Sovereignty
Here are some thought-provoking quotes on the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty:
- “God’s sovereignty is not a barrier to human freedom, but rather the foundation for it.” – R.C. Sproul
- “God’s sovereignty means that all things are under His rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission.” – Jerry Bridges
- “To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will.” – A.W. Pink
- “Divine sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the sovereignty of a loving Father who knows best and who plans the best for His children.” – R.C. Sproul
- “If there is even one maverick molecule in the universe, then God is not sovereign.” – R.C. Sproul
- “In the affairs of men, there is no principle of order so inviolable as the will of God. He works out a perfect design, sovereignly using the free acts of men to accomplish His purposes.” – John MacArthur
- “The sovereignty of God provides the context within which all of life’s events occur and gives meaning to every circumstance.” – Jerry Bridges
- “The sovereignty of God is the bedrock of our faith and the foundation of our assurance.” – John Piper
- “The sovereignty of God means that we can find rest and peace in the midst of life’s uncertainties, knowing that He is in control.” – Jerry Bridges
- “Divine sovereignty means that every event, from the smallest to the greatest, is ultimately under the control of God and is therefore meaningful and purposeful.” – John MacArthur
These quotes on divine sovereignty challenge us to consider the grandeur and mystery of God’s power and control over all things. They remind us of His wisdom, goodness, and trustworthiness in orchestrating the events of our lives. May they inspire us to trust in Him more fully and find peace in His sovereignty.
Quotes on Predestination and Election
“The Reformed view of predestination is not a fatalistic belief that God predetermines everything that happens, but rather an affirmation of God’s sovereignty and power over all things, including the salvation of individuals. It means that God has chosen to save some people and not others, and that this choice is not based on anything they have done or will do, but solely on God’s sovereign will.” – R.C. Sproul
“God does not elect people because they believe in Him; rather, He elects people so that they will believe in Him. God’s election is not dependent on human faith or works, but on His own purposes and grace. It is a comforting truth that our salvation ultimately rests in God’s hands and not our own.” – John Piper
“Election and predestination are not meant to discourage or divide Christians, but to inspire us to worship and serve God with awe and gratitude. We should humbly acknowledge that our salvation is not of our own doing, but a gift of God’s grace. It should also motivate us to share the good news of God’s love and salvation with others, knowing that God has chosen to use us as instruments of His grace.” – Timothy Keller
“The doctrine of election is a mystery that we may not fully understand, but it is a truth that we must embrace. It reminds us that our salvation is not a result of our own efforts or merits, but purely a gift of God’s grace. It also reminds us of the greatness and sovereignty of God, who has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be His children.” – J.I. Packer
“The doctrine of predestination is not meant to create a sense of pride or superiority among believers, but to humble us and remind us of our utter dependence on God’s grace. It should also lead us to love and pray for all people, knowing that God desires the salvation of all and has the power to save.” – D.A. Carson
Quotes on God’s Grace and Salvation
2. “Grace is the free and undeserved favor of God, shown to mankind for their salvation.” – Jonathan Edwards
3. “The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you.” – Frederick Buechner
4. “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.” – John Piper
5. “God’s grace is not a cloak for our unrighteousness, but rather the cleansing agent that washes away our sin and transforms us into new creations.” – R.C. Sproul
6. “Grace is the celebration of life, relentlessly hounding all the non-celebrants in the world.” – Robert Capon
7. “God’s grace is not only undeserved favor, but also the divine power that enables us to live a holy and righteous life.” – Sinclair Ferguson
8. “Grace means undeserved kindness. It is the gift of God to man the moment he sees he is unworthy of God’s favor.” – D.L. Moody
9. “The amazing grace of God is not only seen in the salvation of sinners, but also in the perseverance and sanctification of believers.” – J.I. Packer
10. “God’s grace is the sweetest thing to a believer’s heart, because it is through grace that we are justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified.” – Charles Spurgeon
Quotes on the Authority of Scripture
Here are some thought-provoking quotes on the authority of Scripture:
- “The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, and it is our guide for faith and practice.” – John Calvin
- “The Scriptures are the authoritative and sufficient source of truth, and we must submit to their teachings.” – Martin Luther
- “The Word of God is living and active, and it has the power to transform lives.” – Charles Spurgeon
- “The authority of Scripture comes from its divine origin, and we must trust and obey its teachings.” – Jonathan Edwards
- “The Bible is not merely a human composition, but it is the Word of God Himself, revealing His will for His people.” – John Owen
- “Scripture is the ultimate authority for Christians, and it should shape every aspect of our lives.” – J.I. Packer
- “The Scriptures are the infallible and inerrant Word of God, and we can rely on them completely.” – R.C. Sproul
- “The authority of Scripture is not based on human opinion or tradition, but on the divine authorship of the Bible.” – A.W. Pink
- “The Word of God is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, and we must not add to or take away from its message.” – John MacArthur
- “The Bible is trustworthy and reliable, and we can have confidence in its teachings and promises.” – Timothy Keller
These quotes remind us of the central role that Scripture plays in Reformed theology and the importance of submitting to its authority in our lives.
Quotes on the Glory of God
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” – Romans 11:33
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.” – Psalm 96:9
“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” – Romans 11:36
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” – Psalm 29:2
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” – Psalm 8:1
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” – 1 Chronicles 16:27
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” – Psalm 145:3
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” – Psalm 91:2
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1
“To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” – Romans 16:27
“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 36:7
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” – Hebrews 1:3
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” – Psalm 28:7
Quotes on Sin and Human Depravity
2. “The corruption of human nature is the foundation of all the evils that besiege us.” – John Owen
3. “The total depravity of man is the very root and foundation of the reformed faith.” – Charles Spurgeon
4. “Our sinfulness is not like drops in the ocean; it is the ocean itself.” – R.C. Sproul
5. “Sin is not an accident, it is a choice.” – Jonathan Edwards
| Author | Quote |
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| John Calvin | “Sin is the mother, nurse, and origin of all miseries.” |
| John Owen | “The corruption of human nature is the foundation of all the evils that besiege us.” |
| Charles Spurgeon | “The total depravity of man is the very root and foundation of the reformed faith.” |
| R.C. Sproul | “Our sinfulness is not like drops in the ocean; it is the ocean itself.” |
| Jonathan Edwards | “Sin is not an accident, it is a choice.” |
Quotes on the Reformed Faith and Church
“The Reformed Church stands firmly on the authority of Scripture. We believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, and that it is our ultimate guide for faith and practice.” – Martin Luther
- “Reformed theology emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all things. It reminds us that God is in control of every aspect of our lives, and that nothing happens apart from His will.” – Jonathan Edwards
- “The Reformed faith teaches us the importance of understanding and interpreting the Bible in its historical and cultural context. This helps us to properly understand and apply the timeless truths of Scripture to our lives.” – John Piper
- “The Reformed Church believes in the priesthood of all believers. This means that every Christian has direct access to God and can approach Him boldly through Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon
“The Reformed faith emphasizes the doctrines of grace, including total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. These doctrines remind us that salvation is entirely the work of God and that He is the one who initiates, sustains, and completes our salvation.” – R.C. Sproul
- “The Reformed Church believes in the importance of the sacraments, particularly baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These sacraments are visible signs and seals of God’s covenant relationship with His people.” – John Knox
- “The Reformed faith teaches us the importance of unity and fellowship within the body of Christ. We are called to love and serve one another, bearing each other’s burdens and encouraging one another in the faith.” – Timothy Keller
- “The Reformed Church believes in the Great Commission and the call to share the Gospel with all nations. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming His love and grace to a world in need of salvation.” – John Owen