Reformed Soteriology

[Master_Of_Irony]

I've been studying Reformed theology and Calvinism for a couple months now, and I've come up with some questions I'm a bit unsure on. Of course in studying reformed theology, one inevitability will be that one will come across the Presbyterian Church. I've met many many Presbyterians that seem to have almost different views as far as I could tell, in the matter of salvation. When I was fundy, I remember talking to some and getting various responses (after asking if they were sure if they died today they would...) such as "if God wants me to go to heaven, I will", or "Yeah I'm 100% sure, cuz i've placed my trust in Jesus Christ". The question i have is what do Presbyterians believe as far as assurance of salvation, and at what point would they say salvation takes place? I'm not here to criticize, so sorry if it comes across that way. I'm simply trying to understand reformed theology as at this point I'm still "open, but unconvinced" on that subject. Thanks y'all!

[Donb123]

(01-04-2012 09:27 PM)Master_Of_Irony Wrote:  I've been studying Reformed theology and Calvinism for a couple months now, and I've come up with some questions I'm a bit unsure on. Of course in studying reformed theology, one inevitability will be that one will come across the Presbyterian Church. I've met many many Presbyterians that seem to have almost different views as far as I could tell, in the matter of salvation. When I was fundy, I remember talking to some and getting various responses (after asking if they were sure if they died today they would...) such as "if God wants me to go to heaven, I will", or "Yeah I'm 100% sure, cuz i've placed my trust in Jesus Christ". The question i have is what do Presbyterians believe as far as assurance of salvation, and at what point would they say salvation takes place? I'm not here to criticize, so sorry if it comes across that way. I'm simply trying to understand reformed theology as at this point I'm still "open, but unconvinced" on that subject. Thanks y'all!

http://www.reformed.org/documents/westmi...faith.html

If you want to know what Presbyterians believe, then the WCF is definitive.

[Presbygirl]

This article seems to sum up faith and works well.

http://www.challies.com/theology/assuran...ion-part-3
one of the reasons you may have gotten so many different answers from different people is that not everyone's doctrine is sound.

I like Challies comment that our assurance begins and ends with, because "Christ" not because "I"

[Master_Of_Irony]

Thank you both! Those links were very helpful.