Biblical Talks with Elder Michael Tolliver Podcast
When the term Reformed theology is used, it often refers to something less historical. Often it refers to a theology that acknowledges the doctrine of predestination and holds to a high view of the Bible as God’s inerrant Word. Sometimes it is also identified with the so-called five points of Calvinism: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. These are all important teachings of the Reformed tradition, but they do not fully encapsulate or describe Reformed theology.
A better starting place is five statements that have been called the five solas of the Reformation. These five solas (sola is the Latin word for “only” or “alone”) are sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), and soli Deo gloria (God’s glory alone). Put together, these solas clearly express the central concerns of the Protestant Reformation, which was about worship and authority within the church as much as it was about individual salvation. The “alone” in each is vital, and they emphasize the sufficiency of God’s Word and the gracious nature of salvation, received by faith alone, in Christ alone. The last of the five solas, soli Deo gloria, is the natural outworking of the first four. It reminds us that Reformed theology understands all of life in terms of the glory of God. To be Reformed in our thinking is to be God-centered. Salvation is from the Lord from beginning to end, and even our existence is a gift from Him.
Biblical Talks with Elder Michael Tolliver Podcast
A Spotlight on the Scriptures: Understanding Love's Role in Spiritual Obedience
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This is a spotlight on the Scripture Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. "In Deuteronomy, two important words stand out: love and obedience. God's love is shown through His laws, and the principle of love is central to the Gospel. John 3:16 says, 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.' Our love for God is expressed through our obedience. Jesus said, 'If you love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15). This remains true today. Salvation is based on love: 'We love Him because He first loved us' (1 John 4:19). Jesus declared the greatest commandment as, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might' (Deuteronomy 6:5). Our obedience shows our love.
Obedience is crucial throughout, as seen in the phrase, 'if they keep these commandments.' You might wonder what's new about love in the New Testament if it was already in the Old Testament. The difference is that in the New Testament, God's love became real through Jesus' life and death. Romans 5:8 says, 'God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' It's one thing to show love by rescuing Israel from Egypt; it's another to die for them. It's one thing to speak from Mount Sinai; it's another to come down as a human and die for our sins. Salvation is a love story: 'This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins' (1 John 4:10)."
This is a spotlight on the Scripture
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This is a spotlight on the scriptures Deuteronomy 6, verse 4 and 5. Hear O Israel, the Lord, our God. The Lord is one. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might. Listen in Deuteronomy, two important words stand out Love and obedience. God's love is shown throughout his law and the principle of love is central to the gospel. John 3.16 said God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Our love for God is expressed through our obedience. Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments. John 14.15. This remains true today.
Speaker 1:Salvation is based on love. We love him because he first loved us. 1 John 4, 19. Jesus declared the greatest command as love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul and might. Our obedience shows our love. Now listen, obedience is crucial throughout, as seen in the phrase.
Speaker 1:If they keep these commandments, you might wonder what's new about love in the New Testament if it was already in the Old Testament. The difference is this In the New Testament, god's love became real through Christ's love, life and death. Romans 5 and 8 says God showed his love for us and that, while we were still sinners, christ died for us. It's one thing to show love by rescuing Israel from Egypt. It's another to die for them. It's one thing to speak from Mount Sinai, it's another to come for them. It's one thing to speak from Mount Sinai, it's another to come down as a human being and die for our sins. Salvation is a love story. This is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the sacrifice for our sins. 1 John, 4 and 10. This is a spotlight on the scriptures.
