Question: How can I know Reformed doctrines are true and Biblical?
Pastor’s Response
Firstly, the best way to know truthfulness of Reformed doctrines is to read the scriptures regularly, systematically, meaningfully with understanding of the historical and literary context of the Bible verses. The foundational principle of Reformed teaching is Sola scriptura- Scripture alone, meaning Bible is the final authority for all faith and practice. This means you must set aside all prejudices and biases of your traditions, all men’s teachings and opinions you have learnt earlier and come directly to scripture with an open and fresh mind. You need to ask for God’s help to open the scriptures to you.
Reformed truths are an outcome of careful and faithful Bible study and interpretation. It is a historically known fact that any person who faithfully studies the Bible with proper context will ultimately come to conclusion of Reformed truths. So, you can know reformed doctrines are true only by consistent self study of the scriptures.
Secondly, as an aid, I would encourage you to study systematic theology. This will help you to understand the whole counsel of God by organizing biblical truths into a coherent framework. You will be able to see how different parts of the Bible relate to each other and form a unified message.
As a third step, I would recommend studying church history. We cannot know the authenticity of any system unless we get to its roots. Church history would unravel how today’s traditions and church divisions are a result of human invention. It would convince you that the work of the Reformation and the resultant Reformed doctrine is nothing but the rediscovery of pure biblical doctrine.”
I had the similar question many years ago. This made me a more regular, ardent, careful Bible reader. I have been reading and preaching verse by verse for several years now. The more I study, examine, and interpret whole chunks of biblical texts, the more I am convinced reformed teaching is the most faithful, accurate expression of divine truths revealed in the Bible.
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 