“What is the heartbeat of Reformed Theology? I wouldn’t feel the need to argue with someone who would suggest it is the Doctrines of Grace, union with Christ, or even the Solas of the Reformation. Yet, I think it is more accurate to say that Reformed theology is a system of doctrine that seeks to rightly articulate the teaching of the Scriptures for the glory of God. It is His glory that is our heartbeat, propels us to action, and the reward that we seek after.”

What is the heartbeat of Reformed Theology? Some would point to the Doctrines of Grace (Five Points of Calvinism) and others to the Solas of the Reformation. Still others may be inclined to assert that it is the sovereignty of God or union with Christ. All of these are good answers, but if I was pressed to articulate the one thing that drives Reformed Theology, I would reply that it is the glory of God as revealed in the Scriptures:

• We emphasize reliance upon the Scriptures because observing the rule He has given for faith and practice ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the sovereignty of God because a theology rooted in His supremacy ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the distinction between Creator and creature because a right understanding of His “otherness” ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the sinfulness of man because recognizing His unfathomable grace ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the inability of man in salvation because accentuating His mercy ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize predestination and election because distinguishing He is a God who freely chooses ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize prayer because faithful dependence ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the preached Word because listening to His voice ascribes glory God.
• We emphasize the sacraments because participating in these gifts to the church ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize holiness in the Christian life because being conformed to the likeness of Christ ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize daily quiet times because seeking Him in private worship ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize worship in our homes, because centering our homes upon Christ ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize Lord’s Day corporate worship, because gathering with the bride of Christ ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize preaching Christ from all the Scriptures because maintaining the centrality of Christ ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize providence because trusting in Him for all things ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize missions because spreading His fame throughout all the earth ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize theological rigor because worshipping God with all our mind, heart, and soul ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the covenants because treasuring God’s faithfulness ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the pilgrimage of the Christian life because seeking Christ above beauty ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize that the treasure of heaven is Christ because observing there is nothing better ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize conversion because calling men, women, and children to faith in Christ ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize common grace because recognizing that all good things come from above ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize the local church, because as the appointed bride of the Son ascribes glory to God.
• We emphasize union with Christ in salvation because seeing every aspect of our salvation in relation to Christ (as the Scriptures do) ascribes glory to God.

What is the heartbeat of Reformed Theology? I wouldn’t feel the need to argue with someone who would suggest it is the Doctrines of Grace, union with Christ, or even the Solas of the Reformation. Yet, I think it is more accurate to say that Reformed theology is a system of doctrine that seeks to rightly articulate the teaching of the Scriptures for the glory of God. It is His glory that is our heartbeat, propels us to action, and the reward that we seek after.

Jason Helopoulos is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves on the pastoral staff of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. This article first appeared on the Gospel Coalition site and is used by permission.