God absolutely sovereign, eternal, omnipotent; all for his glory
The absolutely sovereignty of God is the architectonic principle of Reformed theology. The Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter II) describes God as 'most holy, most free, most absolute,' working all things according to the counsel of his own will. God's sovereignty extends to all events in creation and history — including the salvation and damnation of human beings — without being the author of sin. The chief end of all creation is the glory of God (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A 1).
Calvin's theology places special emphasis on God's majesty, transcendence, and incomprehensibility. The Belgic Confession (Article 1) describes God as eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, perfectly just, overflowing with goodness and mercy. Reformed natural theology acknowledges that creation testifies to God's power and divinity (Romans 1:20), but insists that saving knowledge of God comes only through Scripture and ultimately through Christ.
Key Distinctions
- Theism type:
- classical monotheism — one God, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
- Primary divine attribute:
- love and holiness (biblical); divine simplicity affirmed (God is what he has)
Scripture References
Sources
- Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter II (1647)
- Belgic Confession, Article 1 (1561)
- Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A 1 (1647)