Chapell/Meek (Licensure and Ordination)
Numbers 24:17
"A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Seth."
Joel 2:28
"And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people..."
Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born..."
Psalm 40:2
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Isaiah 58:13
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath..."
Psalm 130
"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?"
What is the chief end of man?
"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. " WSC 1 1 Cor. 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Ecclesiastes 12
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Deuteronomy 18:18
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him."
What is the supreme activity of man? (Catechism: What does God require of man?)
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deut. 29:29) • WSC Q. 39. What is the duty which God requireth of man? A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will.
Deuteronomy 29:29
"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law."
Isaiah 7, Matthew 1
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel."
Lamentations 3:23
"They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Isaiah 45:22
"Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other."
Define the following names: Son of God
'Son of God' is used to refer to Adam, the first man and thus the first "son" that God created. It also is used to refer to God's people as a whole (Israel is God's son). It can also refer to the kings of God's people. So when used of Jesus it encapsulates all three: Jesus is God's son in that he is descended from Adam, he is the sum representative of God's people Israel, and he is the king of God's people. But in a special sense Jesus is also God's son because he is uniquely related to and linked to God as his Father unlike any other person.
Ezra/Nehemiah
(10 and 13) Purpose: To encourage the returnees to maintain the reforms initiated by Zerubabbel, Ezra and Nehemiah despite opposition, economic hardships even through Israel's former glory has not been restored. *Don't need to know outline, memorize key verse Temple reestablished against opposition (Ez 1-6) Law reestablished against foreign corruption (7-10) City secured against opposition (Neh 1-7) Law secured again for orderly use (8-13)
Anselm
(1033-1109) 11th cent. - 12th cent. • Italy; Archbishop of Canterbury (England) • Spent much of his life as a bishop in exile due to fact that he supported the Pope while in England. • Commonly called the founder of Scholasticism. • Taught: o Faith and reason go together (Augustinian 'faith seeking understanding') o Ontological Argument: "Who is God in and of himself?" A priori argument - knowledge which proceeds from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience. "That than which nothing greater can be thought" - if this idea of God exists in our minds then surely he must exist outside of our mind. o Satisfaction Theory of Atonement: If God is infinitely righeous, and man has sinned against God, then God cannot simply forgive man of his sin because man's sin also dishonors God's righteousness. And so, in order for God and sinful man's relationship to be restored, God must not only forgive man but man must also satisfy God's dishonored righteousness. But sinful man cannot satisfy God's righteousness. Therefore, a perfect God-man, namely Jesus, is the only one who can provide a true satisfaction for God's righteousness in his life and death.
Bernard of Clairvaux
(1090-1153) 11th - 12th cent. Context: problem within Monasticism. Accrual of riches in monasticism, people would leave their money when they died to a monastic order. No longer a need for manual labor. Began to be characterized as lazy, easy-living instead of as the "Christian athletes" in their former days. Reaction against riches in monastic orders --> Mendicant orders: rely on charity or begging for everything. - 3 different kinds: Cluny, Carthusian and Cistercian (became moral voice within monastic orders of Europe). Bernard was... • Cistercian monk (strict order). Starts a Cistercian order in Clairvaux. • Highs: most quoted writer from Middle Ages, biblical rigorist, defender of the Lectio Divina (combination of intellect and devotional life), great preacher. • Biblical rigorist - opposed Peter Abelard's knowability of God for his own unknowability of God. Logic must submit to Scripture. • Lows: Commissioned by Pope Eugenius III to preach all over Europe to instigate the Second Crusade (which ended in a failure) • Wrote "Grace and Free Will" in which he teaches Augustinian theology. • Also wrote "On Consideration," how one ought to approach the Christian devotional and intellectual life.
Francis of Assisi
(1181-1226) 12th - 13th c. • Monk in Italy • Established an order devoted to poverty, servant-love, brotherhood, and missions. • Established a female order called the Poor Clares through Clare of Assisi. • Went on missions to evangelize Muslims in Syria, Morocco, and Egypt. • Taught: o Poverty o Service to the sick and needy o Communal love o Goodness of creation o Evangelism and mission o Faith and reason cannot be mixed • Duns Scotus and William of Ockham both were Franciscan monks
Daniel (book)
(12) 604-535 BC (600-500s) Purpose: Was also exiled to Babylon. To assure the exiles and early returnees to the land that God, Most High, reigns over history and the kingdoms of the earth despite the severe testing, which has and will come to his people. To show how God's people should live as strangers and exiles in a world that is not their home. Daniel's stories of God's sovereignty (1-6) Daniel's visions of God's sovereignty (7-12)
Thomas Aquinas
(1225-1274) 13th cent. Context: problem within Monasticism. Accrual of riches in monasticism, people would leave their money when they died to a monastic order. No longer a need for manual labor. Began to be characterized as lazy, easy-living instead of as the "Christian athletes" in their former days. • The greatest thinker of the scholastic movement. • Italy. From nobility. Father wanted him to become a powerful, rich Benedictine monk in Monte Cassino. Fled from home to Paris. Became part of Dominican order (newer at that time, emphasized gospel preaching, academic learning, defending truth). • Upon going to the University of Paris to gain his training, he remained there to teach (also taught in Rome, Naples, and Viterbo). • Provided a synthesis between Aristotle's newly recovered works (recovered from Arabic thinkers) and Christianity. Died at young age of 49. • Taught: o Best synthesizer of faith and reason (Thomistic synthesis). o Grace perfecting Nature. Revelation comes from God and can't be attained through reason alone. God has given us minds with a great capacity to think BUT there are things that must be revealed to us about the mysteries of the faith by the Holy Spirit through Scripture. o Grace doesn't overpower Nature. Image of God wasn't lost. When grace comes, it makes us whole. It perfects that which we were always meant to be. o Ethics. There are natural virtues that all embrace. All people have a capacity to follow these natural implicit virtues. Image of God is always there, not destroyed by Original Sin. o Epistemology. Nature (things we can know with our minds; i.e. that God exists) and Revelation (faith, things that have to be given to us; mysteries because they aren't naturally observable but must be revealed). o God as a first mover (from Aristotle) o All truth belongs to God. o God as pure being or mind o Creation out of nothing o Religious language is analogical and limited o Body-soul nexus (Aristotle) o Etc. • Wrote Summa Theologica which was a type of writing (the 'Summa') meant to answer basic theological questions.
Esther
(13) Purpose: To reaffirm Jewish identity in the post-exilic period by establishing the Feast of Purim as a memorial of God's deliverance of his people even while they were exiled in Persia. *Don't need to know outline, memorize key verse 1-2 Mordecai and Esther in the Persian court 3-4 Xerxes' (Haman's) 1st Decree: trouble for the Jews 5-7 Esther's courageous feasts 8-9 Xerxes' (Mordecai's) 2nd Decree: victory for the Jews 9-10 Esther and Mordecai in the Persian Court
John Wycliffe
(1320-1384) 14th cent. Context: Pessimism/criticism of Church. Urbanization, rise in literacy levels. Tendency to reject Catholic Church that kept people from reading the Scriptures. At the same time, Papal Schism (1387) happens. • England. • Theologian that led the spark of the Reformation. • Translated the Vulgate into English. • Taught: o Biblical literacy as vehicle for religious thought. Scripture as supreme - authority over popes, churches, and tradition. o Critiques prayers for the dead, wants to end the papacy and end monasticism. o Anti-transubstantiation (instead, Christ is "sacramentally concealed") o Priesthood of all believers (and thus that communion doesn't need a priest) • In 1934 Wycliffe Bible Translators was founded by William Cameron Townsend. o NT in over 1,200 languages o OT/NT in over 400 languages o Portions in over 2,300 languages Council of Constance 1415 (after his death), all of his writings are condemned.
John/Jan Hus
(1372-1415) 14th - 15th cent. • Prague, Bohemia (modern Czechoslovakia) • Priest and teacher, forerunner to Reformation. Martin Luther said that he himself was a "Hussite." • Influenced by John Wycliffe's writings. Furthered the spark of the Reformation. • Burned at the stake at the Council of Constance in 1415 where Wycliffe's writings were condemned. • Taught: o Scripture as sole authority o Anti-papal supremacy (pope cannot be the head of the church since Christ is its head) o Anti-clerical abuses (selling of indulgences, greed, immorality, etc.) especially when compared to the life of Jesus o Anti-penance o Office alone doesn't ensure that someone is elect, pope or otherwise o True church is anyone who claims with Peter that Christ is the Son of God. o Transubstantiation is a sacramental presence, not material.
Ecclesiastes
(14) Purpose: To demonstrate that understanding all of life is not a pre-condition for faithful obedience to God. Most of life feels like vanity, especially when we try to make sense of it without a Creator in mind. "...in the succession of apparently unrelated events God may be served and God may be glorified. And in this daily service of God, we may find pleasure, because we are fulfilling the purpose for which God made us." (Stafford Wright) The teacher's opening message (1.1-2) Death limits even work and wisdom of kings (1.3-3.8) Work in fear before God, whose work endures (3.9-6.7) Humility before God, whose wisdom is supreme (6.8-12.7) The teacher's concluding message (12.8-14)
Martin Luther
(1483-1536) 15th - 16th cent. • Germany • Priest • Righteousness of God crushed him until he realized that by grace Jesus's righteousness was his own. He then wrote and published four works that would spark the Reformation: o (1) Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences was an argument against indulgences and penance which Luther posted on All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. o (2) Appeal was to the laity and German princes to help reform the church by doing away with celibate clergy, pilgrimages, masses for the dead, religious orders, and more o (3) On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church was to the clergy appealing for them to reform the idea of transubstantiation o (4) The Freedom of a Christian Man argued for justification by grace as opposed to works. • In 1520, Pope Leo X declared Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, ordered that his books be burned, and demanded that he recant his views within 60 days. • At the Diet of Worms (1521) Luther refused to recant his views, had 1,000 knights to protect him, and upon leaving was whisked away to Wartburg Castle where he was protected. There he translated the Greek NT into the common German tongue in a year. • His writings spread throughout Germany and then Europe sparking the Reformation • Taught: o Justification by faith o Anti-indulgences o Anti-pope o Anti-clerical celibacy o Anti-transubstantiation o Law of God can't make us righteous o Authority of Scripture o Priesthood of all believers o Magisterial reform - must have political support
Ulrich Zwingli
(1484-1531) 15th - 16th cent. • Swiss Reformer • Priest and chaplain • Read Erasmus's Greek NT and began preaching reform in Zurich (1519). Exegetical sermons, line-by-line, through Matthew-Revelation. • Taught: o Anti-mass o Anti-pope o Anti-transubstantiation o Pro-translation of the Bible o Pro-priesthood of all believers o Pro-authority of Scripture (believed prayer was crucial for the Spirit's illumination) o Pro-infant baptism o Pro-justification by faith • At the Marburg Colloquy (1529) Luther and Zwingli met and agreed on 14 out of 15 articles. o The one article they disagreed on regarded the Eucharist in which Luther believed Christ was truly present 'in, with, and under' (consubstantiation) whereas Zwingli believed Christ was not present at all (memorial view). "Third Man" of the Reformation (after Luther and Calvin). Swiss Reformer. In three public disputations, debated RCs on: 1) Papal authority; 2) Purgatory; 3) Celibacy; 4) Mass; and 5) Images in churches. Theologically indebted to Erasmus, Augustine, Luther and ancient pagan philosophers (Stoicism- there are no secondary causes; Seneca and Socrates will be in heaven though they never knew Christ). Killed in 1531 at the second battle of Cappel (battle between Catholics and Protestants) - "They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul."
Thomas Cranmer
(1489-1556) 15th - 16th cent. - English Reformer - Wrote and compiled the first two editions of the Book of Common Prayer, a complete liturgy for the English Church. -
William Tyndale
(1494-1536) 15th - 16th cent. • English Reformer • Studied at Oxford and Cambridge • Became a tutor of Sir John Welsh • Inspired by Erasmus, Luther, and Wycliffe, he translated the NT into English, the Pentateuch, and other parts of the OT. And with the advent of the printing press, copies of his Bible flooded England. • From then he was on the run and eventually was imprisoned and burned at the stake under King Henry VIII. • As much as 90% of Tyndale's NT was used in the King James translation.
Philip Melancthon
(1497-1560) 15th - 16th cent. • Germany • Professor of Greek at the University of Wittenberg (1518) and was a student of Luther. • Wrote Common Places (Loci Communes) which was the first systematic theology of the Reformation. • Wrote the Augsburg Confession which outlines what it means to be Lutheran. • Taught: o On communion, he leaned toward spiritual presence (Calvin). o On predestination, he leaned toward free will (Erasmus, supported synergism - contrary to monergism). o On justification, he leaned toward a forensic declaration (Luther). • He agreed to the Leipzig Interim (1548) which was a compromise with Charles V (who had been commissioned by Pope Paul III to war against anyone who opposed the Councils of Trent) on reinstating some Catholic practices while maintaining their core Reformation beliefs in order to prevent him from attacking them. Many staunch Lutheran theologians opposed Melanchthon for the rest of his life for this.
Psalms
(150) Purpose: Serve as the Israel's hymnbook. 5 books, each ending with a doxology Book 1 (1-41) Book 2 (42-72) Book 3 (73-89) Book 4 (90-106) Book 5 (107-150) Isn't clear if there is a purposeful structure to the Psalms.
John Calvin
(1509-1564) 16th cent. • French, Swiss Reformer • Graduated from University of Paris at the age of 14. Was a humanist and became Protestant. • When he was 27 he fled to Strasbourg, France from persecution in Paris. • There he wrote The Institutes of the Christian Religion which spread like wildfire. • He traveled to Geneva and met Guillaume Farel, a fiery, Protestant preacher, who urged Calvin to pastor in Geneva. • Calvin returned to Geneva and pastored there to the end of his life. • Taught: o Election, predestination o Strong pastoral care and oversight o Church discipline o Relief of the poor o Experiencing God through hearing the Word o Evangelism o Missions to refugees in Geneva (Spaniards, Italians, Scots, English, French, German) o Missions to France (151 missionaries; 2,100 churches, 3,000,000 converts), Italy, Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Rhineland, and Brazil. o Magisterial reform - must have political support • The Westminster Confession and the Canons of Dort would draw heavily from Calvin's works.
John Knox
(1515-1572) 16th cent. • Scotland • Priest and tutor turned Protestant • While in Catholic Scotland, he was involved with Protestants who had overtaken St. Andrews Castle, which was later stormed by French soldiers (Catholic; supported the Scots) who then made him a galley slave for 19 months. • He was released in England because of Edward VI (Protestant sympathizer). There his preaching spread throughout England and attracted Scottish Protestants. When Edward VI died, Mary Tudor ("Bloody Mary") took the throne and began killing off Protestants in England and so Knox went to Switzerland where he met Calvin and Zurich where he met Bullinger (a student of Zwingli) both of whom influenced his theological moorings. • Wrote First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women to oppose the tyrannical female rulers who abounded in Scotland (Mary of Guise), England (Mary Tudor, Bloody Mary), and in France (Catherine de Medicini). • When Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) died, Elizabeth I, her half-sister took the English throne and reversed her sister's anti-Protestant regime to adopt a middle-way between Protestantism and Catholicism. • Upon Knox's return to Catholic Scotland, many Scottish lords were converted to Protestantism which aided him in his organizing the Reformed Church of Scotland and writing: o Book of Discipline (Presbyterian church government) o Scots Confession of Faith (outlines their theological views) o Book of Common Order (directory of worship) • Knox's Reformed Church of Scotland would heavily influence the Westminster Assembly which produced the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Reformation
(1517 AD onward) - was never meant to defy the Church but to reform the Church • Historical Developments (1300-1500): o Papal Trust in Decline: Pastoral Pluralism: 1 bishop assigned to 2-5 regions = no pastoral care Pastoral Absenteeism: bishops weren't present over their districts. Pastoral Abuses: monarchial, simony (indulgences), sexual immorality (concubines, pederasty, prostitutes). o Papal Authority in Decline: Great Western Schism (1378-1417): split papal authority across 3 popes at one time (one in Rome, one in Avignon, and one in Pisa). Conciliar Movement (1414-1418) at the Council of Constance promoted council-authority over papal authority. o Biblical Authority on the Rise: (Wycliffe and Hus) Scripture as sole-authority Scripture as needed in one's one tongue. Printing press invented (1440): promulgated Reformation-ideas. o Seek the Source: Some humanist thinkers opposed scholasticism (in its tradition-heavy, history-ignoring, and philosophy-focused form) to adopt a 'go-to-the-source' mentality of starting with the Hebrew and Greek of Scripture and also reading the earliest Church Fathers. Pre-Reformers • John Wycliffe (1324-1384) in England: o Argued that Scripture was error-less and the sole authority over the church. o Argued that Scripture ought to be translated into people's native tongue. o Translated Scripture from Latin into English. o Opposed papal supremacy by saying that popes could be deposed for heresy and immorality. o Opposed transubstantiation by saying that a miracle, not the priest's words, brought about such a change. • John Hus (c. 1369-1415) in Prague (Bohemia, modern Czechoslovakia): o Argued that Scripture was our sole authority. o Argued that Scripture ought to be in one's own tongue. o Argued that it had the power to oppose abuses of even church leaders. o Argued that Christ is the true head of the church even though earthly leaders represent him. o He was burned at the stake at Council of Constance. • Martin Luther (Germany) o On October 31, 1517 he posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences on All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany which opposed indulgences and raised the issue of the primacy of Scripture. o This was an attempt to reform, NOT defy, the Catholic church. o Was declared a heretic at the Diet of Worms (1521) and was protected at Wartburg Castle thereafter where he translated the Greek NT into the common German tongue. • Other leaders o John Calvin (Switzerland), Martin Bucer (France), Ulrich Zwingli (Switzerland), John Knox (Scotland), Thomas Cranmer (England), William Tyndale (England), others. *"Protestantism--in conjunction with the emergence of modern nation-states, the beginnings of the modern economy, and the explosion of learning in Europe from the time of the Renaissance--eventually brought radical changes to European Christendom, and that some of those changes have been anything but healthy for Christian life and thought" (Noll, p. 149). • Reformation-Ideas o Sola Scriptura: Highest authority for the Christian. Should be accessible in one's language. o Sola Fide: Justification by faith in Christ is what declares us righteous before a holy God. o Sola Gratia: Only by grace in Jesus are we saved, not by works of any kind. o Sola Christo: Christ is head of the Church and it's his atoning work alone that saves. o Soli De Gloria: All things are to be done to the glory of God. o Priesthood of All Believers: All in Christ are 'priests' and thus don't need clerical priests.
Arminius
(1560-1609) 16th - 17th cent. • Netherlands • Student of Theodore Beza who was a student of Calvin. • Pastor in Amsterdam and then was a professor at Leiden, Netherlands. • Formed his views in reaction to Beza's supralapsarianism which he believed put election, not Christ, at the center of salvation. He concluded that man was able to initiate his own salvation because God had granted a prevenient grace to all mankind which enabled him to cooperate or choose God. One year after his death his followers summarized his teachings in the Remonstrance Articles (1610) that would be rejected at the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). • Taught: o 1. Conditional Election - conditioned on foreseen faith o 2. Universal Atonement - Jesus atones for all but not all accept him o 3. Saving Faith - faith can only happen by the Spirit's intervention o 4. Resistible Grace - we can reject his grace o 5. Uncertainty of Perseverance - falling from grace is possible • His beliefs influenced John Wesley who adopted every article. • Today Methodist and Baptists (dispensational, non-reformed) are Arminian in their theology.
Belgic Confession
(1561) Context: King Philip II of Spain enlisted the Inquisitional priests against the protestant reformers in Spain and the Netherlands - part of the Counter Reformation. As a result, many Protestant uprisings occurred. • Dutch pastor Guido de Bres (who had been trained by Calvin at the Geneva School), after returning to the Netherlands to preach, wrote the Belgic Confession for two reasons before his martyrdom: o Appeal against Oppression: He wrote the confession and sent it to King Philip II to appeal to him to stop oppressing the Protestants in their region. o Appeal for the Reformer's Identity: He wrote the confession also so that King Philip II might see that they the Reformers were not all rebels and in fact were not only committed to reforming the Church according to Scripture but were also committed to obeying the civil government as long as it didn't impose on their faith. • His confession was later revised at the Synod of Antwerp (1566) and again at the Synod of Dort (1618-1619) at which it was also adopted as one of the three confessional standards of Dutch Reformed churches: o Belgic Confession (1563) o Heidelberg Catechism (1561) o Canons of Dort
Heidelberg Catechism
(1563) • Composed in Heidelberg, Germany at the request of Elector Frederick III (1515-1576) who was an elector over the Palatinate German region. o Backdrop: Lutheran and Calvinistic violence occurred in Heidelberg so Frederick, who became Calvinistic, petitioned that a catechism be formed that could unite the Protestant groups and stop the violence. o Writers: He commissioned Zacharias Ursinus (1534-1583; pupil of Melanchthon whom Frederick had appointed as head of the Sapienz College, a theological school) and Caspar Olevianus (1536-1587; a former professor at the University of Heidelberg and current imperial court preacher) to write the catechism. They used previous catechetical materials (largely from Calvin and John Lasco, Polish Reformer) to form the catechism. o Makeup: 129 questions and answers divided into three parts: • Of the Misery of Man • Of the Redemption of Man • Of the Gratitude Due from Man • At the Synod of Dort (1619, which is also where Jacob Arminius' views were rejected) in the Netherlands the catechism was adopted and had ecumenical reception amongst Reformed churches. Held today by the Continental Reformed Church (German, European, Dutch). One of three confessional standards of the Dutch Reformed Church. o Heidelberg Catechism (1563) o Belgic Confession (1561) o Canons of Dort (1619)
Mark (book)
(16) Purpose: Succinct account of the good news of Jesus Christ. Mark was the first Gospel to be written and both Matthew and Luke used Mark in some form as a major source for writing their Gospels. Written by Mark, a disciple of the apostle Peter. - The good news of God's Son: Jesus recognized as God's son by John, God, & Satan (1.1-1.13) - The ministry of God's Son in Galilee: Jesus' authority over disease, demons, disciples, nature, and enemies (1.14-ch. 9) - The ministry of God's Son in Jerusalem: Jesus' authority over enemies and death (10-16)
Pietism
(1600's) • This was a religious movement that was sparked in Germany by Phillip Jacob Spener (1635-1705) and August Hermann Francke (1663-1727). Two major issues were happening Germany at this time: o (1) Thirty Years War (1618-1648): This was a series of wars all over Europe between Catholics and Protestants (among other groups and reasons). This war left Germany war torn, economically hurting, unhealthy medically, wary of people using religion for political gain, and largely immoral and neglected spiritually. o (2) Personal Religion Waned: There was a dead orthodoxy amongst Lutherans in German who emphasized scholasticism over personal heart devotion the Lord. • So Spener wrote his Pious Wishes ('Pia Desideria') and taught: o Bible as authority = emphasis on personal Bible study o Conversion is necessary = emphasis on individual change o Small groups necessary = emphasis on groups engaging the Word o Priesthood of believers = emphasis on lay activity o Personal practice of selfless love = emphasis on personal piety o Engaging unbelievers lovingly & rationally = emphasis on mission • Francke (a follower of his teaching) started a series of meetings revolving around this same thinking during his time as a student at the University of Leipzig. But while he was a professor at the University of Halle he: o Started an orphanage o Started a Bible society o Started a home for widows o Emphasized the teaching of Spener • It was at Halle that Francke disseminated pietistic thought and practice into Russia, Scandinavia, Britain, and the Americas. • Pietism influenced personal piety across the world, helped spark the Great Awakening, and also ignited much of modern missions: o Denmark's Ziegenbalg and Plutschau went to India o Moravia/Czech Republic's Count Nikolas Ludwig von Zinzendorf started a missions prayer/training ministry on his estate which sent missionaries to the West Indies, Greenland, Georgia, India, Africa, and to the Americas. o John Wesley interacted with Moravian missionaries in Savannah, Georgia which bolstered his mission endeavors. o William Carey pointed to the Moravians as examples of missionary zeal.
Richard Baxter
(1615-1691) 17th cent. • England • Church of England pastor and Puritan • Wrote Reformed Pastor ('reformed' meaning 'revived') as a pastor's manual for pastoral care. • Wrote A Christian Directory summarizing all things Puritan. • Taught: o Ecumenicism: embraced Calvinism, Arminianism, Lutheranism, and Roman Catholicism o Evangelism o Family catechization o Church discipline o Episcopal leaning (not Presbyterian) o Emphasis on moral obedience (led some to legalism) o Valued natural theology (led some of his English Presbyterian followers to Unitarianism) Top- rank Puritan pastor and theologian. Wrote prolifically (approx. 200 works). His ministry at Kidderminster was marked by dramatic transformation in the entire community. Author of The Saint's Everlasting Rest, The Reformed Pastor. A Call to the Unconverted.
Synod of Dordt
(1618-1619) • Called in Dordrecht (also called Dordt), South Holland (in the Netherlands). • 62 representatives came from Dutch provinces whereas 24-26 came from foreign nations (England, Scotland, France, and Switzerland). • Called to respond to the spread of Jacob Arminius's teaching (professor at Leiden University) which was summarized after his death (1609) in a document written by two of his followers called the Remonstrance (1610, a year after Arminius's death). Its articles were: o 1. Conditional Election - conditioned on foreseen faith o 2. Universal Atonement - Jesus atones for all but not all accept him o 3. Saving Faith - faith can only happen by the Spirit's intervention o 4. Resistible Grace - we can reject his grace o 5. Uncertainty of Perseverance - falling from grace is possible • So Dordt responded to this document with the Canons of Dordt which from its pronouncements Calvinistic followers wrote up the Counter-Remonstrance otherwise known as TULIP: o 1. Total Depravity o 2. Unconditional Election o 3. Limited Atonement o 4. Irresistible Grace o 5. Perseverance of the Saints • This Synod added one of the three confessional standards of Dutch Reformed Churches: o Canons of Dordt o Belgic Confession o Heidelberg Catechism
Westminster Assembly
(1643-1652) • Called by Parliament against King Charles I's approval in order to quell a civil war in England. This war started for many reasons: o Beliefs that Divided: Charles held an episcopal church model (which was hierarchical). Charles held a divine right of kings model (which gave him ultimate power). Parliament (largely Puritans) held Calvinistic, anti-monarchial, and anti-Catholic views. o Events that Divided: Charles defied Parliament by dissolving three of its assemblies in order to protect and champion Richard Montague (Puritan opponent, supporter of the divine right of kings model) and William Laud (Puritan opponent, supporter of Anglican worship) among other reasons. Then he gave William Laud, new archbishop of Canterbury, full powers in Scotland who then attempted to enforce Anglican worship there resulting in rebellion and leading to Scots invading England against Charles' troops. Finally, Charles sought to gain support from Irish subjects who held Catholic beliefs to help with the wars. This came to a head when Parliament, in 1641, passed a law that it couldn't be dissolved by the king alone thereby leading to Parliament establishing its own militia to combat Charles' troops. o Assembly that United: Parliament called the assembly at Westminster Abbey in order to: • (1) Stop the fighting in both Scotland and England • (2) Create a united Scotland and England, and • (3) Limit Charles' power. 121 ministers ('divines') and 30 laymen from England and Wales were present and 8 representatives were from Scotland. During its meetings it sought a military alliance with Scottish Covenanters (who believed in a Presbyterian form of church government). A limited Presbyterian government was chosen by the assembly which would: • (1) Stop the episcopal form of church government (limiting Charles). • (2) Create an alliance between Scotland and England (end fighting). • (3) Maintain a Calvinistic/Reformed theological bend (against Catholic). o Documents that United: The conclusions of the assembly were codified in the: • Westminster Confession, Larger and Shorter Catechism (replacing the Thirty-Nine Articles) • Directory of Public Worship (replacing the Book of Common Prayer) and the Form of Presbyterial Church Government (later BCO)
Zinzendorf
(1700-1760) 18th cent. • Moravia (Czech Republic) • He was a Count, studied at the University of Halle, had Pietist parents, was himself a Pietist • A Moravian Christian group called the Unity of the Brethren (Hussites; followers of Jon Hus) took refuge from persecution on his estate (at Dresden) and built a village there. One day in 1727, they had what is called a "Moravian Pentecost" in which the Spirit strongly committed them all to prayer, discipline, brotherly love, and missions. • From this they sent missionaries to: o The West Indies (whole Caribbean) o Greenland o India o Africa o Georgia o North America o South America • ***Moravian missionaries would greatly influence John Wesley in Georgia and William Carey (who did missions in India).
Jonathan Edwards
(1703-1758) 18th cent. • America • Studied at Yale University • Three phases of his ministry: o Obscurity - Northampton, MA pastor pre-revival (1727-1733) o Popularity - Northampton, MA pastor revival (1734-1747) and rejection (1750) o Obscurity - Stockbridge, MA pastor to Mohican Indians (1751-1757) • Great Awakening occurred throughout New England and into America in large part because of his sermons in Northampton, MA. Partnered in this movement with George Whitefield who came from England to visit America 7 times. • Taught: o Calvinism o Expositional sermons o God's sovereignty o Man's need for grace o God's love for sinners in Christ o Spirit's power to convict and change o The need for real affection toward God • Wrote: o Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God o Religious Affections o Freedom of the Will Massachusetts Congregational minister who produced one of the most thorough and compelling bodies of theological writings in the history of America. Perhaps the greatest American philosopher/theologian. Theologian of the First Great Awakening. First pastoral charge was in Northampton, MA where he served until dismissed in 1750 over the "Halfway Covenant." He then labored in frontier Stockbridge, MA as a minister to congregations of Indians and whites.
George Whitefield
(1714-1770) 18th cent. • England • Reformed priest • Converted while studying at Oxford. • Was a part of the "Holy Club" there with John and Charles Wesley. • Ministered throughout England, Wales, visited Scotland 15 times, and visited America 7 times. o On his visits to America his preaching helped fuel the Great Awakening with Jonathan Edwards. • Known for his powerful preaching that drew so many people (upwards of 20,000 people) that he had to preach outside of buildings (adopting an open-air and itinerant style of preaching) to meet people where they were (fields, miners holes, the streets, etc.). • He also founded churches • Taught: o "Methods" (small Christian societies; got him the title of the 'founder of Methodism') o Calvinism (Reformed Methodism) o God's sovereignty and his free offer of salvation o God's holiness o God's deep love for sinners
Great Awakening(s)
(1734-1820's) Influenced by Pietism, which had sparked in the 1600s. • The First Great Awakening was largely led by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) and George Whitefield (1714-1770) in America. This revival emphasized personal conversion, God's sovereignty, Calvinistic and Puritanistic beliefs - all of which led to thousands upon thousands of sincere converts who devoted themselves to living faithfully to Jesus. o Jonathan Edwards (Congregationalist) had been pastoring a church in Northampton, Massachusetts for many years but in 1734 people responded to his preaching with massive transformation. He was Calvinistic, expositional, emphasized God's sovereignty, man's inability to come to God because of sin, God's love for sinners in Christ, and the Spirit's power to convict and change. Although people responded with emotional and powerful new lives Edwards did not attempt to manufacture this but simply pastored and preached faithfully. This revival spread throughout New England. o George Whitefield was a Reformed, Anglican priest living in England, was a part of John Wesley's "Holy Club" (@ University of Oxford), and was invited to New England by Jonathan Edwards to preach (made 7 trips total). Whitefield's preaching was powerful and thousands flooded to hear him and he went to them (fields, miners' holes, the streets, etc.). • The Second Great Awakening was largely led by Charles Finney (1792-1875) in America. This wasn't actually a "second" awakening per se but instead was a continuation of the first awakening (with both good and bad results). This revival emphasized emotionality, individuality in one's walk, Arminianism, our ability to rationally come to God, pressure-conversions, genuine faith, but also led to many anti-Christian sects and apostates. o Charles Finney was a lawyer in New York who converted and immediately led a preaching tour. His preaching revivals were pushy, he focused on evoking emotional responses to the Lord, he instated preaching denunciations (in which he publicly denounced individuals in the crowd for their sins), he started the "anxious seat" which was meant for fearful prayers, he adopted the Methodist "altar call", and more. o There were genuine converts in this movement but unfortunately many people who claimed to be converted in the beginning fell away thereafter. Also, the main areas he preached in is now referred to as the "Burned Over District" because it became the starting place for: Mormonism (Joseph Smith, 1820's) Seventh Day Adventists (William Miller, 1840's)) Universalism Spiritualists Swedenborgs/Oneida Community (believed Jesus had already returned) Shakers (no sex; died out)
William Carey
(1761-1834) 18th - 19th cent. • England • Cobbler and teacher; Father of Modern Missions • Influenced by the vigor of Moravian missionaries, like Wesley, he became convinced that Christians must give the gospel to those who have never heard. • He gathered people of like mind and established the Particular Baptist Society of Propagating the Gospel amongst the Heathen (1792; eventually called the "Baptist Missionary Society"). • India: o Went with his family and a physician to Calcutta o Eventually the new missionary headquarters would become Serampore o Translated the Bible (in full and in part) into 35 languages o Lobbied to end the practice of widows getting burned on their husband's funeral pyres (ended in 1829) o Established the first newspaper in India o Made grammars for Bengali, Sanskrit, and Marathi o Founded Serampore College (1818) o Professor in For William College in Calcutta for 30 years o Took years to produce hordes of converts Lower classes adopted it first because Christianity liberated them from the caste system Women adopted it first because Christianity gave them dignity, power, and purpose o Alexander Duff (Scotland) came to India to establish schools which, by the time India gained independence from Britain, its leaders were either Christian or at least influenced by Christians. • Approach: o Sermon at the Northamptonshire Baptist Association (1792) he said: "Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God." o Learned and translated into people's languages o Developed respect and knowledge of Indian culture o Took a job on a plantation in Malda o Planted church o Set up a school and engaged education o Lobbied to create good social change o Engaged in local media
Charles Finney
(1792-1875) 18th - 19th cent. • America • Lawyer turned preacher upon his conversion • Influenced the "Second" Great Awakening (not truly a second one but a continuation of the first) • Taught: o Arminianism - believed that "revivals were not due to the miraculous outpouring of God's Spirit, but simply the result of proper applications of means" (Lucas, 189). o Emotionally-charged responses to the gospel o Pressured conversions and pushy preaching o Anxious seats - "where the anxious may come and be addressed particularly, be made the subject of prayer and be conversed with individually." o Altar calls (Methodist practice) o Preaching denunciations (publically calling specific people out for their sins) o Personal faith • New Haven Theology: o Started by N.W. Taylor Neo-Calvinistic/Arminian (Adam's sin not passed to all, free will in salvation) Spirit-assisted rationalism necessary for belief Reason guides Scripture Human response and emotionalism emphasized • The area he preached in, called the Burned Over District led to many apostates and cults: o Mormonism (Joseph Smith, 1820's) o Seventh Day Adventists (William Miller, 1840's)) o Universalism o Spiritualists o Swedenborgs/Oneida Community (believed Jesus had already returned) o Shakers (no sex; died out)
Amyraut and the School of Saumur
(17th cent.) • France • Moise Amyraut (1569-1664) taught at the French Protestant Academy of Saumur and was influenced by the new views of his teacher John Cameron. • Amyraut taught: o "Hypothetical Universalism" 1. God chose to save all human beings who repent and believe in Jesus. 2. Human beings, on their own, won't repent and believe. 3. So, God the Holy Spirit gives some (the elect) a special amount of himself. o In this conception Amyraut could claim that: Grace is universal (all people) Salvation is particular (elect) • This view is known as Amyraldism (Latin form of 'Amyrautism') or 4-Point Calvinism French theologian in seventeenth century who attempted to synthesize Calvinism and Arminianism. Focused on doctrines of grace, predestination and intent of the atonement. Amyraldianism postulated a universal design in the atonement (not limited) and a particular application of its benefits. Christ legitimately died for all. Nevertheless only the elect actually come into the enjoyment of salvation blessings.
George Muller
(1805-1898) 19th cent. • Born in Germany; lived in Bristol, England • Wrote about in his youth how much he loved sinning • Converted when he was 20 after being invited to a Bible study • His Calvinistic beliefs drove him to deep prayer, deep love, and deep mission to the lost • Church and Orphanage: o Ministered primarily to one church in Bristol for 66 years. o Preached over 10,000 sermons o Started an orphanage and cared for over 10,000 orphans o He loved orphans because he knew how much God had loved him o Started the Scriptural Knowledge Institution to educate the kids • Missions: o Age of 70, for 17 years, he traveled to 42 different countries and preached to over 3-4 million people (often spoke in people's own tongue because he was fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, French, and English). • Prayer: o Would pray that money would come to supply their needs and money always would often in the exact amount and at the exact time his entire life. o Had a deep trust in God's provision. • Focused on God's sovereignty, God's love, prayer, service, and evangelism. • Died at the age of 92. Thousands in Bristol mourned his death.
Charles Spurgeon
(1834-1892) 19th cent. • England • Dramatic conversion in his teens and was baptized • Reformed Baptist • Sermons were so popular that they moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle where 10,000+ people came to hear him preach. He pastored there for 38 years. The sale of his sermons (1855 onward) in England and the USA helped fund his pastoral college he started. • Started an orphanage. • Over 200 churches were started in the counties in London due to his pastoring. • Wrote over 135 books.
Old School/New School
(1837) • This was a slow division that developed during the "Plan of Union" (1801-1837) between two "schools" of Presbyterian thought: o Old School: Charles Hodge, James Henley Thornwell, Robert Lewis Dabney Calvinism Presbyterian polity Saving and sanctifying people that may lead to social and cultural renewal Non-Ecumenical (e.g., dividing from Congregationalists, Excising Act - abrogated Plan of Union in 1837) Tended to lean on rationality over the guiding of the Holy Spirit Tended to lean toward pro-slavery o New School: Charles Finney, Lyman Beecher, Albert Barnes Semi-Calvinism (non-imputation of sin, freedom of will) Human means could generate revival; emotional and 'pushy' methods of preaching Social and cultural renewal emphasized that comes through saving and sanctifying people Ecumenical partnerships to bring revival and social change (ending slavery, temperance) Tended to lean on hyper-spirituality over rationality Tended to lean toward Arminian/New Haven Theology (N.W. Taylor; Yale, 1822) • The 1837 Schism - General Assembly of Old School Presbyterians rejected the New School's positions. Weren't reunited until 1983.
D.L. Moody
(1837-1899) 19th cent. • America • D.L. (Dwight Lyman) • Chicago shoe salesmen turned pastor and preacher • Made a fortune selling shoes but started a mission Sunday School that turned into a church so he stopped selling shoes to be a pastor and to focus on evangelism and social care. • Was president of the YMCA for four years. • He and gospel singer Ira Sankey went between England, Scotland, and America to preach on an evangelistic tour in front of more than 100 million people. • Evangelistic Style: o House-to-house canvas of residents o Ecumenical approach to get help from all local leaders o Aid from businesses in the community o Renting a large building at the center of the cities they went to o Putting a gospel singer to draw people through entertainment o A "question room" for people to ask questions about Christianity before they repented • Taught: o Emotionally o Plainly o Dispensational o Authority of Scripture o Believed that the gospel could change cities and culture • Started College Students' Summer School which were conferences geared toward training up young people to do missions in their cities and in the world. John R. Mott, who started the Student Volunteer Movement (1910) which enlisted 2,400 young missionaries. • In 1886, he started Bible-Work Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society later called Moody Bible Institute.
B.B. Warfield
(1851-1921) 19th - 20th cent. • America • B.B. (Benjamin Breckinridge) • Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary • Taught: o Calvinism o Biblical inerrancy o Darwinian-sympathizer (lay reader of science; originally wanted to be a scientist ) o Argued against the changing of the Westminster Confession o Argued God speaking through his word o Argued against modernism but also argued against fundamentalism • Most known for his works on the inspiration, inerrancy, and canonicity of Scripture
Auburn Affirmation
(1924) • This affirmation, signed by 150 Presbyterian Church of the USA pastors and elders, was published in January of 1924 in Auburn, NY in order to disagree with the 1923 General Assembly's five points of doctrine that it affirmed. • The 1923 General Assembly stated the following: o (1) Inerrancy: "It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards that the Holy Spirit did so inspire, guide and move the writers of Holy Scripture as to keep them from error." o (2) Virgin Birth: "It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary." o (3) Atonement: "It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards that Christ offered up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy Divine justice and to reconcile us to God." o (4) Resurrection: "It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and of our standards concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, that on the third day He rose again from the dead with the same body with which He suffered, with which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, making intercession." o (5) Miracles: "It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God as the supreme standard of our faith that our Lord Jesus Christ showed His power and love by working mighty miracles. This working was not contrary to nature, but superior to it." • The Auburn Affirmation stated the following in opposition to the 1923 General Assembly: o (1) Scripture is not inerrant (plainly denied this) o (2) Incarnation (not committed "to certain theories concerning...") o (3) Atonement (not committed "to certain theories concerning...") o (4) Resurrection (not committed "to certain theories concerning...") o (5) Continuing Life and Supernatural Power of Jesus (not committed "to certain theories concerning...") • And the theology behind this affirmation persisted to the point when various people split from the Northern Presbyterian Church because of its liberal, unbiblical leanings.
Luke (book)
(24) Purpose: Wrote to a man, Theophilus, as a carefully investigated account of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Shows that Jesus' mission was to seek and to save the lost. Luke's prologue: confidence of accuracy (1.1-4) Setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's promised savior (1.5-4.13) Jesus proclaims salvation by the Spirit (4.14-9.50) Jesus's proclamation divides Israel (9.51-ch. 19) Jesus suffers, rises, and must be proclaimed to all (20-24) OR Birth- chs. 1-2 Preparation for ministry - ch. 3 Ministry in Galilee - chs. 4-9 Journey to Jerusalem - chs. 10-19 Ministry in Jerusalem - chs. 20-21 Passion - chs. 22-23 Resurrection - ch. 24
Acts
(28) Purpose: Recording of the early progress of the gospel as Jesus' disciples take it from Jerusalem throughout Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the Mediterranean world. Holy Spirit empowers apostolic witness (1-2) - Matthias to replace Judas (1) - Spirit descends (2) - Fellowship of the believers (2) Apostolic witness in Jerusalem (3-7) - Peter heals lame beggar, arrested, speaks before Jewish Council, released, prayer for boldness (3-4) - Ananias and Sapphira (5) - Deacons (6) - Stephen's speech and martyred (7) Apostolic witness in Samaria (8-12) - Gospel leaves Jerusalem: Saul ravages church, Samaritan villages, Philip and Ethiopian eunuch (8) - Conversion of Saul (9) - Peter and Cornelius, the gospel for the Gentiles (10-11) - James killed, Peter arrested and freed (12) Apostolic witness to the ends of the earth (13-28) - Paul's 1st missionary journey, Cyprus and southern region of Asia Minor (13-14) - Jerusalem Council - circumcision necessary for Gentiles? (15) - Paul's 2nd missionary journey, revisited churches from 1st missionary journey, but went into Macedonia and Achaia (Corinth and Athens in s. Greece), Ephesus and returned to Jerusalem (15-18) - Paul's 3rd missionary journey, similar to 2nd journey, stopped in Ephesus for 3 years, returned to Jerusalem (18-21) - Paul arrested in Jerusalem, on trial in Caesarea (21-26) - Paul under house arrest in Rome (27-28)
Matthew (book)
(28) Purpose: Written to a Jewish audience. Seeks to prove that Jesus, as the true Israel, is the fulfillment of OT prophecy. Kingdom Preview: Jesus is a king (1-2) Genealogy: Abraham to David, David to Jesus. Kingdom Proclaimed: baptism, temptation, Sermon on the Mount (3-7) Kingdom Enacted: miracles and disciples' mission (8-10) Kingdom Explained: John and Jesus? Confrontations w/ Pharisees, Kingdom Parables (11-13) - Parable of the Sower, Weeds, Pearl of great value, etc (13) Kingdom on Earth: Jesus's identity and the church's identity (14-18) Kingdom at the End: growing opposition and final judgment (19-25) Kingdom Proven: death, resurrection, commission (26-28)
Titus
(3) Purpose: This pastoral letter from Paul to Titus was intended to offer encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within his congregations. Who should teach (1) What to teach and how to live (2) What to do with factions and false teachers (3)
Proverbs
(31) Purpose: To provide a reliable resource for teaching wisdom to young members of the royal court, and within households of Israel. A Father's Wisdom (1-9) Solomon's Wisdom (10.1-22.16) Thirty Sayings of the Wise (22.17-ch. 24) Solomon's Wisdom in Hezekiah's Court (25-29) Agur's Wisdom (30) Lemuel's Mother's Wisdom (31)
Council of Nicea
(325 AD) • Emphasized the oneness of God (Jesus = God). • Called by Emperor Constantine to address Arianism (318 bishops present). • Arius, a bishop in Alexandria, claimed Jesus was not fully divine and not eternally existent but instead was created by God and thus was subordinate to God. • Some of his followers said that Jesus was of "similar substance" (homoiousios) with God whereas those who followed Athanasius, another bishop in Alexandria, said Jesus was of the "same substance" (homoousios) with God. • The council condemned Arius's teaching as heretical and adopted the Nicene Creed to codify its conclusions: that Jesus was "of the same substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father..."
Jerome
(345-420) 4th - 5th cent. • Rome and Antioch • Presbyter • One of the "Four Doctors" of the church ('doctor' means teacher) • Ascetic and Cenobitic monk (culturally engaged monasticism, set in contrast to eremitic monasticism) o Commissioned by Pope Damascus to write the Vulgate (382; Vulgar means 'common') o He translated this Latin Bible from the Hebrew OT and Greek NT unlike older Latin translations that were derived from the Greek OT (LXX, the Septuagint) and NT only. o Pope Damascus wanted Jerome to include the Apocrypha into his translation so Jerome did but put a note indicating that these were "eclectic" texts. Total Apocrypha List (written by Jews between 300-100 BC): • 1 & 2 Esdras • Tobit • Judith • Rest of Esther • Wisdom of Solomon • Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) • Baruch • The Letter of Jeremiah • Song of the Three Young Men • Susanna • Bel and the Dragon • The Additions to Daniel • The Prayer of Mannesseh • 1 & 2 Maccabees. Canonical Apocrypha List (as accepted by the Catholic Church): • Tobit • Judith • 1 & 2 Maccabees • Wisdom of Solomon • Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) • Baruch
Augustine of Hippo
(354-430) 4th - 5th cent. Context: After Nicea and Constantinople and before Ephesus 1 and Chalcedon. • Bishop of Hippo (N. Africa) and one of the 'Four Doctors'. Christian mother, pagan father. • Rhetor trained • Converted under Ambrose's teaching and pastoral love from Manichaeism (extreme duality between good vs evil) and Neo-Platonism (386). In the garden, reading about St. Anthony (desert father), hears a child's voice, "Pick it up, and read it!" Augustine picks up the Bible and reads Romans 13:13 and converts. • Opposed Pelagianism (perfectibility attainable, denial of Original Sin) and Donatism (separatists, idea that enduring persecution was the main proof of one's faith; believed they were the true church and no one else was). • Wrote City of God - Critiques Christians who place hope in the kingdoms of this world. Affirms political order but says that we are citizens of heaven. • Taught: o God's grace, election, PREDESTINATION! Against Pelagius. o Original sin (Confessions, introduced concept of spiritual autobiography). Describes himself as a sinner even at birth. o Sacraments - "ex opere operato" or "by the working of the work." The sacraments and ministry of priests are not based on sanctity of the priests but by the sanctity of Christ. o Just War theory - Encourages pacifism, individual Christians should turn the other cheek and pray for our enemies. However, self-defense is OK. Relation to civic order - Christians can serve in the military. ***Reformation was largely sparked by his theological writings.
Pelagius
(360-418) 4th - 5th cent. • Britain then to Rome • Teacher • Opposed by Augustine • Taught: o Denial of original sin, said that sins were merely "bad habits." o Denial of predestination o Affirmation of perfectibility o Affirmation of man's totally free will • His views spread to N. Africa whereby Pelagius and his associate Celestius were condemned as heretics at the Council of Carthage in 418 headed by Augustine.
2 Timothy
(4) Purpose: Paul wrote this letter as he awaited execution. Despite all that Paul was facing—death, the end of his ministry, abandonment by most of his friends for fear of persecution—he faithfully directed his spiritual son Timothy to the hope that is in Christ. As he exhorted Timothy to boldness, endurance, and faithfulness in the face of false teaching, Paul showed his customary concern for sound doctrine. Stay faithful to the One who has stayed faithful to you (1) Stay faithful in Christian service (2) Stay faithful against godlessness through God's Word (3) Stay faithful in preaching God's Word (4)
Job (book)
(42) Purpose: To explore the limits and proper use of human wisdom in the case of a righteous individual's suffering in order to respond wisely to God and to people who suffer. Prologues: conflict between God and Satan (1-2) Dialogues: conflict between Job & his friends (3-27) Reflection on true wisdom (28) Conflict between Job and the Lord (29-42.6) Epilogue: Conflict results in rebuke of his friends, blessing and mediation of Job (42.7-17)
Council of Chalcedon
(451 AD) • Emphasized the twoness, both God and man, of Jesus (two natures, one person). • Called by Emperor Marcian to address Eutychianism/Monophysitism (emphasis on ONE nature, like Apollinarianism) (500-600 bishops present). • These were started both in part by Cyril of Alexandria and Eutyches. o Cyril of Alexandria (bishop from 412-444) so opposed Nestorius's "two-ness" of Christ that he overreacted to affirm a "oneness" of Christ in which the divine Logos so unites himself to human flesh that they are one nature. o Eutyches (a monk in Constantinople, c. 378-454) formed his own version of this, also in opposition to Nestorius, in which he said that before the incarnation the human and divine were distinct whereas after the incarnation they were one. This effectively leaned toward Apollinarianism which said that the divine supplanted the human spirit of Jesus making him a human man but indwelled by a divine spirit. • Pope Leo I, "Leo the Great," wrote his Tome, amplified language of Christ being a single "person" with two "natures." Emphasized that the divinity and humanity of Christ had significant implications for salvation. • The language of 'two natures' (physes/ousiai in Greek; naturae/substantiae in Latin) was adopted. o UNITY: The word 'person' (persona/hypostasis) was chosen to describe Christ's oneness. o DUALITY: the word 'nature' (physis/natura) was chosen to describe Christ's two-ness. • And so, Christ can be said to be one person/one hypostatic union but two natures. This rejected Apollinarianism (divine spirit in a human body, instead of having a normal human spirit), Nestorianism (divine person and human person totally distinct), and Eutychianism/Monophysitism (divine nature and human nature are totally one). • This council established a precedent of conciliar authority (authority by councils), it established monastic authority as subject to their bishops, and it grounded the authority of the bishops by their residence (depending on what city/region they presided over) and not on apostolicity (whether they believed to have descended from the apostles or not). This final point started the major debate over the authority of the churches: is it residential and regional (you only have authority over your area) or is it apostolic and Roman (only Rome has sole authority because only Rome was founded by Peter). ***Was the issue all the way up to the Great East-West Schism in 1054.
Ezekiel
(48) 592-565 BC (500s) Purpose: Ezekiel was exiled to Babylon. To urge the exiles in Babylon to repent of their rebellion so that the LORD might fulfill visions of the restoration of his glory amidst his people by return to the land, renewal of the covenant, and restoration of the Temple. Ezekiel's enactments of judgment against Jerusalem (1-24) Ezekiel's oracles of judgment against the nations (25-32) Ezekiel's visions of Jerusalem's glorious restoration (33-48)
Lamentations
(5) 587-516 BC (500s) Purpose: Like a eulogy at a funeral, these laments are intended to mourn a loss—in this case, the loss of a nation. The latter half of chapter 3 implies that the purpose behind the book's graphic depictions of sorrow and suffering was to produce hope in the God whose compassion is "new every morning" (v. 23) and whose faithfulness is great even to a people who have been condemned for their own unfaithfulness. Zion is a widow for breaking the covenant (1) The Lord destroyed Zion for breaking the covenant (2) The Lord will not reject them forever (3) Israel's leadership failed by rejecting the Lord (4) The Lord will restore: repentance and hope (5)
Jeremiah
(52) Purpose: To explain to the Exilic community that God's severe punishment is due to the great sins of kings, priests, false prophets and people which broke covenant with God. But, upon repentance and 70 years, God will return them to Judah and establish a new covenant. 1-20 Jeremiah warns Judah and wrestles with God 21-25 Jeremiah delivers God's judgment against Judah's leaders 26-36 Jerusalem is subject to God's word: judgment and hope 37-52 Jerusalem's fall and its implications for the nations
Gregory the Great
(540-604) 6th - 7th cent. • Roman Pope (the first true Roman pope as we know them today) • One of the 'Four Doctors' • Trained in civil service and government • Wrote The Pastoral Rule ('Regula Pastoralis') which was a treatise on pastoral care and pastoral responsibility. • Taught: o Moderate Benedictine monasticism, wrote "The Life of Benedict" o Cultural engagement o Evangelism (sent missionaries to England)
1 Timothy
(6) Purpose: First Timothy is one of three pastoral letters (including 2 Timothy and Titus) that the aging apostle Paul sent to those who would continue his work. Timothy was, in every way, Paul's spiritual son. Young but gifted, Timothy had been assigned to lead the church at Ephesus—a church needing order in worship as well as doctrinal correction, plagued as it was by false teachers. Paul's letter, likely written about A.D. 62-66, counseled the young man on matters of church leadership—from proper worship, to qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons, to advice on confronting false teaching and how to treat various individuals within a congregation. Paul charged Timothy to live a life beyond reproach, giving believers a standard to emulate. Option #1 Instructions in right belief (1) Instructions for the church and its officers (2-3) Instructions for true leaders and against false leaders (4-6)
Isaiah
(66) Purpose: To encourage Judah to reject foreign gods and alliances in order to remain loyal to the LORD and to encourage future readers in exile to repent of cultic and social sin in order for the LORD to return a faithful remnant to Zion. Re: Structure - As it has come to us, the book is an anthology of Isaiah's oracles, collected by the prophet himself and perhaps by some of his close disciples (cf. 8:16). Any attempt to reconstruct the process by which the book took shape is speculative, and probably the process is forever irretrievable." Bullock, 161. BUT just in case: 1-12 Oracles of Judgement and Hope for Israel - Isaiah's vision of the LORD (ch. 6) - Sign of Immanuel (ch. 7). Failure of unfaithful kings leads to God taking initiative. - To us a child is born (ch. 9). - Righteous branch (ch. 11) 13-27 Oracles of Judgment and Hope for the Nations - Isaiah walks naked for 3 years as a sign against Egypt and Cush (ch. 20) a. 24-27 Eschatological Summation - God will swallow up death forever (ch. 25) - God ordains peace for his people (ch. 26) - God destroys evil and redeems his people (ch. 27) 28-35 Jerusalem, Egypt and a Prophet in between ("Don't go to Egypt for help against Assyria!") a. 34-35 Eschatological Summation - Judgment (ch. 34) - Salvation (ch. 35) 36-39 Historical Bridge - parallel with 2 Kings 18-20. Hezekiah's faith and folly that leads to Babylonian exile. 40-66 Oracles of Consolation - Suffering Servant (ch. 53) - New Heavens, New Earth (ch. 65)
Song of Songs
(8) Purpose: To celebrate the blessing of romantic covenantal love between husbands and wives, and to instruct youth in power of sexual love. Option #1 Love's Strong Desire: Man's Invitation (1-2) Woman's Dream (3.1-5) Joy of the Wedding (3.6-5.1) Man's Absence (5.2-ch. 7) Woman's Invitation: Love's Strong Desire (7-8) Option #2 Love's Strong Desire (1.1-2.7) The Man's Invitation (2.8-17) The Woman's Dream (3.1-5) The Joy of the Wedding (3.6-5.1) The Man's Absence (5.2-7.10) The Woman's Invitation (7.11-8.4) Love's Strong Desire (8.5-14)
Salvation Accomplished
(WCF 10-13; WLC 57-60, 67-68, 70-71, 74-75, 77-78; WSC 29-36)
Salvation Applied
(WCF 14-18; WLC 72-73, 76, 79-81, 153; WSC 85-87)
Reconciliation (between believers)
***Matthew 5:21-26. Anger, leaving your gift at the altar and being reconciled with your brother. ***Matthew 18:15-20. Process of restoring relationships.
Herod the Great
- Appointed King of the Jews 40-4 BC by Roman Senate. Killed all the male children in Bethlehem because he had heard about the Christ being born (Mt 2).
Who is the head of the church?
- Jesus Christ - Ephesians 1, 2; Colossians 1. Ephesians 2:19-20 "Christ Jesus is the chief cornerstone" - "There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be the head thereof." - Ephesians 1:22 "appointed him to be head over everything" - Colossians 1:18 "he is the head of the body, the church"
Peter
- One of the twelve. Denied Christ 3 times. Is later reinstated and told to feed Christ's sheep (John 21)
Imputation (remember Double Imputation)
- counting or considering Christ's righteousness as our own while - counting or considering our unrighteousness as Christ's. A transfer happens both ways between the Sinless one and sinners. 2 Cor. 5:21 The great exchange
Pastoral Epistles
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Written to leaders in the church.
Love chapter
1 Cor 13
Body as temple of Holy Spirit
1 Cor 6
Significance of the death of Christ
1 Cor. 15 - If Christ hasn't been raised we're still in our sins.
Resurrection of the Body
1 Corinthians 15: We will be embodied in eternity 1 Thessalonians 4: Do not mourn those who sleep
That we may know
1 John 5
Kings key verses
1 Kgs. 3:9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people? (Solomon's request for wisdom) 2 Kings 25:27-30 Jehoachin released from prison (ends with a sliver of hope)
Division of the Kingdom
1 Kings 12 (931 BC) Solomon turns from the Lord in 1 Kings 11. Many wives and concubines from foreign nations. Jeroboam sets up golden calves in Dan and Bethel.
Dedication of the 1st Temple
1 Kings 8 (966 BC) Building temple starts in 1 Kings 6 (remember: dating of Exodus)
Living stones
1 Peter 2
The anointing of David
1 Samuel 16 (1010 BC)
Not grieving as those without hope
1 Thessalonians 4
Ministry Work
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 (elders and deacons) Acts 6 (deacons) 2 Timothy 4:5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 1 Peter 5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Qualifications for church officers
1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5 Above reproach Husband of one wife Sober minded Self-controlled Respectable Hospitable Able to teach Not violent, a drunkard, or lover of money
Fought the good fight
1 Timothy 6
List at least two key principles of Presbyterian government
1) Jesus has appointed officers for the edification of the church to preach, administer the sacraments and to exercise discipline (the marks of the church). 2) All church power is only ministerial and declarative since the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith; human courts may err, yet they are called to hold up the laws of Scripture.
What happened in the resurrection of Christ? Discuss "glorified body."
1. Christ's resurrection was bodily. a. It was not mystical or mental but physical and historical. 2. Christ's resurrection defeated death. a. Death has no hold over him anymore. 3. Christ's resurrection ensures our justification. a. He was raised for our justification because his resurrection reverses death which is a result of sin; thus, his resurrection reverses sin and death and so justifies sinners (Rom. 4; 1 Cor. 15). 4. Christ's resurrection means that his people will resurrect too. a. What happened to him will happen to them (1 Cor. 15; 1 Thess. 4). 5. Christ's resurrection made his body more powerful and majestic than before. a. He began in weakness but was raised in power (Rom. 1:4; Phil. 2). Christ's glorified body was the same body pre-death but was changed post-death (1 Cor. 15). There is continuity in his pre and post-resurrection body. o Pre-death: weak and mortal. o Post-death: strong and immortal. WLC Q. 52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection? A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held), and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.
What is the value of studying church history?
1. Church history informs how God has dealt with his people in the past and informs our present and future. a. Past-to-Present: How God has dealt with and worked through his Church in the past directly informs how he will deal with and work through his Church in the present - all of which informs how we ought to respond to him today (1 Cor. 10:6 ' Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.'). b. Present-to-Future: But since God is moving history in a particular direction, studying church history not only informs our present but it molds the Church into a shape fit for the future into which God is leading history toward. 2. Church history can give us perspective because humans are historical beings. a. Who we are is inextricably tied to those who have gone before us. The thoughts, words, and deeds of our families, leaders, societies, and nations all complexly form who we are today. Both the beautiful and the bad. b. ***This is a helpful counter to a common Western view of humanity that we are each somehow detached from those who came before us. We not only sin generationally but we are saved generationally. 3. Church history attests to the fact that Christianity is a historical religion (and is therefore true). a. This is a helpful defense for our day in which we are exposed to a multitude of religious, philosophical, and worldview options that compete for primacy in the hearts and minds of people. Unlike other worldview options that are built upon myths, lies, or detached ideas, Christianity is the only one that is vitally tied to the events of history that can attest to the veracity of its claims. 4. Church history helps us know how the Bible has been interpreted throughout history. 5. Helps us examine Christian interactions with surrounding culture throughout time.
Define Three Basic Forms Of Church Government.
1. Episcopal (top-down) a. Bishops (regional), presbyters (local), deacons (local) b. Bishops are apostolic c. Bishops ordain only (therefore, Presbyterians and Congregationalist are not legit) 2. Presbyterian (bottom-up and top-down) a. Bishops = Presbyters (ruling and teaching), deacons b. Plurality of elders c. Elders over the church d. Presbytery is a group of local churches (authoritative decisions) e. Power given to local congregations over the presbytery and councils 3. Congregational (bottom-up) a. Elder/s b. Either the whole congregation governs (congregational) or a body of elders is elected to govern (independent) c. No regional or authoritative oversight
How does the doctrine of the image of God influence debates about gender roles?
1. Gender roles are real and God-given (Gen. 1:27). We need both to effectively image God into the world. 2. Gender roles are good (Gen. 1:31). 3. Gender roles express equality (Gen. 1) through differences (Gen. 2). 4. Gender roles are part of how we imitate the Triune God (Gen. 1:27). 5. Gender roles continue after the Fall (Gen. 3; 1 Cor. 11, 14; 1 Tim. 2; Eph. 5). 6. Gender roles have been distorted by the Fall (Gen. 3 Eve's desire will be for her husband, but he will rule over her - the marriage relationship has been affected by sin; Eph. 5 commands imply distortion).
Evaluate biblically the theory of evolution.
1. Naturalistic Evolution/Neo Darwinism: This theory of evolution says that the earth's formation has come about entirely from natural, unguided processes without the involvement of God. a. Incompatible: This view of evolution is incompatible with Scripture which clearly states that God created everything (Gen. 1-2). 2. Theistic Evolution: This theory can be sub-divided into many views. a. View A - Incompatible: God created everything and then was uninvolved thereafter. This is incompatible with Gen. 1-2 which shows that God is deeply involved in the ongoing creative process of the world. Also, God's works of providence - he preserves and governs all his creatures. b. View B - Incompatible: God created everything and guided evolution to produce plants, animals, and then large numbers of human beings from the bodies of already living animals. But this means there is no historical first human pair. This is incompatible with Gen. 1-2 which clearly shows that there was a first man (Adam) and a first woman (Eve) which God created by which the Fall infected mankind. Furthermore, the historicity of Adam is also affirmed by Rom. 5 as a necessary doctrine of salvation brought about by Christ. c. View C - Incompatible: God created everything and guided evolution to produce plants, animals, and then guided the creation of a first human pair from already living animals. Again, although this affirms the historicity of Adam it negates the plain reading of Gen. 2:7 which states not that God used to body parts of pre-existing animals but instead used the pre-existing material from the soil to form Adam into a new living creature. Views A, B and C also don't account for the fact that humans are made in God's image. In a sense, they are the pinnacle of God's creation. The historicity of Adam and Eve speak to our doctrine of humanity. Mankind has dignity because God made them in his own image. If they were formed from animals or with God's involvement, then that would speak to their value. d. View D - COMPATIBLE: God created everything and guided evolution to produce plants and animals but specially created the first human pair from non-living matter. i. God commands the earth to produce vegetation (Gen. 1:11, 12) and land animals (Gen. 1:24) without specifying the process. This allows for the possibility of some evolutionary change to occur over time with these plants and animals. ii. God commanded plants and animals to be formed 'according to their kinds' without specifying those categories nor saying that change couldn't occur over time. This would lead us to expect (a) not all plants and animals descending from one another and (b) that there would vast amounts of connection between plants and animals that descend from one another (which we do find). iii. God performs a special act of creation when he forms the man from pre-existing material ('dust' or 'soil' or 'ground', 2:7) and when he forms the woman from pre-existing material, namely, the man's body. But this means that the pre-existing material cannot be an already living animal because this material is said to be the 'ground' (and not an animal) and Gen. 2:7 says that after God formed the man that the man 'became a living being' which means that he wasn't living in any sense before. Thus, humans are a special creation that are not formed from pre-existing animals. However, the biblical account should lead us to expect that animals and humans will share many common physical traits because they are formed from the same pre-existing materials, namely, 'the ground' (2:7; 2:19). iv. Gen. 1-3 says nothing about plant or animal death before the fall nor does it say that the fall caused plant and animal death (instead, the fall causes the death of humans and causes the ground to be cursed and frustrated), thus, we are free to believe that plants and animals lived, died, and changed over time even before the fall of the first human pair.
What Are The Principles Of Presbyterian Church Government? Support Your Answer From Scripture.
1. Office-bearers are chosen by the people a. Acts 1:21-26; Acts 6:1-6 2. Overseer (bishop) and Elder (presbyter) are the same a. Tit. 1:5-7 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, b. Acts 20:17, 28 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 3. Plurality of elders a. Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. b. Phil. 1:1 ...to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons c. Tit. 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you 4. Elders appointed by the presbytery (the plurality of elders, not apostolic) a. Acts 6:6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. b. Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. c. 1 Tim. 4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. d. 2 Tim. 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 5. Appeals can be made to the assembly of elders and the churches have a right to speak a. Acts 15:1-29 6. Christ is the head of the Church a. Eph. 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. b. Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Discuss the biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation.
1. Predestination is God's foreordaining the destiny of some people and angels to everlasting life and some to everlasting death (Eph. 1; Rom. 8; 1 Tim. 5:21 'In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels'). Those persons who are predestined to everlasting life are predestined to be saved by Christ and to be conformed to his image. • WCF 3.3 By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death. 2. Election is God's choosing some to have everlasting life purely because of his own good pleasure, his eternal purpose, his own counsel, and not based upon anything foreseen (Eph. 1; Rom. 9 'though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—'; 2 Tim. 1 'who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace'). • WCF 3.5 Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, WITHOUT ANY FORESIGHT OF FAITH, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace. • WSC Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer. 3. Reprobation is God's choosing to not extend grace to some by passing them by so that they are justly judged for their sins (Rom. 9 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion'; Jude 4 'For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation'; 1 Pet. 2:8 'They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do'). • WCF 3.8 The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extends or withholds mercy, as He pleases, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice. • Note on Asymmetry: There is asymmetry between God's choice to elect to save and his choice to elect to not save. o Salvation is based on God's grace to sinners whereas Condemnation is based on the sin of sinners. o Salvation is giving people what they don't deserve whereas condemnation is giving people what they do deserve. WLC 13 contains all of the above: • Q. 13. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men? A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favor as he pleaseth), hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice.
What Principles Should Guide Our Interpretation Of Scripture?
1. Scripture is the only infallible rule of interpretation. Scripture interprets Scripture. When there is ambiguity concerning one passage, the true meaning must be found in other clearer portions of Scripture. a. WCF 1.9 - The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. 2. Principle of Sensus Literalis: Scripture must be interpreted "in the sense in which it was written...parables...as parables, symbols as symbols, poetry as poetry" teaching as teaching, "historical narrative as narrative, occasional letters as occasional letters." 3. Principle of the Holy Spirit as Interpreter: Scripture must ultimately be interpreted by the Holy Spirit. a. WCF 1.10 - The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.
If so, how should the Sabbath be kept? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
1. The Sabbath should be kept 1 day out of 7 but doesn't necessarily need to be the 7th day. a. The precise day is never qualified in Scripture (Exo. 20:9-10). b. The NT Lord's Day is itself a shift from the common OT Saturday Sabbath (Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10; 1 Cor. 16:1-2) indicating that the day is flexible. 2. The Sabbath should include (a) rest from labor and (b) keeping the day holy. a. This ceasing from labor is so that one may be rested and refreshed (Exo. 31:17). b. This includes labor done outside or inside the home (Exo. 35:3 forbids fire-kindling). c. What is implied by 'keeping the day holy' is a special worship of the Lord (Lev. 23:3; Num. 28:9-10). 3. The Sabbath does not forbid acts of necessity, acts of mercy, or acts of recreation. a. Nothing in Scripture forbids acts of necessity; in fact, Jesus affirms acts of necessity like plucking and rubbing grain to eat (Mt. 12:1; Lk. 6:1). b. Nothing in Scripture forbids acts of mercy; in fact, Jesus affirms acts of mercy like healing or helping people (Mk. 3:3-4). c. Nothing in Scripture forbids acts of recreation; in fact, there is a possibility that it affirms recreation. i. 'Pleasure' in Isaiah 58:3 and 2x in 58:13 does not refer to human recreation. The same word is used in Isa. 44:28, 46:10, 48:14, and 53:10 to refer to the Lord's 'purpose' or 'will.' And in Isaiah 58 the 'pleasure' or 'purpose' or 'will' described is of the people sinfully oppressing workers (58:3) instead of doing the Lord's purpose/will/pleasure. Thus, Isa. 58:13 does not forbid pleasure and recreation on the Sabbath but instead forbids the sinful and oppressive actions which are against God's purpose/will/pleasure for his people. ii. In Nehemiah 8:9-12 it describes a 'holy day to the Lord' when the people heard the Law read on the 1st day of the 7th month (8:2). Although not technically a Sabbath, it fulfills many Sabbath qualities like it being 'holy to the Lord' (8:9, 10, 11), the Law is read (8:8), and the people worshipped (8:6) which all occurred on Sabbath days. And yet on this Sabbath-like day Ezra and the Levites commanded the people to feast, to drink wine, and to make great rejoicing together (8:10, 12). Thus, it would seem that the activity done on a day that is like a Sabbath ought to naturally happen on an actual Sabbath. In other words, why would there be more rejoicing, feasting, and relaxing on a non-Sabbath day than on an actual Sabbath day that God himself gave to his people for their rest and refreshment (Exo. 31:17)? Thus, this is a difference from the Westminster Confession in regard to recreation. • WCF 21.8 This Sabbath is to be kept holy unto the Lord when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. • WLC 117. How is the sabbath or the Lord's day to be sanctified? A. The sabbath or Lord's day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful; and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God's worship: and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day. • WLC 119. What are the sins forbidden in the fourth commandment? A. The sins forbidden in the fourth commandment are, all omissions of the duties required, all careless, negligent, and unprofitable performing of them, and being weary of them; all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful; and by all needless works, words, and thoughts, about our worldly employments and recreations.
*List And Explain The 'Five Points Of Calvinism.' Where Did They Come From?
1. Total Depravity: Fall corrupted us totally. Blocks us from God. God must restore relationship. (Rom. 3 - "for all have sinned and...") 2. Unconditional Election: God elects people to salvation not based on anything other than his own free choice. (Eph. 1 - "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world...") 3. Limited Atonement: Christ's atoning death is limited in its effect only in the elect. Sufficient to save anyone; effectual only for those he has chosen. (Jn. 10 - lays his life down for the sheep) 4. Irresistible Grace: God's grace toward the elect cannot be resisted. It changes who they are so that they will choose to trust and obey him. (Jn. 6 - "All that the Father gives me will come to me..."; Acts 13 - "...and as many were appointed to eternal life believed.") 5. Perseverance of the Saints: God will keep his elect until the end with all his people. They will persevere in their faith because he has chosen them. (Jn. 6 "whoever comes to me I will never cast out...") Where did TULIP come from? Five Points were written up at the Synod of Dort (1618), not by Calvin, to counter the Remonstrance Articles (written by two of Jacob Arminius's supporters after his death in 1609). Dort was a "Counter-Remonstrance" made up of 100+ delegates from England, Scotland, France, and Switzerland.
What Is Distinctive about the Reformed Interpretation Of Scripture?
1. Treats Scripture historically. a. Scripture provides the actual events of God's acts throughout history. 2. Treats Scripture as a unity. a. Scripture speaks about the same thing from the beginning to the end: how God will restore his marred creation, namely, through Jesus. Continuity between Old and New Testaments. 3. Treats Scripture progressively. a. God's works in history change over time (various covenants, sacrificial/food laws, nation of Israel, etc.) even if his overall purpose does not (Christ). 4. Treats Scripture as knowable by all. Priesthood of believers. a. You don't have to be elite, a scholar, or clergy to understand the Bible. 5. Treats Scripture with the Church's interpretation in mind. a. How the Church has interpreted something in the past is important (but not non-negotiable) for our interpretation for today. 6. Treats Scripture as always reforming us. a. Scripture isn't just about the past it's about what God is doing in his people in the present.
Great East-West Schism
1054 AD Geographical separation between East-West because of Islamic forces. KEY ARGUMENT over authority: what power does the bishop of Rome (the W. papacy) have in the life of the global Church? Anger in East over filioque clause in the W. version of the Nicene Creed. Photian Schism in 9th century on the filioque clause that had been adopted in the West/rejected in the East in the Nicene Creed about the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father or both the Son and Father. Leo X (West Pope) and emperor Henry III forbade simony (buying clergy positions) and clerical marriage whereas Michael Cerularius (East Patriarch) forbade clerical celibacy and the filioque clause. Differences from East and West over doctrinal and governmental issues.
Mark key verses
10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Money
10th commandment. Do not covet your neighbor's possessions. Matthew 6 - Lay up treasures in heaven. 1 Timothy 6: Money is the root of all evil
Leviticus Key Verses
11:45 For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
Genesis Key Verses
12:1-3 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Also good to know: Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." 50:24 And Joseph said to his brothers, I am about to die, but God will visit you and will bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Ecclesiastes key verses
12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Papal Schism
1378 AD Papal power vs. conciliar power - William of Ockham. Franciscan monk. Papacy shouldn't be supreme authority because popes can err. Power should be given to the Church. 3 popes: Urban VI (Rome), Clement V (Avignon), John XXIII (Pisa) Council of Constance (1414-1418). Deposes 3 anti-popes and elects Martin V. Conciliar Movement - conciliarism vs. papal power, authority not in popes but in councils. Pope is no longer final authority. In the end, papal power wins, the idea of papal infallibility on the rise - sets context for Martin Luther and Reformation.
1 Corinthians key verses
13:4-8a Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude or self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Numbers Key Verses
14:31-32 But your little ones, who you said would become a prey I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.
Zechariah key verses
14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.
John Wesley
1703-1791) 18th cent. • England • Educated at Oxford and was a part of the "Holy Club" with his brother, Charles, and with George Whitefield. • Powerful Conversion: o Traveled with Charles to Savannah, Georgia to do unsuccessful missions with Chickasaw Indians. o While on the ship in a terrible storm heading to Savannah, German Moravians onboard impressed him by their missionary vigor and deep faith that they would be okay. o Back in England a Moravian pastor (Peter Bohler) taught him justification by faith o Then while hearing a reading of the preface to Luther's commentary on Romans he said his "heart was strangely warmed." Days later the same happened for his brother Charles. • Taught: o "Methods" (small Christian societies like his friend George Whitefield had done) o CONVERSION IS KING o PERSONAL PERFECTIBILITY o Evangelism and mission o Care for widows, orphans, health clinics, etc. o ARMINIAN (free will, lose salvation, atonement for all, election is conditioned) • 52 years of ministry: o Ministered in England, Georgia, Germany, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and North America. o Traveled 4,000 miles per year. o Preached 40,000 sermons. o Discipled people through forming small groups.
Charles Hodge
1797-1878) 18th - 19th cent. • America, represented Northern, Old School/conservative Presbyterianism. • Studied at Princeton College (Princeton, New Jersey) and was converted there. • Studied at Princeton Theological Seminary next (New Jersey). • Professor at Princeton Seminary in oriental and biblical literature, exegetical and didactic theology, and polemics. Also its Principal for 27 years. • Edited the Princeton Review for fifty years. • Taught: o Calvinism o Scientific method (empiricism) o Biblical inerrancy o Anti-Darwinism (What is Darwinism? 1874) o Opposed to parity of TEs and REs, said that church polity wasn't definitively laid out in Scriptures but was open to Spirit. • Had slaves but condemned their mistreatment • Provided academic arguments for the validity of Christianity throughout his life. • Maintained the stream of thought that was held by Machen who started Westminster Seminary after being pushed out of Princeton as it became increasingly liberal.
Covenanters
17th cent. In 1638, a National Covenant was signed in which Presbyterians refused to bow to the king's demand that the church become Episcopal with the king as its head. King Jesus alone was to reign in ecclesiastical affairs. In 1643, the Solemn League and Covenant was signed by the English and Scottish Parliaments, guaranteeing religious freedom to Scottish and English Presbyterians. From 1680-88 marked a time of severe persecution for these "Covenanters" as they became known because of their signing of the covenants and their stress upon covenant theology. Also called "Cameronians" after one of their leaders, Richard Cameron who was martyred for his faith. They were first called Reformed Presbyterians about 1701. From the middle of the seventeenth century many of these Reformed Presbyterians immigrated or were banished from Scotland to the American colonies. Three Distinctives: 1) Exclusive Psalmnody; 2) Complete Abstinence; 3) Civil Government should acknowledge crowned right of Jesus (if they did not, people would not vote).
Marrow Controversy
18th cent. • Scotland • Early 1700's the Presbytery of Auchterarder refused to license a student for him saying that repentance was necessary before one could come to Christ (legalistic). The General Assembly of 1717 then disagreed with the Presbytery and censored it. Then, Thomas Boston, a Scottish minister, recommended Edward Fisher's The Marrow of Modern Divinity which was a compilation of Reformed works from Calvin, Luther, and Puritans that showed that grace, not repentance, was primary to coming to Christ. • Two Schools of Thought in Scottish Presbyterianism at this time: o Law-first: Called 'neonomians' because they taught that the gospel was a new law that must be met before the gospel can be truly offered to someone. o Grace-first: Called 'Marrow men' (after the book title) because they emphasized that grace given in the gospel preceded repentance. This was a controversy in the Church of Scotland between the Marrow men (evangelicals- Thomas Boston, Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine) and the Neonomians (moderates). The controversy revolved around the relationship between law and gospel in salvation. The Marrow Men held that an immediate free offer of salvation was available if one looked to Christ in faith. The Neonomians stated that the gospel is a new law which replaces the OT law with legal conditions of faith and repentance. Faith and repentance were needed before salvation could be offered. Forsaking sin was necessary before Christ could be received. The Marrow Men replied that only union to Christ can give us power to be holy. The church of Scotland's General Assembly formally rebuked the Marrow Men in 1722, but did not remove them from their ministries.
Luke key verses
19:9-10 And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Joshua Key Verses
1:1-9 (but esp. 6 and 8) v. 6 - Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. v. 8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Romans key verses
1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3:23 6:23
Hosea key verses
1:2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD."
Proverbs Key Verses
1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Acts key verses
1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Justin Martyr
1st and 2nd c. (110-165) • Apologist in Rome • Martyred in Rome under Marcus Aurelius • Wrote Apology I to defend Christianity against the charge of atheism • Wrote Dialogue with Trypho to convince a Jewish friend of Christianity • Taught: o The evidence that Jesus was the Christ comes from the OT prophecies coming true o Continuity between Christianity and Gk. philosophy - sees "seeds" of the Xian faith in pagan philosophy. Jesus is the Logos who is the source of the Greek philosophers. o Continuity between OT and NT o Subordination-istic on the Trinity (Jesus is to the Father as sunlight is to the sun; however he also says that Jesus is the Father as fire is kindled from fire indicating their sameness) • Christian Sunday gatherings first outlined in detail by Justin (along with the Didache) and he gives the reason for the Sunday gatherings as the fact that Jesus rose from the dead: o Readings of the 'memoirs of the apostles' and the writings of the prophets o Sermon o Prayer o Eucharist (bread and wine mixed with water) o Voluntary gifts to the needy o Hymns
Ignatius of Antioch
1st and 2nd c. (35-107) • Bishop of Antioch • Wrote seven letters: 6 to churches (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans) and 1 to Polycarp • Threefold office: bishop (like God), elders (like apostles), deacons (like servant-Christ) • Taught: o Positive attitude of persecution o Opposed false teaching (esp. the rejection of Jesus' humanity, because matter was seen as evil, or a rejection of his divinity) o Sought unity in the church. Encouraged episcopacy, following the bishops as "Jesus followed the Father." • Martyred under Trajan
Polycarp
1st and 2nd c. (69-155) • Bishop of Smyrna • Apostolic father: heard John the Apostle teach (according to Papias) and thus linked to the apostolic era • Opposed Marcion (rejected OT and accepted an abbrev. Luke and only 10 of Paul's letters) • Wrote his own letter to the Philippians in order to give instruction in righteousness, dealing with the qualities of the Christian life. His writings are saturated with the language of the New Testament. He quotes Paul, Peter and John at length. • Burned at the stake for not swearing to Caesar as Lord and for not rejecting Christ (Mart. Pol. 9.2-3). • First martyr outside of the NT.
Marcion
1st and 2nd c. (80-160) • Teacher in Asia Minor and Rome • Son of a bishop in Sinope, Pontus • Wrote Antitheses which set forth contradictions between the OT and NT • Developed his own canon: rejected OT, accepted an abbr. Luke and only 10 letters of Paul. 1st biblical critic. • The god of the OT (creator) is different from the god of the NT (Father of Jesus) • Taught: o Strong law-gospel dichotomy o Atonement o Jesus raising his own soul o Asceticism o Abstinence o Gnostic views of the material world (it being evil) • Tertullian (apologist) wrote against him in Against Marcion (which is where much of our understanding of Marcion's teachings comes) • Christian leaders rejected him so he set up his own church
Clement of Rome
1st c. (d. 99) • Bishop of Rome • Considered first apostolic father, disciple of Paul • 1 Clement written to the Corinthians to address similar issues of 1 Corinthians, deacons and elders had been deposed, Clement encourages them towards discipline and then to allow them back into leadership. o First mention of resurrection of Christ, eucharist, Apostles, Bishops/Deacons with 'bishops' and 'elders' as synonyms (twofold office) o Mentions Peter and Paul being martyred during Nero's rule • Might have been martyred under Trajan but the account is late
Chronicles key verses
2 Chr. 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (Solomon at dedication of the Temple)
Return from Exile
2 Chronicles 36-Ezra 1 (538 BC) Proclamation of Cyrus in both chs. Rebuilding the 2nd Temple
The elect lady
2 John 2 John 1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth
First Deportation
2 Kings 24, Daniel 1 (606 BC) Judah is deported, Daniel is captured
Second Deportation
2 Kings 25, Ezekiel 1 (597 BC) Ezekiel to Babylon
Cyrus' Reign
2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 52 (586 BC - 516 BC) Babylonian Captivity (586 BC - 539 BC) Cyrus is King of Persia (559 - 530 BC) Cyrus takes Median Empire (550 BC) Cyrus conquers Lydia (547 BC) Cyrus conquers Babylon (539 BC)
Samuels Key Verses
2 Sam 7:16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever. (Davidic Covenant)
Davidic Covenant
2 Samuel 7
"Man of lawlessness"
2 Thessalonians 2 2:1-4 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
The Messianic Psalms
2, 16, 22, 45, 102, 110, 113
Judges Key Verses
21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Matthew key verses
28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am always with you, to the end of the age.
Zephaniah key verses
2:1-2 Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect - before the day passes away like chaff - before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord.
2 Thessalonians key verses
2:1-2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Titus key verses
2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
1 Thessalonians key verses
2:11-12 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
2 Timothy key verses
2:2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Joel key verses
2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Haggai key verses
2:6-7 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory says the Lord of hosts.
Jonah key verses
2:8-9 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"
Irenaeus of Lyons
2nd - 3rd cent. (115-202) • Bishop of Lyon • Heard Polycarp teach • Wrote Against Heresies mostly challenging Gnostic and Marcionite ideas • Taught: o Apostolic succession o Importance of Rome as the focal point of the Church o Incarnation is God becoming like us in every way in order to save and perfect us in every way.
Tertullian
2nd - 3rd cent. (160-220) • Apologist in Carthage, N. Africa (province of Rome) • Wrote in Greek and Latin and his Latin works survived. • Wrote Against Marcion specifically against Marcion's OT/NT dualism and against Gnostic beliefs • Taught: o Economic Trinity (anti-Monarchianism which said God was one ruler but manifest in three roles, i.e. modalism) o High view of the law o Montanistic ideas (Montanism: hyper-charismatic focus, hyper eschatological focus) o Used 'substance' and 'person' language (but not quite the same as Nicaea [325; substance] and Chalcedon [451; person]) o Anti-philosophy
Origen
2nd - 3rd cent. (185-251) • Alexandria and Caesarea • Alexandrian apologist and teacher; then ordained in Palestine and served thereafter in Caesarea • Wrote Hexapla which was a study OT containing parallel columns of Hebrew, Greek transliterations, Aquila's translations, Symmachus' translations, the Septuagint, and translations of Theodotion. • Wrote Contra Celsus as an apologetic defense of Christianity. • Taught: o Subordinationism (eternal generation of the Son) and Holy Spirit is a 3rd rank creature. o Neoplatonism o Moral superiority of Jesus and how Christianity blesses all of life o Universalism o Not all of Scripture will have the same thrust to us because God has accommodated himself to us at various parts and each individual is at a different stage of growth • Condemned as a heretic at the 5th Ecumenical Council (the Council of Constantinople II) in 553.
Clement of Alexandria
2nd and 3rd c. (150-215) • Philosopher and head of school in Alexandria; presbyter as well • Taught: o Freedom of the will and the need for man to cooperate with God o Wed Christianity and Gk. philosophy o Reason and faith o All knowledge (even pagan) comes from God • Discipled Origen
Jeremiah key verses
31:31-32 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.
Ezekiel Key Verses
36:22-23 It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name...And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name...And the nations will know that I am the LORD. 36:25-27 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Council of Constantinople
381 AD • Affirmed the Trinity and the Divinity of the Person of the Holy Spirit. • Apollinaris was condemned. Apollinarianism - Jesus is so fully divine that the Word or Logos took over his human mind. • Macedonianism or Pneumatomachianism which denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit was also condemned.
Exodus Key Verses
3:12 And God said, I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain. 19:4-6 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."
John key verses
3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (Gospel summary) 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Habakkuk key verses
3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.
Lamentations key verses
3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Malachi key verses
3:8-10 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.
Eusebius of Caesarea
3rd - 4th cent. (260-339) • Bishop of Caesarea • Wrote works attempting to unify varying theological positions during the Arian Controversy. • Taught: o Subordinationist: Son not co-eternal with God but was generated by God's will (Origen too - condemned); Holy Spirit was third in rank and came into being from the Son o Pre-Apollinarian: Jesus's human soul was taken over by the divine. • Wrote Ecclesiastical History tracing the church to his present day. o In it is a list of recognized, disputed, spurious, and heretical books. • Present at the Council of Nicaea • Believed Constantine was "God's appointed messenger to bring peace to the church and healing to the nations."
Constantine
3rd - 4th cent. (ruled 306-337) • Called "Constantine the Great" • Emperor of Rome (there were multiple 'emperors' of Rome until Constantine defeated them) • In 312, before a battle against Maxentius (one Emperor of Rome) he had a dream in which Jesus told him to use the Chi Rho (two letters of 'Christ' in Greek) as his emblem for his soldiers. He won the battle and converted. • He wrote the Edict of Milan (313; which was NOT a true edict but instead was a series of letters) as an agreement with the other Emperor of Rome, Licinius, to grant religious freedom throughout the empire. Licinius would eventually start persecuting Christians and so Constantine defeated him (324). • Constantine called and sat at the Council of Nicaea (325). • Led to Many Things: o Ended persecution o Ended paganism as the official religion o Started the trend of bishops advising political leaders (a bishop was his chief advisor) o Started many churches (literally funded and had them built) o Started Bible translations (commissioned that 70 be made; few copies we have as Codex Vaticanus) o Ended abortion and infanticide (through law) o Ended clergy taxes and military duty (through law) o Started reforms for greater justice for all people (regardless of class or religion)
Job Key Verses
42:3 Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Council of Ephesus
431 AD • Emphasized the oneness of Jesus (Mary birthed God and man). • Called by Emperor Theodosius II to address Nestorianism (153 bishops present). • Nestorianism (started by Nestorius, a bishop of Antioch and then Constantinople) said that Jesus had two very distinct persons in that the man Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary but then the divine God joined to him and dwelled with him. • The issue here turned on the phrase theotokos, meaning 'God-bearer' regarding Mary giving birth to God, which Nestorius rejected in favor of anthropotokos ('bearer of man') or of Christotokos ('bearer of Christ') instead. He favored these terms to say that Mary only gave birth to the man Jesus who was then indwelled by and joined with God. • The council denied this strict demarcating of the human and divine in Jesus and affirmed the Nicene-Constantinople Creed's assertion that Jesus is both-and: human and divine.
Esther key verses
4:14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Ruth Key Verses
4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!
Ambrose
4th (340 - 397 AD) • Governor turned bishop of Milan. • His writings are what bring Augustine to the Christian faith. • Man of integrity. Opposes Arianism, holds to Nicene faith. • Takes on the political order. Rebukes Theodosius for slaughtering people who had rioted over a chariot race. Excommunicated him until he repented. • Theology: introduced allegorical interpretation, also free-handed in different cultural expressions during worship (Ambrosian chants).
John Chrysostom
4th - 5th cent. (347-407) • Antioch then kidnapped to Constantinople. • Tried out monasticism, the ascetic rigors were so strenuous, they damaged his health (the effects would last his whole life), and he was forced to return to public life. He quickly went from lector to deacon to priest at the church in Antioch. • Deacon, then elder, then Bishop of Constantinople • Nicknamed "Golden Mouth" (meaning of Chrysostom) for his powerful preaching: o Preached expository sermons (taught through a book, made points from the text, and then applied it to his hearers immediately) • When he became bishop of Constantinople in 398 he was met with opposition from empress Eudoxia and the local clergy because he preached against their immorality and greed. • The emperor then exiled him but he recanted the exile because the city rioted in favor of Chrysostom. Another time later he was driven out of his church into exile from 404-407 when he died. • Wrote Divine Liturgy outlining the liturgy of his services.
Christian Sabbath
4th commandment: Keep the Sabbath holy Luke 6: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath Hebrews 4
Joel (book)
515-350 BC (500-300s) Purpose: Joel uses a locust plague to illustrate Jerusalem's need of repentance in order to escape the day of the LORD. The Day of the Lord: Judgment Foreshadowed by Locusts & Drought (1-2:17) Repentance: Judgment for God's enemies but Blessings for God's people (2:18-3:21)
Haggai & Zechariah
520 BC Jews were concerned with their homes H & Z prophesy to complete the Temple Darius calls for resuming Cyrus' decree
Haggai
520 BC (500s) Purpose: Rebuild the temple! When the first wave of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem in 538 B.C., they began to rebuild the temple but soon gave up. Inspired by the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah, they finally completed the task in 516 (70 years after exile). The rebuilding of the temple symbolized God's restored presence among his people. Repent and Rebuild (1) Rebuilding will lead to Glory (2:1-9) Rebuilding will lead to Blessings to Purify Defiled People (2:10-19) Rebuilding of David's Kingdom Promised by God (2:20-23)
Zechariah
520 BC (500s) Purpose: Zechariah's visions and oracles encourage the returnees to reestablish the Temple priesthood and Davidic leadership for future blessings. 8 Visions of God's care, calls to repent, and the promise of a saving Davidic Branch (1-8) 2 Oracle groups offer hope in a coming Savior King & denounce Judah's false shepherds (9-14)
Isaiah key verses
53:4-5 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 9:6-7 "For to us a child is born..." Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Obadiah (book)
586-553 BC (500s) Purpose: Obadiah describes the Lord's judgment against Edom for her violence against Judah. Edom's Guilt (1-7) Edom's Punishment (8-18) God's people will possess the land (19-21) In one chapter, which centers on vv10-14, the prophet presents Edom's violence against Judah when Jerusalem fell as evidence the Lord counts against Edom. But, her punishment is also a part of a larger plan for God's new order.
2 Corinthians key verses
5:17-19 Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 12:9-10 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Amos key verses
5:23-24 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Galatians key verses
5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5)
Family
5th commandment - Honor your father and mother Ephesians 6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 1 Timothy 5 - The Church as family Matthew 19 - Let the children come to me
Zephaniah
640-628 BC (600s) Purpose: Zephaniah prophesied during the reforms of King Josiah (640-609 B.C.), who brought spiritual revival to Judah after the long and disastrous reign of Manasseh. Zephaniah pronounced God's judgment on corruption and wickedness but also his plan to restore Judah. He spoke of the coming "day of the Lord," when sin would be punished, justice would prevail, and a "remnant" of the faithful would be saved. The Day of the Lord will come against Judah (1) The Day of the Lord will come against Judah's enemies (2) The Day of the Lord means judgment and restoration both for Jerusalem and the nations (3)
Habakkuk (book)
650-610 BC (mid-600s) Purpose: Habakkuk questions God's treatment of rebellious Judah by the hand of Babylon, but reaffirms his trust. The "theme question" of Habakkuk is, how can God use a wicked nation such as Babylon for his divine purpose? 1st complaint about Judah (1.1-11) 2nd complaint about Babylon (1.12-ch. 2) Habakkuk's psalm of reaffirmation (3)
Number of Books in the Canon
66 = Canon 39 = OT 27 = NT
Nahum (book)
663-630 BC (600s) Nahum describes God's judgment against Nineveh a century after Jonah had preached to them and they repented. This time they didn't. Nineveh, which had destroyed Israel's northern kingdom in 722, itself fell to Babylon in 612—just a few years after Nahum's warning. Yahweh as Divine Warrior (1) Nineveh Judged but Israel & Judah Restored (2) Doomed Nineveh Mocked (3)
1 Timothy key verses
6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Deuteronomy Key Verses
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. (Shema)
Micah key verses
6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah (book)
739-686 BC (700-600s) Purpose: Prophesied in Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The northern kingdom actually fell during Micah's ministry, in 722. Micah warns Judah with the example of Israel's sin and punishment. - Jerusalem! God will judge Israel through Assyria BUT he will restore them (1-2) - Jerusalem! God will judge your leaders BUT he'll send his Messiah and will preserve a remnant (3-5) - Jerusalem! God will judge Israel BUT there is hope if you repent because he is faithful to his covenant (6-7)
Hosea (book)
752-727 BC (700s) Purpose: Hosea's painful marriage to a prostitute parallels the Lord's covenant with Israel. Hosea's marriage, divorce and remarriage depicts God's relationship with Israel (1-3) Hosea's case against Israel's priests and people (4-14)
Jonah (book)
782-753 BC (700s) Jonah resents God's mercy towards Nineveh. 1st Commission of Jonah: Jonah's refusal, repentance, and rescue (1-2) 2nd Commission of Jonah: Nineveh repents, is spared, and Jonah is angry (3-4)
Amos (book)
793-739 BC (700s) Purpose: Possibly the first of the writing prophets, Amos, a southern shepherd warns the North. Amos denounced the people of Israel for their apostasy and social injustice and warned them that disaster would fall upon them for breaking the covenant. Option #1 Judgment on Nations, Judah, and Israel (1-2) Reasons for Judgment (3-6) Visions of Judgment (7-9) Restoration of Davidic Booth (9) Option #2 Israel will be judged with nations (1-2) Her judgment is certain & severe (3-6) Visions of Israel's judgment (7-9) Israel will be restored (9)
Daniel Key Verses
7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Coronation of Charlemagne
800 AD Signified the rise of the Western papacy/Roman bishop and the strategic alliance between the papacy and political power to spread the Roman empire North - turning Western Christianity from a Mediterranean, eastern-oriented faith to an expressly European one. Also exhibited bankruptcy of relations between East and West that had already been in decline for centuries.
Song of Songs key verses
8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.
Marriage
8th commandment - Do not commit adultery Matthew 5 1 Corinthians 7 Ephesians 5
Psalms Key Verses
95:1-3 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
When is a Christian justified?
A Christian is justified when the Holy Spirit applies the redemption purchased by Christ to them in calling them, regenerating them, enabling them to repent and believe. (WSC 29) WSC 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit. • WCF 11.4 God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.
What is a covenant?
A covenant is a relational bond between two parties. These bonds form and are maintained through vows, responsibilities, blessings and curses. God enters into covenants with his people throughout history (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and Messianic or New). These covenants are administered in different ways throughout time: • OLD: law, promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, paschal lamb, types and ordinances that pointed to the Messiah. • NEW: preaching of the Word, baptism, Lord's Supper. • WCF 7.5 This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the Gospel: under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore signifying Christ to come; which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament. • WCF 7.6 Under the Gospel, when Christ, the substance, was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper: which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations. o NOTE: The two covenants (old and new) are one in the same in their purpose and effect but different in their administrations and time periods.
How could a person know he is saved? On what could such assurance be based?
A person can know he is saved by means of: • God's promises o Heb. 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. • Evidences of grace o 2 Pet. 1:8-10 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. • Testimony of the Spirit o Rom. 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, WLC Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation? A. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's promises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation.
What is a redeemer?
A redeemer is someone who pays off someone's debt (Lev. 25:25) or who pays for someone to get out of slavery. Thus, both ideas apply to Jesus as Redeemer: • He redeems us by paying the debt for our sins. • He redeems us by paying the price for our freedom.
Define and distinguish the active and passive obedience of Christ.
Active Obedience is Christ's righteous life. Upon belief, his active obedience is imputed to us as our own through which God declares us righteous. o 2 Cor. 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. • Passive Obedience is Christ's death for sin. Upon belief, his passive obedience is imputed to us as our own through which God declares our sins gone and paid for. o Isa. 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Heb. 9)
Jerusalem Council
Acts 15
Philippian Jailer
Acts 16 Paul and Silas imprisoned after converting a slave girl with a spirit of divination. While in prison, Paul and Silas are praying, earthquake happens, prisoners released. Jailer is about to kill himself, Paul stops him, he converts: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Bereans (noble)
Acts 17
Apollos
Acts 18, 19; 1 Cor 3 (Divisions in the church) Jew, Priscilla and Aquila explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Women in the Church
Acts 18-19. Priscilla and Aquila help Apollos understand the way of God more accurately. Romans 16 - Pheobe, deaconness at the church in Cenchrae Difficult verses: Paul prohibits women to teach the authoritative message of the Gospel deposit that was guarded by the apostles. However, Paul encourages and expects that women will pray, prophecy and exercise the gifts they possess within the church. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
Ascension of Christ
Acts 1; Lk 24
Pentecost
Acts 2
The Church
Acts 2 (the fellowship of the believers) Hebrews 10 (Don't forsake meeting with one another...) Ephesians 5 (The bride of Christ)
Speaking in Tongues
Acts 2, 10 1 Corinthians 14
Elements of Worship
Acts 2:42, ***1 Cor 14:40, Ephesians 5 Reading Scripture Singing of psalms & hymns Offering of prayer Preaching the Word Presentation of offering Confessing the faith Observing the sacraments Taking oaths (special occasions)
Conversion of Paul
Acts 9
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "adoption."
Adoption is God's gracious act of making us his children with all its blessings because of Christ. • ***Eph. 1:5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, • ***Rom. 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" • ***1 Jn. 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. WSC Q. 34. What is adoption? A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of, the sons of God.
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (70-300)
After the destruction of the Jewish temple, the Christian religion became unhinged from its Jewish roots and moved outward towards the east and west. Persecution. Sporadic/light persecution governmentally (Trajan, 98-117; Hadrian, 117-138; Severus, 193-211, treated Christians well but persecutions happened) and socially occurs (seen as incestuous, cannibals, 'atheists' and later anti-Rome, anti-social, and idiotic). However, Decius (249-251) and Diocletian (284-305) violently sought to persecute Christians. Apologists: Martyr, Tertullian, Origen. Explaining the faith intellectually. Early heresies: Marcionism, Modalism, etc. Canon. It took about 2 centuries to define the precise shape of the NT. Remember Muratorian Canon. Episcopacy to organize a growing church. Bishops assigned to regions. "Follow the bishop as Jesus Christ followed the Father." - Ignatius. Creeds. Stabilized the church with short statements of the Christian faith. "The Apostles' Creed." Teaching aids used to prepare one for baptism and to guard the church's teaching. Translation and cultural connection was the main key to success as Christianity spread into different regions, cultures, and language groups. o Mediterranean Europe (Gaul, modern Germany, Ireland, modern Britain) o Mesopotamia (Edessa, Baghdad) o Middle East and Persia (Syria, Arabia, Armenia, Georgia) o North Africa (Egpyt, Carthage, Alexandria, Memphis) o East Africa (Ethiopia/Nubia) o India and West China : To China through silkworm trade routes and to India as tradition holds through Thomas.
Barnabas
An early member of the Jerusalem church, selling his property for the common good (Acts 4:36). When the converted Saul arrived in Jerusalem, it was Barnabas who introduced him to the "pillar" apostles and convinced them of his conversion and sincerity (Acts 9:27). He and Paul were appointed to bring the circumcision issue to the Jerusalem council (Acts 15).
Analogical Day Interpretation
Analogical Day Interpretation: God created all things 'in the space of six days' but these days are not ordinary 24-hour days; instead, they are God's workdays serving as the model workweek for God's people to follow. • Reason 1: In Gen. 1-2 we see God working each day, resting each night ('evening and morning'), and then finally resting on Day 7 which is used in Exo. 20 and Exo. 31 as the model workweek for God's people. God's workweek, then, serves as an analogy for his people's workweek because God's work and God's rest is clearly not identical with our own but follows the same pattern (e.g. God doesn't need rest because he never tires, God's work doesn't need to take time like ours does, etc.). • Reason 2: The lengths of the days were never once specified as 24-hour days either in Scripture or by the WCF. A note on Westminster. What the authors believed about the length of the days cannot be known because the lengths of the days were not discussed nor emphasized. Instead, they simply affirmed Gen. 1-2 that God created everything and that he did this in the 'space of six days.' • Reason 3: God's workweek in Gen. 1-2 is used in Exo. 20 and Exo. 31 as an analogy for Israel's workweek we can say that the length of the days in Gen. 1-2 is NOT THE CONCERN of the passage but instead the pattern is the concern.
Wisdom Literature
Answers individual faith questions -Job: omniscience isn't a prerequisite to faithful obedience. We will never truly comprehend God or his ways but he still asks us to trust him, especially in our suffering. -Psalms: Songbook of God's covenant people -Proverbs: practical wisdom -Ecclesiastes: cynical of a non-covenant life -Song of Songs: pleasure within covenant
What is the atonement?
Atonement is reconciliation: bringing two estranged parties back together. This is done by: • Expiation: cleansing and removing our sins. • Propitiation: satisfying God's wrath toward sin. • Redemption: paying the debt created by sin to remove sinners from its bondage. Christ's death atones for our sins in that it brings us back into right relationship with the Holy God (reconciliation) by cleansing and removing our sins (expiation), by satisfying God's wrath (propitiation), and by paying our debt for our sins in order to release us from sin's bondage (redemption).
Define And Defend The "Authority" Of Scripture.
Authority means one is worthy to rule and is worthy to be trusted and obeyed. Scripture is authoritative = God's Word = Comes from God = who is our Authority Doesn't depend on testimony or authority of man. WCF 1.4 - The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. How is Scripture authoritative? • It does what God wants it to (Isa. 55:11). • It trains our lives to follow the Lord (2 Tim. 3:16). • It keeps us from sin (Psa. 119:9-11). 'How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.' • It is our life source (Deut. 8). 'man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.' • It is alive and exposes who we are within (Heb. 4:12). 'sharper than any two-edged sword' • It is able to save us if we receive it (Jam. 1:21).
Arianism
BIG ONE. Idea that Jesus is not God but was instead God's first creation and the highest of all created beings. o Denies the fact that God became a human (Jn. 1) and that Jesus was the invisible God made visible (Col. 1:15) and the exact imprint of the divine (Heb. 1:3). The Council of Nicea in 325 condemned Arianism • Jehovah's Witnesses = Arian in that Jesus was a non-divine created being • Mormonism = Arian in that Jesus was just a human who became God • Unitarianism = Arian in that Jesus is not divine but is just a special human created by God who is not a Trinity
Pharisees
Basic to the Pharisaic conception of religion was the belief that the Babylonian Exile was caused by Israel's failure to keep the Torah, and that its keeping was an individual as well as a national duty. Problem is that they were so committed to the letter of the law that they, themselves, did not even see their own failure to adhere to the Spirit of the law which promoted love and justice. Two major parties- 1) Shammai the rigorist and 2) Hillel the liberal.
What happens when a Christian sins after being justified?
Because justification is irrevocable (an one-time ACT of God's free grace), the Christian who sins is still righteous in God's sight however they will endure consequences, discipline, and pain until they repent from their sin and continue to walk in newness of life. • WCF 11.5 God does continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of His countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance. Psalm 32 - For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried upb as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Scholasticism
Beginning in the 11th century. • Key Ideas: Describes the method of theological thought from the 1100's-1400. Use of logic and the human mind/reason along with faith in the authority of the Bible to do the work of theology. "I believe in order to understand." Relationship between reason and faith. o Faith and reason related o Scripture commentaries made and studied o Augustine and other church fathers studied o Philosophy-focused o Aristotle engaged logically and philosophically (as his works were translated) o Dialectic reasoning: Question and answer-focused • Key Proponents: o Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274; Paris): His Summa Theologica (which was a form of writing called the Summa) answered disputed questions. o Anselm (1033-1109; Canterbury): Faith seeks understanding via reason. Ontological argument. o Peter Abelard (1079-1142; Paris): Doubt leads to knowing. He developed his 'yes and no' (sic et non) method whereby sought to resolve theological conflicts. o Hugh of St. Victor (d. 1142; Paris): Sacraments. o Peter Lombard (1100-1160; Paris): His Sentences was a collection of Biblical texts and works of church fathers regarding various topics of all kinds (God, creatures, incarnation, redemption, sacraments, eschatology, etc.). o Bonaventure (1217-1274; Paris): Mystical Illumination o Albert the Great (d. 1280; Cologne): Aristotelian thought and Christian theology merged o Duns Scotus (1265-1308; Oxford, Paris): Sought a more Augustinian bend to Aristotelian thought. Was a Franciscan monk. • Key Issues: o Tended toward an anti-historical focus, over-tradition focused, and an over-logical argumentation that could obscure practical concerns and biblical authority.
Are believers under obligation to the law today? Explain and defend with Scripture.
Believers ARE under obligation to the MORAL law today (but not like OT believers). • OT believers were under condemnation from the law being unfulfilled • NT believers are under grace from the law being fulfilled by Christ Matt. 5:17 Christ came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Rom. 7 James 2 1 John 2
Why isn't a good life enough to gain salvation?
Big Idea: NO ONE can live a "good life" (Rom 3) 1. Salvation is a free gift that isn't earned. a. Rom. 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. b. Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. c. Eph. 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 2. Even if salvation could be gained, no one is good enough. a. Rom. 3:10-11 "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 3. Even if salvation could be gained, no one is able or willing. Sin causes us to be spiritually dead, spiritually blind, resistant to God, and spiritually enslaved to doing more evil. a. Jn. 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. b. Rom. 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. c. Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins d. 2 Cor. 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
What is the "regulative principle?" Defend it from Scripture.
Big Idea: Worship should be done according to God's prescribing. However, we are given flexibility in how that manifests itself in order to apply Scripture wisely in differing situations and cultures. (A) The regulative principle is worshiping God only in a manner that God himself prescribes. • Deut. 12:32 Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. • Exo. 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 10 commandments! • Mt. 15:9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" (Quoting Isa. 29:13) • Deut. 4:15-20 "Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. 19 And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 20 But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day. WCF 21.1 ...But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture. (B) However, flexibility in a worship service is not forbidden because of the reality of cultural differences and the need for wise applications of Scripture to particular situations. • 1 Cor. 11:13-14 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, • 1 Cor. 14:26, 40 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up... 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. WCF 1.6 ...and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. • BCO 47-1 Since the Holy Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice, the principles of public worship must be derived from the Bible, and from no other source. • BCO 47-6 The Lord Jesus Christ has prescribed no fixed forms for public worship but, in the interest of life and power in worship, has given His church a large measure of liberty in this matter.
How were believers justified under the old covenant?
Big idea: Jesus' justification applies to God's elect in ALL ages. It's applied differently under different dispensations of old and new covenants. Believers under the Old Covenant were still justified in Christ by their faith in the "promises, types and sacrifices" given them by God that pointed to his coming (i.e. seed of Eve, Paschal Lamb, sacrificial system in general, etc.). • WCF 8.6 Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof, were communicated unto the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed and signified to be the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15), which should bruise the serpent's head, and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world (Exodus 12), being yesterday and to-day the same, and for ever. • WCF 11.6 The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (700-1100)
By the early 700's Islamic forces had conquered N. Africa, Spain, S. Italy, Sicily, the Middle East, up to the Caucuses, the Persian Empire, and into C. Asia. Middle Eastern Christians (Baghdad and others) engaged with this movement for quite some time. Viking invasions create issues for European lands (790's-1000). o Charlemagne (coronation in 800 by Pope Leo III) the western Church gets more and more aligned with political power (forcibly converted Saxon lands). o Cyril and Methodius reach the Slavic peoples of Moravia (800s; modern Czech Rebublic) o Schisms between Rome and Constantinople (modern Turkey) ensue. - Photian Schism (869-880): 'Filioque' clause about the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and Son (adopted by West, rejected by East) - Great East-West Schism (1054): Geographical separation between East-West because of Islamic forces. KEY ARGUMENT over authority: what power does the bishop of Rome (the W. papacy) have in the life of the global Church? Anger in East over filioque clause in the W. version of the Nicene Creed. Leo X (West Pope) forbade simony (buying clergy positions) and clerical marriage whereas Michael Cerularius (East Patriarch) forbade clerical celibacy and the filioque clause. o Pope Urban II preaches in Clermont, France calling for the 1st Crusade against Muslims (1095) o Monastic and reform movements pop up all over (10th-12th century) o Mongolian Christians flourished up through the 1300's
Give a general outline of OT history, including key dates. Also, include covenantal features with key passages.
CASKET Creation - ? to 2000 - Major characters: The Lord, Adam and Eve, the Serpent - Books covered: Genesis 1-11 Abraham - 2160 to 1446 OR 2000 to 1260 BC (depending on early or late (more literal reading of the text) Exodus date-based on the "480th year after the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt" from 1 Kings 6:1 when Solomon began to build the temple.) - Major characters: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel - Books covered: Genesis 12-50 Sinai - 1446 to 1050 OR 1260 to 1050 BC - Major characters: Moses, nation of Israel, Joshua, the judges, Ruth - Books covered: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth Kings - 1050 to 586 BC (David in 1010 BC; Solomon in 970; division of kingdom in 930 BC; Syro-Ephraimite War in 734-731; fall of Samaria in 722 BC) Exile - 586 to 539 BC Temple - 538 to 430 BC (Ezra in 458; Nehemiah in 445) Covenants: Adamic Gen 2:16, 17; 3:15 Noahic Gen 9:9-17 Abrahamic Gen 15:5-7, 18; 17:1-4 Mosaic Exo 19:5,6; 24:7,8 Davidic 2 Sam 7:11b-17 New Covenant Jeremiah 31; Gal 3:15-22; Luke 22:20
What Is The "Canon"? Defend It Scripturally.
Canon means rule, measure, or standard. Regarding Scripture it means that the books in question meet the rule/measure/standard of God's Word. 1. God-Authored: Canonical books are inspired by the Holy Spirit. a. Exo. 4:12 "Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." b. Jer. 1:9 "Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. c. 2 Pet. 1:21 "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." d. 1 Cor. 2:14 "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 2. God-Centered: Canonical books call people to worship the true God. a. Deut. 13:1-3 "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. b. 2 Tim. 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," c. Jn. 5:39-40 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." 3. Church-Affirmed: Canonical books are accepted universally by the Church. a. Eph. 2:20 "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone," b. 1 Thess. 2:13 "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." c. Jn. 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." 4. Apostle-Driven: Canonical books of the NT were either written or passed on by apostles. a. Jn. 16:13-14 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." b. 2 Pet. 3:15-16 "And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures." c. Acts 1:21-22 "So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." As a witness to all of these things. d. 2 Thess. 2:15 "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." 5. Attested/Closed: Canonical books are attested to by Jesus and closed by his apostles. a. Mt. 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." b. Mt. 23:35 "so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar." c. Lk. 24:27 "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." d. Heb. 1 e. Rev. 22:18-19 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." f. Acts 1 infers that once the apostles are dead, new witnessing will be done. History of Canon Formation 1st c. After the death of the apostles, many heretical and pseudepigraphal writings began to appear in the early church. 2nd c. The discovery of the Muratorian Fragment indicates that the canon was closed c. AD 170. Although Hebrews and James were not included in this list, they were widely used by the Jewish churches, who were not represented at the conference that compiled the Muratorian canon. 3rd c. Eusebius of Caesarea (260-339) - Wrote Ecclesiastical History tracing the church to his present day. o In it is a list of recognized, disputed, spurious, and heretical books. 4th c. The first complete list of books are included in Athanasius' Easter letter in 367. This list was later verified by the councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).
Daniel (person)
Carried to Babylon in 606 B.C. (Dan 1) Interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's Dreams (Dan 2) Survived the furnace (Daniel 3) Survived the Lion's Den (Daniel 6) Prophesies the Christ & Antichrist (Daniel 7-12) Name means "God is my judge." Taken into captivity in 605 bc and ministered in Babylon until 537 bc (after Cyrus Edict and return of exiles). Given the Babylonian name of Belteshazzar. Gained a reputation as an interpreter of other men's visions. Predicted the future triumph of the Messianic kingdom.
What laws beside the moral law did God give his people under the old covenant?
Ceremonial Judicial
What are the main duties of the session?
Chapter 12 • Church Members: o Asking about the knowledge and morality of members o Censuring the immoral (censure = formal disapproval) o Urging parents to baptize their children o Receiving members into communion o Removing members from communion o Allowing members to go to other churches • Officers: o Examining, ordaining, and installing ruling elders (not teaching elders) and deacons o Requiring them to do their work o Examining deacon records o Approval of budget • Property: o Deciding important matters regarding property • Meetings: o Calling congregational meetings o Starting and controlling Sunday Schools and Bible classes (esp. for children) o Starting and controlling all special groups (men's, women's, study groups). All groups are aimed at promoting missions at home, locally, and abroad. o Collecting of donations • Worship: o Designating time and place o Designating special services o Designating music o Designating uses of the building o Ensuring that the Word is preached properly by qualified men o Assembling the people when no pastor is available • Courts: o Observe lawful decisions of higher courts o Send representatives to higher courts
How are officers chosen?
Chapter 12 • Moderator o Session: pastor is elected as moderator o Presbytery: new moderator elected at each meeting or one for a max term of one year o GA: new moderator elected at each meeting (or in their absence the last moderator or longest member of the court) • Clerk/s o Session, Presbtery, GA: elected to serve some definite period of time
Who are the members of the church session?
Chapter 12 • Pastor • Associate Pastor (NOT assistant pastor; but can attend and participate without a vote) • Ruling elders
To what church does a minister belong?
Chapter 13 To the Presbytery within the bounds of his geographical region.
Who are the members of presbytery?
Chapter 13 • All teaching elders accepted by Presbytery • All churches accepted by Presbytery • When meeting as a court the Presbytery consists of all teaching elders AND ruling elders
What are the main duties and responsibilities of the presbytery?
Chapter 13 • Issues: o Power to settle issues and disputes in all sessions • Ministers: o Receiving candidates for ministry under its care o Examining and licensing ministers o Ordaining, installing, dismissing, removing, and judging ministers o Set apart some to be evangelists (planters) o Calling them to do their work • Sessions: o Reviewing records o Redressing improper proceedings • Courts: o Seeing that higher courts are obeyed • Churches: o Condemning immorality or false doctrine o Visiting churches o Uniting or dividing churches (upon request of members) o Forming and receiving new churches o Overseeing churches without pastors o Dissolving and dismissing churches (upon their request) o Devising measures to enlarge and enliven churches • GA: o Proposing measures to GA in regard to enlarging and enlivening churches for the Church general
How is an ordained minister received into presbytery?
Chapter 13 • Ordinarily only when the candidate receives a definite call to an ecclesial work o Exceptions occur for honorably retired ministers or in other circumstances deemed necessary by the Presbytery (like one in which a definite call has not surfaced yet)
How is a church received into a presbytery?
Chapter 13 • Presbytery sends a commission to see if ruling elders: o Adopt the doctrines of the PCA o Adopt the polity of the PCA o Vow to affirm the above before the commission
What is a committee of commissioners?
Chapter 14 A committee of commissioners is when each presbytery elects one of its commissioners to serve within each of the 11 committees in the PCA (5 permanents, 5 agencies, and 1 special being the Interchurch Relations committee). Each committee of commissioners: • Reviews the minutes and recommendations of the committee/agency they oversee • Reviews any other business as put forward by the PCA Stated Clerk • Hears a report from the chairman, the coordinator, and staff members of the committee/agency • After all of this, the committee of commissioners prepares a report for GA and are brought to the floor of GA by the committee of commissioners The Overtures Committees is a special and temporary committee of commissioners that oversees proposed constitutional amendments as well as other overtures and business as put forward by the PCA Stated Clerk.
What are the permanent committees and agencies of the General Assembly?
Chapter 14 Permanent Committees 1. Administrative 2. Discipleship Ministries 3. MNA 4. MTW 5. RUM Agencies 1. Covenant College 2. Covenant Theological Seminary 3. PCA Foundation (charitable financial services) 4. Retirement Benefits, Inc. 5. Ridge Haven Conference Center (PCA retreat center)
How do a committee of commissioners and a permanent committee or agency differ?
Chapter 14 • Committees or Agencies: o Are permanent o Serves GA as a team regarding specific ministry needs • Committee of Commissioners: o Are temporary o Oversee each committee o Deliberate, report, and conclude whatever is needed for the committee at GA
What are the main duties and responsibilities of the GA?
Chapter 14 • Issues: o Power to settle issues and disputes in all lower courts o Opposing false doctrine and immorality in the Church o Deciding controversies of doctrine and discipline • Constitution: o Advising and instructing churches on how to abide by the constitution o Reviewing records of Presbyteries and helping them to abide by the constitution • Growth: o Promoting the growth and health of churches o Erecting new presbyteries o Uniting or dividing presbyteries (with consent) o Starting and overseeing agencies for evangelistic work o Suppressing schisms o Promoting charity, truth, and holiness • Other Bodies: o Accepting other ecclesiastical bodies upon a ¾ vote o Corresponding with other bodies o Uniting with other ecclesiastical bodies (who conform to the doctrines and order of the PCA)
What is the difference between a committee and a commission?
Chapter 15 • Committees are permanent and examine, consider, and report findings of ongoing ministry. • Commissions are temporary and deliberate, conclude, and announce the official findings of the committees to conclude the business at GA. o Can be appointed to rule as an interim session o Can be appointed to oversee a particular judicial case by the Presbytery o Can be appointed as a provisional Presbytery in a foreign country where none exists
How is a man called to office in the church?
Chapter 16 • Called by God the Holy Spirit o Confirmed by inward testimony (good conscience) o Confirmed by outward testimony (approval of God's people) o Confirmed by the lawful court of the Church
What is a candidate? What is required to become a candidate?
Chapter 18 • Man who: o Is a member of the church o In full communion o Believes he wants to preach the gospel o Submits under the care of the Presbytery during his training Required? • Must put himself under care • Must receive endorsement of Session: o (a) Testimonial of character o (b) Promise of his usefulness to ministry o (c) Outline of ministry experience • Must be a member of the church of the Presbytery he seeks to go under care within for at least 6 months • Must file to go under care at least 1 month before Presbytery meets • Must go before Presbytery and give: o (a) Personal Christian experience o (b) Motives for seeking ministry • Must vow to: o (a) Maintain a faithful character o (b) Be diligent in ministry o (c) Submit to Presbytery care
What is a licentiate?
Chapter 19 A licentiate is a man (teaching elder, ruling elder, candidate, other) who has been: • Examined • Permitted to preach regularly • Cannot administer sacraments
What is internship?
Chapter 19 Internship is the name for the trial commanded in Scripture of anyone who seeks to be a minister of the Word. This "trial-internship" ought to: • Be at least 1 year • Test the gifts and abilities of such ministry • Give the church a way of discerning who will be admitted to such ministry Interns: • Ought to do all kinds of practical ministry • Can do funerals • Can serve as a temporary chair of a session overseen by a moderator • Cannot administer sacraments
In what areas is a prospective licentiate examined?
Chapter 19 • Ministry experience • Inward call • Written and/or oral exams: o Bible Content o Theology (WCF, Catechisms) o Church Government (BCO) • Oral exam regarding any difference stated in three above exams • Written sermon presented orally
What is the visible church? Who are its members?
Chapter 2 All those who profess faith in Christ (and their children). (1) Those before the Law, (2) Those under the Law (3) Those since Christ Includes all denominations who faithfully maintain the Word and Sacraments
What steps must a church take in calling a pastor?
Chapter 20 • Session calls a congregational meeting and congregation elects a pulpit committee • Pulpit committee searches and proposes a candidate • At the next congregational meeting a vote occurs after the prayer • Near unanimous vote leads to the moderator drawing up a call for the pastor
In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?
Chapter 21, 23 • Experiential religion (esp. personal character, family management) • Greek and Hebrew • Exams o Bible o Theology o Government (principles and rules) o Sacraments o History (Ancient, Reformed, PCA) • Theological paper • Exegetical paper • Sermon • List of differences that must be deemed semantic or non-vital to the faith
What is the difference between an associate pastor and an assistant pastor?
Chapter 22 • Associate pastor = elected by congregation, member of Session (DTR by congregation) • Assistant pastor = elected by session, not member of session (DTR by Session)
In what areas is a nominee to be examined?
Chapter 24 • Christian experience (personal character, family management) • Bible Content • BCO, WCF, Catechisms • Duties of the office • Willingness to vow
What steps must be followed in electing ruling elders or deacons?
Chapter 24 • Communing members in good standing nominate male members who conform to 1 Tim. 3 and Tit. 1 • Those nominated are instructed in the qualifications and work of the offices • Session will declare a congregational meeting at least 30 days in advance for a vote • All communing members in good standing may vote • Majority vote elects those eligible to office
Who can vote?
Chapter 25 All communing members
What officers are required?
Chapter 25 • Moderator = pastor (or appointed Session member) • Clerk = appointed by congregation to keep minutes
How may a congregational meeting be called?
Chapter 25 • Sessions may initiate and call congregational meetings at least 1 week in advance • Congregations may initiate the calling of congregational meetings by written request by: o 1/4 vote (under 100 members) o 1/5 vote (100-300 members) o 1/6 vote (300-500 members) o 1/7 vote (500-700 members) o 100 votes (700 + members)
Who owns the property of the local church?
Chapter 25 • The corporation of the church (all communing members) owns the property
How may the Book of Church Order be amended?
Chapter 26 • Majority GA, goes to presbyteries • 2/3 of Presbyteries, goes back to GA • Majority of GA Happens basically every year.
How may the doctrinal standards (WCF) be amended?
Chapter 26 • ¾ GA • ¾ Presbyteries • ¾ GA Has never happened in the PCA.
What are its proper steps?
Chapter 27 1. First, instruct in God's Word 2. If rejected, individuals admonish (Mt. 18; Gal. 6) 3. If rejected, 1 or more witness admonish (Mt. 18) 4. If rejected, Church admonishes, then suspends, then excommunicates and deposes (Mt. 18)
What is the goal of church discipline?
Chapter 27 • God's glory • Church's purity • Sinner's return and reclamation through: o Rebuking offences o Removing scandal o Vindicating Christ o Purifying and edifying o Spiritual good
What is church discipline?
Chapter 27 • The exercise of authority given to the church by Christ for: o Instructing o Guiding o Promoting purity and welfare All baptized persons, being members of the church are subject to its discipline and entitled to the benefits thereof. • This authority is dispensed in two ways: o Governance, training, inspecting, and guarding of officers, members, and courts o Judicial issues (moral)
Who is primarily responsible for disciplining non-communing members?
Chapter 28 • Parents (with special oversight from the church esp. as they become adults)
What is the power of the church? How does it differ from the state?
Chapter 3 • Power is spiritual: proclaiming, administering, and enforcing Christ's law • Power is communal (rulers and those ruled): o Those who rule have it by appointment according to Scripture o Those ruled have it by their power to appoint their rulers • Power is administered individually and jointly: o Administered through individual officers o Administered through joint courts • Church o Power exercised spiritually o Power derived from Revelation o Power cannot be used to form the State • State o Power exercised by force o Power derived from Reason (human) o Power cannot be used to form the Church
List and define church censures.
Chapter 30 • Admonition: formal reproof from the Church • Suspension: o Of Sacraments: Temporary exclusion (if an officer, suspension of office as well) o Of Office: Temporary (indefinite) exclusion (possibly a suspension of sacraments as well) until repentance Definite exclusion - a defined period of time, even if repentance occurs • Excommunication: removal from the Church (so that they may return) • Deposition: removal from office
When must a formal judicial process be pursued?
Chapter 31 • After the Session or Presbytery has found guilt in the accused party • After someone personally offended has tried to reconcile personally (Mt. 18) unless for some reason the Session/Presbytery deems it necessary to circumvent this
What must be done before formal charges are brought?
Chapter 31 • Sessions and Presbyteries must diligently search accused party's character before bringing up formal charges
With what court should charges be filed?
Chapter 31 • With the court of "original jurisdiction" (court first to hear and decide issues) o Relation to Ministers = Presbytery o Relation to Members = Session
How many witnesses are required?
Chapter 35 • More than 1 • Except 1 might be sufficient if other evidence so corroborates their testimony
How should a censure be administered?
Chapter 36 • Tenderness and meekness and self-awareness of one's own temptations to sin (Gal. 6) • Censures are suited to the nature of the offense: o Private offense = administered before the court (or part of the court) o Public offense = administered according to the discretion of the court o Censure of Admonition = administered in private (unless public offense) o Definite Suspension = administered before the court or session (public if deemed necessary) o Indefinite Suspension = administered before the court or session (public if deemed necessary) but with greater solemnity for the open-ended nature of this censure until they repent o Excommunication = administered before the court or session (public if deemed necessary) with explanation from Mt. 18 and 1 Cor. 5 about the unrepentant offender and the authority of the church to sever fellowship with a prayer for their return o Deposition = administered by the moderator (public if deemed necessary) to remove minister/deacon from office (and including suspension or excommunication if need be)
What is the goal of discipline in regard to the offender?
Chapter 37 • Repentance and restoration o Always in regard to full standing in the church but sometimes in regard to a minister's office if they were deposed. As in, it is possible for a minister to be deposed and then restored as a Christian but NOT restored as a minister.
What is the particular church?
Chapter 4 • Professing Christians (and their children) • Gathered together for: o Worship o Godly living o According to Scripture and under Christ's government • Can only be formed by the Presbytery (BCO 5)
Define "review and control."
Chapter 40 • This is the process by which the higher court reviews and controls the proceedings of the lower court, for example, Presbytery reviewing records and providing controls for issues in a Session. • Controls to make sure: o Proceedings are recorded properly o Proceedings are regular and constitutional o Proceedings are wise, equitable, and edifying of the church o Proceedings are in line with lawful injunctions of higher courts • All of this offers accountability and control of improper leadership, doctrinal errors, and immorality in lower courts.
Define "reference."
Chapter 41 • Formal, written request of advice from a lower court to a higher court regarding: o New issues o Delicate issues o Difficult issues o Divided issues o Constitutional issues
Define "appeal." How quickly must an appeal be filed?
Chapter 42 • When the accused party, after being declared guilty, wishes to transfer the case to a higher court • Must be filed with the lower clerk and higher clerk within 30 days of the verdict
Define "complaint." How quickly must a complaint be filed?
Chapter 43 • Written representation against any action or decision of the court made by any member in good standing. • Must be filed with the clerk within 60 days of issue • If rejected or ignored the complainant has 30 days to file with the clerk of a higher court
What should happen when a member moves out of the community?
Chapter 46 • Member o Their duty is to transfer their membership • Session o Their duty is to continue to offer pastoral oversight while reminding the member of their duty to transfer their membership o Their duty is to also notify the sessions in the area in which the member moves to appeal that they begin providing oversight to them
What is an associate member?
Chapter 46 • Members living temporarily in an area not considered their "home" • Have all rights and privileges of a member except voting and holding office
What should be done when a member neglects the church for a year or more?
Chapter 46 • Session shall tenderly but firmly (Gal. 6) remind them of their vows and inclusion in the church and the danger of separating themselves from it and being removed from the church roll
What is a mission church?
Chapter 5 • SAME as a particular church in regard to who makes it up. • DIFFERENT in regard to a particular church because it is not one yet: o No permanent governing body o Goal to mature into a permanent governing body • Formed in Three Ways: o Presbytery initiates o Presbytery responds to a session's request o Presbytery responds to a group of Christian's written request • Ruled: o By Presbytery o By MNA or MTW • Led: o By an appointed evangelist o By another session (mother-daughter situation) o By an appointed commission • Pastored: o Pastor from Presbytery o Stated "pastor", student "pastor", ruling elder o Qualified preachers (pulpit-filling) • Civil: o Treated with particular church status by government (taxes)
What two kinds of members does the church have? What are their respective rights and privileges?
Chapter 6 1. Non-Communing: children of believers, adults who haven't professed faith 2. Communing: profession of faith, baptized, admitted to the Table by session Rights: 1. Non-Communing a. Entitled to baptism b. Entitled to pastoral oversight, instruction, and government (not voting) c. No communion until profession of faith 2. Communing a. Entitled to pastoral oversight, instruction, government (+voting), communion (ALL rights and privileges) * Non-professing baptized adults have all rights of care, except for communion (and voting?), since they have not professed faith yet.
What permanent officers has Christ given to his Church?
Chapter 7 • Elders (teaching, ruling) • Deacons
What is meant by the "parity" of ruling and teaching elders?
Chapter 8 Parity means 'equal'. • Equal in authority • Equal in eligibility • Equal in duties (except for preaching and sacraments)
How are ruling and teaching elders alike? How are they different?
Chapter 8 • Alike: o Equal in authority o Equal in eligibility o Equal in duties (generally) • Different: o Teaching elder's primary task is preaching God's Word & administering sacraments o Ruling elder's secondary task is teaching of God's Word (not sacraments)
What are the qualifications for an elder?
Chapter 8 • Men • Competency in learning • Blamelessness, sobriety, holiness, hospitable • Sound in faith (not a recent convert) • Able to teach • Rule one's own house well • Good report of those outside the Church
What are the duties of an elder?
Chapter 8 • Watch over the flock diligently to prevent the corruption of doctrine and morals • Exercise government and discipline • Oversight of their particular church and the general Church • Visit people in their homes (esp. sick) • Instruct • Comfort • Nourish and guard children • Set a worthy example • Evangelize • Make disciples • Love all • Pray for all • Seek out the fruit of their preaching of the Word Helpful Titles: • Ambassador = appeals to all to be reconciled to God • Evangelist = calls unbelievers to turn to Christ • Preacher = expounds God's Word • Steward = administers Christ's sacraments
What are the qualifications of deacons?
Chapter 9 • Men • Spiritual character • Honest reputation • Exemplary • Brotherly • Warm • Sound judgment
What are the duties of deacons?
Chapter 9 • Serves (needy, sickly, friendless, distressed) • Collecting and distributing gifts • Care for property (matters of special importance needs Session approval)
What officers must each court have?
Chapters 10-11 • Moderator o Moderators exist on sessions, presbyteries, and at GA. o Keeps the order of the meetings, starts them, and ends them. • Clerk/s o Clerk/s exist on sessions, presbyteries, and at GA. o Keeps records of transactions and proceedings.
What is the proper or original jurisdiction of each?
Chapters 10-11 • Original jurisdiction is the right to first hear and determine issues (BCO 31.1) o Each court has its own jurisdiction but must submit to the review and control of courts above it. The Session exercises jurisdiction over a single church, The Presbytery over what is common to the ministers, Sessions and churches within a prescribed district, and The General Assembly over such matters as concern the whole Church. Jurisdiction of the courts is NOT political or civil; rather, IS moral and spiritual, ministerial and declarative. As it relates to: 1. Doctrines and precepts of Christ a. Cannot bind the conscience b. Can point to faith c. Can point away from false doctrine and immorality (inside or outside the Church) d. Can decide cases of conscience (likely when one's conscience is deceived by sin) 2. Church order: establish rules for... a. Government b. Discipline c. Worship d. Extension of the church (mission?) 3. Church discipline: power to... a. Admit or deny people to offices and sacraments b. Excommunicate or restore people to the church
Name the courts of the church.
Chapters 10-11 • Session • Presbytery • General Assembly
What vows must he take?
Chapters 21, 23 1. Scripture o Believe Scripture is the inerrant and infallible rule of faith and practice? 2. Confession/Catechisms o Receive and adopt the Confession and Catechisms with a promise to notify if views change? 3. BCO o Approve of the PCA church government in the BCO? 4. Submission to others o Promise to submit to brothers? 5. Love for God and Mission o Is your seeking of ministry from your love for God and for your desire for his glory and gospel to go forth? 6. Faithful in truths o Promise to be faithful to the truths of the gospel and the purity, peace, and unity of Church no matter what suffering might come? 7. Faithful in actions o Will you faithfully exercise your call as minister personally, privately, publically, and by example? 8. Charge as Pastor o Willing to take the charge of this church as pastor?
Who has the final say in establishing or dissolving a pastoral relationship?
Chapters 21, 23 The presbytery
How may a pastoral relation be dissolved?
Chapters 21, 23 • Pastor initiates (Presbytery must approve from the church after congregational meeting) • Church initiates (Presbytery must approve from the church after congregational meeting) o Session o Individuals
David
Chosen (1 Sam 15), Anointed (1 Sam 16) Killed Goliath (1 Sam 17) Friendship with Jonathan (1 Sam 18) Stalked by Saul (1 Sam 19-22) God promises his line w/Covenant (2 Sam 7) Great grandson of Ruth and Boaz. The youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, and second king of Israel. His name typifies the unique place he has as ancestor, forerunner and foreshadower of the Lord Jesus Christ (1Sam 16-1Ki 2).
What of Christ's work remains to be done?
Christ's interceding work remains to be done. • Christ's intercession (post-ascension reign) remains to be done because it is his ongoing intercession for his people as their prophet, priest, and king. Christ's second coming work remains to be done. • Christ has descended (in the incarnation), has ascended (in the ascension), and will descend again to judge the world, put it right, and rule. WCF 8.4 ...On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sits at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the world. WSC Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation? A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (1900-Present)
Christianity has shifted from more populated areas to previously less populated ones. o World Missionary Conference (Edinburgh) pushes missionaries throughout the world (1910) o Wycliffe Bible Translators (1934) translates Scripture into thousands of languages. Technological advances/globalization accelerate this process even more o Majority of Christians today live in: Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia; Christians from global South are sending missionaries into America; rise in Pentecostalism (19 million new members/year) and prosperity gospel
Josiah
Cleansed the Temple (2 Kings 23; 2 Chr 34) Killed by Necho (2 Kings 23; 2 Chr 35) Jeremiah lamented his death (Lamentations 4) 2Kgs 21:24-25:1. 17th king of Judah. Son of Amon and grandson of Manasseh. Enthroned upon assassination of his father. Turned back to Yahweh and away from dependence upon Assyria (2Chron 34:32). Found the "book of the law" during temple repairs and instituted religious and political reform which also extended to Israel.
Humanity of Christ
Col 2: The fullness of Deity dwells in human form John 1: The Word became flesh
Jeroboam son of Nebat
Conspired to rule north, fled to Egypt (1 Kings 11) Revolted against Rehoboam (2 Chr 10) Offered altar to idols (1 Kings 13) First king of Israel (1Ki 11:26-14:20). Mother was a widow, but still able to equip himself and others for war. Because of oppressive practices of Solomon, began a revolt resulting in his exile to Egypt until Solomon's death.
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (300-700)
Constantine begins a pattern of protection for Christians that would last 1,000+ years. This provides space for Christian scholastic material and local maturation but not as much spread outward (Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose, Gregory "the Great"). Beginning of Middle Ages (beginning in 500) • Early Middle Ages (500-1000). "Dark Ages" - significantly fewer written sources. Series of wars, national calamities after the fall of the Western empire of Rome (476 AD). • Merovingian Dynasty. Clovis I converts to Xianity in 496. Pepin the Short. Charlemagne. Rise of monasticism: • Reaction to the rise of the success of the Christian church under the Constantinian church-state establishment. Monks concerned with the spiritual state of the church. • Benedict of Nursia, wrote his "Rule." (6th century). Rise of Islam: (610, after Muhammed receives first revelation at age 40) begins to militarily spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East and killing/converting Christians and Jews o African, Middle Eastern, Mesopotamian Christianity flourishes up until the rise of Islam. o Ireland Christianized by English missionary St. Patrick o Anglo-Saxon lands converted. Columbanus (543-615) preached in modern France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. o Nisibis (Mesopotamia) founds the first Christian 'university' (500s) o Ctesiphon and Jundishapur (Persia/Asia) became theological education centers (500s) o Western and Central China increased in bishoprics between 500-600 o India well-populated with Christians at this point o Mongolia (N. of China)
*What Is "Covenant Theology?" Why Is It Important? (Explain As To A New Christian.)
Covenants show how God graciously relates to people throughout history. • WSC Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. • WSC Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer. Also: • WCF 7.1 - The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He has been pleased to express by way of covenant. Covenants = relational-bonds = marriage-like (promises, responsibilities) Why is it important? • Covenants show us how God relates to us in creation and in salvation. • Covenants show us how we ought to relate to God. • Covenants show us the continuity of God's dealings with us in history: o Continuity in Grace: both old and new are gracious but applied differently. o Continuity in People: both old and new consist of one people. o Continuity in Signs: both old and new consist of signs (circumcision = baptism). o Continuity in Households: both old and new extends blessings through families.
How would you explain the plan of salvation to an unbeliever?
Creation Fall Redemption Recreation/Consummation
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (1100-1500)
Crusades begin and continue, scholasticism on the rise, universities are birthed, and the Reformation begins. o From 1000-1300 nearly 8 Crusades occur. Begin in 1095. • Preceded by ongoing clashes between Christians and Muslims. Rescue attempt by the West for the Byzantine empire and the invasion of Muslim Seljuk Turks. • What's a crusade? Combination of pilgrammage, holy war and penance. o University of Paris full of theological education o Aquinas, Anselm, Peter Abelard, Peter Lombard, and others create logical/apologetic/philosophical writings. o Western Church in moral, clerical, and governmental decline o Great Papal/Western Schism (1378-1417) happened with the Western Church between 3 "Popes" (one in Rome, one in Avignon, and one in Pisa). o John Wycliffe (1324-1384) and John/Jan Hus (c. 1369-1415) began pushing against abuses. Wycliffe translates Scripture from Latin into English. o Printing press is invented (1440) which led to broad scale spread of Reformation ideas and Scripture in people's native languages. o Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Bucer, and others began Protestant Reformation. o Missions (and colonialism) to South America (1400-onward)
7th Century Prophets
Daniel Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Jeremiah
Daniel 6
Daniel and the Lion's Den
What are the distinctive features of the four Gospels?
Dates for Synoptic Gospels? Matthew- written to a Jewish audience. Written show that the major events in the life of Jesus took place in fulfillment of prophecy. Seeks to prove that Jesus, as the true Israel, is the fulfillment of OT prophecy. Mark- Disciple of Peter. Written to a Gentile audience. Mark's gospel proclaims Jesus to be the Son of God and truly man, instructing its readers on the nature of true discipleship. Distinctive features- vivid, short, full of action. Question throughout - who is this man that heals the sick, raises the dead and forgives sin? The religious leaders, crowds and even the disciples don't understand him. Luke- written to a Gentile audience. Purpose was to provide an "orderly account" of Christ's life, death and resurrection so that his readers "may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed" (1:3-4). John- written to a Jewish audience around 90 AD. John himself states that he wrote "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (20:31). Focuses on 7 of Jesus' miracles and 7 "I am" sayings.
Solomon
David's Son (2 Sam 12) Succeeded David as King (1 Kings 2) Prayed for Wisdom (1 Kings 3, 2 Chr 1) Built the 1st Temple (1 Kings 6, 1 Chr 22, 2 Chr 3) Solomon and wives idolatry (1 Kings 11) Third king of Israel, son of David and Bathsheba. Known for royal wisdom. Most famous is the harlots' dispute over the baby (1Ki 3:16ff.). Collected thousands of proverbs and songs (1Kg. 4:32). Hero of antiquity widely celebrated in folk literature.
Define And Distinguish "General Revelation" And "Special Revelation."
Define and distinguish "general revelation" and "special revelation." (Ps. 19; Rom. 1) General revelation is God's revealing of himself through everything he has made to all people. What humans are ("light of nature in man") and all of God's creative works "declare plainly that there is a God" • WLC 2 - Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God? A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. Special revelation is God's revealing of himself through historical events and speech (both given in Scripture). • General revelation gives us sufficient knowledge of God but doesn't give us salvific knowledge of God and of his will whereas special revelation does. o WCF 1.1 - Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God's revealing His will unto His people being now ceased. • Special revelation also is given specially to God's people.
Gideon
Destroyed alter to Baal (Judges 6) Discerned with the fleece (Judges 6) Led Winnowed Army of just 300 against Midian (Judges 7) Would not lead the Israelite people (Judges 8) Ephod became a snare (Judges 8) Delivered Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6-8). He dies at a peaceful, old age with many wives and sons. Heb 11:32 lists Gideon among the heroes of faith. He trusted God rather than a large army.
The Shema and reiteration of the Law
Deuteronomy 6
Elisha
Disciple of Elijah (1 Kings 19) Prophet to Israel (2 Kings 5) Inherited double portion of Elijah (2 Kings 2) Healed Naaman in washing (2 Kings 5) (Luke 4) 9th century prophet of Israel. Name means "God is salvation." 2Kgs 2-9. Son of a family of some means. Sought out by Elijah. Head of the prophetic schools of Yahweh. His ministry consisted of a display of signs and wonders both at a personal as well as a national level. A seer in the tradition of Samuel to whom peasants and kings alike turn for help.
What Is Divorce?
Divorce ends a marriage contract/covenant which allows the parties to marry others. • WCF 24.5 In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.
Christian Liberty
Don't use your freedom as a Christian in a way that makes a weaker Christian stumble. 1 Corinthians 8-11:1: But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak (8:9); Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (10:31).
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "effectual calling."
Effectual calling is God's gracious work of calling his elect out of sin and death by means of convincing them to trust in Christ and to be saved by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. • Rom. 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. • 2 Thess. 2:14 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. • 1 Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. WSC Q. 31. What is effectual calling? A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
How can infants be 'called'?
Elect infants can be called upon death in that they are regenerated and saved by the Holy Spirit all because God has the right to elect anyone to salvation that he wants. • WCF 10.3 Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who works when, and where, and how he pleases: so also as all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word. • Lk. 18:15-16 (also Mt. 18) Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. • Acts 2:38-39 "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." • 2 Sam. 12:23 David speaks of going to his infant son who has died
Joseph (OT)
Eleventh son of Jacob, the first by Rachel, and his favorite son. Sold into slavery by brothers. Rises to one of highest offices in Egypt. Gen 37-50.
9th Century Prophets
Elijah and Elisha
Armor of God
Ephesians 6 Belt of truth Breastplate of righteousness Shoes: readiness of the Gospel of peace Shield of faith Helmet of salvation Sword of the Spirit = The word of God *Pray to be alert to persevere
Prison Epistles
Ephesians, Phil, Col, Philemon
Basic elements found in each of the sermons recorded in Acts?
Examples of sermons in Acts Peter to Crowds at Pentecost - Acts 2:14-40 Peter to Crowds at the Temple - Acts 3:12-26 Peter to the Sanhedrin - Acts 4:5-12 Stephen to the Sanhedrin - Acts 7 Paul in Athens - Acts 17 1. Outpouring of Christ's power in the context of prayer 2. Evangelistic advance through the preaching of Christ's person and work within appropriate cultural context 3. Opposition as well as new converts 4. Growth of the church and advance of the gospel 5. Starting with the Jews and then going to the Gentiles, Paul would often start in the synagogues.
Passover
Exodus 12
The Exodus
Exodus 12-14 (1446 OR 1260 BC)
The Ten Commandments (Decalogue)
Exodus 20, Deut 5 - Given to Moses at Sinai Revealed again after Golden Calf "I am the Lord your God" 1. No other gods 2. No idols 3. No misuse of God's name 4. Keep the Sabbath 5. Honor your parents 6. No murder 7. No adultery 8. No Stealing 9. No False-Witness 10. No Coveting
Ten Commandments
Exodus 20; Deut 5
Ezra/Nehemiah key verses
Ez 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.
Watchman
Ezekiel 33
Cyrus' Decree
Ezra 1 (539 BC) Cryus calls Jews to Jerusalem to build Fulfills Jeremiah 25
Rebuilding the Temple
Ezra 3-6 (539 BC - 516 BC) *Pauses from 530 BC - 520 BC)
Completion of the Temple
Ezra 6 (516 BC) The Temple is dedicated with Passover celebration
Second Return
Ezra 7, 10 (458 BC) Ezra departs Babylon for Jerusalem with materials Desovles mixed-marriages
Explain this statement: "Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone."
Faith (trust) saves us apart from works but once we are saved by faith, works should naturally proceed. • James 1 be doers of the word • James 2 faith without works is dead. • Eph. 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Nehemiah (person)
Fasted to rebuild wall (Neh 1) Rebuilt the wall in 52 days (Neh 3-7) Renewed the covenant (Neh 7-9) He was cupbearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes I (465-424). Obtained permission to go to his own country. He was appointed governor. In spite of intense opposition, he and the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. He was a man of prayer, action, and devotion to duty.
Outline the Life of Christ
For the life of Christ, I would go to the gospel of Luke. Luke (24) Birth- chs. 1-2 Preparation for ministry - ch. 3 Ministry in Galilee - chs. 4-9 Journey to Jerusalem - chs. 10-19 Ministry in Jerusalem - chs. 20-21 Passion - chs. 22-23 Resurrection - ch. 24
Relate the writing of the Pauline epistles to the life of Paul
Gal- probably written to churches of south Galatia around time of Jerusalem council (AD 49 - Acts 15). Paul had visited these churches during first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). 1 Thess- from Corinth around AD 50 or 51 during second missionary journey (Acts 15-18) 2 Thess- shortly after 1 Thess around AD 51. Romans, 1 and 2 Cor- written sometime during his third missionary journey (Acts 18-21; AD 52-57). Spent 3 years in Ephesus at this time. Arrested in Jerusalem in 57 AD. Imprisoned in Caesarea 57-59. Eph, Phil, Col, Phil- probably written during his two-year house- arrest in Rome (Acts 28; between AD 60 and 62). Titus- written on island of Crete around AD 62 and 64. 1Tim- written while in Ephesus between AD 62 and AD 64 2Tim- written just before Paul's death while imprisoned a second time between AD 64 and 67.
Law as schoolmaster
Galatians 3 "Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made...So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came."
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5 Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control
Work
Genesis 1 - God gave dominion over his creation to man 2 Thessalonians 3 - Warning against idleness Colossians 3 - Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Babel
Genesis 11 *Humanity denies the sabbath, the imago dei, and God's covenant by pursuing autonomy
Promise to Abraham
Genesis 12 (2000 BC)
"The just shall live by faith"
Genesis 15:6
Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant
Genesis 17
Creation
Genesis 1: Creation of the world - culminates w/Sabbath Genesis 2: Creation of man and woman in covenant
Abraham offers Isaac
Genesis 22
Fall
Genesis 3 *The serpent convinces the woman to eat the fruit and gain knowledge. She gave it to her husband who also ate, disobeying God's command
Jacob Wrestling the Angel
Genesis 32
Flood
Genesis 6-8 *Noah builds an ark to save his family and some creatures from the deluge Noahic Covenant - Gen 9
What is kenosis?
Gk. word kenosis means 'empty' (Phil. 2:7). The issue is twofold: o 1. Limitation of Divinity: In becoming man, did God limit his divinity? o 2. Loss of Divinity: In becoming man, did God lose his divinity?
Who is to be worshipped? Defend your answer from Scripture proofs.
God alone (Father, Son, Spirit) is to be worshipped. • Deut. 6; Mt. 4 (Jesus quotes Shema when tempted by Satan) • Acts 14, people of Lystra try to worship Paul and Barnabas but they stop them and say, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them."
By Whom And For What Purpose Was Marriage Designed? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
God designed marriage for one man and one woman for the purpose of (a) mutual help, (b) increasing mankind thereby leading to Holy Seed, (c) and for preventing sin. • Gen. 1:27-28 fruitful and multiply • Gen. 2:18 Help • Gen. 3:15 Holy Seed • 1 Cor. 7 One husband, one wife • 1 Cor. 7 preventing sin 7th commandment - Do not commit adultery WCF 24.1 Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband, at the same time. WCF 24.2 Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed; and for preventing of uncleanness.
How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Abrahamic Covenant?
God extends the Covenant of Grace through Abraham by graciously and unconditionally electing to save him and his family and to make them into a great nation of blessing upon the conditionality that Abraham believe God and leave his country and kindred, obey him in having a child, adopting circumcision, and walking blamelessly before him. Additionally, although Abraham's family's election is particular, the blessings of that election are to flow out to the rest of the families of the earth (Gen. 12:1-3) eventually fulfilled by Christ.
How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Mosaic Covenant?
God extends the Covenant of Grace through Moses by graciously and unconditionally electing to save him and his people from their slavery in Egypt so that they could conditionally respond to him in worship, trust, and obedience to his law (Exod. 20). Additionally, although their salvation is particular, the blessings of that election are meant to flow out from his saved people as they become a kingdom of priests to mediate God's presence throughout the earth (Exo. 19:4-6) eventually fulfilled by Christ.
How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Noahic Covenant?
God extends the Covenant of Grace through Noah by graciously and unconditionally electing to save his family upon the conditionality that Noah believe God and build an ark through which they are saved from the flood waters. Additionally, although their salvation is particular, the blessings are universal in scope in that God promises not to destroy the world and re-instates the creation mandate to fill and rule the earth (Gen. 9) eventually fulfilled and unleashed by Christ.
What should be our attitude toward civil authorities? Defend with Scripture proofs.
God himself has ordained civil authorities for his own glory, for his people's good, and for the public's good therefore we ought to honor them, support them, and remain subject to them: • Rom. 13 • *** 1 Pet. 2 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. WCF 23.1 God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates, to be, under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good: and, to this end, has armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.
Who is the ultimate cause of all things?
God is. • WCF 5.2 Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. • WSC Q. 7. What are the decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "perseverance."
God's people can never totally fall from his grace and will persevere to the end. • ***Jn. 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. • 1 Pet. 1:5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. • Phil. 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. • ***Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, WCF 17.1 They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.
Define "repentance." Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
God's saving grace that gives us: • Awareness, grief, and hatred of sin • Awareness of God's mercy • Ability to turn from away from sin and to the pursuit of new obedience o 2 Tim. 2:25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, o Psa. 51 o 2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. o 2 Cor. 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. o Rom. 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? WSC Q. 87. What is repentance unto life? A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.
What is a miracle?
God, as creation's first Cause, ordinarily works by preserving the secondary cause-and-effect relationships he has built into his creation. • WCF 5.2 - Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. But a miracle is when God chooses to freely work "without, above, and against" those ordinary secondary cause-and-effects. ***Miracles are publicly observable events that catch our attention and have the power to evoke faith, trust, fear, or worship. • WCF 5.3 - God, in His ordinary providence, makes use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them, at His pleasure.
What are good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Good works are those that are commanded of us by God in Scripture. • Rom. 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect • Rom. 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. • 1 Cor. 10 Do everything to glory of God • Eph. 2:10 prepared good works WCF 16.1 Good works are only such as God has commanded n His Holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention.
What is the relation of good works to faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Good works don't earn faith but good works are the fruit of true faith. • Jam. 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. • Eph. 2:8-10 WCF 16.2 These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith...
Divisions of the NT
Gospels (4 + Acts) Pauline Church Epistles (9) Pauline Pastoral Epistles (3) Catholic Epistles (8) Apocalypse/Prophetic (1)
General divisions of the NT
Gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Historical- Acts Pauline Epistles- Romans; 1, 2 Cor; Gal; Eph; Phil; Col; Thess; 1, 2 Tim; Titus; Philemon General Epistles- Hebrews; James; 1-2 Peter; 1-3 John; Jude; Rev.
Late 6th/Early 5th Century Prophets
Haggai Zechariah Malachi
Substitutionary Atonement
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. -2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"— -Galatians 3:13 (NASB)
Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves
Hebrews 10
The chastening/discipline of those he loves
Hebrews 12
Melchizedek
Hebrews 7
The washings of the New Covenant
Hebrews 9 9:13-14 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Catholic or General Epistles
Hebrews; James; 1-2 Peter; 1-3 John; Jude; Rev.
Herod Antipas (the tetrarch)
Herod the Great's younger son. Inherited the Galilean and Peraean portions of his father's kingdom. He imprisons and executes John the Baptist (Mark 6). Briefly encountered by Jesus when sent by Pilate (Lk 23). John the Baptist declared Herod's marriage to Herodias, wife of half-brother Herod-Philip unlawful.
Ruth (person)
Heroine of the book which bears her name. A moabitess who lived in the time of the Judges. She had married Mahlon, the elder son of Naomi. When Naomi's two sons died without heirs, Ruth insisted on following Naomi. Boaz acted as her kinsman-redeemer. Great-grandmother of David. Book of Ruth
Moses
Hidden from Pharaoh (Ex 2) Burning Bush (Ex 3) Led the Exodus w/Aaron (Ex 12) Parts the Red Sea (Ex 14) Receives the 10 Commandments (Ex 20, Deut 5) Consecrates the Covenant (Ex 24) Saw God's Glory (Ex 33) Receives New Tablets (Ex 34) Disobeys with the Rock (Numbers 20) The great leader and lawgiver through whom God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt, constituted a nation, and brought them within reach of the land promised to forefathers.
On what is God's decision to call a certain person based?
His decision to call certain people is based upon his own eternal counsel of his will...AND GRACE! • Eph. 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, • Eph. 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. • Rom. 9:11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls. WCF 10.2 This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.
General Divisions of the OT
History (17) Wisdom (5) Prophecy (17)
8th Century Prophets
Hosea Amos Jonah Micah Isaiah
Jesus' 7 I AM Statements
I am the bread of life I am the light of the world I am the door of the sheep I am the good shepherd I am the resurrection and the life I am the way, the truth, and the life I am the true vine
What view of subscription do you hold and why?
I hold a Good Faith Subscription that allows: (A) Semantic Exceptions (B) Non-Vital Doctrinal Exceptions. 1. Westminster itself says that all synods and councils can err, therefore, their statements are "not to be made the rule of life and faith, or practice" (WCF 31.3). 2. Semantic and Non-Vital Doctrinal differences allow for a better application of doctrine to the present as words change over time (semantic) and as our understanding of certain theological issues change over time (doctrinal). 3. Allowing these two exceptions also promotes honesty and openness for all to be held accountable. BCO 21-4e While our Constitution does not require the candidate's affirmation of every statement and/or proposition of doctrine in our Confession of Faith and Catechisms, it is the right and responsibility of the Presbytery to determine if the candidate is out of accord with any of the fundamentals of these doctrinal standards and, as a consequence, may not be able in good faith sincerely to receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures (cf. BCO 21-5, Q. 2; 24-5, Q.2). BCO 21-4f Therefore, in examining a candidate for ordination the Presbytery shall inquire not only into the candidate's knowledge and views in the areas specified above, but also shall require the candidate to state the specific instances in which he may differ with the Confession of Faith and Catechisms in any of their statements and/or propositions. The court may grant an exception to any difference of doctrine only if in the court's judgment the candidate's declared difference is not out of accord with a fundamental of our system of doctrine because the difference is neither hostile to the system nor strikes at the vitals of religion.
What is your view of the millennium? Briefly defend your view from Scripture.
I take the amillennium position. 1. Chronology is not the main concern of John in Revelation. Intensified tribulation and apostasy along with the coming of a personal antichrist before the 2nd coming. a. The earthly struggle against evil is shown in Rev. 1-11. b. The spiritual struggle against evil is shown in Rev. 12-22. 2. Satan's binding is not a total defeat of evil but a restriction on evil during the church-age for the gospel to spread to all nations. a. Jesus said that his own ministry was 'binding' Satan (Matt. 12:29; Mark 3:27). b. Jesus said that he saw Satan fall (Lk. 10:18-19) indicating a defeat. 3. The number '1,000' like the rest of the numbers in Revelation is symbolic. 4. The faithful 'came to life' with Christ in their death while the unfaithful did not. a. This describes the death of believers who are now still alive with Christ (Phil. 1) whereas the wicked await final judgment (Rev. 20). b. These believers who are with Christ are said to be a part of the 'first resurrection' implying that a 'second resurrection' is coming which can only mean the resurrection from the dead at the end of time. 5. But even Satan will at last be given a chance to oppose the Lord but will be defeated and judged. a. This makes sense that the New Heavens and New Earth would follow because death, sin, and Satan are no more (Rev. 21).
Docetism
Idea that Jesus was fully God but not fully man. His body 'seemed' (dokein) real but wasn't. However this is false because Jesus ate, drank, slept, worked, walked, talked, died, and even came back to life all with a real human body. o 1 Jn:1-4 o 1 Jn. 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, o Col. 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily
Rehoboam
Ignored Older Counsel (1 Kings 12) Caused Kingdom Split (1 Kings 12) Reigned in Judah (1 Kings 14) Fought Israel (2 Chr 10) Egypt plundered Jerusalem under him (2 Chr 12) 1 Kgs 14:21; 2Ch 12:13. Son of Solomon and Naamah who upon father's death, became the last king of a united Israel and the first of the Southern kingdom of Judah. Increased the already heavy burden upon the North to ensure funds for public and royal expenditures. When Shemaiah the prophet pointed out that the invasion of Shishak, the Egyptian king, was divine punishment for apostasy, Rehoboam repented (2 Chr 12:5-8, 12).
Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inerrancy" Of Scripture.
Inerrancy means 'without error.' The trustworthiness of Scripture is rooted not in timeless objective truths about God, but rather, in his trustworthy and faithful character that is revealed in the story of Scripture. The reason Scripture can be considered without error is twofold: • 1. God's Character: God is perfect (Mt. 5:48 '...as your heavenly Father is perfect..."), he doesn't lie (Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18), nor does he do any evil (Jam. 1:13), therefore, his words are perfect, without lies, and without evil. • 2. Scripture's Origin: Even though Scripture was written by human beings they were carried along by the Holy Spirit in order to speak God's words (2 Pet. 1:21 'men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit') which accomplish exactly what God wants (Isa. 55:8-11). What about translations and copy variations? Scripture is inerrant (a) in its original manuscripts (b) and when it is interpreted according to its intended sense. • (a) 'Original manuscripts': One, if God is the author of Scripture then he can maintain its meaning when copies are made. Two, even the copies themselves deviate very little from one another. • (b) 'Interpreted according to its intended sense': False interpretations don't make the Bible false.
Inspiration of Scripture
Inspiration means breathed out. 1. Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) = the words of God himself 2. Scripture was given through humans by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21 'for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit') a. Verbal Plenary Inspiration = The words and ideas (verbal), all of them - both OT and NT (plenary; 2 Peter 3:15, 16 - NT is Scripture), are authored by God (inspiration). 3. Scripture is infallible = Because God authors his Word, and because God never tempts (Jam. 1:13) nor lies (Tit. 1:2), the Bible is infallible (without error).
"I am going to send my messenger"
Isaiah 40:3
The Exile
Israel to Assyria - 2 Kings 17 (722 BC) Judah to Babylon - 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36 (586-539 BC)
What is the difference between infralapsarian and supralapsarian view of God's decrees?
Issue is over not time but the logical order in which God decreed the fall. • Infralapsarian (below) o To create o To permit the fall o To elect o To atone through Christ o To send the Spirit to apply that atonement o To glorify the elect • Supralapsarian (above) o To elect o To create o To permit the fall o To atone through Christ o To send the Spirit to apply that atonement o To glorify the elect WSC 20 "God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life...."
On what does a believer's persevering depend? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
It depends on the unchangeable decree of God's election that flows from his love. • Phil. 1 • Jn. 10 • Jn. 6 • Jer. 31 • Eph. 1 WCF 17.2 This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father...
How can original sin be reconciled to the canons of justice, either human or divine?
It is just for God to judge us for original sin for three reasons: (1) God's nature, (2) our corporate nature, and (3) our representative nature. 1. God's Nature: God is righteous and cannot do wrong (Gen. 18; Js. 1), therefore, he cannot be wrong for judging our original sin. 2. Our Corporate Nature: God made humans corporate beings who are inextricably linked to one another because humans are made in image of God who himself is a tri-personal, corporate being, and so, when Adam sins, we sin. Humans function this way when we hold a group accountable for the wrongs of a few (whole nations for the crimes of a few, whole businesses for the illegality of a few employees, whole families experiencing negative consequences for the decisions of the parents, etc.). 3. Our Representative Nature: God made humans representative beings who always have heads above them. God made Adam the representative head of humanity, therefore, his sin is our sin. Humans function this way when we hold nations accountable for it's leader, when we hold businesses accountable for the CEO, and when we hold families accountable for one parent. Thus, God is just to judge us for original sin.
What is the moral law?
It is the will of God revealed to mankind for them to obey. WLC Q. 92. What did God first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience? A. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocence, and to all mankind in him, besides a special command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, was the moral law. WLC Q. 93. What is the moral law? A. The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding every one to personal, perfect, and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, soul, and body, and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he oweth to God and man: promising life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it.
Problems with the tongue
James 3
Problems with unanswered prayer
James 4 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Jeremiah's Exilic Prophecy
Jeremiah 25 (586 BC - 516 BC, upon completion of the temple) *God will use Babylon to judge Judah
New Covenant
Jeremiah 31
Explain and defend (with Scripture proofs) the orthodox doctrine of the person of Christ.
Jesus is both God and man (two natures, one person). • He is God. o Jn. 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. o Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. o Heb. 1:2-3 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature... • He is Man. o Lk. 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Birth of Jesus - Luke 2 and Matthew 2. o Gal. 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, o Heb. 2:14-17 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. • He is both. o Jn. 14:11 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. o Jn. 17:11 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. WSC Q. 21. Who is the redeemer of God's elect? A. The only redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. WCF 8.2 The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.
Define the following names: Jesus
Jesus: Greek word for Joshua which means 'Ya (Yahweh) saves' (Mt. 1:21) 'He will save his people from their sins.'
Suffering
Job - suffering because we live in a fallen world 1 Peter - suffering for the sake of the gospel Genesis 50 What Joseph's brothers meant for evil God used for good. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
6th Century Prophets
Joel Obadiah Daniel Ezekiel Jeremiah
"I will pour out my Spirit"
Joel 2
Good Shepherd
John 10
Way, truth and the life
John 14:2
The comforter
John 14; 2 Cor 1
The vine
John 15
High Priestly Prayer
John 17
Unity of the Church
John 17: One as the Father and Son are One 1 Corinthians 12: One Body, many parts Ephesians 4: "...eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Deity of Christ
John 1: The Word was God Luke 9: Peter's Confession
You must be born again
John 3
Woman at the well
John 4
Name, Locate And Briefly Discuss Three Of Jesus' Miracles
John 6- Jesus feeds the five thousand and teaches them that he is the bread of life. Many want the blessings of the kingdom; however, are not willing to follow Jesus' hard teachings about himself. Unbelief that Jesus is the Christ and is the bread of life is the greatest sin. Mark 5- Jesus heals the demoniac. The people of the region beg that he leave. The healed man, begs Jesus that he might go with him, out of an incredible appreciation for what the Lord had done for him. The presence of the power of the kingdom, and the presence of the power of the Messiah evokes fear and unbelief as much as it does faith and trust. Mark 4- Jesus calms the storm. The question Mark raises, is who is this man? He has power over nature. This displays the sovereignty of the Son of God over nature which sets the stage for his sovereignty over the demonic realm as well as over sin.
Feeding of the 5,000
John 6; Matt 14; Mark 6; Lk 9
Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "justification."
Justification is God's gracious act of pardoning our sins and declaring us as righteous before him because of the righteousness of Jesus that is imputed to us by faith only. • Rom. 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction • Rom. 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, • Phil. 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— • Gal. 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. WSC Q. 33. What is justification? A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. WCF 11.1 Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
Jeremiah (person)
Lamented Josiah (2 Chr 35, Lamentations 4) Prophesied Cyrus' proclamation (2 Chr 36) Declared judgment through Babylon (Jeremiah 26-29) Confronts Kings of Judah (Jeremiah 34-38) Ministered to Remnant (Jeremiah 39-43) Declared Judgment of Nations (Jeremiah 46-52) Prophesied under the last five kings of Judah (Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah). Was called to be a prophet about a 100 years after the fall of the North, but Judah was still surviving. His name means "Yahweh exalts" or "Yahweh throws down." Grew up in a pious priestly home (1:1).
Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16
Types of feasts
Leviticus 23 Passover/Unleavened Bread - celebrating liberation from Egypt. Pentecost - primarily a thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, but it was later associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Ingathering/Tabernacles - Tent-dwelling in wilderness. Follows Day of Atonement and celebrates God's provision and protection for the people of Israel during their 40 years wandering in the wilderness; for the seven days of the feast, people live in temporary structures like they did in the wilderness. The Lord himself was with the Israelites in the desert, in a tented temple called the tabernacle, so the feast also celebrates his presence as he tabernacles (dwells) with us.
Define the following names: Lord
Lord is the term that used to overlay the Hebrew term "Yahweh" in the OT. "Yahweh" means 'I am who I am' or 'I will be who I will be'. In context this refers to God's ability to be present with his people and to be powerful enough to carry out his promises to them. The word 'Lord' was used instead of 'Yahweh' in Hebrew but is also used separately to describe Yahweh as 'Lord': a ruler or king. In the NT this is used all over the place to not only describe God but to describe Jesus. It can be: o An honorific title (like 'sir') o An authoritative titled (like a land owner, general, or emperor) o A divine title for God himself who rules creation Thus the NT speaks of Jesus as Lord designating him as God, the Lord over all creation.
Mary and Martha
Luke 10
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10
Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12 Riches come from enjoying the providence of God. Humans are foolish to dismiss God's providence and attempt to provide for themselves.
Prodigal Son
Luke 15
Birth of Jesus (shepherds)
Luke 2
Resurrection of Christ
Luke 9: Jesus foretells his resurrection after 3 days Luke 24: Jesus is raised from the dead in 3 days
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (1500-1900)
Massive missionary engagement to the latter parts of the world previously unreached. o Missions into Japan (Portuguese Jesuits, 1540s) o Missions into China re-started (Matteo Ricci, 1500-1600s; Hudson Taylor, 1800-1900s) o Missions into India re-started (Roberto de Nobili, 1500-1600s; Bartholomew Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plutschau, 1600-1700s; William Carey, 1700-1800s) o Missions into Korea (1700s) o Missions into the heart of Africa re-started (David Livingston, 1840) o Massive translation work done with the Scriptures (printing press invented in 1440) o Great Awakening(s): George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards minister in N. America o Australia, South America, Natives of America (others), Japan
"Take my yoke"
Matt 11
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 13 The Kingdom is something God cultivates, we witness, and the results are surprising.
Name, Locate and Briefly Discuss Three of Jesus' Parables
Matt 13- parable of sower. As a farmer scattered seed along a path, 1) some were picked up by birds (evil one snatches it away); 2) some fell on rocky places and sprang up quickly, but scorched quickly when the sun came up because it had no root (receives it with great joy, but had no root and lasts only a short time when persecution comes); 3) other seen fell among thorns which choked the plants (worries of life and deceitfulness of wealth choke the word); 4) still other seed fell on good soil where it produced a crop (one who hears the word and understands it). Mark 4- parable of the Mustard seed. KoG is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. However, when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. Matt 13- parable of the hidden treasure and pearl. KoH is like a treaure hidden in the field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Also like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. KoH is of such infinite worth. All the treasures we have in Christ is of such magnificent value, that all else is rubbish in comparison. Luke 6- wise and foolish builders. Why do you call me "Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" A man who hears Christ's words and then puts them into practice is like a man building a house who digs deep and lays his foundation on rock. When a flood comes, the house could not be shaken because it was well built. The one who hears his words and does not put them into practice is like a man who builds his house on the ground without a foundation.
Parables of the Kingdom
Matt 13; Mk 4; Lk 8
"I will build my church"
Matt 16
Keys to the Kingdom
Matt 16
Caesarea Philippi
Matt 16; Mark 8 Where Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. Center of worship of Baal, Greek god Pan, and Caesar.
Transfiguration
Matt 17, Mk 9; Lk 9
Correcting a brother
Matt 18
Triumphal Entry
Matt 21; Mk 11; Lk 19 (chs. 20-21, ministry in Jerusalem); Jn 12 (right before upper room discourse in chs. 13-17).
Two greatest commands
Matt 22; Mk 12
Last Supper
Matt 26; Luke 22 - beginning of last sections in each book
Death of Christ
Matt 27; Mark 15; Lk 23; Jn 19
Great Commission
Matt 28
Resurrection of Christ
Matt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24
Baptism of Jesus
Matt 3; Mk 1; Lk 3; Jn 1
Temptation of Jesus
Matt 4; Mk 1; Lk 4
Sermon on the Mount
Matt 5-7 Beatitudes (5:1-16) Messianic Kingdom vs. the Law (5:17-48) "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." "You have heard that it was said..." - Anger, Lust, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation, Loving enemies. Practical spirituality: Giving to needy, Lord's Prayer, fasting, money, anxiety, etc. (6) With Jesus or against him? (7)
The Lord's Prayer
Matt 6; Lk 11
Birth of Jesus (wise men)
Matthew 1-2
Church Discipline
Matthew 18 1 Corinthians 5 Galatians 6
What Authority Does The Church Possess?
Matthew 18 • Retain and remit sins • Shutting the kingdom to the non-repentant • Opening the kingdom to the repentant (WCF 30.2)
What Is The Purpose Of Church Censures?
Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5 • Reclaiming and gathering Christians who sinned • Deterring others from doing the same • Purging the church of sin • Vindicating Christ's honor • Preventing God's wrath from falling on the church (WCF 30.3)
Return of Christ
Matthew 24: We do not know when 1 Thessalonians 4: Do not mourn the dead, Christ will return
Divorce
Matthew 5 1 Corinthians 7
Giving
Matthew 6 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 2 Cor. 8-9
Define the following names: Christ
Means 'anointed one'. Originally this was not a title for one distinct office (because kings, prophets, and priests were all anointed) however the term is eventually used in Scripture to refer to a single anointed leader who will function as all three to teach God's people (prophet), to save God's people (priest) and to lead God's people (king).
Timothy
Mother a Jewess, and father a Greek. Traveling companion of Paul's as well as understudy. An affectionate, but fearful man. Commended for loyalty by Paul and also admonished by Paul, his father in the faith. Led the church in Ephesus after Paul left.
Fall of Assyria (Ninevah)
Nahum 1-2 (612 BC) Babylon captures Assyria
Malachi (person)
Name means "my messenger, angel." Presumably he lived in or near Jerusalem and had an intimate knowledge of worship practices in the temple. He is concerned for proper spiritual leadership as well as morality.
Define And Defend The "Necessity" Of Scripture.
Necessary means essential. We must have Scripture for us to know who God is, his will for our lives, and how we can be saved. • General revelation is sufficient to know God • Scripture and Spirit are necessary to know him fully and to be saved o WLC 2 - Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God? A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. o WCF 1.1 Secondary Resources: o ***Rom. 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." o 1 Cor. 2:11 "For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." o Exo. 34 - God had to write his Law on tablets of stone in order to instruct Israel
Third Return
Nehemiah 1 (445 BC) Nehemiah prays and fasts, wall is rebuilt in 52 days
What Are The Attributes Of The Church? Prove From Scripture.
Nicene Creed says 'one holy catholic and apostolic church.' • Holy: o 1 Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. o Eph. 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. • Catholic: universal o Eph. 2:11-22 Jews and Gentiles one o Jn. 4 worship in spirit and truth (not locale) • Apostolic: o Eph. 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone o Acts 1:22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." o Jn. 14, 15, 16 communicators of Christ
When Will Christ Return? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
No man knows (even Jesus doesn't know!) but be ready because it'll surprise us! (Mt. 24; Mk 13; Lk. 12; Rev. 22)
Did Christ lay aside any of His divine attributes at the incarnation?
No. o Christ didn't LAY ASIDE any of his divine attributes at the incarnation. o But Christ did LIMIT his divine attributes at the incarnation. Phil. 2:5-11 Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. WCF 8.2 The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.
Is a sinner's will free to believe? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
No. A sinner's will is not free to believe in Christ because we are only free to do what we want in accordance with who we are. And sinners, by definition, don't want to come to Christ nor can they because they are spiritually dead. • ***Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins • Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, • Jn. 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. • ***Rom. 8:7 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. The only way a sinner will be free to believe is if regenerated by the Holy Spirit. • Jn. 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. • Tit. 3:3-5 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, WSC 31. What is effectual calling? A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. • WCF 9.3 Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.
Can the church bind men's consciences? Why or why not?
No. All church courts may err through human frailty, yet it rests on them to uphold the laws of Scripture though this obligation be lodged with fallible men
Will any for whom Christ died be lost? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
No. Christ's death is completely effective for those he has died for. In other words, Christ dies for his elect and no one else which ensures that the elect will never be lost. • Jn. 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. • Jn. 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. • Rom. 8:32-39 Christ's death ensures that nothing can take us from God's love However, there are texts that seem to imply that Christ died for everyone but this is not literal. • Jn. 1:29; 3:16; 6:51; 1 Cor. 15:22; 2 Cor. 5:19; 5:15; 1 Tim. 2:6; Heb. 2:9; 10:29; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 2:2 o World = 'world' as in Christ's death covers the world in scope but not in its entirety o All = 'all' in the sense of everyone in Christ or in the sense of every types of people (tribes, tongues, nations) or in the sense that the gospel is to be freely given to everyone o Denying the one who bought them = those in the visible church who reject Christ but who were never saved to begin with WCF 8.8 To all those for whom Christ has purchased redemption, He does certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same; making intercession for them, and revealing unto them, in and by the word, the mysteries of salvation; effectually persuading them by His Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by His word and Spirit; overcoming all their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.
Is all faith alike? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
No. Faith is different in degree person to person. • Mt. 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. • Rom. 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. • Heb. 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. WCF 14.3 This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;
Are good works necessary for salvation? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
No. Good works are not necessary for salvation but they are a necessary RESULT of salvation. • Eph. 2:8-10 • Jam. 2:17 • Tit. 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, • Rom. 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. WCF 16.5 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins...
Is God responsible for sin?
No. Human beings are responsible for sin. God is not the author of sin even though he decrees and permits sin. • WSC Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God. James 1:13-15. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. • WCF 5.4 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in His providence, that it extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, but such as has joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to His own holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceeds only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.
Will Any Receive A Second Chance? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
No. Once dead, judgment will follow. • Heb. 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, • Jn. 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." • Mt. 7 depart from me, for I never knew you. • Lk. 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
Can a saved person later be eternally lost? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
No. Once saved always saved. • Jn. 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. • Jn. 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. • Heb. 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Can anyone not called by the Spirit be saved? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
No. Only those effectually called by the Spirit may be saved even though some may be called to respond to the gospel but are not elected and thus never saved. • Mt. 7:21-23 (Sermon on the Mount) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' • Jn. 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. • Rom. 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. • Heb. 6:4-6 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. WCF 10.4 Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved...
Can our good works save us? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
No. Our good works can't save us because God saves by grace through faith and not works. • Eph. 2:8-10 • Jam. 2:17 • Tit. 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, • Rom. 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. WCF 16.5 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God...
Can anyone become perfect (completely sanctified) in this life? Defend (include Scripture proofs).
No. Sanctification occurs throughout the whole person but isn't complete until resurrection. • Rom. 7:22-23 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. • 1 Jn. 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. • Gal. 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. • Rom. 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. • Phil. 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. WCF 13.2 This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. Distinctives of Methodist churches - a person can achieve perfection.
Does the "communion of the saints" deny the right of private property? Explain.
No. The communion of saints is the union we have with other believers by virtue of our union with Christ. We share in one another's gifts and graces as we are bound to one another in love, but this in no ways means that we must therefore hold all physical property in common. (WCF 26.3). • Christ is one with us yet we don't share everything with Christ (he is God!). • Scripture affirms the possession of property. o Acts 5:4 when Ananias had not sold his property Peter says it was still his own o Eph. 4:28 commands us not to steal o 1 Jn. 3:17 affirms that we have private property but urging us to share it
Nahum key verses
None?
May women serve as officers in the church? Support your answer from Scripture.
Not in the PCA. Woman may not serve as officers in the church (neither elders nor deacons). 1. Women cannot serve as elders nor teach with authority in the church (1 Tim. 2-3; Tit. 1). 2. Women cannot serve as deacons in the church (1 Tim. 3; Acts 6). Not sure about this one. I think that there is reason to believe that woman can serve in the office of deacon (Rom. 16 - Pheobe, 1 Tim 3:11 could be "wives" of deacons or simply "women" deacons). 3. Women cannot test prophecies in the church (1 Cor. 14:26-40). 4. Only in rare occasions (mission field without male elders, the wife of a deceased missionary elder, etc.) may a woman be the sole teacher of a church, for as Paul says, it is better that anyone proclaim Christ than no one at all (Phil. 1:17-18). a. This should only occur if there are no qualified men to serve as elders. b. This should only occur for a short time until qualified men can become elders. c. This should not be an attempt on the part of the woman or on the part of the church to turn this occasion into an ongoing authoritative office for women elders. Thus, this is a possible difference due to an exceptional occasion: • WLC Q. 158. By whom is the Word of God to be preached? A. The Word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.
Infant Baptism
OT: Gen 17:10-12. Every male child receives the sign of circumcision. Acts 2 - "For the promise is for you and for your children..." Acts 16 - Lydia's household baptized as well
Apollinarianism
One Nature (God). Two persons (God and superhuman with divine mind). Christ is fully God and an elevated or divinized man who didn't have an ordinary human mind; more divine than man. o This denies the fact that Jesus became a true human with true human distinctions (Heb. 2) for the sake of becoming like us (Phil. 2). The Council of Constantinople in 381 condemned Apollinarianism.
Eutychianism/Monophysitism
One nature. One person. This was a reaction against Nestorianism (2 separate persons) and stronger than Apollinarianism (God and extraordinary human fused). His view was that the divine so fused with the humanity of Christ that his humanity was engulfed. o This denies the distinctions that are clear in Scripture that call Jesus one with the Father (Jn. 14; 17) but not so much so that it engulfs his human nature (Heb. 1; Col. 1:15; Col. 2:9; Jn. 1:14; Jn. 20-21) because Jesus is truly God in the flesh.
Stephen
One of the seven chosen by the disciples to look after the distribution of assistance to the widows of the church (Acts 6). With an angelic face, he replied to the charges with a survey of the history of Israel and attack upon the Jews for continuing the tradition of their fathers and killing of the Messiah (Acts 6-7).
What is the ordo salutis?
Ordo Salutis means order of salvation. This is a logical order, not necessarily chronological. ***Remember Romans 8:30 • Election (not in traditional order of salvation lists but is definitely implied) o Eph. 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. • Effectual Calling (WCF 10) o Rom. 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. • Regeneration o 2 Cor. 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation." o Tit. 3:5 "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit," o Jn. 3:3 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. • Faith and Repentance (WCF 14) o Mk. 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." • Justification (WCF 11) o Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, o Rom. 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, • Adoption (WCF 12) o Gal. 4:4-5 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. o Rom 8:14-15 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" • Sanctification (WCF 13) o Eph. 5:26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, o 1 Cor. 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. • Perseverance (WCF 17) o Phil. 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. o Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, • Glorification (WCF 32) o Rom. 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. o Phil. 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Define And Defend The "Perspicuity" Of Scripture.
Perspicuity means clear (able to see through). 1. Clarity in Essentials: The essentials of the faith are clear enough for anyone to understand (Deut. 30:11-14 "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off...But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it."; Psa. 119:130; Mt. 19:14 "Let the children come to me..."). 2. Less Clarity in Non-Essentials: But there are other things in Scripture that are less clear but are not essential (Rom. 11:33-36 'How unsearchable are his judgments...'; 2 Pet. 3:16 'There are some things in them that are hard to understand...'). a. WCF 1.7 - All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
The Apostles
Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Batholomeu; Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot. BAPTJSM B - Bartholomew A - Andrew P- Peter, Philip T- Thomas, Thaddaeus J- James the Son of Zebedee (greater), James the Son of Alphaeus (lesser), Judas, John S- Simon the Cananaean M- Matthew
Mind of Christ
Philippians 2
Pressing toward the mark
Philippians 3 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Beatitudes
Poor in spirit Mourn Meek Hunger/thirst Merciful Pure in heart Peacemakers Persecuted
What is the Amyraldian view of God's decrees?
Popularized by Moses Amyraut (after the Synod of Dort, 1643). • 4-Point Calvinism - rejected Limited Atonement for Unlimited Atonement. Emphasizes a person's faith over God's election. o Christ's atonement is unlimited in scope but limited in application. He atoned for all but his atonement only applies to those who put faith in him. • In his view, God decreed universal salvation but this universal salvation can only be applied upon the condition of faith. o His Decree Order: Decrees universal salvation Decrees the Fall Decrees the application of that salvation as contingent upon faith
Other views of the millennium
Postmillennialism 1C. THE MILLENNIUM: "THE PRESENT AGE WILL GRADUALLY MERGE INTO THE MILLENNIAL AGE AS AN INCREASINGLY LARGER PROPORTION OF THE WORLD'S INHABITANTS ARE CONVERTED THRU THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL" AH 175. - Evangelization of the whole world before the return of Christ. - Doesn't take into account the growing tribulation in Matt 24 or the antichrist/apostasy in 2 Thessalonians. 2C. THE BINDING OF SATAN MEANS HE CANNOT PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL DURING THE PRESENT AGE. 3C. THE TIMING OF CHRIST'S RETURN: AFTER THE MILLENNIUM 4C. THE SECOND COMING: A SINGLE EVENT 5C. THE RESURRECTION: ONE GENERAL RESURRECTION Premillennialism - Historic: 1C. THE MILLENNIUM: CHRIST'S REIGN ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS AFTER HIS RETURN & BEFORE THE ETERNAL STATE 2C. THE BINDING OF SATAN MEANS HE WILL BE UNABLE TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS DURING THE FUTURE MILLENNIUM. 3C. THE TIMING OF CHRIST'S RETURN: BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM 4C. THE SECOND COMING: A SINGLE EVENT 5C. TWO RESURRECTIONS, ONE BEFORE AND ONE AFTER THE MILLENNIUM - Dispensational: 1C. THE MILLENNIUM: CHRIST'S REIGN ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS AFTER HIS RETURN & BEFORE THE ETERNAL STATE. ADD A JEWISH CHARACTER WITH RESTORED TEMPLE AND SACRIFICES. 2C. THE BINDING OF SATAN MEANS HE WILL BE UNABLE TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS DURING THE FUTURE MILLENNIUM. 3C. THE TIMING OF CHRIST'S RETURN: BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM 4C. THE SECOND COMING WILL OCCUR IN TWO STAGES: THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH BEFORE THE TRIBULATION AND THE SECOND COMING TO EARTH AFTER THE TRIBULATION AND BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM. 5C. THREE RESURRECTIONS, AT RAPTURE, BEFORE AND AFTER THE MILLENNIUM
What are the "means of grace?"
Preaching of the Word Sacraments - Baptism and the Lord's Supper Prayer
Ezekiel (person)
Prophet to Israel (Ezekiel 1) Wife dies to symbolize judgment (Ezekiel 24) The Watchman (Ezekiel 33) Witnessed the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37) Means "God strengthens." Deported to Babylonia with Jehoiachin in 597 (2 Ki 24:14-17). Received a call as prophet (1:2) five years later. Ministered to the exiles in Babylon.
Deborah
Prophetess in Judges 4 Summoned and Instructed Barak Defeated the Canaanites Song in Judges 5 A prophetess and judge of Israel. She was a judge in the ordinary, non-military sense. Known for her judicial and charismatic renown. She commanded Barak to take the field as Israelite commander-in-chief against Sisera and then accompanied him. Sisera was crushed at the battle Kishon.
Inerrancy of Scripture
Psalm 12: The words of the Lord are pure Proverb 30:Every word of God is flawless John 10: The word of God cannot be broken 2 Tim 3:16-17
Revelation of God in Nature
Psalm 8: God made the Cosmos and creatures Psalm 19: The cosmos declares God's glory Romans 1: God has always been seen in creation Acts 17: God dwells in creation, not temples
1 Thessalonians
Purpose: Paul wrote this letter to encourage new believers in their faith, to exhort them to godly living, to give them assurance about the eternal state of believers who had died, and to defend the integrity of his ministry as an apostle. Don't need to know outline. Know key verse. Option #1 Greetings, encouragement, and concern (1-3) Live a pleasing life (4.1-12) Live faithfully in light of the Lord's return (4.13-ch. 5)
Galatians
Purpose: Paul's letter to the Galatians was addressed to a group of churches in Galatia, a region of present-day Turkey. Paul had preached the gospel in these churches. He wrote to counter those who taught that Christians must be circumcised in order to be accepted by God - a false gospel. Basis: right gospel, right call, right character (1-2) Belief: right standing by grace through faith (3-4) Behavior: right living through God's Spirit (5-6)
2 Corinthians
Purpose: Paul's second letter to the Corinthians discusses some of the things previously addressed but also deals with new issues. While 1 Corinthians called for believers to be unified with each other, in this letter PAUL URGES THE CHURCH TO BE UNIFIED WITH HIM IN HIS MINISTRY. Paul's opponents were undermining his work, claiming that his suffering (11:24-29) proved he was not a true apostle. Paul responds that his suffering highlights his dependence on Christ, as it points to Christ's strength rather than his own. Outline: Paul suffers for their comfort and explains the ministry of reconciliation (1-7) - Paul's boast (Paul defends his conduct with the Corinthians) (1-2) - Paul's ministry of the new covenant as ministry of the H.S. (3) - Paul's encouragement in his ministry (why he doesn't lose heart) (4-6) - Paul's call for church discipline and joy over repentance (6-7) Paul pleads for Corinthians to contribute (8-9) Paul appeals to rebellious minority in Corinth (10-13) - Humility, boasts in weakness, etc.
1 Corinthians
Purpose: The city of Corinth was at the heart of an important trade route in the ancient world. Like many cities that thrive on trade, Corinth had a reputation for sexual immorality, religious diversity, and corruption. The church that Paul planted there (Acts 18) floundered under all of these influences and began to divide over various issues. First Corinthians addresses many practical questions dividing the church. Greetings and thanksgiving: Christological pastoral focus (1.1-9) Paul responds to division and deviance (1.10-ch. 6) - Divisions over christian preachers - Apollos and Paul (1-4) - Incest and the need for discipline, sexual immorality and the body's resurrection (5-6) Paul responds to theological issues (7.1-16:12) - Marriage, divorce, unchangeable circumstances (7:1-24) - The betrothed and widows (7:25-40) - Food offered to idols (chs. 8-11:1) - Head coverings and worship (11:2-16) - Social snobbery at Lord's Table (11:17-34) - Elevating spiritual gifts over one another (chs. 12-14) - The futility of faith if the dead aren't raised (ch. 15) Farewell and blessing (16:13-24)
2 Thessalonians
Purpose: This letter from the apostle Paul was probably written shortly after his first letter to the church in Thessalonica (ca. AD 51). He had been boasting of them to other churches, telling of their faith and their love for each other in the face of persecution. Paul reminded them that God will repay their persecutors. He also addressed two recurring problems in this church. First, they were concerned that the Lord had already returned. Second, he admonished them not to be idle. Option #1 Stand firm in Christ's coming judgment (1) Stand firm against the coming Man of Lawlessness (2) Stand firm in prayer, work, and doing good (3)
Numbers
Purpose: To call the 2nd generation of the Exodus community to take possession of Canaan as God's Holy Army by avoiding the failures of 1st generation. Wanderings (36) 1-10 Preparing Israel's 1st army at Sinai 11-25 Failure of Israel's 1st army & wandering in desert 26-36 Preparing Israel's 2nd army for conquest
Chronicles
Purpose: To encourage and direct the RETURNEES in reestablishing Israel's kingdom after the exile with special emphases on a rebuilt and reformed Temple; Davidic leadership; and the reunification of "all Israel" represented in Jerusalem. *Don't need to know outline, but memorize key verses Genealogies of God's people (1-9) United Kingdom (10-2 Chr 9) Divided Kingdom (2 Chr. 10-28) Reunited Kingdom (29-36)
Judges
Purpose: To establish the need for a godly King who would consolidate Israel's power to complete the conquest and lead her in covenant faithfulness. Cycles (21) 1-2 Military failure of Israel 3-16 Cycles of good and bad under the judges 17-21 Moral failure of Israel (need a king!)
Leviticus
Purpose: To explain God's provision of substitutionary atonement through Israel's priestly representatives, which makes forgiveness and restitution possible so that Israel can dwell with her Holy LORD. Holiness (27) 1-7 The sacrifices the Lord requires 8-10 The priests the Lord desires 11-15 Recognizing and remedying uncleanness 16-27 Living as a holy nation
Samuels
Purpose: To explain that God's covenant with David's house remained Israel's best hope for a stable future, though David's sins had brought covenant curse of exile on her. *Don't need to know outline, but memorize key verses Kingdom (31 and 24) Messianic hope previewed (1-2.11) Samuel prepares for the kingdom (2.12-ch. 7) Saul's kingdom fails (8-15) David's kingdom rises (16-2 Sam 8) David's kingdom has troubles (2 Sam 9-20) Messianic hope reviewed (2 Sam 21-24)
Kings
Purpose: To explain that the exile of Israel by Assyria (722 BC) and of Judah by Babylon (586 BC) were just acts of God's judgment for apostasy and to call for repentance, so that the covenant might be renewed and they might return to the land. *Don't need to know outline, but memorize key verses Division and Exile (22 and 25) Hope and apostasy in Solomon (1 Kgs 1-11) Apostasy and hope in Divided Kingdom (12- 2 Kgs 17) Apostasy and hope in Judah (2 Kgs 18-25)
Ruth
Purpose: To illustrate covenant faithfulness in David's ancestor, Ruth the Moabite, as one demonstration of the legitimacy of his Kingship. *Don't need to know outline, but memorize key verses Kinsman Redeemer (4) 1 Naomi's bitterness and emptiness 2 Ruth discovers her kinsmen-redeemer 3 Boaz promises to give her a kinsmen-redeemer 4:1-12 Boaz becomes her kinsmen-redeemer 4:13-22 Naomi's blessing and provision
Romans
Purpose: To pave his way for his upcoming visit. He needed the Church in Rome to be his next missionary base from which to reach the rest of western Europe, especially Spain. For this, the Roman church needed to know him and the content of his message. Paul's introduction and his gospel of God's righteousness (1.1-17) God's righteousness reveals the sinfulness of Jews and Gentiles (1.18-3.20) God's righteousness reveals salvation for Jews and Gentiles (3.21-ch. 8) God's righteousness reveals the interconnection between Jews and Gentiles (9-11) - God's promises to Israel and Israel's rejection of those promises, pursuing the Law not by faith but as if righteousness was through works Right worship demands righted relationships (12-15.13) - Marks of Xian community (12), respect civil authorities (13) Future ministry demands righted relationships (15.14-ch. 16) - Paul's plan to visit Rome on his way to Spain - Greetings (16)
Deuteronomy
Purpose: To reconstitute the 2nd Wilderness Generations as the LORD's Covenant People. Moses reminds them of God's faithfulness and love, but also of God's wrath on the previous generation of Israelites because of their rebellion. Repeatedly he charges Israel to keep the Law. Deuteronomy is a solemn call to love and obey the one true God (6:4-5). There are blessings for faithfulness and curses for unfaithfulness. The book closes with the selection of Joshua as Israel's new leader and the death of Moses. Covenant restated (34) Review of God's goodness (1-4) Review of God's Law (5-26) Blessings and Curses (27-30) Succession of Leadership (31-34)
Joshua
Purpose: To record the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan through conquest, through its distribution to the 12 Tribes, and through continued covenant faithfulness. Author: Unknown. maybe Joshua? *Don't need to know outline, but memorize key verses Conquest (24) Joshua commissions the people (1.1-9) Israel conquers the land (1.10-ch. 12) Israel divides its land inheritance (13-21) Joshua leads Israel in covenant renewal (22-24)
Exodus
Purpose: To remind God's people of the LORD's power over all rulers and natural forces in order to deliver and provide for them. He did this to be faithful to his covenant with Abraham and through the authorized leadership of Moses. This reminder urges them to take possession of the land. God redeems Israel from slavery and orders their life and worship through the giving of the Law. Exit (40) 1-18 God's deliverance of Israel led by Moses 19-24 God's covenant law mediated through Moses 25-40 God's holy dwelling established by Moses
Genesis
Purpose: To remind God's people that he had created an ideal world over which man and woman as bearers of God's image were to expand human vice-regency through multiplication and dominion. Author: Moses Date: ? Beginnings (50) 1-11 Primeval history 12-36 Early patriarchal history 37-50 Joseph narrative
John (book)
Purpose: Written to persuade people to believe in Jesus (cf. vv. 20:30-31). The book focuses on seven of Jesus' signs (miracles), to show his divinity. Prologue: Jesus is the Word (1.1-18) Jesus' public ministry (1.19-ch. 12) - (ch. 2) 1st miracle: Wedding at Cana, turning water into wine - (ch. 3) You must be born again - (ch. 4) Samaritan woman - (ch. 6) Walks on water, Bread of Life - (ch. 8) Light of the world, Before Abraham, "I am." - (ch. 10) Good Shepherd - (ch. 11) Death of Lazarus, Resurrection and Life - (ch. 12) triumphal entry in Jerusalem Jesus' private ministry (13-17) - ch. 13 washes the disciples' feet - ch. 15 I am the true vine - ch. 17 high priestly prayer Jesus' death and resurrection (18-20) Jesus commissions Peter (21)
Elijah
Raises the widow at Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17) Challenges Baal and Ends Drought (1 Kings 18) Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah (1 Kings 19) Condemns Ahab b/c of Naboth, Ahab repents (1 Kings 21) Rebukes Ahaziah (2 Kings 1) Ascends on fire (2 Kings 2) Will precede the Messiah (Malachi 3-4) John the Baptist fulfills typology 9th century prophet of Israel. Name means that "Yahweh is God." Prophetic ministry is recorded in 1Ki 17-19; 21; 2Ki 1-2. Major episodes in his life include his prediction of drought to Ahab and his subsequent flight, the Mt. Carmel contest, the flight to Horeb to avoid Jezebel's wrath, and the Naboth incident (Naboth as well as Israel failed to understand that land was a gift from Yahweh). All basically concerned with the clash between the worship of Yahweh and Baal.
What Is The "Reformed Faith?" (Explain As To A New Christian.)
Reformed Faith traces its history back through the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. The emphasis of the Reformation has been placed on the solas: 1. By Scripture Alone: Scripture is the way God fully reveals himself and the way of salvation. Tradition is helpful but always kept in check by Scripture (norming versus normed norm). Councils are helpful but may err. 2. By Christ Alone: Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved. Declared right, made right. 3. By Grace Alone: This restored relationship with God comes purely as a free gift of God. 4. By Faith Alone: All that one must do to be restored to God is to trust in Jesus. 5. Glory to God Alone: All of life is meant to glorify God who's in control of all!
Distinguish the Reformed and Arminian understandings of these doctrines.
Reformed View: • God ordains the destiny of people (predestination) and chooses them (election) or passes them by (reprobation) according to his eternal purpose, the counsel of his will, his good pleasure, and without any foreseen faith or merit. o WCF 3.5 This choice was completely independent of his foreknowledge of how his created beings would be or act. Neither their faith nor good works nor perseverance had any part in influencing his selection. Arminian View: • God ordains the destiny of people (predestination) and chooses them (election) or passes them by (reprobation) according to his FOREKNOWLEDGE of their repentance, faith, and perseverance or lack thereof. *Man's choice was not given to the sinner by God, but resulted from man's will.
Hezekiah
Reigned over Judah (2 Kings 18) (2 Chr 29) Rebelled Assyria (Isaiah 36) Defeated Sennacherib (Isaiah 37) Religious reform of Temple and Passover (2 Kings 18, 21, 2 Chr 30) 2Kgs. 18,19- 14th king of Judah. Son of Ahaz. Known for piety and care for previous teaching and traditions (Pr. 25:1). Undertook a major reform of religious practice in the 1st year of his sole reign. He re-established the true worship of Yahweh in the purified and renovated Temple. He reinstituted the Passover on a grand scale, even inviting Israelites from the North to participate (2Chron 30).
Repentance
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17 ESV) Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38 ESV)
In what sense is repentance "necessary?" Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Repentance is not to be rested in as a "work" to gain salvation but it is a necessary means by which one turns from sin and trusts in Christ to be saved. • Lk 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. • Acts 17:30-31 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." • Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. WCF 15.3 Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ, yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.
12 tribes of Israel
Repentant Sinners Love Jesus. Do Not Give Animals In Zoos Jelly Beans. Reuben Simeon (Levi) - dispersed among the tribes, had no land allotment Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Isaachar Zebulun Joseph - Ephraim and Manasseh Benjamin
The 7 Churches in Revelation
Revelation 2-3 Ephesus - had forsaken its first love Smyrna - would suffer persecution Pergamum - the church that needed to repent Thyatira - had a false prophetess Sardis - had fallen asleep Philadelphia - had endured patiently Laodicea - was lukewarm and insipid to God
The Great White Throne of Judgment
Revelation 20
The great white throne of judgment
Revelation 20
The millenium
Revelation 20
The Millenium
Revelation 20 Now is the figurative 1000 year reign of Christ. He will not come back and rule in Jerusalem literally, but he will come back once to fulfill the OT prophecies being partially fulfilled now and perfectly fulfilled in the new Jerusalem.
Heaven & Hell
Revelation 20: Lake of fire Revelation 21: New Heavens and New Earth Luke 16: Rich man and Lazarus Luke 23: The thief joins Jesus in paradise
Cornelius
Roman centurion of Caesarea in Palestine. A "God-fearer." First Gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10:1ff.).
Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12 Ephesians 4 1 Corinthians 12-14
Civil Government
Romans 13 Matthew 22 Revelation 13
Law & Grace
Romans 3: God is righteous, humans fall short of his glory Romans 8: Law of the Spirit frees us from the Law of Sin Galatians 3: Law is a curse, the righteous live by faith Galatians 5: To be justified by Law is to be away from grace
Locate and discuss at least two passages which deal with law and grace
Romans 5:20-ch. 6. Where sin increased, grace increased all the more so that just as sin reigned in death so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means. This is an argument against antinomianism. Paul has evidently been misunderstood when speaking of the magnitude and glory of grace, and so he addresses the problem. His point is that we are slaves to the one we obey. And that we should consider ourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. We are now slaves to righteousness. We are set free from the curse of the law, but now we are freely bound to the law of righteousness, to do what is right. James 2- what good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? James here is not speaking of the grounds of justification, but rather the fruit of what follows justification. He speaks of good works as they function in the arena of sanctification. A good way to understand James' teaching is the motto, "Justification is by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone."
Predestination
Romans 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 9 Ephesians 1:4 "...even as he chose us in him before the foundation..."
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "sanctification."
Sanctification is God's gracious work of conforming his elect to his image in putting sin to death and enabling them to live righteously by means of the Holy Spirit. • Rom. 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. • Col. 3:10 put on the new self which is being renewed after the image of the creator • 1 Cor. 6:11 washed and sanctified by the HS • 1 Thess. 4 live a life pleasing to God WSC Q. 35. What is sanctification? A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
What does saving faith believe? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Saving faith believes God's Word to be true because of God's speaking through it. • 1 Thess. 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. • Jn. 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. WCF 14.2 By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein...
What is saving faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Saving faith is a grace of God through which we receive and rest upon Jesus Christ. • Jn. 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. • Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. • Isa. 30:15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. • Phil. 3 • Gal. 2 WSC Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ? A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Where does saving faith come from? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Saving faith is a gracious gift from God himself by means of the Holy Spirit. WCF 14.1 THE grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls... • Eph. 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. • 2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Briefly Explain And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The Doctrine Of The Trinity.
Scripture proofs- Deut 6:4- oneness of God; Exodus 20- first commandment; John 10:30- I and the Father are One; John 1:1- deity of Christ; Matt 28:19- baptismal formula. • Are there more gods than one? There is but one only, the living and true God (WSC 5). • How many persons are there in the Godhead? There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory (WSC 6).
Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries (AD 30/33-70)
Scripture was circulated across major trade routes, the apostles and other Christians planted churches, the poor were cared for, etc. Some persecution arose under Nero (54-68, Peter and Paul probably martyred by Nero) and Vespasian who ordered General Titus to destroy Jerusalem (70). o Palestine (Judea, Samaria) o Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Bythinia, Cappadocia, Pamphylia, Crete) o Greco-Roman cities (Philip, Corinth, Thessalonica, Antioch, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Sardis, Thyatira, Laodicea, Colossae, Rome)
Types of offerings in Leviticus
Sin - atonement for sin Guilt - atonement for sin Burnt - expression of worship and dedication Grain - gift to God, thanks for provision? Fellowship - expression of devotion to God and fellowship with Him and one another
Samuel
Son of Hannah (1 Sam 1) Called by the Lord (1 Sam 3) Judges Israel (1 Sam 7) Warns against Kings (1 Sam 8) Anoints Saul (1 Sam 10) Anoints David (1 Sam 16) Samuel Dies (1 Sam 25) Son of the previously barren Hannah and Elkanah. Dedicated as a Nazirite before birth. While still a boy, experienced the prophetic call, and was established as a prophet of the Lord (1Sam 3). His final act was to anoint David, privately, to be the next king of Israel (1 Sam 16).
Abraham
Son of Terah, husband of Sarah and father of Isaac. The father of the faithful. He believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. Gen 12-25.
James (the greater)
Son of Zebedee. Called with his brother John to be one of the twelve (Matt 4:21). One of the sons of thunder (Mark 3) for bidding fire to come down from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village (Luke 9). Also asked for a place of honor in the kingdom (Mark 10). Eventually martyred by Herod Agrippa I in Jerusalem (Acts 12).
What is the Constitution of the PCA?
Subordinate to the Scriptures, it consists f the Westminster standards and the BCO, comprising 1) Form of Government, 2) Rules of Discipline, 3) Directory of worship
What is "subscription?"
Subscription is the vow a candidate takes that he affirms the statements in Scripture and in the Westminster Confession and Catechisms.
Joshua (person)
Succeeds Moses as leader (Numbers 27; Deut 34) Led the Conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 1-12) Settled the Promised Land (Joshua 24) A young man at the Exodus. In plains of the Jordan, was formally consecrated as Moses' successor to military leadership. Lead the Israelites into the conquest of the promised land. Book of Joshua
Define And Defend The "Sufficiency" Of Scripture.
Sufficiency means enough. Scripture is enough because it tells us enough about God, how to live our lives, and how to be saved. • ***2 Peter 1 "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness..." • Psa. 19:7-14 "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul..." • 2 Jn. 9 "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." • Deut. 8:3/Mt. 4 "that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." WCF 1.6 - The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture... WCF 1.4 - Sufficiency of Scripture also means that no tradition, no Church, and no human is enough to make God known apart from Scripture.
Adam
The Covenant of Works was made with Adam not only for himself, but for his posterity. All mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, fell with him and sinned with him in his first transgression. Gen 1-3.
Explain and defend (including Scripture proofs) the virgin birth.
The Holy Spirit came upon Mary to enable her to have a child without having had sex. This was a miracle in that God caused an event above and outside of the normal means of creation. 1. Jesus' virgin birth was foretold centuries before. a. Isa. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel 2. Jesus' virgin birth is confirmed by Mary's question and the angel's answer. a. Lk. 1:34-35 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
What is at stake in the "Lordship Controversy?" Explain and defend your view.
The Lordship Controversy says that one can be a "Christian" while not submitting oneself to Christ as Lord, meaning, that one doesn't have to have faith, repent, obey, or follow Christ as Lord because all of these would be considered 'works' and thus 'anti-faith'. This is a kind of radical salvation in which requires no works or confession of the Lord. • What is at stake here is having a faith without deeds, a gospel without Christ, and a confession on the lips without any allegiance from the heart to Christ as Lord of one's life. But Scripture is clear that true salvation (and thus true faith) is always accompanied by faith, repentance, good works, confessing and following Christ as Lord: • Rom. 10 confess with mouth and believe in heart that Jesus is Lord • Lk. 13 repent or perish • James 2 faith without deeds is dead • Mk 1 repent and believe the gospel It's also one of the offices that Christ executes as our Redeemer. He is our king, he subdues us to himself.
What is the basis of justification?
The basis of justification is the active (righteous life of Christ) and passive (death for sin) obedience of Jesus Christ and his righteousness imputed to us. Double imputation - we receive Christ's righteousness, Christ receives the punishment for our sin. 2 Cor 5:21 Furthermore, faith is not its basis because it's merely the instrument or vessel through which justification flows to us.
These cards are arranged by week according to the Chapell/Meek study guide for the PCA Licensure and Ordination Exam. The content is from left to right following the "Schedule of Assignments" on pg. 3: Book Outlines, Book Contents, Bible Content, Doctrines & Proofs, Theology, Catechism, BCO
The hope here is that all of the content will be arranged so that the student can study all of the material for one week in one space without having to flip back and forth between many different sections of notes.
What is the nature of the atonement? Discuss "penal substitutionary atonement."
The nature of the atonement includes: • Christ experiences God's wrath for our sins and dies thereby satisfying both the penalty for sin and the wrath of God toward sin. Then he transfers that atoning act to us and considers it our own. • Penal: Penalty for breaking a law • Substitutionary: taking the place of another • Atonement: cleansing for sin (expiation), satisfying God's wrath (propitiation), paying debt and release from slavery (redemption), and reconciling us to God.
Discuss the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. Defend from Scripture.
The old and new covenants are the SAME covenant of grace in that they are both gracious relational-bonds God has made with his people but are DIFFERENT in that they are applied differently under various dispensations. 1. Law as Guardian and Christ as Law-Fulfiller a. Gal. 3:23-26 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 2. Sacrifice for Atonement and Christ for Atonement a. Heb. 9:11-12 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 3. External Power and Internal Power a. Jer. 31:31-34 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." b. 2 Cor. 3:6-8 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 4. Old Ends and New Remains a. Heb. 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. 5. Salvation Looking Forward and Salvation Looking Backward a. Gen. 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." b. Gal. 4:4-5 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. A short summary would be: • Old administered by: o Law o Promises o Prophecies o Sacrifices o Circumcision o Passover o Types and Ordinances That all point to Christ. • New administered by: o Preaching o Sacraments WCF 7.5 This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the Gospel: under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all foresignifying Christ to come; which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament. WCF 7.6 Under the Gospel, when Christ, the substance, was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper: which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations. Larger Catechism (pretty much the same): WLC Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament? A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation. WLC Q. 35. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament? A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.
What are the ordinary parts or elements of worship?
The ordinary parts of worship are: • Reading of Scripture • Preaching of Scripture • Prayer • Sacraments • Singing songs • Offerings • Confessing faith • *Special occasions: oaths, vows, fasting, thanksgivings • * Lesson, revelation, tongue, interpretation (1 Cor. 14) 1 Cor. 14:26, 40 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up... 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. WCF 21.5 The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, the sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith and reverence, singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions, which are, in their several times and seasons... BCO 47-9 The Bible teaches that the following are proper elements of worship service: reading of Holy Scripture, singing of psalms and hymns, the offering of prayer, the preaching of the Word, the presentation of offerings, confessing the faith and observing the Sacraments; and on special occasions taking oaths.
What Is The Role Of Women In The Church? Support From The Scriptures.
The roles of women (and all non-ordained men) in the church is to exercise their gifts, which include: • Praying (1 Cor. 11:5) • Prophesying (1 Cor. 11:5) • Admonishing (Col. 3:16) • Teaching (Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 12) • Singing (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19-20) • Teaching younger women (Tit. 2:3-4) • Counseling (Acts 18:26) • Leading house churches with men (Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19) • Serving (Rom. 16:1)* • Tongues (1 Cor. 12) • Wisdom (1 Cor. 12) • Administrating (1 Cor. 12) • Discerning (1 Cor. 12) • Faith (1 Cor. 12) • Healing (1 Cor. 12) • Knowledge (1 Cor. 12) • Mercy (1 Cor. 12) • Encouraging (Rom. 12) • Giving (Rom. 12) • Hospitality (1 Pet. 4) • Evangelizing (Eph. 4) • Hymn picking (1 Cor. 14) • Giving revelation (1 Cor. 14) • Giving a lesson (1 Cor. 14)
What is meant by "Systematic Theology"? What Are Its Divisions?
The study that attempts to arrange the teaching of Scripture in a coherent fashion, expressing it in a contemporary form, and relating it to issues of practical Christian concern. Divisions: SEETAC (Soteriology) Salvation = application, the work of redemption (Ecclesiology) Church = means of grace (Eschatology) Last things (Theology Proper) God = being, attributes, works (Anthropology) Man & Sin = image of God, fall, redemption, restoration (Christology) Person & Work of Christ = person, states, office Also: (Pneumotology) Person & Work of the Holy Spirit (Bibliology) Scripture = God's authoritative revelation of himself
What is theodicy?
Theodicy = θεος ('God') + δικ (root of 'just') = attempting to justify God. "How can a good God allow evil?" A term used to refer to attempts to justify the ways of God to man. A successful theodicy resolves the problem of evil for a theological system and demonstrates that God is all-powerful, all-loving and just despite evil's existence.
What is "theonomy?" Evaluate it biblically.
Theonomy put simply is "God's Law" but the issue is how God's law is operative today in the life of believers. • Some lean toward almost every law being in force today (strong-theonomic). • Others lean toward almost every law being abrogated today (weak-theonomic). The Bible, however, appears to provide a mixture of the two. The application of God's law is dictated by: A. Redemptive History a. Christ abrogates ceremonial laws (Mk. 7; Heb. 9-10) - "he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." b. Christ abrogates civil laws of Israel (Acts 15 Jerusalem Council; Rom. 13; 1 Pet. 2) - Things like circumcision. c. Christ ensures that moral laws still stand (Exo. 20; Matt. 5) B. Cultural Circumstance a. Israel was to put fences on their roofs to protect their neighbors (Deut. 22) which today could be applied in principle as putting fences around one's pool. b. Paul forbids women from covering their heads in a worship service (1 Cor. 11) which appears to be some cultural act of propriety of showing that one is married and faithful which would be applied today by wearing wedding rings and proper clothing in the Christian gathering. In summary, we must take God's law on a case-by-case basis.
Why is there disagreement on this subject?
There is disagreement on how one might subscribe to the statements in the WCF and Catechisms. 1. Strict Subscription: no exceptions allowed; must affirm every statement to be ordained. 2. Good Faith Subscription: exceptions allowed for doctrines not vital to the religion. a. Semantic Exception: difference is semantic but not doctrinal. b. Doctrinal Exception: difference is doctrinal but not vital. 3. Loose Subscription: exceptions cohere in an overall system attempting to fit the PCA. a. Not allowed but some hold this.
Are these doctrines (predestination, election, reprobation) compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility?
These doctrines are compatible with real human choice and responsibility because God's choices and human choices are not in competition but instead work together. WCF 3.1 GOD from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, NOR IS VIOLENCE OFFERED TO THE WILL OF THE CREATURES, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. In other words, God is able to ordain the free choices of humans without violating their freedom or negating their responsibility (Exo. 3-14 and Rom. 9 with Pharaoh). • WSC Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
What is the "extra Calvinisticum?"
This is the doctrine that says that Christ's divine nature is outside of and beyond (extra) his human nature which preserves the fact that the natures are distinct and don't communicate their properties between one another. In other words, the divine nature of Christ can be said to be omnipresent beyond/outside of (extra) his human nature while his human nature cannot be said to be omnipresent. This also clears up the issue of communion between Lutherans and Calvinists: • Lutherans say that Christ's human nature has become 'ubiquitous' (omnipresent) because of his divine nature, therefore, his physical body can be said to be present in Communion. • ***Calvinists say that Christ's human nature is not omnipresent but that his divine nature is and thus we can rightly say that Jesus, the person, is present in Communion by means of his divine nature but he is not physically present by means of his human nature. WCF 8.2 So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion.
Define the following names: Lamb of God
This refers to the Passover lamb that was sacrificed as a sign over which God's judgment passed in the Exodus. Thus, Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God whose own blood averts the judgment of God that his people deserve because of their sin (Jn. 1).
Explain and defend the doctrine of the "communication of properties."
This refers to the question of how Christ's two natures (divine and human) communicate their properties to the one person of Christ. The answer is that both properties of the divine and the human are communicated fully to the one person of Christ but HIS NATURES DON'T COMMUNICATE PROPERTIES TO ONE ANOTHER. For example, Christ the person can be said to be all-knowing and all-powerful (divine properties) while at the same time can be said to be limited in knowledge and able to die (human properties). But this does not mean that his divine nature shared its all-knowing property with his human nature or that his human nature shared its limited knowledge with his divine nature. The natures are only shared in the one person and not with one another. ***WCF 8.2 So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, WITHOUT CONVERSION, COMPOSITION, or CONFUSION. WSC Q. 21. Who is the redeemer of God's elect? A. The only redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Define the following names: Son of Man
This term means 'someone descended from man' (Psa. 8; Ezekiel) emphasizing Jesus' humanity however it can also refer to a special human being who is before Yahweh himself and has Yahweh-qualities (Dan. 7). This is the most often self-ascribed term by Jesus for himself emphasizing his humanity, his representativeness as our head, and his deity.
What about those who never had the chance to hear about Jesus?
Those who have not heard of Christ are still condemned but not for their ignorance of Christ but for their sin. We are not condemned for ignorance but for our willful rejection of God. o Rom. 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. o WLC Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature? A. They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of his body the church. Apologetic Moment: Jesus has harsher words for those who know the truth (religious leaders) but don't follow or live it out. - Mt. 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
How does he exercise his authority?
To rule and teach the church through his Word and Spirit by the ministry of men (officers) for the edification and establishment of his kingdom
Nestorianism
Two natures, Two persons. Idea that Jesus is fully God and fully man but two separate persons not all at once. For example, Mary gave birth to a man, not God. o This creates a distinction in Jesus' persons that don't exist in Scripture. Scripture never says that Jesus is God and man in a separate sense but that he is BOTH God and man together (Jn. 1; Col. 1:15; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:3; Jn. 20 with Thomas' confession; Phil. 2). The Council of Chalcedon in 451 condemned Nestorianism
Can unbelievers do good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Unbelievers can do good works in the sense that they might be what God commands however they cannot do truly good works because they lack faith in God and don't do those good deeds to God's glory. • Rom. 2:14-16 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. • Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. • ***Rom. 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (And John 15 - "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." • Rom. 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." WCF 16.7 Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God; and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.
What Practical Use Is The Doctrine Of The Final Judgment? Include Scripture Proofs.
WCF 33.3 As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen • Deters sin • Consolation for the godly when suffering • Remain watchful/Not become lax in sin (carnal security) (Mt 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.) o Rom. 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. o 1 Pet. 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. o 1 Pet. 4:16-17 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? o 2 Cor. 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. o 2 Thess. 1:5-7 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
What is God?
WSC #4 God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Discuss the Covenant of Grace.
WSC 20 Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer. WCF 7.6 ...There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations. • Gracious - God entered into this covenant freely for his people's good and so the covenant itself cannot be earned but is only to be a free gift. • Trinitarian - Father, Son, and Spirit are involved in this covenant with his people. Father elects. Son atones. Spirit applies. • Eternal - God entered into this covenant from all eternity, as in, before time began. • ***Blessings and Curses - There is blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience even within the covenant of grace (Christ took on both the obedience and disobedience of his people). • ***Particular and Universal - God's salvation is particular to his elect but the blessings afforded by it are universal in scope in that it blesses the whole earth. • ***Continuity - This covenant is the same throughout time but is applied differently in the old covenant and the new. • ***Unconditional and Conditional - It is unconditional with respect to God in that he will carry out his promise to save his elect but it is conditional with respect to his elect who upon receiving his blessings must respond in faith.
What Do The Scriptures Principally Teach?
WSC 3 - A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. • Beliefs about God: o God is Creator (Gen. 1) o God is Redeemer (Exo. 20) o God is Jesus (Jn. 14 - "I am the way, the truth, and the life...") o God is the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28, baptized into the triune name) o God is Judge (Gen. 18 - Sodom and Gomorrah) • Duty God requires of man: o Fear him, walk in his ways, love him, obey him (Deut. 10 - "What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?; Micah 6:8) o Love with all heart (Mark 12:30) o Love neighbor as self (Mark 12:31) o Believe that Jesus is the Christ and follow him (Jn. 20)
What are the decrees of God?
WSC 7. What are the decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. • Cf. Eph. 1 "...him who works all things according to cthe counsel of his will,"
How does God execute his decrees?
WSC 8 - God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
What are God's works of providence?
WSC Q. 11. What are God's works of providence? A. God's works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
Who is the only Redeemer of God's elect?
WSC Q. 21. Who is the redeemer of God's elect? A. The only redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. • Lord Jesus Christ • Eternal Son of God • Became man • Continues to be God and man in two natures and one person forever
How was Christ Born?
WSC Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
What are the offices of Christ? How does Christ execute them?
WSC Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer? A. Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation. • Prophet • Priest • King o PROPHET: Christ reveals God's will for our salvation to us by Word and Spirit. WSC Q. 24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. o PRIEST: Christ offers himself as a sacrifice to satisfy God's justice and continues to intercede for us before God as we continue to sin. WSC Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us. o KING: Christ causes us to us submit to him, rules over us, defends us from evil, and holds back and ultimately conquers sin, Satan, and death. WSC Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
What is the humiliation of Christ?
WSC Q. 27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist? A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. • Condescension in birth • Low condition of weakness and service in life • Under law in that the Lawgiver submitted himself to his own law • Suffering in life (temptations, physical pain, emotional pain, relational pain) • God's wrath • Accursed death for sinners • Burial and submission to death for a time More resources: WLC Q. 46. What was the estate of Christ's humiliation? A. The estate of Christ's humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection. WLC Q. 47. How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth? A. Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth, in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in the bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fullness of time to become the son of man, made of a woman of low estate, and to be born of her; with divers circumstances of more than ordinary abasement. WLC Q. 48. How did Christ humble himself in his life? A. Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law, which he perfectly fulfilled; and by conflicting with the indignities of the world, temptations of Satan, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition. WLC Q. 49. How did Christ humble himself in his death? A. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by his disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God's wrath, he laid down his life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross. WLC Q. 50. Wherein consisted Christ's humiliation after his death? A. Christ's humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day; which hath been otherwise expressed in these words, He descended into hell.
Briefly discuss the length of the days of creation.
WSC Q. 9. What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
10 Plagues
What Funny Granny Fries Livers But Hates Livers Done Dryly? Water to blood Frogs Gnats Flies Disease to livestock Boils Hail Locusts Darkness Death to firstborn
Where did man's soul come from? When?
Where? • Pre-existence (Plato, Origen): Soul existed before embodied. • Traducianism (Tertullian, Augustine): Soul is generated from parents (inheritance). • Creationism (Pelagius): Each soul is directly created by God. • My View: The life ('soul') of a person comes from God when God creates humans by primary and secondary causes. 1. Primary: God directly created the first man by taking dust (material) and breathing life into it ('soul') to make a living creature (Gen. 2:7) and then formed the first woman from part of the man's body (Gen. 2:21-22). 2. Primary and Secondary: God creates life ('soul') and body after the first pair by means of the secondary causes of birth (Psa. 139; Zech. 12:1). When? Man's life ('soul') comes from God at conception (not prior to it nor after it). WCF 4.2 After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls... WLC Q. 17. How did God create man? A. After God had made all other creatures, he created man male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man, endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it, and dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. WCF 32.1 The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption: but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.
What about the sincere Buddhist (or Muslim, or Unitarian)?
While their sincerity and good deeds are commended by God - Jesus is the only way to God, therefore, they will be judged for their sins before God if they don't accept Christ because God can't accept someone who has rejected him. o Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. o Lk. 12:47-48 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. o Rom. 2:6-6-11 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. o Rom. 2:14-16 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Which Are Communicable?
Wisdom/Knowledge (James 1:5; Prov. 2) Holiness (Lev 11:45) Moral attributes: Justice, Goodness, Truth (Mic. 6:8; Galatians 5)
Paul- The apostle.
Writer of 13 letters. Formerly Saul, persecutor of followers of the Way. On the road to Damascus, met the Lord Jesus in a violent fashion (Acts 9).
Can a sinner do anything good? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
Yes and no. • CAN'T: Sinners can't do good in a spiritual sense that pleases God through glorifying him, believing in him, and loving him. o Gen. 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. o Rom. 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." o Rom. 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. o 1 Cor. 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. • CAN: Sinners can do good in a general sense of right and wrong in the world. And sinners, still made in God's image can produce beautiful, true and good things. o Cyrus, king of Persia, was used by God to release the Israelite exiles and let them return to their land to rebuild the wall and Temple (2 Chronicles 36; Ezra 1). o Lk. 6:33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. o Rom. 2:14-15 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. o In Acts 17, Paul uses the poetry of the Athenians to point to the existence of God. • WCF 9.3 Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.
Can believers keep God's law? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs
Yes and no. Believers can keep God's law by the Spirit but never perfectly because of enduring sin. • Eccl. 7:20 • Rom. 7 Internal war between flesh and spirit • 1 Jn. 1 "If we say we have no sin, we are lying." • 1 Pet. 1 • Gal. 5 Fruits of the Spirit WSC Q. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Did He permit sin?
Yes he did. • WCF 6.1 Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptations of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit. This their sin, God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory. • God permits sin, not by approving of it, but by allowing and ordaining that his creatures sin (Gen. 3, Genesis 50 "What you meant for evil...")
Did He decree sin?
Yes he did. Isa. 46:9-10 "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done" • WSC Q. 7. What are the decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. o He foreordains sin. • WSC Q. 11. What are God's works of providence? A. God's works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. o God preserves and governs even the sinful actions of his creatures. • WCF 3.1 God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. o God decrees sin o God doesn't author sin o God doesn't violate the will of his creatures o God doesn't violate second causes o God establishes/ensures/allows all of it
Do miracles occur today? Explain.
Yes, I believe miracles occur today. 1. God is still free to do what he pleases. God has done miracles in the past and he is free to do them in the future as he wishes. 2. Scripture does not say miracles have ceased. a. 1 Cor. 13 says some gifts will pass away but the implication is that this will happen when all is made perfect at the final judgment and not during the church age. "When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away." b. 2 Cor. 12:12 links miracles with the apostles however it doesn't say that miracles only happen with apostles. c. Heb. 2:3-5 simply says that the Holy Spirit has caused miracles to happen to approve of the gospel but again doesn't say who did them nor that they will cease. 3. Scripture says that miracles are a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. 1 Cor. 12:10 says 'the working of miracles' is a gift that the Holy Spirit dispenses to his people for the sake of blessing the Church.
Was the atonement necessary? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
Yes, atonement is necessary. 1. God is holy and just - therefore, he must punish sinners for their sin. He cannot overlook sin because that would make him immoral and unjust. a. Exo. 34:7 "but who will by no means clear the guilty..." 2. Sin makes us guilty and deserving of God's wrath. Sin is by definition a defiance of God which is cosmic treason and deserving of his wrath. a. 1 Jn. 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. b. Jas. 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. c. Eph. 2:3 by nature children of wrath 3. Sin causes us to die (physically and spiritually) which separates us from God. The natural consequence of sin is death and being cursed - which separates us from God who is our Life. a. Gen. 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." b. Rom. 5 c. Deut. 28 rejecting God's voice leads to curses 4. Sinners cannot atone for themselves. Sin makes us spiritually dead (Eph 2) and thus unable and unwilling to come to God. a. Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins b. Rom. 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 5. Christ himself said atonement was necessary. a. Mk 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." b. Lk. 24:26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
Is Divorce An Option For Those Abused By Their Spouses (Physically Or Otherwise)? Defend.
Yes. 1. It would appear that the primary thinkers before, during, and after Westminster each allowed some kind of divorce if willful and persistent abuse was occurring in a marriage meaning that the writers of Westminster likely had abuse in mind when providing "willful desertion" as a right to divorce (WCF 24.6) These thinkers included: a. William Ames b. William Perkins c. William Gouge d. Richard Baxter 2. Based on Scripture, if abuse is occurring the couple ought to separate for a time, not divorce, and then seek to get back together (involving the broader community of the church and state is implied but not stated). a. 1 Cor. 7:10-11 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 3. But if willful abuse continues in spite of church discipline then desertion has occurred because one spouse has deserted one of the vital purposes of marriage: to be a helper. a. 1 Cor. 7:15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. b. Gen. 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
May Those Who Have Been Divorced Remarry? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
Yes. • Deut. 24:1-4 allows for remarriage after marriage (but not to one's original spouse if they remarried someone in between). • Rom. 7:3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. • 1 Cor. 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
Can a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Yes. • Heb. 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. • Eph. 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, • 1 Jn. 5.13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." • ***Rom. 8.16 "The Spirit himself testifies with your spirit that we are God's children" Also, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) - if these things are present in our lives we can have assurance that the Spirit dwells within us. Cf. 2 Peter 1 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Is There A Hell? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
Yes. • Mt. 25 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." • Lk. 16 • Mt. 5 • Rev. 20 • 2 Thess. 1:9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, • Jude 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. • Rev. 21 Unclean are shut out
Is there a real, personal devil? Explain from Scripture.
Yes. • The devil used a serpent as his mouthpiece for tempting Eve (Gen. 3). • The devil made a deal with God to test Job (Jb. 1). • The devil directly tempted Jesus (Mt. 4). • The devil demanded Jesus to allow him to make the disciples fall (Lk. 22). • The devil is to be resisted (1 Pet 5). • The devil prowls around seeking to destroy (1 Pet. 5). • The devil will one day be defeated and judged by God (Rev. 20).
Does a believer have free will? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
Yes. A believer has free will because his will is renewed to be able to not sin and to follow the Lord (yet still with the ability to sin). • Jn. 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. • Rom. 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. • Rom 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. • Phil. 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. • Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. • WCF 9.4 When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by His grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, or only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil. • WSC Q. 35. What is sanctification? A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Is there a present validity to the Covenant of Works (Life)? What is it?
Yes. Adam is our federal head so what happened to him still applies to us today in two ways: • Positively: It continues positively in that we still share in God's covenant commitment with his creation and with our responsibility to fill, rule, and spread God's image through it by our obedience to him. • Negatively: It continues negatively in that we still share in Adam's original sin and thus still experience the curse of this original covenant in that we experience misery, physical death, and spiritual death (namely, separation from God).
Was Adam's will (before he sinned) free? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
Yes. Adam was free when he was created. • Eccl. 7:29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. However, his freedom was mutable in that he was able to sin or not sin. • Gen. 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." • WCF 9.2 Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to do that which was good and well pleasing to God; but yet, mutably, so that he might fall from it.
Were Old Testament believers saved by Christ? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
Yes. Big Idea: NT believers are saved by looking back to Christ and OT believers were saved looking forward to Christ. OT believers were saved by Christ because Christ's salvation applies to his elect in all ages, which includes OT believers who preceded his incarnation, by means of the promises, types, and sacrifices which each pointed to Christ. WCF 8.6 Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent's head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world; being yesterday and today the same, and forever. • Adam and Eve: Gen. 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." • Moses: Jn. 5:46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 1 Cor. 10:1-3 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Heb. 8:5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." • Abraham: Jn. 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." Gal. 3:8-9 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Was Christ a human person?
Yes. Christ was a human person because he was truly human. Yet, he was also at the same time God. o He was born of humans. o He lived a human life with its weaknesses and needs. o He died a human death. Philippians 2 - "being born in the likeness of man..."
Are Christians under obligation to keep a Sabbath? Defend with Scripture proofs.
Yes. Christians ought to keep the Sabbath. It's one of the 10 commandments! • Exo. 20:8-11 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. It's the model that God himself set when he made everything and rested from his work. • Exo. 31:17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.' Sabbath rest reminds us that we belong to the Lord and were made to depend on him. • Isa. 58:13-14 "If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." What about Paul's statements that seem to suggest that the Sabbath is not binding for Christians? • Rom. 14:5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. o Context: Disputes between Jews and Gentiles Christians over what people ate and over what days people set aside as special was causing discord so Paul told them that what mattered most was not what they ate or what day they observed but if they did so for the Lord's glory. • Gal. 4:9-11 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. o Context: Disputes between Jewish and Gentile Christians over which days, months, seasons, and other practices aided them in justifying them before the Lord caused discord so Paul told them that observing religious duties is not the gospel and thus isn't what justifies us and makes us one in Christ. • Col. 2:16-17 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. o Context: Disputes between Jewish and Gentile Christians over various food and festival and Sabbath observances caused discord more than likely because Jewish Christians maintained a Saturday Sabbath while Gentile Christians began observing a Sunday Sabbath (with likely mixture in between) and thus caused issues over which day they ought to observe. So Paul tells them that Christ is what unifies them and not food, drink, and days. • In summary, it seems that Paul is not discarding the observance of the Sabbath for the Christian (whether Jew or Gentile) but instead is discarding an unhealthy fixation on what food, days, and seasons they will partake in as opposed to fixating on their union together because of the gospel of Christ. And so, they ought to care more about being unified in Christ than about what they eat or what days or times they observe. Thus, Paul is not discarding the Sabbath for Christians but is warning them to not make it the badge of one's inclusion in Christ when there is disagreement about when it is practiced. WCF 21.7 As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in His Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages, He has particularly appointed one day in seven, for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week: and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which, in Scripture, is called the Lord's Day, and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.
Should a Christian ever take an oath or vow? Explain. Defend with Scripture proofs.
Yes. Christians should take oaths and vows. • Oath: Calling on God to witness to the truth of a statement or promise. • Vow: Promising God that you will do something. Scripture permits oaths and vows: • Exo. 22:10-11 "If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, 11 an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. • Psa. 50:14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, • 1 Thess. 5:27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. • Acts 18:18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. What about the statements of Jesus and James? • Mt. 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil • ***Jam. 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. • What Jesus and James forbid is the taking of oaths that call upon heaven, earth, or Jerusalem because these oaths to created things were meant to make it easier for the oath/vow-taker to become an oath/vow-breaker. Furthermore, making an oath or vow to anything in creation is still making it to God who is the Creator of it all. Thus, the teaching is that one should not take oaths and vows lightly nor should they find ways to break them. • WCF 22.1-7
Is there any good remaining in a fallen, sinful man? Explain.
Yes. Good remains in fallen man. Sin has affected us totally but not fully. • Rom. 2 says that even unbelievers follow God's law. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. • Also, Genesis 9, God's covenant with Noah - God affirms that though sin has entered into the world, man is still made in God's image. WCF 8.2 This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. • Notice SOME remnants of corruption remain in EVERY part Calvin stated, at the Fall, the image of God in man was shattered, but not completely destroyed. There are "sparks of the divine" in every human being.
Does Christ have a soul?
Yes. He took on the fullness of human life. o WSC Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. o Phil. 2:7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. o Heb. 2 Became just like one of us. "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus..."
Is Jesus really the only way of salvation? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
Yes. Jesus is the only way of salvation because he is the only way God has provided to reconcile our relationship back to him. He is both God and man. He is both Judge and the One who was judged for our sins. Apart from him we all remain dead in our sins and stuck under God's wrath. Our ignorance of him is no excuse because our sins have forfeited our lives before the Holy God (Rom. 1). • Jn. 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. • Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." WCF 10.4 ...much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.
Is the will of man free?
Yes. We are free to do what we most want to do. We are free to act as we are. • Genesis 2 - God tells Adam and Eve to not sin by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. By doing this, he isn't forcing them to love him or remain in relationship with him. He is giving them a choice - to choose him and life or to choose life without him (autonomy) and death. • Degrees of Freedom o Created - able to not sin and able to sin. Eccl. 7:29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. o Fallen - unable to not sin. Rom. 8:7 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. o Redeemed - able to not sin and able to sin. Rom. 6:16-18 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Phil. 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. o Glorified - unable to sin. 1 Jn. 3:2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. • WSC Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God. • WCF 9.1 God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined good, or evil.
Paul's Missionary Journeys
a. Acts 13, 14- 1st b. Acts 16-18- 2nd c. Acts 18:23-21- 3rd
The sermons of Acts
a. Acts 2- Peter preaching at Pentecost; Peter and John before the Sanhedrin; b. Acts 7- Stephen before Sanhedrin c. Acts 13- Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch; d. Acts 14- Paul and Barnabas at Iconium; e. Acts 17- Paul in Athens; f. Acts 20- Eutychus in Troas; g. Acts 22- Paul speaks to the Asian crowd in Aramaic; h. Acts 23- Paul before Sanhedrin; i. Acts 24- Paul before Felix; j. Acts 25- Paul before Festus and Agrippa (26); k. Acts 28- Paul preaches in Rome under guard.
Reconciliation
bringing God and man back into right relationship.
List of Judges
circa 1375 BC Othniel Ehud Shamsar Deborah Gideon Abimelech Tola Jair Jephthah Ibzan Elon Abdon Samson
Expiation
cleansing and removing of sin.
Malachi
mid-400s Purpose: Temple completed but had not produced Messianic Age people expected. Malachi joins Ezra (and Nehemiah) in calling the priesthood (which had become corrupt) and people among later returnees to repent because the Messiah is coming! Worship, which had become routine; divorce, which was widespread; social justice, which was being ignored; and tithing, which was neglected. Option #1 Jacob Loved, Esau Hated (1) Unfaithful priests, unfaithful people (false religion) (2) The Lord will come to purify the robbers of God (false religion) (3) The Day of the Lord will restore God's people (4) Option #2 Priests and people called to repent of offering blemished sacrifices (1-2:16) Judgment and blessing are coming on the LORD's Day through the messenger of his covenant to establish righteousness (2:17-4:6)
Redemption
paying debts for saving and buying sinners out of slavery to sin.
Propitiation
satisfying the wrath of God.
Atonement
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:25 ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)
Where is the law of God summed up?
• 10 Commandments (Exo. 20; Deut. 5) • Mt. 22 - the two great commandments Mt 22 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
What Censures May The Church Impose?
• Admonition • Suspension of Lord's Supper • Excommunication (WCF 30.4)
Under What Circumstances Is Divorce Permissible? Defend Your Answer With Scripture.
• Adultery (Deut. 24; Mt. 19) • Willful Desertion (1 Cor. 7:10-11, 15) • WCF 24.6 Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduly to put asunder those whom God has joined together in marriage: yet, nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church, or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage: wherein, a public and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed; and the persons concerned in it not left to their own wills, and discretion, in their own case.
Who Will Be Judged At The Last Day? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• All angels o 2 Pet. 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; o 1 Cor. 6:3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! • All humans o 2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. o Rom. 2 o Mt. 25 o Rev. 20 • WCF 33 God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.b In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
Are all men in the image of God? If so, to what extent?
• All humans are made in the image of God (Gen. 1: 27) • We remain in the image of God to the extent that sin has not fully marred our dominion, knowledge, righteousness, or holiness (it has marred it totally but not fully). Sin has marred every relationship that we have too: with God, others, ourselves and the rest of creation. o Man is still in the image of God post-fall (Gen. 9:6; Js. 3:9), yet sin corrupts our entire nature. • WSC Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
What Is The Universal Or Catholic Church?
• All the elect past, present, future • United to Christ their head and to one another as his body WCF 25.1 The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.
How ought we to confess our sins? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
• Always particularly To God AND those offended: • Sometimes privately • Sometimes publically o Psa. 19:3 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. o Psa. 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. o Jam. 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. - Also Psalm 32. WCF 15.5 Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly. WCF 15.6 As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so he that scandelizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended; who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him
What should be some of the practical results of believing the doctrine of election?
• Assurance of salvation (2 Pet. 1) • Praise, reverence, admiration of God (Eph. 1; Rom. 11) • Humility - nothing we did made God choose us (Rom. 11) • Diligence to confirm our calling (2 Pet. 1 'Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election') • Consolation (Rom. 8; Lk. 10) • WCF 3.8 The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men, attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.
What Obligations Do Believers Have To Civil Authorities? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• Believers ought to obey their leaders (Rom. 13) • Believers ought to pay taxes to their leaders (Rom. 13) • Believers ought to honor their leaders (1 Pet. 2) • Believers ought not revile their leaders (Exo. 22:28) "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people." • Believers ought to pray for their leaders (1 Tim. 2)
Who May (And May Not) Lawfully Be Married? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• Between those able to give consent o 1 Cor. 7:36-38 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire • Between man and woman (Gen. 1) • Between Christians (not Christians and non-Christians) o 1 Cor. 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. • Between non-family members (Lev. 18, 20) • Between properly divorced people o You can't re-marry someone you have divorced if they have already re-married someone and then divorced them (Deut. 24). o You can't marry someone if they are already married and haven't properly divorced (Mt. 19)
What Happens To Unbelievers At Death? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• Bodies return to the ground • Souls go into hell o Lk. 16 (Rich man and Lazarus) o Jude 6-7 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. o Mt. 8:11-12 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." • Tormented in darkness until the final judgment (Rev. 20 final judgment) • WCF 32.1 ... And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day...
What Happens To Believers At Death? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• Bodies return to the ground but still united to Christ (Jn. 11; 1 Cor. 15) • Souls return to Christ o Phil. 1:23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. o 2 Cor. 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. • Souls made perfect in holiness o Heb. 12:23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, • Wait to be resurrected and vindicated o Rev. 6:10-11 They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. WCF 32.1 ...the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies...
Trace revelation of the person and work of Christ from the beginning of the OT.
• Christ is the one who would descend from Adam and Eve and defeat evil (Gen. 3:15) • Christ is the one who endured the flood of God's wrath to spare his people (Gen. 6-9) • Christ is the promised seed of Abraham who would bring blessing to the world (Gen. 12) • Christ is the Passover Lamb who spared his people from divine judgment (Exo. 12; Isaiah 53) • Christ is the faithful Israel who mediates God's presence to the earth (Exo. 19:4-6) • Christ is the tabernacle and temple of the holy presence of God himself (Exo. 40; 2 Chr. 7; Isa. 7) • Christ is the accomplished sacrificial system to cleanse God's people (Lev. 16) • KING: Christ is the king who would rule God's people in righteousness by keeping God's law (2 Sam. 7; Deut. 17) • PROPHET: Christ is the prophet who would call people back to covenant faithfulness by speaking God's words to them (Deut. 18) • PRIEST: Christ is the priest who would faithfully minister to God's people as a go-between between God and man through the sacrifice of himself (Lev. 10; Deut. 17).
What Duties Do Christians Owe One Another?
• Christians owe one another love in word and deed that benefits the "inward and outward man" (WCF 26.1) o Holy fellowship and communion in worship o Serving each other inwardly and outwardly (WCF 26.2)
What Authority Do Church Councils Possess? How should Christians respond to them?
• Church authority (not civil, WCF 31.4) • Not absolute authority (might err, WCF 31.3) How should Xians respond to them? • By using it as help in our faith and practice • Humbly • Not absolutely since they can err • WCF 31.2-3
Identify Some Scripture Passages, Which Support The Practice Of Church Discipline.
• Church confrontation (Mt. 18) • Excommunication (1 Cor. 5) • Restoration (Gal. 6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness) • Admonish obstinate brothers (2 Thess. 3 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.) • Separate from the non-repentant (Tit. 3) • Not taking the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11) And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, (1 Thess 5)
What Are The Proper Duties Of Civil Authorities? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• Civil authorities ought to defend the good and punish the evil (Rom. 13) • Civil authorities ought to promote a good life for all people (1 Tim. 2) • Civil authorities ought not interfere with the church. Mt. 16 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Who May Properly Call Church Assemblies, Synods, Or Councils? For what purposes?
• Civil magistrates • Overseers and other rulers of the particular churches (WCF 31.2) For what purpose? • Determine controversies of faith • Rules for the better ordering of worship and government • Receive complaints (WCF 31.3)
What should a person do who lacks assurance of salvation?
• Depend on God's promises • Remember God's loving-kindness, faithfulness • Diligence in making calling and election sure - 2 Peter 1 • Duty toward good works • Depend on brethren WCF 18.4 True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of His countenance, and suffering even such as fear Him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never so utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the mean time, they are supported from utter despair.
Humanism
• Describes a method of thought starting in the 1400-1500's all over Europe (predominately in Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and England). This started largely in reaction to certain negative aspects of Scholasticism (anti-historical, over-tradition bound, over-logical circularity). This movement also boomed due to the printing press's ability to multiply these works. • Key Ideas: o Go to the source! Seeking original source materials for Scripture or pagan works was king. o Literary criticism. Seeking not to regurgitate old understandings but to develop new ones. o Harmonizing philosophy and Christianity. o Grammatico-historical focus. Grammar and history must be taken into account. o Jewish and Greco-Roman texts recovered. • Key Proponents: o Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374; Italy) - literary critic o Lorenzo Valla (1406-1457; Italy) - literary critic o Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (d. 1463-1494; Italy) - harmonization of philosophy with Christianity o Erasmus (c. 1469-1536; Netherlands) - to the source; learn Greek and Hebrew o Reformers with humanist training (Calvin, Cranmer, Melancthon, and Zwingli) • Key Issues: o Tendency to emphasize reason over revelation o Tendency to emphasize human ability to perfect society o Tendency to emphasize atheistic viewpoints of the world
Who Will Be Raised To Life At The Last Day
• Everybody, just and unjust o Jn. 5 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. o Dan. 12 o Rev. 20 • WCF 32.3 The bodies of the unjust shall, by power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor.
What is "Christian liberty?" Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
• Freedom from guilt, curse, wrath (Heb. 9; Gal. 3; 1 Thess. 1). Jesus' blood purifies our conscience! • Freedom from sin, Satan, world (Rom. 7; Eph. 2; 1 Jn 2) we were children of wrath. "Who will save me from this body of death?" Do not love the world. • Freedom from death and hell (Rom. 8; 1 Cor. 15) "nothing can separate us from the love of God" • Freedom of access to God (Rom. 5) Reconciliation through Jesus • Freedom of obedience (Rom. 6) We're dead to sin now. This liberty is NOT to be abused for self-indulgence (Romans 6) in sin OR for the stumbling of a weaker brother or sister (1 Cor. 8-11) WCF 20.1 The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a childlike love and willing mind.
What does the Bible teach about the creation of human beings?
• God created human beings as male and female after his own image as fully righteous beings to multiply, exercise dominion on the earth, and to obey the Lord (Gen. 1-2; Eccl. 7:29 'God made man upright'). o WSC Q. 10. How did God create man? A. God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. o WCF 4.2 After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures
What Will Heaven Be Like?
• Heaven is the greatest intensity of God's presence. o Heb. 8:1-5 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." o Exo. 25 tabernacle was patterned presumably off God's dwelling o Psa. 123:1 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! o Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." • God will merge heaven with earth and renew it all and dwell with us fully without sin, death, or pain. o Isa. 65 - picture of the New Heavens and New Earth o Rev. 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." o 2 Pet. 3 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
In what way is man created in the image of God?
• Image of God (WSC 10) o Dominion (WSC 10 'with dominion over the creatures') Gen. 1:27-28; God has dominion so we imitate God in having dominion. o Knowledge Col. 3:10 'and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.' o Righteousness Eph. 4:24 'and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.' o Holiness Eph. 4:24 'and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.' Also, "male and female" - implies relationship has something to do with the image of God. The corporate entity of God's people image him into the world by participating in relationships that honor him.
Which are Incommunicable?
• Infinite (extending indefinitely in space) - Isa. 40:28 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable." • Eternal (extending indefinitely in time) - Ps. 90:2 " from everlasting to everlasting you are God." • All-Sufficient - Acts 17:25 "nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." • Unchangeable - Heb. 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Jas. 1:17 God doesn't change. • All-Present - Psalm 139 "Where can I go from your spirit?" • All-Knowing - John 4, Jesus knows everything about the Samaritan woman's life. • All-Powerful - Gen. 18:14 " Is anything too hard for the LORD?; Isa. 40:28 "He does not faint or grow weary"
By Whom Will They Be Judged? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.
• Jesus (WCF 33.1 GOD hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.) o Acts. 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." o Mt. 25 o Mt. 7 o 2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. o Jn. 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son. • Righteous ones with Jesus (WLC 90) o 1 Cor. 6:2-3 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Who Is The Head Of The Church?
• Jesus Christ the Lord o Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. o Eph 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, • WCF 25.6 Christ, not the pope
Types of Psalms
• LAMENTS, whose primary function is to lay a troubled situation before the Lord, asking him for help. There are community laments, dealing with trouble faced by the people of God as a whole (e.g., Psalm 12), and individual laments, where the troubles face a particular member of the people (e.g., Psalm 13). This category is the largest by far, including as much as a third of the whole Psalter. • HYMNS OF PRAISE, whose primary goal is to call and enable God's people to admire God's great attributes and deeds. These can focus, for example, on a particular set of attributes (e.g., Psalm 145 on God's benevolence), or on God's universal kingship over his creation (e.g., Psalm 93), or on God's works of creation (e.g., Psalm 8). • HYMNS OF THANKSGIVING, which thank God for his answer to a petition; sometimes the petition can be identified as one of the lament psalms. Like laments, there are community (e.g., Psalm 9) and individual (e.g., Psalm 30) thanksgiving psalms. • HYMNS CELEBRATING GOD'S LAW, which speak of the wonders of the Torah (the Law of Moses), and help worshipers to aspire to obey it more fully (e.g., Psalm 119). • WISDOM PSALMS, which take themes from the wisdom books (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) and make them the topic of song (e.g., Psalms 1, 37). • SONGS OF CONFIDENCE, which enable worshipers to deepen their trust in God through all manner of difficult circumstances (e.g., Psalm 23). • ROYAL PSALMS, which are concerned with the Davidic monarchy as the vehicle of blessing for the people of God. Some of these are prayers (e.g., Psalm 20), some are thanksgivings (e.g., Psalm 21). All relate to the Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, either by setting a pattern (Psalms 20—21), or by portraying the king's reign in such a way that only the Messiah can completely fulfill it (e.g., Psalms 2, 72), or by focusing primarily on the future aspect (e.g., Psalm 110). These must be distinguished from psalms celebrating God's universal kingship. • HISTORICAL PSALMS, which take a lesson from the history of God's dealings with his people; these are generally corporate in their focus (e.g., Psalm 78). • PROPHETIC HYMNS, which echo themes found in the prophets, especially calling the people to covenant faithfulness (e.g., Psalm 81). "Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!"
Radical Reformation
• Movement within the Protestant Reformation that differed from the predominant Reformers on various theological fronts. This movement spread all over into Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Poland, etc. Many of these views are prominent in the American churches to this day. • Key Ideas: o Sanctification over justification. Were unsettled by what appeared to be antinomian implications from Luther's doctrine of justification. o Spirituality over intellectualism (except for Rationalists and Socinians) o Perfectibility of the visible church (excommunication-heavy) o Separation from the world (and government) o Pacifists o Believers' baptism o Biblical literalism o Toleration of various beliefs • Key Groups: o Anabaptists: believer's baptism, separation from the world, over-literal reading of Scripture, no oaths, no church-state involvement, pacifists (Swiss Brethren, Mennonite) o Spiritualists: emphasized the Spirit over intellectual understanding of Scripture, mystical and individual experiences abounded o Rationalists: emphasized intellectual understanding over Scripture, tended toward a Unitarian, anti-atonement, salvation through knowledge form of Christianity (Socinianism, after Sozini/Sozzini Lelio also called Socinius). • Key Proponents (in the beginning in Germany): o Carlstadt/Karlstadt (1477-1541), a priest and dean of the University of Wittenberg, was a colleague of Luther and Melanchthon, agreed with Luther's reforming ideas but wanted it to go further. When Luther went to Wartburg Castle, Karlstadt led radical reform against Luther's wishes (mass without vestments, Communion given to laity, Catholic sermons were disrupted, priests were stoned and dunged, people smashed icons and burned pictures, and Karlstadt married Anna von Mochau flagrantly). His view was that reform needed to be swift and needed to be without political or legal consensus. o Zwickau prophets (Nicholas Storch, Marcus Thomae [Stubner], and Thomas Dreschel) were in Wittenberg and were influenced by the radical teaching of Thomas Muntzer. The "prophets" claimed divine authority through their dreams and visions, rejected infant baptism, rejected priests, and taught that the world was ending.
Lutheran churches
• ORIGIN (1517) o Martin Luther, as a Catholic priest, wrote his Disputation against Scholastic Theology (1517) in which he defended Augustinian thought over Aristotelian thought, the supremacy of grace, and the divide between law and gospel. o Then he published his Ninety-Five Theses (1517) arguing largely against the Catholic practices of indulgences and penance. o Soon after he made three books that argued for change in the church: (a) Appeal was to the laity and German princes to help reform the church by doing away with celibate clergy, pilgrimages, masses for the dead, religious orders, and more; (b) On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church was to the clergy appealing for them to reform the idea of transubstantiation; (c) and The Freedom of a Christian Man argued for justification by grace as opposed to works. The pope condemned all three in 1520. o In 1521 he was called to defend himself before the emperor at the Diet of Worms in 1521 but he refused. o Later, Luther and his contemporaries, Philip Melanchthon and Matthias Flacius and Martin Chemnitz, all led the charge of a Lutheran theology which spread throughout Germany, Scandinavia, and then to America in late 1600's. • DISTINCTIVES o Consubstantiation: This is the belief that Jesus's body and blood are truly present somehow "in, with, and under" the bread and wine. o Justification by Faith: This is the central focus of Luther's theology. God's righteousness can only be attained this way: by faith in the justifying death and resurrection of Jesus. o Supremacy of Grace: Grace is paramount for the Christian, not works. Works result but only because of grace. o Baptism Necessary for Salvation: In the Augsburg Confession Article 9.1-2 it says About baptism our churches teach that it is necessary for salvation, and that through Baptism God offers us his grace." o Presbyterian Government: Theirs are called synods. o Book of Concord: This is the primary confession of the Lutheran churches which contain 10 creedal documents: the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, the Small Catechism of Martin Luther, the Larger Catechism of Martin Luther, the Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles of Martin Luther, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord. The Augsburg Confession (1530; written by Melanchthon with the advice of Luther) provides the basic barebones of what it means to be a Lutheran.
Presbyterian churches
• ORIGIN (1560) o The first official Presbyterian church was started by John Knox (formally a priest) in 1560 in Scotland as the church adopted the Scots Confession which made the church "lord-led" as opposed to monarch-led (Church of England) and opposed to episcopal-led (Catholic). He also banded together with the local lords to outlaw mass in the area. All of this was largely in opposition to Mary Queen of Scots who was killing his Protestant compatriots. o This form of church government was also influenced greatly by John Calvin (1500's) who in Geneva, Switzerland was the pastor of a church that emphasized Reformed theology and a Presbyterian-ish government. o The Presbyterian church was further codified during the Westminster Assembly which was called together by the English Parliament in 1643-1652/3 (confessions written) to protect England from the civil war that was brewing largely due to three groups: (1) Charles I's opposition to Parliament so that he could have full power, (2) Parliament (largely Puritan) who opposed episcopal/Catholic church structures and also opposed Charles' attempts to gain supreme power (3) Scottish rebels (Presbyterian) who were being forced to adopt an Anglican form of church government Charles through William Laud o So, Parliament called the Assembly to form an alliance with Scotland which leaned its ecclesial pronouncements toward Presbyterianism thereby limiting Charles's power and limiting the relationship between church and state. This was codified in the: Westminster Confession, Larger and Shorter Catechism (replacing the Thirty-Nine Articles) Directory of Public Worship (replacing the Book of Common Prayer) and the Form of Presbyterial Church Government (later BCO) • DISTINCTIVES o God's Glory: The chief end of all things is God's glory and nothing else. No human or group or even the Church itself can usurp God's glory. o God's Sovereignty: God is in control of all of history. This includes predestination, election, and his inability to lose his people. o Confessional: Adheres to the WCF, WLC, and WSC. o Christ as Head of Church: Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church. No man, no pope, and no group is the head. o Presbyterian Government: Churches are governed by elders and by concentric levels of communal authority: local assemblies (sessions, consistory), regional assemblies (presbytery, classis), and wider assemblies (synod, general assembly). o Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, Deacons: There are only two divinely appointed offices in the church: elder and deacon. And elders are subdivided by role either being teaching elders and the other being ruling elders (1 Tim. 5:17). o Ministerial and Declarative Authority: The church cannot make civil pronouncements but can only make ministerial (spiritual) and declarative (by word) pronouncements. This ensures some divide between church and state and also a distinction between church discipline and judicial punishment. o Covenantal: Baptism of believers' children occurs to include them into the covenant community.
Methodist churches
• ORIGIN (1700s) o Began from the "Holy Club" at Oxford University which was started by John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George Whitfield o This "Oxford Movement" grew out of the Church of England (Anglican) and eventually split from it in order to focus on personal holiness, itinerant evangelism, and looser ordination for ministers to do work in N. America and Scotland. • DISTINCTIVES o Personal Conversion: Wesley emphasized his own personal conversion to the point where emotionality, deep grief toward sin, and a radical change of life were seen as the marks of one's true conversion. Long change of covenant children over time are not as accepted. o Personal Holiness and Perfectibility: One must be committed to radical holiness which sometimes could lead to moralism and undue fixation on sin. One can attain perfection by means of a "second conversion" called "entire sanctification." o Evangelism and Mission: Itinerant evangelism started the movement and planted seeds that each Christian ought to engage in some kind of witness and in some kind of service, especially to the poor and needy. o Mini-Societies: This is the beginning of small groups in churches in which it is seen that Christians ought to not only organize themselves in large groups but in smaller groups of more tight knit communities. o Arminian: The freedom to choose, the ability to be a good person, Christ's atonement for all people, and the ability to lose one's salvation are each marks of this movement. o Episcopal: Effectively, Methodist churches are governed in an episcopal fashion where all decisions are made by a body of bishops who are in connection with regional bishops who make decisions on behalf of the church body.
Episcopal churches
• ORIGIN (1785-1789) o Originally a part of the Church of England. o Two issues prompted the formation of the Episcopal Church (1) By 1775 in the American colonies there were roughly 300 Church of England congregations but they had limited ability to grow because no bishops were sent to the 13 colonies and bishops alone hold the authority to ordain priests and install new members. (2) During the American Revolution (1775) the Church of England leaders had sworn oaths of allegiance to the English monarchy and thus could not support the revolution efforts which caused church persecution and decline. o And so William White was consecrated the first bishop of the Episcopal Church of America that would still be tied to the Church of England but could function on its own. • DISTINCTIVES o Book of Common Prayer: Liturgical, prayer, and devotional material that unites the Church of England, Anglicans, and Episcopalians. o Liturgical: Tends toward high liturgy. o Episcopal: Headed by a head-bishop (Chief Pastor) and a group of bishops in presiding over regions. o Apocryphal Texts: Some accepted as Scripture. o Women Ordination: Women are ordained as bishops, priests, and deacons. o LGBT: Accepted as children of God who have no need of repentance (since 1976).
Mennonite churches
• ORIGIN (early 1500's) o Swiss Brethren Anabaptists in Switzerland formed as a more "radical Reformation" than the other Protestant groups. o Menno Simmons (1496-1561) was a former Catholic priest turned Anabaptist who ministered in the Netherlands. o Much of his pastoral oversight sowed the seeds of those who would sail to America and call themselves Mennonites. • DISTINCTIVES o Separation: This group believes in a strict separation between church and state and thus no Christian should take political office. This also leans Mennonites from also creating a strong divide between the church and broader culture. o Pacifism: Strict non-resistance. o No Oaths: No one should take oaths (over-reading the Sermon on the Mount) and thus no one can take political office if one is a Christian. o Personal Regeneration and Holiness: One's personal conversion by the Holy Spirit and one's personal purity are emphasized. o Foot Washing: This practice is near-sacramental alongside of baptism and the Lord's Supper as an over-literal reading of John 13 o Believers' Baptism: Only believers ought to be baptized.
Baptist churches
• ORIGIN (early 1600's) o Some separatists in England who wished to separate from the Church of England began to adopt believers baptism as opposed to infant baptism. o Essentially two groups formed: General Baptists: Netherlander Baptists were influenced by Arminianism and thus were called general Baptists emphasizing the fact that Jesus atoned for all of mankind (general). 1678: The General Baptist Orthodox Creed was formed. Particular Baptists: English Baptists were influenced by Calvinism and thus were called particular Baptists emphasizing the fact that Jesus atoned only for the elect (particular). 1677: The Particular Baptist Confession was formed. o Both groups (general and particular) made there way to America along with the rest of the settlers. • DISTINCTIVES o Believers' Baptism: Their belief is that baptism is not covenantal but instead is by one's profession of faith. Thus, infants are not baptized because they cannot personally commit to Christ. The mode of baptism (particular immersion) is not the official mode of Baptist churches but is disputed by some. o Congregationalism: They also believe that the church, although connected to the wider body of Christ, is best governed by each congregation and so maintains each congregation's individual autonomy. The leadership of the church is appointed by the church and held accountable by the church. o Authority of Scripture: Committed to the absolute authority of Scripture over any church or person.
Pentecostal churches
• ORIGIN (early 1900's) o The holiness movement in America (led by preachers like Charles Finney and others) in the early-to-mid 1800's emphasized a "second baptism" of the Spirit after one's conversion either (a) to become entirely sanctified or (b) to receive spiritual gifts. o In 1901, Agnes Ozman spoke in tongues at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, KS after her principle (Charles Fox Parham) laid hands on her and prayed for her to receive the power of the Spirit. o This led to the Azusa Street Mission of Los Angeles (1906) which was a movement that practiced tongues, miracles, and prophetic utterances. This movement then spread Pentecostalism throughout America and then worldwide. • DISTINCTIVES o Indwelling vs. Outpouring: There is a distinction made between the indwelling of the Spirit in salvation and the outpouring of the Spirit for spiritual gifts and witness. o Second Baptism and Spiritual Gifts: Typically a second baptism is encouraged in which either (a) one can receive total sanctification or (b) one can receive spiritual gifts. o Tongues: High emphasis on speaking in tongues as a sign of one's true faith or a sign of one's second baptism. o Laying on of Hands: Prayer and healing done through laying on of hands. o Personal Holiness and Legalism: Personal holiness is committed to but can tend toward legalistic emphases like forbidding smoking, alcohol, and dancing. o Believers' Baptism: Not infant baptism. o Congregational or Presbyterian: Either governed autonomously (Congregational) or by elder-oversight (Presbyterian). o Oneness Pentecostals: A heresy started around WWI when some Pentecostals began teaching different doctrines: - Oneness: This is an anti-Trinitarian doctrine in which there is one God who is not three persons but one God who manifests himself as Father, Son, and Spirit at different points in history and for different functions (historically: Father in OT, Son in gospel-era, and Spirit in the church-era; economically: Father over creation and over his Son, Son in our redemption, Spirit in our regeneration and gifting). - Baptism-for-Salvation: Baptism is seen as necessary for salvation. - Baptism in Jesus's Name: Only baptisms in Jesus's name count. o Arminian: People have free will to choose Christ or not. o Premillennial-Dispensationalism: This was emphasized more so in the beginning.
Orthodox churches
• ORIGIN (pre-Chalcedon [451] to the East-West Schism [1054]) o Pre-Chalcedon (451) many eastern (Alexandrian) theologians developed a unity-heavy model of Christ's natures saying that Jesus's human and divine natures were more unified than they were distinct unlike the western theologians who said that Christ's human and divine natures were solely distinct but were only unified in the person of Christ himself. The eastern conception of the unity of Christ's natures was on spectrum with some leaning toward heavy-unity and others leaning toward light-unity. o Synod in Trullo (691-692) the eastern churches' veneration of icons, high-liturgies, and canon laws were established regarding the affirmation of clerical marriage and of using leaven in the Eucharist bread. o Photian Schism (863-867) occurred when Photius, the Patriarch of Constantinople (East), challenged Rome's exerting its papal authority over eastern churches and also opposed the filioque clause which had been added in 589 to the Constantinople Creed of 381. The original creed (381) affirmed that the Spirit proceeded from the Father but the filioque addition (589) affirmed that the Spirit proceeded from the Father 'and the son' (filioque in Latin). Thus, eastern churches rejected the idea that the Spirit proceeded from the Son and also rejected Roman papal authority. o Great East-West Schism (1054) was the final divide between the eastern and western churches which happened because: (a) the filioque clause was officially adopted by Rome around 1014, (b) Constantinople (East) refused to help Rome (West) from Norman Christian invaders, (c) the East's reaffirmation of the use of leaven in Eucharist bread which was rejected by the West. • DISTINCTIVES o Regional: Heavy populations are in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Georgia, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Damascus. Light populations are in the US, Britain, and France. o Scripture and Tradition: Scripture, councils, creeds, and the Greek Fathers are held in near equality. o 7 Councils: Only seven councils are affirmed (Nicaea 325, Constantinople 381, Ephesus 431, Chalcedon 451, Constantinople II 553, Constantinople III 680-681, Nicaea II 787) whereas Rome affirms twenty-one total. o Icons Venerated: Icons are honored in worship gatherings (but not worshiped). o Baptismal Regeneration: Forgiveness of sins occurs in baptism. o Epiclesis: This means 'to call down from above' and is the invocation of the Holy Spirit to descend on the Eucharist to set them apart but this is not transubstantiation. o Low-Sin; Low-Atonement: Sin is emphasized as a result of death and being finite (versus sin being the actual cause of death). And so atonement is also emphasized, not as a release from guilt and punishment before God, but a release from death itself. While atonement is this, it is more than this.
What Are The Marks Of The Church?
• Preaching of the Word (purely) • Administration of Sacraments (properly) • Church Discipline (faithfully)
Briefly discuss the development of 'covenant theology'
• Scripture: Covenant theology first of all stems from Scripture itself which speaks of God dealing with his people by means of one covenant of grace that has been applied to his people throughout time under various covenants: Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and the Messianic/New. These can be summarized under two covenantal dispensations: the old and the new. • Early Church Fathers: Covenant theology did not begin in the Reformation era but instead began with various church fathers. o Justin Martyr (100-165). He explains in his Dialogue with Trypho that all of God's people, whether under the new covenant or old, are saved by means of Christ, are made sons of Abraham because of God's one covenant of grace for all his people throughout all time. o Irenaeus of Lyons (115-202). He explained that there were four covenants (Adam, Noah, Moses, and one that sums up the others in the gospels). However, all of God's people are saved by Christ no matter what time period they are within because all are under the same covenant of grace which God condescended to us for our good. He also mentioned that law keeping was demanded of us but only possible by means of a heart change by the Spirit. o Clement of Alexandria (160-215). He spoke of four covenants (Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses) and in addition to these one called the new covenant. And although there were different covenants at different dispensations all of God's people are saved by the same God, by means of the same Christ, and by means of one faith, and one covenant. He also spoke of both covenants (old and new) as being gracious but also that both covenants require obedience to the law; but, only by means of grace could one keep God's law. o Augustine of Hippo (354-430). He speaks of an Adamic covenant that was established by means of God creating Adam and giving him a command. He also teaches that all of humanity is tied to this first covenant which was broken. Yet, although he said there were many covenants that all were under the same grace of Christ no matter what dispensation God's people found themselves within. For him, the law was to be obeyed in all covenants but without the Spirit man cannot keep God's law under any and all covenant dispensations. And so, the new covenant is pointed to in the old and the old covenant is the new veiled. Furthermore, Augustine taught that infants could be brought into the covenant by means of baptism far before the Reformation era. • Medieval Church (500-1500): In this time there were three unhelpful conceptions regarding covenant theology. o (1) Covenant as Obedience to the Pope. In the 11th century, the pope had come to such authority that to disobey him was seen as disobedience to the covenant itself. o (2) Covenant as Dependent upon Sacraments. Theologians began speaking of the sacraments as able to effect salvation and thus able to effect covenant faithfulness. o (3) Covenant as Merit. The idea formed that God justifies those who do their best to maintain their righteousness, and thus, God's covenant with people slowly became more and more contingent, not upon God's grace, but upon one's ability to stay right before him. • Reformation (1500-1600): This was the time when theologians and church leaders began to recapture and to further develop covenant theology as seen in Scripture and in the early church fathers. o Martin Luther (1483-1546). Luther pushed against the idea that God's new covenant with his people could somehow be earned. Therefore, he developed an overly strict dichotomy between law (old covenant) and gospel (new covenant) in order to reclaim what had been lost in regard to the free grace of God in Christ. o Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531). He emphasized that there is one eternal covenant of grace (Gen. 17) that all of God's people, and their children, are included within. This led him to push against Anabaptist claims that infants cannot be baptized by emphasizing all the more that the eternal covenant is passed through families and thus infants of believers out to be baptized. o Heinrich Bullinger (1505-1575). He wrote the first full work on this topic called Of the One and Eternal Testament or Covenant of God which argued that God has made an eternal covenant with all of his people in all time in which he graciously offers himself to us while we are to offer our obedience to him (uses Gen. 17 as well). o John Calvin (1509-1564). He further developed the covenantal ideas of federal representation (in Adam and in Christ), the covenant of redemption made by God and the Son in eternity, and the covenant of works made by God and Adam pre-Fall. o Zacharias Ursinus (1534-1583). Heidelberg Catechism. He emphasized the idea that God's covenant of works with Adam pre-Fall, since broken, was accomplished by Christ in the new covenant and is graciously given to his people. o Caspar Olevianus (1536-1587). He emphasized the idea that God made an eternal covenant between himself and his Son whereby the elect experience the full benefits of the covenant of grace whereas the non-elect, although baptized into the community, only receive partial benefits of the covenant of grace (built from Heb. 6:4-6). o Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). He said there was conditional election and thus a conditional covenant. • Post-Reformation: This time includes, in my opinion, very unhelpful developments in covenant theology. o Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669). He emphasized the idea that God has progressively abrogated the covenant of works over time by means each successive covenant all of which can be subsumed under one eternal covenant of grace. This led him to a strict dichotomy between law and gospel. o Half-Way Covenant. This was a Puritan debate regarding the practice of non-professing adults who had themselves been baptized as babies to also bring their children to be baptized. This would be a hyper-view of federal theology. o Karl Barth (1886-1968). He taught that Scripture was not permanently the Word of God but instead is the vessel through which God speaks in crisis. Therefore, he rejected the distinction between the covenant of works and the covenant of redemption as being legalistic and not provable. For him, grace overwhelms law so a covenant of works should not be spoken of. o Federal Vision. This teaches that baptism creates union with Christ, however, this covenant of grace can be lost by its adherents.
What were the "sola's" of the Reformation?
• Sola Gratia - By Grace alone. Not works. Just God's goodness/mercy/favor. o NOT works. • Sola Fide - By faith alone. Not works. Not seeking. Not faith + ____. o NOT sacraments. • Sola Scriptura - By Scripture alone. Not against reason or tradition. Just God's Word over all. o NOT church authority. • Sola Christus - By Christ alone. Jesus alone saves. Not sacraments or reason or works. o NOT saints, Mary, or priests.
What Is The Relationship Between Church And State?
• State to Church: State has a responsibility to protect the church regardless of denomination and to not interfere with it's teaching, sacraments, or governance. (Possible exception) WCF says that State can call synods? WCF 23.3 ...yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed. For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God. • Church to State: Christians may take office, and Christians must pay taxes, obey their leaders, and pray for their leaders. o WCF 23.3-4
Differentiate between the "Continental" and "Westminster" views of the Sabbath.
• The Continental view of the Sabbath is that the Sabbath is abolished for the Christian but that the Christian still must observe the Lord's Day for rest and worship. • The Westminster view of the Sabbath is that the Sabbath is not abolished for the Christian because it is a part of the 10 commandments and is thus a binding law for God's people until Christ returns.
What Is "annihilationism?" Evaluate It Biblically.
• The belief that the wicked will not be punished forever but will eventually not exist. o While the language of 'fire' and 'destruction' could be taken as being annihilated, Scripture is clear that hell is eternal: Rev. 14:11 Rev. 20:10 "...and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." 1 Cor. 5:5 a believer is excommunicated for the 'destruction' of the flesh but this simply is a euphemism for terrible judgment Mt. 25 speaks of an eternal fire for men and angels
Neo-Orthodoxy
• This theological movement arose in the 1900's especially around the time of WWI and WWII in Europe (esp. Denmark, Germany, and America). It arose in reaction to theological liberalism. o Orthodox in sense that it maintains many Reformation points like sola gratia, sola Scriptura, God's transcendence, human sin, the reality of Christ, the atonement, etc. o Neo in the sense that it adopted a critical view of the historicity of Scripture, the fallibility of Scripture, and unintentionally an overly subjective view of encountering God. • Key Ideas: MIDDLE ROAD between fundamentalism and modernism. o God is so transcendent that he must be encountered through his revealed Word, primarily, who is Jesus. o Scripture and the historicity of Scripture are fallible o Scripture still 'contains' God's Word and thus is our authority o Man is sinful o We are saved by grace alone o Leaned toward agnostic views of God ("God is Dead" movement) o Leaned toward experiencing God through natural (general) means and through other religions (although opposed over-experiential religion) • Key Proponents: o Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855; Denmark) - existential Christianity o Karl Barth (1886-1968; Germany) - belief apart from reason because God is wholly other; Scripture contains God's revelation; Jesus is God's revelation; language deficient to capture God o Emil Brunner (1889-1966; Switzerland) - personal encounter with God; Scripture contains revelation; etc. o Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976; Germany) - skeptical of biblical history; finding the kernel of truth within the texts; encountering Christ through his message and obedience to it; no infallibility, miracles, atonement, heaven/hell, etc.
Modernism
• This theological movement began in the Catholic Church and then in Church of England in the late 1800s to mid-1900's in France, then Italy, and then England. It was an attempt of various theologians to find a middle road between Christianity and modern historical, literary, and scientific thought. Thus, these theologians began altering Christianity to fit the reigning paradigm of the moment. • The Catholic Church rejected this movement's viewpoints in 1907 (Pope Pius X). • It began to wane in the mid-1900's after WWII which proved human goodness and the progress of mankind was not exactly moving upward. • Key Ideas: o Scriptural fallibility - Genesis and the historical books are inaccurate; Charles Darwin propounded evolution. - Moses could not have written the Pentateuch in its current form o Natural knowledge as opposed to revealed knowledge o Human goodness and societal progress is normative o Substitutionary atonement is abhorrent o Anti-supernatural o Anti-exclusivist (all ways are valid ways to God) • Key Proponents: o *Germany Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) - Some trace the roots of modernism back to Schleiermacher who articulated many modernist ideas nearly 80-100 years before it took off. He specifically internalized and subjectified Christianity, he rejected biblical infallibility, and he called 'salvation' a personal consciousness of God that Jesus achieved. o Catholic Alfred Loisy (1857-1940) - professor in Paris George Tyrrell (1861-1909) - British Jesuit and writer Baron Friedrich von Hugel (1852-1925) - scholar and historian o Church of England E.W. Barnes (1874-1953) - Bishop of Birmingham and writer Hastings Rashdall (1858-1924) - Oxford philosophy teacher & then dean at Carlisle
Puritanism
• This theological movement began in the late 1500's in England but spread all over Europe and into America. • Political Background: o Mary Tudor ("Bloody Mary"; 1516-1558) during her reign had attempted to move England back to Catholicism through killing, imprisoning, and exiling Protestants. o After her death, her half-sister Elizabeth (1533-1603) during her reign attempted to move England back toward a moderated Protestantism through a "middle way" between Catholicism and Protestantism (specifically Anglicanism). This was done through the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles each of which compromised on both sides but also tried to appease both sides. o Puritans grew in numbers during Elizabeth's reign and at her death, when James I (England) reigned in her place, Puritans felt reform had not gone far enough in the church so they sought purity in a return to the NT church (Calvinistic, anti-episcopacy). • Social Background: o England's worship was full of lavish objects and simony (greed). o England itself was full of sexual immorality, drunkenness, non-Sabbatarianism, gambling, immoral plays, etc. o Church was too top-down as opposed to bottom up. • Key Ideas: o Calvinistic o Personal conversion and personal holiness is key o Preaching and study of the Word o Small groups ('prophesyings'/ 'conventicles') o Family is key o Education emphasized o Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist, and some episcopal leanings o Sabbath • Key Proponents: o William Ames (1576-1633) o William Perkins (1558-1602) o John Bunyan (Pilgrim's Progress in 1676) o John Owen (1616-1683) o John Cotton (1584-1652) o Richard Baxter (1615-1691) o Jonathan Edwards (1700's) o Charles Spurgeon (1800's) o Martin Lloyd Jones (1900's)
Fundamentalism
• This theological movement started in the early 1900's in North America. In its essence it was a reaction to modernism. • Key Ideas: o Evangelical Protestant (oftentimes Baptist) o Fundamentals are adhered to (infallibility, incarnation, atonement, resurrection, miracles) o Militantly opposed to modernism o Dispensational Premillennialism-leaning (after J.N. Darby's teaching and C.I. Scofield's Reference Bible). o Anti-moral erosion in society o Anti-evolution (and thus, science) o Anti-Marxist (and thus, capitalistic) o Anti-substance (alcohol, tobacco) o Anti-dancing o Anti-gambling o Anti-theater o Separate oneself from the world o Moral Majority (healing America through political action; focus on Israel) • Key Proponents: o J.N. Darby - theological progenitor of dispensational premillennialism. Christ will return and rapture believers out of the world before the great tribulation. o C.I. Scofield o Jerry Falwell o "Soft/Inclusivist" Fundamentalists J.I. Packer James Barr Billy Graham B.B. Warfield John Gresham Machen (formed the OPC)
Babylonian Captivity of the Church/Avignon Papacy
• This was a near 70 period (from 1309-1377) which Petrarch, a humanist poet, first referred to describe the Catholic Church's subservience to the French monarchy. He called it the "Babylonian Captivity of the Church" alluding to the Jews who were in captivity to Babylonian rulers for 70 years. o During this time, 7 popes lived in Avignon, France instead of in Rome. 1309 to 1377 AD Signified the weakening of the Roman papacy. When the papacy operated out of Avignon in France. Context: Pope Boniface - Philip the 4th or the "Fair." Philip taxes the church, Boniface disagrees, Philip places an embargo, Boniface caves. Eventually, Boniface writes "Unam Sanctum," the pope alone is over everything. Dies after being arrested by Philip and treated harshly. Philip arrests the Knights Templar and tortures them. Papacy weakens, moves to Avignon. Philip had gained autonomy and authority over papacy. In 1376, Gregory XI moves papacy back to Rome. After moving back to Rome, cardinals who had chosen new pope decided to move back to Avignon, chose a second pope, which led to Papal Schism. • Martin Luther (1500's) would later write "On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church" claiming that the church was holding the gospel captive: o By not letting lay people have the Eucharist o By priests offering Jesus as re-sacrificed in the mass (transubstantiation). o By the extra-sacraments of confirmation, marriage, penance, ordination, and extreme unction (anointing with oil).
Counter-Reformation
• This was less of a reformation and more of a reaction to the Protestant Reformation which only reiterated and reinforced the practices in the Catholic Church that were already occurring. In many ways, this solidified current modern day Roman Catholicism. 1. Prohibited Books a. In 1521, just after Martin Luther sparked the Reformation, theologians in various universities became fearful of the rampant replication of Protestant materials because of the advent of the printing press. And so the Inquisitional Priests began suppressing Protestant material and in 1559 Pope Paul IV published the first official list of prohibited books to suppress the spread of its adherents. 2. Inquisition a. The Spanish Inquisition (originally against Jews and Muslims) turned toward Protestants to detain, question, imprison, torture, and kill thousands. 3. Jesuits a. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was a Catholic priest who began a militantly-ordered, education-emphasized, mission-focused group of priests known as the 'Society of Jesus.' b. Adherents would have a 2-year trial and a 10-year period of study. c. Total obedience to Church tradition and papal authority was demanded. From his Rules for Thinking with the Church he said: "First Rule. The first: All judgment laid aside, we ought to have our mind ready and prompt to obey, in all, the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, which is our holy Mother the Church Hierarchical" and "Thirteenth Rule. To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it." d. His movement spread to throughout Europe and abroad (as far as Japan and China. e. They established schools and universities. 4. ***Council of Trent (1545-1563) a. This series of councils affirmed the opposites of the Reformation: i. Anti-Scriptura: Scripture, church-tradition, and papal declaration are on equal footing. Apocryphal writings were affirmed along with the Vulgate as "the" official translation. ii. Anti-Gratia: Grace can be lost and is only given to those who cooperate with God. iii. Anti-Fide: Justification is precisely not by faith but is by those who work toward God both in will and works. iv. Anti-Christo: Seven sacraments are required for the Christian life along with the notion of transubstantiation.
What Privileges Do Christians Share?
• Union with Christ • Union with one another in love • WCF 26.1
What is the Covenant of Works (Life)? Who are its parties?
• WCF 7.2 The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. • WSC 12 What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. • God entered into a gracious Covenant of Works (Life) with the first human, Adam, and through him with the rest of mankind. And this covenant required his perfect obedience to God to ensure its blessings. o Gen. 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." o Hos. 6:7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me. Who are its parties? God, Adam, and the descendants of Adam.
What is the Covenant of Redemption (Grace)? Who are its parties?
• WCF 8.1 It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of His Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed, and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. • WLC Q. 31. With whom was the covenant of grace made? A. The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed. • WSC 20 Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer. The Covenant of Redemption is God's covenant that he made with Christ in eternity and with all his elect people throughout history to buy them back (redeem) from their sins to mend the division between the elect and God in order to bless the entire earth.
What Are The Attributes Of God? (Be Prepared To Offer Scripture Proofs.)
• WLC 7 - Q. 7. What is God? A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. • WSC 4 - Q. 4. What is God? A. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.
In what ways does man sin?
• WSC 14. What is sin? A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. • WSC 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. 1. We sinned by association with Adam's first sin. 2. We sin when we don't do what we ought (omission) and when we do what we ought not (commission). 3. Sin is defying God's law (not loving God or loving neighbor) and thus defying God himself - our sin is a personal affront to the God of the universe. Therefore, the punishment for sin must fit that crime.
What is sin? (See WSC 14). Include Scripture proofs.
• WSC Q. 14. What is sin? A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. Want of conformity (omission): • Jam. 4:17 'So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.' • Jam. 2:10 'For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.' Transgression of (commission): • Lev. 5:17 'If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.' • Ps. 51 'Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,' • Jam. 2:10 'For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.'
Discuss the guilt of sin and the corruption of sin
• WSC Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression? A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression. • WSC Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. 1. Guilt is a legal consequence of rebelling against God's law and thus against God himself. Our guilt occurs in two ways: A. Corporate-Guilt: Because Adam is the head of humanity all humanity sinned in him and fell with him in his sin. He is guilty and thus we are guilty (Rom. 5). B. Personal-Guilt: Because we are now sinners we also personally sin against God on our own. (Jas. 1:14-15 'But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.') 2. Corruption is a natural consequence of rebelling against God's law and thus against God himself. We are now corrupted from our core: • We are now deceitful and evil by nature (Jer. 17; Mt. 12, 15 = sin comes from the heart). • We are now dead by nature (Eph. 2). • We are now mortal by nature (Gen. 2-3).
Define and discuss original sin (include Scripture proofs).
• WSC Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. Original sin is the inherited sin that we receive at birth from our connection to Adam as humanity's head. Thus, we are born not only with his guilt but also with his corrupted nature which thereby leads us to sin as well. Original sin is like a spiritual cancer that has been unleashed throughout every human who has ever lived originating from the head of humanity, Adam. • Ps. 51:5 'Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.' • Rom. 5:12 'Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" • Eph. 2:3 'among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind'
What are some of the consequences of sin?
• WSC Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell? A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. o Lost communion with God o Under God's wrath and curse o Misery o Death o Hell
If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters.
• When human beings defied God we unleashed evil into humanity which caused us to suffer and die (Gen. 3; Rom. 5 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—). • And so, sin changed something in humans by making us mortal AND by pitting the earth against us ('cursed is the ground' because Adam was charged to rule over God's creation) serving both as a consequence for sin and also as a disciplinary tool for God's people (Gen. 3; Deut. 28 'curses for disobedience'; Rom. 8). • Thus, now humans suffer and die from diseases (like AIDS), from issues at birth (like deformed babies), and from catastrophes (like natural disasters). ***Sinner, Sinned Against, Living in a Fallen World. While suffering is not always a direct result for someone's personal sin (Job 1; Jn. 9 man born blind, disciples ask "who sinned, this man or his parents?"; though sometimes it is, Deut. 28 covenant curses, King Uzziah struck with leprosy in 2 Kings 15; Jn. 5 'sin no more that nothing worse may happen to you') it is always an indirect result of living in a fallen world. More so, God entered into our fallen world and experienced the misery of it with us, ultimately taking on the punishment for our sin in order to one day redeem all of God's good creation.
What Is The Visible Church?
• Worldwide • Those who profess true faith in Christ • Their children • Kingdom, house, and family of God • Way through which God is saving his people WCF 25.2 The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation. WLC Q. 62. What is the visible church? A. The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.
