301 – God So Loved the World · 301 – God So Loved the World (version 2019) Prolegomena – Introduction to the Study of Christian Doctrine . Lesson 1 pp. 1-6 The Study of Christian

1

301 – God So Loved the World

(version 2019)

Prolegomena – Introduction to the Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 pp. 1-6 The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 2 pp. 6-22 The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 3 pp. 22-34 The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 4 pp. 35-46 Holy Scripture Lesson 5 pp. 46-62 Holy Scripture Lesson 6 pp. 62-76 Holy Scripture Lesson 7 pp. 77-86 Holy Scripture Lesson 8 pp. 87-96 Holy Scripture Theology – A Study of God, the Author of Salvation Lesson 9 pp. 99-108 The Natural and Revealed Knowledge of God /

The Essence & Attributes of God Lesson 10 pp. 108-119 The Essence and Attributes of God Lesson 11 pp. 121-127 The Triune God Lesson 12 pp. 127-145 The Doctrine of the Trinity Anthropology – A Study of Man, the Object of Salvation Lesson 13 pp. 148-161 Creation Lesson 14 pp. 163-169 Providence Lesson 15 pp. 169-176 Providence Lesson 16 pp. 177-188 Angels Lesson 17 pp. 189-197 Mankind Lesson 18 pp. 197-208 Mankind Lesson 19 pp. 208-217 Mankind Lesson 20 pp. 218-226 Mankind Christology – A Study of Jesus Christ, the Mediator of Salvation Lesson 21 pp. 229-235 Grace Lesson 22 pp. 237-243 The Person of Jesus Christ Lesson 23 pp. 243-254 The Person of Jesus Christ Lesson 24 pp. 254-266 The Person of Jesus Christ Lesson 25 pp. 267-278 The States of Christ Lesson 26 pp. 278-287 The States of Christ Lesson 27 pp. 289-300 The Threefold Office of Christ

2

3

Prolegomena – Introduction to the Study of Christian Doctrine 301 – God So Loved the World

The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 1, pp. 1-6

The Core of Christian Doctrine: pp. 3,4 1. What is the core of Christian doctrine? Eph 2:20; 1 Co 2:2 2. Who is Jesus Christ? 3. What two principles enunciated by Paul will we follow as we approach the study of Christian doctrine?

a. Ac 20:27

b. 1 Co 2:2 4. What are the three principles which guided the Reformers in their teaching of Christian doctrine? Explain them.

a.

b.

c. 5. Why is it important to use law and gospel properly? 6. Why is it important to stress the use of the means of grace as we study Christian doctrine? 7. What is the Christian’s sole source for doctrine? Jn 6:68,69.

4

The Bible is the only source and standard for the Christian’s faith and life: pp. 4-6. 1. What was the source of doctrine for the people of the Old Testament from Adam through Moses? Ge 3:15. 2. When Moses wrote the Pentateuch, what became the source for believer’s faith and life? Dt 4:2; Jos 1:7; Isa 8:20, Luke 24:44. 3. What did Jesus tell us was the authority for our faith and life? Jn 6:63, 68, 69 4. How have Jesus’ words been passed on to us? Jn 14:26, 16:13,14 5. What warning does the Bible give those who would add to or subtract from the teaching of

the Bible? Rev 22:18,19. 6. What do the Lutheran Confessions state concerning the teaching of Christian doctrine? Cf. SA II II:15; FC Sd rule and Norm:3 7. What is our approach to the study of Christian doctrine?

5

President Mark G. Schroeder August 2009 Forward in Christ

6

301 – God So Loved the World The Study of Christian Doctrine

Lesson 2, pp. 6-22

Other approaches to the study of Christian doctrine. 1. How do the following approach the study of Christian doctrine?

a. Roman Catholicism (Compare the view of the Council of Trent with that of Vatican II)

b. The Orthodox Church (see pp. 11-13)

c. The Reformed Churches

d. Cults

e. Modernism

f. Post-Modernism 2. Answer the following questions:

a. What brought about the break between the Eastern and the Western churches?

b. Give a brief overview of the development of the Orthodox Church.

c. Identify how the Reformed approach to the study of the Bible affects the following teachings of the Bible:

1. The means of grace

2. The real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper

7

3. Conversion

d. List the six characteristics of a cult? 1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

e. Relate the influences from the 18th through the 20th centuries which led to the development of Modernism and Post-Modernism. Identify the following:

1. The Enlightenment 2. David Hume 3. Jean Astruc 4. Johann Semler 5. Charles Darwin 6. Karl Marx 7. Friedrich Nietzsche 8. Sigmund Freud 9. Romanticism 10. Immanuel Kant 11. Friedrich Schleiermacher 12. Religious Liberalism 13. Neo-orthodoxy 14. Rudolph Bultmann

8

15. Existentialism 16. Demythologizing 17. The Jesus of History vs. the Historical Jesus 18. Albert Schweitzer and “The Quest for the Historical Jesus” 19. Modernism’s view of the Bible 20. Modernism’s view of the world 21. Postmodernism’s view of truth and the Bible 22. Postmodernism’s view of science, society, and education

3. Relate how the following approach the study of Christian doctrine:

a. Neo-orthodoxy

b. Radical theology

c. Secular theology

d. Liberation theology

e. Feminist theology

f. Black theology

g. Existential theology 4. In conclusion, reiterate what our approach is to the study of Christian doctrine.

9

10

301 – God So Loved the World The Study of Christian Doctrine

Lesson 3, pp. 22-34

Christianity is the absolute religion. pp. 22-24 1. What is an absolute? 2. List two reasons why we call Christianity the absolute religion?

a. Ro 3:28, Eph 2:8,9, Jn 14:6, Ac 4:12

b. Lk 21:33, Ro 5:5 Theology is an active aptitude to administer the treasures of Scripture. pp. 24,25 1. Define: theology in the objective sense. 2. Define: theology in the subjective sense. 3. Distinguish between the ability all Christians have to teach God’s Word and the special abilities give to some to serve in the public ministry. Col 3:16, 1 Pe 3:15: 2 Co 3:5, 1 Ti 3:2 4. Identify the characteristics needed by those who serve in the public ministry.

a. 2 Co 3:5

b. Jn 8:31, 32

c. Mt 28:18-20, Ac 20:27

d. 1 Co 4:2

11

e. Mt 7:15, Ro 16:17, Tit 1:9 f. 2 Ti 2:3, 9, 12

Christian doctrine is everything that the Bible teaches. pp. 25-27 1. What is Christian doctrine? 2 Tm 3:16 2. What is true doctrine? 3. What is false doctrine?

a.

b.

4. Demonstrate that there is no useless information in the Bible. Ge 12:6, 2 Ti 3:16 5. Demonstrate that we cannot limit doctrine only to teachings that pertain to our salvation. 2 Ti 3:16; cf. the statement of our Lutheran Confessions: FC Ep V: 3 6. Explain: Luther and the Confessions speak of doctrine as singular, not plural. 7. Distinguish between doctrine in the wide sense and doctrine in the narrow sense. 8. Of what use are doctrinal statements?

12

9. Explain: doctrinal statements may change, but the Bible does not change. The Bible distinguishes between teachings basic to salvation and teachings that assist faith. pp. 27–33. 1. Is there any teaching of the Bible with which we can dispense? Explain. Mt 28:20, 2 Ti 3:16 2. What is a fundamental doctrine? 3. What is the central doctrine of the Bible? Gal 5:4; Jn 3:18; Cf. SA II I:1-5 4. Identify the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.

a. Isa 43:11; Jn 17:3, Ac 4:12

b. 1 Jn 1:9

c. Mt 9:2

d. Mt 16:13-17

e. 2 Co 5:21, Gal 4:4,5

f. 1 Co 15:17, 1 Ti 1:19,20, 2 Ti 2:17

g. Ro 1:16; 10:17 5. What is a non-fundamental doctrine? 6. How can an error with regard to a non-fundamental doctrine still undermine the foundation of a person’s faith?

13

7. What is a “secondary fundamental doctrine?” Identify which teachings of Scripture fit into this classification. 8. What is a proper use of the term “open question?” 9. What is an improper use of the term “open question?” Mt 28:20 The academic divisions of theology. p. 33 1. List and explain the six major areas into which we divide the study of Christian doctrine.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f. 2. Identify and explain the four major disciplines which we use in our study of Christian doctrine.

a.

b.

14

c.

d. We grow in the study of Christian doctrine. pp. 33,34 Identify the three ways through which we grow in the study of Christian doctrine.

a. Jas 1:5

b. 1 Ti 4:13, 15

c. Mt 10:22

15


Holy Scripture Lesson 4, pp. 35–46

The revelation of God. pp. 35-37. 1. Why must God reveal Himself to us if we are to know anything about him? 1 Ti 6:15,16 2. What are the two sources of the natural knowledge of God?

a. Ro 1:20-23

b. Ro 2:14,15 3. What can we know of God from creation?

a. Ro 1:20-23

b. Mt 5:45

c. Ps 19:1 4. What can we know of God from our conscience? Ro 2:14,15 5. Why is the natural knowledge of God not enough to save anyone? Ac 17:27, Ro 1:21-23, 1 Co 2:8-10, Jn 17:3, 20:30,31 6. What is God’s primary means of revelation? Jn 14:8,9; 1:18 7. Explain: God’s revelation to us is propositional. 2 Pe 1:20,21

16

8. Explain: The Bible is God’s Word to man, not man’s word about God. 9. Why must we reject the view that the Bible is man’s word about God? The Bible is the Word of God. pp. 37–43 1. Identify two ways in which the expression “word of God” is used in the Bible when it does not refer to the Bible.

a. Dt. 8:3,4

b. Jn 1:14 2. What is the most common meaning the expression “Word of God” has in the Bible? 3. Identify the reasons as to why we believe the Bible to be the Word of God.

a. Dt. 31:24, 2 Sa 23:2,3; Isa 1:10

b. Mk 7:13, Mt. 1:22, Ro 1:2

c. Jn 14:26, 16:13,14, 2 Co 2:17

d. Mt 10:1, Acts 19:11,12

e. Gal 4:4,5 (Identify some of the biblical prophecies which were fulfilled.)

f. Jn 20:31

17

4. Explain:

a. Miracles were not the basis for faith. Luke 16:31.

b. Miracles were not an automatic guarantee that a messenger was sent from God. Dt 13:1-3, 2 Th 2:9 c. Miracles are possible. Mt 19:26.

5. Consider how to answer the attitude of the skeptic that miracles are not possible.

6. What is wrong with the statement, “The Bible contains God’s Word?”

The Bible is given by inspiration of God. pp. 43-46 1. What makes the Bible unique? 2 Ti 3:16 2. Identify the three steps involved in the inspiration of the Bible.

a. 2 Pe 1:21

b. 1 Pe 1:10,11

c. 1 Co 2:13 3. Define: plenary verbal inspiration. 4. Explain why we believe the inspiration of the Bible was not a mechanical dictation of its words and content. 1 Co 14:37, 2 Th 3:17

18

5. Why is it clear that all of the Bible, every word of it, is given by inspiration? Ps 82:6, John 10:35; Ps 110:1, Mt 22:43,44 6. Explain: The Bible is not a textbook on science, geography or history, but what it reports in these areas is true. 7. Explain how some of what the sacred penmen wrote was obtained:

a. By revelation–Ge 1:1

b. By eye-witnesses–Jn 1:14

c. By research–Lk 1:1-3, 1 Ki 14:19, 29 8. What guarantees that what the writers of the New Testament wrote was God’s Word? Jn 14:26, 16:13, 14 9. What did Paul claim for his spoken word? 2 Th 2:15 10. What claim, made by the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, must we reject?

19

301 – God So Loved the World Holy Scripture

Lesson 5, pp. 46-62

Textual Criticism is a tool to determine the text of the Bible. 1. What is an autograph? 2. Explain: Inspiration pertains only to the original documents written by the penmen of the Bible. 3. Can copies of the autographs and translations of the Bible give us the inspired Word of God? Explain. 4. What charge dealing with the transmission of the text of the Bible do people raise to question the accuracy of the Bible? 5. What charge have some made against the NIV, questioning whether it has left out passages of the Bible? 6. Give a brief description of the transmission of the Old Testament text. Identify the scribes and the Masoretes. 7. How does the Qumran Isaiah scroll give us testimony concerning the reliability of the transmission of the text? 8. How did mistakes get into the copies of the biblical manuscripts?

20

9. Distinguish between lower and higher criticism. 10. Give a brief description of the transmission of the New Testament texts. 11. What factors testify to the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts. Answer the charge that, with all the variant readings, we cannot have an inspired Word of God. 12. Answer the charge that the NIV has left out parts of the Bible. Jesus himself has established the canon of the Bible. 1. Define the word “canon.” 2. Identify how Jesus established the canon of the Old Testament.

a. Lk 24:44

b. Lk 16:29, Ro 3:21

c. Mk 7:10, Mt 22:43,44; Mt 13:14, Mt 24:15, Mt 12:39 3. Define the following terms:

a. Antilegomena b. Homologoumena

4. Which are the five anti-legomena of the Old Testament?

21

5. Relate three reasons why we reject the apocrypha as canonical. a.

b.

c. 6. Relate Rome’s actions concerning the apocrypha. 7. Identify the 14 apocryphal books and be able to give information concerning each.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e. f.

g.

h.

22

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

n. 8. Identify:

a. Psalm 151

b. 3 Maccabees

c. 4 Maccabees d. First Esdras e. Second Esdras f. The Prayer of Manasseh

23

9. What were the pseudepigrapha? 10. Discuss the claim that Jude quoted from two pseudepigraphical works. 11. How did Jesus establish the canonicity of the New Testament? Jn 14:26; 16:13,14 12. How were the apostles involved in the collection of the N.T. books? a. 1 Th 5:27 b. Col 4:16 c. 2 Pe 3:15, 16 13. Give a brief history of the establishment of the New Testament canon. See Eusebius of Caesarea; Athanasius; the Third Council of Carthage. 14. Where did the term “antilegomena” come from historically? 15. Identify the seven New Testament antilegomena. Relate why some have included these books among the antilegomena. Respond to the concerns that were raised.

a.

b.

24

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

16. Which famous Lutherans have raised questions about the antilegomena? Why do we have no doubt today that they belong to the canon of the New Testament?

17. Address the issue of the apocrypha and the pseudepigrapha of the New Testament. Translations 1. Why are translations of the Bible necessary? Cf. Ne 8:8 2. Identify some of the early translations of the Bible a. Septuagint (LXX) b. Aramaic Targums c. Syriac Peshitta d. Coptic Versions e. Ethiopic translation

25

f. Latin translations (Jerome) 3. Identify some of the later translations of the Bible. a. Luther b. Wycliffe c. KJV d. RSV e. NEV f. Beck g. NIV 4. Identify four principles which are necessary in making a good translation of the Bible.

a.

b. Note the finds at Ugarit, Qumran, and Ebla

c.

d. Cf. 2 Co 7:15

26


Lesson 6, pp. 62-76

1. List six attributes of the Bible. Explain each of them.

a. Isa 8:19, 20

b. Eph 2:20

c. 1 Co 2:13

d. Ps 119:105

e. 2 Ti 3:15-17

f. Ro 1:16

2. Why do we believe the Bible speaks with the authority of God? 1 Co 14:37, 2 Ti 3:15-17, Jn 10:35, Lk 16:29 3. Why is it important to note that both the law and the gospel speak with authority? 4. What false authorities for doctrine did the Reformers have to face in their time? 5. What is the attitude of the Lutheran Confessions regarding the authority of the Bible?

27

6. What false authorities for doctrine must we reject? 7. Demonstrate the unity of Scripture. Ge 3:15, Mal 3:1 8. Why do we believe the Bible is without error? 2 Pe 1:21, Jn 10:35, Gal 3:16, 2 Tm 3:15-17

9. How did Jesus view:

a. Adam and Eve? Mt 19:4-6

b. Jonah? Mt 12:39,40

c. Noah? Mt 24:37-39

10. What errors concerning the Bible’s inerrancy must we reject? 11. Why do we believe the Bible is clear? Ps 119:105 12. Distinguish between the inner and the outer clarity of the Bible. Ps 119:105; Ro 1:16

28

13. Does the clarity of the Bible mean we will be able to understand every passage of the Bible? Explain. 14. Does the Bible answer every question we have? Explain. 2 Pe 3:16 15. Why do we believe the Bible is sufficient? 2 Ti 3:15-17, Ro 15:4 16. What ability does the Bible have? Ro 3:20, Ro 1:16, 10:17

17. Explain: Though the Bible is efficacious, it is not always effective. Mt 23:37 Scripture is its own interpreter 1. What is hermeneutics? 2. Identify four principles we follow in interpreting the Bible.

a. 1 Co 2:2

b. 2 Ti 3:15

c. Da 2:21

d. Ro 4:19-21

29

3. What is meant by the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation? 4. What is meant by the historical-grammatical method of interpretation? 5. What is the immediate context of a passage?

6. What determines if passages are to be taken literally or figuratively? 7. What is meant by the wider context of Scripture? 8. List and explain the different kinds of literature contained in the Bible.

a.

b.

c. d.

e.

30

9. List and explain the three basic types of parallelism used in Hebrew poetry.

a. Ps 1:2

b. Ps 1:6

c. Ps 1:1

31


Lesson 7, pp. 77-86

The Bible is its own interpreter. 1. Define the following figures of speech:

a. Simile: Ps 42:1

b. Metaphor: Ps 84:3

c. Metonomy: Lk 16:29

d. Synechdoche: Ps 16:9

e. Ellipsis: 1 Cor 6:13

f. Brachylogy: 1 Jn 5:9

g. Euphemism: Ac 1:15

h. Litotes: Ro 1:16

i. Hyperbole: Mk 1:5

j. Irony: Gen 3:22

k. Personification: Is 35:1

l. Allegory: Gal 4:21-31

m. Parable: Mt 13:24 2. Identify the three elements essential to a parable:

a.

b.

c.

32

3. What is a type of Christ? Give an example of a:

a. Person

b. Festival

c. Office

d. Event

e. Place

f. Institution 4. What is a symbol? 5. What is prophecy? 6. What is a direct or rectilinear prophecy? Cf. Isa 7:14; 9:6; 53; Ps 16:10 7. What is a typical prophecy? 2 Samuel 7:13. 8. List some of the prophecies concerning Christ which come from the Psalms. Cf. pp. 81, 82. 9. What do Bible critics mean by speaking of “prophecies which flow from the event?” A brief history of false methods of biblical interpretation. 1. What is allegorizing? 2. Relate the history of allegorizing, identifying:

a. Alexandria

b. Philo

c. Origen

d. Jerome

e. Augustine

f. Aquinas

33

3. With regard to allegorizing, identify the: a. historical sense b. moral sense c. allegorical sense d. anagogical 4. Explain: Luther stressed the single, fundamental meaning of the passages of the Bible.

5. Give a brief summary of the movement of Pietism. 6. How did Pietism pave the way for the acceptance of 18th century rationalism?

34


Lesson 8, pp. 87-96

The historical-critical method. 1. Explain the following components of the historical-critical method and refute them.

a. Form criticism

b. Source criticism

c. Redaction criticism

d. Religion criticism 2. What gave rise to the movement of Neo-orthodoxy? 3. How did Karl Barth view Genesis 3 and the events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection? 4. Comment on Rudolph Bultmann’s views on:

a. Demythologizing the Gospels.

b. Existentialism. 5. How did Bultmann pave the way for post-modernism? 6. What is the end result of the historical-critical method of biblical interpretation? The Lutheran Confessions accurately reflect what the Bible teaches (pp. 92-96) 1. Why are confessions necessary in the life of the church?

35

2. Relate the history of the following:

a. The Apostles’ Creed

b. The Nicene Creed

c. The Athanasian Creed 3. Give a brief description and the content of the following:

a. Small Catechism

b. Large Catechism

c. Augsburg Confession

d. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession

e. The Smalcald Articles

f. The Formula of Concord 4. Distinguish between a quia (because) and a quatenus (In so far as) subscription to the Lutheran confessions? Which do we accept, and why? 5. What is the relation of the Confessions to the Bible?

36

6. How would you answer someone who said we are not bound to accept the inspiration of Scripture, because the Lutheran Confessions do not address the issue? 7. Why are the Confessions worthy of our regular study?

37

Theology – A Study of God, the Author of Salvation

301 – God So Loved the World Natural and Revealed Knowledge of God &

The Essence and Attributes of God Lesson 9, pp. 99-108

1. What is theology? 2. Explain: to a large part, God remains a hidden God. Ro 11:33

3. Explain: We cannot speak of God’s person and work in greater detail than he has (cf. 1 Co 13:12). 4. Apply this principle to:

a. Creation

b. The problem of evil

c. God’s governance of the world.

5. How do the following deal with the problem of evil?

a. Manichaeism

b. Christian Science 6. How does the Christian deal with the problem of evil? 7. How did Calvin try to “read” the mind of God? 8. What does the Formula of Concord remind us of when dealing with what God has not revealed to us? Cf. FC SD XI: 52

38

9. Explain: Whatever is not biblical is not theological. People have a natural knowledge of God. (pp. 102-104) 1. What are the two sources of the natural knowledge of God?

a. Ro 1:20

b. Ro 2:14,15 2. Can we assume that people know God exists? Explain. 3. Why do some deny the existence of God? 4. What is the value of the natural knowledge of God? Ac 14:17 5. What doesn’t the natural knowledge of God tell us? (Ro 10:17). 6. Explain and evaluate the following philosophical arguments for the existence of God:

a. Ontological

b. Historical

c. Cosmological

d. Teleological

e. Moral

39

7. How do we witness to someone who denies or questions the existence of God? The Essence and Attributes of God (pp. 105-108) God is one in number and substance: the essence of God. 1. Why do we have trouble describing God? Ex. 15:11 2. Explain:

a. God is one: Isa 43:11 b. Unity in the exclusive sense: Isa 44:6

c. Unity in the absolute sense: Dt 6:4

d. God is a personal being: 2 Pe 3:9

e. The aseity of God: 1 Jn 5:20.

3. Explain how the following deny the unity of God:

a. Polytheism

b. Tritheism

c. Dualism

d. Monism

e. Pantheism

40

4. Explain the special meanings of the following names of God:

a. Yahweh (Jehovah): Ex 3:14,15, Jn 8:58

b. Elohim: Gen 1:1; 2 Ki 1:2; Ps 82:6; Dt. 32:39

c. Adonai

d. El-Hay: Joshua 3:10

e. El-Elyon: Ps 78:35

f. El-Shaddai: Gen 17:1

g. El-Gibbor: Isa 10:21; Is 9:6

h. El-Olam: Gen 21:33

41

301 – God So Loved the World Essence and Attributes of God

Lesson 10, pp. 108-119 1. In what three ways do we speak of God’s will?

a. Eph 1:5

b. Daniel 4:32

c. Matthew 12:50 2. Explain: God’s will is free and independent. Ro 9:15. 3. Is God moved by our prayers? Explain. Jas 5:16. 4. Explain the following concerning God’s will:

a. God’s will is absolute: Isa 46:10,11

b. God’s will is resistible: Ma 23:37

c. The revealed will of God.

d. The hidden will of God.

e. God’s will is conditional: Dt 28:1.

f. God’s will is unconditional: Ro 3:24.

g. The primary (antecedent) will of God: 1 Ti 2:4.

h. The secondary (consequent) will of God: Ma 23:37. 5. Comment on the following attributes of God:

a. God is unchangeable: Heb 6:17,18, Jas 1:17. Contrast this with Ge 6:6 and explain.

b. God is infinite: 1 Ki 8:27.

c. God is omnipresent: Ps 139:7-10.

42

d. God is eternal: Ps 90:1,2.

e. God is life: Jn 5:26.

f. God is omniscient: 1 Jn 3:20. Explain: God’s knowledge is intuitive. What is the comfort in God’s omniscience? Psalm 147: 3,4. Explain: God’s foreknowledge of evil is not the cause of evil.

g. God is all wise. Ps 104:24. Distinguish between wisdom and knowledge.

Why is God’s wisdom a comfort for us? Romans 8:28.

h. God is holy: Isa 6:3.

i. God is righteous: Dt. 32:4. Distinguish between the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of the gospel. Ro 3:21-24.

j. God is just: 2 Th 1:5-10. What must we remember about God’s justice? Ro

12:19; Lk 9:54.

k. God is faithful: La 3:22,23.

l. God is truthful (veracity): Nu 23:19. Distinguish between truth and what is true.

m. God is good: Ps 106:1.

n. God is omnipotent: Lk 18:27.

o. God is love: 1 Jn 4:8,16; John 3:16.

43

301 – God So Loved the World The Triune God

Lesson 11, pp. 121-127

1. If someone said the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, what would you answer? 2. Explain: God is one in essence. 3. Why did the early church not use the word prosopon for the Persons of the Trinity? 4. What three things does the Bible ascribe to each Person of the Trinity? 5. What personal characteristics does the Bible attribute to each Person of the Trinity? a. Mt 11:27 b. Jn 1:18 c. Jn 14:26 d. Jn 16:8 6. In what way does the Bible attribute distinctiveness to each Person of the Trinity? a. Jn 5:32, 37 b. Isa 61:1 7. Which are the internal acts of the Trinity? a. Ps 2:7; Jn 3:16 b. Ro 8:9; Ga 4:6 8. Explain the history of the addition of the filioque into the Nicene Creed. 9. Distinguish the external acts of the Trinity from the internal acts. Gen 1:2; Jn 1:3.

44

10. In what four ways does the Bible ascribe deity to each Person of the Trinity? 11. Identify how divine names are attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. Ro 1:7 b. Isa 7:14 c. Isa 9:6 d. Jer 23:6 e. Jn 1:1 f. Jn 8:58 g. Ac 5:3-5 12. Identify how divine attributes are attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. 1 K 8:39; Jn 21:17, 19 b. 1 Cor 2:11 c. Jn 17:5; Heb 9:14 d. Jer 23:24; Mt 18:20, Ps 139:7 13. Identify how divine works are attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. Gen 1:1,2; Jn 1:3; Job 33;4 b. Col 1:16, 7 c. Jn 6:44

45

14. Identify how divine honor is attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. Isa 42:8 b. Jn 5:23 c. Isa 6:3 15. Show that the Old Testament taught the doctrine of the Trinity. a. Isa 61:1 b. Ps 2:7; 110:1 c. Isa 63:10, 14 d. Gen 1:26, 27; 3:22; Isa 6;8; Nu 6:23-27 e. Jn 5:18 16. Show that the New Testament teaches the doctrine of the Trinity. a. Mt 28:19 b. 2 Cor 13:14 c. Mt 3:16 d. Jn 14:26 e. Ac 10:38

46

301 – God So Loved the World The Doctrine of the Trinity

Lesson 12, pp. 127-145 Ancient Errors About God

1. What three forms do the errors about God take? a. b. c.

2. In what way do the following errors deny the unity of God:

a. Dualism: Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism

b. Gnosticism: Valentinus and Marcion

3. Errors that deny the Trinity.

a. Dynamic Monarchianism—Paul of Samosata

b. Modalistic Monarchianism—Sabellius, Patripassionism

4. Subordinationism

a. Origen

b. Lucian

c. Arius—homoiousios vs. homoousios

c. Eunomians

5. Ancient pagan errors about God. Identify what each group believes about God. Also, give the other information requested.

a. Islam • Their view of God

• The founder

47

• The Koran

• The five pillars

• Their belief of heaven and hell

• Jihad

• Sunnis

• Shi’ites

b. Animism • Pantheism • Soul-stuff

c. Hinduism

• Their view of God

• Vedas

• Bhagavad Gita

• Universal soul

• Transmigration of the soul

• Karma

• Moksha

• Brahma

• Vishnu

• Siva

• Avatars

• Krishna

• Basic beliefs

d. Transcendental Meditation

48

e. Buddhism

• View of God

• Siddhartha Gautama

• Buddha

• Great Renunciation

• Middle Way

• Four noble truths

• Nirvana

• The eightfold Path

• Hinayana Buddhism

• Mahayana Buddhism

f. Taoism • Yin

• Yang

• Confucius

• Mix of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism

g. Shintoism


• Kami

• Four affirmations

• Origami

h. Judaism • Their view of God

• The Talmud

49

• Maimonides

• Orthodoxy

• Conservative

• Reformed

• Festivals observed

6. Modern Errors about God. Identify how the view God and give the other information requested.

a. Unitarian Universalists

• Their view about God.

• Michael Servetus

• Faustus Socinus-Transylvania

• 1961 merger

b. Mormonism • Their view of God • Joseph Smith

• The angel Moroni

• Brigham Young

• Polytheistic

• Book of Mormon

• Doctrines and Covenants

• Progressive revelation

• Celestial heaven

• Terrestrial heaven

• Telestial heaven

50

c. Christian Science • Their view of God • Mary Baker Eddy

• Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

d. Unity


• Charles and Myrtle Fillmore

e. Jehovah’s Witnesses • Their view of God and Christ

• Charles Russel

• Joseph Rutherford

• The Watchtower

• New World Translation

f. Bahaism

• Their view of god. • Baha’u’llah

g. Unification Church


• Sun Myung Moon

h. Scientology • Their view of God • L. Ron Hubbard

• Dianetics

• Engrams

51

• Thetans

• Preclears

• Auditing

• Clear

• Bridge to total freedom

i. New Age Movement • Their view of God

• Karma

• Channeling

• Psychic healing

• Methods for realizing their potential

j. Atheism • Hegel

• Marx

• Nietzche

• Jean-Paul Sartre

• Madalyn Murray O’Hair

k. Agnosticism • David Hume

• Immanuel Kant

• T.H. Huxley

l. skeptics

• J.A. Ayers

• Albert Camus

52

Study Guide: Doctrine 1, Unit 1

What is the core of Christian doctrine? What two principles will we follow as we approach the study of Christian doctrine? What is meant by: Sola Scriptura Sola Gratia Sola Fide Why is it important to use the law and gospel properly? Why is it important to stress the use of the means of grace in our study of Christian doctrine? What is the Christian’s sole source for doctrine? Explain how the following approach the study of Christian doctrine? a. Roman Catholicism b. The Orthodox Church c. The Reformed Churches d. Cults e. Modernism f. Post-Modernism g. Neo-orthodoxy h. Radical theology i. Liberation theology j. Feminist theology k. Existential theology What is the role of reason for this life? What is a syllogism, and how may it properly be used in theology?

53

Study guide for unit 1, continued

Distinguish between the ministerial use of reason from the magisterial use. List 2 reasons why we call Christianity the absolute religion? Define: Theology in the objective sense Theology in the subjective sense Identify six characteristics needed by those who serve in the public ministry. What is doctrine? Of what use are doctrinal statements? Explain: doctrinal statements may change, but doctrine does not change. Explain: The Lutheran Confessions speak of doctrine as singular and not as plural. Explain: The Lutheran Confessions speak of doctrine in both a wide and a narrow sense. Define: Fundamental doctrine Non-fundamental doctrine Secondary fundamental doctrine Open Question (proper and improper use) Identify seven fundamental doctrines a. b. c. d.

e. f. g.

54


Identify the two “secondary” fundamental doctrines. Define: Prolegomena Theology Anthropology Christology Soteriology Eschatology Define: Exegesis Systematic Theology Historical Theology Practical Theology Identify the three ways through which we grow in the study of Christian doctrine. What are the two sources of the natural knowledge of God? What can we know of God from creation? What can we know of God from our conscience? What is God’s primary means of revelation? Explain: God’s revelation to us is propositional. Explain: The Bible is God’s Word to man, not man’s word about God. Why do we believe the Bible is God’s Word? What is wrong with the statement, “The Bible contains God’s Word?”

55


Identify the three steps involved in the inspiration of the Bible. Define: plenary verbal inspiration. Explain: The Bible was not given by a mechanical dictation. Explain: The Bible is not a textbook on science, geography or history, but what it reports in these areas is true. Define the following terms: An autograph Manuscript Variant reading Explain: Textual criticism has given us a reliable text of the Bible. Distinguish between textual (lower) criticism and higher criticism of the Bible. Who established the canon of Scripture? Define: Homologoumena Antilegomena Identify the seven books of the antilegomena. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. What are the Apocrypha? Why do we not accept them as canonical?

56


Which church has officially accepted 11 of the apocrypha as canonical? What are the pseudepigrapha? Why are translations of the Bible necessary? Explain the following attributes of the Bible: Authority Unity Inerrancy Clarity Sufficiency Efficacy Explain: Scripture is its own interpreter. Define: Historical-grammatical method Define: synonymous parallelism Antithetic parallelism Synthetic parallelism Define the following figures of speech: Simile Metaphor Metonomy Litotes Hyperbole Personification Identify the three elements essential to a parable.

57


What is a type of Christ?

Distinguish between a direct and a typical prophecy. What is allegorizing of Scripture? What is the historical-critical method of biblical interpretation? Define: Form criticism Source Criticism Redaction Criticism Religion Criticism Demythologizing Existentialism Identify the three ecumenical creeds. Identify the six distinctly Lutheran confessions. Explain: We subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions because, not in so far as, they agree with God’s Word. Explain: We cannot speak of God’s person and work in greater detail than he has. Why cannot the natural knowledge of God save us? Explain the following arguments for God’s existence:

Ontological

Historical Cosmological Teleological Moral

58


Define: Polytheism

Tritheism Dualism Monism Pantheism Explain the following attributes of God: Unity in the exclusive sense Unity in the absolute sense The aseity of God The primary will of God The secondary will of God Infinity Omnipresence Eternity Life Omniscience Wisdom Holiness Righteousness Justice Faithfulness

59


Truthfulness Goodness

Omnipotence

Love Why do we call the word Trinity an “ecclesiastical” term? Explain: The Bible attributes to each person of the Trinity deity, personality, and distinctiveness. Distinguish between the internal and the external acts of the Trinity. List the internal actions of the Trinity. What four things are attributed to each person of the Trinity, denoting deity. What three forms do errors about God take? Explain how the following errors attack the unity of God. a. dualism b. Gnosticism Explain the following errors which deny the Trinity: a. Dynamic Monarchianism b. Modalistic Monarchianism Explain the error of subordinationism Identify what the following believe about God: Islam Animism Hinduism Buddhism

60

Study guide for unit 1, continued Taoism

Shintoism Judaism Unitarianism

Mormons Christian Science Unity Jehovah’s Witnesses Bahaism Unification Church Scientology New Age Movement Atheism Agnosticism Skepticism

61

Unit 2: Anthropology – A Study of Man, the Object of Salvation

301 – God So Loved the World Creation

Lesson 13, pp. 148-161

1. What does the created world tell us about God? Romans 1:20. 2. Why is it a matter of faith that God made the world? Hebrews 11:3.

3. Demonstrate that the Triune God made the world. Genesis 1:1,2, John 1:3; Colossians 1:15,16.

4. Demonstrate that God made the world out of nothing? Ge 1:1; Heb 11:3

5. What idea concerning the length of creation did the church father Athanasius have?

6. What idea concerning the days of creation is held by theistic evolutionists?

7. Identify the ten historical accounts which comprise the book of Genesis.

a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.

62

i. j.

8. How do we know that the information given in Genesis is fact and not folklore or myth?

9. How did Jesus and the apostles view the account of creation? Matthew 19:4, Acts 4:24; 14:15-17; 17:22-31; Revelation 4:11.

10. Does the Hebrew word for day sometimes mean more than a normal day? Explain. Isaiah 7:18, 20.

11. Why do we believe that God made the world in six normal days? Genesis 1:5; Exodus 20:9-11.

12. Identify what God made on each day of creation. a. Genesis 1:1-5

b. 1:6-8

c. 1:9-13

d. 1:14-19

e. 1:20-23

f. 1:24-31.

13. What did God do on day 7? Genesis 2:1-3.

14. In what did the “image of God” not consist? John 4:24.

15. In what did the image of God consist? Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24

63

16. What position did mankind have with regard to the rest of creation? Genesis 1:28-30.

17. Demonstrate that Genesis 1 and 2 comprise a unified account of creation.

18. Demonstrate that God’s command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was based against the background of God’s love. Genesis 2:16.

19. Demonstrate that Adam was an intelligent man. Genesis 2:19, 20.

20. What is the significance of the creation of Eve out of Adam? Romans 5:18. 21. Demonstrate that marriage is “monogamous” and “heterosexual.” Genesis 2:22-25. 22. Identify three purposes for marriage.

g. Genesis 2:24

h. Genesis 1:28

i. 1 Corinthians 7:2 (since the fall into sin) 23. How do we know that God did not create evil (Genesis 1:31). 24. Show how evolution affects the following doctrines:

a. creation

b. the fall into sin

c. original sin

d. actual sin

e. death

j. Jesus’ redemption of the world 25. Why can we not harmonize evolution with creation?

64

301 – God So Loved the World Providence

Lesson 14, pp. 163-169

1. Identify the three parts of providence in the wide sense. a. b. c. 2. Define providence in the narrow sense. 3. Identify the three acts which comprise God’s execution of His decree of providence in time.

a. Psalm 104:27,28; Matthew 6:26

b. Acts 17:28

c. Jeremiah 10:23 4. What are the objects of God’s providence?

a. Psalm 147:4; Job 38:11; Mark 4:41; Job 38:28-30; Hebrews 1:3

b. Matthew 10:29; 16:18, 10:30. 5. Demonstrate that creation depends on God’s sustaining it. Psalm 104:29,30. 6. Why do we say that preservation is immediate? 7. Demonstrate that God uses means to preserve His creation.

a. Genesis 1:29

b. Genesis 9:3

c. Matthew 5:45, Isaiah 55:10 8. Demonstrate that God can sustain life without means. Deuteronomy 9:9, 18; Matthew 4:2-4.

65

9. Why does God not want us to neglect his means of preservation? Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 6:26-34. 10. What is divine concurrence? Matthew 10:29; Acts 17:28. 11. Explain: Though distinct from His creation, God is present throughout creation, enabling His creatures to carry out the functions He gave them. 12. With regard to the evil that people do, demonstrate:

a. that God can prevent it from happening. Genesis 20:6.

b. that God may permit it but will direct it, so it works out for the believer’s good. Genesis 50:20.

13. Demonstrate that God’s permission of evil is not: a. a weakness in God, as though he could not prevent evil. Exodus 14:19, 20.

b. an apathy on God’s part toward evil. 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 6:23.

c. an abrogation of God’s will. Exodus 20. 14. Demonstrate that by nature we have no free will in spiritual matters. 1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:1; Romans 8:7. 15. Demonstrate that we are responsible for the evil we do but that God gets all the credit for the good which we do. Psalm 5:4-6; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13. 16. Explain: God supplies the capability of action, but we bear the blame for our evil actions.

66

301 – God So Loved the World Providence

Lesson 15, pp. 169-176

1. Relate how the following deny God’s governance of the world. a. atheism b. Epicureanism c. Deism 2. Relate how the following deny human accountability. a. Stoicism b. Determinism 1. dogmatic 2. fatalistic 3. pantheistic 3. Demonstrate that things must happen as they do. Acts 4:27, 28; 2:23; Matthew 26:24, 54. 4. How far does God’s governance of the world extend? a. Job 38:31 b. Job 38:22-30 c. Job 38:8-11 d. Acts 17:26; Daniel 2:20-22. e. Matthew 10:29. f. Jeremiah 10:23 g. Romans 8:28

67

5. In what way may we speak of chance? 1 Samuel 6:9. Yet, why can we say there is no chance when it comes to things happening in this world? Isaiah 45:7. 6. What is a miracle? Psalm 78:12, 13, 19, 20. 7. Identify miracles: a. of grace—Ephesians 2:4,5; Romans 7:22. b. in nature—Mark 4:39; Daniel 3:26, 27; 6:22, John 5:8; Romans 4:18-21. 8. Who alone can do miracles? Psalm 72:18. 9. How were God’s messengers able to do miracles? Exodus 4:21; Matthew 10:8; Acts 19:11. 10. Does God permit or enable unbelievers to do miracles? Explain. Exodus 7:22; Deuteronomy 13:1-3. 11. Answer the claim that the world is a closed system and that this makes miracles impossible. Genesis 18:14. Identify David Hume. 12. Comment: All of God’s prophecies must be fulfilled. Isaiah 44:26; Matthew 26:54. 13. Demonstrate that people are responsible for their own actions. Matthew 26:24; John 19:12; cf. FC Ep 11:7,8. 14. Does prayer change things? Isaiah 38:1-5; James 5:16. 15. Explain: The end of life is fixed—Job 14:5 Psalm 90:3. 16. Explain: People can lengthen or shorten their lives. Isaiah 38:1-5; Genesis 38:7, 10; Acts 27:33,34; 2 Samuel 17:23; 18:14; Genesis 9:6. 17. Identify and explain two major bioethical systems.

68

a. b. 18. Evaluate these two systems in the light of the Bible. 19. Explain and evaluate the following ethical systems: a. Emotivism b. voluntarism c. autonomism d. Positivism e. religious legalism f. natural law ethics g. proportionalism h. consequentialism i. situation ethics 20. Define and comment on active and passive euthanasia.

69


Angels Lesson 16, pp. 177-188

1. How do we know angels exist? Gen 3:21. 2. Demonstrate that angels are mentioned frequently throughout the Bible. 3. What is the attitude of the Lutheran Confessions toward angels? 4. Where did angels come from? Col 1:16. 5. When were the angels created? Jn 1:3; Ge 2:1; Job 38:7. 6. To whom does the word angel apply? a. Mal 2:7 b. Mal 3:1a c. Mal 3:1b 7. What four characteristics identify the Angel of the Lord as Christ in the O.T.? cf. Ex 3:2, 6. 8. List some appearances of angels to people. a. Gen 18:22; 19:1

b. Mt 28:5-7.

9. What is the nature of the angels? He 1:14.

10. Distinguish angels who are spirits from God who is spirit. Jn 4:24.

11. What kind of a presence do the angels have?

70

12. Demonstrate that angels are personal beings.

a. Lk 1:13, 19

b. Eph 3:10

c. 1 Pe 1:12

d. Lk 2:9-12

13. With regard to the number of the angels:

a. how many are there? Lk 2:13, Da 7:10.

b. can the number increase? Mt 22:30.

c. can the number decrease? Jude 6

14. Identify the different types of angels.

a. Ge 3:24

b. Isa 6:2

c. Col 1:16

d. Eph 1:21

e. Jude 9

15. Identify the names of the two angels mentioned in the Bible.

a. Jude 9

b. Da 9:21

16. In what state were the angels created? Explain.

71

17. How did the evil angels originate? Jude 6; 1 Ti 3:6. What is their fate? Matthew 25:41. 18. What happened to the angels who obeyed God? Matthew 18:10; 25:31. What is the beatific vision? 19. Describe the work of the good angels as God’s agents of preservation. a. Ps 103:20 b. Gal 3:19 c. Lk 2:9-14 d. Ps 91:11,12 e. 2 Ki 6:16, 17; Da 6:22; Ac 12:7,8 f. Mt 4:11; Lk 22:43 g. Da 10:20 h. Lk 15:10 i. 1 Pe 1:12 j. Lk 16:22 k. Mt 25:31 l. Rev 22:8,9 20. What is the fate of the evil angels? Jude 6, 2 Pe 2:4; Mt 25:41 21. The evil angels were sent to hell—2 Pe 2:4. Can they still roam the earth? Gen 3:1; Job 1:6-12. 22. What do the names for the devil tell us about him? a. Rev 12:9,10 b. Zec 3:4

72

23. How does the Bible describe the devil? a. Jn 8:44 b. Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3; Eph 6:11 c. 1 Ki 18:28 d. Job 1, 2; Lk 13:11 e. 1 Pe 5:8 f. Mt 13:25, 39 g. Lk 8:12 h. 2 Co 11:14 24. How does the devil seek to corrupt and destroy the church? a. Mt 13:25 b. 1 Ti 4:2 c. Ac 8:1 d. 1 Ch 21:1 e. Ac 5:3 f. Lk 22:31,32 25. Who are the devil’s allies? a. 1 Jn 2:16 b. 1 Co 15:33 c. 1 Co 10:20 d. Ro 7:18; Jas 1:14, 15

73

26. Describe: a. Traditional satanism b. Modern satanism (Identify Aleister Crowley and Anton LeVey) c. Santeria d. Haitian voodoo 27. Should we try to share the gospel with a Satanist? Explain your answer. 28. What confidence do we have as we face the devil? a. Mt 4:1-11. b. Rev 12:10,11 c. Ro 6:1-14 d. Heb 2:15 e. Mt 16:18 f. Cf. Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress,” p. 186. 29. Distinguish between demonic bodily and demonic spiritual possession. a. Mt 8:28-34. b. Jn 13:27; Ac 5:3 30. Could a believer be possessed? Lk 13:16. What comfort does the Bible give to us in this matter? Jas 4:7; Ro 8:38, 39.

74

301 – God So Loved the World Mankind

Lesson 17, pp. 189-197

1. Demonstrate that humans are the crown of God’s visible creation. Ge 1:26-28. 2. In what did the image of God consist? a. Col 3:10 b. Eph 4:24 c. Cf. Ap II: 17, 18 3. What happened to the image of God after Adam and Eve fell into sin? a. 1 Cor 2:14, 2 Cor 4:3 b. Ro 8:7 4. Explain the passages which seem to attribute the image of God to fallen man. a. Gen 9:6 b. Jas 3:9 5. Did Eve possess the image of God? Explain. Gen 1:26, 27. 6. What was the error of the Encratites? 7. Explain: Women and men have equal status but different roles in God’s creation. Gen 2:18; 1 Co 11:9; 14:35 8. What are the two component parts of humans? a. Ge 2:7 b. Mt 10:28 c. Ecc 12:7

75

9. Explain: a. dichotomy b. trichotomy Which of these is correct? Lk 1:46, 47 10. What are the functions of the soul? a. Ge 2:7 b. Lk 23:46 c. Ps 77:6 d. Ps 42:5; Mt 26:38 e. Ps 77:2 f. Ps 35:9 11. Demonstrate that the Bible’s teaching on the soul did not come from Greek philosophy. 12. What is the theological significance that the human race is descended from Adam? Ro 5:12-19; 1 Co 11:8. 13. What is Rome’s attitude toward the creation account? What is the danger in this approach? 14. Define and evaluate: a. traducianism Cf. FC SD I: 27, 28 b. emanationism c. pre-existentism d. creationism cf. Gen 1:28; Ps 51:5; Jn 3:6

76


Mankind Lesson 18, pp. 197-208

1. Comment on the following: a. Adam and Eve had the ability to obey God or to disobey Him. b. The Genesis 3 account of the fall into sin is a historical event. c. The idea that it doesn’t make any difference if Genesis 3 is fact or fiction. 2. When did the temptation take place? 3. Outline the devil’s lies as he tempted Eve. 4. Show that Eve sinned before she ate of the fruit. 5. What was the fruit of which Eve ate? 6. Demonstrate that Adam and Eve lost the image of God because of sin. 7. What are the terrible consequences of the loss of the image of God? a. 1 Co 2:14 b. Eph 2:1 c. Ro 8:7 8. What announcement did God make concerning deliverance from sin for all people? 9. What is the protevangel? Gen 3:15. 10. What are the temporal consequences of sin for woman and for man? Gen 3:16-19.

77

11. Define: a. temporal death—Eccl 12:7 b. spiritual death—Isa 59:2 c. eternal death—Mt 25:41 12. What is the only deliverance from the fall into sin? Heb 2:14, 15. 13. How did God originally give his law to people? Ro 2:15 14. When did God give a written account of his law? 15. Comment: The Old Testament was a testament of the law and the New Testament is a testament of the Gospel. 16. Note the five differences between the Abrahamitic and the Sinaitic covenants. Abrahamitic Sinaitic a. a. b. b. c. c. d. d e. e. 17. Are we bound by the Sinaitic covenant today? Explain. 18. Why must the word “sin” have a harsh meaning? 19. What are the different meanings of the words for sin in the Bible? Cf. p. 206. 20. Demonstrate that God is not the cause of sin. Gen 1:31.

78

21. What are the root causes of sin? a. Jn 8:44 b. 2 Co 11:3 c. Jas 1:13 d. Cf. AP XIX 22. What are the temporal consequences of sin? 23. Does God punish believers for their sins? Explain. Jn 3:17, 18. 24. Why does God allow troubles to come into a believer’s life? a. 1 Cor 11:32 b. Ps 94:12 c. Heb 12:6 25. Are all trials related to specific sins in a believer’s life? Explain. a. 2 Sa 12 b. John 9 c. Ro 8:28

79


Lesson 19, pp. 208-217

1. Explain: Original sin is a hereditary guilt. Eph 2:3; Ro 5:18; Cf. FC SD I: 9 Original sin is a hereditary corruption. Ps 51:5; Jn 3:6; FC SD I: 60 2. What is: a. the positive side of original sin? b. the negative side of original sin? 3. Explain: a. Original sin is a corruption of human nature, not the essence of human nature. AC II: 1,2 b. Original sin is really sin. SA III I:3 4. What did the following believe about human nature? a. Manichaeans b. Gnostics c. Matthaeus Flacius (Cf. FC Ep I: 2, 4, 5 5. What is meant by calling original sin an “accident?” 6. How widespread is original sin? a. Gen 5:1, 3 b. Jn 3:6 c. Ro 5:18

80

7. Who were the exceptions to the universality of original sin? a. Gen 1:27, 28 b. Lk 1:34, 35 c. 1 Pe 1:19 Why is it a serious error to deny the virgin birth of Christ? 8. What is Rome’s doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary? 9. What are the consequences of original sin? a. 1 Cor 2:14 b. Eph 2:1 c. Ro 8:7 d. Gen 3:17-19 e. Isa 59:2 f. Mt 25:41 g. Eph 2:3 h. Mk 7:21-23 i. Heb 11:6 j. Gen 3:8-13 10. How do the following err regarding original sin? a. Pelagianism b. Semi-Pelagianism c. Synergism d. Arminianism

81

11. What is an actual sin? Mt 15:19 12. Demonstrate that any thought which does not agree with God’s will is sin. a. Mt 5:28 b. 1 Jn 3:15 c. Ro 7:7 13. Comment on Rome’s concept of concupiscence. Cf. the Council of Trent quote, p. 215. 14. Demonstrate that deeds which are contrary to God’s will are actual sins. a. 2 Ki 17:7 b. Jer 23:25 c. Ac 7:51, 52 15. What is: a. a sin of commission? b. a sin of omission? 16. What are the causes of actual sin? a. 1 Ti 1:13 b. Mt 14:30 c. Lk 9:54, 55 d. 1 Co 15:33 e. Ro 16:17

82


Lesson 20, pp. 218-226

1. What is “giving offense?” Mt 18:6. 2. How can people give offense? a. Ro 16:17 b. Mt 18:6 c. 1 Cor 8:9 3. What is taking offense? Isa 8:14 4. Does God permit trials to come into the Christian’s life? Explain. Ge 50:20; Job 1:6-12. 5. What assurance does the Lord give us concerning the trials he permits to come into our lives? a. Ro 8:28 b. Heb 12:7-10 c. 1 Co 10:13 d. 2 Ti 4:18 6. Relate what the Bible tells us about the devil’s temptations to sin. a. 1 Pe 5:8 b. 1 Jn 2:15-17 c. Jas 1:14 7. What is obduration? 1 Ti 4:2, Ex 8:15; Ps 95:8. 8. What are the causes for hardening of the heart? a. Eph 2:2 b. Ex 8:15

83

9. Is all hardening of the heart terminal? Ac 3:15, 17 10. Why does the Bible warn against hardening our hearts? Ps 95:7,8; 2 Co 6:2, Ac 5:5; Cf. CW 337:3. 11. Is one sin less damning or more damning than another? Jas 2:10; Eph 2:3, Ro 5:18, Ps 5:5. 12. What is meant by sins of weakness? Ro 7:18-20. 13. Why must we also warn people that repeated, willful sinning can destroy faith? Eph 4:30, Gal 5:19-21. 14. Does the Bible speak of some sins being more grievous than others? Explain. Lk 12:47, 48; Jn 19:11; Ro 2:12-16; Mt 11:20-24. 15. What false distinction is made by Rome with regard to mortal and venial sins? 16. What is the end result of this false distinction? Cf. SA III III: 19-22 17. Is any sin so terrible God cannot forgive it? 1 Ti 2:4; Jn 1:29; 3:16, 1 Jn 2:2; 2 Co 5:21. 18. What is the sin against the Holy Spirit? Mt 12:31,32; Luke 12:10; He 6:4-6; 10:26, 27; 1 Jn 5:16. 19. Distinguish this sin from final impenitence (Mk 16:16), spiritual ignorance (1 Ti 1:13), or a denial of Jesus’ caused by fear (Luke 22:61, 62). 20. Why is this called the unpardonable sin? 21. Is this sin committed only by a fallen believer or by unbelievers who have seen and rejected the compelling evidence for Christ’s claims?

84

22. What must we tell those who may be committing this sin? 23. What will we tell those who think they have committed this sin?

85

Study Guide for Unit 2: Anthropology

Who created the world? Creation belongs to which acts of the Trinity? How do we know the days of creation were normal days? Identify what was made on each day of creation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What did God do on the seventh day? Why must we reject evolution? Define:

1. atheistic evolution

2. theistic evolution How does evolution affect the various doctrines of the Bible? What is providence? Name and define the three facets of providence. 1. 2. 3. What are the objects of providence?

86

Study guide on unit 2, continued

Define: 1. immediate preservation

2. instruments of preservation

What are the ways in which God governs evil? God’s permission of sin is not … (3 things) Explain: God supplies the capability of action, but humans bear the culpability for the action. Explain this paradox:

1. Things must happen as they do. 2. Things could happen differently.

How do atheism and epicureanism affect the doctrine of providence? How do fatalism and stoicism reject human accountability? Explain:

1. The moment of death is fixed by God.

2. We can lengthen or shorten our life. Death is contingent upon our actions. Define:

1. deontological systems of ethics

2. teleological systems of ethics.

87


3. active euthanasia

4. passive euthanasia What are the principles which guide us in:

1. life and death issues?

2. issues relating to the good of the patient?

3. birth control? How do we know angels exist? When were the angels created? Explain: the name angel refers to the office, not the essence of these creatures. What is the nature of the angels? Comment on the number and rank of the angels? Who are Gabriel and Michael? In what state were all angels created? What now is the state of:

1. the evil angels.

2. the good angels

88


What is the work of the good angels? What is the work of the evil angels? Distinguish between demonic spiritual possession and bodily possession. What was the image of God? Define:

1. traducianism

2. pre-existentism

3. creationism Which agrees with the Bible? What is the relation of humans to the rest of the visible creation? Define dichotomy and trichotomy. Distinguish between the Platonic doctrine of the soul and the teaching of the Bible on the soul. What was the devil’s line of temptation in Eden? What were the consequences of the Fall into sin? What is the natural knowledge of God? What are its sources? What is the conscience? Can we speak of an erring conscience? Explain.

89

Study guide on Unit 2, continued

What is sin? What are the causes of sin? What are the temporal, spiritual, and eternal consequences of sin? Define:

1. spiritual death

2. temporal death

3. eternal death Distinguish between a chastisement and a punishment. What is original sin? What are the effects of original sin? Explain: all the virtues of the heathen are but glittering vices. Evaluate Rome’s doctrine of the immaculate conception. What are the positive and negative sides of original sin? What is meant by calling original sin an accident? Identify:

1. Pelagianism

2. Semi-Pelagianism

90


What is actual sin? Define:

1. sin of omission.

2. sin of commission. What are the causes of actual sin? What is offense, and how is it given? What is meant by taking offense? What is obduration? How does obduration take place? Is obduration always terminal? Why is it dangerous? How is the word “tempt” used in the Bible? Give the biblical definition of:

1. mortal sin

2. venial sin. What is the sin against the Holy Spirit? Why is it “unpardonable?” How would you counsel someone who felt he had committed this sin? What will we tell those who think that they have committed this sin?

91

Unit 3: Christology – A Study of Jesus Christ, the Mediator of Salvation

301 – God So Loved the World Grace

Lesson 21, pp. 229-235

1. Why is it important to know how people define biblical terms? 2. When it applies to our salvation, what is the basic meaning of the word “grace?” Ro 11:6. 3. What are the characteristics of saving grace? a. undeserved—Ps 51:5; Ro 5:12, 18; Eph 2:1, 3; 1 Cor 2:14; b. connected to Christ—2 Cor 5:19 c. active—2 Ti 1:9, 10 d. complete—Jn 19:30 e. universal—Jn 3:16; 2 Cor 5:19 f. certain—Mic 7:19 g. free and unconditional—Ro 3:24 h. received through faith—Eph 2:8

i. offered and given through the means of grace—Ro 10:17; Cf. SA III VIII:10 j. efficacious—Ro 1:16 k. resistible—Mt 23:37 l. serious—Eze 33:11

92

4. In what way do the following errors affect the doctrine of “by grace alone?” a. opinio legis (opinion of the law) b. Pharisees c. Judaizers d. Pelagianism e. Semi-Pelagianism f. infused grace g. Anabaptists h. Calvinism i. Arminianism j. Election controversy k. Social Gospel movement

93

301 – God So Loved the World The Person of Jesus Christ

Lesson 22, pp. 237-243 1. What is the most important question a person has to answer in this life? Jn 3:18 2. What four things does the Bible attribute to Jesus, indicating he is God? a. b. c. d. 3. Identify the divine names attributed to Jesus. a. Isa 7:14; Mt 1:23 b. Isa 9:6; 10:21 c. Jer 23:5,6 d. Ex 3:14, Jn 8:58 e. Dt. 6:4; Jn 10:30 f. Jn 10:32, 33 g. Jn 1:1; cf. Gen 1:1 h. Jn 20:28, 30, 31 i. Mt 16:13, 16 j. Ro 1:3,4 k. Col 2:9 4. Identify the divine works attributed to Jesus. a. Jn 1:3; Col 1:16 b. Mt 5:45; Heb 1:3

94

c. Ac 17:28; Col 1:17 d. Lk 12:32; Jn 10:27-29 e. Jn 5:21; 25-29 f. 1 Cor 5:13, 2 Cor 5:10 5. Identify the divine attributes attributed to Jesus. a. Ro 1:20; 1 Ti 1:17 b. 1 Ki 8:39; Jn 2:25 c. Gen 18:14; Mt 28:18 d. Job 38:8-11; Mk 4:39-41 e. Ps 139:7-10; Mt 18:20 f. Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8 g. Jn 5:26 6. Identify the divine honor given to Jesus. a. Jn 5:22,23 b. Php 2:9-11; Dt 6:13; Mt 4:10 c. Rev. 5:12, 13 7. What does the Bible tell us about Jesus, indicating he is true man? a. 1 Ti 2:5

b. Mt 8:20 c. Ro 9:5 d. Lk 1:42 e. Lk 24:39; Heb 2:14

95

f. Mk 3:5 g. Mt 26:39 h. Mt 4:2 i. Jn 19:28 j. Jn 19:30

8. What was unique about Jesus’ death? Jn 10:18 9. What is meant by the impersonality of Christ’s human nature? 10. Demonstrate that Jesus is God and man in one person. a. Mt 16:13, 16 b. Lk 1:31,32 c. Jer 23:5,6 d. Ro 9:5 e. Jn 1:14 f. Ro 1:3,4 11. In what way is the union of God and man like the union of body and soul? In what way is it different? 12. Identify the following unions: a. Jer 23:24—concurrent union b. 1 Cor 3:16—mystical union c. Mt 16:13, 16—personal or hypostatic union 13. Explain: In the personal union, the two natures in Christ are not mixed or blended. 14. Explain: In the personal union, the two natures in Christ are united in one person. Cf. the Athanasian Creed

96

15. Why did Jesus have to be God and man in one person? a. Gal 4:4,5 b. Gal 3:13 c. Mt 20:28

97


Lesson 23, pp. 243-254

1. Identify how the following have erred concerning who Jesus is. a. Ebionites b. Modalistic Monarchianism c. Dynamic Monarchianism, adoptionism d. Arianism 1. homoousios 2. homoiousios e. Eunomians f. Gnosticism g. Anabaptists h. Socinianism i. Unitarianism j. Deism k. Mormons l. Christian Science m. Jehovah’s Witnesses n. Unity o. Bahaism p. Unification Church q. Scientology r. New Age Movement

98

2. In what way do the following errors deny the humanity of Christ? a. Docetism b. Apollonarianism c. Monothelitism 3. In what way do the following errors affect the two natures in Christ? a. Nestorianism—theotokos vs Christotokos b. Ulrich Zwingli c. Eutychianism 4. Give a brief history of the forces which led to the rejection of the authority of the Bible and of belief in God. Cf. pp. 248-249. 5. Define the following terms used by scholars who reject the biblical record of the gospels concerning Jesus. a. the Jesus of history b. the historical Jesus c. the Christ of the kerygma d. the kerygmatic Christ e. the Christ of faith 6. How did the following view Jesus? a. Karl Barth b. Rudolph Bultmann

99

7. Explain and evaluate: a. the “criterion of dissimilarity.” b. meta- or supra-history c. demythologizing d. existentialism 8. Identify: a. Thomas Althizer b. the Jesus Seminar c. the Gospel of Thomas d. Robert Funk, Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan. e. James Pike f. John A.T. Robinson 9. What are the errors concerning Christ from the last two centuries which we must reject? a. b. c. d.

100


Lesson 24, pp. 254-266 1. What does the Bible teach concerning the two natures in Christ? Cf. FC Ep VIII: 9, 13 2. Identify: a. Nestorius b. What Nestorius taught about the communication of attributes in Christ? c. The great danger in Nestorius’ teaching. d. When his errors were condemned. 3. Identify: a. Ulrich Zwingli b. What Zwingli taught about the communication of attributes. c. Why Zwingli was called “Nestorius resurrected?” d. What Zwingli meant by the term alloeosis? e. What Luther said about the alloeosis? Cf. FC SD VIII:39, 40 f. What Zwingli meant by saying “the finite is not capable of the infinite?” 4. Identify: a. Calvin b. His view on the communication of attributes. c. His view on Christ’s ascension. d. His view on the Lord’s Supper. 5. Identify: a. Philip Melanchthon. b. His compromises on the Lord’s Supper.

101

c. The Philippists or Crypto-Calvinists. d. The purpose of Articles VII and VIII in the Formula of Concord. 6. Define the following three categories we use in speaking of the communication of attributes: a. the idiomatic genus b. the majestic genus c. the apotelesmatic genus 7. Identify twelve biblical truths to remember before we study the communication of attributes. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. 8. Why must we maintain the distinctions concerning the communication of attributes?

102

9. Identify the attributes which belong to Christ’s divine nature or to Christ’s human nature. Note that contradictory attributes can be attributed to Christ because He is God and man in one person (idiomatic genus). Christ God Man Jn 8:58 Lk 3:28 Heb 13:8 Lk 2:52 Gal 4:4 Lk 2:7 Jn 21:17 Mk 13:32 Mk 4:39 Jn 18:12 Ro 1:4 Ro 9:5 Jn 10:30 Jn 14:28 10. As we study the majestic genus, we must ask: Was anything added to the divine nature in Christ? Explain. 11. Was Jesus merely given spiritual gifts in the majestic genus? Explain. 12. Identify the divine attributes attributed to Jesus’ human nature. a. Jn 5:21, 26 b. Jn 5:22,27 c. Mt 28:18 d. Jn 3:35 e. Da 7:14 f. Mt 11:27 g. Eph 1:22 h. Heb 2:8

103

13. In what way can Christ be both less than the Father and also equal with the Father? 14. Are the divine powers of Christ diminished by sharing them with the human nature? Explain. 15. Define the three modes of Christ’s presence. Cf. FC SD VII: 99-102 16. As we contemplate the apotelesmatic genus, why can we say God suffered and died when God cannot suffer or die? Cf. FC Sd VIII: 46, 44, 45. 17. Why can we sing in one of our hymns, “God’s Son is dead?” Cf. CW 137:2 18. Why is it important to note that the divine nature of Christ suffered with the human nature?

104

301 – God So Loved the World The States of Christ

Lesson 25, pp. 267-278 1. What is Jesus’ state of humiliation (exinanition)? Php 2:5-8 2. Explain: Jesus’ state of humiliation did not consist in his incarnation. 3. Explain: Christ’s humiliation and exaltation took place in his human nature alone. Cf. FC SD VIII:26 4. Explain the error of kenoticism. Refute it. 5. Why was Jesus’ humiliation necessary for our salvation? Gal 4:4,5; 2 Co 5:21 6. Why do we speak of stages of humiliation, not steps of humiliation? 7. Explain: Christ’s humiliation lasted from conception to the grave. 8. Which words of the Apostles’ Creed speak of Jesus’ humiliation? 9. Concerning: conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary: a. When did Christ’s human nature possess the powers of the divine nature? Col 2:9 b. Explain the ramifications of Jesus’ humiliation prior to birth and then as a baby and as a child—Ps 22:9,10; Lk 2:7; Mt 2:13, 14. c. Demonstrate from the Bible that Christ was born of a virgin—Isa 7:14; Lk 1:34; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26, 1 Pe 1:19, 1 Pe 3:18. d. Why is the virgin birth important? Lk 1:35; Gal 4:4,5; 2 Cor 5:21. 10. Concerning Jesus’ life: How does the incident of the 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple illustrate both Jesus’ humiliation and its purpose to save us? Lk 2:51.

105

11. What do the following passages tell us of Christ’s humiliation during his life? a. Mt 8:20 b. 2 Co 8:9 c. Lk 8:2,3 d. Jn 1:10, 11 e. Mt 12:24 g. Mt 11:4 h. Mk 5:40 i. Mk 4:39 j. Mk 13:32 12. Concerning Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial: a. Why do we call this state of Jesus’ humiliation his “passio magna?” b. What passages in the OT clearly pointed to Jesus suffering and death? c. What do the following passages tell us of the goal of Christ’s life? 1. Mt 16:21, 20:17-19 2. Mt 26:38 3. Lk 22:43, 44

d. In the following cases, demonstrate Christ’s non-use of the powers his human nature received from his divine nature:

1. His trial before the Sanhedrin. 2. His trial before Pilate. 3. His trial before Herod. 4. His crucifixion.

106

e. What was the worst agony experienced by Jesus on the cross? 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13; Mt 27:45, 46; Ps 22:1-5. f. Demonstrate that Mt 27:46 is a cry of faith, not a cry of despair. g. What is the meaning of John 19:30? h. Demonstrate that Jesus death was voluntary. Jn 10:17, 18. i. What did Jesus’ suffering and death accomplish? Heb 2:14, 15. j. Demonstrate that Jesus’ death was a real death—Mt 27:50, Lk 23:46. k. Demonstrate that Jesus’ body did not suffer decay. Ps 16:10; Ac 2:31. l. Identify those who deny that Jesus’ death was real. Evaluate their ideas. a. Mary Baker Eddy b. Heinrich Paulus c. Hugh Schonfield d. Donovan Joyce 13. Identify three points we need to remember when teaching the biblical accounts of Jesus’ suffering and death. a. Cf. CW 98:3 b. Cf. CW 105:4 c. Cf. CW 106:3

107

301 – God So Loved the World The States of Christ

Lesson 26, pp. 278-287

1. What is Christ’s state of exaltation? Php 2:9-11. 2. In which nature did Christ’s exaltation take place? 3. What did Christ’s exaltation accomplish? Ro 4:25. 4. Why do we speak of stages of Christ’s exaltation, not steps? 5. Answer the following questions concerning Christ’s descent into hell. Cf. 1 Pe 3:18-20. a. What is meant by the expressions: “in the body…in the spirit?” b. When did Jesus descend into hell? c. How did Christ descend into hell? Cf. FC SD IX: 1-3 d. Why did Jesus descend into hell? Cf. Gen 3:15; Col 2:15. e. Give two false reasons given for Jesus’ descent into hell? Cf. 1 Pe 4:6. f. Identify John Aepinus. 6. Who raised Jesus from the dead? Jn 10:17, 18; Ac 2:32. 7. Note the following passages which foretold Christ’s resurrection. a. Job 19:25 b. Ps 16:10; Acts 2:31 c. Isa 53:11

108

d. Mt 20:18, 19 e. Jn 2:19, 21 f. Mt 12:40 8. Identify the resurrection appearances of Christ. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. 9. What was the purpose of Jesus’ resurrection appearances to His disciples? Ac 1:3 10. Refute the idea that the appearances of Jesus to His disciples were not real but were rather

hallucinations on the part of the disciples. 11. Explain: those who deny the resurrection of Jesus cannot do so because they can’t find it in

the Bible. Rather, they deny it because they do not believe what was written in the Bible.

109

12. Identify three reasons why the resurrection of Christ is so important. a. Jn 2:19, 21; 10:17, 18, Ro 1:4 b. Ro 4:25, 1 Co 15:17; Jn 19:30 c. 1 Co 15:20; Jn 11:25, 26; Jn 14:19; 1 Th 4:14, 16 13. Evaluate the attempts of Barth, Bultmann, and others to label the resurrection as something which took place in “meta-history.” Cf. the quote on p. 284. 14. Explain: Jesus’ ascension into heaven was not a change in location but a change in status. 15. List three reasons why Jesus’ ascension into heaven was so important. a. Eph 1:20-22 b. Jn 14:2, 3 c. 1 Jn 2:1,2; Heb 4:15, 16 16. What is meant by the right hand of God? Mt 26:64, Eph 1:19-23. 17. Why is Christ’s sitting at the right hand of God a comfort to us? (Ro 8:28). 18. Relate Christ’s coming for judgment to his state of exaltation. a. Jn 5:22, 23, 27 b. Ac 17:31 19. Why is it fitting that Jesus will be the judge on Judgment Day? Jn 3:18. 20. What is Jesus’ standard for judgment? Jn 12:48, 49

110

301 – God So Loved the World The Threefold Office of Christ

Lesson 27, pp. 289-300

1. What is the significance of the words “Messiah” and “Christ?” 2. Give examples from the O.T. of the significance of anointing a prophet, priest, or king. 3. Demonstrate from the O.T. that Jesus is the Messiah. a. Isa 61:1,2; Lk 4:18, 19, 21 b. Ac 4:27; 10:38 4. Demonstrate that the Holy Spirit also equipped the human nature of Christ for the work of being the Messiah. a. Isa 11:2, Jn 3:34 b. Mt 3:17 c. Isa 42:1 d. Mt 11:1-6 5. What was the role of a prophet in the O.T.? a. Ex 17:14 b. Ex 19:7,8 c. Dt 18:15 6. Demonstrate that Jesus was THE Prophet God had foretold. a. He 1:1,2 b. Jn 1:18 c. Dt. 18:15, Mt 17:5 7. Explain: Preaching the law was Jesus’ “strange” work. a. Mt 4:17

111

b. Mt 20:28 c. Jn 3:14, 15 8. Demonstrate that Jesus did not come to be a new law giver. Jn 13:34, 35; Lev 19:18; Jn 1:17. 9. How does Jesus today carry on the work of His prophetic office? a. 1 Co 2:2 b. Mt 28:18-20; Jn 20:21-23. c. Eph 4:11,12 10. What was the role of the priest in the O.T. 11. What functions did the priest and the High Priest perform in the O.T. which were a picture

of the future work of Jesus? What was the importance of Melchizedek as a type of Jesus’ priesthood? Ps 110:4; Ge 14; Heb 7; 10:11-14. 12. Demonstrate that Jesus was both priest and victim? 1 Ti 2:5,6; Mt 20:28. 13. Define the following: a. active obedience of Christ: Gal 4:4,5 b. passive obedience of Christ: 2 Co 5:21 c. ransom: 1 Ti 2:6 d. reconcile: 2 Co 5:19-21 e. redeem: Ti 2:14 f. forensic justification: Ro 4:5 g. objective justification: Ro 3:3

112

h. universal justification: 1 Jn 2:2 i. subjective justification: Mk 16:16 j. vicarious atonement: Isa 53:4-6 k. atonement: 1 Jn 2:2 14. What does the Bible tell us of Jesus’ intercessions while he was on earth? Jn 17; Lk 23:34. 15. What does the Bible tell us of Jesus’ intercessions for us today? 1 Jn 2:1; Ro 8:34; Heb 7:24, 25; 2:17, 18. 16. What was God’s ideal for a king in the O.T.? 2 Sa 5:2 17. Demonstrate that Jesus was THE KING foretold by God. a. 2 Sa 7:16 b. Lk 1:33 c. Jn 18:37 18. What kind of a king were the people of Jesus’ day looking for? Jn 6:15; Mk 10:37; Ac 1:6 19. What kind of a kingdom did Christ come to establish? Jn 18:36; Lk 17:21. 20. Identify Jesus’ kingdom of power. a. Ps 2:9 b. Eph 1:20-23 c. Ac 17:26, 27

113

21. Why is Jesus’ kingdom of power a comfort for us? a. 1 Pe 4:12 b. Ro 8:28 c. Mt 16:18 22. Identify Jesus’ kingdom of grace . a. Ro 1:16 b. Tit 3:5 c. Lk 17:21 d. Eph 2:5 e. Ro 7:22 23. Demonstrate that Jesus did not come to supplant any earthly kingdom. Mt 28:18-20; Ro 13:1-7. 24. Identify Jesus’ kingdom of glory. a. Lk 22:29, 30 b. 1 Th 4:16, 17 c. 2 Pe 3:13 d. Ps 16:11 e. Rev 7:15-17 25. Identify: a. the church militant: Ac 14:22 b. the church triumphant: Rev 7:9; Mt 25:34; 1 Th 4:17

114

301 – God So Loved the World Doctrine 1 - Study Guide, Unit 3

Define: grace List and define 9 characteristics of saving grace. In what way do the following affect “by grace alone?” a. Judaizers b. Pelagianism c. Semi-Pelagianism d. infused grace e. Calvinism f. Arminianism g. Election controversy What four things does the Bible attribute to Jesus, indicating he is God? a. b. c. d. From the list of passages on pp. 91 and 92, be able to tell if a passage attributes to Jesus a divine name, attribute, work, or honor. List 7 reasons why we say Jesus Christ is true man. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. What was unique about Jesus’ death? What is meant by the impersonality of Jesus’ human nature?

115


In what way is the union of God and man in Jesus like the union of body and soul in a person? In what way is the union of soul and body different? Define: Concurrent union Mystical union Personal or hypostatic union Explain: in the personal union, the two natures in Christ are not mixed or blended. Explain: in the personal union, the two natures are united in one person. Why did Jesus have to be God and man in one person. Identify how the following err concerning the person of Christ: Ebionites Modalistic Monarchianism Dynamic Monarchianism

Eunomians Gnosticism Docetism Monothelitism Nestorianism Zwingli: the fine is not capable of the infinite Eutychianism Define the following terms: a. the Jesus of history b. the historical Jesus

116


c. the Christ of the kerygma d. the kerygmatic Christ e. the Christ of faith Identify what the following taught about Jesus and the record of the four Gospels: a. Karl Barth b. Rudolph Bultmann c. Thomas Althizer d. the Jesus Seminar e. Robert Funk, Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan Identify four errors concerning Jesus from the last two centuries which we must reject? Define: Zwingli’s “alloeosis.” Define the following: Idiomatic genus Majestic genus Apotelesmatic genus From the list of passages on page 99, identify whether a passage speaks of the idiomatic or majestic genus. Explain how Christ can be both equal with the Father and less than the Father. How can we say that God suffered and died when God cannot suffer or die? Why can we sing, “God’s Son is dead?” Why is it important to note that the divine nature of Christ suffered with the human nature? Define: Jesus’ state of humiliation (exinanition). Explain: Jesus’ state of humiliation did not consist in his incarnation. Explain: the humiliation and exaltation took place in the Jesus’ human nature alone.

117


What is the error of kenoticism? Why do we speak of stages of Jesus’ humiliation, not steps? Which words of the Apostles’ Creed speak of Jesus’ humiliation? Why is the virgin birth of Jesus important? Identify whether a passage speaks of Jesus’ humiliation (pp. 100 to 103) or exaltation (104-106). Why was Jesus’ cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” not a cry of despair? Identify three points we need to remember when teaching the biblical accounts of Jesus’ suffering and death. a. b. c. What is Christ’s state of exaltation? In what nature did Christ’s exaltation take place? Which words of the apostles’ creed speak of Jesus’ exaltation? When did Jesus descend into hell? Why did Jesus descend into hell? Give two false reasons given for Jesus’ descent into hell? Who raised Jesus from the dead? Identify ten resurrection appearances of Jesus. Give three reasons why Jesus’ resurrection is so important. a. b. c. Give three reasons why Jesus’ ascension into heaven was so important. What is meant by Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. What is the significance of the words “Messiah” and “Christ?”

118


Define the following offices of Christ: a. Prophet b. Priest c. King Be able to indicate whether a passage speaks of Jesus’ office of prophet, priest, or king. Define the following terms: a. active obedience b. passive obedience c. ransom d. reconcile e. forensic justification f. objective justification g. universal justification h. subjective justification i. vicarious atonement Define Jesus’ kingdom of: a. power b. grace c. glory Be able to identify whether a passage speaks of Christ’s kingdom of power, grace, or glory. What is the church: a. militant b. triumphant

Documents

301 – God So Loved the World · 301 – God So Loved the World (version 2019) Prolegomena – Introduction to the Study of Christian Doctrine . Lesson 1 pp. 1-6 The Study of Christian