Apologetics Final123

Front 1

Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Back 1

The Need for a throughly biblical presentation

Front 2

Hughes' plea:
"The construction of a system of apologetics that is
distinctively Christian should be founded on the testimony of
Scripture to the nature of reality in its divine, its human,
and its cosmic aspects. It should, moreover be founded on the
biblical testimony in its entirety, for the teaching concerning
God, man, and the universe is plain and consistent throughout
the whole of Scripture and is not dependent on the selection of
a few isolated proof texts" (P. E. Hughes, "Crucial Biblical
Passages For Christian Apologetics,"

Back 2

The Need for a throughly biblical presentation

Front 3

The God-breathed, self-attesting Word (autopistic rather than axiopistic)

Back 3

the crucial presupposition

Front 4

specifically concerning epistemology: __________ must inform ____________

Back 4

hamartiology must inform epistemology

Front 5

Grier's challenge:
"A true defense of Christianity demands the open communication
of self-authenticating Scripture to man .•.. It
would be fruitless to defend a self-authenticating
Scripture by abstract non-scriptural argument. • . • The
internal evidence ought to be presented unashamedly from
the starting point of the Bible as God's authoritative
word. It ought to be presented with the force of an
absolute demand and the prayer that God the Holy Spirit
will open the blind eyes of the hearer so that he will see
the overwhelming evidence and bow in repentance and faith"
(James Grier, "The Apologetical Value Of The Self-Witness
Of Scripture," GTJ 1 [Spring 1980]: 74).

Back 5

The Crucial Presupposition

Front 6

Although apologetics and theology are interrelated,
"theology must supply the presuppositions of apologetics"
(Greg Bahnsen, "Apologetics," in Foundations
of Christian Scholarship: Essays in the Van Til
Perspective [Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1976],
p. 238).

Back 6

The Corollary Presuppositions
Generally, concerning theology

Front 7

"Let us no longer allow our apologetics to come far
behind our theology" (Horne, "Biblical Apologetic
Methodology, 11 p. 84) •

Back 7

The Corollary Presuppositions
Generally, concerning theology

Front 8

Gen 1:26-30

Then God said, “Let us make man[a] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Back 8

Pre Fall, Functional Relational Analogical Combinational

Front 9

Gen 9:6

“Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image.

James 3:9

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Back 9

Post Fall

Front 10

"At no point does man, acting upon his
adopted principle of automony,
interpret or discern anything
correctly--Scripture is express on
this truth (I Car. 2:14; 1:20, 21;
3: 19). • • • One who holds to scriptural
teaching concerning the depravity
of man must maintain that the
faculties are corrupt and defiled, but
this doctrine does not impl thcir
complete annihilation" emphasis
added] (Halsey, For A Time Such As
This,

Back 10

Post Fall

Front 11

"The common ground between believers
and unbelievers lies not in a supposed
common epistemology but in a common
bearing of God's image. This metaphysical
common ground, involving as
45
it does the sensus deitatis, becomes
the proper point of contact in
apologetics and evangelism. Men are
accessible to the gospel because they
are God's image-bearers and live in
God's uni verse which constantly
testifies to them of God" (Dave L.
Turner, "Cornelius Van Til and Romans
1:18-21: A Study In The Epistemology
Of Presupposi tional Apologetics,"

Back 11

Post Fall

Front 12

Rom 1:18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[a] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but theybecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Back 12

His knowledge is suppressed

Front 13

"The intellect is not a part of
human nature somehow exempted
from the general corruption, not
something which can be appealed
to as an impartial arbiter
capable of standing outside the
influence of the ego and returning
a perfectly objective
judgment"

Back 13

epistemological implications from rom 1:18-32

Front 14

"Man refuses to honor God-in-his revelation
and formulates a lifea
n d -world perspective more
congenial to his standpoint of
revolt"

Back 14

epistemological implications from rom 1:18-32

Front 15

"The fall of man was a
catastrophic personality shock;
it fractured human existence with
a devastating fault. Ever since,
man's worship and contemplation
of the living God have been
broken, his devotion to the
divine will shattered. Man's
revolt against God therefore
affects his entire being; he is
now motivated by an inordinate
will • • he devotes human
reasoning to the cause of
spiritual rebellion. • • • His
revolt against God is at the same
time a revolt against truth and
the good

Back 15

epistemological implications from rom 1:18-32

Front 16

"Man in sin does not have the
will or the means to recover a
true knowledge of God"

Back 16

epistemological implications from rom 1:18-32

Front 17

Romans 2:12-16

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 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.

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His conscience is circumscribed

Front 18

"What has been said of the
revelation of God in nature may also
be said of the second source of the knowledge of God, the revelation of
God in conscience (cf. Rom. 2:15-16).
This 'guardian appointed for man, '
'this inner witness and monitor,' by
which man is given a native sense of
the will of God, is by reason of sin a
faulty sense also. It, too, cannot
save sinners" (S. Lewis Johnson, "Paul
and the Knowledge of God,"

Back 18

Epistemological implications from
Romans 2: 12--16

Front 19

"Man must know God in order to find intelligibility
i~nything else. Man cannot gain
knowledge by looking within himself for the
final reference point or interpretive category
of experience. Human knowledge is completely
dependent upon the original knowledge of God,
and thus God's revelation is foundational for
man's epistemological endeavors" (Bahnsen,

Back 19

The commensurate methodological restrictions

Front 20

"The sin-darkened mind, contrary to popular
opinion, is a slave to certain very definite
presuppositions. Failure to accept Scripture's
teaching on this most important point lies at
the base of the historical impotence of Christian
apologetics and evangelical witness. • • •
If one does not begin one's investigations of
ancient, medieval, or modern philosophy with the
biblical presupposition of the noetic effects of
sin • • • , he will eventually establish a
refuge for the apostate man" (Jim S. Halsey,

Back 20

The commensurate methodological restrictions

Front 21

"Since apologists had surrendered the battle at
the presuppositional level already, it is no
surprise that we find them accommodating to the
methods of idealistic philosophy • • • , higher
criticism • • • , and Darwinian science. • • .
The same arguments which appeared throughout the
history of the church were again rehashed, with
all the ensuing defects of the Socratic outlook
thwarting their success.

Back 21

The commensurate methodological restrictions

Front 22

"By taking as its starting point an
agreement with apostate thought and. presuppositions,
Christian apologetics has throughout
its history ended up in captivity behind enemy
lines. Having said 'yes' to unbelieving
epistemology or interpretation at the outset,
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the later attempt to say 'but' and correct the
conclusions of non-Christian thinking has been
manifestly unsuccessful" (Bahnsen,

Back 22

The commensurate methodological restrictions

Front 23

"To capitulate to the unregenerate demand for
autonomy and submit the biblical revelation and
its evidence to his viewpoint is to deny what
Scripture says about him as a sinner whose mind
is at enmity against God" (Grier,

Back 23

The commensurate methodological restrictions

Front 24

"The method is, then, not to reason to the full
theistic position from a standpoint outside of
it, but to stand within the Christian theistic
position itself" (Robert D. Knudsen,

Back 24

The commensurate methodological restrictions

Front 25

First, "presuppositions are universal": "all epistemological
authorities start with linguistic assertions that
are self-referential" (Grier,

Back 25

The Charge of Circular Reasoning

Front 26

"Man is God's creature and is dependent on God for
knowledge through self-revelation. The evidence for the
truth of God's revelation is internal to the revelation
and is adapted to man in language form"Grier

Back 26

The Charge of Circular Reasoning

Front 27

''We move from the Scriptures, through the Scriptures, to
the Scriptures. Many will condemn this ••• as arguing
in a circle, or debating within a closed system. Our only
rebuttal is that all arguing ••• is arguing in a circle.
The only question becomes, Who has drawn the circle? Who
has closed the system? Insofar as the circle is a Biblecentered
one, it is also God-centered. And a God-centered
mind is always closed, in the most beautiful sense. Our
appeal is for more closed minds, more arguing in terms of
God's circle" (Harvie M. Conn,

Back 27

The Charge of Circular Reasoning

Front 28

Remember: "if this doctrine of total depravity is not clearly understood
in its full Biblical delineation, then one's apologetical system is bound
to be woefully defective" (Horne,

Back 28

HAMARTIOLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS

Front 29

The reminders from Genesis 2 and 3

Back 29

Internal Complications
1C. The Scriptural Evidence for Original Sin and Total Depravity
1D. Man's polluted roots
1E. The realities of the Fall

Front 30

"Adam went through a unique experience. • • •
When Adam sinned, he fell from an estate of
being good into an estate of being evil. He was
created by God as a creature of whom it could be
said that he was 'very good.' From this estate
in which he was created by God he fell into an
estate of sin and misery and by his disobedience
plunged all men into that same estate of sin and
misery. That is not true of me. My sin has not
plunged all men into an estate of sin and
misery. Furthermore, by my sin I did not fall
from an estate of being 'very good' into an
estate of evil. I and all men like me were born
into that miserable estate of sin, and when we
sinned we simply showed that we were in such an
estate. By sinning Adam became a sinner; by
sinning we do not become sinners, we are already
sinners. Sin does not cause us to fall from the
estate wherein we were created, for we were born
into a fallen estate. With Adam, however, the
case was quite different. His sin brought him
into a fallen estate. By disobedience he fell;
by disobedience we simply show that we are
already fallen" (E. J. Young,

Back 30

Internal Complications
1C. The Scriptural Evidence for Original Sin and Total Depravity
1D. Man's polluted roots
1E. The realities of the Fall

Front 31

The reminders from Romans 5:12ff.

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned"

Back 31

Internal Complications
1C. The Scriptural Evidence for Original Sin and Total Depravity
1D. Man's polluted roots
1E. The realities of the Fall

Front 32

"The context of Romans 5 over and over
again relates our sin and guilt to the act
of one man •••. It does seem essential to
Paul's point to maintain that the nature of
the union between the two principles and
their people is parallel. • • • In v. 12
the apostle makes the point that all die
because all have sinned. In the following
verses, vv. 13-19 (including both the
parenthesis of vv. 13-17 and the apodosis
of vv. 18-19), he makes the point that all
die because one sinned. Can the apostle be
dealing with two different things? Hardly.
The one fact may be expressed in terms of
both plurality and singularity •••• There
must be some kind of solidarity" (S. Lewis
Johnson, Jr. , "Romans 5: 12 -- an Exercise
in Exegesis and Theology," New Dimensions
in NT Theology, ed. by Longenecker ai\d
Tenney

Back 32

Internal Complications
1C. The Scriptural Evidence for Original Sin and Total Depravity
1D. Man's polluted roots
1E. The realities of the Fall

Front 33

"Romans chapter 5 • • • reveals the true
starting point of his [i.e. Paul's]
hamartiology" (D. J. W. Milne,

Back 33

Internal Complications
1C. The Scriptural Evidence for Original Sin and Total Depravity
1D. Man's polluted roots
1E. The realities of the Fall

Front 34

Psalm 51:5

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Back 34

The results of the Fall

Front 35

Generalized in Ephesians 2:1, 3

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b]

Back 35

The results of the Fall

Front 36

"This bill of indictment cannot but grate
harshly on the ears of shallow religionists of
effeminate sensibilities and an extenuating
temper; and manifold are the attempts they make
to elude its impact by the help of evolutionary
or philosophical presuppositions. Fond of
patting human nature on the back and of glossing
over its vicious propensities, they persuade
themselves to regard it as innocent in the main,
or, if somewhat of a scapegrace, 'more sinned
against than sinning.' Its obliquities are
frequently attributed to the development of the
passions in advance of the judgment. But that
complacent theory does not tally with the facts
of the case. For, as the history of humanity
abundantly proves, all mankind without exception
turns aside to his own way. We are sinners in
grain; every mother's son learns to be naughty
with out book. Nor will either impulse or
example suffice to account for the anomaly of
wrongdoing co-extensive with an entire species
of moral agents, whilst our fellow-lodgers, the
animal creation, fulfil their instinctive ends
without fail. To confine sin to outward acts is
merely resorting to a hollow euphemism; for
whence these uniformly corrupt fruits save from
a corrupt tree? Deny original sin and the state
of our world becomes harder to construe than if
you embrace the tenet. The evil principle lurks
beneath the surface, seated in the hidden heart"
(Simpson

Back 36

The results of the Fall

Front 37

Job 4:17

Can mortal man be in the right before[a] God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?

Back 37

Man's profane reputation

Front 38

Job 14:4

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
There is not one.

Back 38

Man's profane reputation

Front 39

"The sentiment was undoubtedly common--so common
as to have passed into a proverb--that man was a
53
sinner; and that it could not be expected that
any one of the race should be pure and holy.
The sentiment is as true as it is obvious--like
will beget like all over the world. The nature
of the lion, the tiger, the hyaena, the serpent
is propagated, and so the same thing is true of
man. It is a great law, that the offspring will
resemble the parentage; . . . so the offspring
of man . . . is. a man with the same nature, the
same moral character, the same proneness to evil
with the parent" (Albert Barnes,

Back 39

Man's profane reputation

Front 40

Job 15:14-16

What is man, that he can be pure?
Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?
15 Behold, God[a] puts no trust in his holy ones,
and the heavens are not pure in his sight;
16 how much less one who is abominable and corrupt,
a man who drinks injustice like water!

Back 40

Man's profane reputation

Front 41

Job 25:4-6

How then can man be in the right before God?
How can he who is born of woman be pure?
5 Behold, even the moon is not bright,
and the stars are not pure in his eyes;
6 how much less man, who is a maggot,
and the son of man, who is a worm!”

Back 41

Man's profane reputation

Front 42

Solomon in 1 Kgs 8:46

If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,

Back 42

Man's profane reputation

Front 43

Ecclesiastes 7:20

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Back 43

Man's profane reputation

Front 44

Ecclesiastes 7:29b

God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

Back 44

Man's profane reputation

Front 45

Ecclesiastes 9:3

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Back 45

Man's profane reputation

Front 46

Jeremiah 17:9-10

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,[a]
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Back 46

Man's profane reputation

Front 47

"Vv. 9-10. The 'heart' in Hebrew thought is the
center and fountainhead of life in its every form and
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phase (Prov. 4:23). This heart is 'deceitful,'
literally, following the heel, dogging one's footsteps
for the purpose of betraying him. Compare
•Jacob' Gen. 25:26; 27:35-36, the name derived from
the same root word. In point of deceitfulness,
treachery, the human heart exceeds all things. And
the greatest deception it has conceived is the lie of
the natural goodness of man's heart. On this fallacy
all efforts of man at self-reform and national reform
are based. This treacherous lie is the greatest
obstacle to a humble return to God. 'Desperately
wicked,' a very apt translation of the Hebrew word,
literally, 'incurable,' occurring eight times Is.
17:11; Jer. 15:18; 17:9, 16; 30:12, 15; Job 34:6;
Micah 1:9. The verb occurs once (2 Sam. 12: 15).
Desperately wicked! See Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Matt. 15:19.
'Who can know it?' Just because of its inherent
incurable treachery no man can fully fathom the
depths of the depravity of man's heart. The Lord is
not speaking here of particularly wicked degenerates.
He describes the human heart, the life seat of every
human being. And the diagnosis of the Searcher of
man's heart, the greatest Psychologist, is: Incurably
wicked! This Searcher of the heart is also the
Judge!" (Theodore Laetsch

Back 47

Man's profane reputation

Front 48

Confirmed by Jesus Mark 7:20-23

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft,murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander,pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Back 48

Man's profane reputation

Front 49

"The substance of verse 15b is repeated in verse
20, followed by the explanation (verses 21-23).
The source of true defilement in men is the
human heart, and the tragedy of man's having to
sin reaches its demonic fulfilment in man's
wanting to sin. There is no heart in which this
radical evil has failed to take root. The
catalogue of sinful acts and dispositions which
flow from the heart is thoroughly Jewish in
character. At the head of the list is 'evil
thoughts' which stand behind the evil actions of
men" (William L. Lane

Back 49

Man's profane reputation

Front 50

Jesus's avoidance: John 2:23-25

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Back 50

Man's profane reputation

Front 51

Genesis 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.

Back 51

The Practical Effects of Original Sin and Total Depravity:
Man's perverted reasoning

Front 52

"In Gen. iv; vi ff. the author continues his
reflection on the state of man. Instead of being
innocent, as God intended him to be, man is a sinner
and this fact makes itself felt more and more. When
man in his high-handedness is left to himself he goes
from bad to worse. • • • In ch. vi. 5 and viii. 21
(cf. ix. 18ff. and xi. 1ff.) we see how sin poisons
the human heart. Especially in vi. 5 this is
stressed very clearly: 'every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.' A
more emphatic statement of the wickedness of the
human heart is hardly conceivable. This is emphasized
once more because in viii. 21 the same judgment
is pronounced on humanity after the Flood; indeed, in
ix. 18ff. and xi. 1ff. both Noah and his descendants
prove to be wicked" (Theodorus c. Vriezen,

Back 52

Man's perverted reasoning

Front 53

Amplified in Ephesians 4:17-19

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Back 53

Man's perverted reasoning

Front 54

The reason of man's mind still functions, but no
matter where it functions the result is vanity and
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evil, always in opposition to God. Man still has
some desire to investigate truth, but the corruption
of the mind renders him incapable of the right way of
investigating truth. Unless seen in relation to God
and His Word, this reasoning only leads to further
perversion" (Donald Eggleston

Back 54

Man's perverted reasoning

Front 55

Romans 3:9-18

What then? Are we Jews[a] any better off?[b] No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Back 55

Man's perpetual resistance

Front 56

An inspired synthesis: Romans 5:6-10

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in thatwhile we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved byhis life.

Back 56

Man's perpetual resistance

Front 57

The burden of Jeremiah 13:23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin
or the leopard his spots?
Then also you can do good
who are accustomed to do evil.

Back 57

Man's Inability

Front 58

"This sin is not merely an acquired habit, which they
might give up at any time they chose to do so. They can
relinquish their sinful nature as little as the Ethiopian
can rid himself of his skin or the leopard his spots.
Ever since Adam's fall all children of Adam are, like
their father, sinful, every imagination of the thoughts of
their hearts being only evil continually (Gen. 6:5; 8:21;
57
Jer. 17:9; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 2:1-2). To make man willing to
yield himself to God and his members as instruments of
righteousness unto God is a miracle even greater than
changing an Ethiopian' s skin and a leopard's spots, a
miracle possible only to the almighty grace of the Lord
Jehovah (Jer. 31:18, 20, 31-34; 33:8)" (Laetsch

Back 58

Man's Inability

Front 59

The burden of 1 Corinthians 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.

Back 59

Man's Inability

Front 60

"Such a man recei veth not the things of the Spirit.
The verb has an air of welcoming about it, being the
usual word for receiving a guest. Thus the point is
that the natural man does not welcome the things of
the Spirit; he refuses them, he rejects them" (Leon
Morris,

Back 60

Man's hostility

Front 61

"The words: he cannot know them are still
stronger, since they do not merely refer to what
the natural man attempts but what is objectively
true about him; they refer to his condition" (F.
W. Grosheide

Back 61

Man's hopelessness

Front 62

A natural man "lacks the equipment necessary to
examine spiritual things. • • • He is like a
blind man in an art gallery, like a deaf man at
a symphony" (James L. Boyer,

Back 62

Man's hopelessness

Front 63

The implication is that "at no point does man,
acting upon his adopted principle of autonomy,
interpret or discern anything [i.e. spiritual]
correctly" (Halsey

Back 63

Man's hopelessness

Front 64

"But there is another power at work besides the wills of
those whose hearts are veiled against the gospel light--the god,
namely, of this world, to whom, in turning away from the one true
58
God, those who are perishing have submitted themselves, and by whom
their unbelieving minds are blinded" (P. E. Hughes

Back 64

External Complications: Satanic Opposition

Front 65

2 Cor 11:3

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Back 65

Satanic Opposition: Aimed at the Recipients of Truth

Front 66

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 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.

Back 66

Satanic Opposition: Aimed at the Recipients of Truth

Front 67

The remembrance of Ephesians 2:2

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Back 67

Satanic Opposition: Aimed at the Recipients of Truth

Front 68

The knowledge of 1 John 5:19

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Back 68

Satanic Opposition: Aimed at the Recipients of Truth

Front 69

"John does not say that the world is 'of' the evil
one as we are of God (al though he has already
declared this in iii. 8, 10, 12; cf. Jn. viii. 44,
4'7), but in him, since he is thinking now not so much
of the godless world's origin as of its present sad
and perilous condition. It is 'in the evil one,' in
his grip and under his dominion. Moreover, it lies
there. It is not represented as struggling actively
to be free but as quietly lying, perhaps even
unconsciously asleep, in the arms of Satan" (J. R. W.
Stott

Back 69

Satanic Opposition: Aimed at the Recipients of Truth

Front 70

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Back 70

Satanic Opposition: Aimed at the Disseminators of Truth

Front 71

Romans 6:17-18, 20

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.

Back 71

The Hopelessness of Anthropocentricity
Concerning the lost sinner

Front 72

"The sinner is so spiritually
bankrupt that he can do nothing pertaining to his
salvation •.•• In the spiritual realm, when judged
by God's standards, the unsaved sinner is incapable
of good. The natural man is enslaved to sin; he is a
child of Satan, rebellious toward God, blind to
truth, corrupt, and unable to save himself or to
prepare himself for salvation. In short, the
unregenerate man is DEAD IN SIN, and his WILL IS
ENSLAVED to his evil nature" (Steele and Thomas

Back 72

The Hopelessness of Anthropocentricity
Concerning the lost sinner

Front 73

Romans 7:14-8:8

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my membersanother law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Back 73

The Hopelessness of Anthropocentricity
Concerning the saved sinner: antropocentric hangover

Front 74

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] 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.[d]

Back 74

The Hopelessness of Anthropocentricity
Concerning the saved sinner: antropocentric hangover

Front 75

1 John 1:8-10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Back 75

The Hopelessness of Anthropocentricity
Concerning the saved sinner: antropocentric hangover

Front 76

Two acute spheres of manifestation of "saved sinner: antropocentric hangover"

Back 76

Pride in the 'pew'
Pride in the 'preacher'

Front 77

Ephesians 2:4-10

But[a] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Back 77

The Hope of Theocentricity: "BUT GOD"

Front 78

Psalm 3:8

Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people!

Back 78

SOTERIOLOGICAL THEOCENTRICITY
An Introduction to God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 79

Titus 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,

Back 79

SOTERIOLOGICAL THEOCENTRICITY
An Introduction to God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 80

The prophecy of Isaiah 53

...Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;...

Back 80

He is the Architect of Salvation

Front 81

The declaration of Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[a] for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we haveredemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight9 making known[b] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

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,12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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,14 who is the guarantee[c] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[d]to the praise of his glory.

Back 81

He is the Architect of Salvation

Front 82

The theological implication of Jeremiah 31:18-19

I have heard Ephraim grieving,
‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
like an untrained calf;
bring me back that I may be restored,
for you are the Lord my God.
19 For after I had turned away, I relented,
and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh;
I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

and Lamentations 5:21

Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!
Renew our days as of old—

Back 82

He Takes the Initiative in Salvation

Front 83

The theological corroborations of

Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding andrevealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[a] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Matthew 16: 15-17

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied,“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him,“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Back 83

He Takes the Initiative in Salvation

Front 84

"Spiritual awareness of Christ
and his Kingdom is not arrived at through
intellect or common sense. . • The final
explanation of human response • • • lies in the
good pleasure of God (cf. Eph 1 :5; Phil
2: 13) • • • • Jesus claims an authority which
distinguishes him from all other persons (cf. Mt
28:18; Jn 13:3). Here that authority is stated
as involving the revelation of God to men ••••
Matthew is in agreement with thoughts more
frequently expressed by John and Paul. This
shows that the Biblical writers were essentially
of one mind regarding the truth that man is
dependent upon God's grace in Christ for all
spiritual lmowledge" (Kent,

Back 84

He Takes the Initiative in Salvation

Front 85

Romans 5:6-11

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in thatwhile we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved byhis life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Back 85

He Takes the Initiative in Salvation

Front 86

Romans 9:16

So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[a] but on God, who has mercy.

Back 86

He Takes the Initiative in Salvation

Front 87

Newell's plea still retains its urgency: "Oh,
that this great verse might sink into our ears,
into our very hearts! Perhaps no statement of
all Scripture so completely brings man to an
utter end. Man thinks he can 'will' and
'decide,' Godward, and that after he has so
'decided' and 'willed,' he has the ability to
'run,' or, as he says, to 'hold out.' But these
two things, deciding and holding out, are in
62
this verse utterly rejected as the source of
salvation,--which is declared to be God that
hath MERCY. Human responsibility is not at all
denied here: man ought to will, and ought to
run. But we are all nothing but sinners, and
can do,--will do, neither: unless God come
forth to us in sovereign mercy" (Newell,

Back 87

He Takes the Initiative in Salvation

Front 88

Colossians 3:10

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Back 88

From the continual perspective (i.e. 'sanctification')

Front 89

Philippians 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.

Back 89

From the continual perspective (i.e. 'sanctification')

Front 90

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Back 90

From the continual perspective (i.e. 'sanctification')

Front 91

"Therefore, my beloved, having the example of
Christ's humility to guide you, the example of
Christ's exaltation to encourage you, as ye have
always been obedient hitherto, so continue. Do
not look to my presence to stimulate you.
Labour earnestly not only at times when I am
with you, but now when I am far away. With a
nervous and trembling anxiety work out your
salvation for yourselves. For yourselves, did I
say? Nay, ye are not alone. It is God working
in you from first to last: God that inspires
the earliest impulse, and God that directs the
final achievement: for such is His good
pleasure" (J. B. Lightfoot,

Back 91

From the continual perspective (i.e. 'sanctification')

Front 92

Romans 8:28-30

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom heforeknew 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.

Back 92

From the continual perspective (i.e. 'sanctification')

Front 93

Deut 7:6-11

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 10 andrepays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. 11 You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.

Back 93

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 94

psalm 119:93

I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.

Back 94

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 95

Peter's testimony (Acts 9:32-11:18)

Peter's vision of the sheet

Back 95

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

The Example of the Gentiles

Front 96

Paul's call to ministry (Acts 26:16-18)

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Back 96

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

The Example of the Gentiles

Front 97

Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 14:27)

... And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles....

Back 97

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

The Example of the Gentiles

Front 98

Concerning the Thessalonian converts (1 Thess 1:2-5;2:13)

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know,brothers[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with fullconviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Back 98

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

The Example of the Gentiles

Front 99

Acts 16:14

ne who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Back 99

Some Illustrations of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

The Example of the Gentiles

The Example of a New Testament Saint

Front 100

John 6:37, 44-45, 64·-65

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all betaught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all betaught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

Back 100

Some Implications of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 101

"It must not be imagined . . . that this 1 drawing' is a mere
influence which may be wholesome and beneficial if followed,
but is not always successful. The verb employed is a strong
one, and is used of the actual dragging of a net (John 21: 6,
11), dragging someone from the temple (Acts 21 :30), and haling
someone into court (James 2:6). In none of the uses where
material objects are involved is there any suggestion that the
'drawing' was not accomplished. This concept must not be
overlooked when the word is found in the figurative sense of
the divine pull on man's spirit as here and in 12:32" (Kent,

Back 101

Some Implications of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 102

1 Cor 3: 5-7

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Back 102

Apologetical Implications of God's Sovereignty in Salvation

Front 103

Psalm 19:7-14

The law of the Lord is perfect,[a]

reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules[b] of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 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.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Back 103

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS
The Irresistible Dynamics

The Word of God

Front 104

Ps 119:93

I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.

Back 104

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS
The Irresistible Dynamics

The Word of God

Front 105

Jeremiah 5:14; 20:7-10; 23:29

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts:
“Because you have spoken this word,
behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire,
and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.

O Lord, you have deceived me,
and I was deceived;
you are stronger than I,
and you have prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all the day;
everyone mocks me.
8 For whenever I speak, I cry out,
I shout, “Violence and destruction!”
For the word of the Lord has become for me
a reproach and derision all day long.
9 If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.
10 For I hear many whispering.
Terror is on every side!
“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”
say all my close friends,
watching for my fall.
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we can overcome him
and take our revenge on him.”

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

Back 105

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS
The Irresistible Dynamics

The Word of God

Front 106

Concerning Jeremiah

"The Word of God impinged powerfully on men's
minds. It burned itself first of all into the minds
of those who received it and proclaimed it, and
subsequently made an impact on those who heard it
from them, convicting the hearers of sin and demanding
of them total obedience. The two metaphors of
fire and a hammer that shatters the rock convey
something of the powerful character of the Word of
God" (Thompson

Back 106

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS
The Irresistible Dynamics

The Word of God

Front 107

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Back 107

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 108

1 Thessalonians 2: 13

And we also thank God constantly[a] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[b] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Back 108

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 109

The key verbal always denotes an
effectual working (cf. Moul ton and
Milligan

Back 109

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 110

In this context it must be noted that
"the efficacy of the preached Word" is
being emphasized (Klaas Runia

Back 110

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 111

"It appears to have been generally
accepted by the early church
that the apostles' preaching
represented the 'word of God.'
This apostolic 'word' (or
testimony), as inscribed in the
Gospel accounts of the life and
work of Christ and in the letters
sent by the apostles to the
66
churches, became the inspired
Scriptures of the New Testament"
(Tenis C. Van Kooten,

Back 111

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 112

"The New Testament churches do
not really distinguish between
the spoken and the writ ten
apostolic word. The same
authority first delegated to the
apostles for their oral proclamation
was later carried over into
their writing. . • . In view of
their nature as apostolic
proclamation, the oral and the
written word could not be
regarded as rivals" (Henry

Back 112

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 113

2 Timothy 3:15

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings,which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Back 113

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 114

Col 1:4-8

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.[a] He isa faithful minister of Christ on your[b] behalf 8 and has made known to us yourlove in the Spirit.

Back 114

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 115

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, anddiscerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Back 115

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 116

1 Pet 1:23

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

Back 116

EFFICIENT PROVISIONS

new testament affirmations

Word's Power

Front 117

Thesis:
Spirit,
truth.
The Di vine Author of the Word of Truth, the Holy
is also the dynamic behind man's appropriation of that
The Spirit effectuates the message of the Word.

Back 117

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Front 118

Calvin: '"the secret testimony of the Spirit"';
"'the inward persuasion of the Holy Spirit'":

Back 118

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Front 119

"The testimony of the Spirit is superior to
reason. For as God alone can properly bear
witness to his own words, so these words
will not obtain full credit in the hearts
of men, until they are sealed by the inward
testimony of the Spirit" (Calvin,

Back 119

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Front 120

"Our mind is too rude to be able to
comprehend the spiritual wisdom of God
which is revealed to us by faith, and our
hearts are too prone either to diffidence
or to a perverse confidence in ourselves or
creatures, to rest in God of their own
accord. But the Holy Spirit by his
illumination makes us capable of understanding
those things which would otherwise
far exceed our capacity, and forms us to a
firm persuasion, by sealing the promises of
salvation on our hearts" (John Calvin

Back 120

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Front 121

"An objective revelation of God,
embodied in the Scriptures, was
rendered necessary, and, as well, a
subjective operation of the Spirit of
God on the heart enabling sinful man
to receive this revelation--by which
conjoint divine action, objective and
subjective, a true knowledge of God is
connnunicated to the human soul" (B, B.
Warfield,

Back 121

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Critique

Front 122

"The same Spirit who speaks to us in
the Scriptures speaks also in our
hearts. The exterior testimony which
we read in black and white is confirmed
to us and sealed in our hearts
2F. Luther
68
by the secret testimony of the Spirit.
And the secret testimony of the Holy
Spirit does not lift us proudly above
the letter of the Word, but, on the
contrary, having made us understand it
a little, it stimulates us to submit
ourselves to it further in order to
know it better. The inner testimony
then sends the believer back to the
external testimony, which alone is
normative. It adds nothing to the
written revelation. Extra earn nulla
revelatio, said Calvin of Scripture.
The Spirit only attests, seals, and
confirms to the heart of man that such
and such a page in the act of being
read or explained in public worship or
in private is truly the Word of God.
The work of the Spirit then consists
in making the exterior testimony speak
in the inner testimony. . • . On the
part of Calvin the inner testimony of
the Holy Spirit occurred at two
points: it made the believer know, on
the one hand, the authority of
Scripture, and on the other hand the
certainty of his own personal salvation
• • • " (Theo Preiss, "The Inner
Witness of the Holy Spirit: The
Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and
Scripture," trans. by D. G. Miller,

Back 122

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Front 123

"To Luther the written Word of the Scriptures
is always indissolubly joined with
the power of the Holy Spirit, who has made
it for all times the means by which he
operates on and in the hearts and minds of
those who properly hear and read it" (J.
Theodore Mueller

Back 123

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Front 124

"To Luther there was an outer and an inner
clarity of Scripture. By the usual laws or
rules of language, a Christian could
understand the Scripture as a written
69
document. This is the external clarity of
Scripture. Due to man's sinfulness he
needs an inward assist so that he might
grasp the spiritual Word of God as the Word
of God. The Word of God is a spiritual
entity and can only be understood in faith
with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is
the inner clarity of Scripture. Hence, to
Luther the Holy Spirit was the Hermes from
heaven" (Bernard L. Ramm

Back 124

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Reformation Expressions

Front 125

"The Holy Spirit sustains varied relations to
the Holy Scriptures. He is independent of them
in personal sovereignty, yet identified with
them in official ministry" (George C. Needham,
"The Spirit and the Word," in The Inspired Word,
ed. by Pierson

Back 125

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

contemporary Expressions

Front 126

"The Holy Spirit is related to Scripture in many
ways. Some of the more significant dimensions
of the Spirit's work vis-a-vis Scripture include
inspiration, illumination, application (conviction),
and the testimonium" (R. C. Sproul, "The
Internal Testimony Of The Holy Spirit," in
Inerrancy, ed. by Geisler

Back 126

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

contemporary Expressions

Front 127

1 Cor 2:10-11

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 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.

Back 127

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Scriptural intimations

Front 128

"The Holy Spirit • • • functions notably • • •
as the supernatural conveyor of di vine
knowledge" (Henry

Back 128

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Scriptural intimations

Front 129

"Now, the Holy Spirit has been sent to the
Church as its Teacher, . • . to make them wise
unto salvation, to testify to them of Christ and
to glorify Him thereby. To the apostles, He
came to remind them of Christ's teaching, to
show them its meaning, to add further revelation
70
to it, and so to equip them to witness to all
about their Lord. To other men, He comes to
make them partakers of the apostolic faith
through the apostolic word. Paul indicates the
permanent relation between the Spirit, the
apostles' word and the rest of the Church in 1
Cor. ii. 10-16" ( J. I. Packer

Back 129

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Scriptural intimations

Front 130

"Man cannot himself find out the truth about God
and his purposes; only the Spirit of God can
make these things known, for the Spirit searches
out all things, even the deep things of God. It
is the Spirit who convinces the hearer of the
truth of the Gospel (ii. 4), the Spirit also who
brings out the meaning of what is given in the
Gospel (ii. 12) •••. In the same way, no one
knows (or, has ever known, £yvwxEv ) the inward
truths about God except the Spirit of God. Only
God knows and can communicate the truth about
himself (cf. Matt. xi. 25ff.; Luke x. 21f.)
• • •. Apart therefore from the Spirit of God,
man remains in ignorance of God and of his wise
purpose for the world" (C. K. Barrett

Back 130

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Scriptural intimations

Front 131

John 16:8-11

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Back 131

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The Spirit's initial operation

Front 132

John 3:5ff

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Back 132

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The Spirit's initial operation

Front 133

Ps 119:18, 33-34, 130

Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.

The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.

Back 133

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The Spirit's continued operation

Front 134

Eph 1:17-18

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Back 134

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The Spirit's continued operation

Front 135

Eph 6:17

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Back 135

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The intricate synergism

Front 136

"The Epistle to the Hebrews employs
the same figure (4:12) to set forth the trenchant power of
Scripture, its scimitar edge, capable of sundering the joints
and marrow and dissecting the intents of the heart. This soulsearching
quality makes it the chief medium of conviction, far
more availing than the subtlety or eloquence of the preacher.
A Bible text smites the conscience point-blank, or floors selfrighteousness
as no weapon of mortal fabrication would do. The
omniscient Spirit of the Lord breathes through its pages, that
Spirit whose fathomless line can sound the depths of Deity
itself, much more the shallows of human nature" (Simpson

Back 136

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The intricate synergism

Front 137

Acts 16:14

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Back 137

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

The intricate synergism

Front 138

1 Thess 1:5

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Back 138

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Applied

Front 139

"The Spirit works with the Word .•• and through the Word
• • . , not without or apart from the Word. "
(Sproul,

Back 139

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Applied

Front 140

"The Word is the instrument of the Spirit. But the Spirit
is not the prisoner of the Word, nor does the Word work
automatically. The Word brings the Spirit to the heart,
and the Spirit brings the Word within the heart"
(Hendrikus

Back 140

The Subjective (i.e. Personal) Dynamic: The Spirit of God

Applied

Front 141

Hendriksen 's good example as he comments on 1 Thess
1 : 5:
"Just as at Corinth (I Car. 2:4), where Paul was
carrying on his missionary activity while he was writing
this letter, so also at Thessalonica, he was not interested
in mere words (I Car. 2:4) but in a genuine demonstration
of the Spirit •••• There was spiritual dynamite
( 6uvaμc, ) in the message, enough dynamite to demolish
the idol-gods (verse 9) • In fact, the dynamite of the
Spirit was of a different kind than physical dynamite, for
whereas the latter is limited to destructive operations,
72
this dynamite was also constructive ("to serve God, the
living and real One," etc.!. Notice how the concepts of
Spirit and power go together here, as so often (see Rom.
1:4; 15:13, 19;"! Cor. 2:4; Gal. 3:5; and cf. Rom. 1:4, II
Tim. 1:7, 8) •••• The reason why there was such power in
the message was because when Paul (and those associated
with him) spoke, God was speaking"

Back 141

The Implications for Apologetics
These Efficient Provisions Must not be Diluted

Front 142

"The Christian preacher, too, is a herald--a herald of
God" (Victor Paul Furnish, "Prophets, Apostles, and
Preachers: A Study of the Biblical Concept of Preaching,"

Back 142

The Implications for Apologetics

These Efficient Provisions Must be Determinative

Front 143

"The written and spoken Word draws its power from its
union with the Holy Spirit, who is always operative
through it. The Word of God and the Spirit of God are
inseparable. When the Word is preached the Spirit is
always operative" (Robert Preus

Back 143

The Implications for Apologetics

These Efficient Provisions Must be Determinative

Front 144

"If today's preacher brings the same message •.• as Paul
and the other apostles, God also speaks through him. Then
his word too is not just a human word, but the Word of God
Himself" (Runia,

Back 144

The Implications for Apologetics

These Efficient Provisions Must be Determinative

Front 145

Ezek 2:1-7; 3:4, 10-11, 24-27

And he said to me, “Son of man,[a] stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me.They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.[b]Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.

Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. 11 And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.”

But the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me, “Go, shut yourself within your house. 25 And you, O son of man, behold, cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
The Example of the Prophets and Apostles
Note the impact of the IF's (i.e. introductory formulas) throughout
the Scriptures.

Front 146

1 Corinthians 15: 1-4

Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Back 146

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
The Example of the Prophets and Apostles
Note the impact of the IF's (i.e. introductory formulas) throughout
the Scriptures.

Front 147

1 Peter 4: 11a

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Back 147

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
The Example of the Prophets and Apostles
Note the impact of the IF's (i.e. introductory formulas) throughout
the Scriptures.

Front 148

Reformation under reign of Josiah-details????

Back 148

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
The Example of the Prophets and Apostles
Note the impact of the IF's (i.e. introductory formulas) throughout
the Scriptures.

Front 149

The Example of the Reformations under Nehemiah and Ezra - details ????

Back 149

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
The Example of the Prophets and Apostles
Note the impact of the IF's (i.e. introductory formulas) throughout
the Scriptures.

Front 150

A Polemical Pattern (Matt 4:1-11)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him,“Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Example of Jesus

Front 151

Luke 24:13

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem,

Back 151

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

presentational pattern

Front 152

"Christ opened the disciples'
minds (v. 45)--He made understanding possible by giving
them the needed insight--so that they could comprehend the
Scriptures. It was at this point that John and Peter and
74
the other apostles fully believed in the resurrection.
They did not believe on the basis of the circumstantial
evidence of the empty tomb or even on the basis of the
risen Christ but on the inerrant testimony of di vine
revelation. The resurrection was true because God had
predicted that it would happen in His Word" (Connelly

Back 152

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

presentational pattern

Front 153

Acts 8:26

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[a] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

Back 153

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Philip and Peter

Front 154

Acts 10:3

About the ninth hour of the day[a] he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”

Back 154

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Philip and Peter

Front 155

Acts 18:24-28

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit,[a] he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him andwrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

Back 155

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Apollos

Front 156

Col 2:4-3:4; esp. 2:4, 8

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

Back 156

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 157

Carson's summary is valuable: "The word philosophy here
is obviously linked closely with the phrase vain deceit, •
• • hence the phrase is descriptive of the philosophy. It
is empty for it is void of real truth. It is empty of
vital power, for the dynamic of the gospel is absent. It
is empty of hope, for it leads away from the light of
God's presence into the mists of man's speculation. It is
deceitful because of its attractive presentation which
seduces the minds of those who are drawn away by it, and
which conceals its own barrenness. The question arises as
to whether Paul completely condemns philosophy itself or
75
only a perversion of it. In the early Church there were
those who would say that philosophy was no enemy of the
gospel; and might indeed, like Judaism, be a preparation
for it. There were others who saw philosophy as productive
only of error. With Paul it would no doubt be true
to say that philosophy, in the simple sense of a love of
knowledge and a desire for truth, would be quite compatible
with his position. But to philosophy in the
developed sense with its emphasis on the primacy of human
reason he would obviously be utterly opposed. For Paul,
the gospel was rooted in revelation. God had spoken
clearly and finally in Christ. The believer comes in
humility to hear what God has to say to him. His reason
is applied to understand the wisdom which is revealed in
Christ. Thus, Pauline theology is God-centered in
contrast to any humanistic philosophy which begins with
man, and which makes man's reason the measure of truth.
The introductory chapters of I Corinthians show this
contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of
God. Hence, while the Christian may see a certain
negative value in speculative philosophy, he will constantly
be on his guard lest he come to study revelation,
not as a believer, but as a humanist. This does not mean
that he should come with a blind unreasoning faith. But
it does mean that, instead of bringing philosophical
presuppositions which will colour his study of Scripture
and so prejudice his interpretation, he comes as one
conscious of the finiteness of his intellect, and aware
that his mind also is affected by his sinful nature. Thus
he is willing to be taught by the Holy Spirit, and
acknowledges that it is the Word of God rather than his
own reason which is the final arbiter of truth" (Herbert
M. Carson, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and
Philemon,

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 158

Acts 28:23-24

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 159

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And I, when I came to you, brothers,[a] did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[b] of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with youin weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men[c] but in the power of God.

Back 159

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 160

James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Back 160

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 161

"Two wisdoms confront each other in
First Corinthians: the 'wisdom' of the
world and the Wisdom of God. • • • The
'wisdom' of the world may best be defined
as self-centeredness: self-love, selftrust,
and self-assertion •••• Behind all
their surface problems was one problem:
the 'wisdom' of the world. Behind the
solution to any problem at Corinth he
looked to the Wisdom of God. Thus, in
First Corinthians may be seen its underlying
motif: God's Wisdom over against the
'wisdom' of the world, judging it and
offering true answer to the foolish and
futile strivings of egocentric man" (Frank
Stagg

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 162

"In the strongest possible terms the
apostle presents this wisdom [i.e. God's]
as inaccessible to human wisdom, thus as
revelatory, known only through the agency
of God's own Spirit" (Robin Scroggs

"Let him beware who puts his trust in human
wisdom"

Back 162

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 163

"'Stop thinlin which ingenuity or impressiveness
counts 111 (C. Clare Oke

Back 163

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 164

"Some at least of the Corinthians were
setting too high a value on human wisdom
and human eloquence in line with the
typical Greek admiration for rhetoric and
77
philosophical studies. In the face of this
Paul insists that preaching with wisdom of
words was no part of his commission. That
kind of preaching would draw men to the
preacher. It would nullify the cross of
Christ. The faithful preaching of the
cross results in men ceasing to put their
trust in any human device, and relying
rather on God's work in Christ. A reliance
on rhetoric would cause men to trust in
men, the very antithesis of what the
preaching of the cross is meant to effect"
(Morris

Back 164

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 165

'"To tell the good news in wisdom of
word' is an implicit contradiction;
'news' only needs and admits of plain,
straightforward telling" (Findlay

"To preach is not a philosophy to be
discussed, but a message of God to be
believed"

"The 'power of God' lies in the facts
and not in any man's presentment of
them"

Back 165

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 166

Paul's general disclosure concerning his
communication (1 cor 2:1)

And I, when I came to you, brothers,[a] did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[b] of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

Back 166

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 167

Paul's specific disclosure concerning his
content (1 cor 2:2)

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Back 167

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 168

Paul's specific disclosure concerning his
limitations (1 cor 2:3)

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,

Back 168

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 169

Paul's specific disclosure concerning his method
(1 cor 2:4-5)

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men[a] but in the power of God.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 170

Based upon Paul's testimony even Ramm must
conclude: "In I Cor. 2: 1-6 Paul emphatically
declares that Christian faith does not rest upon
the methodology followed by philosophers.
Christianity does not rest upon 'lofty words or
wisdom,' nor upon 'plausible words of wisdom,'
nor upon the 'wisdom of men'"

Back 170

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

The Examples of Paul

Front 171

1 Timothy 1 :6-7

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 172

1 Timothy 6:20-21

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

Back 172

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 173

Kent concludes: "There is nothing to fear in
true knowledge. But when men parade their
hypotheses and schemes as settled fact, particularly
in the spiritual and religious realm,
such knowledge is falsely named and must be
shunned. This sort of knowledge which by its
nature is the antithesis (antitheseis) of
revealed religious truth is the counter affirmation
of the enemies of God to the genuine
spiritual knowledge revealed by God's Word.
This falsely-named knowledge subjects God and
His revelation to the mind of man.
"Throughout the history of the church,
there have been men who have claimed a superior
knowledge, and have subjected Scripture to their
boasted intellect"

Back 173

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 174

2 Timothy 2:23-26

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant[a] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponentswith gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape fromthe snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 175

Custer makes an appropriate application: "Now,
do you know why we are not meek; do you know why
we are not gentle? Because, you see, we get
this thing confused. We think it's our job to
convince men. • We don't have to berate
people; we don't have to hit them over the head.
We don't have to prove we're right. You simply
79
deliver the message lovingly, graciously,
kindly, and then say, 'Dad, they're all yours';
and watch them move. We ought to give God time
to work in our teaching" (James

Back 175

METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 176

2 Timothy 2:14-18

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God[a] not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[b] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 177

2 Timothy 4:1-2

Icharge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

Front 178

Timothy is to communicate is called a
'word,' a spoken utterance. Rather it is
the word, God's word which God has spoken.
Paul does not need to specify it further,
for Timothy will know at once that it is
the body of doctrine which he has heard
from Paul and which Paul has now committed
to him to pass on to others. It is
identical with 'the deposit' of chapter 1.
And in this fourth chapter it is equivalent
to 'the sound teaching' (3), 'the truth'
( 4) and 'the faith' ( 7). It consists of
the Old Testament Scriptures, God-breathed
and profitable, which Timothy has known
from childhood, together with the teaching
of the apostle which Timothy has
'followed, ' 'learned' and 'firmly believed'
( 3: 10, 14). The same charge is laid upon
the church of every age. We have no
liberty to invent our message, but only to
communicate 'the word' which God has spoken
and has now committed to the church as a
sacred trust" (Stott

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METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

what not to do

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"He must proclaim as a herald
(keruxon) the message which has been given
to him by his Lord. He must announce it in
its completeness (Acts 20: 27), with out
alteration, addition, or subtraction. He
must proclaim, not philosophize or argue.
6A. SUMMARY-CONCLUSION
80
This message is the Word of God, which has
previously been explained as God-breathed
Scripture ( 3: 16, 17). To proclaim God's
Word involves all the themes of Scripture,
not picking out some and ignoring others.
The Word of God in its entirety is the
basic material of the preacher's message"
(Kent, Pastoral Epistles, p. 292, emphasis
added; cf. Lenski

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what not to do

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"According to Scripture . • . 'heralding'
or 'preaching' is generally the divinely
authorized proclamation of the message of
God to men. It is the exercise of ambassadorship"
(Hendriksen

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what not to do

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"Timothy is to 'preach' this word, himself
to speak what God has spoken" (Stott, Guard

"The sermon is nothing less than a representation
of the Word of God" (Henry,
God, Revelation and Authority, 4:479).

"Today's minister must never forget that it
is only His own Word that God has promised
to bless" (Kenneth L. Barker

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Titus 1 :9

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[a] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

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2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

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Summary Conclusion

Concerning the Regenerate Recipient of Truth

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1 Peter 3:15-16:

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

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Summary Conclusion

Concerning the Regenerate Disseminator of Truth

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Howe's pertinent observation on 1 Peter 3:15-16:
"The Apostle Peter stresses an attitude of dependence on God. If
the call is issued for the act of giving defense on the basis of
this verse, it is imperative also to issue the call for the proper
attitude in this activity, an attitude exemplified by New Testament
believers in their defense. The apostle stresses an attitude of
total dependence on God. • . . The passage teaches that believers
are encouraged to be prepared to give defense, but this defense is
to be devoid of all arrogance, pride, or self-sufficiency"

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Summary Conclusion

Concerning the Regenerate Disseminator of Truth