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64 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What Is Meant By "Systematic Theology?" What Are Its Divisions?
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The study that attempts to arrange the teaching of Scripture in a coherent fashion, expressing it in a contemporary form, and relating it to issues of practical Christian concern.
- Divisions include: God (Theology) The Person and Work of Christ (Christology) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit (Pnuematology) Humanity (Anthropology) Salvation (Soteriology) Church (Ecclesiology) The Last Things (Eschatology) |
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2. What Is The "Reformed Faith?" (Explain As To A New Christian.)
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The Reformed faith is an approach to understanding (a system of belief and practice) God and the Bible through stressing what the Bible stresses: the need of man, the grace of God; the absolute sovereignty of God, the centrality of the Bible to all of life, Covenantal doctrine of Scripture, Sufficiency of the work of Christ, Effectual work of the Holy Spirit
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3. What Is "Covenant Theology?" Why Is It Important? (Explain As To A New Christian.)
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Covenants in Scripture are solemn agreements, negotiated or unilaterally imposed, that bind the parties to each other in permanent defined relationships, with specific promises, claims, and obligations on both sides. When God makes a covenant with his creatures, he alone establishes its terms. God’s covenant rests on his promise, as is clear from his covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).
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Explain the "T" in TULIP for the five points of Calvinism. Also, give 2 proof texts
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Total Depravity – through the fall, every part of man has been corrupted by the effects so that man is not able to restore His relationship with God. God must restore relationship if man is to enter into fellowship with God. Romans 3:10-18; Gen. 6:5.
• Genesis 6:5 (ESV) 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. • Romans 3:10-12 (ESV) as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." |
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Explain the "U" in TULIP for the five points of Calvinism. Also, give 2 proof texts
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Unconditional Election – God's choice of certain persons to salvation is not dependent upon any foreseen virtue or faith on their part.
• Romans 9:11-13 (ESV) though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call— 12she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." • Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (9) not by works, so that no one can boast. |
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Explain the "L" in TULIP for the five points of Calvinism. Also, give 2 proof texts
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Limited (Particular) Atonement,– Christ came to save those the Father had given Him. All those Christ died for, God will draw to Himself. Sufficient for all, but only effectual for the elect.
• John 6:37 (ESV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. • Joh 10:26-28 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. (27) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. |
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Explain the "I" in TULIP for the five points of Calvinism. Also, give 2 proof texts
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Irresistible Grace – The elect come to faith by the Spirit’s effectual call. Grace changes your nature giving you the ability to choose Him (which they will because it is irresistible).
• John 6:37 (ESV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. • Joh 10:26-28 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. (27) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. |
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Explain the "P" in TULIP for the five points of Calvinism. Also, give 2 proof texts
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Perseverance of the Saints – By God’s grace and perseverance, those who genuinely come to trust in Christ, despite their weaknesses, are preserved in the faith till the end
• Philip. 1:6 (ESV) 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. • Joh 10:26-28 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. (27) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. |
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Where did the 5 points of Calvinism Come From?
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They are a summary of the Synod of Dort; in response to the (5) Remonstrance's of Jacob Arminius.
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1. Define And Distinguish "General Revelation" And "Special Revelation."
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General Revelation is truth about God available to everyone through nature, history and God's image in mankind. – Qualities rendering man without excuse
Special Revelation is what God has revealed about Himself to His people, through special messengers (angels or prophets), Jesus Christ, or the Scripture. Certain theological knowledge, i.e., the way of salvation, can come only through this method. – Mediated through word and spirit |
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2. Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inspiration" Of Scripture.
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To say that the Scripture is inspired is to say the it is God's special revelation-a product of God' s direct intellectual superintending of the men who wrote it. Therefore the inspired Scriptures are the very words of God and thus are the absolute and immutable authoritative rule for faith and practice.
• 2 Tim. 3:16 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, • 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. |
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3. Define And Defend The "Necessity" Of Scripture.
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Scripture is necessary as a means of revealing the saving truth of Jesus Christ, “the knowledge of God and of his will that is necessary for salvation”.
• Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. |
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4. What Is The "Canon"? Defend It Scripturally.
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Canon means rule, measure or standard. The Old Testament canon was confirmed by Jesus himself (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament built on the teaching of Jesus as he taught and trained the disciples to accurately share his message. Matthew 10: sending out of the twelve with a specific message. John 20: Jesus appears to twelve with final instructions and Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 3, Peter understands Paul to be writing Scripture.
• Matthew 5:17 (ESV) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. • 2 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV) And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. |
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5. Define And Defend The "Authority" Of Scripture.
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The authority of Scripture rests not with any humans but solely with God, inspired by the Holy Spirit which makes it God's very word. It possesses historical authority in that it is 100% historically reliable. It possesses normative authority in that it is God's rule for faith and practice.
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6. Define And Defend The "Sufficiency" Of Scripture.
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Scripture is complete, containing all that is needed for God’s glory and for man’s salvation, faith, and life.
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7. Define And Defend The "Perspicuity" Of Scripture.
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The knowledge of saving faith is so clearly and simply presented in Scripture that anyone who earnestly seeks salvation therein can easily gain this knowledge for himself, and need not depend on the church or the priesthood to attain it.
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8. What Is Distinctive About Reformed Interpretation Of Scripture?
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It sees the continuity between the Old and New Testament.
The principle of private interpretation, that is, the right of the individual believer to interpret Scripture without the aid of a priest or any other. |
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9. What Principles Should Guide Our Interpretation Of Scripture?
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Scripture is the only infallible rule of interpretation. When there is ambiguity concerning one passage, the true meaning must be found in other clearer portions of Scripture.
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10. Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inerrancy" Of Scripture.
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The Bible, in all that it teaches, is free from error. Where it speaks to history it is true, but it doesn't speak to everything.
• 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work |
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11. What Do The Scriptures Principally Teach?
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What man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.
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What is God?
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God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
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1. Briefly Explain And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The Doctrine Of The Trinity.
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WSC #6 There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are on God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Deut. 6:4 (ESV) "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2 Cor. 13:14 (ESV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. |
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2. What Are The Attributes Of God? (Be Prepared To Offer Scripture Proofs.)
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WSC #5 God is a Spirit infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth
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2. What Are The Communicable Attributes Of God? (Be Prepared To Offer Scripture Proofs.)
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Wisdom: James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Holiness: 1 Peter 1:16 (ESV) since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." Justice: Micah 6.8- He has shown you, oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you- but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God |
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2. What Are The incommunicable Attributes Of God? (Be Prepared To Offer Scripture Proofs.)
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Infinite: Psa 139:8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Eternal: Psalm 90:2 (ESV) Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Unchangeable: Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. |
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3. What are the decrees of God?
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The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass- WSC #7
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4. What is the difference between infralapsarian and supralapsarian view of God's decrees?
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(The placement of election)
Infra: views God’s decrees historically God decreed to CREATE man in holiness God decreed to permit the FALL God decreed to ELECT some God decreed to PASS over others Supra: views God’s decrees logically (elect before the fall) Decree to ELECT some and pass over others Decree to CREATE Decree to PERMIT the fall Decree to JUSTIFY the elect and condemn the reprobate |
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5. What is an Amyraldian view of God's decrees?
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A system of Reformed theology based on the premise that God wills all to be saved if they believe. – Moise Amyraut of the Saumer Academy- Unlimited Atonement or 4 point Calvinist
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6. How does God execute his decrees?
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God executes his decrees through the works of creation and providence- WSC #8
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7. What is God's work of creation?
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The work of creation is, God’s making of all things out of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good- WSC #9
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9. Evaluate biblically the theory of evolution.
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• Naturalistic Evolution- believes everything, including matter and man, developed by natural random processes and are purely a result of natural forces functioning over a period of time. Naturalistic evolution denies God’s work of creation and providence. This system denies that God created the world out of nothing, by the power of his word, in the space of six days.
• Theistic Evolution- believes that God as the worker/ mover behind the process set the evolutionary process in motion. This system, though acknowledging God as creator, gives him little more credit than first cause. This theory tends to view the creation account as mythical and denies God the sovereign capacity to create as he claims in Genesis 1-2 (essentially a form of Deism) |
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10. What is God's work of providence?
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God’s work of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful, preserving and governing of all his creatures and all their actions- WSC #11
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11. What is a miracle?
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When God works without, above or against the normal means of his providence
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Do miracles occur today? Explain.
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If we take miracle to mean that God working without second causes for the sake of the affirmation of revelation, like Warfield does, then I would not affirm that miracles occur today due to the closed nature of the canon. In saying this I would also add that I would at the same time affirm what Warfield called “extra-ordinary” acts of providence. In other words, I do think God still answers prayer in quite extraordinary ways (for example prayers for healing).
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12. Is God responsible for sin?
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NO
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• Did God decree sin?
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God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered the will of the creatures; nor is liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established -WCF 3.1
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Did God Permit Sin?
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In that nothing takes place in all the universe without God’s permission, yes.
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Who is the ultimate cause of all things?
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God
God from all eternity, did by the most holy and wise counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass… WCF 3.1 The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own Glory, God has ordained whatsoever comes to pass. - WSC #7 |
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What is theodicy.
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A philosophical attempt to vindicate the justice and goodness of God, especially in view of the fact of evil, which is normally felt or judged to constitute a challenge to such attributes of God.
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13. If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters.
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The affirmation that God is good and all-powerful does not deny the reality that we live in a fallen world. Though God created the world good man in his rebellion against God brought sin into the world and with it sickness, destruction and death. However, God’s goodness is still seen in his common grace as he holds his creation together, as well as in his sovereign acts of providence. WE see God’s goodness in his willingness to subject himself to the depravity of the world in order to redeem us from the world and his all powerful sovereignty in his even using that which is otherwise evil to work good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
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14. Discuss the biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation.
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By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death- WCF 3.3 Romans 9
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15. Distinguish the Reformed and Arminian understandings of predestination, election and reprobation.
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Arminians do not accept the Reformed doctrine of absolute predestination. Rather they support the doctrine of conditional predestination, that is, that God predestined his Elect based on the condition of his foreknowledge that they would believe.
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16. Are predestination, election and reprobation compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility?
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“nor is violence offered the will of creatures; nor is liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established- WCF 3.1. It seems to me that the Bible affirms both sovereignty of God and responsibility of man. (He will not leave the guilty unpunished)
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17. What should be some of the practical results of believing the doctrine of election?
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Humility, gratitude, comfort, security, assurance, grace/mercy towards others, obedience out of thankfulness
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18. Is there a real, personal devil? Explain from Scripture.
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Yes, Job 1; Matthew 4; Mark 1
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1. What is the chief end of man?
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"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. " -WSC #1
1 Cor. 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. |
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2. What is the supreme activity of man? (Catechism: "what does God require of man?")
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• Obedience to God's revealed will.
"The duty God requires of man is obedience to his revealed will." - WSC #39 |
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3. What does the Bible teach about the creation of human beings?
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“God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and
holiness, with dominion over the creatures.” - WSC #10 “After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing being left to the liberty of their own will which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.” - WCF 4.2 |
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4. In what way is a man in the image of God?
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"God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. with dominion over the creatures. " (WSC #10)
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5. Are all men in the image of God? If so, to what extent?
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• Yes, to the extent that they possess the characteristics listed above and realizing that all men, share in the fallen state which has corrupted (though not destroyed) that image
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6. How does the doctrine of the image or God influence debates about gender roles?
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They are equally the image of God.
"God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26,27) Part of being in the image of God includes gender differences and complements. Both male and female are made in the image of God in a unique way, and thus are equal in dignity and worth as human beings. On the other hand, neither male nor female fully reflects the image of God without the other. Thus, there is a necessary complimentary relationship between the genders. |
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7. Where did man's soul come from? When?
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Our soul is inherited from our parents-mediate origin. (Buswell).
God creates each new soul immediately-without second causes. (Berkhof). |
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8. What is sin? (WSC 14). Include Scripture proofs.
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"Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. " (WSC #14)
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." (James 2:10) "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. " (1 John 3:3,4) "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. " (James 4: 17) |
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9. Discuss guilt of sin and the corruption of sin.
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• Guilt is a judicial or legal concept describing one's relationship to the, law-in this case God's law. Guilt is the state of deserving condemnation or being liable to punishment because the law has been violated.
• Corruption has to do with our moral condition. “From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.” (WCF 6.4) “This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.” (WCF 6.5) |
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10. Define and discuss original sin (include Scripture proofs).
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• The effects of Adam's sin on the lives of all his descendants
. "The sinfulness of that estate where into man fell consists in the guilt of Adam 's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions that proceed from it. " (WSC #18) Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. " (Romans 5:19; see also second half of the chapter) " For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die. So in Christ all will be made alive. "-1 Corinthians 15:21,22 |
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11. How can original sin be reconciled to the canons of justice, either human or divine?
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The covenant was made with Adam and all his descendants, therefore Adam’s sin was the transgression of all men. This transgression requires of it the payment of the penalty of death. Thus, original sin is not only reconcilable with the perfect justice of God, his justice actually requires it.
"The covenant being made with Adam as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. " (WLC #22) |
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12. Is there any good remaining in a fallen, sinful man? Explain.
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While sin is pervasive, each man is a glorious ruin because he still bears the image of God.
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13. In what ways does man sin?
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"Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God." (WSC #14)
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14. What are some of the consequences of sin?
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All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself; and to the pains of hell forever. (WSC#19)
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15. Is the will of man free? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
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• Created: possible to sin
• Fallen: not possible not to sin • Redeemed: possible not to sin • Glorified: not possible to sin "Rom 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." |
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• Was Adam's will (before he sinned) free? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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Yes.
"Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God. " (WSC #13) "And the Lord God commanded the man, you are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. " (Genesis 2:16-17) |
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• Can a sinner do anything good? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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No (The confession defines "good" deeds as those which are glorifying to God).
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. " (Romans 3:10,11) "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. " (Isaiah 64:6) |
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• Is a sinner's will free to believe? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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Not without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. "(1 Cor. 2: 14) |
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• Does a believer have free will? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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Yes, as God's grace enables him.
"When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by his grace alone, enables him .freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil. " (WCF 9.4) Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. |
