401 – God So Loved the World: A Study of Christian Doctrine · 401 – God So Loved the World: A...

401 – God So Loved the World: A Study of Christian Doctrine

Prolegomena – Introduction to the Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 pp. 1-6 The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 2 pp. 6-22 The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 3 pp. 22-34 The Study of Christian Doctrine Lesson 4 pp. 35-46 Holy Scripture Lesson 5 pp. 46-62 Holy Scripture Lesson 6 pp. 62-76 Holy Scripture Lesson 7 pp. 77-86 Holy Scripture Lesson 8 pp. 87-96 Holy Scripture

Theology – A Study of God, the Author of Salvation Lesson 9 pp. 99-108 The Natural and Revealed Knowledge of God /

The Essence & Attributes of God Lesson 10 pp. 108-119 The Essence and Attributes of God Lesson 11 pp. 121-127 The Triune God Lesson 12 pp. 127-145 The Doctrine of the Trinity

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Study of Christian Doctrinepp. 1-6

The Core of Christian Doctrine: pp. 3,4

1. What is the core of Christian doctrine? Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:2

2. Who is Jesus Christ?

3. What two principles enunciated by Paul will we follow as we approach the study of Christian doctrine?

a. Acts 20:27

b. 1 Corinthians 2:2

4. What are the three principles which guided the Reformers in their teaching of Christian doctrine? Explain them.

a.

b.

c.

5. Why is it important to use law and gospel properly?

6. Why is it important to stress the use of the means of grace as we study Christian doctrine?

7. What is the Christian’s sole source for doctrine? John 6:68,69.

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The Bible is the only source and standard for the Christian’s faith and life: pp. 4-6.

1. What was the source of doctrine for the people of the Old Testament from Adam through Moses? Genesis 3:15.

2. When Moses wrote the Pentateuch, what became the source for believer’s faith and life? Deuteronomy 4:2; Joshua 1:7; Isaiah 8:20, Luke 24:44.

3. What did Jesus tell us was the authority for our faith and life? John 6:63, 68, 69

4. How have Jesus’ words been passed on to us? John 14:26, 16:13,14

5. What warning does the Bible give those who would add to or subtract from the teaching of the Bible? Revelation 22:18,19.

6. What do the Lutheran Confessions state concerning the teaching of Christian doctrine? Cf. SA II II:15; FC Sd rule and Norm:3

7. What is our approach to the study of Christian doctrine?

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Other approaches to the study of Christian doctrine.

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

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

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

c. The Reformed Churches

d. Cults

e. Modernism

f. Post-Modernism

2. Answer the following questions:

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

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

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

1. The means of grace

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

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3. Conversion

d. List the six characteristics of a cult?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

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

1. The Enlightenment

2. David Hume

3. Jean Astruc

4. Johann Semler

5. Charles Darwin

6. Karl Marx

7. Friedrich Nietzsche

8. Sigmund Freud

9. Romanticism

10. Immanuel Kant

11. Friedrich Schleiermacher

12. Religious Liberalism

13. Neo-orthodoxy

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14. Rudolph Bultmann

15. Existentialism

16. Demythologizing

17. The Jesus of History vs. the Historical Jesus

18. Albert Schweitzer and “The Quest for the Historical Jesus”

19. Modernism’s view of the Bible

20. Modernism’s view of the world

21. Postmodernism’s view of truth and the Bible

22. Postmodernism’s view of science, society, and education

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

a. Neo-orthodoxy

b. Radical theology

c. Secular theology

d. Liberation theology

e. Feminist theology

f. Black theology

g. Existential theology

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

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Christianity is the absolute religion. Pp. 22-24

1. What is an absolute?

2. List 2 reasons why we call Christianity the absolute religion?

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

b. Lk 21:33, Ro 5:5

Theology is an active aptitude to administer the treasures of Scripture. Pp. 24,25

1. Define: theology in the objective sense.

2. Define: theology in the subjective sense.

3. Distinguish between the ability all Christians have to teach God’s Word and the special abilities give to some to serve in the public ministry. Col 3:16, 1 Pe 3:15: 2 Co 3:5, 1 Ti 3:2

4. Identify the characteristics needed by those who serve in the public ministry.

a. 2 Co 3:5

b. Jn 8:31, 32

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

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d. 1 Co 4:2

e. Mt 7:15, Ro 16:17, Tit 1:9

f. 2 Ti 2:3, 9, 12

Christian doctrine is everything that the Bible teaches. Pp. 25-27

1. What is Christian doctrine? 2 Tm 3:16

2. What is true doctrine?

3. What is false doctrine?

a.

b.

4. Demonstrate that there is no useless information in the Bible. Ge 12:6, 2 Ti 3:16

5. Demonstrate that we cannot limit doctrine only to teachings that pertain to our salvation. 2 Ti 3:16; cf. the statement of our Lutheran Confessions: FC Ep V: 3

6. Explain: Luther and the Confessions speak of doctrine as singular, not plural.

7. Distinguish between doctrine in the wide sense and doctrine in the narrow sense.

8

8. Of what use are doctrinal statements?

9. Explain: doctrinal statements may change, but the Bible does not change.

The Bible distinguishes between teachings basic to salvation and teachings that assist faith. Pp. 27–33.

1. Is there any teaching of the Bible with which we can dispense? Explain. Mt 28:20, 2 Ti 3:16

2. What is a fundamental doctrine?

3. What is the central doctrine of the Bible? Gal 5:4; Jn 3:18; Cf. SA II I:1-5

4. Identify the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.

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

b. 1 Jn 1:9

c. Mt 9:2

d. Mt 16:13-17

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

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

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g. Ro 1:16; 10:17

5. What is a non-fundamental doctrine?

6. How can an error with regard to a non-fundamental doctrine still undermine the foundation of a person’s faith?

7. What is a “secondary fundamental doctrine?” Identify which teachings of Scripture fit into this classification.

8. What is a proper use of the term “open question?”

9. What is an improper use of the term “open question?” Mt 28:20

The academic divisions of theology. P. 33

1. List and explain the six major areas into which we divide the study of Christian doctrine.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

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

a.

b.

c.

d.

We grow in the study of Christian doctrine. Pp. 33,34

Identify the three ways through which we grow in the study of Christian doctrine.

a. Jas 1:5

b. 1 Ti 4:13, 15

c. Mt 10:22

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Lesson 4: Holy Scripturepp. 35–46

The revelation of God. Pp. 35-37.

1. Why must God reveal Himself to us if we are to know anything about him? 1 Ti 6:15,16

2. What are the two sources of the natural knowledge of God?

a. Ro 1:20-23

b. Ro 2:14,15

3. What can we know of God from creation?

a. Ro 1:20-23

b. Mt 5:45

c. Ps 19:1

4. What can we know of God from our conscience? Ro 2:14,15

5. Why is the natural knowledge of God not enough to save anyone? Ac 17:27, Ro 1:21-23, 1 Co 2:8-10, Jn 17:3, 20:30,31

6. What is God’s primary means of revelation? Jn 14:8,9; 1:18

7. Explain: God’s revelation to us is propositional. 2 Pe 1:20,21

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8. Explain: The Bible is God’s Word to man, not man’s word about God.

9. Why must we reject the view that the Bible is man’s word about God?

The Bible is the Word of God. Pp. 37–43

1. Identify two ways in which the expression “word of God” is used in the Bible when it does not refer to the Bible.

a. Dt. 8:3,4

b. Jn 1:14

2. What is the most common meaning the expression “Word of God” has in the Bible?

3. Identify the reasons as to why we believe the Bible to be the Word of God.

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

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

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

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

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

f. Jn 20:31

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4. Explain:

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

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

c. Miracles are possible. Mt 19:26.

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

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

The Bible is given by inspiration of God. Pp. 43-46

1. What makes the Bible unique? 2 Ti 3:16

2. Identify the three steps involved in the inspiration of the Bible.

a. 2 Pe 1:21

b. 1 Pe 1:10,11

c. 1 Co 2:13

3. Define: plenary verbal inspiration.

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

5. Why is it clear that all of the Bible, every word of it, is given by inspiration? Ps 82:6, John 10:35; Ps 110:1, Mt 22:43,44

6. Explain: The Bible is not a text book on science, geography or history, but what it reports in these areas is true.

7. Explain how some of what the sacred penmen wrote was obtained:

a. By revelation–Ge 1:1

b. By eye-witnesses–Jn 1:14

c. By research–Lk 1:1-3, 1 Ki 14:19, 29

8. What guarantees that what the writers of the New Testament wrote was God’s Word? Jn 14:26, 16:13, 14

9. What did Paul claim for his spoken word? 2 Th 2:15

10. What claim, made by the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, must we reject?

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Lesson 5: Holy Scripturepp. 46-62

Textual Criticism is a tool to determine the text of the Bible.

1. What is an autograph?

2. Explain: Inspiration pertains only to the original documents written by the penmen of the Bible.

3. Can copies of the autographs and translations of the Bible give us the inspired Word of God? Explain.

4. What charge dealing with the transmission of the text of the Bible do people raise to question the accuracy of the Bible?

5. What charge have some made against the NIV, questioning whether it has left out passages of the Bible?

6. Give a brief description of the transmission of the Old Testament text. Identify the scribes and the Masoretes.

7. How does the Qumran Isaiah scroll give us testimony concerning the reliability of the transmission of the text?

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8. How did mistakes get into the copies of the biblical manuscripts?

9. Distinguish between lower and higher criticism.

10. Give a brief description of the transmission of the New Testament texts.

11. What factors testify to the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts. Answer the charge that, with all the variant readings, we cannot have an inspired Word of God.

12. Answer the charge that the NIV has left out parts of the Bible.

Jesus himself has established the canon of the Bible.

1. Define the word “canon.”

2. Identify how Jesus established the canon of the Old Testament.a. Lk 24:44

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b. Lk 16:29, Ro 3:21

c. Mk 7:10, Mt 22:43,44; Mt 13:14, Mt 24:15, Mt 12:39

3. Define the following terms:a. Antilegomena

b. Homologoumena

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

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

b.

c.

6. Relate Rome’s actions concerning the apocrypha.

7. Identify the 14 apocryphal books and be able to give information concerning each.

a.

b.

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c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

l.

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m.

n.

8. Identify:

a. Psalm 151

b. 3 Maccabees

c. 4 Maccabees

d. First Esdras

e. Second Esdras

f. The Prayer of Manasseh

9. What were the pseudepigrapha?

10. Discuss the claim that Jude quoted from two pseudepigraphical works.

11. How did Jesus establish the canonicity of the New Testament? Jn 14:26; 16:13,14

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12. How were the apostles involved in the collection of the N.T. books?

a. 1 Th 5:27

b. Col 4:16

c. 2 Pe 3:15, 16

13. Give a brief history of the establishment of the New Testament canon. Cf. Eusebius of Caeserea; Athanasius; the Third Council of Carthage.

14.Where did the term “antilegomena” come from historically?

15. Identify the seven New Testament antilegomena. Relate why some have included these books among the antilegomena. Respond to the concerns that were raised.

a.

b.

c.

d.

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e.

f.

g.

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

17. Address the issue of the apocrypha and the pseudepigrapha of the New Testament.

Translations

1. Why are translations of the Bible necessary? Cf. Ne 8:8

2. Identify some of the early translations of the Bible a. Septuagint (LXX)

b. Aramaic Targums

c. Syriac Peshitta

d. Coptic Versions

e. Ethiopic translation

f. Latin traslations (Jerome)

3. Identify some of the later translations of the Bible. a. Luther

b. Wycliffe

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c. KJV

d. RSV

e. NEV

f. Beck

g. NIV

4. Identify four principles which are necessary in making a good translation of the Bible.

a.

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

c.

d. Cf. 2 Co 7:15

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

a. Isa 8:19, 20

b. Eph 2:20

c. 1 Co 2:13

d. Ps 119:105

e. 2 Ti 3:15-17

f. Ro 1:16

2. Why do we believe the Bible speaks with the authority of God? 1 Co 14:37, 2 Ti 3:15-17, Jn 10:35, Lk 16:29

3. Why is it important to note that both the law and the gospel speak with authority?

4. What false authorities for doctrine did the Reformers have to face in their time?

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5. What is the attitude of the Lutheran Confessions regarding the authority of the Bible?

6. What false authorities for doctrine must we reject?

7. Demonstrate the unity of Scripture. Ge 3:15, Mal 3:1

8. Why do we believe the Bible is without error? 2 Pe 1:21, Jn 10:35, Gal 3:16, 2 Tm 3:15-17

9. How did Jesus view:

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

b. Jonah? Mt 12:39,40

c. Noah? Mt 24:37-39

10. What errors concerning the Bible’s inerrancy must we reject?

11. Why do we believe the Bible is clear? Ps 119:105

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12. Distinguish between the inner and the outer clarity of the Bible. Ps 119:105; Ro 1:16

13. Does the clarity of the Bible mean we will be able to understand every passage of the Bible? Explain.

14. Does the Bible answer every question we have? Explain. 2 Pe 3:16

15. Why do we believe the Bible is sufficient? 2 Ti 3:15-17, Ro 15:4

16. What ability does the Bible have? Ro 3:20, Ro 1:16, 10:17

17. Explain: Though the Bible is efficacious, it is not always effective. Mt 23:37

Scripture is its own interpreter

1. What is hermeneutics?

2. Identify four principles we follow in interpreting the Bible.

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a. 1 Co 2:2

b. 2 Ti 3:15

c. Da 2:21

d. Ro 4:19-21

3. What is meant by the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation?

4. What is meant by the historical-grammatical method of interpretation?

5. What is the immediate context of a passage?

6. What determines if passages are to be taken literally or figuratively?

7. What is meant by the wider context of Scripture?

8. List and explain the different kinds of literature contained in the Bible.a.

b.

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c.

d.

e.

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

a. Ps 1:2

b. Ps 1:6

c. Ps 1:1

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The Bible is its own interpreter

1. Define the following figures of speech:a. Simile: Ps 42:1

b. Metaphor: Ps 84:3

c. Metonomy: Lk 16:29

d. Synechdoche: Ps 16:9

e. Ellipsis: 1 Cor 6:13

f. Brachylogy: 1 Jn 5:9

g. Euphemism: Ac 1:15

h. Litotes: Ro 1:16

i. Hyperbole: Mk 1:5

j. Irony: Gen 3:22

k. Personification: Is 35:1

l. Allegory: Gal 4:21-31

m. Parable: Mt 13:24

2. Identify the three elements essential to a parable:

a.

b.

c.

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

b. Festival

c. Office

d. Event

e. Place

f. Institution

4. What is a symbol?

5. What is prophecy?

6. What is a direct or rectilinear prophecy? Cf. Isa 7:14; 9:6; 53; Ps 16:10

7. What is a typical prophecy? 2 Samuel 7:13.

8. List some of the prophecies concerning Christ which come from the Psalms. Cf. pp. 81, 82.

9. What do Bible critics mean by speaking of “prophecies which flow from the event?”

A brief history of false methods of biblical interpretation.

1. What is allegorizing?

2. Relate the history of allegorizing, identifying:a. Alexandria

b. Philo

c. Origen

d. Jerome

e. Augustine

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f. Acquinas

3. With regard to allegorizing, identify the: a. historical sense

b. moral sense

c. allegorical sense

d. anagogical

4. Explain: Luther stressed the single, fundamental meaning of the passages of the Bible.

5. Give a brief summary of the movement of Pietism.

6. How did Pietism pave the way for the acceptance of 18th century rationalism?

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The historical-critical method

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

a. Form criticism

b. Source criticism

c. Redaction criticism

d. Religion criticism

2. What gave rise to the movement of Neo-orthodoxy?

3. How did Karl Barth view Genesis 3 and the events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?

4. Comment on Rudolph Bultmann’s views on:

a. Demythologizing the Gospels.

b. Existentialism.

5. How did Bultmann pave the way for post-modernism?

6. What is the end result of the historical-critical method of biblical interpretation?

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The Lutheran Confessions accurately reflect what the Bible teaches (p. 92-96)

1. Why are confessions necessary in the life of the church?

2. Relate the history of the following:

a. The Apostles’ Creed

b. The Nicene Creed

c. The Athanasian Creed

3. Give a brief description and the content of the following:

a. Small Catechism

b. Large Catechism

c. Augsburg Confession

d. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession

e. The Smalcald Articles

f. The Formula of Concord

4. Distinguish between a quia (because) and a quatenus (In so far as) subscription to the Lutheran confessions? Which do we accept, and why?

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5. What is the relation of the Confessions to the Bible?

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

7. Why are the Confessions worthy of our regular study?

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Lesson 9: Natural and Revealed Knowledge of God &The Essence and Attributes of God

Lesson 9, pp. 99-108

1. What is theology?

2. Explain: to a large part, God remains a hidden God. Ro 11:33

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

4. Apply this principle to:a. Creation

b. The problem of evil

c. God’s governance of the world.

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

b. Christian Science

6. How does the Christian deal with the problem of evil?

7. How did Calvin try to “read” the mind of God?

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8. What does the Formula of Concord remind us of when dealing with what God has not revealed to us? Cf. FC SD XI: 52

9. Explain: Whatever is not biblical is not theological.

People have a natural knowledge of God. (p. 102-104)

1. What are the two sources of the natural knowledge of God?a. Ro 1:20

b. Ro 2:14,15

2. Can we assume that people know God exists? Explain.

3. Why do some deny the existence of God?

4. What is the value of the natural knowledge of God? Ac 14:17

5. What doesn’t the natural knowledge of God tell us? (Ro 10:17).

6. Explain and evaluate the following philosophical arguments for the existence of God:

a. Ontological

b. Historical

c. Cosmological

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d. Teleological

e. Moral

7. How do we witness to someone who denies or questions the existence of God?

The Essence and Attributes of God (p. 105-108)

God is one in number and substance: the essence of God.

1. Why do we have trouble describing God? Ex. 15:11

2. Explain:

a. God is one: Isa 43:11

b. Unity in the exclusive sense: Isa 44:6

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

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

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

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

a. Polytheism

b. Tritheism

c. Dualism

d. Monism

e. Pantheism

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

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

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

c. Adonai

d. El-Hay: Joshua 3:10

e. El-Elyon: Ps 78:35

f. El-Shaddai: Gen 17:1

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

h. El-Olam: Gen 21:33

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Lesson 10: Essence and Attributes of Godpp. 108-119

1.In what three ways do we speak of God’s will?a. Eph 1:5

b. Daniel 4:32

c. Matthew 12:50

2. Explain: God’s will is free and independent. Ro 9:15.

3.Is God moved by our prayers? Explain. Jas 5:16.

4.Explain the following concerning God’s will:a. God’s will is absolute: Isa 46:10,11

b. God’s will is resistible: Ma 23:37

c. The revealed will of God.

d. The hidden will of God.

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

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

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

h. The secondary (consequent) will of God: Ma 23:37.

5. Comment on the following attributes of God:a. God is unchangeable: Heb 6:17,18, Jas 1:17. Contrast this with Ge 6:6 and

explain.

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

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

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

e. God is life: Jn 5:26.

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

g. God is all wise. Ps 104:24. Distinguish between wisdom and knowledge. Why is God’s wisdom a comfort for us? Romans 8:28.

h. God is holy: Isa 6:3.

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

j. God is just: 2 Th 1:5-10. What must we remember about God’s justice: Ro 12:19; Lk 9:54.

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

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

m. God is good: Ps 106:1.

n. God is omnipotent: Lk 18:27.

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

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Lesson 11: The Triune Godpp. 121-127

1. If someone said the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, what would you answer?

2. Explain: God is one in essence.

3. Why did the early church not use the word prosopon for the Persons of the Trinity?

4. What three things does the Bible ascribe to each Person of the Trinity?

5. What personal characteristics does the Bible attribute to each Person of the Trinity? a. Mt 11:27

b. Jn 1:18

c. Jn 14:26

d. Jn 16:8

6. In what way does the Bible attribute distinctiveness to each Person of the Trinity? a. Jn 5:32, 37

b . Isa 61:1

7. Which are the internal acts of the Trinity? a. Ps 2:7; Jn 3:16

b. Ro 8:9; Ga 4:6

8. Explain the history of the addition of the filioque into the Nicene Creed.

9. Distinguish the external acts of the Trinity from the internal acts. Gen 1:2; Jn 1:3.

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10. In what four ways does the Bible ascribe deity to each Person of the Trinity?

11. Identify how divine names are attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. Ro 1:7

b. Isa 7:14

c. Isa 9:6

d. Jer 23:6

e. Jn 1:1

f. Jn 8:58

g. Ac 5:3-5

12. Identify how divine attributes are attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. 1 K 8:39; Jn 21:17, 19

b. 1 Cor 2:11

c. Jn 17:5; Heb 9:14

d. Jer 23:24; Mt 18:20, Ps 139:7

13. Identify how divine works are attributed to each Person of the Trinity. a. Gen 1:1,2; Jn 1:3; Job 33;4

b. Col 1:16, 7 c. Jn 6:44

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14. Identify how divine honor is attributed to each Person of the Trinity.

a. Isa 42:8

b. Jn 5:23

c. Isa 6:3

15. Show that he Old Testament taught the doctrine of the Trinity.

a. Isa 61:1

b. Ps 2:7; 110:1

c. Isa 63:10, 14

d. Gen 1:26, 27; 3:22; Isa 6;8; Nu 6:23-27

e. Jn 5:18

16. Show that the New Testament teaches the doctrine of the Trinity.

a. Mt 28:19

b. 2 Cor 13:14

c. Mt 3:16

d. Jn 14:26

e. Ac 10:38

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Lesson 12: The Doctrine of the Trinitypp. 127-145

Ancient Errors About God

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

a.

b.

c.

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

a. Dualism: Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism

b. Gnosticism: Valentinus and Marcion

3. Errors that deny the Trinity.

a. Dynamic monarchianism—Paul of Samosata

b. Modalistic monarchianism—Sabellius, Patripassionism

4. Subordinationism

a. Origen

b. Lucian

c. Arius—homoiousios vs. homoousios

c. Eunomians

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

a. Islam

• Their view of God

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• The founder

• The Koran

• The five pillars

• Their belief of heaven and hell

• Jihad

• Sunnis

• Shi’ites

b. Animism

• Pantheism

• Soul-stuff

c. Hinduism


• Vedas

• Bhagavad Gita

• Universal soul

• Transmigration of the soul

• Karma

• Moksha

• Brahma

• Vishnu

• Siva

• Avatars

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• Krishna

• Basic beliefs

d. Transcendetal Meditation

e. Buddhism

• View of God

• Siddhartha Gautama

• Buddha

• Great Renunciation

• Middle Way

• Four noble truths

• Nirvana

• The eightfold Path

• Hinayana Buddhism

• Mahayana Buddhism

f. Taoism

• Yin

• Yang

• Confucius

• Mix of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism

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g. Shintoism


• Kami

• Four affirmations

• Origami

h. Judaism


• The Talmud

• Maimonides

• Orthodoxy

• Conservative

• Reformed

• Festivals observed

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

a. Unitarian Universalists

• Their view about God.

• Michael Servetus

• Faustus Socinus-Transylvania

• 1961 merger

b. Mormonism


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• Joseph Smith

• The angel Moroni

• Brigham Young

• Polytheistic

• Book of Mormon

• Doctrines and Covenants

• Progressive revelation

• Celestial heaven

• Terrestial heaven

• Telestial heaven

c. Christian Science


• Mary Baker Eddy

• Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

d. Unity


• Charles and Myrtle Fillmore

e. Jehovah’s Witnesses

• Their view of God and Christ

• Charles Russel

• Joseph Rutherford

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• The Watchtower

• New World Translation

f. Bhaiism

• Their view of god.

• Baha’u’llah

g. Unification Church


• Sun Myung Moon

h. Scientology


• L. Ron Hubbard

• Dianetics

• Engrams

• Thetans

• Preclears

• Auditing

• Clear

• Bridge to total freedom

i. New Age Movement


• Karma

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• Channeling

• Psychic healing

• Methods for realizing their potential

j. Atheism

• Hegel

• Marx

• Nietzche

• Jean-Paul Sartre

• Madalyn Murray O’Hair

k. Agnosticism

• David Hume

• Immanuel Kant

• T.H. Huxley

l. Skeptics

• J.A. Ayers

• Albert Camus

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Study Guide: Doctrine 1, Unit 1

What is the core of Christian doctrine?

What two principles will we follow as we approach the study of Christian doctrine?

What is meant by:

Sola Scriptura

Sola Gratia

Sola Fide

Why is it important to use the law and gospel properly?

Why is it important to stress the use of the means of grace in our study of Christian doctrine?

What is the Christian’s sole source for doctrine?

Explain how the following approach the study of Christian doctrine?

a. Roman Catholicism

b. The Orthodox Church

c. The Reformed Churches

d. Cults

e. Modernism

f. Post-Modernism

g. Neo-orthodoxy

h. Radical theology

i. Liberation theology

j. Feminist theology

k. Existential theology

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What is the role of reason for this life?

What is a syllogism, and how may it properly be used in theology?

Distinguish between the ministerial use of reason from the magisterial use.

List 2 reasons why we call Christianity the absolute religion?

Define: Theology in the objective sense

Theology in the subjective sense

Identify six characteristics needed by those who serve in the public ministry.

What is doctrine?

Of what use are doctrinal statements?

Explain: doctrinal statements may change, but doctrine does not change.

Explain: The Lutheran Confessions speak of doctrine as singular and not as plural.

Explain: The Lutheran Confessions speak of doctrine in both a wide and a narrow sense.

Define: Fundamental doctrine

Non-fundamental doctrine

Secondary fundamental doctrine

Open Question (proper and improper use)

Identify seven fundamental doctrines a.

b.

c.

d.

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e.

f.

g.

Identify the two “secondary” fundamental doctrines.

Define: Prolegomena

Theology

Anthropology

Christology

Soteriology

Eschatology

Define: Exegesis

Systematic Theology

Historical Theology

Practical Theology

Identify the three ways through which we grow in the study of Christian doctrine.

What are the two sources of the natural knowledge of God?

What can we know of God from creation?

What can we know of God from our conscience?

What is God’s primary means of revelation?

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Explain: God’s revelation to us is propositional.

Explain: The Bible is God’s Word to man, not man’s word about God.

Why do we believe the Bible is God’s Word?

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

Identify the three steps involved in the inspiration of the Bible.

Define: plenary verbal inspiration.

Explain: The Bible was not given by a mechanical dictation.

Explain: The Bible is not a text book on science, geography or history, but what it reports in these areas is true.

Define the following terms: An autograph

Manuscript

Variant reading

Explain: Textual criticism has given us a reliable text of the Bible.

Distinguish between textual (lower) criticism and higher criticism of the Bible.

Who established the canon of Scripture?

Define: Homologoumena

Antilegomena

Identify the seven books of the antilegomena. 1.

2.

3.

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4.

5.

6.

7.

What are the Apocrypha? Why do we not accept them as canonical?

Which church has officially accepted 11 of the apocrypha as canonical?

What are the pseudepigrapha?

Why are translations of the Bible necessary?

Explain the following attributes of the Bible: Authority

Unity

Inerrancy

Clarity

Sufficiency

Efficacy

Explain: Scripture is its own interpreter.

Define: Historical-grammatical method

Define: synonymous parallelism

Antithetic parallelism

Synthetic parallelism

Define the following figures of speech:

Simile

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Metaphor

Metonomy

Litotes

Hyperbole Personification

Identify the three elements essential to a parable.

What is a type of Christ?

Distinguish between a direct and a typical prophecy.

What is allegorizing of Scripture?

What is the historical-critical method of biblical interpretation?

Define:

Form criticism

Source Criticism

Redaction Criticism

Religion Criticism

Demythologizing

Existentialism

Identify the three ecumenical creeds.

Identify the six distinctly Lutheran confessions.

Explain: We subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions because, not in so far as, they agree with God’s Word.

Explain: We cannot speak of God’s person and work in greater detail than he has.

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Why cannot the natural knowledge of God save us?

Explain the following arguments for God’s existence:

Ontological

Historical

Cosmological

Teleological

Moral

Define:

Polytheism

Tritheism

Dualism

Monism

Pantheism

Explain the following attributes of God:

Unity in the exclusive sense

Unity in the absolute sense

The aseity of God

The primary will of God

The secondary will of God Infinity

Omnipresence

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Eternity

Life

Omniscience

Wisdom

Holiness

Righteousness

Justice

Faithfulness

Truthfulness

Goodness

Omnipotence

Love

Why do we call the word Trinity an “ecclesiastical” term?

Explain: The Bible attributes to each person of the Trinity deity, personality, and distinctiveness.

Distinguish between the internal and the external acts of the Trinity. List the internal actions of the Trinity.

What four things are attributed to each person of the Trinity, denoting deity.

What three forms do errors about God take?

Explain how the following errors attack the unity of God.

a. dualism

b. Gnosticism

Explain the following errors which deny the Trinity:

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a. Dynamic Monarcharianism

b. Modalistic Monarchianism

Explain the error of subordinationism

Identify what the following believe about God:

Islam

Animism

Hinduism

Buddhism

Taoism

Shintoism

Judaism

Unitarianism

Mormons

Christian Science

Unity

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Bahaism

Unification Church

Scientology

New Age Movement

Atheism

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Agnosticism

Skepticism

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