ANSWER KEY

Chapter 1: Introduction to Systematic Theology

Opening Prayer

Lord, open my heart and my mind that I may discern what is true. Thank you that you are a God of order and clarity and reason, and that your Word and your ways make sense and lead to life. Teach me from the study of your Word, and allow your Spirit to transform my life through this study for your glory and honor. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.What is systematic theology? Restate the definition in Systematic Theology in your own words.

Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

2.How would Grudem define the hierarchy of authority when it comes to church history, philosophy, and Scripture?

While historical and philosophical studies contribute to our understanding of theology, only Scripture has the final authority to define what we are to believe.

3.What is the nature and task of systematic theology as compared and contrasted with biblical theology?

Biblical theology gives attention to the teachings of individual authors and sections of Scripture and to the place of each teaching in the historical development of Scripture. Systematic theology makes use of biblical theology and builds on its results in order to collect and then summarize the teaching of all the biblical passages on a particular subject.

4.What is the difference between systematic theology and disorganized theology?

Systematic Theology seeks to treat biblical topics in a carefully organized way with detail and accuracy, addressing all the relevant Bible passages for each topic. On the contrary, disorganized theology often includes randomly arranged imbalanced emphases on only portions of Scripture in less detail and with less accuracy.

5.How is doctrine defined in this text? Restate the definition in your own words.

A doctrine is what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic.

6.Fill in the blanks: The emphasis of systematic theology is on what God wants us to believe and know, while the emphasis in Christian ethics is on what God wants us to do and what attitudes he wants us to have.

7.What is Christian ethics? Restate the definition in your own words.

Christian ethics is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us about which acts, attitudes, and personal character traits receive God’s approval, and which do not?”

8.What are the primary reasons Christians should study theology?

To effectively teach ourselves and others what the whole Bible says, to overcome our wrong ideas, help us make decisions, and help us grow as Christians.

9.How would you describe the difference between major and minor doctrines? Give some examples of each.

A major doctrine is one that has significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines and how we live the Christian life. A minor doctrine is one that has little impact on those things. Major doctrines include the authority of the Bible, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and justification by faith. Minor doctrines include church governmental structure, details about the Lord’s Supper, or the timing of the tribulation.

10.What is the role of human reason in the study of Scripture? How does Scripture correct a wrong use of reason in any given case?

We are free to use our reasoning abilities to draw deductions from any passage of Scripture so long as these deductions do not contradict the clear teaching of some other passage of Scripture. The Bible cannot contradict itself, thus it corrects a use of reason that would suggest a contradiction between passages.

11.What is the distinction between a paradox and a contradiction?

A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true, while a contradiction is a statement containing two things that cannot both be true, e.g. “God is three persons and God is not three persons.”

12.What are the three steps of studying systematic theology?

a. Find all the relevant verses

b. Read, make notes on, and try to summarize the points made in the relevant verses.

c. Summarize the teachings of the various verses into one or more points that the Bible affirms about that subject.

Thinking Critically

13.What underlying assumptions must be made to believe that we can see and understand the whole Bible’s teaching on one topic?

Answers will vary but may include: believing that God is the divine author of all of Scripture, the Bible is trustworthy and worth studying, God has given us the ability to understand Scripture, etc.

14.What are some objections to Grudem’s method that he mentions in this chapter? Do you agree with his conclusions regarding those objections? Why or why not?

Objections: “The conclusions are ‘too neat to be true,” “the choice of topics dictates the conclusions,” and “you can’t just get doctrine directly off the pages of Scripture.” Other answers will vary.

Personal Engagement

15.Having learned about the task of systematic theology, how could you put it into practice in your life?

Answers will vary. One could consider putting a systematic study of theology into practice during their devotional time, devoting time to the study of this book, or seeking to study Scripture systematically with others.

16.What has been the foundation for your own personal beliefs? Has it been church tradition, teaching, your gut instincts, your family tradition, the Bible, or a combination of those?

Answers will vary.

17.Now that you are embarking on a study of theology through this book, what do you see as the primary value of this study in your life?

Answers will vary.

18.As you have read about the nature and task of systematic theology, what are you hoping a study of this book leads to? What are some topics that you are curious to study more?

Answers will vary.

19.What does Grudem say that “systematic theology rightly studied” leads to? Ask God for his help to allow your heart to be shaped in this way through your study.

Systematic theology rightly studied will not lead to the knowledge that “puffs up” (1 Cor. 8:1) but to humility and love for others.

20.As you close your time in this chapter, spend some time in prayer and worship, thanking God for the gifts he has given.

Part 1: The Doctrine of the Word of God

Chapter 2: The Word of God

Opening Prayer

Lord, “open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Ps. 119:18). You have spoken and your Word is a light to our path and food for our souls. Give me a hunger to know you through your Word and to make you known in the proclamation of it. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.What two things are referred to as “the Word of God”? Describe each briefly in your own words.

a. “The Word of God” as a person, Jesus Christ. Descriptions will vary.

b. “The Word of God” as speech by God. Descriptions will vary.

2.As Grudem considers speech by God, he mentions several things that the words of God do. Name some of these outcomes of God’s speech.

God’s words cause events to happen or cause things to come into being. God’s words demand a response or obedience as having absolute divine authority and being absolutely trustworthy.

3.What is the value of the written Word of God, the Bible? Why did Grudem choose to make the written Word the focus of his study?

Since the Bible is written, it contains a more accurate preservation of God’s words for subsequent generations and provides opportunity for repeated inspection and is accessible to many more people. Grudem chose to focus on the written Word of God because it is readily available to study and discuss and because the Lord himself commanded its study.

Thinking Critically

4.Why do you think John refers to Jesus as the Word of God? How does learning about God’s speech in the Old and New Testaments help inform your answer?

Answers will vary. Jesus is the Word of God in that he is the revelation of God, showing us the image of who God is and communicating God’s words to his people. He does so in both communicating the character of God and expressing the will of God. Like God’s speech elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus also is completely trustworthy and authoritative.

Personal Engagement

5.Do your life and habits reflect a belief that the Bible really is God’s Word? How does seeing the Bible as God’s very Word encourage or exhort you to engage with it?

Answers will vary.

6.As you close your time in this chapter, spend some time in prayer and worship thanking God for his Word in flesh, Jesus; his word in speech; and his Word in text, the Bible.

Chapter 3: The Canon of Scripture

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank you that you guided your church to recognize what is inspired holy Scripture and what is not. Help me to see how your Word reveals the Word made flesh so that we therefore need no further inspired Scripture. Help me know your word as my very life (Deut. 32:47) and teach me how to think well about it. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define the canon of Scripture:

The list of all the books that belong in the Bible.

2.Place the following “canon” events or authors in order chronologically: Jeremiah, Deuteronomy, the Book of the Kings of Israel, Joshua, the Ten Commandments, and Samuel.

1. The Ten Commandments

2. Deuteronomy

3. Joshua

4. Samuel

5. the Book of the Kings of Israel

6. Jeremiah

3.What is meant by the term Apocrypha?

The collection of books included in the canon by the Roman Catholic Church but excluded from the canon by Protestantism.

4.Why does Josephus not consider the Apocrypha “worthy of equal credit” with the books of the Old Testament?

“Because of the failure of the exact succession of the prophets.” Josephus considered the canon closed after about 435 BC.

5.Which twelve books were combined into one in the Hebrew scriptures?

The Twelve Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

6.When did the Roman Catholic Church adopt the Apocryphal texts into their canon?

The Roman Catholic Church adopted the Apocryphal texts into their canon officially at the Council of Trent in 1546.

7.What four reasons does Grudem give for not regarding the Apocrypha as Scripture?

1. They do not claim for themselves the same kind of authority as the Old Testament writings.

2. They were not regarded as God’s words by the Jewish people from whom they originated.

3. They were not considered to be Scripture by Jesus or the New Testament authors.

4. They contain teachings inconsistent with the rest of the Bible.

8.What office did many of those who wrote the New Testament hold?

Apostle

9.How did the New Testament authors understand the term Scriptures when they used it?

The New Testament authors understood Scriptures to refer to writings that were thought to be God’s words and therefore part of the canon of Scripture. Their use of Scripture refers to the Old Testament as well as some of the New Testament writings, particularly Paul’s epistles (see 2 Peter 3:15–16).

10.Was all that was written by the apostles considered Scripture? Why or why not?

No. There were some writings that had divine authority but that the apostles did not preserve as Scripture, including Paul’s previous letter to the Corinthians and his letter to the Laodiceans.

11.What is the ultimate reason books are considered canonical?

The ultimate reason that a book is considered canonical is because the words of the book are God’s words.

Thinking Critically

12.How have you seen doubt in God’s Word expressed in ministry? How have you seen faith in God’s Word expressed in ministry?

Answers will vary, but may include examples such as blatant sin against the clear teaching of Scripture for doubt and obedience to the clear teaching of Scripture in faith.

13.In light of what you have learned about canon, how should Christians approach Christian nonfiction books today?

Answers will vary, however answers may include insights such as not elevating nonfiction books above Scripture by making sure that one’s trust in and reading of the Bible is more than their trust in and reading of Christian nonfiction books.

14.If someone came to you claiming to have written a new book of the Bible, how would you respond to them based upon what you have learned in this chapter?

Answers will vary. Answers should include a description of canon as being the words of God written by primarily those who were given the specific office of Apostle. Thus, though a modern work could be useful to believers, it would not be considered canon.

Personal Engagement

15.Have you ever had someone question you regarding the legitimacy of the books of the Bible? Did you feel like you had answers to their questions? How has this chapter helped your understanding of the formation of Scripture?

Answers will vary.

16.Close your time in this chapter in prayer, thanking God for his faithfulness to preserve His Word unto this day.

Chapter 4: The Four Characteristics of Scripture:

(1) Authority

Opening Prayer

Lord, teach me to submit to your Word as my authority because it comes from you (Ps 119:4). Your Word brings comfort but also conviction; it brings peace but also exposes our foolishness and sin. You are good, and all you command is good and life giving. Please give me a reverence for your Word so that the knowledge I gain would also lead to obedience to it. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.What does Grudem state as the four characteristics (or attributes) or Scripture?

1. The authority of Scripture.

2. The clarity of Scripture.

3. The necessity of Scripture.

4. The sufficiency of Scripture.

2.Define the authority of Scripture:

The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.

3.What does the Bible claim when it uses phrases like “Thus says the Lord”?

It claims that the Bible’s words are God’s words.

4.How, according to Grudem, are we convinced of the Bible’s claims to be God’s words?

We are convinced that the words of the Bible are God’s words when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible to our hearts and gives us an inner assurance that these are the words of our Creator speaking to us.

5.What distinction does Grudem make between the Holy Spirit’s evidence for the legitimacy of Scripture and other claims for the legitimacy of Scripture as God’s words?

All other claims for the legitimacy of Scripture as God’s Words are useful and can help remove obstacles from our believing in Scripture but cannot finally be convincing as the Holy Spirit’s evidence can.

6.True / False: God dictated every word of the Bible to the human authors.

7.According to the Bible, which of the following processes did God not use to inspire the human authors of Scripture? (Circle your answer.)

dictationwriting in the sand historical research dreams visions

8.What is the difference between saying God’s words are true and that God’s Word is truth?

The Bible is not simply “true” in the sense that it conforms to some higher standard of truth, but that it is itself the final standard of truth.

Thinking Critically

9.How does Grudem respond to the circular argument objection? What might you add to the case against that objection?

Grudem allows that saying the Bible is true because it says it is true is a type of circular argument but says it does not make it invalid for all arguments for an absolute authority must ultimately appeal to that authority for proof, otherwise it would not be an absolute authority. He then goes on to say that it is not a typical circular argument in that it is more of a spiral as God’s Word and an increasingly correct understanding of God and creation work together to confirm each other.

10.What should the relationship be between Scripture and scientific fact? How does Grudem describe their relationship?

True scientific fact will never contradict Scripture. However, scientific discovery may help us to reexamine Scripture to see if it does teach what we thought it taught. When confronted with a “fact” that seems to contradict Scripture, we must not only examine the data adduced to demonstrate the fact in question; we must also reexamine the appropriate biblical texts to see if the Bible really teaches what we thought it to teach. We should never fear but always welcome any new facts that may be discovered in any legitimate area of human research or study.

11.What role should biblical backgrounds play in interpreting Scripture?

The words or situations that lie “behind” the text of Scripture may at times be helpful to us in understanding what the text means. However, our speculations about those things can never replace or compete with the words of Scripture itself as the final authority, nor should we ever allow them to contradict or call into question the accuracy of any of the words of Scripture.

12.Pick two doctrinal views of liberalism from the “Christianity and Theological Liberalism” appendix chart, and briefly respond to them using relevant passages.

Answers will vary based on view chosen. See chart for views and relevant passages.

Personal Engagement

13.When you hear “to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God,” how does your heart respond? Are you inclined to believe Scripture? Why or why not?

Answers will vary.

14.How do you respond to the preaching of God’s Word? Do you find yourself submitting to it?

Answers will vary.

15.Close your time in this chapter in prayer, thanking God for his Word, which is truth, and asking him to help you learn to treasure and submit to it rightly.

Chapter 5: The Inerrancy of Scripture

Opening Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to know that “every word of God proves true” (Prov. 30:5). You are perfect, so of course your words are perfect also. Thank you that we can be sure that your speech contains no deception or inaccuracy of any kind. You know everything and are faithful and true. Thank you that your Word reflects your character in those ways. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Before you read the chapter, how did you define inerrancy?

Answers will vary.

2.Explain the difference between saying the Bible always tells the truth and saying that it tells us every fact precisely.

Saying the Bible always tells the truth means that it tells truth concerning everything it talks about, not that it contains all true facts that there are to know.

3.What is the difference between infallibility and inerrancy?

Infallibility declares that Scripture has an inability of being wrong.

Inerrancy means that Scripture does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.

4.Define original manuscript:

The first or original copies of the biblical documents.

5.Why can we have confidence in the original manuscripts even though we do not have copies of them?

Although we do not have the original manuscripts, for over 99 percent of the words of the Bible we know what the original manuscript said because of studying the copies that we do have. Even when there are differences among copies, the correct reading is generally clear.

6.Describe textual variants in a way that a layperson in the church could understand:

Textual variants are differences between copies of the Bible that we have. These may include addition or subtractions of words or spelling differences.

7.Now, at the end of the chapter, how would you define inerrancy?

Answers will vary slightly. Should be in line with inerrancy means that Scripture does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.

Thinking Critically

8.What do you think the strongest argument for inerrancy is? Restate it in your own words.

Answers will vary.

9.Do you agree with Grudem’s list of problems with denying inerrancy? What would you add or take away?

Answers will vary.

Personal Engagement

10.How does confidence in the inerrancy of the Bible help you engage the text of the Bible devotionally?

Answers will vary. Thoughts to include might be a willingness to trust the Bible at face value and see it as valuable for study and personal application.

11.As you finish this chapter, thank God for the truthfulness and trustworthiness of his Word.

Chapter 6: The Four Characteristics of Scripture:

(2) Clarity

Opening Prayer

Lord, your Word is clear because you love to lead your children into understanding and not confusion—peace and not discord. Thank you that your Word reflects your character in this way. Please “give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart” (Ps. 119:34). Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Rewrite the definition of clarity of Scripture in your own words:

Answers will vary. The clarity of Scipture means that the Bible is written in such a way that it is able to be understood, but right understanding requires time, effort, the use of ordinary means, a willingness to obey, and the help of the Holy Spirit; and our understanding will remain imperfect in this lifetime.

2.Who is expected to be able to understand the Scriptures? (Circle all that apply.)

Pastorsordinary believersscholarsadultschildren

3.What is the relationship between the clarity of Scripture and God holding us morally accountable for obeying his Word?

The clarity of Scripture is necessary if God is going to hold us morally accountable for obeying his Word. He rightly holds us accountable because the Bible is able to be understood.

4.Complete the following for the requirements for understanding Scripture rightly:

Requirement

Definition (in your own words)

Scriptural Evidence

Time

Understanding Scripture is a process that does not happen all at once. Growth in understanding is a lifelong process.

Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 119:15, 23, 48, 78; Acts 15:7, 25, 28; 2 Cor. 1:13

Effort

Effort is involved in understanding Scripture; some things are more difficult to understand than others.

Ezra 7:10; 2 Peter 3:15-16

The use of ordinary means

Tools that can help you interpret Scripture such as a translation, teaching, commentaries, history of interpretation, fellowship with others, etc.

1 Cor. 12:28; 14:10-11, 16

A willingness to obey

Being willing to obey the understood Scripture is necessary for a right understanding.

Psalm 119:34; John 8:43; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; James 1:22-25

The help of the Holy Spirit

The divine word of God requires divine help to rightly understand.

Psalm 119:18, 27, 34, 73; Luke 24:44-45; 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 3:14-16, etc.

A humble recognition that our understanding is imperfect

The clarity of Scripture affirms that Scripture is able to be understood rightly, not that it will always be understood rightly. Our understanding is imperfect because of our sin and finiteness.

Psalm 139:6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Luke 9:44-45; John 12:13-16; 20:8-9; 2 Peter 3:16

5. Define the following terms:

Hermeneutics: The study of correct methods of interpretation.

Exegesis: The process of interpreting a text of Scripture.

6.How does Grudem describe the role of historical background information in understanding any given passage of Scripture?

Background information is often helpful for giving us a more vivid and more precise understanding of a passage, but Grudem doubts that it is ever necessary for understanding the general sense of a passage, nor does he think that historical background information can ever properly be used to nullify or overturn something the biblical text actually says.

Thinking Critically

7.Pick one of the objections to the clarity of Scripture and write your own response to it with evidence from Scripture.

Answers will vary.

8.How can we rightly talk of the complexity of interpretation of Scripture without neglecting to acknowledge its clarity?

Answers will vary. It is important to recognize that the problem of interpretation lies in our own sin and lack of understanding rather than in the Bible’s lack of clarity. This is where it is important to study Scripture in community with others who have studied Scripture more in depth than yourself and to always seek a posture of humble learning under the Word of God while praying for understanding. This learning is so that we can have a fuller understanding, one we are able to have because of Scripture’s clarity.

Personal Engagement

9.Do you approach the Bible as if it is able to be understood? How do you deal with passages that are difficult to understand?

Answers will vary.

10.Using Grudem’s six requirements for understanding Scripture rightly as a guide, assess your own approach when the Bible seems difficult to understand:

1.Time: Do I carve out time in my life to understand Scripture? How does my time in the Word compare with my time spent on the internet or engaging with media?

Answers will vary.

2.Effort: Do I expect understanding the Bible to be easy? What is my emotional response to the challenge of understanding God’s Word?

Answers will vary.

3.The use of ordinary means: If I encounter difficulty in understanding the Bible, do I turn to other resources to help? Do I know how to access such resources? When the Word is preached to me, how do I respond? Do I see preaching as a tool to help me understand?

Answers will vary.

4.A willingness to obey: When confronted with areas of my life that are challenged by the teaching of Scripture, how do I respond?

Answers will vary.

5.The help of the Holy Spirit: Do I approach God’s Word prayerfully, asking for the Spirit’s help to understand, or do I do it on my own strength?

Answers will vary.

6.A humble recognition that our understanding is imperfect: Is my response to a lack of understanding in the Bible frustration or trust? Do I acknowledge my sin in my approach to Scripture?

Answers will vary.

11.End your time in this chapter by asking God to help you trust the clarity of Scripture as you engage with it in your daily life.

Chapter 7: The Four Characteristics of Scripture:

(3) Necessity

Opening Prayer

Lord, without your Word we would be helpless in our quest to know you and your ways. We need to have our senses of discernment honed to discern good from evil and to know and to be trained in the way of righteousness (Heb. 5:13–14). We need your Word to know that you love us and sent your Son to take away our sin. Teach me that it is by your Word that I have faith (Rom. 10:17) and life (Matt. 4:4). Amen.

Chapter Review

1.How is the Bible necessary for salvation?

One must either read the gospel message in the Bible for oneself, or hear it from another person.

2.Why is the Bible necessary for certain knowledge about anything?

Philosophers argue that since we do not know everything, we must be uncertain about the things we claim to know. The solution to that is to know everything (an impossible task) or to be able to trust someone that does know everything to tell us truth that we can count on. The Bible is the written record of such truths from an omniscient God.

3.How can unbelievers have knowledge about God?

People can know that God exists and have a knowledge of some of his attributes simply by observing the world around them (Ps. 19:1; Acts. 14:16-17; Rom. 1:19-21).

4.Define the following terms:

General revelation: A knowledge of God’s existence, character, and moral law available to all people that comes through observing nature, seeing God’s directing influence in history, and through an inner sense of God’s existence and his laws that he has placed in every person.

Special revelation: A special knowledge of God given through God’s words addressed to specific people, such as the words of the Bible, the words of the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles, and the words of God spoken in personal address.

Thinking Critically

5.Explain how Old Testament believers were saved by faith.

Old Testament believers were saved through trusting in Chrust, though their faith was a forward-looking faith based on God’s word of promise that a Messiah or a Redeemer would come.

Personal Engagement

6.How does thinking about the necessity of Scripture help you think about evangelism and missions?

Answers will vary, but should include a discussion of the importance of Scripture to know God and his plan of salvation through Jesus.

7.What do you think God is calling you to do to make his Word known to others?

Answers will vary.

8.To end your time in this chapter, spend time thanking God for revealing his Word to you, and ask him to help you share it with others.

Chapter 8: The Four Characteristics of Scripture:

(4) Sufficiency

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank you for the sufficiency of your Word. Help me to trust that it has everything I need for a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). Everything I need for life and godliness, for abundant grace and mercy, can be found in the knowledge of Christ found in your Word. And everything you require of me stated in your Word. Thank you for the confidence and freedom this brings and help me to trust your Word as my sufficient guide throughout all my days on earth. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Describe the sufficiency of Scripture in your own words:

Answers will vary slightly. The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly.

2.True / False: It is possible to obey all of Scripture in this life.

3.How can we discern whether the leading of the Spirit today is legitimate?

The Holy Spirit will never lead us to disobey any command of Scripture, nor should our sense of the Holy Spirit’s individual guidance ever carry the same weight as Scripture in our thinking.

4.Is it possible to know God’s will? Explain your answer.

Yes! Because of the suffiency of Scripture, believers can eagerly seek and find God’s will in Scripture.

Thinking Critically

5.How would you describe the relationship between the sufficiency of Scripture and our ability to teach theology and ethics?

Answers will vary. Because of the sufficiency of Scripture, we can teach theology and ethics because we can trust that God has given us all we need in Scripture to live an obedient life in these areas.

6.Based on the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture, how would you respond to someone who is trying to add to the teaching of Scripture?

Answers will vary. One ought to describe the reality of the sufficiency of Scripture and speak about why it is unecessary to add to the written revelation of God.

Personal Engagement

7.What role does the Bible play in your assessment of what you should do in any given situation? Do you allow it to be sufficient, or do you primarily seek assurance from other sources?

Answers will vary.

8.As you close your time in this chapter, thank God for the sufficiency of his Word and how it can be our source of assurance.

Part 1 Review Quiz

1.What are the four characteristics of Scripture?

1. Authority

2. Clarity

3. Necessity

4. Sufficiency

2.What is the definition of systematic theology? (Circle your answer and label the remaining three options.)

a)A study of how Christians in different periods have understood various theological topics. Historical theology

b)Any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

c)Studying theological topics using the tools and methods of philosophical reasoning and what can be known about God from observing the universe. Philosophical theology

d)Providing a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian faith for the purpose of convincing unbelievers. Apologetics

3.Which of the following is not one of the options given as a meaning for the phrase “the Word of God”?

a)Jesus Christ

b)The Bible

c)Words of modern-day prophets

d)God’s actual speech

4.Define canon:

The list of all the books that belong in the Bible.

5.True / False: The Bible claims to be the Word of God.

6.Describe the difference between inerrancy and the precision of Scripture.

Inerrancy has to do with truthfulness, not the degree of precision with which events are reported.

7.The clarity of Scripture means that:

a)The Bible contains nothing that is hard to understand.

b)The Bible is written in such a way that it is able to be understood.

c)The Bible is impossible to understand.

d)The Bible requires advanced degrees to understand.

Part 2: The Doctrine of God

Chapter 9: The Existence of God

Opening Prayer

Lord, you are! Unlike all the other so-called gods, you exist and are not the invention or projection of human experience. You exist all by yourself, and you have always existed. You still exist even when people deny that you do. You are the source of everything else that exists. Please help me to live out my belief in your existence and keep me from “practical atheism.” Amen.

Chapter Review

1.How do we know that God exists?

a. All people have an inner sense of God.

b. We believe the evidence that is found in Scripture and in nature.

2.How does creation point to the existence of God?

All of creation points to the existense of God. Creation specifically points to God through humanity, made in the image of God; nature; the existence of rain and seasons and food; and the heavens, which declare the existence and beauty of their Creator.

3.Describe one of the traditional arguments for God’s existence in your own words.

Answers will vary. Students will choose between: The cosmological argument—every known thing has a cause, thus the universe must have a cause and the cause can only be God. The teleological argument—argues for design based on the intelligent purpose, harmony, order, and design in the universe. The ontological argument—God is a being greater than any thing that can be imagined, thus that being must have the trait of existence. The moral argument—humanity’s sense of right and wrong points to the existence of God as the source of right and wrong.

Thinking Critically

4.How would you describe the value of proofs for the existence of God to someone who is doubtful about their value?

Answers will vary. Answers may point to the value of rationality in the proofs for the existence of God, their value in overcoming intellectual objections, and providing further intellectual evidence for believers.

5.The Bible says that to deny the existence of God is foolish (Ps 14:1). What would be the best way to communicate that truth to a friend who is an atheist?

Answers will vary but may point to the reality of the proofs of God’s existence in Scripture, creation, and philosophy, showing the rationality of a belief in God.

Personal Engagement

6.Have you ever doubted God’s existence? What has helped you to trust in the reality of God’s existence?

Answers will vary.

7.End your time in this chapter thanking God for revealing his existence to you.

Chapter 10: The Knowability of God

Opening Prayer

Lord, what a joyful and amazing truth that even though you are infinite you reveal yourself to us and you are knowable! Even though I will never fully fathom the depths of even one thing about you, you tell us that we can know you truly, personally, and sufficiently. Give me humble confidence in my pursuit of knowing you so that I may increase in my intimacy with you (Col. 1:10) and your unsearchable greatness (Ps. 145:3). Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define incomprehensible:

We can never fully understand any single thing about God.

2.Though we cannot fully know any one thing about God, how is it true that we can truly know things about God?

We can truly know things about God because all that Scripture tells us about God is true and because we have a personal relationship with God himself.

3.Complete this verse: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Thinking Critically

4.Write a list of the things that you know about God’s love. Describe God’s love with some other words.

Answers will vary.

5.Now, write things that you do not know fully about God’s love.

Answers will vary.

6.The inevitable overlap on these lists shows the knowability and incomprehensibility of God in a beautiful way.

7.Using the information from this chapter, how would you respond to those who think heaven is boring?

Answers will vary but may include a discussion of God’s infiniteness leading to an ever-increasing knowledge of God, even in eternity. Thus we will ever be learning more about God’s character, even in heaven.

Personal Engagement

8.How do you respond to the knowledge of God’s incomprehensibility? Does it frustrate or excite you?

Answers will vary.

9.How might an understanding of both God’s knowability and incomprehensibility help those you minister to? Come up with a short statement describing the helpfulness of understanding that God is both knowable and incomprehensible.

Answers will vary but may include the fact that we can both grow in knowledge of God and will never know God fully. This knowledge can pastorally humble the proud, those who think they know everything, and equip the hopeless, those who think they will never know anything.

10.End your time in this chapter thanking God that you can know him truly and that you will never know him fully.

Theological Exercise

Read Psalm 103 and write down every attribute (characteristic) of God that you can find in the passage.

Answers may vary slightly but may include: holy, benefactor, forgiving, healer, redeemer, bestower, faithful, loving, compassionate, satisfier, renewer, good, gift giver, executor, righteous, just, knowable, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, merciful, great, vast, Father, Lord, eternal, King, strong, ruler, Lord of hosts, and blessed.

Chapter 11: The Character of God: “Incommunicable” Attributes

Opening Prayer

Lord, show me the beauty of your complex and multifaceted nature through your attributes. There is no one like you, for you are the one true God. But you have made us in your likeness and called us to be godly and reflect your character as the Spirit transforms us from one degree of glory to another. Please help me to know you more deeply as I ponder your character, and give me a healthy, holy, fear of you. May I honor you with who I am and how I live. In your mighty, good name, Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define the following terms and give examples of each:

Incommunicable attributes: those attributes that God does not share or “communicate” to others.

Communicable attributes: those attributes God shares or “communicates” with us.

2.Why are the categories of incommunicable and communicable ultimately imperfect in their description of these characteristics of God in relation to us?

There is no attribute of God that is completely communicable, and there is no attribute of God that is completely incommunicable.

3.Fill in the blank: In the Bible, a person’s name is a description of his or her character.

4.Define anthropomorphic: language that speaks of God in human terms.

5.True / False: Scripture tells us everything about God’s character.

6.Define independence: God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy.

7.Fill in the blanks: God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.

8.Describe and/or illustrate God’s relationship to time.

God is not subject to any of the limitations of humanity, or of creation in general. Time does not limit God and God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in his own being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events and acts in time.

9.What does Jesus’ use of the phrase “I am” imply?

Jesus’ use of “I am,” a present tense verb, implies continuing present existence “before Abraham was.” This points to God’s timelessness.

10.Define omnipresence: God does not have size or spatial dimensions and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places.

11.Fill in the blanks: Unity: God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.

Thinking Critically

12.Pick one of God’s incommunicable attributes and look it up in a Bible dictionary. In what ways did your understanding of that attribute change or deepen after reading the definition?

Answers will vary.

13.How does Grudem explain the phenomenon of God “changing his mind” in Scripture? Do you agree or disagree with his assessment?

Grudem states that these should be understood as true expressions of God’s present attitude or intention with respect to the situation as it exists at that moment. This is just saying that God responds differently to different situations. Answers will vary.

14.Define process theology. What aspects of God’s character, outlined by Grudem, does this position miss? Respond to this position in 2–3 sentences.

Process theology is a theological position that says that process and change are essential aspects of genuine existence, and that therefore God must be changing over time also, just like everything else that exists. This position misses God’s immutability, his unchangeableness, and that God is both infinite and personal. Answers will vary.

Personal Engagement

15.Do you praise God for how he is different from you? How could you begin to build this into your prayer life?

Answers will vary.

16.Which aspect of God do you appreciate more easily, his infinity or his personal nature? Ask God to help you have a healthy and balanced view of both.

Answers will vary.

17.As you finish this chapter, thank God that he created you and determined that you would be meaningful to him.

Chapter 12: The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes (Part 1)

Opening Prayer

Lord, you are gracious, kind, loving, merciful, wise, patient, and good. Teach me to see you in the ways that I am like you, and continue to transform me to be more like you. I am made in your image and commanded to reflect that image in my life. Help me, Father, to bear the fruit of the Spirit and to be conformed to the image of Christ in ways that give others a glimpse of who you are so that they will praise your holy name. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.What are the five major categories of God’s “communicable” attributes?

1. Attributes Describing God’s Being

2. Mental Attributes

3. Moral Attributes

4. Attributes of Purpose

5. “Summary” Attributes

2.Match the following attributes with their definitions:

a. Spiritualityb. Invisibilityc. Wisdomd. Truthfulness

b. God’s total essence, all of his spiritual being, will never be able to be seen by us, yet God still shows himself to us partially in this age and more fully in the age to come.

d. God is the true God, and all his knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth.

c.God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.

a. God exists as a being that is not made of any matter, has no parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived by our bodily senses, and is more excellent than any other kind of existence.

3.Why is spirituality considered a “communicable” attribute of God?

While calling spirituality an incommunicable attribute would be appropriate in some ways, the fact remains that God has given us spirits, a spiritual nature that is something like his own nature.

4.True / False: No one has ever seen an outward manifestation of God.

5.Define theophany: an appearance of God.

6.Fill in the blanks: Knowledge (Omniscience): God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.

7.How does Grudem explain the “fear of the Lord”?

If we fear dishonoring God or displeasing him, and if we fear his fatherly discipline, then we will have the motivation that makes us want to follow his ways and live according to his wise commands.

8.Define faithfulness: God’s faithfulness means that God will always do what he has said and fulfill what he has promised.

9.How would God be far less good if he were not wrathful?

If God did not have wrath, he would not hate sin and therefore would be a God who either delighted in sin or was not troubled by it. Such a God would not be worthy of our worship, for sin is hateful and is worthy of being hated.

10.Fill in the blanks: We imitate God’s truthfulness when we love truth and hate falsehood.

11.Match the following attributes with their definitions:

a. Goodnessb. Lovec. Mercyd. Gracee. Patience

d.God’s goodness toward those who deserve only punishment.

b.God eternally gives of himself to others.

c.God’s goodness toward those in misery and distress.

a.God is the final standard of good, and all that God is and does is worthy of approval.

e.God’s goodness in withholding of punishment toward those who sin over a period of time.

12.How do we imitate God’s love?

We imitate God’s love by loving God in return and by loving others in imitation of the way God loves them.

13.What is the source of living of the Christian life?

God’s continous bestowal of grace.

14.Match the following attributes with their definitions:

a. Holinessb. Peacec. Righteousness/Justiced. Jealousye. Wrath

b.In God’s being and in his actions he is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet he is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully controlled, simultaneous actions.

d.God continually seeks to protect his honor.

a.God is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his honor.

d.God intensely hates all sin.

c.God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right.

15.How is God’s holiness both relational and moral?

God’s holiness is a separation (a relational quality) from sin or evil (making it a moral quality).

16.What is “righteousness”?

Whatever conforms to God’s moral character is right. He is the final standard of righteousness.

Thinking Critically

17.Read Psalm 139. Which of God’s communicable attributes do you see reflected in this Psalm? Write each down and define it in the context of this Psalm.

Answers may vary but may include: Knowledge—God knows us and our thoughts and actions. Grace—that God made us and continues to know us and lead us. Wisdom—God knows all and his thoughts are precious. Rightousness—that God knows the wicked. Wrath—that God would slay the wicked.

18.Define open theism. Come up with a 2–4 sentence response to open theism based upon your knowledge of the Bible and the content of this chapter.

According to open theism, God does not know all of the future because he does not know things that cannot be known, such as the free acts of people that have not yet occurred. Responses will vary, but should include the fact that the Bible speaks of God as omniscient and knowing the future.

Personal Engagement

19.Consider the truth that “to look at God changes us and makes us like him.” How can you more regularly set your gaze upon the Lord?

Answers will vary.

20.Have you ever praised God for his wrath? How could you put that into practice in your life of prayer and worship?

Answers will vary.

21.As you finish this chapter, thank God that the knowledge of him can quiet your discouragement, for you can know that he is working wisely in your life, even today, to bring you into greater conformity to the image of Christ.

Chapter 13: The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes (Part 2)

Opening Prayer

Lord, continue to help me know you better through a study of your attributes, that I might further love you for all that you are. Help me learn to love everything about you, especially the things that are hard for me to easily like or understand. Please increase my hunger to know you and give me the discipline, diligence, and focus to seek you more each day. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Match each attribute with its definition:

a. Willb. Freedomc. Omnipotenced. Perfection

b.The attribute of God whereby he does whatever he pleases.

a.The attribute of God whereby he approves and determines to bring about every action necessary for the existence and activity of himself and all creation.

d.God completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any qualities that would be desirable for him.

c.God is able to do all his holy will.

2.True / False: Christians sometimes suffer according to God’s will.

3.What is the difference between God’s necessary will and his free will?

God’s necessary will includes everything that he must will according to his own nature. God’s free will includes all things that God decided to will but had no necessity to will according to his nature.

4.Describe the difference between God’s secret will and his revealed will.

God’s secret includes most of his hidden decrees by which he governs the universe and determines everything that will happen. His revealed will are things that are given us for the purpose of obeying God’s will, sometimes called God’s will of precept or will of command.

5.True / False: God can do anything. Explain.

A student could answer either here and defend their answer. On the one hand, God is able to do anything. On the other hand, God cannot will or do anything that would deny his own character. Grudem states that “it is not entirely accurate to say that God can do anything.”

6.How can we imitate God’s blessedness?

We imitate God’s blessedness when we find delight and happiness in all that is pleasing to God, both those aspects of our own lives that are pleasing to God and the deeds of others.

7.Match each attribute with its definition:

a. Blessednessb. Beautyc. Glory

c. The created brightness that surrounds God’s revelation of himself.

a. God delights fully in himself and in all that reflects his character.

b. The attribute of God whereby he is the sum of all desirable qualities.

8.Fill in the blank: God’s beauty is closely related to God’s perfection.

Thinking Critically

9.Why might suffering be a part of God’s will for Christians?

Answers will vary. At times we suffer according to God’s will as we entrust ourselves to our Creator while doing good, as 1 Peter 3:17 teaches. At other times, suffering is the right consequence of our sin that might lead us to repentance. However, it is never right to think that God takes pleasure in evil, though he can use it for his good purposes.

Personal Engagement

10.How does further knowledge of God’s will through this chapter help you think better about God’s will for your life? How has your thinking on God’s will been changed?

Answers will vary.

11.Pick one of God’s attributes described in the past two chapters and write a hymn of praise to God centered on that attribute.

Answers will vary.

12.Close your time in this chapter thanking God for a particular one of his communicable attributes that has been especially meaningful for you.

Review Quiz: God’s Attributes

Match each attribute with its definition:

1.Independence

2.Unchangeableness/Immutability

3.Eternity

4.Omnipresence

5.Unity

6.Spirituality

7.Invisibility

8.Knowledge (Omniscience)

9.Wisdom

10.Truthfulness/Faithfulness

11.Goodness

12.Love

13.Mercy

14.Grace

15.Patience

16.Holiness

17.Peace/Order

18.Righteousness/Justice

19.Jealousy

20.Wrath

21.Will

22.Freedom

23.Omnipotence (Power/Sovereignty)

24.Perfection

25.Blessedness

26.Beauty

27.Glory

3God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in his own being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events and acts in time.

23God is able to do all his holy will.

21God intensely hates all sin.

25God delights fully in himself and in all that reflects his character.

5In God’s being and in his actions, he is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet he is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully controlled, simultaneous actions.

7God’s total essence, all of his spiritual being, will never be able to be seen by us, yet God still shows himself to us partially in this age and more fully in the age to come.

11God is the final standard of good, and all God is and does is worthy of approval.

13God’s kindness toward those in misery and distress.

19God continually seeks to protect his own honor.

1God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy.

21God approves and determines to bring about every action necessary for the existence and activity of himself and all creation.

27The created brightness that surrounds God’s revelation of himself.

6God exists as a being that is not made of any matter, has no parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived by our bodily senses, and is more excellent than any other kind of existence.

24God completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any qualities that would be desirable for him.

26God is the sum of all desirable qualities.

15God’s goodness in withholding of punishment toward those who sin over a period of time.

9God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.

4God does not have size or spatial dimensions and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places.

14God’s goodness toward those who deserve only punishment.

12God eternally gives of himself to others.

22God does whatever he pleases.

8God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.

2God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.

16God is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his own honor.

10God is the true God, and all his knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth.

8God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.

18God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right.

See this workbook’s appendix for a complete list of all the attributes with their definitions.

Chapter 14: God in Three Persons: The Trinity

Opening Prayer

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for the unified diversity of your character. Help me to understand this mystery of yourself revealed in Scripture. Father, you sent your Son, and the Spirit brought about the incarnation and empowered Jesus to accomplish his work to redeem lost sinners. The gospel would not be the gospel if you were not who you are as the one God in three persons. Help me to grow in my understanding of the Trinity so that I can understand your redeeming work better as well. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Fill in the blanks: All of God’s attributes are true of all three persons, for each is fully God.

2.True / False: The word Trinity is found throughout the Bible.

3.Why is there more explicit teaching about the Trinitarian nature of God in the New Testament than the Old Testament?

Because the New Testament contains the history of the coming of the Son of God to earth, it is accompanied by more explicit teaching about the trinitarian nature of God.

4.What are the three statements that summarize the biblical teaching on the Trinity?

1. God is three persons.

2. Each person is fully God.

3. There is one God.

5.How do the specific roles of the persons of the Trinity point to their distinction?

The fact that God is three persons means that the Father is not the Son, the Father is not the Spirit, and the Son is not the Spirit. Their roles show how they uniquely relate to one another, pointing to their distinction.

6.What about the Holy Spirit can we learn because of his name being mentioned along with the Father and the Son?

The Holy Spirit being mentioned along with the Father and the Son points to the fact that the Spirit also is a person placed in a coordinate relationship with the Father and the Son.

7.True / False: The Bible uses analogies to describe the Trinity.

8.Beside each heresy, put the number corresponding to the statement about the Trinity it denies:

1.God is three persons.

2.Each person is fully God.

3.There is one God.

2. Adoptionism

1. Modalism

2. Subordinationism

3. Tritheism

2. Arianism

9.Define modalism/Sabellianism/modalistic monarchianism: Modalism maintains that God is not really three distinct persons, but only one person who appears to people in different “modes” at different times.

10.Define Arianism: Arianism maintains that God the Son was created by God the Father, and that before that, the Son did not exist, nor the Holy Spirit, but the Father only.

11.Define subordinationism: Subordinationism holds that the Son was eternal (not created) and divine, but still not equal to the Father in being or attributes. The Son is inferior, or subordinate, in being and attributes to God the Father.

12.Define adoptionism: Adoptionism is the view that Jesus lived as an ordinary man until his baptism, but then God “adopted” Jesus as his “Son” and conferred on him supernatural powers.

13.What led to the split between Western and Eastern Christianity? (circle your answer)

Arianismadoptionismthe Filioque clausethe Apostles’ creedmodalism

14.Define tritheism: Tritheism maintains that God is three persons, each is fully God, and therefore there are three Gods.

15.Why is the doctrine of the Trinity so important to the church and the Christian faith?

The doctrine of the Trinity is important because it has implications for the very heart of the Christian faith including the atonement, justification by faith alone, our practice of worship, the independence and personal nature of God, and the unity of the universe.

16. Define economy of the Trinity: The economy of the Trinity refers to the different ways the three persons act as they relate to the world and to each other for all eternity.

17.Draw a line between the person of the Trinity and their role(s) in creation and redemption:

God the Father: spoke creative words, planned redemption

God the Son: accomplished redemption, carried out creative decrees

God the Holy Spirit: applies redemption, sustained God’s presence in creation

18.What are some of the reasons that the literal meaning of monogenēs should be used in the Bible?

Answers will vary. Points that could be included are that a majority of the words using the –genes stem refer to birth, the most straightforward meaning is “only begotten,” using this phrase makes the translation process more straightforward in that you do not need additional words to form a complete thought, and this is the view historically affirmed by Christians.

19.Give a brief definition of the eternal generation of the Son in your own words:

Answers will vary, but should resemble the following. The eternal generation of the Son means that the Son is eternally “from” the Father, implying that he is of the same nature as the Father, is distinct from the Father, and that there is an order to their relationship.

20.True / False: The distinctions between the persons of the Trinity have to do with their divine nature. The distinctions between the persons of the Trinity are essential to the nature of God himself.

21.Fill in the blanks: The pattern of Father-Son interaction in Scripture is one-directional, from the Father and through the Son.

22.Explain the difference between “being” and “person” as described by Grudem.

Grudem affirms that God is one undivided being, yet in this one being there are three persons. Each person is completely and fully God; that is, each person has the whole fullness of God’s being in himself. Yet, the three persons are real and not just different ways of looking at the one being of God. Thus, the distinction between persons is not one of being but one of relationship.

Thinking Critically

23.Compare and contrast how the Old Testament reveals the Trinitarian nature of God versus how the New Testament reveals the Trinity.

Answers will vary. The Old Testament partially reveals the Trinity in that it implies that God exists as more than one person through its use of plural verbs and pronouns and ambiguous passages that speak of “God, your God” (Ps. 45:7) and “The Lord says to my Lord” (Ps. 110:1). Additionally, the Old Testament speaks explicitly of the Holy Spirit having aspects of personhood and many people see a “messenger” or “angel” of the Lord who seems to be divine. What the Old Testament implies, the New Testament makes more complete, with specific references to all three persons of the Trinity within the same verse and clear interworking relationships between the three.

24.Why is the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ position on the translation of John 1:1 inconsistent? Write a two-to-three sentence statement refuting this position using biblical evidence.

Jehovah’s Witnesses translate John 1:1 as “the Word was a god,” implying that the Word was heavenly, but not divine. However, no Greek scholar follows their translation pattern because there is a rule that the absence of the article indicates “God” is a predicate rather than the subject. Furthermore, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not consisent within their own translation of the rest of the chapter, translating the word “God” without the article as clearly the one true God in other instances in John 1.

25.Grudem, in this edition of Systematic Theology, explains why he changed his mind on the right translation and meaning of the word monogenēs in Scripture. When is it appropriate to change one’s mind on issues such as these? How should such a change be approached?

Answers will vary.

26.Why might those who hold to a feminist view of male-female relationships have issue with the eternal subordination of the Son to the Father?

Those that hold to a feminist view of male-female relationships take issue with the idea of eternal subordination because it implies a goodness in subordination, which easily lends itself to a complementarian view of marriage as one in which the wife submits to the husband.

27.Read the appendix to chapter 14, “Christianity and Mormonism.” Pick two of the ten points, and articulate them with concise, biblically founded statements.

Answers will vary. See appendix for specific points and biblical passages.

Personal Engagement

28.How do you relate to each person of the Trinity? Is there one that you tend to focus on or one whom you often neglect? Ask God to help you relate to him rightly, appreciating both the equality and distinctions of the persons of the Trinity.

Answers will vary

29.How does the existence of relationship within the Trinity help you relate to God? How does it teach you the importance of human relationships?

Answers will vary

30.End this chapter by thanking God for his mysterious triune nature.

Chapter 15: Creation

Opening Prayer

Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, all of creation declares your glory. Worship is the only right response when we ponder the work of your hands. Teach me to appreciate your creativity, and let that which you have created point me to greater worship of you. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define the doctrine of creation: God created the entire universe out of nothing; it was originally very good; and he created it to glorify himself.

2.Ex nihilo is Latin for (circle the correct answer):

a. Annihilationismb. out of nothingc. out of aird. without error

3.Fill in the blanks: The phrase “the heavens and the earth” includes the entire universe.

4.True / False: The Bible teaches that God created Adam and Eve in a special and personal way.

5.How is God distinct from his creation?

He is not part of his creation, for he has made it and rules over it.

6.Define transcendent and immanent:

Transcendent: God is far “above” the creation in the sense that he is greater than the creation and he is independent of it.

Immanent: God is involved in creation, “remaining in” it.

7.Describe pantheism and how it differs from the biblical view of creation.

Pantheism is the idea that everything, the whole universe, is God, or is part of God. It denies several aspects of God’s character, including God’s distinct personality, his unchangeableness, and his holiness.

8.Define the following terms:

Dualism: The idea that both God and the material universe have eternally existed side by side.

Deism: The view that God is not now directly involved in the creation.

9.What does creation primarily show us about God?

Creation primarily shows us God’s glory, his great power, and wisdom.

10.Fill in the blanks: When all the facts are rightly understood, there will be “no final conflict” between Scripture and natural science.

11.What are some different ways the word evolution is used? Define each.

Evolution can refer to:

Micro-evolution – small developments within one species

Macro-evolution / the general theory of evolution / neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory – the idea that development of life began when chemicals spontaneously produced a simple life form which then reproduced itself with mutations which led to the development of more complex life forms, leading to a process of “natural selection” in which the organisms most suited to the environment survived.

12.Fill in the blanks: “Our culture is exceptional, even unique, by any standard of the animal kingdom.”

13.For something to be pure “creation,” it needs to begin: (circle one)

from existing matterfrom nothingfrom a crafting kit

14.Define theistic evolution: God created matter and then all living things evolved by purely natural processes without God’s intervention.

15.What does “very good” in the eyes of a holy God imply?

“Very good” in the eyes of a holy God implies there was no sin present in the world.

16.How does Romans 1 show the significance of what people believe about God based upon creation?

Romans 1 tells us that nature gives abundant evidence of God’s existense, such that those who rebel against God are “without excuse.” The evidence from creation for God’s existence is so overwhelming that God holds people morally accountable for denying it.

17.True / False: There are gaps in biblical genealogies.

18.Explain the “concordist,” or day-age, view:

The view that maintains that the earth is many millions of years old and that the days of Genesis 1 are extremely long “ages” of time.

19.How would a proponent of the framework view suggest that we read Genesis 1?

The framework view sees Genesis 1 as giving us no information about the age of the earth but rather contains a literary “framework” which the author uses to teach us about God’s creative activity. Days 1-3 are the days of forming and days 4-6 are the days of filling.

Thinking Critically

20.Describe how the biblical worldview regarding creation is different from the view of materialism.

Materialism denies the existence of God and says that the material universe is all there is. The biblical worldview of creation clearly states the existence of God and thus the existence of the non-material.

21.How should the relationship between science and Scripture be understood?

Throughout history, sincere Christian faith and strong trust in the Bible have led scientiests to the discovery of new facts about God’s universe and these discoveries have brought immense benefits to mankind. When all the facts are rightly understood, there will be “no final conflict” between Scripture and natural science.

22.Explain the concept that “human intuition correctly recognizes that evolution is impossible” with another example.

Answers will vary.

23.Based upon your reading in this chapter, do you lean more toward a young earth or old earth understanding? Explain why.

Answers will vary.

Personal Engagement

24.Do you live as a “practical” materialist in your life?

Answers will vary.

25.How does the knowledge that there will be no final conflict between Scripture and natural science encourage you?

Answers will vary.

26.Has the theory of evolution posed an issue for you in regard to your belief in a creator God? How has this chapter helped you in your faith in the teaching of the Bible regarding creation?

Answers will vary.

27.How should a right understanding of creation help your worship of God?

Answers will vary.

28.End your study of this chapter by thanking God for his creative work in the world.

Chapter 16: God’s Providence

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank you for your sustaining control over all things in this world. Help me to see your hand at work and worship you more fully through this knowledge. Nothing happens outside of your wise, powerful, guiding hand. Help me to understand all that happens, even sin and evil, as part of your sovereign wisdom, and as a result may I grow in peace, gratitude, and hope. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define providence:

God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he

1. keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them;

2. cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and

3. directs them to fulfill his purposes.

2.God’s preservation of his creation includes all but which of the following:

a.God gives us breath each moment.

b.Christ holds all things together.

c.God continuously creates new things for every moment.

d.We have our being in God.

3.How does God’s providence provide a basis for science?

Because God made and continues to sustain a universe that acts in predictable ways, it provides the basis for scientific experiments that expect consistent results given consistent factors.

4.Describe how weather shows God’s concurrence:

Despite being referred to as “natural” occurrences, things we can explain through natural means, weather events are said in Scripture to be caused by God.

5.True / False: Rolling dice falls outside of God’s control.

6.Fill in the blanks: All our actions are under God’s providential care.

7.Do we really cause events to happen?

Although it is true that all aspects of our lives are from the Lord, we are still responsible for our choices and really do cause events to happen. Our choices are real choices that bring real results.

8.True / False: God is involved in evil things happening and yet bears no moral blame.

9.Complete the verse: Genesis 50:20, “You meant evil against me, but God . . .”

meant it for good.

10.Who bears the moral blame for evil actions?

Those who do the evil actions bear the moral blame for them.

11.Fill in the blanks: There are things that are right for God to do but wrong for us to do.

12.How are we free “in the greatest sense”?

We are free “in the greatest sense” in that we make willing choices that have real effects.

13.Define the following terms:

Libertarian free will: “The ability, all things being just what they are, to choose differently.” – Bruce Ware

Freedom of inclination: “We are free when we choose according to our strongest inclination or deepest desire. In short, we are free when we do what we most want to do.” – Bruce Ware

Compare and contrast the two:

Libertarian free will defines freedom as the ability to choose contrary. This maintains that choices are not determined by God. On the other hand, freedom of inclination allows for God’s providential direction and influence but maintains that freedom need only include the choice of what we most want to do, not any choice at all.

14.What is the difference between God’s “moral/revealed will” and his “providential government/secret will”?

God’s moral will includes moral standards of Scripture, clear for all to see, while God’s providential government includes all the events of history that God has ordained to come about, including certain evil acts like the crucifixion.

15.Fill in the blanks: The decrees of God are the eternal plans of God whereby, before the creation of the world, he determined to bring about everything that happens.

16.How is the doctrine of the decrees of God distinct from the doctrine of providence?

a.The doctrine of the decrees of God speaks of his providential actions in time.

b.The doctrine of the decrees of God speaks about God’s decisions before the world was created.

c.The doctrine of the decrees of God speaks of God’s law in condemning sin.

17.What is one very significant means of ours that God has ordained to bring about results in this world?

SinFeats of strengthPrayerFaithWisdom

18.State the Arminian position on God’s providence:

In order to preserve the real human freedom and real human choices that are necessary for genuine human personhood, God cannot cause or plan our voluntary choices. Thus, God’s providential involvement in or control of history must not include every specific detail of every event that happens, but instead he simply responds to human choices and actions as they come about in such a way that his purposes are ultimately accomplished in the world.

19.True / False: Scripture seems to maintain that choices ordained by God can be real choices.

20.What do Calvinists and Arminians agree on regarding our actions?

Calvinists and Arminians agree that our actions have real results and that they are eternally significant, that we are responsible for our actions and that we make voluntary, willing choices, that God answers prayer, that proclaiming the gospel results in people being saved, and that obedience to God results in blessing in life, while disobedience results in lack of God’s blessing.

21.What are the two positions’ major differences?

Calvinists and Arminians disagree on God’s causation of our voluntary choices, God’s providential involvement in history, and the specifics of God’s accomplishment of his purposes in this world, including God’s involvement in evil.

22.Describe the middle knowledge or Molinist view:

Middle knowledge posits that the future choices of people are not directly determined by God, but God knows them anyway, because he knows how each free creature would respond in any set of circumstances that might occur, and then he creates a world in which those circumstances will occur.

23.True / False: There is no such thing as luck or chance.

Thinking Critically

24.How might a Calvinist define free as it relates to humans and their actions?

Calvinists would define free as the ability to make willing choices that have real effects. However, this by no means includes being outside of God’s control.

25.How might an Arminian understand God’s sovereignty as it relates to humans and their actions?

Arminians believe that God achieves his overall goal by responding to and utilizing the free choices of human beings, whatever they may be.

Personal Engagement

26.How does a biblical view of providence change your perspective of “ordinary” things like gasoline making your car run? How can you practice worshipful wonder at God’s providential work in your life?

Answers will vary.

27.What is it like to know that we are responsible for our actions and that they have real and eternally significant results? Is that motivating or does it make you fearful?

Answers will vary.

28.End your time in this chapter asking God to help you understand his providence and by praising him for it.

Chapter 17: Miracles

Opening Prayer

Lord, help me see your wonder working majesty (Ex. 15:11) and praise you for it. You are the creator and sustainer of all that is, and you have never ceased working in creation. Thank you for always being in the things we take for granted and also for displaying your magnificent power through miracles. Help me to be grateful for your work whether it is daily or dramatic. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define miracle: A miracle is a less common kind of God’s activity in which he arouses people’s awe and wonder and bears witness to himself.

2.Why is the definition “an event impossible to explain by natural causes” insufficient?

This definition is insufficient because it does not include God as the miracle worker, it assumes God does not use natural causes and thus only occasionally intervenes in the world, and it will result in a significant minimizing of actual miracles and an increase in skepticism.

3.True / False: Answers to prayer can be miracles.

4.What are the purposes of miracles?

a. to authenticate the message of the gospel

b. to show that the kingdom of God has come

c. to help those who are in need

d. to remove hindrances to people’s ministries

e. to bring glory to God.

5.Who performed miracles in the Bible? Keep a running list as you read through the chapter.

Jesus, the apostles (particularly Peter and Paul), other believers in the church, Stephen, Philip, those with the gift of miracles.

6.What do cessationists believe?

Cessationists believe that miracles ceased early in the histroy of the church.

7.Why can the “signs of a true apostle” in 2 Corinthians 12:12 not merely be miracles?

The “signs of the apostle” in 2 Corinthians 12 cannot merely be miracles because Paul is seeking to prove himself against false representatives of Christ, not Christian non-apostles, the sentence itself distinguishes “signs of the apostle” from signs and wonders, and the word for “sign” includes more than just miracles.

8.What is Geisler’s position on miracles?

Geisler says “miracles are always successful, are immediate, have no relapses, and give confirmation of God’s messenger.”

9.True / False: No one is able to do miracles by a power other than God.

10.Which of the following are proper reasons to ask God to perform a miracle today? Circle all that apply.

a.To bring glory to God.

b.To be entertained.

c.To confirm the truthfulness of the gospel message.

d.To advance one’s own power.

e.To remove hindrances to people’s ministries.

f.To criticize those who preach the Gospel.

g.To help those in need.

Thinking Critically

11.What do you find to be the most helpful critique of Geisler’s restrictive definition of miracles? Restate it in your own words and explain how it denies or complicates Geisler’s position.

Answers may vary. Critiques of Geisler’s definitions include that the Holy Spirit apportions the gift of miracles to each “as he wills” rather than always being successful, there seems no reason to exclude unusual or remarkable answers to prayer from the category of “miracle,” and Geisler fails to recognize that the gift of miracles may vary in strength or degree of intensity.

Personal Engagement

12.Before reading this chapter, how would you have defined miracle? Now that you have read it, has anything changed about your perspective on miracles?

Answers will vary.

13.How does your understanding of miracles affect your prayer life? Are you willing to ask God to work miraculously in your life?

Answers will vary.

14.End your time in this chapter by thanking God for working miraculously in this world and in your life.

Chapter 18: Prayer

Opening Prayer

Lord, what a great and awesome privilege to come into your presence in prayer. I know that this is only possible because of the finished work of Christ. Please help me to be a more prayerful person and rehearse the gospel every time I enter into your presence. Give me the proper humility and confidence as I pray, and help me to more fully draw near to you. Amen.

Chapter Review

1.Define prayer: Prayer is personal communication with God.

2.Fill in the blanks: God wants us to pray because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase.

3.How is prayer related to wholeness?

When we truly pray, we as persons, in the wholeness of our character, are relating to God as a person, in the wholeness of his character.

4.What are the three reasons Grudem states why God wants us to pray?

1. Prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase.

2. Prayer brings us into deeper fellowship with God, and he loves us and delights in our fellowship with him.

3. In prayer, God allows us as creatures to be involved in activities that are eternally important.

5.True / False: Prayer actually changes how God acts in the world.

6.Who makes our prayer effective?

Jesus Christ.

7.Where do we enter with Christ as our Mediator?

We enter into God’s presence with Christ as our mediator.

8.When following the biblical model, to whom should we primarily direct our prayers?

Following the biblical model, prayers should primarily be addressed to God the Father.

9.What does it mean to “pray in the Holy Spirit” according to Grudem?

To pray in the Holy Spirit means to pray with the conscious awareness of God’s presence surrounding us and sanctifying both us and our prayers.

10.How can one increase the depth, power, and wisdom of his or her prayers?

Through the regular reading and memorization of Scripture, cultivated over many years of a Christian’s life.

11.Why does Grudem say that listening to God in prayer is important?

Grudem says that listening to God in prayer is important so that God may change the desires of our heart, give us additional insight into the situation we are praying about, grant us additional insight into his Word, bring a passage of Scripture to mind that would enable us to pray more effectively, impart a sense of assurance of what his will is, or greatly increase our faith so that we are able to pray with much more confidence.

12.Where does assured faith in prayer come from? (Circle the correct answer.)

GodSelf-assuranceEmotionsThe universeOur parents

13.True / False: God only answers the prayers of sinless people. Explain.

We do not need to be freed from sin completely before God can be expected to answer our prayers, but disobedience is a hindrance to prayer. Prayer and holy living go together.

14.Fill in the blanks: Confession of sins is necessary in order for God to “forgive us” in the sense of restoring his day-to-day relationship with us.

15.How is God’s jealousy related to humility in prayer?

God is rightly jealous for his own honor. Therefore he is not pleased to answer the prayers of the proud who take honor to themselves rather than giving it to him.

16.Circle all the words that have to do with faithful prayer.

Persistent

Earnest

Patient

Proud

Forgiveness

Sporadic

17.In what ways does a lack of forgiveness hinder prayer?

If we have unforgiveness in our hearts against someone else, then we are not acting in a way that is pleasing to God or helpful to us, so God declares that he will distance himself from us until we forgive others.

18.What is the proper place for emotions in prayer?

Emotional involvement in prayer should never be faked; however, if we truly begin to see situations as God sees them, if we begin to see the needs of a hurting and dying world as they really are, then it will be natural to pray with intense emotional involvement. In those cases, Christians should accept and be thankful for such emotional expression.

19.Why pray in private?

Praying in private can help us avoid hyprocrisy, but also help us not be distracted by others and therefore modify our prayers to fit what we think they expect to hear. In private prayer, we can truly pour out our hearts to him.

20.What are some of the benefits of fasting?

Fasting increases our sense of humility and dependence on God, allows us to give more attention to prayer, is a continual reminder that we must sacrifice all of ourselves to him, is a good exercise in self-discipline, heightens spiritual and mental alertness and a sense of God’s presence, and expresses earnestness and urgency in our prayers.

21.Fill in the blank: When prayer remains unanswered, we must continue to trust God.

Thinking Critically

22.Grudem mentions modeling good theology in prayer. Why is it important to model what it means to pray “in Jesus’ name” in various ways to others in our public prayers?

Answers will vary. It is helpful to model what it means to pray “in Jesus’ name” to others in our public prayers to show that saying “in Jesus’ name” is not a magic formula for prayer. By expressing the truth behind such statements in other ways in prayer, it helps to model to others good theology.

23.Write a succinct two-to-three sentence statement that would help you explain unanswered prayers to someone who is asking you about it.

Answers will vary. It would be helpful to include an understanding of God’s hidden wise plans and God’s patience, our own misunderstanding and lack of faith, and the importance of persistence in prayer regardless of the answer.

Personal Engagement

24.Assess your prayer life. Is prayer something you engage in often? Why or why not?

Answers will vary.

25.How would truly praying in Jesus’ name change your prayer life?

Answers will vary.

26.As you read Grudem’s analogy of inviting a friend to dinner, which characterizes the majority of your prayers? Ask God to help you pray expectantly and patiently.

Answers will vary.

27.As you end this chapter, thank the Lord for the gift of prayer and ask him to grow you in praying in faith.

Chapter 19: Angels

Opening