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Table of Contents

Suggested Websites...................................................................................................2

Chapter Summaries....................................................................................................4

Student Learning Objectives...................................................................................45

Chapter Quizzes.......................................................................................................49

Midterm Exam.........................................................................................................89

Final Exam...............................................................................................................98

Sample Syllabi.......................................................................................................106

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Suggested WebsitesAlliance of Confessing Evangelicals: A group of evangelical Christians from many denominational backgrounds, as well as their online journalwww.alliancenet.org/www.reformation21.org/

Bible.org: A website dedicated to providing a wide selection of biblical and theological articles from scholars on a wide range of subjects.

Bible Researcher: An online directory of articles related to textual studies, theological issues, and the canon of Scripturewww.bible-researcher.com/

The Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics: A collection of many online resources, organized according to areas of doctrine, and specifically Reformed in their theological commitmentswww.reformed.org/

The Chicago Statements on Biblical Inerrancy and Biblical Hermeneuticswww.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.htmlwww.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html

The Christian Classics Ethereal Library: An online collection of early church documents, including Calvin’s Institutes, the works of the early church fathers, and many otherswww.ccel.org

Christian Essentials at Scottsdale Bible Church: An online collection of Wayne Grudem’s lectures through Systematic Theology christianessentialssbc.com/messages/

The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: Covers issues of marriage, church leadership, and biblical manhood and womanhood from a Complementarian perspectivewww.cbmw.org/

Desiring God: The ministry of John Piper. Includes a wide assortment of topics related to maturing your faith and handling various theological issues www.desiringgod.org

The Evangelical Theological Society: A professional and academic society of evangelical scholars, pastors, students, and others as well as their quarterly journalwww.etsjets.org/www.etsjets.org/JETS

The Gospel Coalition: A ministry dedicated to the advancement of the gospel. Concerned with the clear communication of the gospel in the public forum. Contributors include D. A. Carson, Tim Keller, Kevin DeYoung, Russell Moore, Trevin Wax, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Justin Taylor.

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Monergism Directory of Theology: Perhaps the most comprehensive online collection of theological resources, providing many online articles and sites divided by category and doctrinewww.monergism.com/directory/

The New Testament Gateway: A collection of many online resources for New Testament studieswww.ntgateway.com/

Threshold: Many online works by various theologians including Wayne Grudem, J. Gresham Machen, Augustine, R. C. Sproul, and many otherswww.monergism.com/thethreshold/books/onlinebooks.html

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Chapter SummariesChapter 1 – What is the Bible?

Key Terms

authority of Scripture, Scripture, God-breathed, clarity of Scripture, necessity of Scripture, general revelation, special revelation, sufficiency of Scripture, blameless

Key Points

All the words of Scripture are God’s words and are completely truthful. They are our final standard of authority; to disbelieve or disobey any of them is to disbelieve or disobey God.

The Bible is written in such a way that all things necessary to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian are clear.

In order to know God personally, one must read the Bible or have someone tell us what is in the Bible.

The Bible contains all the words and instructions to equip us to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian.

Chapter Summary

In speaking of the authority of Scripture, we affirm: “All the words of Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.”

We can claim that all of the words of Scripture are God’s words because this is what the Bible claims for itself. The consistent, repeated claim of the writers of the OT is that they are writing the very words of God. The authors of the NT also recognize that the words of Scripture are God’s words (2 Tim 3:16).

The Bible reveals a variety of ways the text was composed (Heb. 1:1). It testifies that there were times the words were given directly by God himself (Rev. 2:1, 8, 12). Other times indicate the author based his writings upon research and interviews (Luke 1:1–3). And, other times, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the teachings of Jesus to the mind of the author (John 14:26).

While other evidence might prompt us towards trust in the words of Scripture, ultimately no higher authority can be appealed to other than Scripture itself. God is the highest authority.

We can also be confident that all the words of Scripture are not only truthful, they are truth itself (John 17:17). The Scriptures are the final measure by which all supposed truth will be gauged. Because God’s words are truth, we know that we will never discover any new fact that contradicts the Bible. Any facts arising from the study of science (or history or archaeology or any other field) will confirm the accuracy of Scripture.

Although the Bible is truthful, this does not mean that it reports events with exact, scientific detail. Nor does it provide an exhaustive commentary on everything we would desire to know about any given subject.

The Bible is composed to clearly communicate all that one needs to know to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian. Even though the Bible is clearly composed

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so people can understand how they are to properly relate to God, there are areas of the Bible that are “mysteries.” In spite of the clarity of Scripture, people still fail to understand it. At times, this results from faithlessness or hard-heartedness; at other times, this is due to a need for improved Bible study methods.

In addition to the Bible being clear in how a person is to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian, it is also important to understand that without the Bible, we would not be able to know these things. And, once we are Christians, the Bible is also necessary in helping to understand God more by understanding his will. While the Bible contains the specific language in how we are to have a relationship with him (special revelation), everyone regardless of their standing with God can get a glimpse of God’s character through his creation (general revelation).

God’s Word is also sufficient, in that it contains all of the words of God for a person to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian. It provides clear instruction for believers to perform “every good work” God desires us to do (2 Tim. 3:16–17). God’s Word is available for us to diligently search through to understand how God would have us live out our faith on a daily basis. We also need to exercise caution when Scripture does not address a particular issue so that we do not add to or subtract anything in order to align with our desires. Rather, we should arrive at a level of contentment with what we find within. When it pertains to our doctrinal, ethical, and moral instruction, we should be content with what the Bible has clearly told us within its pages.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “We can know the Bible is true because the Bible says it is true.”

Allow students to interact with the following questions. Can a person become a Christian without having access to the Bible?

Provide the following prompt to get students to engage in an interactive discussion: How can God’s Word be sufficient for our growth as Christians if it does not address every particular situation we may encounter in life?

Suggested Essay Questions

Why is it not an inappropriate circular argument for us to appeal to Scripture to prove Scripture to be God’s words?

Describe how we can maintain our trust in the Bible as God’s Word to us even though there are occasions where it does not report events with exact scientific detail?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Can We Trust the Bible” (Brett Kunkle) www.str.org/articles/can-we-trust-the-bible#.VepqGXike68

“Is the Bible Accurate?” (Dan Wallace) youtu.be/F-aU08OzEGQ

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Chapter 2 – What is God Like?

Key Terms

inner sense of God, knowable, unsearchable, personal knowledge of God, independence, unchangeable, eternal, omnipresence, omniscience, wisdom of God, goodness of God, love of God, holiness of God, omnipotent, unity

Key Points

We can know that God exists through nature, through Scripture, and through an inner sense of his existence.

We can know God personally, not fully but truly. God perfectly manifests all of his attributes.

Chapter Summary

Every person has “a deep, inner sense that God exists, that they are his creatures, and that he is their Creator.” For instance, Paul, in Romans 1:19, explains that even unbelievers know God and know something about his character. Although all created things give evidence of God and his character, human beings give the most as they are created in God’s image.

God is independent, which means that he “does not need us or the rest of creation for anything.” God does not rely on anyone or anything. All creation is dependent upon him. However, he allows us to bring joy to his heart–joy that results in loud singing!

God is unchangeable in his “being, attributes, purposes, and promises (Mal. 3:6).” In light of God’s unchanging nature, he does possess emotion and feeling. His unchanging nature does not mean that he does not react in a different manner when people turn to him in repentance.

God is also eternal, with “no beginning, end, or succession of event in his own being.” God’s sense of time is quite different than ours. For example, 2 Peter 3:8 states, “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

God is not constrained by spatial limitations as we are. God’s omnipresence means that God has the ability to be in each and every place with the entirety of his being.

God is a spiritual being, meaning that he is not composed of matter as we are (John 4:24). God has also created our spiritual nature to be able to relate to him and worship him. God is not able to be seen by us. His invisibility means that although we will not necessarily be able to see him, we will be able to clearly see evidence of his reality.

God knows everything there is to be known. His attribute of omniscience clearly describes God as capable of fully knowing not only all possible events that have taken place, but also all of the events that may have possibly taken place and all of the outcomes of those alternatives. Since God knows all things, nothing can remain hidden from his knowledge. This relates to God’s wisdom. God’s attribute of wisdom means that God clearly understands the best of all possible choices and always selects them to attain the best goals. We can share this attribute of God to an extent as God delights to give wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5). God’s attribute of truthfulness means that he is true, his words are true, and he is the standard of truth. Because of this, we should seek to be absolutely truthful in what we say and what we do (Col 3:9–10).

God is good. God does not merely do and approve what is good; God defines what is

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good and anything that God approves is good because God defines goodness.“God’s love means that God eternally gives of himself to others.” Even before creation,

the persons of the Trinity loved and gave of themselves to one another (Jn 17:24). We imitate this attribute by loving God with our whole being and by loving our neighbor as ourself (Matt 22:37–39). God is also holy; “he is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his own honor.” God cannot tolerate sin, and he commands his people to pursue this same holiness (Lev 19:2; Heb 12:10–14).

God’s righteousness (or justice) means that God always does what is right and he defines what is right. Because of this, God must punish sin, either by punishing the sinner. In accordance with God’s all-powerful nature, “eventually all things will be made right.” In connection with God’s holiness, God is also jealous, by which we mean that “God continually seeks to protect his own honor.” He will not share his honor with any other thing or being. Finally, God is wrathful—he hates all sin with an intense hatred. God’s wrath should cause us to be thankful for his patience, and it should motivate us to proclaim the gospel to all people everywhere.

“God’s will is that attribute of God whereby he approves and determines to bring about every action for the existence and activity of himself and all creation.” Scripture repeatedly refers to God’s will as the reason for everything that takes place (Eph 1:11; Rev 4:11). There are times God chooses to clearly reveal his will, and other times where he chooses not to. In other words, there are things that God has willed which he has not revealed to us, and things which he wills and has revealed. God is completely free. No outside force can compel God to do some deed, nor can it constrain God from doing anything. This free God is omnipotent. He is “able to do all his holy will” (Matt 19:26). There are some things, though, that God cannot will or do. For instance, he cannot lie, or behave in any manner contrary to his character. God cannot sin, or tempted with evil (Jas 1:13). He cannot deny himself (2 Tim. 2:13).

God is perfect. He “completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any qualities that would be desirable for him” (Matt 5:48). God also enjoys the attribute of blessedness. This means that God is a happy, joyful God; he is entirely happy in his own person, and joyful in who he is. God is also beautiful; he is “the sum of all desirable qualities.”

God also has the attribute of unity, which means that he “is not more of one attribute than another.” God’s entire person, his whole being, includes all of his attributes.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open the class by having the students read aloud Psalm 145:1–7 as a group. Open class with the hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” Ask students to discuss how we are to adequately worship God in reflecting on his

attributes.

Suggested Essay Questions

What kind of knowledge can we have about God? How does God’s wrath against sin encourage thankfulness in his people?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Attributes of God” (Josh McDowell) www.josh.org/video-2/attributes-of-god/ “The Attributes of God” (A.W. Pink)

www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/attributes_online.html

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“What is God Like?” (J. Hampton Keathley, III) bible.org/seriespage/2-what-god

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Chapter 3 – What is the Trinity?

Key Terms

Trinity, fully God, unity of the Trinity, diversity of the Trinity, analogies, mystery of the Trinity, roles within the Trinity

Key Points

God is three persons, each person is fully God, and there is one God. Each member of the Trinity has distinctive roles.

Chapter Summary

The following three statements summarize the doctrine of the Trinity.

1. God is three persons. Many passages distinguish between the members of the Trinity. 2. Each person is fully God. The Father’s full deity is evident throughout Scripture (Gen

1:1). The full deity of the Son is made clear in Colossians 2:9, “In him [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” The Holy Spirit’s full deity is evident in Peter’s charge against Ananias—he accuses him of lying to God, and then specifies that he has lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4).

3. There is one God. Scripture continually bears witness to this truth. Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “The Lord is one” (NIV). Isaiah 45:5 reads, “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.” The NT authors reaffirm the truth of God’s unity (Rom 3:30; Jas 2:19).

It seems that every analogy we might use to describe the Trinity will fall short.

All three members of the Trinity are distinctive in the roles they possess as evidenced from Scripture. For instance, the Father spoke the universe into being, the Son carried out these creative decrees, and the Spirit manifested God’s presence during the creation events (Gen 1:1–3; 9–10; Jn 1:3). Although possessing distinctive roles, the being of each person is equal to the whole being of God.

The unity and diversity we understand within the Trinity reflect the goodness of the Trinity as we take part in marriage or participate in the church body; these things show unity in diversity and thereby glorify God.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Ask students to list various analogies for the Trinity and discuss the shortfalls of each analogy.

Suggested Essay Questions

Describe how Scripture defines the Trinity. Describe how Scripture distinguishes the roles of each member of the Trinity.

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Other Media Sources/Websites

“Only the Triune God is Love” (D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, John Piper) vimeo.com/44935725

“The Trinity (Triunity) of God” (J. Hampton Keathley, III) bible.org/article/trinity-triunity-god

“What is the Doctrine of the Trinity?” (Matt Perman) www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity

“Basic Christianity, Part Four: The Trinity” (Tim Challies) www.challies.com/articles/basic-christianity-part-four-the-trinity

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Chapter 4 – What is Creation?

Key Terms

creation, image of God, scientific theories, eternality of God, distinctiveness of God, intimate involvement of God, glory-giving creation, creation as a free act of God, the good creation

Key Points

God created everything out of nothing. God made man in his own image. Many scientific theories conflict with the biblical view of creation. God is both intimately involved in and distinct from his creation.

Chapter Summary

God created everything out of nothing. The whole Bible continually declares that God created everything that exists, and that nothing exists that he did not create (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:3; Col 1:16). God made us in his image as the highest of his created work.

If accepted scientific opinion contradicts our understanding of Scripture, we must recognize that the conclusions of science have caused and will continue to cause believers to examine and improve their understanding of Scripture.

God remains involved and distinct in relationship to his creation. He stands above his created work, yet he actively involves himself in it.

Scripture also bears witness that God created all things for his own glory (Ps 19:1). In all of creation, we can see God’s infinite power and wisdom (Jer 10:12). Even though creation glorifies God, he did not need to create in order to receive glory; his creative work was a freely willed act (Rev 4:11). The doctrine of creation should encourage us to enjoy what God has created.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by having a student read Genesis 1:1–2:3.

Suggested Essay Questions

What is meant by describing God as intimately involved in his creation and distinct from his creation?

How should we wrestle with apparent discrepancies between scientific findings and biblical teachings?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Why Did God Create Us?” (John D. Morris, PhD) www.icr.org/article/537 “Did God Create Everything Out of Nothing?” (Hank Hanegraaf)

www.equip.org/bible_answers/god-create-everything-nothing/ “Why Did God Create the World?” (John Piper) vimeo.com/50032287

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“Do People Really Believe in Evolution?” (John D. Morris, PhD) www.icr.org/article/do-people-really-believe-evolution

“The Scientific Case Against Evolution” (Henry M. Morris, PhD) www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_scientificcaseagainstevolution/

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Chapter 5 –What is Prayer?

Key Terms

prayer, reason for prayer, effectiveness of prayer, “in Jesus’ name,” “according to his will,” faith, gift of prayer

Key Points

Prayer is personal communication with our Creator. Anything in our lives that displeases God will hinder our prayers.

Chapter Summary

In prayer, we communicate personally with God. We pray not to inform God, but to express our dependence on him and to grow in faith. We pray also in order to have a closer relationship with God, to participate in his kingdom’s purposes, and to give glory to him.

Prayer is effective. It actually changes the way God acts. For instance, because we pray, God meets our needs (Lk 11:9–10; Jas 4:2), and he forgives sins (Ex 32:9–14; 1 Jn 1:9). Effective prayer becomes possible because Jesus Christ mediates for believers.

Jesus often refers to prayer in his name (Jn 16:23). He is instructing us, not to tack his name on the end of a prayer, but rather to pray by his authorization and in agreement with his character.

A healthy prayer life includes a number of important aspects. For instance, we are to pray according to God’s will (Matt 26:39; 1 Jn 5:14).

We also should pray with faith; we should have a confident assurance that God will answer our request (Mk 11:24). Anything that displeases the Lord will hinder our prayers (Ps 66:18). This does not mean that God will refuse to hear our prayers unless we are free from sin. Prayer should include a confession of known and unknown sins (Ps 19:12; 1 Jn 1:9). Prayer is also strengthened by humility (Jas 4:6). If our prayers go unanswered, we can trust that God is working even these unanswered prayers together for his glory and our good (Rom 8:28).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class with prayer, then ask students to discuss the following question, “How does God respond to prayer?” Prompt further discussion by asking: “What hinders our prayers to God?”

Close class with prayer. Read Matthew 18:19–20 aloud, then ask the students to break into groups of two or three. Have them pray with one another for personal requests that they have been praying about for many months or years.

Suggested Essay Questions

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? What does it mean to pray according to God’s will?

What attitude should we have as we approach God in prayer?

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Other Media Sources/Websites

“Calvin on Prayer” (John Calvin, selections from Institutes of the Christian Religion)www.chapellibrary.org/files/archive/pdf-english/copr.pdf

“How to Pray” (Tim Keller; MP3)download.redeemer.com/rpcsermons/Lords_Prayer_1990/How_To_Pray.mp3

“Corporate Aspects of the Lord’s Prayer” (Philip Ryken)www.9marks.org/ejournal/corporate-aspects-lords-prayer

“What Is Biblical Prayer and Why Should I Pray If God Knows Everything?” (D.A. Carson) youtu.be/muiwzkFO-k0

“What Is Prayer” (John Piper) youtu.be/oK5sum-LFFA

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Chapter 6 – What Are Angels, Satan, and Demons?

Key Terms

angel, demons, Satan, the devil, the serpent, Beelzebul, “the ruler of this world,” “the prince of the power of the air,” “the evil one,” demonic activity

Key Points

Angels are created, spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence but without physical bodies.

Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and now continually work evil in the world.

Much of the sin mentioned in the Bible is the result of an individual person’s actions, not because of demon possession.

Chapter Summary

“Angels are created, spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence, but without physical bodies.” Their moral judgment is evident in that some of them chose to sin (2 Pet 2:4), and their intelligence is evident in their interactions with mankind and in their praise of God (Matt 28:5; Rev 4:11).

“Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and now continually work evil in the world.” These beings were originally created “very good” (Gen 1:31), but it seems that by Genesis 3, these beings had rebelled against God (Jude 6).

Sin originated with Satan (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:8); he fell before Adam and Eve fell, and he works to tempt others to sin. Satan sought to tempt Jesus (Matt 4:1–11). Even so, Satan and his demons can act only as God allows them to act.

Demons continue to act in the world (1 Pet 5:8). It is a mistake to suppose otherwise, yet it is also a mistake to attribute a demonic origin to every sinful act or evil occurrence. While Scripture usually focuses on the choices and actions of people, Paul still instructs us to remain resistant to demonic forces (1 Pet 5:9; Eph 4:27).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking students to discuss what areas in their culture seem to be under significant demonic influence today. Prompt further discussion by asking why they think the church does not often experience the type of spiritual warfare described in the Gospels and Acts.

Suggested Essay Questions

Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between angels and humans. According to the text, why can a Christian not be “demon possessed”?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Angelology: The Doctrine of Angels” (J. Hampton Keathley III)bible.org/article/angelology-doctrine-angels

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“Angels: Messengers and Ministers of God” (Phil Johnson)www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/angels-messengers-and-ministers-god/

“Can Christians Be Demon-Possessed?” (John MacArthur)www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA191/can-christians-be-demonpossessed

“Myths about Spiritual Warfare” (Wayne A. Detzler)biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ref-rev/04-1/4-1-detzler.pdf

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Chapter 7 – What is Man?

Key Terms

man, reason God created man, how man brings glory to God, man’s uniqueness, image of God, distorted image, restored image, likeness, man’s responsibility to creation, man’s responsibility to others

Key Points

Man is the pinnacle of God’s creation. Man was created in the image of God and were made to be like him. The fall corrupted the image of God in mankind, but redemption in Christ can

progressively restore this image. Since man is created in God’s image, he is also made to be representatives on earth.

Chapter Summary

God had no need for us. God does not lack for love or fellowship within the persons of the Trinity, yet he created us so that he might receive glory (Isa 43:7). Because this is true, our purpose in life is to glorify God, and we do this by enjoying him.

God created man and woman in his own image (Gen 1:27). To be in the image of God means that we are like God and we represent God. We are similar to God in many ways. We are moral, spiritual, and thinking creatures. At the fall, the image of God in mankind was warped. When Christ returns, this recovery will be complete and we will enjoy the fullness of the image of God once again (1 Cor 15:49).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking a student to read Romans 1:18–23. Present the students with a definition of the consequences of sin, then ask students to

discuss the following question: “How can our sin distort our ability to reflect the image of God?”

Suggested Essay Questions

How do men and women reflect the image of God in their relationship to the rest of creation?

Describe how man who has been created in the image of God bears responsibility for creation. Identify some ways that man does this to the glory of God.

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Men and Women in the Image of God” (John Frame, chapter in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood)www.cbmw.org/images/onlinebooks/rbmw/men_and_women_imagegod.pdf

“Some Perspectives on the Image of God in Man from Biblical Theology” (Robert C. Newman) www.newmanlib.ibri.org/RRs/RR021/21image.htm

“Was the Image of God Destroyed By Sin?” (Eric Lyons)

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www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=564

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Chapter 8 – What is Sin?

Key Terms

sin, God’s moral law, origin of sin, ordained sin, free to sin, original sin, inherited sin nature, inherited sin tendency, impact of sin, inherited guilt, unified human race

Key Points

Sin is any moral failure in our actions, attitudes, or nature. Through Adam’s sin, we have all inherited guilt and sin nature. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God offers freedom from the condemnation

sin brings. Sin does not affect the Christian’s standing before God, it does affect our fellowship with

God. Christians should not participate in a long-term pattern of sin.

Chapter Summary

“Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude or nature.” This means that while stealing and adultery are sin, so also are the desires to steal and commit adultery (Ex 20:17). Moreover, our very nature can be sinful. In Ephesians 2:3, Paul states that believers once were “by nature children of wrath.” Sin is serious and completely contrary to God’s holy character. God did not sin, and he is not guilty of sin (Deut 32:4). At the same time, we must affirm that sin did not surprise or challenge God; rather, God ordained that sin would enter the world through the choices of moral agents.

Sin first manifested itself in the angelic realm with the fall of Satan and the demons, but it entered the world through human decisions.

When Christians sin, they remain forgiven (1 Cor 15:3) and are still a part of God’s family (1 Jn 3:2). Still, when Christians sin, God is displeased and he disciplines us (Heb 12:6).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking students to discuss the following question: “Why is it important to insist on the historical reality of Adam and Eve’s first sin as the Bible describes it?” Prompt further discussion by having a student read Romans 5:12–21, then ask students, “If there were no real first sin, does Paul’s argument fail? Specifically, can God impute Christ’s righteousness to us?”

Suggested Essay Questions

Describe how sin affects a person’s relationship with God? What happens when a Christian sins?

Other Media Sources/Websites:

“Bible Minute: What Is Sin?” (Eddie Lawrence)www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUaBPcdq9kQ

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“Original Sin: Depravity Infects Everyone” (J. I. Packer)www.monergism.com/_original_sin_depravity_infect_1.php

“What Is Sin?” (J. Gresham Machen)www.westminsterconfession.org/introduction-to-the-christian-faith/what-is-sin.php

“What Is Sin?” (David Powlison)www.monergism.com/what_is_sin_by_david_powlison.php

“What Is Sin?” (Matt Slick) carm.org/what-is-sin

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Chapter 9 – Who is Christ?

Key Terms

fully man, virgin birth, human body, mind like man, emotions, without sin, fully human, necessity of life and death, fully God, implications of denial of deity of Christ, fully God and fully man in one person

Key Points

Jesus is fully God and fully human. If Jesus were not fully God, he could not have borne the penalty for sin. If Jesus were not fully human, there would be no valid payment of sin for the world. Jesus possessed full deity and full humanity at the same time.

Chapter Summary

Christ’s human body also proves his full humanity. He grew, he became strong, he hungered and thirsted, and he was physically weak (Matt 4:2; Lk 2:40, 52; Jn 4:6; 19:28). He also had a human mind, soul, and emotions (Lk 2:52; Jn; 11:35; 12:27).

In one key respect, Jesus was different from every other human being: he was without sin (Jn 15:10; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 Jn 3:5; Heb 4:15).

Jesus’ full humanity was necessary so that he might represent us in perfect obedience, that he might stand in our place (Heb 2:17), that he might mediate between humans and the Father (1 Tim 2:5), and that he might provide to help us in our time of temptation (Heb 2:18).

Scripture repeatedly proclaims Jesus’ full deity. At various points, the NT authors call Jesus "Lord" (Lk 2:11). We must conclude that Jesus Christ is fully divine. As with Christ’s humanity, his deity is fully necessary because only the infinite God could bear the full penalty of sins, because salvation comes from the Lord and no human can save himself.

In conclusion, the eternal Son of God becoming man united in one person, is certainly the greatest miracle in the Bible.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class with the hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus.”1

Begin a class discussion on how Jesus can be fully God and fully man at the same time.

Suggested Essay Questions

What support does Scripture give for Christ’s full humanity? What does it give for his full deity?

Why did Jesus need to be both fully man and fully God in order to provide salvation for man?

Other Media Sources/Websites1 A contemporary version of this hymn, sung by Ross Parsley and including on-screen lyrics, can be found

at www.youtube.com/watch?v=abgY3pKNJeQ (accessed November 8, 2015).

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“Can a Christian Deny the Virgin Birth?” (R. Albert Mohler)www.albertmohler.com/2008/12/23/can-a-christian-deny-the-virgin-birth/

“How Could Jesus Be Both Divine and Human?” (R. C. Sproul)glenwoodhills.org/etc/printer-friendly.asp?ID=505

“Jesus Is Fully Human” (David Mathis)www.desiringgod.org/articles/jesus-is-fully-human

On the Incarnation (Athanasius, with an introduction by C. S. Lewis)www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/ath-inc.htm

Chapter 10 – What is the Atonement?

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Key Terms

atonement, cause of the atonement, necessity of the atonement, Old Testament sacrifices, nature of the atonement, sufferings of Christ, abandonment of Jesus, bearing the wrath of God, wrath of God, result of the atonement

Key Points

Christ earned our salvation through his obedience in life and his obedience in death. Jesus’ sacrifice was the only way God could save us. Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death were necessary for our salvation. Jesus stood in our place to accept the penalty we deserved for our sin.

Chapter Summary

God’s love and justice caused the atonement (Jn 3:16; Rom 3:25–26); without God’s love, we have no redemption, and without his justice, we have no payment for our sins.

Specifically, he suffered for his entire life (Matt 4:1–11; Heb 5:8; 12:3–4), and he suffered the cross. At the cross, he suffered a terribly painful crucifixion (Mk 15:24), he suffered the pain of bearing our sins (Isa 53:6, 12; Gal 3:13), he suffered abandonment by his friends (Matt 26:56), he suffered a breach in his relationship with the Father (Matt 27:46), and he suffered the wrath of the Father (Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10).

Jesus had to live a life of perfect obedience as a man, live a life of suffering, bear the weight of the sins of mankind while experiencing the temporary abandonment by the Father in order to secure the only means of salvation while satisfying the righteousness of God. The atonement provided the means necessary to fully pay the penalty for our sins, bear the wrath we deserved, provide the way for a reconciled relationship with the Father, and break the bondage sin caused.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people.”

Suggested Essay Questions

Describe the benefits Jesus provides believers through the atonement. What four types of pain does the text state that Christ suffered on the cross?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Did Early Christians Believe in Substitutionary Atonement?” (Michael Kruger)www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/did-early-christians-believe-in-substitutionary-atonement

“Nothing but the Blood” (Mark Dever) www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=38245

“The Atonement of Christ” (Lehman Strauss) bible.org/article/atonement-christ

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“The Case for Definite Atonement” (Roger Nicole)www.apuritansmind.com/Arminianism/NicoleCaseDefiniteAtonement.htm

Chapter 11 – What is the Resurrection?

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Key Terms

resurrection, physical body, assumption of the resurrection, new future life, resurrection power, dead to sin, justification, ascension, “exalted at the right hand of God,” Christ’s life as a pattern

Key Points

Christ rose again to a new kind of life in a resurrection body. The resurrection ensures our justification and our future resurrection. Christ ascended into heaven, and he sits at the Father’s right hand.

Chapter Summary

The entire NT assumes and bears witness to the resurrection of Christ. The Gospels each include an account of the resurrection (Matt 28:1–20; Mk 16:1–8; Lk 24:1–53; Jn 20:1–21:25), the book of Acts recounts the apostolic proclamation of this resurrection.

Christ’s resurrection was unique. He did not rise again simply to age and die once more; rather, he rose from the dead with a new, incorruptible, resurrection body. This resurrection body was physical (Lk 24:39), and was usually recognizable to his disciples (Matt 28:9).

The resurrection is doctrinally significant. (1) Christ’s resurrection ensures our new birth. Paul claims that through the resurrection we can claim that we are “dead to sin” (Rom 6:11). (2) Christ’s resurrection ensures our justification. Paul states that Jesus was sacrificed for our sins and “raised for our justification” (Rom 4:25). (3) Christ’s resurrection ensures our future resurrection. The one “who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us...into his presence” (2 Cor 4:14).

After his resurrection, the Lord ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50–51). At his ascension, Jesus received glory and honor and authority that had not been his while on earth. At this moment, Christ is receiving honor in heaven, with angels singing his praise and declaring his worth, his glory, and his power (Rev 5:12).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class with the video “Reliability of Christ’s Resurrection” by Lee Strobel,2 and ask the students to discuss which of Strobel’s claims seem to them to be most significant.

Suggested Essay Questions

What three things does Jesus Christ’s resurrection ensure for believers? What is the doctrinal significance of Jesus Christ’s ascension for believers?

Other Media Sources/Websites

2 8-minute video available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uHAf6sR8Us (accessed November 7, 2015).

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“The Life of Jesus, after the Ascension” (George C. Fuller)faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/WTJ-NT/Fuller-JesusAfterLkActs-WTJ.pdf

“Jesus Christ: Risen, Ascended, and Enthroned” (Mark Johnston)www.reformation21.org/articles/jesus-christ-risen-ascended-and-enthroned.php

“The Resurrection of Christ” (J. Gresham Machen)homepage.mac.com/shanerosenthal/reformationink/jgmresurrection.htm

“Why the Resurrection Matters to You” (Bill Bright)www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/did-jesus-christ-really-rise-from-the-dead.html

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Chapter 12 – What is Election?

Key Terms

election, God’s unmerited grace, foreknowledge, predestination, a cause of comfort, “to the praise of his glory,” a personal God, human freedom, real choices, the fairness of God, common grace

Key Points

In his sovereign good pleasure, God has chosen some for salvation. Election is not based on any good in us. Man still makes real choices and are therefore responsible for the consequences of

believing in Christ or rejecting him. Even though not everyone will be saved, God desires that all people be saved. Common grace is evident in every realm of life: physical, intellectual, moral, creative,

societal, and religious. Common grace does not save, but it does demonstrate God’s goodness, justice, and glory

as well as delays his judgment which allows many to come to salvation.

Chapter Summary

Election can be defined as, “an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.” Several passages in the NT affirm that God ordains beforehand those who will be saved. Luke writes of Gentiles who believed and says they were ordained for eternal life (Act 13:48). Paul describes believers as chosen before the foundations of the world and predestined for adoption according to God’s purpose (Eph 1:4–6; 12).

The NT teaches election as a comfort for believers. Paul reminds his readers of election so that they will trust that God is working all things out for their good (Rom 8:28). Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:10, “I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus.” In other words, he expects success in evangelism because God has ordained some to salvation.

Some object that election turns us into robots; they hold that if God elects, our choices have no significance, and our universe is simply spinning on its cogs like a machine. Yet the NT consistently portrays salvation as something worked by a personal God in a relationship with persons. God has granted the ability for man to make real choices as to whether or not to receive or reject the means of salvation personally. At the same time, God’s choice to elect those to salvation is not dependent upon our choices. God’s election is based entirely on his love. Since he did not need to save any, his choice to save some is seen as a demonstration of grace.

To the objection that election is unfair, we can respond that God had no need to save anyone. He made no provision for the salvation of fallen angels, and he need not save any of us (2 Pet 2:4). Again, Paul reminds us that the creature has no right to question the Creator’s choices or justice (Rom 9:20–24). God can do whatever he desires with his creation.

Common grace is the grace of God whereby he bestows many blessings on all people, both believers and unbelievers. Common grace differs from saving grace in that common grace is not able to save anyone.

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Common grace can be seen everywhere. It is evident in the physical realm; unbelievers enjoy continued life in spite of their sin, all people enjoy God’s blessings in the sun and the rain (Matt 5:44–45). Even unbelievers, who deserve none of this, can enjoy God’s common grace with a simple walk through the woods. Common grace is also evident in the intellectual realm, moral realm, and the creative realm. Many unbelievers are gifted to express themselves through good and beautiful achievements. Common grace also appears in the religious realm. Unbelievers can enjoy the benefit of the prayers of believers (Matt 5:44) as well as the benefit of contact with loving believers.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “If God causes a person to love their spouse, they feel a real love for their spouse.” Encourage discussion by focusing on the adjective “real.” After this, replace “their spouse” with “him (God).” Guide discussion towards whether election makes our choices fake.

Suggested Essay Questions

Why does this text deny that God chose to elect us based on our own choices? Describe what the doctrine of election means. Contrast that definition to what it does not

mean. The text listed several realms in which God’s common grace is evident. Identify three

and give a couple of examples for each of these realms.

Other Media Sources/Websites

“The Salvation of All Men” (John Calvin)www.reformationfiles.com/files/displaytext.php?file=calvin_varsermon21.html

“For He Chose Us in Him before the Creation of the World” (Kim Riddlebarger)kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/for-he-chose-us-in-him/

“What Does the Bible Teach About Election?” (Author not listed)www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA86/what-does-the-bible-teach-about-election

“What Is Election” (Sam Storms)www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/what-is-election/

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Chapter 13 – What Does It Mean to Become a Christian?

Key Terms

effective calling, external calling, gospel call, change of heart, regeneration, conversion, saving faith, trust, repentance, faith

Key Points

God effectively calls the elect through the human preaching of the gospel. Regeneration is entirely an act of God, in which he imparts new spiritual life and we are

able to respond to him in faith. Regeneration will bring about actual results in our lives, including love for God and

others. Conversion is a single act of faith and repentance in which we willingly turn from our sin

and place our faith in Christ. Saving faith includes knowledge of the facts of the gospel, agreement with these facts,

and a personal trust in Christ to save us. Repentance includes a decision to turn from our sin. Repentance and faith continue throughout the life of a believer.

Chapter Summary

Paul refers to God’s effective calling as an act of God the Father. The NT tells us elsewhere that God calls his people out of darkness and into a relationship with his Son (1 Cor 1:9; 1 Pet 2:9), he calls his people to be saints and to live in holiness (1 Thess 4:7); and he calls his people to endurance and eternal life (1 Tim 6:12; 1 Pet 2:20–21).

Three elements make up the gospel call: (1) As we proclaim the gospel, we must include some core facts: all people have sinned (Rom 3:23), the penalty for our sin is death (Rom 6:23), and Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins (Rom 5:8). (2) We must invite listeners to turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. God does this throughout Scripture, calling non-Christians to himself at every moment (Matt 11:28–30; Rev 3:20). (3) The proclamation of the gospel must include a promise of forgiveness, of eternal life, and of assurance in Christ Jesus (Jn 3:16; 6:37).

“Regeneration is a secret act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us.” In this definition, we affirm that regeneration is totally a work of God. In fact, we play no active role in our regeneration. Regeneration—if it is genuine—will bring about real results in a person’s life. For instance, the regenerated person will have Christlike love for others (1 Jn 4:7) and the regenerated person will bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–23).

After God has effectively called us through the gospel, and after he has given us new spiritual life, we respond to him in conversion. “Conversion is our willing response to the gospel call, in which we sincerely repent of sins and place our trust in Christ for salvation.” Saving faith is more than mere knowledge. While we must know who Christ is and what he did, this knowledge is not sufficient. Nor is it sufficient to know the facts and to agree that they are true. In addition to knowing and agreeing with the facts of the gospel, we must decide to rely on Jesus to save us. This is saving faith.

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In speaking of conversion, Scripture treats faith and repentance as two aspects of a single act. A person turns from sin (repentance) and to Christ (faith). Faith and repentance begin at conversion, and they continue throughout the life of the Christian.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking a student to read Romans 10:14–17, then ask students to discuss the following claim: “Most Christians are willing to go and proclaim the gospel but are planning to stay. The church needs Christians who are planning to go and proclaim but are willing to stay.”

Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “If we trust in Christ, we will be born again.”

Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “If we insist that in order to be saved, a person must commit to forsake their sin and to obey Christ, we are presenting a form of works-based salvation.”

Suggested Essay Questions

Describe how the three elements of the gospel call listed in the text are necessary for salvation.

Describe the difference between the gospel call and effective calling. Define saving faith. Why is mere knowledge of the gospel not enough? How do faith and repentance continue in the day-to-day life of a Christian?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“God’s Plan of Salvation” (J. Hampton Keathley, III)bible.org/article/gods-plan-salvation

“The Man on the Island: Facing the Truth about Those Who Never Hear the Gospel” (Russell D. Moore)www.russellmoore.com/documents/russellmoore/The_Man_on_the_Island.pdf

“Effectual Calling” (Thomas Watson)www.shortercatechism.com/resources/watson/wsc_wa_031.html

“All of Life Is Repentance” (Tim Keller)download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/All_of_Life_Is_Repentance-Keller.pdf

“Saving Faith” (A. W. Pink; chap. 1 in Practical Christianity)www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/savingfaithweb.html

“Repentance” (J. C. Ryle) www.gracegems.org/24/Ryle_repentance.htm “As Long as You’re Sincere, Does It Matter What You Believe?” (R. C. Sproul)

www.inchristalone.org/Sincere1.htm

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Chapter 14 – What Are Justification and Adoption?

Key Terms

justification, legal declaration, forgiven, Christ’s righteousness, justification by faith alone, merits of Christ’s work, Protestant doctrine of justification, Roman Catholic view of justification, adoption, children of God

Key Points

At salvation, God considers our sins forgiven and he thinks of Christ’s righteousness to belong to us.

While Protestants affirm a person is justified fully at the moment of belief, Catholics affirm we are not justified until our lives are totally free from sin.

God adopts the elect into his family with many resultant privileges.

Chapter Summary

At the moment of conversion, in response to our faith, God justifies us (Rom 3:26, 5:1; Gal 2:16). “Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight.”

When God justifies us, he declares us to be righteous in his sight. In other words, we no longer have any penalty to pay for any sin and we are actually righteous in God’s sight. God has fully forgiven our sins, and he has put righteousness on us. Does James 2:24 contradict this? Here, James uses the term “justify” in a different sense. Rather than describing a declaration of righteousness, James uses the term to indicate a demonstration of righteousness. Catholics understand justification as faith in addition to “means of grace,” as found in the sacraments of the church.

In adoption, God brings us into his family. While we enjoy many benefits now, we look forward to the fullness of our adoption at the resurrection (Rom 8:23).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking one student to read Romans 3:20–28, and another to read James 2:20–26. Ask the class to discuss and resolve the apparent tension between these two passages.

Ask students to discuss the following question: “Why is our justification necessary?”

Suggested Essay Questions

Describe the difference between the Roman Catholic and Protestant views of justification.

Describe some of the benefits believers enjoy in this life due to their adoption into God’s family.

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Other Media Sources/Websites

“The Biblical Doctrine of Justification By Faith” (John Ankerberg and John Weldon)www.jashow.org/articles/languages/chinese/the-biblical-doctrine-of-justification-by-faith/

“What Does It Mean to Be Justified?” (Daniel Wallace; in 2 parts)bible.org/article/what-does-it-mean-be-justified-brief-exposition-romans-321-26-part-1bible.org/article/what-does-it-mean-be-justified-brief-exposition-romans-321-26-part-2

“Abba Changes Everything: Why Every Christian Is Called to Rescue Orphans” (Russell D. Moore) www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=88275

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Chapter 15 – What Are Sanctification and Perseverance?

Key Terms

sanctification, process of sanctification, regeneration, break from sin, perfection, perfect bodies, God’s role in sanctification, spirit of holiness, our passive role in sanctification, our active role in sanctification, perseverance of the saints, promise in perseverance, assurance of perseverance

Key Points

Sanctification begins at regeneration, progresses in life, and comes to completion at death.

Sanctification affects the whole person. God will preserve all true believers through their faith until the end, and only those who

persevere by the power of God until the end are true believers. It is possible to have deep and growing assurance in this life.

Chapter Summary

“Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.” Sanctification begins at regeneration and we cannot remain in a sinful pattern of life (1 Jn 3:9). This marks a distinct break from the dominion of sin (Rom 6:11, 14, 18; Col 1:13).

When we die, our sanctification will be completed, at least for our souls (Heb 12:23; Rev 21:27). Because redemption involves the whole person, our bodies will also experience complete sanctification at the Lord’s return (Phil 3:21).

God and man work together in the process of sanctification (Phil 2:12–13). It is primarily the work of God (1 Thess 5:23). Sanctification is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit who produces holiness within us. Man plays both an active and passive role in the sanctification process. We play a passive role in sanctification. We yield to God’s work within us, and we depend on him to transform us into the image of Christ (Rom 6:13). We also play a very active role in sanctification. Indeed, Paul urges us to work out our salvation (Phil 2:12), the author of Hebrews orders us to chase after holiness (Heb 12:14). We must recognize both our passive and active roles in this work: we must trust God to work in us, and we must obey his commands.

Perseverance means that “all true Christians will persevere, and only those who persevere are true Christians” (sometimes called the perseverance of the saints). Many Scripture passages teach that God will preserve those who are born again. Jesus says that at the last day, he will raise up to eternal life those who believe in him (Jn 6:38–40). Elsewhere, he promises that his sheep will never perish (Jn 10:27–29).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking one student to read Philippians 2:12–13, and another to read Romans 6.

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Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “Christians today are either lazy about sanctification or legalists in their understanding of sanctification.

Open class by asking one student to read John 10:24–30, another to read 1 Peter 1:3–9, and a third to read 2 Peter 1:3–11.

Suggested Essay Questions

Distinguish between our role in the sanctification process and God’s role. Distinguish between sanctification and justification. Identify when these occur and what

they do. Discuss how we can rest confidently in our salvation.

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Gospel-Driven Sanctification” (Jerry Bridges)www.ouruf.org/d/cvt_sanctification.pdf

“The Steps of Biblical Sanctification” (John MacArthur)www.gty.org/blog/B120913/the-steps-of-biblical-sanctification

“What Is Perseverance of the Saints?” (Matt Slick)carm.org/what-is-perseverance-of-the-saints

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Chapter 16 – What is Death?

Key Terms

death, why Christians die, discipline, highest goal, Christians to view death as joy, prayer for the dead, sorrow, second chance, raised from the dead, resurrection bodies

Key Points

Death is not a punishment for believers, but the natural result of living in a fallen world and a means of sanctification.

At death, believers enter into God’s presence, and unbelievers enter into eternal punishment.

At glorification, believers will receive a new, glorified resurrection body like that of Christ.

Chapter Summary

Even Christians die, though this is not a punishment for sins (Rom 8:1). Rather, it is the natural result of living in this sin-cursed world until that time when God destroys death permanently (1 Cor 15:26). In the lives of believers, God uses death, as he does all things, in order to perfect our sanctification (Rom 8:28). Our suffering and eventual death can be seen in light of the Lord’s good purposes for us, as he disciplines us for our good (Heb 12:6, 10–11). Sometimes God disciplines us because of sin we have committed; other times God uses discipline to strengthen us in obedience and faith (Heb 5:8). Though death is an enemy, we must place greater value on obedience to God in the face of death than on preserving our lives.

We should view our own death with joy at the knowledge that we go to meet Christ (2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23). At the same time, while we can be joyful that Christian friends and relatives have joined the Lord, it is also appropriate to feel sorrow at the loss of their presence (Jn 11:35; Acts 8:2). Yet, we do not grieve in the same way as unbelievers (1 Thess 4:13). When unbelievers die, however, it is right that we feel deep and real sorrow (Rom 9:2).

When believers die, they enter immediately into God’s presence (Lk 23:43; Heb 12:23). Once we are away from our body, we are with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23). We can therefore reject the doctrine of purgatory as unscriptural.

Our redemption is not merely spiritual; Christ has also redeemed our bodies. When Paul speaks of our future glorification in Romans 8:17; 23–24, he says that we look forward to the “redemption of our bodies.” Glorification—the final step in the process of redemption—will take place at Christ’s return. He will raise up the bodies of believers from the dead, he will reunite these bodies with their souls, he will change the bodies of living believers, and all believers will receive perfect resurrection bodies. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul tells us that our resurrection bodies will be imperishable. They will never deteriorate, get sick, or die. They will not slowly degrade over time. We will, in our resurrection bodies, display what God intended for humanity at creation.

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Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking students to discuss the following questions: How should believers respond to the death of unbelieving friends or relatives? Do we live like practical universalists? Do we witness with the same fervor as those who believe all will be saved?

Suggested Essay Questions

Compare and contrast what happens between an unbeliever and a believer after death. Describe the process that occurs when Christians are raised from the dead.

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Christian Death: Mourn or Celebrate?” (Jason Helopoulos)blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2014/05/29/christian-death-mourn-or-celebrate/

“The Holy Spirit Will Help You Die” (John Piper)www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-holy-spirit-will-help-you-die

“Grief: Finding Hope Again” (Paul David Tripp)www.ccef.org/grief-finding-hope-again

“Christ’s Resurrection and Ours” (Stephen J. Wellum)www.sbts.edu/media/publications/sbjt/sbjt_2002fall6.pdf

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Chapter 17 – What is the Church?

Key Terms

church, build the church, invisible church, visible church, church as a family, body of Christ, new temple, holy priesthood, branches of a vine, olive tree, field of crops, marks of the church, purity of the church, unity of the church, church’s ministry

Key Points

The marks of a true church are biblical teaching and the right administration of the sacraments.

The church must pursue both purity and unity. The church exists to worship God, to nurture believers, and to bear witness in the world.

Chapter Summary

Paul tells us that Christ gave himself up for the whole church (Eph 5:25) indicating that the church includes all true believers. This definition naturally includes all of those who are truly saved in both the OT and the NT ages.

The true church is invisible; we cannot know who is and who is not a true believer. The visible church, as Christians see it, includes all who profess faith in Christ and who live in accordance with Scripture. The difference between the two becomes obvious in that there will be some within the visible church who are not true believers. The term “church” can apply to a local group of believers as well as to the universal body of all true believers. Scripture uses a variety of metaphors and analogies to describe the church (Eph 5:32; 1 Pet 2:4–8). Perhaps the most familiar image is simply “the body of Christ” (1 Cor 12).

Two major components comprise a church: proper preaching from the Bible and the administration of the sacraments. Within these two components, further distinctives include purity, regarding doctrine and morality (Eph 5:26–27), as well as unity amongst believers (Jn 17:21).

The church exists in order to worship God, to nurture believers, and to bear witness in the world through evangelism and mercy. All believers have been equipped by the Holy Spirit to use spiritual gifts for the primary purpose of “building up the church” (1 Cor 14:26).

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking one student to read Romans 4:7–12, and another to read 1 Peter 2:4–10.

Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one another in their responses: “God’s main purpose for the church is to reach the lost.”

To describe the empowerment the church possesses to enable it to do its work.

Suggested Essay Questions

What two marks are mentioned as necessary for a true church? What is Gods’ purpose for the church?

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Other Media Sources/Websites

“What are the 9 Marks?” (9Marks Ministries, brief video clips)www.9marks.org/what-are-the-9marks/

“A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity” (R. Albert Mohler, Jr.)www.albertmohler.com/2005/07/12/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity/

“Why I Walked” (J. I. Packer)www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?344

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Chapter 18 – What Will Happen When Christ Returns?

Key Terms

eschatology, return of Christ, timing of Jesus’ return, signs preceding the Lord’s return, “unlikely but possible,” millennium, amillennial, postmillennial, premillennial, pretribulational premillennial, victorious king

Key Points

Christ will return a second time, but we cannot know when he will return. It is possible but unlikely that all of the signs preceding Christ’s return have been

fulfilled. Scripture seems to teach that Christ will establish a literal, earthly, millennial reign at his

return.

Chapter Summary

All evangelicals agree that Christ is going to return a second time (Jn 14:3). Evangelicals also agree that we cannot know when Christ will return (Matt 24:44; 25:13). Christians disagree over the nature and length of the great tribulation and the millennium, whether Christ will return before or after the millennium.

Was John wrong when he prophesied that the Lord would return soon (Rev 22:7, 12, 20)? Did Jesus wrongfully teach that he would return quickly after his ascension? Several texts describe signs and events that must come first. The gospel must be preached to all nations (Mk 13:10). A great tribulation must take place (Mk 13:19–20). Many false prophets must arise with signs and wonders (Mk 13:22). The skies must fall apart (Mk 13:24–25). Israel must experience a great turning to Christ (Rom 11:12, 25–26). In fact, if we did not have the NT passages describing Christ’s sudden return, we would conclude that the answer to our question is, “No, not yet.”

As we look at these passages, we have two options. We could say that Christ could not return at any moment. However, this view seems to quash the force of Christ’s warnings to live in readiness for his return, and it treats the signs in a manner that decreases rather than increases our eager expectation. Our other option is to say that Christ could return at any moment, but then we must reconcile the apparent tension in these passages. We could decide that Scripture describes two separate returns—a secret rapture of believers and a later victorious return—but the passages do not clearly teach this. We could say that every sign has been fulfilled and Christ could return right now, but this is not convincing on a review of the passages. Or we could say, and this text will affirm that, “it is unlikely but possible that the signs have already been fulfilled.”

Revelation 20:1–10 describes a millennial reign of Christ, and the church has held varying views on the nature and length of this “millennium.” Amillennialism interprets this passage as a description of the church age in which Christ has greatly reduced Satan’s power, and during which believers who have died now reign with Christ in heaven.

Postmillennialism holds that because of the spread of the church and considerable Christian influence on society, the church age will transition into a millennial period of peace and righteousness.

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Premillennialism asserts that at the end of the church age, and after a period of severe tribulation, Christ will return to initiate his millennial kingdom. Dead believers will rise again, all believers will receive resurrection bodies, and all will reign with him. Satan will be bound until the end of this time.

Pretribulational premillennialism holds to this same series of events, but it argues that Christ will secretly gather his people to himself at the beginning (or in the middle) of the period of great tribulation. After seven years of tribulation, Christ will return to the earth to establish his millennial reign.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by asking a student to read Matthew 24:14. Ask students to discuss the following questions: In light of this verse, what must happen before Christ returns? How should this verse affect the priorities of the church?

Open class by asking a student to read Mark 13. Provide the following agree/disagree statement, and allow students to interact with one

another in their responses: God usually protects believers from suffering, so we can expect that he will remove believers from the earth before the great tribulation.

Suggested Essay Questions

What are some signs that must take place before Christ returns? Compare and contrast the three main theological perspectives of the millennium.

Other Media Sources/Websites

“An Evening of Eschatology” (John Piper, Jim Hamilton, Sam Storms, Douglas Wilson)www.desiringgod.org/messages/an-evening-of-eschatology

“Signs of Christ’s Return” (John MacArthur, 3 parts)Part 1: www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40-5144/signs-of-christs-return#top Part 2: www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40-5144/signs-of-christs-return Part 3: www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40-5144/signs-of-christs-return

“When Will the Kingdom Come?” (George Eldon Ladd, chapter 9 in The Gospel of the Kingdom) gospelpedlar.com/articles/Last%20Things/GK/gk_ch9.html

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Chapter 19 – What is the Final Judgment?

Key Terms

great white throne judgment, final judgment, complete joy, spirit of competition, rebellious angels, good angels, purpose of the final judgment, application of the final judgment, eternal judgment, hell, “place of torment”

Key Points

Believers and unbelievers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ; believers will be rewarded, and unbelievers will be condemned.

Unbelievers will suffer eternal punishment.

Chapter Summary

John describes a future judgment of believers and unbelievers (Rev 20:11–15), and other passages teach the reality of the final judgment (Acts 17:31; Rom 2:5).

At the final judgment, Christ will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1). Unbelievers will stand and receive judgment, which includes degrees of punishment (Lk 12:47–48; 20:47; Rev 20:12–13).

Believers will also stand judgment. At this time, God will give various rewards to believers. He will not condemn us (Rom 8:1). As with the punishments for unbelievers, the rewards for believers will also vary in degree.

Though at death believers enter into God’s presence and unbelievers enter into punishment, God has established a final judgment to display his glory before all mankind. All people will witness his justice and his mercy, his righteousness and his grace. This final judgment will be perfectly just; God will display no partiality (Rom 2:11; 1 Pet 1:17; Rev 19:1–2).

The doctrine of the final judgment gives us confidence that justice will occur. Because of this, we can freely forgive those who harm us (Rom 12:19). If God will bring about the final judgment, we do not need to take revenge for the injuries we have suffered, nor do we need to persist in bitter resentment. We can trust the just Judge of the world to do what is right (1 Pet 2:23). Additionally, the fact of the final judgment should encourage us to live holy lives full of good works (Matt 6:20).

In connection with the final judgment, Scripture clearly describes hell as “a place of eternal punishment” for those who have rejected Christ. This place of torment exists because God cannot allow sin to go unpunished forever.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Open class by showing the video “MSNBC Host Makes Rob Bell Squirm.”3 After showing this video, ask the class to discuss whether the doctrine of hell overrides the doctrine of God’s love.

3 This video is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg-qgmJ7nzA (accessed November 8, 2015).

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Suggested Essay Questions

What should believers expect at the final judgment? The text describes some influences that the doctrine of final judgment should have on our

lives. Describe three of these. Describe the purpose of the final judgment. Compare and contrast the judgment that believers will experience as opposed to

unbelievers. Describe what eternal punishment is. Why is eternal punishment necessary?

Other Media Sources/Websites

“Living Like There Is Hell to Pay” (Chris Davis)www.whittonavenue.org/2011/03/living-like-there-is-hell-to-pay/

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (Jonathan Edwards)www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/edwards/edwards_angry.html

“How Does Hell Glorify God?” (James M. Hamilton, Jr.)www.9marks.org/ejournal/how-does-hell-glorify-god

“The Future Judgment of the Believer” (Lehman Strauss)bible.org/seriespage/6-future-judgment-believer

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Chapter 20 – What is Heaven?

Key Terms

heaven, renewed creation, glorified bodies, music, dominion, “treasures in heaven,” undeniable glory of God, “broken,” fellowship, our greatest joy

Key Points

After judgment, God will remake the heavens and the earth. We will dwell in the new creation in our resurrection bodies. The new creation will be a place where believers can fully enjoy the “treasures of

heaven” (Matt. 6:20).

Chapter SummaryAfter the resurrection and the final judgment, God will welcome us into the fullness of

life in the presence of God. We will not merely “go to heaven”; we will live in a renewed creation (Isa 65:17). In this renewed creation, God will join heaven to earth, and we will live in his presence forever (Rev. 21:2).

In speaking of heaven, we describe that place where God “most fully makes known his presence to bless.” God is present everywhere at all times, but Scripture often describes heaven as the place where he reveals his glory and receives our worship. We will live within the new creation in our resurrection bodies, which God will make perfect and incorruptible.

This hope—the hope of our resurrection into a new heaven and a new earth—should give us strong motivation to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. In Matthew 6:19–20, Jesus says simply, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Within this place of beauty, we will be able to experience God’s glory in a way that was impossible before. Our fellowship with God will now be unhindered as we worship him as we were originally created to worship him. The greatest joy we will experience is to “see his face” (Rev. 22:4). It is in this experience that all things we have ever longed and hoped for will be satisfied.

Pedagogical Suggestions

Have students read Revelation 21:1–8. Then have them compare and contrast how the new heavens and earth will be for the believer and the unbeliever.

Close class with the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy!”

Suggested Essay Questions

Why does this chapter affirm that God will renew the present creation rather than destroy and make an entirely new creation?

Compare and contrast how the renewed heaven and earth will be different. What will our existence be like in heaven?

Other Media Sources/Websites

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“Praise, One of the Chief Employments of Heaven” (Jonathan Edwards)www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/praise.htm

“Heaven: Not Just an Eternal Day Off” (Anthony Hoekema)www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/juneweb-only/6-2-54.0.html

“What Will Heaven Be Like” (Peter Kreeft)www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/theology/what-will-heaven-be-like.html

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Student Learning ObjectivesChapter 1

To describe the confidence one can have in the authority of the Bible. To discuss the trustworthiness of the Bible as it relates to its claims to be God’s Word. To describe the clarity of the Bible as it pertains to the entirety of the Christian life. To describe the sufficiency of the Bible as it pertains to the entirety of the Christian life.

Chapter 2

To discuss the nature of how every human has an innate understanding of the existence of God.

To describe the overall characteristics of who God is. To discuss what distinguishes God from his creation. To describe how God can be known by his creatures by how he chooses to reveal

himself. To discuss how all of God’s attributes contribute to his whole being where not a single

attribute is more significant than the other.

Chapter 3

To discuss the mystery of the Trinity. To develop confidence in not having the complete ability to understand the nature of the

Trinity. To develop a biblically supported meaning of the Trinity. To describe the various roles of the members of the Trinity. To describe the diversity/unity tension regarding the roles of the Trinity.

Chapter 4

To provide a supported description of God’s manner of creation. To discuss what comprises man being created in the image of God. To describe the failure of some scientific theories to understand the world around us. To describe God’s relationship with his creation. To describe the purpose of God’s creation.

Chapter 5

To describe why a believer prays as their relationship with God grows. To discuss how God responds to the prayers of his children. To describe our proper attitude of prayer to God. To describe our attitude in prayer.

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Chapter 6

To define the characteristics of angels. To describe the purposes of angels. To define the characteristics of demons. To describe who is originally responsible for sin. To distinguish between demonic activity and human responsibility as it pertains to sin.

Chapter 7

To describe the purpose for man’s creation. To define what it means to be created in the image of God. To discuss the impact sin has had on the image of God. To describe the responsibilities man has as God’s image bearers.

Chapter 8

To define the nature of sin. To discuss why sin is offensive to God. To describe where sin came from. To describe the collaborative impacts of sin on the entire human race. To describe how sin affects believers.

Chapter 9

To describe the human characteristics of Jesus. To describe why Jesus needed to be fully human. To describe the divine characteristics of Jesus. To describe why Jesus needed to be fully God. To describe Jesus as fully man and God in a single person.

Chapter 10

To describe the means Jesus has secured atonement for man. To describe how Jesus was able to secure atonement for sin. To describe the significance of the atonement. To describe the nature of the atonement. To describe the benefits of the atonement.

Chapter 11

To describe the details of the resurrection. To describe the benefits of the resurrection. To describe the details of the ascension. To describe the results of the ascension.

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Chapter 12

To define what election is. To describe why election should be a source of comfort to believers. To describe how man can be personally responsible for their choices. To define fairness biblically. To define common grace.

Chapter 13

To describe what the effective call is. To distinguish between a general call and a gospel call. To describe the components that make up a gospel call. To describe how a person receives a gospel call. To describe how a gospel call is responded to by a person.

Chapter 14

To describe the characteristics of justification. To describe how man can be declared righteous by God. To distinguish between Roman Catholic and Protestant doctrines of justification. To define the doctrine of adoption.

Chapter 15

To describe the progressive process of the work of sanctification. To describe God’s role in the sanctification process. To describe man’s role in the sanctification process. To describe how a believer can have assurance they will never lose their salvation.

Chapter 16

To describe why a Christian dies. To describe what happens when a Christian dies. To describe what happens when non-Christians die. To discuss when Christians are resurrected from the dead.

Chapter 17

To define what the church is. To distinguish between the visible and invisible church. To describe the distinguishing components of a true church. To discuss what the church does. To describe the empowerment the church possesses to enable it to do its work.

Chapter 18

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To describe the return of Christ. To discuss the events leading to the return of Christ. To discuss the varying beliefs around the return of Christ. To compare the different theories describing the millennium. To describe the events that will take place during the millennium.

Chapter 19

To describe the events that take place during the final judgment. To describe what happens to believers during the final judgment. To describe what happens to non-believers during the final judgment. To describe the purpose of the final judgment. To describe the place of eternal punishment for non-believers.

Chapter 20

To describe the characteristics of heaven. To describe the characteristics of the renewed heaven. To describe the characteristics of the renewed earth. To describe the environment of being exposed to unhindered fellowship with God.

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Chapter QuizzesChapter 1 – What is the Bible?

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is a characteristic of Scripture?A. ClarityB. SufficiencyC. NecessityD. All of the above

2. Which passage says that Scripture is “God-breathed”?A. 1 Peter 1:21B. 1 Timothy 3:16C. 2 Peter 1:21 D. 2 Timothy 3:16

3. The ___________ of Scripture means that Scripture is written in such a way that all things necessary to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian are clear.

A. InerrancyB. InfallibilityC. AuthorityD. Clarity

4. The ___________ of the Scriptures does not demand that the Bible report events with exact, scientific detail (though all the details it does report are true).

A. ScienceB. Truth C. TranslationD. Interpretation

5. The ___________ of Scripture means that we must read the Bible or have someone tell us what is in the Bible if we are going to know God personally, have our sins forgiven, and know with certainty what God wants us to do.

A. NecessityB. ClarityC. AuthorityD. None of the Above

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6. ___________ is knowledge of God’s existence or moral law that comes through creation.A. Special revelationB. General revelationC. Certain knowledgeD. General knowledge

7. ___________ is the term for God’s words addressed to specific people.A. Special revelationB. General revelationC. ProphecyD. Illumination

8. The Bible is necessary for ___________ of God’s will.A. Special revelationB. General revelationC. Certain knowledgeD. General knowledge

9. The sufficiency of Scripture means:A. Scripture tells us most of what we need for obeying God perfectlyB. Scripture tells us everything we need to know for salvationC. Scripture has always contained everything we need to know D. All of the above

True/False

10. If God claims that the words of Scripture are his own, then there is ultimately no higher authority one can appeal to for proof of this claim than Scripture itself. True

11. God can use human language and still communicate perfect truth. True

12. Modern guidance from God is to be placed on a level equal to Scripture in authority. False

13. The Bible contains all the words of God that a person needs to become a Christian. True

14. Many differences that have divided churches and denominations are issues that the Bible places significant emphasis on. False

15. In our doctrinal, ethical, and moral teachings and beliefs, we should be content with what God has told us in Scripture. True

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Chapter 2 – What is God Like?

Multiple Choice

1. Because we are ___________ creations of the Creator, we will never fully understand everything there is to understand about any one of God’s attributes.

A. SinfulB. FiniteC. InfiniteD. Fickle

2. Which of the following can we know about God?A. He is loveB. He is lightC. He is righteousD. All of the above

3. According to Psalm 102, God has the attribute of ___________.A. IndependenceB. UnchangeablenessC. ImpassibilityD. Aseity

4. Which of the following does the text list as an attribute of God?A. Spirituality B. GloryC. PatienceD. None of the above

5. Which of the following pairs of terms are used together to describe the same attribute of God?

A. God’s goodness and God’s righteousnessB. God’s justice and God’s righteousnessC. God’s holiness and God’s justiceD. God’s goodness and God’s holiness

6. All of the events of our life are subject to God’s ___________.A. WillB. IndependenceC. UnchangeablenessD. Impassibility

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7. Which term does the text use to mean that God fully possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any qualities that would be desirable for him?

A. InconceivableB. PerfectC. InscrutableD. Unsearchable

8. Scripture teaches us that God is unchangeable in which of the following ways:A. BeingB. AttributesC. PurposesD. All of the above

True/False

9. God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything. True

10. God’s wrath means that he intensely hates and is separated from all sin. False

11. God’s blessedness means that God is the sum of all desirable qualities. False

12. Although we can imitate God in his freedom when we exercise our will and make choices, all those choices are ultimately subject to God’s will. True

13. God’s holiness means that God is devoted to seeking his own honor. True

14. The attribute of infinity means that God has no beginning or end or succession of events in his own being. False

15. Most people, even those without the Bible, have a deep, inner sense that God exists. False

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Chapter 3 – What is the Trinity?

Multiple Choice

1. ___________ confirms the view that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are fully God when he accuses someone of lying “to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3) and then further explains that this man has “not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:4).

A. PaulB. PeterC. JamesD. Jesus

2. We can reflect the goodness and glory of the Trinity ___________.A. In the diversity and unity of the church bodyB. As members of an athletic teamC. None of the aboveD. Both A and B

3. At the moment of Jesus’ baptism, which members of the Trinity were performing the activities associated with it?

A. FatherB. SonC. Holy SpiritD. All of the Above

4. The Bible says that God is only one in ___________ or being.A. EssenceB. FormC. ModeD. None of the above

5. The Trinity is one of the ___________ we can only describe in part. A. ContradictionsB. ParadoxesC. MysteriesD. Enigmas

6. The distinct roles of the Trinity can be seen in:A. CreationB. SalvationC. Both A and BD. Neither A or B

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7. The different ___________ and roles of the members of the Trinity are simply the outworking of the eternal relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit.

A. FunctionsB. BeingsC. PersonsD. Essences

8. ___________ affirms the unique oneness of the Trinity in Romans 3:30 when he writes, “God is one”

A. PeterB. BarnabasC. PaulD. Peter

9. Of the following activities associated with Jesus’ baptism, which was the Holy Spirit involved in?

A. SpeakingB. RestingC. Both A and BD. None of the above

True/False

10. The persons of the Trinity have different roles in relating to the world. True

11. The word “trinity” is only found in the Bible once. False

12. The unity and diversity that exists in this world is simply a reflection of the unity and diversity that exists within the Trinity. True

13. Ethnic diversity adds a complexity that shows us the wisdom of God in allowing both unity and diversity to exist within the world. True

14. The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most important ideas of the Christian faith. True

15. As a person grows in their faith, they will begin to fully grasp the doctrine of the Trinity. False

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Chapter 4 – What is Creation?

Fill in the Blank

1. Scientific theories that do not see God as the Creator fail to give the dignity that is given by the biblical account.

2. All of creation was made to give glory to God. 3. God delighted in all of the things he has created as he considered it “very good.”4. Because we are special products of God’s creation, this should give us great dignity.

Multiple Choice

5. God created the earth out of ___________. A. Nothing B. The dust of the groundC. Pre-existing materialsD. None of the above

6. As God’s ___________, man is the pinnacle of all creation, more like God that any other creature, and the only one appointed to rule over the rest of creation as God’s representative.

A. JudgeB. ImageC. EssenceD. Servant

7. Originally, the Church opposed the theories proposed by ___________ who observed that the earth rotates and also orbits the sun.

A. CopernicusB. AristotleC. PythagorasD. Galileo

8. Before creation, nothing existed but God. Therefore, nothing but God is ___________.A. EternalB. TranscendentC. OmnipotentD. Unchanging

9. As Creator, God is ___________ his creation. A. Part ofB. Intimate with

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C. Distinct from D. Both B and C

10. God’s creation shows his superior power and ___________. A. WisdomB. GloryC. PowerD. All of the above

True/False

11. Sometimes scientific observations of the world can correct people’s misunderstandings. True

12. God created all things because he needed the glory that would derive from it. False

13. Although some things in creation can be used for sinful purposes, their potentially harmful use does not make them evil in all situations. True

14. God can delight in his creation because it gives him glory. True

15. God is dependent on his creation, therefore nothing in creation is worthy of the affection that God deserves. False

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Chapter 5 – What is Prayer?

Fill in the Blank

1. Prayer is personal communication with God.

2. Praying in Jesus’ name is prayer made on his authorization (or authority) and according to his character.

3. We can have confidence to pray in the name of Jesus because he is the only mediator between God and man.

4. Anything in our lives that displeases God will hinder our prayers.

Multiple Choice

5. Through prayer, we A. Make our requests to God.B. Confess our sins to God.C. Give praise to God.D. All of the above.

6. Which of the following prayers does the text cite as an example of prayer changing the way God acts?

A. Moses praying for Israel (Exodus 32)B. Jesus praying for God’s will in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26)C. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6)D. Elijah’s prayer for rain (James 5)

7. Which of the following does the text cite as a reason that God wants us to pray?A. Our dependence on him may grow.B. We can be involved in kingdom work.C. Our relationship with him will deepen and grow.D. All of the above

8. Mark 11:24 encourages us to pray with ___________.A. FaithB. HumilityC. FastingD. None of the above

9. In light of God’s work on our behalf, we should ask for things with ___________.A. Brazen confidence

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B. Hesitance C. A humble attitudeD. Fear

10. When our prayers aren’t answered, ___________.A. We have unrepentant sinB. God is displeased with usC. Our faith is weakD. We join others whose prayers weren’t answered

True/False

11. The text states that praying to the Holy Spirit is wrong. False

12. The text states that prayer to the Holy Spirit is not recorded in the New Testament. True

13. Praying “according to God’s will” expresses certainty that what we pray for is God’s will. False

14. God requires that we be completely free from sin before he will hear our prayers. False

15. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to each other. True

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Chapter 6 – What Are Angels, Satan, and Demons?

Fill in the Blank

1. Angels possess high intelligence, but do not possess physical bodies.

2. Angels demonstrated moral judgment when “they sinned” and were cast out of heaven (2 Peter 2:4).

3. Other names for Satan in some verses of the Bible is the devil, the serpent, Beelzebul, the ruler of this world, the prince of the power of the air, or the evil one.

4. Satan is recognized as the originator of sin, as having sinned before he “deceived Eve by his cunning” (2 Cor. 11:3).

5. Angels demonstrate their intelligence by speaking to humans.

6. Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world.

Multiple Choice

7. ___________ obediently carry out God’s plans by doing “his word” (Ps. 103:20), serving as examples for us.

A. SpiritsB. AngelsC. DemonsD. None of the above

8. Much of the sin mentioned in the Bible is not the result of ___________.A. ManB. Bad companyC. SatanD. Naiveté

9. Believers should realize that through death, Jesus ___________ “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).

A. Nullified the power of B. Intensified the power ofC. Denied the power ofD. None of the above

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10. Someday Christ will come and completely remove the ___________ of Satan and demons from this world (see 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 20:1–3).

A. OffenseB. SinC. InfluenceD. Restraints

True/False

11. All believers have the power to resist demons. True

12. Angels are not meant to serve as examples for us. False

13. Satan and his demons have limitless power which is why believers are so vulnerable. False

14. Gabriel is twice described in Scripture as an archangel. False

15. Scripture encourages believers to pray to angels during times of adversity. False

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Chapter 7 – What Is Man?

Fill in the Blank

1. God did not create us because he lacked anything.

2. One of the ways we glorify God is by enjoying him.

3. Likeness refers to something that is similar but not identical to the thing it represents.

4. The text states that our purpose in life is to glorify God.

5. Part of our uniqueness come from the fact that we are the only part of God’s creation made “in the image of God” (Gen. 1:27).

6. One way we can bring God glory is by making improvements to the land.

Multiple Choice

7. ___________ is the pinnacle of God’s creation.A. JesusB. Man C. AdamD. None of the above

7 Which of the following is the result of sin?A. Distorts our moral judgmentB. Clouds our thinkingC. Hinders our fellowship with othersD. All of the above

8 How is God’s image being restored?A. Restraining the enemy B. Christ’s life, death, and resurrectionC. As believers refrain from sinD. Faithfully enduring trials

9 During his time on earth, man is ___________ Christ’s image (2 Cor. 3:18).A. DesecratingB. DamagingC. Being transformed intoD. Working towards being restored to

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True/False

11 The word “image” can be used of something that is like something else. True

12 At the fall, the image of God in man was destroyed. False

13 At Christ’s return, believers will experience a progressive recovering of God’s image. False

14 At the end of time, all people will become like the son, Jesus Christ. False

15 We have a responsibility to help restore God’s people and his land to the way they were meant to be. True

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Chapter 8 – What Is Sin?

Fill in the Blank

1. Sin mars the image of God in us; we no longer reflect the perfection God created us to reflect.

2. Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.

3. God is eternally good in his character; all that he is conforms perfectly to his moral law.

4. God hates sin because it directly contradicts everything he is.

5. We should never blame God for sin or think that he bears the responsibility for sin.

6. Sin existed in Satan and his demons before the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and then it entered the world of humans through their decisions.

Multiple Choice

7. We received not only Adam’s sinful nature, but also his sin-produced ___________. A. GuiltB. TemptationsC. LustsD. Desires

8. Which of the following parts of our being is affected by sin?A. Our intellectsB. Our emotionsC. Our goalsD. All of the above

9. Romans 5:19 states that God considers a new race of Christians as ___________. A. Identical in their capacity to resist sinB. Increasingly more prone to sinC. Organically wholeD. None of the above

10. Which of the following happens when a Christian sins?A. Our legal standing before God does not changeB. Our fellowship with God does not changeC. Our Christian life does not change

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D. All of the above

11. Jesus’ death on the cross paid for our:A. Past sinsB. Present sinsC. Future sinsD. All of the above

True/False

12. The sin that we inherited from Adam demonstrates that we are as bad as we ever could be. False

13. When Adam sinned, God thought of us all as having sinned. True

14. The text stresses the point that Satan was primarily responsible for Adam’s decision to sin. False

15. Christians should not participate in a long-term pattern of greater and greater disobedience to God’s moral law. True

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Chapter 9 – Who Is Christ?

Fill in the Blank

1. “Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in one person and will be so forever.”

2. Jesus was conceived in the womb of his mother by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit.

3. Jesus continues to reside in his perfect but human body in heaven.

4. Jesus became fully human in order to serve as our representative.

5. If Jesus wasn’t fully God, he could not have borne the full penalty for sin for the whole world.

6. Jesus’ divine and human natures are forever distinct and retain their own properties even though they are eternally and inseparably united together in one person.

Multiple Choice

7. Jesus rose from the dead in a physical, human body that was no longer subject to:A. WeaknessB. DiseaseC. DeathD. All of the above

8. Jesus was like us in every aspect except:A. Possessed a mindB. Felt a full range of emotionsC. Was without sinD. None of the above

9. The prophet ___________ affirms Jesus as the king who reigns forever – a role only God could fill: “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”

A. JeremiahB. Isaiah C. MicahD. Daniel

10. Jesus’ ___________ is the reason God the Father says, “Let all God’s angels worship him” (Heb. 1:6).

A. Divinity

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B. HumanityC. HumilityD. Service

True/False

11. The birth of Jesus was not ordinary since he was conceived by the Holy Spirit. False

12. Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus in his human form possessed all of the wisdom he needed from birth. False

13. Even though Jesus was fully God, he still experienced temptation during his time on earth. True

14. Not only was it necessary for Jesus to die in our place, he also needed to live in our place as well. True

15. If Jesus didn’t bear the full penalty of sin for the world as a sinless man, there would be no valid payment for anyone’s sins, and nobody could be saved. True

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Chapter 10 – What Is the Atonement?

Fill in the Blank

1. Christ came to earn our salvation because of God’s faithful love (or mercy) and justice.

2. A propitiation is a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor.

3. If Christ had only offered himself as a sacrifice, thereby earning us forgiveness of sins, we would only access to a partial salvation.

4. Christ had to live a life of perfect obedience to God so that the positive merits of that would be counted for us.

5. Jesus overcame the separation our sin caused between God and us.

6. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and died a horrific sinner’s death in order to “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

Multiple Choice

7. Which of the following does the text identify as an aspect of Christ’s work in the atonement?

A. His deityB. His humanityC. His obedienceD. His resurrection

8. Which of the following needs does the text not identify as being met by Christ’s death?A. We deserve to die as the penalty for sinB. We are in bondage to sin and to the kingdom of SatanC. We deserve to bear God’s wrath against sinD. None of the above

9. Which of the following does the text identify as a part of Christ’s sufferings for us?A. The abandonment of his friends and followersB. DeathC. The pain of bearing the guilt for our sinsD. All of the above

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True/False

10. The atonement is the work Christ did at the moment of his death to earn our salvation. False

11. God did not need to save anyone. True

12. Christ’s perfectly obedient life is also called his “passive obedience.” False

13. Romans 3:25 tells us that Christ died in order to reconcile us to the Father. False

14. Fortunately, when experiencing the grueling, humiliating death of crucifixion on a Roman cross, Jesus was able to gain consolation from the Father even after everyone else abandoned him. False

15. Even more difficult that the physical pain and mental anguish was the pain of bearing the full wrath of God upon himself. True

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Chapter 11 – What Is the Resurrection?

Fill in the Blank

1. Two phrases describing our future resurrection bodies: “raised in power,” and “bring us…into his presence.”

2. At the final resurrection, our resurrection, we will receive a new body just like the one Jesus inhabits.

3. The resurrection power helps us to live the lives we were made to live.

4. Christ’s ascension enables believers to know where we will eventually go after we die.

5. The nature of Jesus’ resurrected body, which indicates that it is eternal: Immortal (or imperishable).

6. After his ascension, Jesus received glory, honor, and authority that had never been his before as one who was both God and man.

Multiple Choice

7. When Jesus rose from the dead, he began a new kind of ___________ in which he had a perfect body that was no longer subject to weakness, aging, death, or decay.

A. DivinityB. Human lifeC. MinistryD. None of the above

8. Which of the following does the text state that the resurrection of Christ ensures?A. Help us to live lives we were made to liveB. Our justificationC. To raise us up by his powerD. All of the above

9. In Romans 4:25, Paul states that Jesus was “raised for our ___________.”A. SalvationB. GlorificationC. JustificationD. Regeneration

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10. Which of the following passages does the text identify as telling us that Jesus now “reigns until he has put all his enemies under his feet” following his ascension?

A. Luke 22:45–51B. John 15:1–11C. 1 Corinthians 15:25D. Acts 1:9–11

True/False

11. Only two of the four gospels include contain accounts of the resurrection. False

12. Jesus had flesh and bones in his glorified, resurrected body. True

13. When God raised Jesus from the dead, he was affirming Jesus’ work of suffering and dying for our sins. True

14. According to Romans 6:11, due to the resurrection, we can consider ourselves “dead to sin.” True

15. After our own resurrection, we will be removed permanently from this world. False

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Chapter 12 – What Is Election?

Fill in the Blank

1. Election is the term used by the text to identify an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved. (Not “predestination.”)

2. Several passages in the New Testament seem to affirm quite clearly that God ordained beforehand those who would be saved.

3. Affirming the doctrine of election does not mean that our choices don’t matter and our actions don’t have any consequences.

4. Scripture continually views us as personal creatures who make willing choices to accept or reject the gospel.

Multiple Choice

5. Several New Testament authors often present the doctrine of election as ___________ to all who believe in Jesus.

A. A comfortB. Something to fearC. A reward for good worksD. Justice

6. Scripture never speaks of ___________ as the reason God chose someone. A. LoveB. FaithC. ElectionD. Mercy

7. If election were ultimately based on ___________, it would seem to diminish God’s love, cheapen his grace, and diminish the glory that is due him for our salvation.

A. MercyB. LoveC. Our decisionD. Faith

8. The type of grace referred to in the text and described in Scripture which extends to all people and benefits all people regardless of their standing before God is called ___________ grace.

A. Intermediate

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B. EffectualC. SavingD. Common

True/False

9. Election means we do not have a choice in whether we accept Christ or not. False

10. The definition of election is synonymous with foreknowledge, or predestination. False

11. The New Testament presents election as an encouragement to evangelism. True

12. Romans 8:28–30 tells us that God chose us in Christ “before the foundation of the world.” False

13. Election is based on God’s knowing of our faith in advance. False

14. It would be fair for God to send every person to hell. True

15. The text affirms that according to God’s revealed will, he desires to save everyone. True

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Chapter 13 – What Does It Mean to Become a Christian?

Fill in the Blank

1. Effective calling (or internal calling) is the term used by the text to identify an act of God in which he summons people to himself through human proclamation of the gospel in such a way that they respond in saving faith.

2. External calling (or general calling, the gospel call) is used by the text to identify the gospel invitation offered to all people through human proclamation of the gospel.

3. In proclaiming the gospel, we are to invite people to respond to Christ with repentance and faith.

4. Regeneration is the secret act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us (sometimes called “being born again”).

5. Conversion is our willing response to the gospel call.

6. Faith means turning to Christ to forgive your sins.

7. Saving faith is trust in Jesus Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life with God.

8. Repentance means a conscious decision to turn away from your sins.

Multiple Choice

9. Which of the following does the text identify as an element of the gospel call?A. All people have sinnedB. The penalty for our sin is deathC. Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sinsD. All of the above

10. The text lists which of the following passages in its explanation of the facts concerning salvation?

A. Romans 3:23B. John 3:16C. Matthew 11:28D. All of the above

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11. The text lists which of the following passages in support of the importance of the gospel call?

A. Acts 3:19B. 2 Thessalonians 2:14C. Revelation 3:20D. None of the above

12. The text states that regeneration comes ___________ saving faith. A. BeforeB. At the same time asC. AfterD. None of the above

True/False

13. We should understand that Jesus is speaking directly to every non-Christian with the words of Matthew 11:28. True

14. Agreeing that the facts of salvation are true is enough to be saved. False

15. Regeneration is a continuous event which results in evident change in our patterns of behavior and desires over time. False

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Chapter 14 – What Are Justification and Adoption?

Fill in the Blank

1. Justification is a legal act of God; it is God acting as a judge, declaring that an individual is righteous in his sight.

2. The sins of those justified are considered forgiven because God considers their sins belonging to Christ.

3. Justification comes as a result of God’s grace, and it comes as God’s response to our faith.

4. Justification is that instantaneous legal act of God at which he “declares us to be righteous (or just) in his sight.”

5. Adoption is an act of God whereby he makes us members of his family.

Multiple Choice

6. Paul is clear that justification comes ___________ we respond to the gospel call in faith.A. BeforeB. AfterC. At the same timeD. None of the above

7. God chose ___________ to be the attitude of the heart by which we would obtain justification.

A. RighteousnessB. FaithC. GraceD. Holiness

8. When James states that a person is “justified by works” (James 2:21), he means that a person is ___________.

A. Declared righteous by God due to his good worksB. Declared righteous by God due to their faithC. Shown to be righteous before other peopleD. None of the above

9. Because believers are considered children of God, we experience ___________ of the benefits of adoption now.

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A. AllB. NoneC. ManyD. Some

10. Because of ___________ we do not have to live a fearful life of slavish obedience, but we are free to experience the joy of living as heirs to all the blessings that God desires to lavish on us (Rom. 8:15, 17).

A. AdoptionB. ReconciliationC. JustificationD. Regeneration

True/False

11. Justification is based solely on the merits of Christ’s work. True

12. The doctrine of election was the central difference between Protestants and Roman Catholics at the time of the Reformation. False

13. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, God the Father sees believers as fully righteous in his sight. True

14. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that we are not fully justified until after we die and we have been purified in purgatory. True

15. In the interim time between now and when Christ returns, the lives of God’s children will be marked by much blessings as well as suffering. True

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Chapter 15 – What Are Sanctification and Perseverance?

Fill in the Blank

1. While Christians can expect to progress in their sanctification, they will never achieve perfection until Christ returns.

2. The initial break from the power of sin means that Christians are no longer ruled or dominated by sin and no longer love to sin.

3. Sanctification starts at the point of regeneration and increases throughout life.

4. Sanctification is primarily a work of God.

5. The perseverance of the saints means that only those who persevere until the end have been truly “born again.”

6. Assurance of salvation (or assurance) is the internal sense we may have that we are truly “born again.”

7. Another sometimes-misunderstood term for “perseverance of the saints”: Eternal security.

Multiple Choice

8. “Sanctification is completed at ___________ (for our souls) and ___________ (for our bodies).”

A. Salvation/ the raptureB. Justification/ DeathC. Death/ When the Lord returnsD. None of the above

9. All of the following are included in God’s role of sanctification according to the text EXCEPT

A. It is primarily a work of GodB. God uses the Holy Spirit to equip usC. The Holy Spirit produces holiness within usD. All of the above

10. Which of the following does the text NOT state as factors to gain real assurance of our salvation?

A. Being free from the entanglements of sinB. Present trust in Christ for salvation

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C. Evidence of an ongoing work of God in your lifeD. Evidence of a continuing, present relationship with Christ

True/False

11. Sanctification begins at the point of regeneration. True

12. When the Bible states that a believer is “dead to sin” (Rom. 6:18), this describes the person who has died and has experienced the completion of his sanctification process. False

13. It is possible for a believer to experience victory from one sin and have significant challenges with another. True

14. The text argues that the phrase “tasted the heavenly gift” describes someone who has trusted in Christ for salvation. False

15. God equips his children in the process of sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit. True

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Chapter 16 – What Is Death?

Fill in the Blank

1. Death is not a punishment for Christians.

2. God, in his wisdom, decided it best that Christians not experience all the benefits of salvation at once.

3. Not all discipline serves to correct us when we have done wrong.

4. Death is not natural, as people without God’s Word often think of it.

5. For Christians who have died, the day when Christ returns will be the final step in the application of redemption.

Multiple Choice

6. At death, a Christian’s ___________ is immediately made perfect and enters into the presence of God.

A. BodyB. HeartC. SoulD. Mind

7. Since God works even through the experience of death to complete our sanctification, our ___________ is NOT our highest goal.

A. Life and general comfortB. Relationship with GodC. GlorificationD. None of the above

8. Paul describes our resurrection bodies as:A. InvisibleB. ImperishableC. IncredibleD. Nonphysical

9. Roman Catholics hold that one must go to ___________ after death and that those left behind can offer prayers for them to help get them out sooner.

A. HadesB. SheolC. The intermediate stateD. Purgatory

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10. “The souls of unbelievers go immediately to ___________.”A. JudgmentB. DestructionC. Eternal punishmentD. None of the above

True/False

11. If you are a believer in Jesus, you still have reason to be fearful of your own death. False

12. Roman Catholic doctrine does not teach that we should pray for the dead. False

13. The NT teaches us to view our own death with joy. True

14. The sorrow that a believer feels at the death of a non-Christian is not a hopeless sorrow. False

15. Our resurrection bodies will be what God originally designed them to be. True

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Chapter 17 – What Is the Church?

Fill in the Blank

1. The church is the community of all true believers for all time.

2. Jesus said that he would build his church (Matt. 16:18) by calling people to himself.

3. The church as God sees it is called the invisible church.

4. The church as Christians on earth see it is called the visible church.

5. The scriptural metaphor for the church which stresses that members have their own specific function and responsibility: Body of Christ.

6. The purity of the church is the church’s degree of freedom from wrong doctrine and conduct.

7. The marks of the church are the distinguishing characteristics of a true church.

Multiple Choice

8. One characteristic of a true church is:A. It should preach from the BibleB. Includes only believersC. Practices the correct administration of the sacramentsD. Both A and C

9. When Christ promised to build his church, he gave his disciples ___________ to do so.A. The resourcesB. The authorityC. The directionsD. None of the above

10. Spiritual gifts include both gifts related to ___________ (teaching, showing mercy, administration) and gifts that appear to be more miraculous (prophecy, healing, distinguishing between spirits).

A. Natural abilityB. Supernatural abilityC. Learned abilityD. Skilled ability

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True/False

11. Given that most early churches were house churches, only a church meeting in a house is rightly called a “church.” False

12. One other benefit of practicing the sacraments is that it can serve as a membership control for the church. True

13. We should practice unity within the church, that is, freedom from divisiveness among true Christians – to the best of our ability. True

14. The most important ministry of the church is the ministry of evangelism and mercy, because without this, the church will cease to exist. False

15. All spiritual gifts are to be used for equipping the church and for the “common good” (1 Cor. 12:7). True

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Chapter 18 – What Will Happen When Christ Returns?

Fill in the Blank

1. The study of “last things” or future events (from the Greek eschatos, meaning “last”): Eschatology.

2. The most likely scenario states that it is unlikely but possible that the events leading to the return of Christ have already occurred.

3. Many Christians term the thousand-year stage where certain people come to life and reign with Christ the millennium.

4. The great tribulation is a period of time where the vast majority of Jewish people will trust in Christ as Messiah prior to the return of Christ.

5. At the end of the final battle, Jesus, the victorious king, will execute his final judgment.

Multiple Choice

6. Which of the following is not true of the second coming of Christ?A. It will be visibleB. It will be spiritualC. It will be suddenD. It will be personal

7. Certain signs will precede the time of Christ’s return to ___________.A. Intensify an expectationB. People would think since they didn’t see the signs, he would not returnC. Better predict the exact time of his returnD. None of the above

8. Much of the disagreement within the church regarding Jesus’ return deals directly with the interpretation of ___________.

A. Revelation 21:1–4B. Daniel 12:1–4C. Revelation 20:1–6D. Micah 5:2

9. The ___________ perspective holds that the millennium is now, and when it ends, Jesus will return.

A. Amillennial

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B. PostmillennialC. PremillennialD. Preterist

10. The ___________ perspective holds that the millennium will come gradually, and Jesus will return after the millennium.

A. PremillennialB. PreteristC. PostmillennialD. Amillennial

11. The ___________ perspective holds that the millennium will come suddenly, and Jesus will return before the millennium.

A. PostmillennialB. PremillennialC. PreteristD. Amillennial

True/False

12. The New Testament passages describing the end time events make it clear that the exact time of Jesus’ return is unknown. True

13. It shows a lack of faith in the future appearing of Christ for a Christian to commit to a long-term project. False

14. According to the premillennial perspective, during the millennium, Satan and his demons as well as their influence will be removed following the millennial reign of Christ. False

15. One specific premillennial view that has a wide following is the pretribulational view which states that Christ will return prior to the great “tribulation” (Matt. 24:21–31). True

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Chapter 19 – What Is the Final Judgment?

Fill in the Blank

1. The final judgment is the culmination of many precursors throughout history in which God rewarded righteousness or punished unrighteousness.

2. At the final judgment, Jesus Christ will be the Judge.

3. Every sin we have committed has been eternally paid for by Christ and therefore eternally forgiven by God.

4. The final judgment is the last proclamation by Jesus Christ of the eternal destinies of all people which will which take place after the millennium and the rebellion that occurs at the end of it.

5. In honest reflection on eternal punishment, we should realize that evil cannot simply go unpunished.

6. The final judgment provides us with a(n) encouragement to tell others about the good news of Jesus.

Multiple Choice

7. Although there will be degrees of ___________ in heaven, everyone’s joy will be complete.

A. ContentmentB. RewardC. HappinessD. Satisfaction

8. Hell is graphically described in the Bible as a place of ___________.A. AnnihilationB. Eternal tormentC. Temporary judgmentD. None of the above

9. The text says that even though Christians have no reason to fear hell, they should still think of it with great solemnity and ___________.

A. JoyB. ReliefC. Gratitude

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D. Sadness

True/False

10. At the time of the final judgment, both believers and unbelievers will be judged. True

11. At the final judgment, God the Father will judge unbelievers and rebellious angels. False

12. The final judgment does not take place so that God can determine the condition of each person’s heart. True

13. John tells us that we will be sorrowful over God’s punishment of the wicked. False

14. The doctrine of final judgment enables us to forgive others freely. True

15. “Laying up treasures in heaven” (Mark 6:20) means that we erroneously seek to curry God’s favor to escape the final judgment. False

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Chapter 20 – What Is Heaven?

Fill in the Blank

1. Heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless.

2. The phrase “new heavens and new earth” describes an entirely renewed creation in which believers will dwell after the final judgment.

3. In addition to making a renewed heaven, God will renew his earthly creation.

4. Although human beings in their new bodies will be like God, they won’t be God.

5. With the curse of sin removed, all creation will be returned to its original state, which was “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

6. In addition to being a place of unimaginable beauty, heaven will be a place where God’s glory will be undeniably evident.

Multiple Choice

7. ___________ the final judgment, those who believe in Jesus will enter into the full enjoyment of life that they have longed for.

A. BeforeB. DuringC. AfterD. None of the above

8. God’s ___________ is most known in heaven.A. GloryB. PresenceC. BlessingsD. All of the above

9. The text states that those who live on the renewed earth will have ___________ bodies. A. TemporalB. NewC. SpiritualD. Recognizable

True/False

10. It is likely that people will continue to exercise dominion over the earth in heaven. True

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11. Dancing is certainly prominent in the descriptions of heaven in Revelation according to the text. False

12. The text states that heaven is a place which actually exists outside of our space-time universe. False

13. The text affirms that the earth will be entirely destroyed and replaced by a new earth. False

14. At the sight of God’s face, we will experience the fulfillment of all the longing we have ever had. True

15. In heaven, God’s fellowship with us will be unhindered. True

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Midterm Exam

Fill in the Blank

1. Scientific theories that do not see God as the Creator fail to give the dignity that is given by the biblical account.

2. All of creation was made to give glory to God.

3. Prayer is personal communication with God.

4. Praying in Jesus’ name is prayer made on his authorization (or authority) and according to his character.

5. We can have confidence to pray in the name of Jesus because he is the only mediator between God and man.

6. Anything in our lives that displeases God will hinder our prayers.

7. Angels possess high intelligence, but do not possess physical bodies.

8. Angels demonstrated moral judgment when “they sinned” and were cast out of heaven (2 Peter 2:4).

9. Satan is recognized as the originator of sin, as having sinned before he “deceived Eve by his cunning” (2 Cor. 11:3).

10. God did not create us because he lacked anything.

11. Likeness refers to something that is similar but not identical to the thing it represents.

12. The text states that our purpose in life is to glorify God.

13. One way we can bring God glory is by making improvements to the land.

14. Sin mars the image of God in us; we no longer reflect the perfection God created us to reflect.

15. Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.

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16. God hates sin because it directly contradicts everything he is.

17. Sin existed in Satan and his demons before the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and then it entered the world of humans through their decisions.

18. “Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in one person and will be so forever.”

19. Jesus became fully human in order to serve as our representative.

20. If Jesus wasn’t fully God, he could not have borne the full penalty for sin for the whole world.

21. A propitiation is a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor.

22. If Christ had only offered himself as a sacrifice, thereby earning us forgiveness of sins, we would only have access to a partial salvation.

23. Christ had to live a life of perfect obedience to God so that the positive merits of that would be counted for us.

24. Jesus overcame the separation our sin caused between God and us.

Multiple Choice

25. The ___________ of Scripture means that Scripture is written in such a way that all things necessary to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian are clear.

A. InerrancyB. InfallibilityC. AuthorityD. Clarity

26. The ___________ of the Scriptures does not demand that the Bible report events with exact, scientific detail (though all the details it does report are true).

A. ScienceB. Truth C. TranslationD. Interpretation

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27. The ___________ of Scripture means that we must read the Bible or have someone tell us what is in the Bible if we are going to know God personally, have our sins forgiven, and know with certainty what God wants us to do.

A. NecessityB. ClarityC. AuthorityD. None of the Above

28. ___________ is knowledge of God’s existence or moral law that comes through creation.A. Special revelationB. General revelationC. Certain knowledgeD. General knowledge

29. ___________ is the term for God’s words addressed to specific people.A. Special revelationB. General revelationC. ProphecyD. Illumination

30. The sufficiency of Scripture means:A. Scripture tells us most of what we need for obeying God perfectlyB. Scripture tells us everything we need to know for salvationC. Scripture has always contained everything we need to know D. All of the above

31. Because we are ___________ creations of the Creator, we will never fully understand everything there is to understand about any one of God’s attributes.

A. SinfulB. FiniteC. InfiniteD. Fickle

32. According to Psalm 102, God has the attribute of ___________.A. IndependenceB. UnchangeablenessC. ImpassibilityD. Aseity

33. Which of the following can we know about God?A. He is love

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B. He is lightC. He is righteousD. All of the above

34. Which of the following does the text list as attributes of God?A. Spirituality B. GloryC. PatienceD. None of the above

35. Which of the following pairs of terms are used together to describe the same attribute of God?

A. God’s goodness and God’s righteousnessB. God’s justice and God’s righteousnessC. God’s holiness and God’s justiceD. God’s goodness and God’s holiness

36. ___________ confirms the view that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as fully God when he accuses someone of lying “to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3) and then further explains that this man has “not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:4).

A. PaulB. PeterC. JamesD. Jesus

37. We can reflect the goodness and glory of the Trinity ___________.A. In the diversity and unity of the church bodyB. As members of an athletic teamC. None of the aboveD. Both A and B

38. At the moment of Jesus’ baptism, which members of the Trinity were performing the activities associated with it?

A. FatherB. SonC. Holy SpiritD. All of the Above

39. The Bible says that God is only one in ___________ or being.A. EssenceB. Form

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C. ModeD. None of the above

40. The Trinity is one of the ___________ we can only describe in part. A. ContradictionsB. ParadoxesC. MysteriesD. Enigmas

41. The different ___________ and roles of the members of the Trinity are simply the outworking of the eternal relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit.

A. FunctionsB. BeingsC. PersonsD. Essences

42. God created the earth out of ___________. A. Nothing B. The dust of the groundC. Pre-existing materialsD. None of the above

43. As God’s ___________, man is the pinnacle of all creation, more like God than any other creature, and the only one appointed to rule over the rest of creation as God’s representative.

A. JudgeB. ImageC. EssenceD. Servant

44. Before creation, nothing existed but God. Therefore, nothing but God is ___________.A. EternalB. TranscendentC. OmnipotentD. Unchanging

45. In light of God’s work on our behalf, we should ask for things with ___________.A. Brazen confidenceB. Hesitance C. A humble attitudeD. Fear

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46. Much of the sin mentioned in the Bible is not the result of ___________.A. ManB. Bad companyC. SatanD. Naiveté

47. ___________ is the pinnacle of God’s creation.A. JesusB. Man C. AdamD. None of the above

48. How is God’s image being restored?A. Restraining the enemy. B. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.C. As believers refrain from sin.D. Faithfully enduring trials.

49. Through prayer, we ___________.A. Make our requests to GodB. Confess our sins to GodC. Give praise to GodD. All of the above

50. When our prayers aren’t answered, ___________.A. We have unrepentant sinB. God is displeased with usC. Our faith is weakD. We join others whose prayers weren’t answered

51. We received not only Adam’s sinful nature, but also his sin-produced ___________. A. GuiltB. TemptationsC. LustsD. Desires

52. Which of the following parts of our being is affected by sin?A. Our intellectsB. Our emotionsC. Our goals

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D. All of the above

53. Jesus’ death on the cross paid for our:A. Past sinsB. Present sinsC. Future sinsD. All of the above

54. Jesus rose from the dead in a physical, human body that was no longer subject to:A. WeaknessB. DiseaseC. DeathD. All of the above

55. Which of the following distinguishes Jesus in his fully human form?A. He was without sinB. He did not hungerC. He did not need restD. He did not experience emotions

56. Jesus’ ___________ is the reason God the Father says, “Let all God’s angels worship him” (Heb. 1:6).

A. DivinityB. HumanityC. HumilityD. Service

57. Which of the following does the text identify as an aspect of Christ’s work in the atonement?

A. His deityB. His humanityC. His obedienceD. His resurrection

58. ___________ obediently carry out God’s plans by doing “his word” (Ps. 103:20), serving as examples for us.

A. SpiritsB. AngelsC. DemonsD. None of the above

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59. Which of the following needs does the text not identify as being met by Christ’s death?A. We deserve to die as the penalty for sinB. We are in bondage to sin and to the kingdom of SatanC. We deserve to bear God’s wrath against sinD. None of the above

60. Which of the following does the text identify as a part of Christ’s sufferings for us?A. The abandonment of his friends and followersB. DeathC. The pain of bearing the guilt for our sinsD. All of the above

True/False

61. The Bible contains all the words of God that a person needs to become a Christian. True

62. God can use human language and still communicate perfect truth. True

63. God’s wrath means that he intensely hates and is separated from all sin. False

64. God’s holiness means that God is devoted to seeking his own honor. True

65. Most people, even those without the Bible, have a deep, inner sense that God exists. False

66. The persons of the Trinity have different roles in relating to the world. True

67. The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most important ideas of the Christian faith. True

68. Sometimes scientific observations of the world can correct people’s misunderstandings. True

69. God created all things because he needed the glory that would derive from it. False

70. The text states that praying to the Holy Spirit is wrong. False

71. Angels are not meant to serve as examples for us. False

72. At the fall, the image of God in man was destroyed. False

73. At Christ’s return, believers will experience a progressive recovering of God’s image. False

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74. Not only was it necessary for Jesus to die in our place, he also needed to live in our place as well. True

75. The atonement is the work Christ did at the moment of his death to earn our salvation. False

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Final Exam

Fill in the Blank

1. At the final resurrection, our resurrection, we will receive a new body just like the one Jesus inhabits.

2. Christ’s ascension enables believers to know where we will eventually go after we die.

3. The resurrection power helps us to live the lives we were made to live.

4. Election is the term used by the text to identify an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved (Not “predestination”).

5. Several passages in the New Testament seem to affirm quite clearly that God ordained beforehand those who would be saved.

6. Affirming the doctrine of election does not mean that our choices don’t matter and our actions don’t have any consequences.

7. Scripture continually views us as personal creatures who make willing choices to accept or reject the gospel.

8. Effective calling (or internal calling) is the term used by the text to identify an act of God in which he summons people to himself through human proclamation of the gospel in such a way that they respond in saving faith.

9. External calling (or general calling, the gospel call) is used by the text to identify the gospel invitation offered to all people through human proclamation of the gospel.

10. Regeneration is the secret act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us (sometimes called “being born again”).

11. Repentance means a conscious decision to turn away from your sins.

12. Conversion is our willing response to the gospel call.

13. Faith means turning to Christ to forgive your sins.

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14. Justification is a legal act of God; it is God acting as a judge, declaring that an individual is righteous in his sight.

15. The sins of those justified are considered forgiven because God considers their sins belonging to Christ.

16. Adoption is an act of God whereby he makes us members of his family.

17. Sanctification starts at the point of regeneration and increases throughout life.

18. Since sanctification is a process, we will never be completely free from sin in this life.

19. Although we will never be completely free from sin in this life, we should still expect to see a regular increase in our life.

20. Assurance of salvation (or assurance) is the internal sense we may have that we are truly “born again.”

21. Death is not a punishment for Christians.

22. God, in his wisdom, decided it best that Christians not experience all the benefits of salvation at once.

23. Not all discipline serves to correct us when we have done wrong.

24. For Christians who have died, the day when Christ returns will be the final step in the application of redemption.

25. The church is the community of all true believers for all time.

26. The church as Christians on earth see it is called the visible church.

27. The scriptural metaphor for the church which stresses that members have their own specific function and responsibility: Body of Christ.

28. The purity of the church is the church’s degree of freedom from wrong doctrine and conduct.

29. The study of “last things” or future events (from the Greek eschatos, meaning “last”): Eschatology.

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30. The most likely scenario states that it is unlikely but possible that the events leading to the return of Christ have already occurred.

31. The great tribulation is a period of time where the vast majority of Jewish people will trust in Christ as Messiah prior to the return of Christ.

32. The final judgment is the culmination of many precursors throughout history in which God rewarded righteousness or punished unrighteousness.

33. In honest reflection on eternal punishment, we should realize that evil cannot simply go unpunished.

34. The final judgment provides us with a(n) encouragement to tell others about the good news of Jesus.

35. Heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless.

36. The phrase “new heavens and new earth” describes an entirely renewed creation in which believers will dwell after the final judgment.

37. In addition to making a renewed heaven, God will renew his earthly creation.

38. With the curse of sin removed, all creation will be returned to its original state, which was “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

Multiple Choice

39. When Jesus rose from the dead, he began a new kind of ___________ in which he had a perfect body that was no longer subject to weakness, aging, death, or decay.

A. DivinityB. Human lifeC. MinistryD. None of the above

40. In Romans 4:25, Paul states that Jesus was “raised for our ___________.”A. SalvationB. GlorificationC. JustificationD. Regeneration

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41. Several New Testament authors often present the doctrine of election as ___________ to all who believe in Jesus.

A. A comfortB. Something to fearC. A reward for good worksD. Justice

42. Scripture never speaks of ___________ as the reason God chose someone. A. LoveB. FaithC. ElectionD. Mercy

43. The type of grace referred to in the text and described in Scripture which extends to all people and benefits all people regardless of their standing before God is called___________ grace.

A. IntermediateB. EffectualC. SavingD. Common

44. God chose ___________ to be the attitude of the heart by which we would obtain justification.

A. RighteousnessB. FaithC. GraceD. Holiness

45. When James states that a person is “justified by works” (James 2:21), he means that a person is ___________.

A. Declared righteous by God due to his good worksB. Declared righteous by God due to their faithC. Shown to be righteous before other peopleD. None of the above

46. Because believers are considered children of God, we experience ___________ of the benefits of adoption now.

A. AllB. NoneC. ManyD. Some

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47. Because of ___________ we do not have to live a fearful life of slavish obedience, but we are free to experience the joy of living as heirs to all the blessings that God desires to lavish on us (Rom. 8:15, 17).

A. AdoptionB. ReconciliationC. JustificationD. Regeneration

48. “Sanctification is completed at ___________ (for our souls) and ___________ (for our bodies).”

A. Salvation/ the raptureB. Justification/ DeathC. Death/ When the Lord returnsD. None of the above

49. Which of the following does the text NOT state as factors to gain real assurance of our salvation?

A. Being free from the entanglements of sinB. Present trust in Christ for salvationC. Evidence of an ongoing work of God in your lifeD. Evidence of a continuing, present relationship with Christ

50. At death, a Christian’s ___________ is immediately made perfect and enters into the presence of God.

A. BodyB. HeartC. SoulD. Mind

51. Roman Catholics hold that one must go to ___________ after death and that those left behind can offer prayers for them to help get them out sooner.

A. HadesB. SheolC. The intermediate stateD. Purgatory

52. “The souls of unbelievers go immediately to ___________.”A. PurgatoryB. DestructionC. Eternal punishment

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D. None of the above

53. One characteristic of a true church is:A. It should preach from the BibleB. Includes only believersC. Practices the correct administration of the sacramentsD. Both A and C

54. When Christ promised to build his church, he gave his disciples ___________ to do so.A. The resourcesB. The authorityC. The directionsD. None of the above

55. Spiritual gifts include both gifts related to ___________ (teaching, showing mercy, administration) and gifts that appear to be more miraculous (prophecy, healing, distinguishing between spirits).

A. Natural abilityB. Supernatural abilityC. Learned abilityD. Skilled ability

56. Certain signs will be precede the time of Christ’s return to ___________.A. Intensify an expectationB. People would think since they didn’t see the signs, he would not returnC. Better predict the exact time of his returnD. None of the above

57. The ___________ perspective holds that the millennium is now, and when it ends, Jesus will return.

A. AmillennialB. PostmillennialC. PremillennialD. Preterist

58. The ___________ perspective holds that the millennium will come gradually, and Jesus will return after the millennium.

A. PremillennialB. PreteristC. PostmillennialD. Amillennial

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59. The ___________ perspective holds that the millennium will come suddenly, and Jesus will return before the millennium.

A. PostmillennialB. PremillennialC. PreteristD. Amillennial

60. Although there will be degrees of ___________ in heaven, everyone’s joy will be complete.

A. ContentmentB. RewardC. HappinessD. Satisfaction

61. The text states that regeneration comes ___________ saving faith. A. BeforeB. At the same time asC. AfterD. None of the above

True/False

62. Only two of the four gospels contain accounts of the resurrection. False

63. Jesus had flesh and bones in his glorified, resurrected body. True

64. When God raised Jesus from the dead, he was affirming Jesus’ work of suffering and dying for our sins. True

65. It would be fair for God to send every person to hell. True

66. Agreeing that the facts of salvation are true is enough to be saved. False

67. The doctrine of election was the central difference between Protestants and Roman Catholics at the time of the Reformation. False

68. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that we are not fully justified until after we die and we have been purified in purgatory. True

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69. When the Bible states that a believer is “dead to sin” (Rom. 6:18), this describes the person who has died and has experienced the completion of his sanctification process. False

70. The text argues that the phrase “tasted the heavenly gift” describes someone who has trusted in Christ for salvation. False

71. At the time of the final judgment, both believers and unbelievers will be judged. True

72. The doctrine of final judgment enables us to forgive others freely. True

73. “Laying up treasures in heaven” (Mark 6:20) means that we erroneously seek to curry God’s favor to escape the final judgment. False

74. The text affirms that the earth will be entirely destroyed and replaced by a new earth. False

75. In heaven, God’s fellowship with us will be unhindered. True

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Sample SyllabiChristian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know

Syllabus (Mon/Wed/Fri)

Week 1MON: Introduction to the Course

Chapter 1: What Is the Bible?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 17–20

WED: Chapter 1: What Is the Bible? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 1

FRI: Chapter 2: What Is God Like?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 21–36

Week 2MON: Chapter 2: What Is God Like? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 2

WED: Chapter 3: What Is the Trinity?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 37–42

FRI: Chapter 3: What Is the Trinity? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 3

Week 3MON: Chapter 4: What Is Creation?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 43–47

WED: Chapter 4: What Is Creation? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 4

FRI: Chapter 5: What Is Prayer? READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 48–52

Week 4MON: Chapter 5: What Is Prayer? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 5

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WED: Chapter 6: What Are Angels, Satan, and Demons?READING: Christian Beliefs, 53–57

FRI: Chapter 6: What Are Angels, Satan, and Demons? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 6

Week 5MON: Chapter 7: What Is Man?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 58–61

WED: Chapter 7: What Is Man? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 7

FRI: Chapter 8: What Is Sin?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 62–66

Week 6MON: Chapter 8: What Is Sin? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 8

WED: Chapter 9: Who Is Christ?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 67–71

FRI: Chapter 9: Who Is Christ? (cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 9

Week 7MON: Chapter 10: What Is the Atonement?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 72–75

WED: Chapter 10: What Is the Atonement? (cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 10

FRI: Midterm Exam

Week 8MON: Chapter 11: What Is the Resurrection?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 76–78

WED: Chapter 11: What Is the Resurrection? (Cont.)

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QUIZ: Chapter 11

FRI: Chapter 12: What Is Election?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 79–89

Week 9MON: Chapter 12: What Is Election? (Cont.)

WED: Chapter 12: What Is Election? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 12

FRI: Chapter 13: What Does It Mean to Become a Christian? READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 90–94

Week 10MON: Chapter 13: What Does It Mean to Become a Christian? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 13

WED: Chapter 14: What Are Justification and Adoption? READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 95–98

FRI: Chapter 14: What Are Justification and Adoption? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 14

Week 11MON: Chapter 15: What Are Sanctification and Perseverance?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 99–107

WED: Chapter 15: What Are Sanctification and Perseverance? (cont.)

FRI: Chapter 15: What Are Sanctification and Perseverance? (cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 15

Week 12MON: Chapter 16: What Is Death?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 108–112

WED: Chapter 16: What Is Death? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 16

FRI: Chapter 17: What Is the Church?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 108–112

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Week 13MON: Chapter 17: What Is the Church? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 17

WED: Chapter 18: What Will Happen When Christ Returns?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 120–128

FRI: Chapter 18: What Will Happen When Christ Returns? (cont.)

Week 14MON: Chapter 18: What Will Happen When Christ Returns? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 18

WED: Chapter 19: What Is the Final Judgment?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 129–133

FRI: Chapter 19: What Is the Final Judgment? (cont)QUIZ: Chapter 19

Week 15MON: Chapter 20: What Is Heaven?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 134–137

WED: Chapter 20: What Is Heaven? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 20

FRI: Final Review and Discussion

Week 16Finals Week

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Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know

Syllabus (Tues/Thur)

Week 1TUE: Introduction to the Course

Chapter 1: What Is the Bible?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 17–20

THUR: Chapter 1: What Is the Bible? (Cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 1

Chapter 2: What Is God Like?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 21–36

Week 2TUE: Chapter 2: What Is God Like? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 2

THUR: Chapter 3: What Is the Trinity?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 37–42QUIZ: Chapter 3

Week 3TUE: Chapter 4: What Is Creation?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 43–47QUIZ: Chapter 4

THUR: Chapter 5: What Is Prayer? READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 48–52

Week 4TUE: Chapter 5: What Is Prayer? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 5

THUR: Chapter 6: What Are Angels, Satan, and Demons?READING: Christian Beliefs, 53–57QUIZ: Chapter 6

Week 5TUE: Chapter 7: What Is Man?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 58–61

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QUIZ: Chapter 7

THUR: Chapter 8: What Is Sin?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 62–66

Week 6TUE: Chapter 8: What Is Sin? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 8

THUR: Chapter 9: Who Is Christ?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 67–71QUIZ: Chapter 9

Week 7TUE: Chapter 10: What Is the Atonement?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 72–75QUIZ: Chapter 10

THUR: Midterm Exam

Week 8TUE: Chapter 11: What Is the Resurrection?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 76–78QUIZ: Chapter 11

THUR: Chapter 12: What Is Election?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 79–89

Week 9TUE: Chapter 12: What Is Election? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 12

THUR: Chapter 13: What Does It Mean to Become a Christian? READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 90–94

Week 10TUE: Chapter 13: What Does It Mean to Become a Christian? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 13

THUR: Chapter 14: What Are Justification and Adoption? READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 95–98

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QUIZ: Chapter 14

Week 11TUE: Chapter 15: What Are Sanctification and Perseverance?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 99–107

THUR: Chapter 15: What Are Sanctification and Perseverance? (cont.)QUIZ: Chapter 15

Week 12TUE: Chapter 16: What Is Death?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 108–112QUIZ: Chapter 16

THUR: Chapter 17: What Is the Church?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 108–112

Week 13TUE: Chapter 17: What Is the Church? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 17

THUR: Chapter 18: What Will Happen When Christ Returns?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 120–128

Week 14TUE: Chapter 18: What Will Happen When Christ Returns? (Cont.)

QUIZ: Chapter 18

THUR: Chapter 19: What Is the Final Judgment?READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 129–133QUIZ: Chapter 19

Week 15TUE: Chapter 20: What Is Heaven?

READING: Christian Beliefs, pp. 134–137QUIZ: Chapter 20

THUR: Final Review and Discussion

Week 16 Finals Week

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