Basic Christian Doctrine (DO501)

9/10/2009 6:23:00 AM

09-10-09 When Jesus communicates that he is the light and the truth, he makes these things personal. The personal nature of truth demands a response, and a personal one. It demands a response. o To respond is to accept the truth. o To not respond is to reject the truth. When we begin with Jesus, we are opening the door to understanding who God is. Israels history is one of monotheistic belief. When Jesus begins making claims that point to his divinity, this seems to contradict the classic Jewish understanding of the One God. The expanded view of Oneness that Jesus presents is one of Triune Community. Our understanding of truth begins with the Triune nature of God, who shares truth within himself. Introduction: Prolegomena A form of anti-intellectualism has gripped society, along with a type of escapism. Within evangelical circles, ignorance of theology is taken as a form of pride. Im no theologian, but I. Why Study Theology Key to knowing God Key to knowing Gods purposes Key to understanding all reality Answers lifes deepest questions o Is there a God; what is he like; what is the meaning of life; where did evil come from; is man good or evil? Because right theology is essential for right living

o The pastoral epistles are a great example of this. Paul uses sound theology to teach holy living Because the Gospel is for the whole man, including his mind. o Eph 4:22; Rom. 12:2-3 Because of the significance of trained leaders for the church o The greatest impact on the Church through history has come from great thinkers within the church. Because everyone is a theologian

II. Theology and Discipline Why go beyond the Bible for theological thinking? o Biblical theology gives us the basics, the data. o Systematic theology gives us the categories for understanding that data and how it fits together. o Discipline is needed to master the data.

III. Is Theology Practical? The great commission says to go and make disciples of all the nations, teaching them We cannot be good disciple-makers without good theology to back it up. Renewal in the church includes o Revival this deals primarily with the heart. o Reformation this part deals primarily with the head/knowledge.

09-22-09 *A.W. Tozer, on the Doctrine of God

Concept of God
I. Father Introduction: Provider o He creates. He cares (loves). He, therefore, meets needs. o Two kinds of roles in Scripture Father Shepherd

Father o Men, made in the image of God, are to multiply (i.e. have children). Like God, who has made men his children in two ways: In general, since he is Father of all the living. In specific, since he is spiritual Father to those who belong especially to him. Lk. 3:37, Adam was the son of God. Father/Provider o Provides garden for basic needs: food, security, pleasure, relationship with himself. Characteristic of God indicated: Love

II. Personal Revealer Related to Gods Immanence God is a personal being. o He speaks, uses language / verbal communication. Mans first experience with God is to hear him. o This implies reason and memory. o Language becomes the chief tool for interpersonal relationships. o He speaks truth. o Name: Yahweh (I am that I am); the Lord (Adonai) more commonly used. This has a negative effect of depersonalizing God in some way. God is a social being (Trinity) o He has a spirit. Gen 1:2 o Makes man in his own image. Man is a social creature. Gen. 1:26, 27 o Man needs other persons (and is not fully complete without them). Gen. 2:18 Characteristics of God indicated: o He is Personal. o He comes into creation to relate to others (immanence). o He speaks accurately: truth.

III & IV. Creator and Ruler / King / Governor Introduction o God rules over the creation he has made (e.g. he shapes it). o Man, like God, is given dominion over the earth (i.e. ruling/governing responsibility. Gen 1:26, 28; 2:19-20). Characteristics of God indicated: o Power to rule: Omnipotent o Present to rule: Omnipresent o Knowledge to rule: Omniscient o Understanding to rule: Wisdom Doctrine of Providence stems out of this.

V. Judge/Lawmaker Introduction o Very close to role as ruler. o Hebrew judge makes law and exercises judgment. Lawmaker o Makes laws (sets standard) Gen. 2:16 o Gives commands. Expects obedience. o Standard of right/wrong is that which is according to the will/purpose of God. o His person/character sets the moral standard. That standard is set from outside space and time (it is universal; not limited to, or set by, a specific culture or society). Judge o Genesis 3: Adam and Eve judged by God. o Genesis 3: Adam and Eve punished by God Characteristics of God indicated: o Standard of right/wrong: righteousness o Judgment exercised according to righteousness: justice o Administration of justice in punishment: wrath VI. Shepherd (Provider) *A different way of describing God as Father. Characteristic of God indicated: Goodness

VII. Redeemer Introduced in Genesis 3:15 Characteristic of God indicated: Power VIII. Priest Introduction: One other major role in Scripture. Whole story of Genesis 3 shows why these last two roles are needed. Chapter 3 gives the problem of sin. These two roles are how God provides a solution to the problem.
Gods Holiness Separation
Transcendence Creator Sovereignty King

Brilliance
Immanence Revealer Purity Priest Righteousness Judge Love Father Power Redeemer Goodness Shepherd

*** Wesleyans focus on God as Father, because he was something before he was Creator, King, Redeemer, etc. He was first and foremost Trinitarian (Father, Son, and Spirit). 10-27-09 Atonement I. Approach to the Atonement Atonement assumes the doctrines of: o Trinitarian Doctrine of God o Creation / Man; Role of the Father; Original Design o Sin o Christology; The Role of the Son; Provision of Salvation o Atonement Atonement Leads to the Doctrines of: o Pneumatology; The Role of the Spirit; Appropriation of Salvation o Salvation; Application of Salvation o The Christian Life; Working out Salvation

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o Entire Sanctification; Working out Salvation o Ecclesiology; Working out Salvation o Eschatology; Working out Salvation Atonement is a key connecting doctrine Approaches to the Atonement Reconciliation/Restoration of Relationship Recapitulation/Life Approach (Def: re-heading, re-establishing) Redemption/Ransom/Christus Victor Satisfaction/Latin Approach o God as King; Anselmic Government and Moral Government Anselmic Satisfaction Governmental Satisfaction o God as Judge: Penal Satisfaction Sacrificial/Propitiation Approach Moral Influence/Example Approach A Whole View of the Atonement is Necessary o If we do not understand the solution to sin, how then do we preach about it to Gods people?

III. Triune View of the Atonement Incarnation: Life Comes Life of Jesus: Life Lived Death of Jesus: Life Given Up Resurrection of Jesus: Life Restored A. Incarnation: Christology: coming to bring life The hypostatic union makes the Atonement possible. Jesus as God-man is the Mediator of the Atonement.

B. Life of Jesus: Living out Life Active obedience of Jesus fulfills the Law (legal language) as he lives his life. [Penal Substitution] Reverses the curse on the race by living through every stage of human life and development (creation/family language). [Recapitulation]

The life model for disciples. [Example/Moral Influence] o Life-to-life sharing o Teaching (both public and private) o Focus on Gods purposes for life related to three roles: Family Role for Discipleship Teacher/Friendship Roles for Discipleship Shepherd Role for Discipleship Victory Over Sin (warrior language). [Christus Victor] Healing of Life. [Physician]

C. Death of Jesus: Giving Up Life Atonement and the Roles of God o Accent on Priest, Redeemer, and Judge The Pervasiveness of Substitution and Life in Multiple Roles o Anselmic and Penal Substitution Death, with Incarnation and Life, is the complementary side of Atonement that provides enabling grace for life that is modeled. The Death of Christ provides enabling grace for: o Active righteousness: focus o o o o Life reflecting the Image of God at every stage Life Modeled for Disciples Victory Over Sin Healing of Life

D. Resurrection of Jesus * The purposes of Resurrection include: Vindication of Gods purposes through Israel and the Old Testament. Vindication of the life of Jesus. His life does not end with physical death. [Matt 28:16-20] Vindication of the predictions of the Cross and Resurrection. [Mark 8:31; 9:9, 31; 10:32-34] Vindication of the divinity of Jesus. [Romans 1:4] Evidence for the triumph of life over death and sin. [1 Cor. 15:5257; Romans 5:10]

Victory over the powers of evil and Satan. [Eph. 1:20-22; Col. 2:12-15] Descent into Sheol to offer life to the dead. [1 Peter 3:18-22] A demonstration of eternal life. [Rom. 4:17; John 20:27-29, 30-31; 1 Cor. 15:14-17] Provision of salvation as life. [John 20:22; Rom. 5:10; 6:4,5,11; 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:45; 2 Cor. 2:14, 15, 17; Eph. 2:5-6; Col. 2:10-12; 1 Thess. 2:9-10] The First Fruits of a promise of the General Resurrection. [1 Cor. 15:20-23, 52; 2 Cor. 2:14; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:18; 1 Thess. 4:14-17] Evidence of ultimate redemption of all Creation. [John 20:1, 19; 1 Peter 1:3; Matt. 28:1] A model for the personal presence of the Living Christ for the devotional/spiritual life of disciples in every age. [Luke 24:13-36; John 20:14-18; 21:15-17; Matt. 28:20; 1 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 1:910]

11-03-09 The Nature of Salvation **See handout The Nature of Salvation