120 Questions for PCA Ordination Flashcards
What is a sacrament?
A sign and seal of the covenant of grace. Instituted by God to represent Christ and his benefits, to confirm our interest in him and to create a boundary between the church and the world. 1 Cor 10 and 11, Matthew 28
How many sacraments? Defend.
Two. 1 cor 11, Matthew 26 and 28
Does anything really happen in a sacrament?
Yes, faith is strengthened and believers are nourished. WCF 27.2 “There is in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other.”
Give 4 new testament proofs for parallels between sacraments
Matt 26, 1 Cor 11, Colossians 2, (Rom 4)
Of what is baptism the sign & seal?
The covenant of grace, the ingrafting into Christ, regeneration, remission of sins, & of giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church.
How does the seal of baptism relate to infants?
The efficacy is not tied to the time, but to the timing of the grace of God
How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Baptism is to be administered with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; by an ordained minister of the Gospel, to those who profess faith and their children.
Would you ever baptize someone by immersion?
Yes, the mode is inconsequential.
What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?
*Perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ. *Sealing of all the benefits thereof to the true believer. *Spiritual nourishment and growth for the believer. *Further engagement in and to all the duties which they owe to him *Bond and pledge of the believer’s union with Christ and each other.
What happens in the Lord’s Supper?
Christ is present spiritually and he enables believers to enjoy mystical communion with him as they are spiritually nourished
Roman Catholic View of The Lord’s Supper
*Transubstantiation… The bread becomes the body of Christ and the wine becomes the blood of Christ. (literally) The accidental properties… remain the same (the touch, smell, and taste) The essential properties change into Christ’s actual body/blood.
In the Lutheran view of the Lord’s Supper:
The body and blood of Christ are “really present” “in, with and under” the elements of bread and wine. Consubstantiation
. How should believers celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
WSC #97 “It is required of them… that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.”
How is “fencing the table” practiced during communion?
*BCO 58-4 “Since, by our Lord’s appointment, the sacrament sets forth the communion of Saints, the minister, at the discretion of the Session, before the observance begins, may either invite all those who profess the true religion, and are communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, to participate in the ordinance; or may invite those who have been approved by the session, after having given indication of their desire to participate. It is proper also to give special invitation to non-communicants to remain during the service.”
Briefly discuss the development of covenant theology.
Covenant theology is based in Scripture, but can be identified in the writings of Church Fathers like Irenaeus and Augustine. It is further developed in the writings of Reformers like Zwingli, Calvin and Bullinger, and continued in the 17th century writings of Owen, Cocceius, Witsius, and the Westminster Confession of Faith. `
What are the historical origins and distinctives of the following: a. Methodist Churches
Origins: Began in Oxford University as a movement within the Church of England and expanded under the leadership of Charles and John Wesley Distinctives: Typically has been concerned with ministry to the poor and disadvantages, expressing its faith in compassion for human condition.
Episcopal Churches
Origins: the Episcopalian Church began in America as an extension of the Church of England. However, During the American Revolution a great controversy arose over prayers for the monarchy in the liturgy, so after the revolution it severed ties with the Church of England and became its own denomination. Distinctives: Acknowledges no central authority, though maintains a hierarchy of bishops, relies totally on traditional liturgical worship, while not defining the exact nature of the communion element (regarded as a mystery).
Baptist distinctives
Believers’ baptism, Congregational ecclesiology, Authority for community is local; no hierarchy,
Mennonite Churches
Origins: Dating from 1520’s in central Europe, take name from Menno Simmons who led them in a pursuit of biblical living. Distinctives: No common doctrine, rejection of infant baptism, real presence at the Lord’s supper, pacifist, no oaths, complete separation of church and state
pentecostal churches
late 19th C, revival experiences, presence of holy spirit, speak in tongues and filled with spirit
Presbyterian Churches
Origins: Dating back to John Knox in 1560 and the Scots Confession becoming the expression of government assigned by the Westminster Assembly in the Form of Government. Distinctives: Offices of Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder. Usually hold to the WCF, Spiritual presence in the elements (Calvin),
orthodox churches
mostly in Russia, Balkans, and Eastern Europe. strong traditions, conservatism, patterns of early christianity. women cannot be priests. writings of saints, veneration of icons, direct relationship with god, unceasing prayer
Lutheran churches
Origins: Germany; Martin Luther, 1517 October 31 commonly the beginning of the reformation. 1521 Diet of Worms which lead to Luther’s excommunication. Distinctives: Consubstantiation, Salvation by grace, justification by faith, Augsburg Confession (and the Book of Concord)
Briefly identify and give dates for the following: Council of Nicea
- The council of Nicea was concerned primarily with the nature of the second person of the trinity—Jesus Christ. Arius asserted that Christ was not eternally generated from the Father, but created from the non-existent. Athanasius and his followers asserted that Christ was eternally begotten of the father. The semi-Arians argued that Christ was homoiousios (“of similar substance”) with the father. The Council adopted the Athanasian position of homoousios (“the same essence”).
Briefly identify and give date for the Council of Chalcedon.
Ecumenical council that met in AD 451 and rejected the teaching of the Monophysites (one nature) and Nestorians (two persons), affirming that Jesus Christ has two natures in one person, called the hypostatic union.
Briefly identify and give date for the Reformation.
The Protestant Reformation started in 1517 as Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg.
Counter-Reformation
A reorganization of the Catholic Church that equipped it to meet the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation (simony, indulgences)
Briefly identify and give date for the Heidelberg Catechism.
Lutheran catechism principally written by Ursinus and adopted by the Synod of Heidelberg in 1563.
Briefly identify and give date for the Belgic Confession.
Reformed confession principally written by de Bres and adopted in 1566.
Briefly identify and give date for the Synod of Dordt.
National synod held by the Dutch Reformed Church in 1618 to respond to the teaching of the Arminian Remonstrants, affirming what are called the “Doctrines of Grace” in the Canons of Dordt.
Briefly identify and give date for the Westminster Assembly.
An assembly of English reformers in 1643–1649 to draft a confession of faith for the Protestant church in England and draw the Church of England and Church of Scotland together. Many of the Westminster Divines were Presbyterians, and reflects Presbyterian theology. The documents that were written included the Form of Church Government, Directory of Public Worship, Confession of Faith and its Larger and Shorter Catechism.
Briefly identify and give date for Pietism.
Protestant movement that started in the late 17th century that had an emphasis on personal piety and individual religious experience. Leaders of pietism include Spener, Francke and Zinzendorf, who influenced the Wesleys and Methodism.
Briefly identify and give date for the Great Awakening(s).
The First Great Awakening started in the early 18th century in England and New England through the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield and the Wesleys. The Second Great Awakening started in the late 18th century through the influence of Timothy Dwight, Daniel Baker and James McGready. In contrast the the First Great Awakening, the Second was larger and longer, but was also characterized more by fervor than by theology.
Briefly identify and give date for the Old School/New School.
A Presbyterian controversy regarding the Second Great Awakening. The Old Schoolers were strict subscriptionists, who wanted to preserve the Presbyterian tradition and were skeptical of revivalism. The New Schoolers like Samuel Hopkins and Nathaniel Taylor were not strict subscriptionists, who felt that they needed to “improve” Edwards’ Calvinism to allow for revivalism. This eventually led to a Presbyterian Church split in 1837.
Auburn Affirmation
AD 1924, Issued by a group of Presbyterians meeting in Auburn, New York. Was designed to safeguard the unity and liberty of the Presbyterian Church. The affirmation was intended to display tolerance, but became a marker on the battle field btwn con and liberal. The Affirmation denied the need of ordained Ministers to commit to the five essentials: 1. Inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, 2. Virgin birth, 3. Substitutionary atonement, 4. Christ real and historical resurrection, 5. Jesus’ working of miracles. Signed by 1,283 Presbyterian ministers
Define scholasticism
Dominant medieval philosophy. Based in schools, logic to solve theological probs
Babylonian Captivity of the Church (Luther)
attacked the traditional 7 sacraments, argueing that only 2, baptism and the eucharist, were unquestionably biblical, and it exalted the authority of Scripture, church councils and secular princes over that of the pope
Radical Reformation
Anabaptists, Spiritualists, and Rationalists. Radical Reformers thought that the magisterial reformation was not changed enough.
Magisterial Reformation
*Argued for The interdependence of The church and secular authorities. *The magistrate had a right to authority within The church, just as The church could rely on The authority of The magistrate to enforce discipline, suppress heresy, or maintain order
Define 16th century “Puritanism” and its beliefs.
Sought to eliminate what they considered offensive features of Catholicism that remained in religious doctrines and practices of Church of England. Desire to make English church thoroughly Protestant
Define fundamentalism
Emphasis on the literal reading of the bible, a rejection of more liberal Christianity
Neo-Orthodoxy/Christian Realism
began after World War I as a reaction against the failed ideas of liberal Protestantism. It was developed primarily by Swiss theologians Karl Barth and Emil Brunner. Says that the Bible is simply man’s interpretation of the Word’s actions. the Bible is not inspired by God, and, being a human document, various parts of it may not be literally true. God spoke through “redemptive history,”and He speaks now as people “encounter”Jesus, but the Bible itself is not objective truth.
Polycarp
of Smyrna, disciple of John the Apostle, taught Irenaeus
Clement of Rome
30-100, pagan Roman convert, Letter to the corinthians, mentioned by name in Scripture, fourth pope
Ignatius
(c. 115) (c.35-c.107) An influential apostolic father and bishop of Antioch. 2nd or 3rd to hold that office. Wrote seven letters that have been preserved addressed to Christians in Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia and Smyrna. He extolled the virtues of martyrdom and considered it a special privilege to die for the faith. Concerned with gnostic heresy, docetism. Argued that Christ was both fully divine and completely human. Martyred during the reign of Emp. Trajan.
Marcion (date?)
(ca. 85-160 CE), proponent of Gnosticism, Hebrew God is inferior, Jesus’s God is superior, first to suggest idea of specific canon (collection of texts)
Justin Martyr (date?)
*Apologist, ca. 100-165 CE, *addressed writing to Rome’s elite (emperor), *claims made about Christiantiy: (1) it upholds good order and promotes virtue, (2) it is not atheism, but thhe worship of one true God, (3) describe actual Christian practice
Eusebius of Caesarea
late 3rd century, early 4th. preserves writings from earlier historians that had been lost, divides possible canonized books into three groups: recognized, disputed, spurious. *Recognized: Gospels, Acts, Paul’s Letters, 1st John, 1st Peter, Revelation. *Disputed: James, Jude, 2nd Peter, 2nd and 3rd John. *Spurious: Actso of Paul, Shepherd of Hermas, Rev. of peter, Epistle of Barnabas, Didache, Rev. of John, Gospel of Hebrews
Tertullian
(215) (from Carthage). *writes in Latin. *invents the word “trinity.” *stressed DISCONTINUITY btwn the learning of the world and that of the church (as opposed to Justin). *The blood of the martyrs is seed of the church. intersects with Perpetua reading
Constantine
307-337
What was the historical background, date, and contributions of John Chrysostom?
*Pastor of Antioch in 387- “golden mouth”. *Wanting him as Bishop, Constantinople kidnapped him (398). *Preaching against people of power he was banished in 403. *Background of literal interpretation. *Died in 407, with a legacy of a great expository preacher
Jerome
(347-420CE) One of the four most prominent and influential teachers in western Christianity. Translated the Hebrew Bible into Latin (Vulgate) which became the standard Latin scripture, replacing the Septuagint.
Pelagius
Born in Britain, 350. *against fatalism (less theological; more practical). *unconditional free will (free will is grace). *no original sin. *denied God’s grace essential to salvation. *predestination *perfection possible
Augustine of Hippo
354-430
Bernard of Clairvaux
1090-1153. *Cistercian abbot, influential mystical thinker, and founder of the monastery at Clairvaux
Gregory “the Great
pope 590-604. *Revised christian worship. *Relics and Ambulatories
Francis of Assisi
- Catholic saint and preacher. One of most respected religious figures.
Anselm of Canterbury
fl. 1060-1100. *Forerunner of Scholasticism; crafted the Ontological Proof for the Existence of God; wrote Cur Deus Homo
Thomas Aquinas
A scholar who argued that the most basic religious truths could be proved by logical arguement. Between 1267 & 1273, Aquinas wrote the Summa Theologicae. Aquinas’s great work, influenced by Aristotle, combined ancient Greek thought with the Christian thought of his time. Aquinas and his fellow scholars who met at the great universities were known as schoolmen, or scholastics.
John Wycliffe
An English theologian from the 14th century. Known for translating the Bible into English. *his followers were called Lollards
Jan Hus
1369-1415; professor at Prague University, influenced by John Wyclif, condemned the sale of indulgences, promoted that anyone could preach, proponent of the use of vernacular Czech in Church setting, and made a distinction between God’s will and the Earthly Church; his followers dissented from the King and the Holy Roman Empire (during the Hussite Wars)
Tyndale-
Translator of the Bible in the sixteenth century.
Martin Luther
The German monk who triggered the revolt against the Roman Catholic Church in 1517.
Philip Melanchthon
(16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560), born PhilippSchwartzerdt, was a German reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther,the first systematic theologian ofthe ProtestantReformation, intellectual leader of the LutheranReformation, and an influential designer of educational systems.He stands next to Luther and Calvin asa reformer, theologian, and molder of Protestantism. Along with Luther, he isthe primary founder of Lutheranism.[1]They both denounced what they believed was the exaggerated cult of the saints,asserted justification by faith, and denounced the coercion of the consciencein the sacrament of penance by the Catholic Church,that they believed could not offer certainty of salvation. Melanchthon made thedistinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelicalinsight. By the “law”, he meant God’s requirements both in Old andNew Testament; the “gospel” meant the free gift of grace throughfaith in Jesus Christ
Zwingli
The most important reformer in the Swiss Protestant Reformation and the only major reformer of the 16th century whose movement did not evolve into a church. Like Martin Luther, he accepted the supreme authority of the Scriptures, but he applied it more rigorously and comprehensively to all doctrines and practices.
John Calvin
- *God shows a way of salvation and how to run the church government. *similar beliefs to Luther. *Presbyteran government
John Knox
Calvinist leader in 16th century Scotland
Covenanters
[17th century] Name applied to those Scottish Presbyterians who signed the National Covenant and the Solemn League as well as to their followers. They resisted the Episcopal, “system of church government and the divine right of Kings (conflicting with the Stuart dynasty).
Jacob Arminius
Late 16th century theologian who opposed the theology of John Calvin and the Reformed Church. His ideas influenced with some modification the thought of John Wesley and the Methodists.
Amyraut and the School of Saumur
[17 century] French theologian and preacher, developed the doctrine of “hypothetical universalism” known as Amyraldianism. It taught that God wills all men to be saved, but because of inherited corruption, men reject hirn, so 2) God wills to save his elect by grace.
Jonathan Edwards
1730’s. *preacher during Great Awakening. *NE specifically Northhampton, MA. *Sinners in Hands of an Angry God
Richard Baxter
AD 1615-1691. *Puritan. *Wrote : “The Reformed Pastor” & “Christian Directory”. *Vicar of Kidderminster, England.
Zinzendorf, Count
1700-1760; German pietist & founder of the Moravian Brethren. Established the Herrnut colony in Germany & other colonies in Europe and North America.
George Whitefield
New Light preacher who preached his belief that sinners would face eternal hell if they didn’t publicly absolve their sins. He claimed ordinary people could determine the Bible’s meaning without help of a priest. He involved himself in the Great Awakening in 1739 preaching his belief in gaining salvation. Traveled for two years in the colonies, preaching his belief.
John Wesley
founder of methodism. One of the first Great Awakening (1730s) preachers. He preached in the open air and anywhere he saw need for his preaching, and engaged unordained men to preach beccause of the severe need for preachers. His doctrine was generally orthodox protestantism, but believed in infant baptism and was strongly Arminian
Marrow Controversy
[18th century] A controversy in the Church of Scotland over rival theological views of legalism and merit in contrast to God’s grace in Jesus Christ. The basis of the controversy was over a book, The Marrow of Modem Divinity, which advocated strongly Calvinistic doctrines and was held to favor antinomianism.
William Carey
18th/19th English Anglican, then Baptist Baptist Missionary Society/Missionary in India/24 bible translations
George Muller
19th century. *Greatly influenced by Pietism. *Known mainly for his orphanage work in Bristol England. *He was known for his “faith mission” principle in which he received miraculous
Charles Spurgeon
The best know evangelical pastor in London in the 19th Century. His sermons are the most read sermons in the history of the Church. More people have read his sermons than anyone who has ever lived.
Charles Hodge
[19th century] The best-known proponent of the Princeton theology. A noted polemicist, Hodge is remembered for his rational defense of the Reformed faith, and for his defense of creationism against naturalistic evolution.
B.B. Warfield
Important theologian and professor of the late 19th and early 20th C in the US. He was closely connected to Princeton University. He opposed the theological liberalism of the period and was a staunch defender of the authority, the inspiration of the Bible and Post-Millennialism.
charles finney
probably most effective of a number of charismatic evangelists who brought the 2nd great awakening to its crest in early 1830’s encouraging his listeners to take their salvation into their own hands, and that, with the grace of god, salvation ws available to anyone
D.L. Moody
Leading figure among American evangelicals during the last half of the nineteenth century. *Less emphasis on fire and damnation and more on how God is knocking on the door of your heart.
Francis Makemie
(1658-1708) becomes a merchant. Religious leader who establishes the first Presbytery in America in 1706: Presbytery of Philadelphia. First went to Maryland to try to recruit ministers.
First American Presbytery, First Synod
First Presby: 1706. *First Synod: 1719. *Adopting Act: 1729 (formally adopted the WCF and Catechisms)
Old Side/ New Side
This was the controversy over the Great Awakening. The New Side was pro-revival and staunchly Calvinistic. Included in the New Side ranks were Edwards, Tennet, and Whitefield. The Old Side were Anti-Revival. Many were Arminian, Unitarian or Universalist. The most famous Old Side adherent was Charles Chaucy.
First Presbyterian General Assembly
1789
Plan of Union
Congregational and Presbyterian can form churches together, and the majority of the members would determine which organizational rules would be followed. Ministers could be either denomination. Helped the Presbyterians the most because they were more numerous.
Old School / New School Division
Split over the issue of revivals, civil war but merged to form united presbyterian churches
James Henley Thornwell
Report on the Subject of Slavery 1852. *Contrary to Dew, Thornwell justifies slavery through the Bible.
Robert Lewis Dabney
supported slavery in southern presbyterianism
Benjamin Morgan Palmer
first moderator of Confederate Presbyterian Church
John L. Giardeau
one of the first and most well-known ‘mixed’ churches
Five Fundamentals
*Inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. *VirginBirth of Jesus. *SubstitutionaryAtonement. *Physicalresurrection of Jesus. *Reality of Miracles
Harry Emerson Fosdick
Wrote “shall the fundamentalists win?” *liberal protestant minister and faculty member at -Union Theological Seminary in New York. He became the minister of Manhattan’s First Presbyterian Church.
J. Gresham Machen
Conservative scholar who opposed liberalism. He left Princeton Theological Seminary and founded Westminster Theological Seminary. His important works include “Christianity and Liberalism”, “The Virgin Birth”, and “The Origin of Paul’s Religion”
RPCES
A denomination that joined the PCA in 1982. It was half Reformed Presbyterian and half Evangelical Presbyterian Church. It gave the PCA a broader base, a seminary and the Maritime churches
Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions
founded by Machen, was the missions board for the EPC. Played a role in the fundamentalist-modernist controversy
J. Oliver Buswell
Presbyterian Minister and Institution builder: Wheaton College and Covenant
Robert Rayburn
Builder of Covenant College
Francis Shaeffer
Presbyterian missionary to Switzerland. *Christian apologist. *multi-disciplinary critique of Western Culture from a Christian perspective. *Introduced “worldview thinking” and “right to life” issues to many
Carl McIntire
Founder of the Council of Christian Churches; minister in the Bible Presbyterian Church
Trace the history and formation of the PCA. When, where and why did the PCA begin? From what major branch of Presbyterianism did early members of the PCA come?
The PCA was formed in 1973 under the name The National Presbyterian Church because of the increasing liberalism in the PCUS (the Southern Presbyterian Church). Hope for reform was held by the the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, Concerned Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Journal and Presbyterian Churchmen United in the PCUS. Yet, the PCUS was not reformed and the First General Assembly of the PCA was held at Briarwood Church in Birmingham, AL.
Identify and explain the significance of the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, Concerned Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Journal
PEF was started in 1959 with an emphasis on evangelism and revival. Concerned Presbyterians were lay conservatives dedicated to influencing ruling elders. The Presbyterian Journal was started in 1942 to address increasing liberalism in the PCUS.
Morton H. smith
first stated clerk of the PCA
W. Jack Williamson
Secretary of the Concerned Presbyterians, Moderator of 1st G.A.
Ken Keyes
President of the Concerned Presbyerians
G. Aiken Taylor
Taylor was editor of the Presbyterian Journal
What are some distinctives of the PCA?
Scripture as the inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word of God; adherence to the WCF, WLC and WSC; emphasis on evangelism and missions; emphasis on reform and renewal in order to avoid dead orthodoxy and bare revivalism; adherence to Presbyterian polity.
T.T. Shields
Pastor of Jarvis St. Baptist, fundamentalist leader
Tommy Douglas
Ordained minister who entered politics, brought about universal health care
Jonathan Goforth
A missionary from Canada who was one of the most famous survivors of the Boxer Rebellion
Henry Alline
The “Apostle of Nova Scotia”, itinerant minister and preacher
Robert MacPherson
Presbyterian Chaplain
Francis Makemie
(1658-1708) becomes a merchant. Religious leader who establishes the first Presbytery in America in 1706: Presbytery of Philadelphia. First went to Maryland to try to recruit ministers.
John Strachan
first Anglican bishop of Toronto, helped found U of T
A. Egerton Ryerson
Methodist minister, itinerant preacher, educator, politician, president of the church in Canada
Thomas McCullough
Scottish born Presbyterian Minister, first president of Dalhousie
Jean de Brebeuf
was a Jesuit missionary, martyred in Canada on March 16, 1649. *tried to convert the native people of Lake Huron
