A. Introduction

Question 1

What is meant by “Systematic Theology?”

Answer 1

1. “Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic.”
2. Systematic theology is the organization of “specific theological principles and beliefs into a coherent whole, in which each part is shown to have direct bearing on and relevance to the others.” (NDT 671)

Question 2

What are the divisions of Systematic Theology?

Answer 2

2. Berkhof divides Systematic Theology into the following categories:
   i. Doctrine of God (Being & Works)
   ii. Doctrine of Man in Relation to God (Man in his original state, Man in the state of sin, Man in the Covenant of Grace)
   iii. Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ
   iv. Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption
   v. Doctrine of the Church and the Means of Grace
   vi. The Doctrine of Last Things

Question 3

What is the “Reformed Faith?” (Explain as to a new Christian)

Answer 3

• Historically it comes from the Reformers and the five solas
• Theologically it emphasizes 1) The bigness and sovereignty of God, 2) The Priority of Grace, 3) and Covenant Theology

Question 4

What is “Covenant Theology?” Why is it important? (Explain as to a new Christian)

Answer 4

• Theology that takes the covenants as its guide.
• Includes the theological covenants - work, redemption, and grace
• It sees the continuity of the Bible under these covenants
• It helps us understand how God has always saved by grace

Question 5

List and explain the “Five points of Calvinism.”

Answer 5

4. 05.

Question 6

What are the five points of Calvinism and where did the they come from?

Answer 6

• TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints
• The Synod of Dort (1618-19) in response to the five points of the Remonstrants

Question 7

Total Depravity

Answer 7

Radical Corruption (Gen 6:5 - thoughts were only evil; Rom 3:23 - all have sinned)
i.	Man is not as bad as he could possibly be and is not all bad but every faculty and part of him is tainted with sin down to its roots.

Question 8

Unconditional Election

Answer 8

(Deut 7:7 - God’s choosing of Israel; Rom 5:8 - While we were sinners; Eph 2:4–5 - dead in sin, but God; Titus 3:5 - He saved us not because of works, but because of mercy)
i. God’s election is not based on human merit, but on God’s grace.

Question 9

Limited Atonement

Answer 9

Definite/Particular Atonement (Matt 1:21 - He will save his people; Eph 5:25 - Christ gave himself up for the church; John 6:37 - all who the Father gives me will come to me)
i. Christ’s died only for the elect. His death was sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect.

Question 10

Irresistible Grace

Answer 10

(John 6:37 - all who the Father gives to me will come to me, 44; Rom 8:28–30 - Those he predestined …)
i. Divine grace and calling cannot be rejected by the elect.

Question 11

Perseverance of the Saints

Answer 11

(Mat 24:12–13 - the one who endures to the end will be saved; John 6:39 - I will lose no one)

i. Those who are truly converted will persevere until the end.
- Once Believing, always persevering