Licensure Study

Question 1

What is Amyraldism?

Answer 1

Amyraldism takes issue with limited atonement and replaces it with the concept of “hypothetical universalism,” which asserts that Christ died for the sins of all people, but God only elected some to whom He would impart saving faith.

By doing this, Amyraldism avoids some of the problems that limited atonement raises in the minds of some, while at the same time preserving the doctrine of unconditional election.

Question 2

Define the following incommunicable attributes: self-existence.

Answer 2

Self-existence - God is self-existent, that is, He has the ground of His existence in Himself, and exists by the necessity of His own Being.

Question 3

What do we mean by communicable attributes?

Answer 3

Those divine attributes of God which, in some limited sense, can be found in man. Although all the attributes of God are truly incommunicable, being infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in each one, man can, in some limited measure, show mercy and goodness and justice and love. communicable (of which there is some appearance or certain faint vestiges in creatures) and by simple analogy of name and effects. Such are the affirmative attributes which are attributed to God by way of eminence or causality.

Question 4

Define the following communicable attributes of God: goodness of God

Answer 4

His essential property whereby He is altogether good, and does good. Ps. 119:68.

It appears in (WPPS - Works, Providence, Patience, Love)

1. His works, Gen 1
2. His bouty and provisions to His creatures Ps 145:9
3. His patience and forebearance towards the wicked Rom 2:4
4. His special love and mercy towards His own, in choosing, redeeming, calling, pardoning, adopting, sactifying

Question 5

Define the following communicable attributes of God: holiness of God

Answer 5

The quality of God that sets him utterly apart from his world, especially in terms of his purity and sanctity.

And may be defined as that perfection of God, in virtue of which He eternally wills and maintains His own Moral excellence, Abhors sin, and Demands purity in his moral creatures. It is manifested and revealed in the moral law, implanted in man’s heart and given in God’s special revelation.

Question 6

Define the following incommunicable attributes: immutability.

Answer 6

Immutability – God cannot change in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises.

Question 7

What do we mean by the incommunicable attributes of God?

Answer 7

those attributes can properly be called incommunicable strictly and in every way, which are so proper to God that nothing similar or analogous, or any image and trace can be found in creatures.

Such are the negative attributes which remove from him whatever is imperfect in creatures (such as infinity, immensity, eternity, which are such that every creature is either without them or has their contraries).

Those divine attributes of God which cannot be found in man but belong to God alone. Examples can be found in the Shorter Catechism where it describes God as a “ spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being..”

Question 8

What is meant by the ‘incomprehensibility of God’.

Answer 8

Incomprehensibility means that God cannot be fully known. He is beyond measure or definition. Job 11:7

Question 9

Define the following incommunicable attributes: infinity

Answer 9

God is infinite, without measure, bounds, or limits in regards of his being and perfection.

Question 10

Define the following communicable attributes of God: knowledge of God.

Answer 10

Knowledge of God - The knowledge of God may be defined as that perfection of God whereby He, in an entirely unique manner, knows Himself and all things possible and actual in one eternal and most simple act. The Bible testifies to the knowledge of God abundantly, as, for instance, in 1 Sam. 2:3; Job 12:13; Ps. 94:9; 147:4; Isa. 29:15; 40:27, 28

Question 11

Explain the following communicable attributes: Omnipotence

Answer 11

Omnipotence – The attribute that refers to God’s ability to do whatever is consistent with God’s own character and being in effecting the divine plan for creation. God’s omnipotence is primarily demonstrated in God’s overturning evil for good. This is especially evident in the death of Jesus, which although it was the act of malicious people, has become God’s means of human salvation.

Question 12

Explain the following communicable attributes: Omnipresence

Answer 12

Omnipresence – The attribute that refers to God’s being present everywhere in creation at the same time.

Question 13

Explain the following communicable attributes: Omniscience

Answer 13

Omniscience – The attribute that denotes God’s knowing all things. Omniscience means that all events are present to the divine mind; that is, God has direct cognition of everything in creation.

Question 14

Explain the following communicable attributes: Righteousness.

Answer 14

Righteousness – An attribute of God’s being; God’s

• right and just character, actions and judgments.

God’s righteousness as understood in a covenantal context includes God’s

• right judgment of both God’s own people
• and those who oppress them,
• as well as God’s salvation and mercy extended to those to whom the covenanting God has promised to be faithful.

Question 15

Explain the following attributes: Simplicity.

Answer 15

Simplicity - Simplicity is one of the fundamental characteristics of God. This means not only that, as a spirit, He is not composed of different parts, but also that His essence and properties are one. The being of God is not something existing by itself, to which His attributes are added; the whole of His essence is in each one of the attributes. Neither is God capable of division or of being increased or decreased.

Question 16

Define the following communicable attributes of God: sovereignty of God.

Answer 16

He is represented as the Creator, and His will as the cause of all things in virtue of His creative work heaven and earth and all that they contain belong to Him.

He is clothed with absolute authority over the hosts of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth.

He upholds all things with His almighty power, and determines the ends which they are destined to serve.

He rules as King in the most absolute sense of the word, and all things are dependent on Him and subservient to Him.

Question 17

Define the following communicable attributes of God: spirituality of God.

Answer 17

God is an immaterial substance, without flesh or bones, or body parts

Question 18

What is the true source and method for determining the attributes of God?

Answer 18

The Scriptures and the illumination of the Spirit

Question 19

The attributes of God are of two types, what are they?

Answer 19

1. Communicable and
2. Incommunicable.

Question 20

Define the following communicable attributes of God: veracity of God.

Answer 20

Essential property, whereby He is sincere and faithful, free from all falsehood and simmulation, from which the source of all truth flows.

Question 21

Define the following communicable attributes of God: wisdom of God.

Answer 21

The essential property where by one simple and eternal act

• He knoweth both himself and all possible things perfectly, and
• according to which he
  
  • maketh,
  • directeth, and
  • ordereth all future things for His own glory.

This wisdom of God is seen (CPR) particularly in creation, Ps. 19:1–7; 104:1–34; in providence, Ps. 33:10, 11; Rom. 8:28; and in redemption, Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:10.

Question 22

What is a brachyology and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 22

Brachyology is the “breaking off” of words from a phrase for the sake of brevity but which can be easily supplied.

• “Morning” from “Good Morning” or
• Gen 25:32 when Esau asks “…what profit shall this birthright do to me?” -> meaning, to a dying man.

Question 23

what did He take on Himself?

What does the Bible teach about the birth of Christ?

Answer 23

(LC Q.37) Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, yet without sin.

Question 24

Define the essential character of Christ.

Answer 24

holy, harmless, undefiled and entirely separate from sinners

Question 25

What is meant by the state of Christ’s exaltation?

Answer 25

Exaltation – (LC Q.51) The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and His coming again to judge the world.

Question 26

What is meant by the state of Christ’s humiliation?

Answer 26

Humiliation – (LC Q 46) The estate of Christ’s humiliation was that low condition wherein he for our sakes, emptying Himself of His glory, took upon Him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after this death, until his resurrection.

Question 27

How does Christ execute the office of King?

Answer 27

(LC Q 45) Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.

Question 28

How does Christ execute the office of Priest?

Answer 28

(LC Q 44) Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of the people; and in making continual intercession for them.

Question 29

How does Christ execute the office of Prophet?

Answer 29

(LC Q 43) Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.

Question 30

What do the Scriptures teach about the second coming of Christ?

Answer 30

The Bible teaches that when Jesus returns at the end of the age, three distinct yet related events occur simultaneously.

1. The resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:1-4; Isaiah 25:6-9)–including both those who will live forever blessed in the presence of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58), and those who will enter into eternal judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:6, 8-9; Revelation 20:11-14).
2. The general and final judgment of believers and unbelievers alike (Matthew 13:36-43; 25:31-46).
3. The creation of a new heaven and earth (Romans 8:21; 2 Peter 3:10).

Question 31

What are the three offices of Christ?

Answer 31

(LC Q42) …executes the offices of prophet, priest, and king of His church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation

Question 32

What are the two natures of Christ?

Answer 32

The two natures of Christ are fully God and fully man, yet within one person.

Question 33

What are the two states of Christ?

Answer 33

The two states of Christ are humiliation and exaltation.

Question 34

What is meant by the context of the passage of Scripture?

Answer 34

“In context” refers to

• historical,
• anthropological,
• cultural,
• social,
• cognitive,
• literary, and
• textual factors that all play a role in determining what a word means.

Additionally, context must also take into account those words

• preceding and
• following such as the
  
  • clause, sentence, paragraph, periscope, chapter, book and overall Scripture to determine the proper context.

Question 35

What is the Covenant of Grace as defined by the Westminster Confession?

Answer 35

The Covenant of Grace; wherein He freely offereth upon sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe. (WC #7, Sections 2, 3)

Question 36

Why are the covenants of grace and redemption considered as really one covenant?

Answer 36

They are closely related. The covenant of redemption is the eternal foundation of the covenant of grace.

Question 37

Who is the covenant of Grace made with?

Answer 37

The covenant was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in Him with all the elect as His seed. (LC #31)

Question 38

Why do we maintain that the Covenant is unilateral in redemption and bi-lateral in its calling men to Christ?

Answer 38

The covenant is unilateral in redemption because God initiates the covenant, not only setting for the conditions but keeping those conditions as well. Hebrews 8-10, Genesis 15.

It is called bi-lateral in that men are required to respond in faith but that faith is given by grace as a gift from God.

Question 39

Who is the covenant of redemption made with?

Answer 39

The Father and the Son.

The Father required of the Son, who appeared in this covenant

• as the Surety and Head of His people, and
  
  • as the last Adam,
• that He should make amends
  
  • for the sin of Adam and
  • of those whom the Father had given Him, and
• should do what Adam failed to do by keeping the law and
• thus securing eternal life for all His spiritual progeny.

Question 40

What is the Covenant of Works as defined by the Westminster Confession?

Answer 40

Covenant of Works - …was made with man wherein life was promised to Adam and in Him to His posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.

Question 41

What is meant by the term covenant?

Answer 41

A “covenant” is an agreement enacted between two parties in which one or both make promises under oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance.

Question 42

Why is covenant theology also referred to a Federal Theology?

Answer 42

Federal theology suggests that as the first human, Adam acted as the “federal head” or legal representative of the rest of humankind. Thus God entered into a covenantal relationship with Adam that promised blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience. According to federal theology, if Adam had been obedient to God, his obedience would have meant blessing for all humans. But because Adam was disobedient, the curse extends to humankind, of which Adam is the covenantal representative. Federal theology adds that just as Adam was the federal head of humanity, so also Christ enters history as a second Adam, free from the curse, and acts as the covenantal head of righteousness for all those who believe in him.

Question 43

What is meant by the phrase covenant of redemption?

Answer 43

It is the firm and eternal foundation for the covenant of grace whereby an agreement was made between the members of the Trinity in order to bring us salvation. We find allusions to it in several biblical texts. Under this covenant, the Father plans redemption and sends the Son in order to save His people. The Son agrees to be sent and to do the work necessary to save the elect (John 10:17–18), and the Spirit agrees to apply the work of Christ to us by sealing us unto salvation (Eph. 1:13–14).

Question 44

What are the two main dispensations of the covenant and how do they differ and how are they a like?

Answer 44

1. The Old Testament and
2. the New Testament.

Question 45

What is the Bible’s teaching of creationism?

Answer 45

The work of creation is that wherein God id in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days and all very good. Gen 1, Heb 11, Prov 16:4

Question 46

What is the Day-Age theory of creation and what does it teach about the existence of the universe?

Answer 46

The Day-Age theory of creation teaches that each day of creation as described in Genesis corresponds to much longer periods of time and not approximately 24 hour days. The periods of time could range from thousands to billions of years and therefore the universe could be billions of years old.

Question 47

What is the Framework Hypothesis theory and what does it teach about the existence of the universe?

Answer 47

The Framework Hypothesis attempts to teach the creation story of Genesis is not to be taken literally but rather figuratively. It is teaching that God generally created all things but not necessarily within in time constraints or order but could have occurred during any period of time and even in overlapping periods.

Question 48

What is theistic evolution and what does it teach about the existence of the universe?

Answer 48

Theistic evolution is the attempt to accommodate or harmonize the Word of God to the theory of evolution. Some try to explain that God provided all the necessary elements for evolution; others say He directed evolution.

Question 49

What benefits do the souls of believers receive from Christ at death?

Answer 49

The souls of believers are at their death

made perfect in holiness, and

do immediately pass into glory; and

their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.

Question 50

What do the Scriptures teach about death and the state of man thereafter?

Answer 50

The wages of sin is death and, therefore, all men will die. Upon death, the souls of the righteous will enjoy the communion in glory with Christ whereas the soulds of the wicked will be cast into hell.

Question 51

What do the Scriptures teach about death and the state of the righteous thereafter?

Answer 51

The communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death, is, in that

• their souls are then made perfect in holiness, and
• received into the highest heavens,
  
  • where they behold the face of God in light and glory,
  • waiting for the full redemption of their bodies,
    
    • which even in death continue united to Christ,
    • and rest in their graves as in their beds, till at the last day they be again united to their souls.

Question 52

What do the Scriptures teach about death and the state of the wicked thereafter?

Answer 52

The souls of the wicked are at their death

• cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and
• their bodies kept in their graves,
  
  • as in their prisons,
  • till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.

Question 53

Explain the following theory: dichotomy

Answer 53

Dichotomy – often refers to the theory that humans are composed of two distinct components: body and soul

Question 54

Describe the dispensation of the New Testament.

Answer 54

The New Testament – (LC Q.35) Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.

Question 55

Describe the dispensation of the Old Testament.

Answer 55

The Old Testament – (LC Q. 34) The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.

Question 56

What is meant by divine decrees? and why is it really only one decree?

Answer 56

God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. (LC Q.10)

Question 57

Define infralapsarianism.

Answer 57

Infralapsarianism, on the other hand, insists that God’s decree to save is logically after his decrees related to creation and fall (infra meaning “below” or “after”).

The infralapsarian view tends to reflect God as tender and merciful to fallen man and just to the reprobate otherwise, the argument is that Supra reflects God as being arbitrary towards His election.

Also know as the historical principal.

Question 58

Why is it considered that there is only one divine decree?

Answer 58

It is really one decree because they all lead to the praise of His glory – to either the praise of His glorious grace through the salvation of man or to the praise of His glorious justice through the passing over and foreordaining those to dishonor. (LC Q. 13)

Question 59

What is supralapsarian and infralapsarianism?

Answer 59

The question is, whether in the plan of God the decrees of election and reprobation precede or follow the decrees to create the world and to permit the fall.

Specifically, which is logically prior: the decree of election and reprobation, or the decree to create the world and permit the fall?

Supralapsarian (Logical Order) has the decrees of election and reprobation occur before and infralapsarianism (Historical Principal) occurs after.

Question 60

Define supralapsarian.

Answer 60

Supralapsarianism—supra meaning “above” or “before” and lapsum meaning “fall”—is the position which holds that God’s decree to save is logically prior to his decree to create the world and permit the fall.

Also know as the logical order.

Question 61

How do the divine decrees relate to time and history?

Answer 61

They are eternal, unchangeable, and appointed because God knows all things that shall come to pass but not because He foresaw it as a future event.

Question 62

Do you believe that there is anything man can do to restore himself to a right redemptive relationship with God legally?

Answer 62

No, even our best works are as filthy rags before the Lord. Isaiah 64:6.

Question 63

What is the relationship of justification and sanctification and good works?

Answer 63

Justification is the declaration that we are righteous and free from the guilt of sin, because we are justified, we are therefore sanctified and set apart unto God unto good works.

• justification is a legal declaration that is instantaneous,
• sanctification is a process.

Though we are doing the works, it is God that is at work both within us to will and to do them such that He receives all glory for them.

Question 64

Explain the difference between justification and sanctification.

Answer 64

(LC Q. 77) Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ,

• in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ;
  
  • in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof;
• in the former, sin is pardoned;
  
  • in the other, it is subdued:
• the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation;
  
  • the other is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection.

Question 65

Explain the doctrine of adoption.

Answer 65

(LC Q.74) Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory.

Question 66

What is the biblical doctrine of election?

Answer 66

Election may be defined as God’s eternal purpose to save some of the human race in and by Jesus Christ.

Question 67

Explain the doctrine of glorification?

Answer 67

Glorification is not to be confused with that benefit which the believer receives at death when his soul is made perfect in holiness and passes immediately into glory (Shorter Catechism, Question 37). Death introduces the believer into what is termed the soul’s “intermediate state,” which is certainly “gain” and “better by far” than this present state (Phil. 1:21, 23). But the soul’s intermediate state is not what Paul has in mind when he speaks of the believers’ glorification.

Rather, glorification speaks of that final state into which all believers enter together at the resurrection,

• when being raised up in glory or transformed,
• they are openly acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and
• made perfectly blessed, as coheirs with Jesus Christ, in the full enjoying of God to all eternity (Shorter Catechism, Question 38).

Question 68

What is meant by the inerrancy of Scripture?

Answer 68

The teaching that the Scriptures never “err”, that it is without error or fault. The Bible is completely and totally true and reliable. John 17:17 -> “Your word is truth”

The scriptures are the absolute authority in all matters concerning this world and life, this includes

• psychology,
• cience,
• history,
• geography, etc.
• *Inerrancy** = The Scriptures do not err.
• *Infallibility** = The Scriptures cannot err. (the higher standard)

Question 69

Define the doctrine of justification?

Answer 69

(WCF 11, LC Q.70) Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone.

Question 70

Explain how that ‘justification is by faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone’.

Answer 70

We rest on Jesus Christ and His righteousness by faith and in not in response to our works. It is Christ’s work alone that we are declared to be righteous and free from guilt. The faith, through which we believe, is a gift of God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Question 71

What is the biblical doctrine of reprobation?

Answer 71

Reprobation may be defined as that decree of God whereby He has determined to pass some men by with the operation of His special grace and to punish them for their sin to the manifestation of His justice.

Question 72

What is meant by sanctification?

Answer 72

Sanctification is the setting apart from the world for God’s Holy purposes and the continuation walking before Him in holiness, putting to death the sin in our lives through obedience. Eph. 5:26, 27; 1 Thess. 5:23

Question 73

What is an ellipsis and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 73

An ellipsis is the omission of words from speech or writing, typically indicated by a series of dots (…).

Literally, the “leaving in” of a gap in a sentence leaving out words necessary for the grammar but not necessary for the sense of the sentence.

For instance, in Matt. 14:19, we read that the Lord Jesus “gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”

Question 74

What is an Ellipsis of Repetition?

Answer 74

The Ellipsis of Repetition, where the omitted word or words are to be supplied by repeating them from a clause which precedes or follows.

• Example: Romans 13:7
  
  • “Taxes to whom taxes” is not a complete phrase – there is no verb!
  • But it is found in the preceding “render to all their due”
  • Thus it is saying “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.”

Question 75

What is an Absolute ellipsis?

Answer 75

Absolute, where the omitted word or words are to be supplied from the nature of the subject alone and not from the context of the passage.

• 1 Cor 15:53 speaking about the corruptible/ incorruptible body
  
  • “For this corruptible body must put on incorruption and this mortal body must put on immortality.”
• Fire when ready” -> “Fire when you are ready”

Question 76

What is a Relative ellipsis?

Answer 76

Relative, where the omitted word or words are to be supplied from, and are suggested by the context.

• Gal 4:24-26:

Question 77

What is an epizeuxis and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 77

An epizeuxis is the duplication or repetition of a word in a sentence.

• Gen 6:17 -> “And, behold, I, even, I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth”
• Isaiah 40:1 -> “Comfort, comfort my people…”
• John 1:51 -> “Verily, verily I say unto you…”

Question 78

What are the teachings of the following millennial views? A-mill

Answer 78

A-Mill – the theological doctrine that the millennium is metaphorical and refers to what happens to the church between Christ’s first and second coming.

Question 79

What are the teachings of the following millennial views? Dispensational Premill.

Answer 79

Dispensational Premill - the idea that Jesus actually returns twice, which makes a total of three times that Jesus comes to earth. For the dispensational premil, the millennium is a time in which God fulfills promises he made specifically to the Jews. In the dispensational view, there are two distinct people of God, the Jews and the church of Christ (which contains both Jews and Gentiles).

Question 80

What are the teachings of the following millennial views? Post-mill

Answer 80

Post-mill – the theological doctrine that the second coming of Christ will occur after the millennium

Question 81

What are the teachings of the following millennial views? Pre-mill

Answer 81

Pre-mill – the theological doctrine that the second coming of Christ will occur before the millennium

Question 82

Explain the following millennial views: pretribulation.

Answer 82

The beleif that believers wil not suffer the tribulation but wiull be raptured in advance.

Question 83

What is the essential issue between God and man as a result of original sin and how has it affected the human race?

Answer 83

(LC Q#27) The fall brought upon mankind

the loss of communion with God,

His displeasure and curse;

so as we are by nature

children of wrath,

bond slaves to Satan, and

justly liable to all punishments in this words, and that which is to come.

In other words, we are separated and guilty of transgression against a most Holy God.

Question 84

What is meant by the etymological study of the words in Scriptures?

Answer 84

The study of words taking into account their origins and development of their meaning.

Question 85

What is evolution and what does it teach about the existence of the universe?

Answer 85

The theory that different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed an diversified over a prolonged period of time from a single common ancestor.

Question 86

Why do we reject the Day-Age theory of creation?

Answer 86

It minimizes the authority of scripture by trying to harmonize it with scientific theories. The book of Genesis describes creation between fixed periods of time blocked by “morning” and “evening” and then institutes the Sabbath day for observance - the 7th day of the week on which God rested after creating during the first 6th days. This concept of a 7 day week is carried into Exodus and further in the Bible.

Question 87

Why do we reject the teaching of evolution?

Answer 87

We reject it because it is

• contrary to the Word of God wherein
  
  • He is the author and creator of all things.
• It also strips man of the special dignity and blessing that comes with being made in the image of God.
• It tries to rob God of the glory that His creatures are due to give Him.

Question 88

Why do we reject the teaching of theistic evolution?

Answer 88

It contradicts the teaching of Scripture as well as introduces an issue with the existence of death. For Adam to have evolved, there would have required the existence of death before sin entered the world. But Scripture says that by the sin of one man, death entered. Romans 5:12. Further, it calls into question the veracity of Scripture and which sections should be trusted and which should not.

Question 89

What is an anthropomorphism?

Answer 89

The attribution of human characteristics to God.

• For example, God walks “in the cool of the day” (Gen. 3:8).

“morph” -> takes the form of a body part

Question 90

What is an anthropopathism?

Answer 90

Those numerous occasions when God manifests human emotions such as pity or anger (e.g., Hos. 1:6–7; 8:5).

“papth” -> empathy

Question 91

What is a euphemism and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 91

A figure of speech often used to avoid what may be indelicate or unseemly and so it sounds refined or smooth.

• Genesis 4:1 -> Adam “knew” Eve leading to the birth of Cain
• “Slept with his fathers” -> death

Question 92

What is an idiom?

Answer 92

An idiom is a figure of speech unique to a culture, language, or person.

Ex 3.8 Flowing with milk and honey -> fertile

Question 93

What is a hyperbole and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 93

A hyperbole is an exaggeration to either enlarge or diminish the subject to heighten the sense and meaning of the word or passage.

• Gen 42:28 -> “Their heart failed them”
• Matt 23:24 -> “You strain the gnat to swallow a camel”
• Matt 5:29 -> “if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out”

Question 94

What is a metaphor?

Answer 94

A metaphor describes how a thing

• is,
• acts like, or
• represents something else that is unlike the first.

It can be identified through the use of “is”, “as”, “are”, “was”, “were”, “have been”. For example,

• “The Lord is my Rock” Psalm 18.

Question 95

What is a metonymy?

Answer 95

A metonymy substitutes one word for another; a change in the noun to communicate a concept.

The kettle is boiling.

“To thee and all thy seed” -> descendents

Question 96

What is a simile and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 96

A simile is the comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”

• 1 Peter 1:24 “All men are like grass.”

Question 97

What is a synecdoche?

Answer 97

Similar to metonomy. It is a figure of speech by which the whole of a thing is put for a part, or a part for the whole.

• Luke 2:1: Ceaser ordered a census of the whole world. Only the Roman Empire was meant, not every corner of the world.
• Proverbs 1:16: Their feet rush into sin. The feet represent the entire man.

Question 98

There are three types of tropes used in Scripture, what are they?

Answer 98

A trope is a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression. The types of tropes in Scripture are similes, metaphors, and substitutions (e.g. metonymy, Schenectady, anthropopathism, and anthropomorphisms).

–> Tropes are like a giant walking through the forest, slowly with many steps as a lumberign oaf.

Question 99

Explain the fourfold state of man: condemnation

Answer 99

Condemnation – also known as the “state of nature” after the fall wherein corruption had entered man. Man in no longer able to resist sin but still retains the ability to sin. In this state, man is in a state of sin and misery, wholly defiled in all their parts. (LC Q. 23 & WC #6 Sections. 2, 4)

Question 100

Explain the following fourfold states of man: glorification.

Answer 100

Glorification – Man is both able to resist sin but is also no longer able to sin. This state is entered after the death of man when all vestiges of sin and corruption will be removed and we will see Jesus in His glory and we will appear with Him (Col 3:3)

Question 101

Explain the following fourfold states of man: innocence

Answer 101

Innocence - we mean the first condition of man created after the image of God in internal goodness and external happiness. As it abounded in all goods (of the body as well as of the soul) necessary for obtaining true happiness in that state, so it experienced the most holy and agreeable government of God. Hence it consists principally of two parts: the happy condition of man and the federal government of God around him. His happiness arose from the image of God in which he was created. It consisted especially in original righteousness and the immortality and dominion consequent upon it (of which we have spoken before in the Topic on Creation) (Elentic Thelogy – V1, p. 569). Adam was both able to sin and to resist sin.

Question 102

Explain the following fourfold states of man: redemption.

Answer 102

Redemption – Man is again both able to sin and to resist sin through regeneration of the Spirit and thus given a new nature. All men that are in a state of grace have been born again. 2 Cor 5:17

Question 103

How are we made partakers of the benefits Christ purchased for us?

Answer 103

(LC Q.58) We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.

Question 104

How is redemption applied?

Answer 104

(LC Q.59) Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.

Question 105

How many meanings can a word have in conjunction with other terms in a single passage of Scripture?

Answer 105

One. Alone, a word can multiple meanings but when examined within context, there be only one meaning.

To be otherwise would

• lead to the confusion of man and
• therefore tend to violate
  
  • the veracity and
  • unequivocalness of Scripture.
• This, also, would lead to allegorizing Scripture.

Question 106

What are some of the objections to the doctrine of inerrancy?

Answer 106

1. It was written by men and therefore cannot possibly be considered the Words of God since God did not fully control them.
2. Modern Bibles have errors and contradictions;
3. Modern science has disproved the Bible;
4. Different manuscripts make inspiration useless;
5. The NT quotes the OT without care or precision;
6. The Bible has inexact and non-scientific language; and
7. Some passages indicate the author is not inspired.

Question 107

What is meant by plenary inspiration?

Answer 107

Plenary inspiration teaches that God’s superintending work of inspiration applies to each and every part of the Scripture; each and word is considered as inspired.

Question 108

What is meant by verbal inspiration?

Answer 108

Verbal inspiration teaches that the Bible contains the actual words of God. They are not just His ideas or thoughts but the actual words breathed out by God Himself.

Question 109

What is meant by verbal and plenary inspiration?

Answer 109

The words of the Bible (verbal) and every word (plenary) are inspired (very breath, spoken) by God.

Question 110

What is meant by the phrase ‘Scripture interprets Scripture’?

Answer 110

WCF 1:9. Overall, Scripture is the means to be used to understand Scripture, since being the very Word of God, it cannot and does not contradict itself and is always in agreement and fully sufficient for our needs.

Therefore, the only adequate expounder of God’s Word is and must only be God Himself.

*** In short, those passages that are clear and about which there can be no confusion carry the most weight and are called “positive analogies”.

“General Analogies’ are those teachings that deal not with an explicit passage but are founded in comparison with positive analogies and Scripture as a whole.

Overall, Scipture is the means to be used to understand Scripture, since being the very Word of God, it cannot and does not contradict itself and is always in agreement.

Question 111

What is allegorical interpretation?

Answer 111

The method of interpretation where the literal, historical, or more obvious meaning is cast aside in order to discover a deeper or hidden meaning.

This can often result in a hidden meaning where there may not be one or even turning the meaning of Scripture into something that was never intended.

Question 112

What event gave rise to the allegorical method of interpretation?

Answer 112

The allegorical method can be attributed to the Greeks in an attempt to harmonize the OT Scriptures to Greek philosophy to remove embarrassing anthropomorphism or other difficult texts.

There were conflicts between traditions of interpretation:

• one was a literal approach (Home, Hysod) and
• the other was rooted in philosophical and historical using logic, science, ethics, etc.

The attempt to reconcile the two approaches resulted in interpreting the bible by using an allegorical approach.

Question 113

Why is the method of allegorical interpretation faulty?

Answer 113

It is faulty because it allows the reader/ interpreter to make the texts say whatever they want them to say. It encourages the interpreter to misread and apply meanings to the text that may never have been intended by the writer. It can lead to the corruption of God’s word and that we can never know the Word of God or His thoughts since everything can now possess a double or hidden meaning. It fails to see the historical text as literal.

Question 114

What is meant by the phrase the ‘analogy of faith’?

Answer 114

The “analogy of faith” is a principle in hermeneutics which states that, since all scriptures exist in harmony, united with no essential contradictions, then every proposed interpretation of any passage must be compared with what the other parts of the bible teach. The Bible holds in itself the answers and meaning. the Analogy of Faith as being more doctrinal in nature, that is there is a “systematic” overarching doctrine on some topic and then it gets applied to a particular text and that text is to be interpreted in the light of the teaching of the rest of scripture.

Question 115

What are the basic principles of theological interpretation of the Bible?

Answer 115

1. It is the inerrant, infallible, and inspired word of God
2. It is its own best interpreter (the analogy of faith and analogy of Scripture)
   
   1. Analogy of Faith -> more doctrinal in nature, that is there is a “systematic” overarching doctrine on some topic and then it gets applied to a particular text and that text is to be interpreted in the light of the teaching of the rest of scripture.
   2. Analogy of Scripture -> “Scripture interprets Scripture” I think more textually. That is, if you want the answer to, (let’s just say) who the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is, then you take them to the NT passages in the gospels.
3. It must be understood within its grammatic-historical context
4. It must be understood in its literary form
5. Difficult passages must be understood in the light of more explicit ones

Question 116

What do we mean by grammatico-historical interpretation and explain its function?

Answer 116

The grammatical method of interpretation seeks to identify and understand the natural meaning of the text by examining the various parts of grammar and their interactions while keeping in mind the historical context (meaning, time, culture, environment, politics) of the writing. The intent is to seek to understand the single meaning of Scripture in the immediate context. Grammatical must be understood in terms of its historical context.

Question 117

What do we mean when we speak of the historical interpretation of the Bible?

Answer 117

It is the study of Scripture within historical circumstances and events. To understand the meaning and intent, you must understand the history in which it was written.

Question 118

What is meant by the historico-grammatical method of interpretation?

Answer 118

The grammatical method of interpretation seeks to understand the text by examining the various parts of grammar and their interactions while keeping in mind the historical context (meaning, time, culture, environment, politics) of the writing. The intent is to seek to understand the single meaning of Scripture in the immediate context. Grammatical must be understood in terms of its historical context.

Question 119

In what way is logic important in systematics and in interpretation of Scripture?

Answer 119

Logic controls and informs how a person properly thinks and reasons.

To understand Scripture, one must learn and use logic such that the propositions that are taught in Scripture are rightly understood as God wants them understood.

The laws of logic inform us as to how God thinks since He makes no unwarranted conclusions nor mistakes.

Question 120

What are the basic principles for the interpretation of prophecy?

Answer 120

1. Identify the passage as prophecy (“It shall come to pass..”
2. Give careful attention to the language, context, historical background.
3. Determine the literal meaning of the passage (don’t get down into the weeds).
4. Determine whether it is predictive or didactic. Predictive: Zechariah 1:7. Didactic: Zechariah 1:6

Question 121

What is meant by the phrase ‘regula fidei’?

Answer 121

Development of the concept is attributed to Tertullian.

It translates as the “rule of faith” and means that “Scripture interprets Scripture.”

In short, those passages that are clear and about which there can be no confusion carry the most weight and are called “positive analogies”.

“General Analogies’ are those teachings that deal not with an explicit passage but are founded in comparison with positive analogies and Scripture as a whole.

Overall, Scripture is the means to be used to understand Scripture, since being the very Word of God and therefore infallible and inerrant, it cannot and does not contradict itself and is always in agreement.

Question 122

Why do we reject the allegorization type of interpretative method?

Answer 122

We reject it because it allows the reader/ interpreter to make the texts say whatever they want them to say.

It encourages the interpreter to

• misread and
• apply meanings to the text that may never have been intended by the writer.
• It can lead to the corruption of God’s word and that we can never know the Word of God or His thoughts since everything can now possess a double or hidden meaning.

It fails to see the historical text as literal.

Question 123

Why has this method of allegorization been used by Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 123

It allowed the church to retain control over the interpretation of Scripture by stating only the church could properly interpret Scripture. It also allowed them to interpret Scripture such that it did not conflict with church teaching, theology, practice, or tradition.

Question 124

What is meant by Scripturea Scripturae interpres?

Answer 124

Scripture interprets scripture.

This highlights the fact that the less clear portions of Scripture are explained (in the ultimate sense) by the clearer portions.

When I hear “Scripture interprets Scripture” I think more textually. That is, if you want the answer to, (let’s just say) who the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is, then you take them to the NT passages in the gospels. Perhaps I’m off base though.

Question 125

What is meant by the sufficiency of Scripture?

Answer 125

Sufficiency of Scripture teaches that our supreme authority in all spiritual matters is Scripture. Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16

Question 126

What are the rules for interpreting types in Scripture?

Answer 126

• A type must have an anti-type.
  
  • We look for the anti-type to identify the type.
  • The type is a shadow of the anti-type which is the fulfillment.
• Consequently, there must resemblances and associations between the two.
• One must first understand the original meaning of the type when it was instituted and then next to understand how it was used as a stepping stone to its greater fulfillment – being careful that the full meanings be guided by the revealed will of God in the Scriptures.

Question 127

Why do we call the Bible propositional truth?

Answer 127

The Bible provides propositions stating what “is” and since the Bible is inerrant and infallible, all statements are therefore true.

Question 128

What are the basic principles for the interpretation of the psalms?

Answer 128

1. Treat each Psalm as a whole yet identifying the pericope.
2. Understand the historical context for the writing of the Psalm, e.g. the introductory line of the Psalm.
3. Understand how the Psalm might be used in worship of God.
4. Understand their Christological nature

Question 129

What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?

Answer 129

At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there

• openly acknowledged and acquitted,
• shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and
• shall be received into heaven, where they shall
  
  • be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery;
  • filled with inconceivable joys,
  • made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul,

..in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity.

And this is the perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

Question 130

What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?

Answer 130

At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ’s left hand, and,

• upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences, shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them; and
• thereupon shall be cast out from the favorable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels,
• into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever.

Question 131

What is the theological teaching of liberation theology?

Answer 131

liberation theology is a movement that attempts to interpret Scripture through the plight of the poor. True followers of Jesus, according to liberation theology, must work toward a just society, bring about social and political change, and align themselves with the working class. Jesus, who was poor Himself, focused on the poor and downtrodden, and any legitimate church will give preference to those who have historically been marginalized or deprived of their rights. All church doctrine should grow out of the perspective of the poor. Defending the rights of the poor is seen as the central aspect of the gospel.

Question 132

What is the view held by liberation theology concerning the authority of Scripture?

Answer 132

The authority of Scripture is interpreted through the lens of a particular ethnic, economic, political, or social condition and therefore Scripture is subservient.

Question 133

What is meant by the phrase ‘lucid brevity’?

Answer 133

John Calvin said that the best thing an interpreter can do is to make the meaning of the text clear and to do it with as few words as possible.

Question 134

What do the following names for God mean: Adonai?

Answer 134

Adonai - “Lord” (Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15) – used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men.

In the Old Testament, YHWH is more often used in God’s dealings with His people, while Adonai is used more when He deals with the Gentiles.

Question 135

What do the following names for God mean: El-Shaddai?

Answer 135

El Shaddai - “God Almighty,”

El -> God

Shaddai -> Mighty

“The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 132:2,5) – speaks to God’s ultimate power over all

Question 136

What do the following names for God mean: Elohim?

Answer 136

Elohim - God “Creator, Mighty and Strong”

El -> God

ohim -> Mighty & Strong

(Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity

Question 137

What do the following names for God mean: Kurios?

Answer 137

Kurios – it is used for Christ and God, equivalent to “Adoni” meaning Lord

Question 138

What do the following names for God mean: Pater?

Answer 138

Pater - Father

Question 139

What do the following names for God mean: Theos?

Answer 139

Theos – God

Question 140

What do the following names for God mean: Yahweh?

Answer 140

Yahweh – It is especially in the name Yahweh, It has always been regarded as the most sacred and the most distinctive name of God

Question 141

Explain the following theories of the origin of the soul: Creationism

Answer 141

Creationism - It regards the soul of each human being as immediately created by God and joined to the body either at conception, at birth, or at some time between these two. The advocates of the theory urge in its favor certain texts of Scripture, referring to God as the Creator of the human spirit, together with the fact that there is a marked individuality in the child, which cannot be explained as a mere reproduction of the qualities existing in the parents.

Question 142

Explain the following theories of the origin of the soul: Pre-existentianism.

Answer 142

Pre-existentianism - is the name given to those who hold the hypothesis of the preexistence of souls, or the doctrine that, at the beginning of creation, not that of this world simply, but of all worlds, God created the souls of all men, which, however, are not united to the body till the individuals for whom they are destined are begotten or born into the world.

Question 143

Explain the following theories of the origin of the soul: Traducianism.

Answer 143

Traducianism is the belief that the souls of children, as well as their bodies, are propagated from their parents

Question 144

What holiness had man, when he was created, in his affections?

Answer 144

Man’s affections at first were

• holy and pure,
  
  • free from all sin and defilement,
  • free from all disorder an distemper;

they were placed upon the most holy, high, and noble objects.

Question 145

What knowledge had man, when he was created, in his understanding?

Answer 145

Man had, in his first creation,

• the knowledge of God, and
• His law, and
• His creatures, and
• all things which were necessary to make him happy.

Question 146

What righteousness had man, when he was created, in his will?

Answer 146

Man had at first in his will a disposition, accompanied with an executive power,

• to every thing which was right, and
• to give that which was both due to God and also
• to man, had there been any man besides himself.

Question 147

What is the biblical teaching on original sin and its effects on the human race?

Answer 147

That Adam and Eve, being the root of all mankind, the guilt of their sin was imputed, and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.

From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly

• indisposed,
• disabled, and
• made opposite to all good, and
• wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions. (WC #6 Sections 3, 4)

Question 148

What is a parallelism?

Answer 148

The repetition of

• similar,
• synonymous, or
• opposite thoughts or
• successive lines of Scripture displaying a deliberate
  
  • comparison,
  • contrast, or
  • correlation.
• Psalm 103:10
  
  • Not according to our sins did he deal with us;
  • And not according to our transgressions did he requite us.

Question 149

What is a antithetic parallelism?

Answer 149

Passages in which there is a contrast or opposition of thought presented in the different sentences. Especially, in the books of Proverbs.

• Simple - when the contrast is presented in a single distich of simple sentences
  
  • Righteousness will exalt a nation,
    But the disgrace of the peoples is sin. Prov. 14:84
• Compound - when there are two or more sentences in each member of the antithesis
  
  • The ox has known his owner,
    And the ass the crib of his lord;
    Israel has not known -
    My people have not shown themselves discerning. Isa 1:3

Question 150

What is a Synonymous Parallelism?

Answer 150

Passages in which different lines or members present the same thought in a slightly different manner of expression.

• Identical - different members are composed of the same or nearly the same words
  
  • Thou wert snared in the sayings of thy mouth;
    Thous wert taken up in the sayings of thy mouth. Prov 6:9
• Similar - the sentiment is substantially the same, but language and figures are different
  
  • For he on seas has found it,
    And on floods will he establish it. Psalm 24:9
• Inverted - when there is an inversion or transposition of words or sentences so as to change the order of the thought
  
  • The heavens are telling the story of God,
    And the work of his hands declares the expanse. Psalm 24:2

Question 151

What is a Synthetic Parallelism?

Answer 151

The use of parallelism using similar forms of construction but not necessarily in content, related thoughts are brought together to emphasize similarities, contrasts, or other correlations; to advance a thought. Basically, when the structure of the poetry is not synonymous or antithetical, then it could be considered synthetic.

• Correspondent - when there is a designed and formal correspondency between related sentences; e.g. when the first line corresponds with the third and the second with the fourth.
  
  • Jehovah, my light and my salvation,
    Of whom shall i be afraid?
    Jehovah, fortress of my life,
    Of whome shall I stand in terror?
• Cumulative - when there is a climax of sentiment running through the successive parallels, or when there is aconstant variation of words and thought by means of the simple accumulation of images or ideas
  
  • Happy the man who has not walked in the counsel of wicked ones,
    And in the way of sinners has not stood.
    And in the seat of scorners has not sat down;
    But in the law of Jehovah in his delight;
    And in his lay will he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

Question 152

What is the perspicuity of Scripture?

Answer 152

Perspicuity of Scripture means that

• all that is necessary to salvation and leaving men without excuse for disobedience
  
  • is clear and easy to understand to those who
  • make a due use of Scripture and
  • receive illumination by the Spirit of God.

This is contrary to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church which teaches the Bible can only be properly interpreted and understood through the infallible interpretation of the Church.

Question 153

What do you believe concerning the preservation of Scripture?

Answer 153

The doctrine of preservation is the teaching that God’s Word has been preserved and its original meaning has been kept intact.

• God gives His word that He will preserve it ->
  
  • Isaiah 59:21
  • Psalm 12
  • Isaiah 40:8

We see that the vast majority of these

• differences are insignificant,
• consisting of such things as
  
  • easily recognized spelling errors,
  • words appearing in different order (word order is not as significant in Greek as it is in English), and so on

Question 154

Explain why we reject the trichotomy theory?

Answer 154

body -> bad; soul -> good; spirit -> mystical

Question 155

What is meant by repentance?

Answer 155

(WCF 14) It designates

• sorrow for sin, grief for having committed it, and
• a turning away from it,
• accompanied with sincere endeavors,
  
  • in reliance on the grace and aid of God’s Holy Spirit,
  • to live in humble and holy obedience to the divine commands and will

(Matt. 3:2, 8; Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:8–10; 2 Tim. 2:25). Look at 1 Thessalonians, the turning from one thing to another.

Question 156

What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

Answer 156

At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory,

shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and

made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God, to all eternity.

Question 157

What is the value and significance of general revelation as it relates to special revelation?

Answer 157

General Revelation is truth that applies to everyone.

Special Revelation is truth that applies to a small, select group of people.

General revelation leaves us without excuse and subject to just punishment.

Question 158

What is meant by the phrase General Revelation?

Answer 158

General revelation is that which is described as the “light of nature” and “the works of creation and providence” that reveals the goodness, wisdom, and power of God and the Godhead but it is not sufficient unto salvation. (Romans 1)

1. The “light of nature” refers to that which is inside of us, being made in the image of God.
2. The “works of creation and providence” refers to that which is outside of us , the world around us.

Both of these tell us about the existence of a Creator, that we ought to obey and honor Him, and that we are, therefore, without excuse for not recognizing Him and obeying/ praising Him.

Question 159

What is meant by the phrase Special Revelation?

Answer 159

Special revelation is that which is described as God’s self-revelation – His spoken Word.

It not only reveals

• His will to creation but also
• teaches us the way to life (salvation) and the way to live life.

The Bible is all special revelation but all special revelation is not contained in the Bible.

Question 160

What are the negative activities in sanctification?

Answer 160

The negative aspect has to do with separation from all those activities that defile and pollute us.

For example, 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith of the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” “…the mortification of several lusts”

Question 161

What are the positive activities in sanctification?

Answer 161

The positive aspect of holiness involves the living out of the life of faith in the world without being part of it.

It is not so much of feeling or an experience as a way of life that seeks to mirror in outlook and conduct the life of our Saviour.

The positive side of sanctification involves what amounts the “…strengthening in all saving graces to the practice of true holiness”

Question 162

Why is systematic theology important to the church?

Answer 162

Systematic theology ensures all doctrines of the Bible are treated in wholistic, exhaustive way such that it looks at the Bible topically.

For example, what the Bible says about the nature and character of God.

Question 163

What has been the effect of the Reformation upon the post-Reformation church?

Answer 163

Cast off the ultimate authority of the Roman Catholic Church and placed copies of the Bibles in the hands of everyman.

• It replaced the Vulgate as the primary source of Scripture back to the Greek/ Hebrew source texts.
• It impacted the hermeneutic of interpreting Scripture.
  
  • The pre-Reformation church oftentimes used an approach known as the “quadriga” to find a four-fold meaning:
    
    1. original,
    2. allergorical,
    3. moral, and
    4. heavenly meaning.

The Reformers stressed the grammtico-historical approach, instead focusing upon the literal (according to its genre) and overall unity of the Scriptures.

Question 164

What do the Scriptures teach generally about the resurrection?

Answer 164

(LC Q.87) We are to believe that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead,

both of the just and unjust: when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed;

and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever,

shall be raised up by the power of Christ.

The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be

raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and

made like to his glorious body; and

the bodies of the wicked shall be

raised up in dishonor by him, as an offended judge.

Question 165

What do the Scriptures teach happens immediately after the resurrection?

Answer 165

(LC Q. 88) Immediately after the resurrection shall follow

• the general and final judgment of angels and men;
• the day and hour whereof no man knoweth,
• that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord.

Question 166

Explain the existence of God as taught by the following: Classical method of apologetics?

Answer 166

Classical – also know as “Teleological” or “Rational” argues for the existence of God based on the seemingly purposeful order of the universe and that there must be a “Master Architect”. It is often heard in the argument for the existence of God based on the observation that all species were apparently designed.

Question 167

What are the Cosmological theistic proofs of God’s existence?

Answer 167

Cosmological - A family of arguments for the existence of God that postulate God’s existence as the ultimate cause or ground or explanation of the cosmos.

Question 168

Explain the existence of God as taught by the following: Empirical method of apologetics?

Answer 168

Empirical – belief that God’s existence can be proven through internal experience (thoughts, emotions) or external experience (sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste).

Question 169

What are the Moral theistic proofs of God’s existence?

Answer 169

Moral - The argument first used by Immanuel Kant, which claims that morality (humans’ seeking the “highest good”) presupposes the existence of God, who is both the lawgiver and the judge who will reward humankind’s moral striving. More recently, C. S. Lewis offered a revision of the moral argument.

Question 170

What are the theistic proofs of God’s existence?

Answer 170

Arguments for the existence of God, as God is understood by theists. (See theism.) Such arguments may be intended as proofs or merely as arguments that confirm or increase the probability or plausibility of belief that God exists. Some of the most important theistic arguments include the ontological argument, the cosmological argument, the teleological argument and the moral argument.

Question 171

What are the Ontological theistic proofs of God’s existence?

Answer 171

Ontological - A classical argument for God’s existence holding that the concept of God entails the real existence of God. It was first elaborated by St *Anselm, who urged that God must exist since ‘God’ means ‘that than which nothing greater can be conceived’ (id quo nihil majus cogitari posit) and since nothing lacking extra-mental existence could be that than which nothing greater can be conceived.

Question 172

Explain the existence of God as taught by the following: Presuppositional method of apologetics?

Answer 172

We don’t. We start with the presupposition that He does exist and then point to creation and the knowledge written in our hearts/ mind testifying to His existence.

The existence of God does not need to be proven but the starting point in that He does exist and that human experience makes sense on when viewed in the light of God’s existence

Question 173

What are the Teleological theistic proofs of God’s existence?

Answer 173

Teleological - An argument for the existence of God that takes as its starting point the purposive (teleological) character of the universe. The argument is often termed “the argument from design” and comes in many different versions.

Question 174

Which method(s) explaining the existence of God do you accept or reject and why? (Emerical, Presuppostional, Classical)

Answer 174

Presupppositional

Question 175

What is meant by total depravity?

Answer 175

By this is meant that every part of man (his mind, his will, his emotions, his affections, his conscience, his body) is rendered corrupt and are utterly incapable of saving themselves. Romans 1.

Question 176

How does total depravity differ from partial depravity and absolute depravity?

Answer 176

Partial depravity – assumes that not every part of man is depraved but there exists some part of man that is still good and untouched by sin (self-esteem hermeneutic). Thus man is not entirely opposed to God nor is he fully at enmity with Him.

Absolute depravity – assumes that man is as bad and depraved as he can be. Although, there seems to be confusion as some liken this to the same doctrine of total depravity.

Question 177

Explain the following theory: trichotomy

Answer 177

Trichotomy - often refers to the theory that humans are composed of three distinct components: body, spirit, and soul

Question 178

What is meant by ontological Trinity?

Answer 178

The ontological aspect refers to the eternal character of the Holy Trinity, antecedent to all creational and redemptive history, and in their ontology or Being, there is absolute and eternal equality

Question 179

What does the term Trinity mean and defend it from Scripture as to its ontological nature?

Answer 179

The term is used to communicate that God exists three persons that are one true, eternal God; the same in substance, equal in power and glory, although distinguished by the person properties of each. (LC Q.9): The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Also look at LC Q.11

Question 180

What is meant by economical Trinity?

Answer 180

The economy of salvation refers to the manifestation of the three persons of the Trinity and their relationship to the world, particularly in the outworking of salvation (also known as the economical trinity).

The economical aspect has reference to the

• creational,
• providential and
• historico-redemptive work of the Trinity,

in which there is a certain historical order and temporary subordination among the Persons in terms of their work in bringing salvation.

In this respect, the Father is first, the Son second, and the Holy Spirit third.

Yet in the ultimate sense, this historical order does not mean that there is any antecedent inequality among the Persons of the Triune Being.

Question 181

Defend the term Trinity from NT Scripture as to its ontological nature?

Answer 181

New Testament: Baptism of Jesus Luke 3:21,22; Great Commission Matt 28:19, 1 John 5:7

Question 182

Defend the term Trinity from OT Scripture as to its ontological nature?

Answer 182

Old Testament: Genesis 1:26, 11:7; Spirit is spoken of as a distinct person Isa 48:16; Angel of the Lord is a divine person Genesis 16:7-13

Question 183

Explain the roles of the person of the Father in the Godhead.

Answer 183

The Father is the first person of the Trinity, appoints people unto election, and eternally generates the Son and send the Spirit but it neither generated nor sent.

Question 184

Explain the roles of the person of the Son in the Godhead.

Answer 184

The Son is the second person of the Trinity, redeems and mediates for those whom the Father elects, and is eternally generated by the Father and sends the Spirit.

Question 185

Explain the roles of the person of the Spirit in the Godhead.

Answer 185

The Spirit is the third member of the Trinity, regenerates, instructs, leads, and illuminates those whom the Father has elected and the Son redeemed. The Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.

Question 186

What is meant by ‘unity and diversity’ in the Bible?

Answer 186

By unity, we mean that is has a consistent theme bound together in the Unity of Christ, coming from a single mind (God).

Diversity, we refer to the differences in

• content (OT -> points toward coming of Christ, NT -> describes the fulfillment),
• different forms (prophecy, apostolical, poetry, didactic, historical),
• difference in language (Hebrew, Greek),
• style (according to the styles of each different author used by the Spirit).

We say the unity is an organic unity growing out of a progressive revelation and not a mere mechanical unity.

Question 187

Explain from the Bible its own teaching on divine inspiration.

Answer 187

The Bible claims divine inspiration in 2 Peter 1:19-21 stating men spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and in 2 Timothy 3:16 stating that all Scripture is described as coming out of the mouth of God. Even Jeremiah in 1:4 claimed God put His words directly into his mouth. New Testament is placed on the same level of inspiration of the Old Testament in 2 Peter 3:15-16 (..as they do the other Scriptures-> classifies Paul’s writing as Scripture) and 1 Timothy 5:18 (references a worker being worthy of His wages from Luke 10).

Question 188

Describe the following objection to verbal inspiration: The NT quotes the OT without care or precision.

Answer 188

NT writers do quote the OT with varying degrees of precision, from precise quotes to paraphrases.

There is no error involved in this type of quotation, as long as there is no claim to verbatim quotation.

Careful study of the OT contexts shows that the NT quotes the OT with great care and profundity, being sensitive to the OT context.

Question 189

Describe the following objection to verbal inspiration: Different manuscripts make inspiration useless.

Answer 189

Scientific textual criticism is good at showing the probable original text; and variations are very minor, with no doctrines depending on the outcome. An abundance of textual material is available for text-critical research.

Question 190

Describe the following objection to verbal inspiration: Modern Bibles have errors and contradictions.

Answer 190

Many of these can be shown to arise from faulty copying or translating. Inspiration applies to the autographs, the original writings.

Errors of copying or translating do not negate this doctrine.

To prove an error or contradiction, it must

first be proved that the reading is in the original text.

Supposed contradictions usually can be shown to be based on faulty or superficial exegesis.

Question 191

Describe the following objection to verbal inspiration: Some passages indicate the author is not inspired.

Answer 191

These passages are misinterpreted. Rom 3:5-6, “What shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not!”

Question 192

Describe the following objection to verbal inspiration: Modern science has disproved the Bible.

Answer 192

This cannot be proved in any particular instance.

1. While modern scientific theories may contradict the Bible, no proven fact has.
2. The Bible must be interpreted properly; when it is, there is no contradiction between the Bible and correct science.

Question 193

Support the doctrine of verbal inspiration from the New Testament.

Answer 193

1. Paul says: “Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacher, but which the Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:13).
2. In Hebrews, there are many quotations from the Old Testament: 1:5; 2:12, 13; 3:7; 4:4, 5, 7; 8:10; 10:15–17 which are cited, not as words of some individual writer, but as words of God.

Question 194

What are some objections to the doctrine of verbal inspiration?

Answer 194

The Scriptures teach a general idea. The writers of Scripture captured the thought but not the actual inspired Words.The Scriptures main purpose is to teach about Christ, everything else is incidental.The actual words are not important. The Bible is rather a book of religious experiences showing the path towards God and the experience of Him.

—> Without verbal inspiration, the bible is left as a generally icy book with no feeling or experience of warmth.

• generally -> general idea of thought
• experience -> book of religious experiences
• Isolates Christ -> the real important is about Christ, none of the other words matter

Question 195

Support the doctrine of verbal inspiration from the Old Testament.

Answer 195

1. Moses constantly speaks of verbal revelations given him from Jehovah: e.g., Exodus 3:4, 5:1.
2. Jeremiah 1:9: “Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”
3. Ezekiel 3:4, 10, 11 is told to receive and speak the words of Jehovah.

And this is characteristic of the prophets in general

.

Question 196

Describe the following objection to verbal inspiration: The Bible has inexact and non-scientific language.

Answer 196

The Bible makes no claim to be written as a science book, with high precision. It is written on the popular level, with many interesting and vivid figures of speech and ordinary expressions. Besides, we ourselves (and even scientists!) use such expressions in daily conversation.

Question 197

Is it essential that inspiration extend to every word in the Bible? Why?

Answer 197

Yes, otherwise everyone is able to decide which parts are inspired and which parts are not thus leading to the approach “What does it mean to you” resulting in Scripture ultimately not meaning anything.

Question 198

Explicate these three views of inspiration: dynamic

Answer 198

Dynamic – the Scriptures were written not under the direction of the Spirit but rather the writers intended to capture the general revelation or idea of their understanding and experiences. The Bible may contain the Words of God but not necessarily are all the word His.

Question 199

Explicate these three views of inspiration: Mechanical

Answer 199

Mechanical – the Scriptures were caused to be written in such a way that the writers themselves did not contribute to the contents or form of the writings but were completely and utterly controlled by the Spirit.

Question 200

Explicate these three views of inspiration: organic.

Answer 200

Organic – the Scriptures were developed in such a way that God used His created beings with the

• character,
• temperaments,
• gifts,
• talents,
• education, etc. and

prompted them to write what He wanted as He wanted it written.

This would require the suppression of their sin from any influence upon the writing of Scripture. 2 Peter 3:1,2, 16; Rev -> now this is Jesus speaking to the churches; Col -> make sure you read the epistle I wrote to Laodiceans

Question 201

What does didactic mean?

Answer 201

Didactic means “teaching”, intending to provide instruction and training.

Question 202

What does the Bible teach about the creation of the spiritual world?

Answer 202

It is not precisely clear when the spiritual world was created. Job 38:7 tells us the angels rejoiced when the stars were created on Day 4. Colossians 1:16 does tell us that the angels were created by God. They were created with a free will to choose sin (Isaiah 14:13-14) and to praise His name (Psalm 103:20,21)

Question 203

What does the Bible teach about the origin of man?

Answer 203

Man was created by God on the sixth day from the dust of the ground and given charge to tend the garden, the woman was made from his rib, they were endued with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made after God’s image with His law written on their hearts, and given dominion over the creatures. They were to populate the earth.

Question 204

What does the Bible teach is the punishment for sin and why?

Answer 204

(LC Q#28) The punishments of sin in this world are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes, and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments, together with death itself.

Question 205

What does the confession mean when it talks about secondary causes?

Answer 205

That God causes all things to come to pass immutably and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, he orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. (WC #5, Section 2) He could have been the primary and only cause of all effects but He so chose to govern the world with patterns and regularities where some events or actions cause other events or actions. This does not imply deism but that God immediately wills and governs all things according to His will without violating the free will of His creatures.

Question 206

What is an allegory and how is it used in Scripture?

Answer 206

An allegory is a story or a poem that is used to communicate a greater lesson beyond the initial meaning. An example would be rich man, the poor man, and the sheep between David and Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-4). Another example is the parable of the sower in Mark 4:14-20.

Question 207

What is meant by actual sin?

Answer 207

Outward -> Actual sin, is of omission or commission. Again, both these are in the words or deeds.

Inward, is of the

• mind,
• will, and
• affections.

The actual sin of both will and affection, is every wicked motion, inclination and desire, Gal. 5:17, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

Question 208

What is meant by conversion?

Answer 208

Logically, conversion follows regeneration. the turning of a sinner to God (Acts 15:3). As regeneration is the renewment of the soul’s nature by the power of the Holy Ghost, so conversion is the forthputting in act of that new nature, a positive turning “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18). In common usage it denotes the change of heart and life experienced by one who becomes a true believer.

Question 209

What is meant by effectual calling?

Answer 209

(LC Q.67) Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.

Question 210

What is meant by perseverance of the saints?

Answer 210

(LC Q.79) True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (Phil 1:6)

Question 211

What is meant by predestination?

Answer 211

Predestination is the purpose of God respecting the destination of His moral creatures, to include both mankind and angels. Predestination includes two parts: election and reprobation.

Question 212

What is meant by regeneration?

Answer 212

In Tit. 3:5 it is employed to designate that change of heart and life in every subject of divine grace which is effected by the agency of the Holy Spirit. It is called being “born again” (John 3:3)

Question 213

What is meant by saving faith?

Answer 213

(WFC 14.1)The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Sprit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

Question 214

What is meant by Synonymous use of words in Scripture?

Answer 214

A synonym is so called when two or more words are similar in meaning. Synonymous use of words in Scripture is important because it is how the Spirit teaches us. Synonyms are useful to cause us to pay attention and think about a topic in different ways such that we might better understand the meaning.

Question 215

What is meant by the authority of Scripture?

Answer 215

The Bible is self-authenticating and self-attesting because it is God’s inspired and infallible Word with God Himself as the final authority. Therefore, it does not need to be validated or affirmed by an external authority.

Question 216

What is meant by the external call of the Gospel and the internal call of the Gospel?

Answer 216

(LC Q.68) All the elect, and they only, are effectually called; although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit; who, for their willful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ.

Question 217

What is meant by the syntactical use of words in Scripture?

Answer 217

It examines the way in which words are used in connection with other words in a sentence according to the rules of grammar for a particular language. Words have a single meaning in their immediate context and this is dictate by their location and relationship to other words. Since the Scriptures were written by men as they were carried along by the Spirit, it is understood the Spirit caused His words to be written so that they could be understood. The way to understand them is by understand their syntax.

Question 218

What is meant by the term autonomy?

Answer 218

Autonomy derives from two Greek words: auto (“self”) and nomos (“law”). It effectively means “self-law,” or “self-rule.” Human autonomy asserts that man’s reasoning is the ultimate criterion of knowledge and man’s will alone determines his law, makes its own choices, and exercises its own free will as he desires.

Question 219

What is meant by the term common grace? What is your position?

Answer 219

Common Grace is the grace God gives to creation as a whole, to the just and unjust.

In this universal non-salvific form of grace, God allows the sun to shine upon both the righteous and the unrighteous. God endures for the sake of those who would believe.

Psalm 145 -

• God sheds his goodness on all mankind and all that He created
• He restrains evil and it’s effects from the 4 corners of the earth along with His wrath

His justice and wrath and are therefore justified because man did not glorify God with the knowledge and goodness He exhibited (Romans 1)

Question 220

What is meant when we say man is made in the image of God as defined by the Westminster Confession?

Answer 220

That man is created as a reasonable and immortal soul, endued with knowledge, righteousness and true holiness after His image. Being thus endued and knowing right from wrong, he is therefore required to choose righteousness and glorify His creator.

Question 221

What is the Arminian view of sin?

Answer 221

The Arminian view of sin teaches that at the fall, man did not exit totally depraved but still retains an ability to freely choose God. Thus, not being enslaved to sin, he can synergistically effect His salvation.

Question 222

What is the Bible’s teaching concerning the transmission of sin?

Answer 222

(LC Q#26) Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so al all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin.

Question 223

What is the difference between a positive analogy and a general analogy?

Answer 223

These are two degrees of the analogy of faith.

The positive analogy is

• the most important and
• deals with teachings in the Bible about which there is no confusion and
• Scripture is clear and
• positively stated in several places.

A general analogy deals with teachings that

• rest on Scripture as a whole
• but for which there is no single explicit verse nor supported by an abundance of passages.

Question 224

What is the essential character of sin?

Answer 224

Sin is essentially

• a breaking away from God,
• opposition to God, and
• transgression of the law of God.

Sin should always be defined in terms of man’s relation to God and to His will as expressed in the moral law.

Question 225

What is the major hermeneutical distinction between the pre-Reformation church and the church during the Reformation?

Answer 225

Ad Fontes – the pre-Reformation church invested authority in the church itself and interpreted Scripture according to its traditions and often was allegorical.

The post-Reformation church strove to let Scripture be the ultimate source of authority and to derive meaning from the text.

Reformed hermeneutics is covenantal. Christ-centered, law/gospel.

Question 226

What is the nature and extent of the atonement?

Answer 226

The nature is that it is full and complete, both certainly and effectually applied. It was vicariously applied on our behalf through the propitiation of Christ, satisfying the wrath of God thus righting the wrong done unto Him and reconciling both man and God. The extent of the atonement is such that it applies to the elect, to those whom the Father had given Him. (WCF 8.5).

Question 227

What is the operation of the Holy Spirit in Salvation?

Answer 227

The Holy Spirit effects a quickening, a regeneration which gives the elect a new nature thus enabling them to believe.

Question 228

What is your view on Bible translations?

Answer 228

You can separate modern Bible translations into two basic groups—formal equivalency and dynamic equivalency. Formal equivalency attempts a word for word rendition, providing as literal a translation as possible. Dynamic equivalency is more like a paraphrase, trying to convey ideas thought by thought.

Question 229

What must one know to be a faithful preacher?

Answer 229

To be a faithful preacher, you must know the truth. Paul was “a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Timothy 2:7). When Paul preached, he spoke the truth. The world already has too many men who preach lies. So please do not preach unless you preach the truth. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). “He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully” (Jeremiah 23:28).

Question 230

What role in history has been ascribed to Mary the Mother of Jesus by the Roman Catholics and how does that differ from the Protestant view?

Answer 230

Mary has been deemed to be saint to whom Roman Catholics should offer prayer and adoration, that is, she has become an idol. She is treated as a protector and as a mediator and intercessor. Also attributed to Mary is the doctrine of “immaculate conception” which teaches that Mary was born without and preserved from sin. It is taught that she remained perpetually a virgin and that her body did not see corruption upon death but became a heavenly body.

Question 231

What was the effect of the Renaissance upon the church as it relates to the Reformation?

Answer 231

The Renaissance produced a group known as the “Humanists” composed of scholars and educationalists.

They were interested in truth and knowledge and therefore began to read and examine the classical writings of the church fathers and the Hebrew and Greek texts.

This led to questioning of church tradition and dogma and ultimately to a desire to reform the church.

This, then, led to a separation from the Roman church and the birth of the Reformation and Protestantism.

An important figure during this time was Erasmus who believed the Vulgate possessed numerous translation errors and therefore published a Greek Text called the Novum Testamentum which was used by Lutehr, Calvin, and Tyndale.

Question 232

What was the position of the Church in the Middle Ages concerning tradition and authority?

Answer 232

The church was the ultimate authority and any/ all teachings of the church and tradition is supreme.

Question 233

What was the relationship between dogmatics and exegesis during the Middle Ages?

Answer 233

During the Middle Ages, the church used their

dogmatics (systematic theology) to

• inform,
• guide, and
• direct their exegesis so that the interpretation of Scripture would always be in alignment with and in support of their theology.

Question 234

Who may do the work of evangelism?

Answer 234

Only those who have been appointed by Christ and confirmed by the church. Ephesians 4:7-13

Question 235

Who may preach the gospel?

Answer 235

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all Israelites accepted the good news.” Romans 10:14-15

Question 236

Why is the current usage of words in Scripture, at the time of their writing, more important than their etymological meaning?

Answer 236

The current meaning, usage, and context of the word used in Scripture has a direct impact of the meaning intended at the time it was written. If we fail to properly understand the context, we will miss the plain sense/ meaning of the phrase. Etymological studies can lead to what is know as the etymological fallacy where there original meaning of a word, or the meaning of the root of a word, influences and directs the meaning of all current and future usages of that word. For example, the English word “nice” no longer possesses its original Latin root meaning “ignorant”. Another example can be the different contextual usage of the word “law” within Romans 3. Also, within this fallacy is the tendency to define all compound words but their components parts, e.g. “butter” and “fly”.

Question 237

Why must we avoid developing doctrine on the basis of historical narratives?

Answer 237

It can limit the development of understanding Scripture in its totality.

Question 238

Why must we be careful in using historical narrative in the establishment of doctrine?

Answer 238

We must be careful because not all historical narrative can be seen as prescriptive. Sometimes it is descriptive. For example, we would not take the crossing of the Red Sea in a prescriptive sense in that we should drown all Egyptians.