Long Answers Flashcards
What is enviromental justice? What does it mean to say that humans are “stewards of the earth?”
Environmental justice means that everyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, has the right to the same environmental protections and benefits. When humans say that they are stewards of the earth they are saying that they are stewards of God’s creation. We care for the earth and act in ways that will restore and protect the environment.
What does it mean that a human is a body-soul composite?
The soul comes into existence with the body(the body being animated by the soul at the moment of conception). The soul is immaterial and can function in an immaterial way. Once the soul is separated from the body, it can continue to exist without the body.
Compare and contrast particular and final judgement?
Compare - They are both judgements of the people of God. Both are determined by a person’s actions. They also both have consequences.
Contrast - Particular judgement occurs right after death, while final judgement happens at the end of time. Particular judgment is private, final judgement is public. Particular judgement could be a short-term consequence while final judgement is not.
What is a covenant and how is a covenant similar to and different from a contract?
A covenant is an agreement between two people or nations or a person and God. Once they go through their covenant they are a team together. Contracts are separate from two people or nations. A contract is when the two people or nations do their part and the agreement and then once the contract is done they stop doing their part. Covenants last till forever. They are both agreements between two people or nations.
What is the “Sinai Covenant”? How is this different/same from the covenatn God made with Abraham?
The Sinai Covenant, also known as the Mosaic covenant, refers to the agreement made between God and the Isrealites at Mount Sinai after their exodus from Egypt. The covenant with Abraham, known as the Abrahamic covenant promised land, descendants, and blessings. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation (Israel), his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, and through him all nations would be blessed. This covenant was based on faith in God’s promises, rather than a detailed legal code.
Explain the difference between the two types of covenants found in scripture (Suzerain-Vassal; Royal Grant).
Suzerain-Vassal - This term goes back to a time when a king would make a promise to his subjects, or treaty made between kings that would depend on obedience to specific terms. You can think of those covenants as a conditional love.
Royal Grant - Unlike the Suzerain-Vassal agreements, a Royal Grant requires no action on the part of the beneficiary. It is an unconditional promise given from one party to another.
Into which categories (Surzerain-Vassal; Royal Grant) do the five major Biblical covenants fall?
The Noahic Covenant: (Genesis 9:11) “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all Flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” This is an example of a Royal Grant covenant; there is nothing that Noah or his descendants must do to ensure that this promise is fulfilled. Instead, it finds Its validity purely in God’s faithfulness.
The First Major Covenant Abraham and God: This is also an example of a Royal Grant. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac. This is a test of Abraham’s trust and faith in God. Abraham passes the test of faith. God sends an angel to stop Abraham before he sacrifices his son, and provides a ram as a substitute. Abraham learns that God does not want human sacrifice ever.
The Mosaic or Sinai Covenant: The covenant with Moses and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, did transform people, but it did so by externally prescribing a difficult to obey set of laws. The identity of the followers of this covenant came from reading, studying, and practicing that law in detail. Unfortunately, ancient Israel could not live up to the law. They failed in many ways to keep the law which God had entrusted them with. This is an example of a Suzerain Vassal.
The Davidic Covenant: The Davidic Covenant refers to God’s promise to David through Nathan the prophet. This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. The davidic covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. This is an example of a Royal Grant.
The New Covenant: The new covenant is a new relationship between God and humans mediated by Jesus upon sincere declaration that one believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and God. This covenant is an example of a royal grant.
Know the ‘terms’ of the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic (Sinai) and Davidic Covenants.
Noahic Covenant:
Key Features: Established after the Flood, God promises never to destroy the earth with a flood again. The sign is the rainbow.
Nature: Unconditional; God’s promise is not dependent on human behaviour.
Scope: Universal, applicable to all of humanity and living creatures.
Abrahamic Covenant:
Key Features: God promises Abraham land, numerous descendants, and that through him all nations will be blessed. The sign is circumcision.
Nature: Conditional in terms of faithfulness; Abraham must remain faithful.
Scope: Specific to Abhraham and his descendants, forming the foundation for Israel
Mosaic (Sinai) Covenant:
Key Features: Established with the Isrealites at Mount Sinai, it includes the giving of the Law (Ten Commandments) and various stipulations. The sign is the Sabbath.
Nature: Conditional; blessings and curses are tied to Israel’s obedience or disobedience.
Scope: Specific to the Isrealites, defining their identity and relationship with God.
Davidic Covenant:
Key Features: God promises David that his lineage will endure forever and that his throne will be established eternally. The sign is the continuation of the Davidic line.
Nature: Unconditional regarding the promise of a lasting dynasty, though human actions can lead to consequences.
Scope: Specific to David and his descendants, ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus.
How are the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic (Sinai) and Davidic covenants similar and different from one another?
Similarities:
- Divine Initiation: All covenants are initiated by God
- Promise of Relationships: Each covenant represents a special relationship between God and a particular group or individual.
- Signs: Each covenant has a sign that represents the agreement.
Differences:
- Conditional vs. Unconditional: The Noahic and Davidic covenants are largely unconditional, while the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants involve conditions based on human faithfulness.
- Scope: The Noahic covenant is universal, while the others are specific to particular individuals or groups (Abraham, Israel, David).
- Content: Each covenant has different terms and promises, ranging from land and descendants to laws and royal lineage.
Why is the Davidic Covenant so important to Christians?
This is an unconditional covenant made between God and Daiv through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. The Davidic Covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment.
What is De-Creation and Re-creation?
De-creation is the act or concept of un-creating, undoing, or reversing the process of creation or existence. Re-creation is the saving action of God in human history drawing humanity back into a proper relationship with the Creator by living according to His will.
How is the cycle of Creation, De-Creation, and Re-Creation shown in the stroy of Joseph and his brothers?
Creation: Joseph’s birth and special status to his father in comparison to his father. He is given the coat of colour by his father. Joseph then begins to have dreams about his brothers bowing down to him.
De-Creation - Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers. This is when he was sold to slavery in Egypt. This separates Joseph from his family, causing lots of sadness and distress.
Re-Creation - Joseph’s rise in Egypt, as he slowly becomes in power. When famine strikes the land, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain. The brothers encounter Joseph, though they do not recognize him. Joseph later forgives his brothers for what they did to him, saying that though their actions are evil, God sent Joseph to make them good.
What are some ways that the life of Joseph foreshadows the life of Jesus?
- Joseph was the beloved and favored son of his father, just like Jesus christ.
- They were both clothed with authority and power by their fathers.
- They were both servants- Joseph to his father and eventually to Potiphar and the Pharaoh- Jesus to his father and mankind.
- Joseph was rejected by his brothers just like how Jesus was rejected by the Israelites.
- They were both betrayed- Joseph was sold by his brothers- Jesus was sold by Judas into the hands of His enemies.
- Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver.
- Joseph used his position of authority to save Egypt and Israel from famine at the age of 30, that was the same age Jesus began His ministry of preparing salvation for the world.
- Joseph and Jesus were greatly tempted but both resisted the temptations from Satan and were fully obedient to the will, statutes and commandments of their fathers.
- When Joseph was finally raised to his exalted position in Egypt, everyone bowed down to him. This is like how everyone eventually bowed down to Jesus.
- Joseph and Jesus were both cast into a pit - Joseph into the cistern and Jesus into the depth of suffering for the sins of all of us, also the pit of the world of spirits- before completing their missions.
- Joseph provided bread for Israel and saved them from physical death by starvation, all without cost. Jesus the bread of life, did the same for all mankind, feeding them the words of eternal life, as well as becoming their literal savior.
