Prolegomena (Abbreviated from Doctrine 1)

Question 1

RATIONALE: Why this discipline?

Answer 1

• breadth of field provides a disjointed picture
• human mind insists on order
• human mind does not settle for what seems contradictory
• the bible is a historical record, and largely organized in structure (ad hoc)
• worldview effects every part of a person
• Glory of God demands our proper understanding of His person
• Understanding God’s expectations of us inaccurately can be externally lethal

Question 2

Background (Doctrine 1) WHY:

Answer 2

• Various disciplines and fields of thoughts; logic, herm, physics, etc.
• what kind of gross error would we see without the effort to distill information down into ordered, rationale understanding
• Price of not learning about God is an infinitely high one: Eternity
• Knowing God accurately is high worship

Question 3

Background (Doctrine 1) HOW:

Answer 3

• God belief is the most rational position.
• Establish that Christ rose from the dead and that the NT data are firm
• Demonstrate Christ himself before an inspired canon of scripture
• Clarify that as the risen Lord, Christ’s position should be model for man.

Question 4

Background (Doctrine 1) WHO:

Answer 4

• The biblical God is a single entity, supreme and personal
• He is both transcendent and immanent
• He has communicable and incommunicable attributes.
• God’s nature is perfect; He is Holy & intimate, righteous & merciful, just & gracious
• He is sovereign, cooperative, and inscrutable

Question 5

Background (Doctrine 1) WHAT:

Answer 5

• Because of nature, He does certain things
• He creates, redeems, communes, and eternalizes
• Prime subject is man

Question 6

Background (Doctrine 1) WHOSOEVER:

Answer 6

• man is made in the image of God & is to rule over creation as vice-regent
• though man was created perfect, he chose to sin and die
• Sin not only kills, but degrades prior to final death