Theology

Question 1

What is meant by systematic theology?

Answer 1

ST is the organization of Christian doctrines in a coherent system, to present Biblical teachings in a orderly and logical manner

Question 2

What are the divisions in ST?

Answer 2

Theology Proper
Anthropology
Christology
Soteriology
Pneumatology
Ecclesiology
Eschatology

Question 3

What is the reformed faith?

Answer 3

RF presents biblical truths that focus on the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture and salvation by grace alone, through faith alone by the works of Christ alone for the glory of God alone. RF teaches that God through his covenants chose and saved a people based on his love, not merit and that salvation requires faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and repentance from Sin. It teaches that Christians should live holy lives in all areas of their life with accordance with the Bible.

Question 4

What is Covenant Theology? Why is it important?

Answer 4

CT is a way of understanding that Biblical narrative of the Scriptures that focus on God’s relationship and dealings with creation based on promises called covenants. CT is important because it shows that the whole Bible tells one story of God’s plan to save his people through Jesus.

Question 5

List the five points of Calvinism

Answer 5

-Total depravity - Romans 3:10-12, Jeremiah 17:9
-Unconditional Election- Ephesians 1:4 Titus 3:5
- Limited Atonement - Matthew 1:21, John 6:37
- Irresistible Grace - Acts 11:18, Philippians 2:11-13
-Perseverance of the Saints - John 6:44, Philippians 1:6

Question 6

Total Depravity

Answer 6

Describes the spiritual condition of men as unable to save themselves

Question 7

Unconditional Election

Answer 7

Describes God’s grace in salvation, in that there is nothing men can do to earn salvation

Question 8

Limited Atonement

Answer 8

Exalts the works of Christ to its proper place as completely effectual for all of God’s elect.

Question 9

Irresistible Grace

Answer 9

Describes the power of God’s Spirit to call his elect to salvation

Question 10

Perseverance of the Saints

Answer 10

Describes God’s faithfulness to bring his elect home and to keep them through the trials and temptations of life.

Question 11

Where do the 5 Points of Calvinism Come from?

Answer 11

Synod of Dort 1618-1619, produce the Canons of Dort to provide a response to the errors of the Remonstrants.

Question 12

Define and Distinguish “General Revelation” and “Special Revelation”

Answer 12

God reveals himself to us by 2 means.
1- He generally (general revelation) himself to us by his works of creation and providence, so that we are without excuse for denying him.
2- He specially (special revelation) reveals himself to us by his Word and Spirit. which are necessary, sufficient and effectual for salvation.

Question 13

Define and Defend the Inspiration of Scripture.

Answer 13

the Holy Spirit effectually and sovereignly moved men to produce the words He intended them to write, without compromising, coopting, or subverting their own personalities, writing styles, or vocabularies. The primary proof text for the doctrine of inspiration is 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”

The inspiration of scripture is God moving men to write words on his behalf without comprimising those men.

Question 14

Define and defend the “necessity” of Scripture

Answer 14

To say that Scripture is necessary is to say that God’s “Word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation” (WLC 2). Romans 10:14-17

The necessity of scripture says that scripture is necessary and effectual for the salvation of men. WLC 2, Romans 10:14-17

Question 15

What is the “canon”? Defend it scripturally.

Answer 15

The canon is that “only rule of faith and obedience” (WLC 3) which God has provided to us for our salvation, and for His worship.
Deuteronomy 4:2 Revelation 22:18-19

Question 16

Define and defend the “authority” of Scripture.

Answer 16

WCF I.4: “The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.”
2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:19, 21

The scripture is to be believed, recieved, obeyed not cuz of Man or any church but cuz it comes from God.

Question 17

Define and defend the “sufficiency” of Scripture.

Answer 17

Scripture is sufficient for accomplishing its purpose of instructing men in what “to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (WSC 3)
2 Timothy 3:16
John 6:45

The sufficiency of scripture is for the instruction of man, what to believed about God, and what God requires man to do.

Question 18

Define and defend the “perspicuity” of Scripture.

Answer 18

To say that Scripture is perspicuous is to say that “those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them” (WCF I.7). Psalm 119:105

The Perspicuity of scripture is to say that scripture is clear on the necessary truths to know about salvation and all men are able to understand these truths from scripture.

Question 19

What is distinctive about Reformed interpretation of Scripture?

Answer 19

The Reformed interpretation of Scripture is governed by God through Scripture itself. “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the truth and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly” (WCF I.9).

Scripture interprets Scripture

Question 20

What principles should guide our interpretation of Scripture?

Answer 20

We must interpret Scripture in dependence upon God, understanding its uses (2 Timothy 3:16) and ends (2 Timothy 3:17; Soli Deo Gloria), seeking the Spirit’s help, and interpreting more difficult passages through the use of clearer passages as we look for the single “true and full sense” (WCF I.9) of a given passage of Scripture.

1- rely on God
2- understand the uses and end of scripture
3- scripture interprets scripture

Question 21

Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inerrancy” of Scripture.

Answer 21

Because God is infallible (incapable of erring), so too is His inspired Word infallible. Because God’s inspired Word is infallible, it is without error, and therefore inerrant.
Psalm 18:30, John 17:17

Question 22

What do the Scriptures principally teach?

Answer 22

“The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (WSC 3)

Question 23

What were the five Solas of the reformation? with text proof

Answer 23

Sola Scriptura - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Sola Fide - Romans 3:28
Sola Gratia - Ephesians 2:8-9
Solus Christus - 1 Timothy 2:5
Soli Deo Gloria - Romans 11:36