Theology Flashcards
To demonstrate above-average proficiency in and familiarity with confessional Presbyterian theology.
What is meant by “Systematic Theology?”
Systematic Theology is the organization and presentation of the Bible’s explicit as well as inferential doctrinal content.
What are the divisions of Systematic Theology?
The traditional divisions (or, loci) of Systematic Theology include Theology Proper (Doctrine of God), Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. Some theologians also include Bibliology, Hamartiology, Angelology, and Demonology.
What is the “Reformed Faith?” (explain as to a new Christian)
The Reformed Faith presents the Bible’s central teaching to be “God saves sinners.” God as Creator is wholly distinct from His creatures, and thus is uniquely able to redeem His creation. He has ordained this redemption, executed in, through, and by the Son of God Incarnate, Christ Jesus. We are unable to save or redeem ourselves because we are spiritually dead in our sins without His active intervention by His Word and Spirit. God’s saving work brings glory to Him alone, and our purpose is to exult in our Creator-Redeemer King.
What is Covenant Theology? Why is it important?
Covenant Theology identifies God’s personal dealings with His creation (namely, humanity made in His image) by way of unilateral condescension. In other words, God makes covenants with individuals and communities, beginning in the Garden of Eden with Adam, and continuing into the eschaton in and through Jesus Christ. This is important because it explains how creatures can relate to their Creator, and such an understanding of Scripture helps us accurately and helpfully to organize and understand Scripture as our only rule for faith and practice.
List and explain the Five Points of Calvinism.
Total Depravity describes the spiritual condition of men as unable to save themselves. Unconditional Election describes God’s grace in salvation, in that there is nothing that men do to earn or deserve His favor. Limited Atonement (aka Definitive Atonement) exalts the work of Christ to its proper place as completely and ineradicably effectual for all of God’s Elect. Irresistible Grace recognizes the power of God’s Spirit to call His Elect into communion with Christ and His church. Perseverance (or Preservation) of the Saints describes the Father’s faithfulness to bring His Elect home, through the trials, temptations, and lapses of this life.
Where did the Five Points come from?
The Five Points of Calvinism summarize the Canons of Dort, which contain the determinations of the Synod of Dort, an international theological congress held in 1618-1619 in Dordtrecht, Netherlands. The Synod was called in response to the five Remonstrances of the Arminian party within the Reformed Church of the Netherlands. The Arminian party adopted semi-Pelagian doctrines, disturbing the peace and purity of the international Reformed church of the day.
Define and distinguish “general revelation” and “special revelation.”
God makes Himself known to us by two means. First, He generally reveals Himself to us through His works of creation and providence, which declare plainly that He exists just as He is. Second, He specially reveals Himself to us by His Word and Spirit for our salvation. Though general revelation leaves men without an excuse for denying Him, special revelation is absolutely necessary, sufficient, and effectual for salvation.
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inspiration” of Scripture.
To say that Scripture is inspired by God is to say that 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.”
Define and defend the “necessity” of Scripture.
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). God’s Word is necessary for the attainment of the knowledge of God and His dealings with men, as unto salvation.
What is the “canon”? Defend it scripturally.
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 defends the exclusivity of the canon in saying, “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Revelation 22:18-19 give internal testimony to the unity and integrity of the canon as whole and entire in saying, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
Define and defend the “authority” of Scripture.
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 Peter 1:19, 21 - “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts…for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
2 Timothy 3:16 - “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
1 John 5:9 - “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 - “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
Define and defend the “sufficiency” of Scripture.
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; WLC 5). That is, “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture…Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word” (WCF I.6).
2 Timothy 3:15-17 - “from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
John 6:45 - “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-12 - “ just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.”
Define and defend the “perspicuity” of Scripture.
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, 130 - “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path….The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
What is distinctive about Reformed interpretation of Scripture?
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). There is one sense of Scripture, and difficult passages are to be understood with the help of clearer passages.
2 Peter 1:20-21 - “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
What principles should guide our interpretation of Scripture?
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.
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inerrancy” of Scripture.
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 - “As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”
John 17:17 - “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
“The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (WSC 3; WLC 5).
What is God?
“God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth” (WSC 4).
“God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (WLC 7).
Briefly explain and defend (including Scripture proofs) the doctrine of the Trinity.
“There are three Persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these Three are One God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory” (WSC 6).
Matthew 28:19 - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
What are the attributes of God? Which are communicable? Which are incommunicable? (Be prepared to offer Scripture proofs)
God’s communicable attributes are his being (Exodus 3:14), wisdom (Psalm 147:5), power (Revelation 4:8), holiness (Revelation 15:4), justice (Exodus 34:7; Deuteronomy 32:4), goodness (Exodus 34:6-7), and truth (Exodus 34:6). His incommunicable attributes are His infinity (Job 11:7-9), eternality (Psalm 90:2), and immutability (James 1:17).
What are the decrees of God?
“The decrees of God are, His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass” (WSC 7)
“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” (WLC 12).
What is the difference between infralapsarian and supralapsarian views of God’s decrees?
Infralapsarianism is the position that God decreed election and reprobation after He decreed Creation and the Fall. Supralapsarianism is the position that God decreed election and reprobation before He decreed Creation and the Fall.
What is an Amyraldian view of God’s decrees?
Amyraldism is the belief that God initially decreed Christ’s atonement for all alike if they believe, but He then elected those whom He will bring to saving faith in Christ, seeing that none would believe on their own.
How does God execute His decrees?
“God executeth His decrees in the works of Creation and Providence” (WSC 8).
“God executeth His decrees in the works of Creation and Providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will” (WLC 14).
What is God’s work of creation?
“The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing by the word of His power in the space of six days, and all very good” (WSC 9).
“The work of creation is that wherein God did 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” (WLC 15).
