Theology C (Chappell/Meek)

Question 1

What is God?

Answer 1

God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth (Ps. 90:2; John 4:24).

Question 2

Briefly explain and defend (including Scripture proofs) the doctrine of the Trinity.

Answer 2

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 (Matt. 3:16–17; 28:19; John 1:1; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Col. 2:9).

Question 3

What are the attributes of God? (Be prepared to offer Scripture proofs.)
~ Which are communicable?
~ Which are incommunicable?

Answer 3

The attributes of God (* denotes communicable):
1. All-sufficient (Rom. 11:35–36)
2. Almighty (Gen. 17:1)
3. All-knowing (Heb. 4:13)
4. Eternal (Ps. 90:2)
5. Infinite (in glory, blessedness, and perfection) (Exod. 3:14)
6. Incomprehensible (Ps. 145:3)
7. Omnipresent (Ps. 139:1–13)
8. Unchangeable (Mal. 3:6)
9. *Wise (Rom. 11:33–34)
10. *Holy (Lev. 21:8)
11. *Just (Deut. 32:4)
12. *Merciful (Exod. 34:6–7)
13. *Long-suffering
14. *Good
15. *True

Question 4

What are the decrees of God?

Answer 4

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 (Isa. 14:24; Eph. 1:11–12).

Question 5

What is the difference between infralapsarian and supralapsarian views of God’s decrees?

Answer 5

Infralapsarianism (“before, after, underneath the Fall”):
1. Views God’s decrees historically
2. Creation and the Fall precede election

Supralapsarianism (“above, over the Fall”):
1. Views God’s decrees logically
2. Election precedes Creation and the Fall

Question 6

What is an Amyraldian view of God’s decrees?

Answer 6

Amyraldism is:
1. Named after Moses Amyraut (17th c.)
2. A form of Calvinism
3. A belief that God decreed the atonement prior to election (hypothetical universalism; Christ died for all, but only the elect are saved)

Question 7

How does God execute his decrees?

Answer 7

God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence (Isa. 40:26; Rev. 4:11).

Question 8

What is God’s work of creation?

Answer 8

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 (Gen. 1:1, 31; Heb. 11:3).

Question 9

Briefly discuss the length of the days of creation.

Answer 9

The precise length of the days of creation is left scientifically unspecified and is not the aim of the text to disclose.

Question 10

Evaluate biblically the theory of evolution.

Answer 10

Naturalistic evolution:
1. Believes that all matter is the result of random natural processes
2. Denies God’s work of creation and providence

Theistic evolution:
1. Believes that God created through designed and sustained natural processes which are studied as evolution
2. Denies God’s specific and immediate creation of a diversity of creatures, including a historical Adam and Eve

Question 11

What is God’s work of providence?

Answer 11

God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions (Neh. 9:6; Ps. 145:17).

Question 12

What is a miracle?

Answer 12

An instance in which God works without, above, or against the normal means of his providence.

Question 13

Do miracles occur today? Explain.

Answer 13

God may always act without, above, or against the normal means of his providence. Nevertheless, the role of miracles today serves a different redemptive-historical function than miracles recorded in Scripture.

Question 14

Is God responsible for sin?
~ Did he decree it?
~ Did he permit it?
~ Who is the ultimate cause of all things?
~ What is theodicy?

Answer 14

God is not responsible for sin.

God, in foreordaining whatsoever comes to pass, both decrees and permits sins and is the ultimate cause of all things.

Theodicy is a philosophical attempt to vindicate God’s goodness and justice in light of his providence over evil in the world.

Question 15

If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters.

Answer 15

AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters are all normal in an abnormal world––a world impacted by sin and its effects. Such things persist in this age for reasons unknown, but God promises to redeem and destroy them, willingly entering into the miseries of this life to do so.

Question 16

Discuss the biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation.

Answer 16

Predestination: God’s foreordaining, by his eternal decree, some to salvation.

Election: God’s choice, out of his mere good pleasure from all eternity, of some to everlasting life.

Reprobation: God’s foreordaining, by his eternal decree, some to damnation.

Question 17

Distinguish the Reformed and Arminian understandings of these doctrines.

Answer 17

Arminians reject absolute predestination/reprobation. Instead, they hold to conditional predestination/reprobation (God predestined/reprobated individuals based on foreknown belief or unbelief).

Reformed: Assurance rests on God’s power and promise.

Arminian: Assurance rests on man’s ability.

Question 18

Are these doctrines compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility?

Answer 18

God’s decrees:
1. Do not violate free will
2. Do not take away liberty or contingency of second causes
3. Establish free will and liberty and contingency of second causes

Question 19

What should be some practical results of believing the doctrine of election?

Answer 19

1. Praise of God
2. Humility, diligence, and consolation for believers

Question 20

Is there a real, personal devil? Explain from Scripture.

Answer 20

Yes:
1. He personally attacks Job (Job 1).
2. He personally tempts Jesus (Matt. 4).
3. He will be personally cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20).