Theology D (Chappell/Meek) Flashcards
What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever (1 Cor. 10:31; Rev. 4:11).
What is the supreme activity of man? (Catechism: “What does God require of man?”)
The duty which God requires of man, is obedience to his revealed will (Deut. 29:29; Mic. 6:8).
What does the Bible teach about the creation of human beings?
God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:27–28; Eph. 4:24).
In what way is man created in the image of God?
Man is created in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:26; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).
Are all men in the image of God? If so, to what extent?
Yes, by virtue of their:
1. Resemblances (Man is like God with respect to capacity for reason, morality, language.)
2. Representing (Man rules creation as God’s vice-regent.)
3. Relationships (Man can be in relationship with God, others, and creation.)
These realities are intrinsic and indestructible though corrupted and marred by sin and its effects.
How does the doctrine of the image of God influence debates about gender roles?
Both men and women are equally made in the image of God, and gender roles must uphold this equality.
Men and women are distinct and complementary to one another (i.e. they are mutually interdependent in order to fully image God).
Where did man’s soul come from? When?
Man’s soul is an immediate creation of God, the timing of which cannot be precisely determined.
What is sin? (See WSC 14.) Include Scripture proofs.
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God (James 4:17; 1 John 3:4).
Discuss the guilt of sin and the corruption of sin.
Guilt: A judicial or legal concept describing one’s relationship to the law. Guilt is the state of deserving condemnation because of violations of the law.
Corruption: A natural and moral state of sinfulness which, though addressed by sanctification, cannot be fully uprooted.
Define and discuss original sin (include Scripture proofs).
The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual
transgressions which proceed from it (Rom. 3:10; 5:12, 19).
How can original sin be reconciled to the canons of justice, either human or divine?
The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression (Rom. 5:12–21; James 2:10). Consequently, all humans are liable for sin and justly deserve divine punishment unto death.
Is there any good remaining in a fallen, sinful man? Explain.
No, in the sense that the fall has so corrupted and permeated all of man’s being that everything he does is, in some way, tainted by sin.
Yes, in the sense that man is created good, in God’s image, which is an intrinsic reality.
In what ways does man sin?
Man sins by:
1. Not conforming to the law of God (omission)
2. Transgressing the law of God (commission)
What are some of the consequences of sin?
All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever (Gal. 3:10; Eph. 2:12).
Is the will of man free? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
~ Was Adam’s will (before he sinned) free? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
~ Can a sinner do anything good? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
~ Is a sinner’s will free to believe? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
~ Does a believer have free will? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
Yes; God has endued the will of man with natural liberty so that it is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined to either good or evil (Deut. 30:19; James 1:13–14).
Before the Fall, Adam’s will was mutable––posse peccare and posse non peccare (Gen. 2:16–17; Eccles. 7:29).
Under sin, man cannot do anything which pleases God; he is non posse non peccare (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:10–11).
Under sin, man is not free to believe apart from the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14; Col. 2:13).
A believer is enabled by God’s grace to do spiritual good but may and does still sin; he is posse non peccare (Rom. 6:6–7; Phil. 2:13).
