Theology / PCA Flashcards
What is Systematic Theology?
Study of Christian doctrine organized in a coherent framework to articulate the teaching of the faith comprehensively.
What are the key divisions of systematic theology?
Theology proper (God), Christology (Christ), Pneumatology (Spirit), Bibliology (Revelation), Soteriology (Salvation), Ecclesiology (Church), Eschatology (Last things)
What is the “Reformed Faith?”
A branch of the protestant reformation emphasizing the teaching of the reformers, particularly John Calvin, emphasizing the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace through faith, and the authority of scripture, and doctrines such as predestination, covenant theology, and the Solas of the Reformation: Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone, and God’s Glory alone.
What is covenant theology?
A framework for understanding the Bible that emphasizes God’s unfolding relationship with humanity through covenants, primarily seen in the covenant of life, the covenant of grace, and the covenant of redemption, revealing god’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ
Why is covenant theology important?
Covenant theology is important because it provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the Bible, based on the Bible itself, emphasizing the consistency of God’s plan throughout history, the unity of the Old and New Testaments, and Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises.
The 5 points of Calvinism
5 points of Calvinism - Total Depravity (humans are completely affected by sin), Unconditional Election (God chooses whom to save not based on any merit), Limited Atonement (Christ atones particularly for the elect), Irresistible Grace (God’s grace effectively draws the elect to salvation), Perseverance of the Saints (those who are truly saved will endure to the end).
Where did the 5 points of calvinism come from?
The 5 points were developed at the Synod of Dort (1619) in response to the Dutch Arminians.
Distinguish General and Special Revelation
General revelation is God’s revealing himself through nature, conscience and moral order, accessible to all, while special revelation is God’s specific communication of himself through Scripture, prophecy, and the person of Jesus.
Define and defend the inspiration of scripture.
Inspiration means the Bible is breath out by God, authored by human writers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, meaning it is inerrant and infallible. It is affirmed in 2 Timothy 3:16 “all scripture is breathed out by god and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.”
What is the Canon? Defend using scripture.
The canon is the collection of books that were recognized as authoritative. Scripture attests the canon in 2 Peter 3:15-16, where Peter recognizes Paul’s writing as scripture.
Define and defend the authority of scripture.
The authority of scripture means that the Bible is inerrant and infallible, and is founded on the nature of its divine source. The Bible attests to its own authority in passages like 2 Timothy 3:16, saying that scripture is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction because it is “breathed out by God.”
Define and defend the sufficiency of scripture.
The sufficiency of scripture means that the Bible contains all we need to find life and salvation. It is supported by 2 Peter 1:3: God’s divine power has granted us all things necessary for life and godliness.
Define and defend the perspicuity of scripture.
the Bible is clear and understandable in its essential teachings for all believers. This is affirmed by scriptures like Matthew 11:25 “Thank you Father, that you have hidden these things from the wise, and revealed them to little children.” and 2 Timothy 3:15 “From childhood you have been acquainted with the scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through Faith in Christ.”
What is distinctive about the reformed interpretation of scripture?
The reformed interpretation of scripture emphasizes its ultimate authority in faith and practice, its sufficiency for all of life, and its clarity and accessibility to believers.
What principles should guide our interpretation of scripture?
Scripture should be used to interpret scripture, using clearer passages to interpret less clear; passages should be read in context; scripture should be read acknowledging that we need illumination from the Holy Spirit.
Define and defend inerrancy.
Inerrancy, means that the Bible in its original manuscripts was without error in all that it affirms. This is supported in scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16 and Titus 1:2.
What do the scriptures principally teach?
The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe about God and the duty God requires of man.
What is God?
God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Explain and defend the doctrine of the trinity.
The doctrine of the Trinity holds that there is one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully God, sharing one divine essence. Genesis 1:26 (Let us make man in our image); John 14 (I will ask the Father and he will send you another Helper); Matthew 28 (the name (singular) of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (plural)); 2 Corinthians 13:14 (grace of Jesus, love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit)
What are the attributes of God
Omnipotence (Jer 32- is anything to hard for me?)
Omniscience (Ps147 - His understanding is beyond measure)
Omnipresence (Psalm 139 - Where shall I go from your presence)
Immutable (Malachi 3:6)
Eternal (Psalm 90)
Sovereign (Psalm 115)
Holy (Isa 6)
Love (1 John 4:8)
Justice (Psalm 145)
Mercy (Psalm 103)
Goodness (Psalm 34)
Faithfulness (2 Tim 2:13)
Communicable Attributes
Love, Mercy, Justice, Goodness, Truth, Faithfulness, Wisdom, Patience, Holiness, Humility
Incommunicable attributes
Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Aseity, Immutability, Eternity, Simplicity
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.
Infralapsarian vs. Supralapsarian view of the decrees of God?
Infralapsarianism holds that God’s decree to elect occurs after his decree to permit the fall, whereas supralapsarianism says the decree to elect comes first.
What is an Amyraldian view of God’s decrees?
Amyraldianism hods that God’s decree of election is based on the hypothetical response of individuals to the gospel, meaning the atonement is universal, but salvation is contingent on individual faith.
What is sin?
Any want of conformity to or transgression of the law of God. (1 John 3, James 4)
What is God’s work of creation?
God’s making everything from nothing, in the space of 6 days, and all very good.
Briefly discuss the length of creation days.
There are several views of the days of creation. One view is literal 24-hour days. One view is that a day represents an age of time. Another view is that the days are a framework that organize our understanding of God’s work in creation. Another view is that the days are analogous to God’s pattern of work and rest. The Key is to understand God’s creation as a historical event, that God created everything out of nothing, to understand Adam and Eve as literal persons directly created by God, and that God sanctifies the patterns of daily and weekly work and rest.
What is a miracle?
A Miracle is an extraordinary work of God that is not explicable on natural grounds and that serves as a sign or revelation of His power and purpose.
Do miracles occur today? Explain
Miracles may occur today, because God is not constrained, but are not normative or guaranteed. In a biblical sense, there is no new revelation to confirm.
Is God responsible for sin?
No.
Did God decree sin? Does he permit it?
God’s work of providence is his sovereign oversight of his creatures and all their actions. God does decree sin, but does not directly cause or approve it. Sin is the result of free disobedience of God’s revealed will. But he permits sin in a way that maintains his holiness. God is the ultimate cause of all things.
What is theodicy?
Theodicy is the field of theology that attempts to justify God’s goodness and sovereignty in the face of evil and suffering.
If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, and natural disasters?
AIDS, deformed babies, and natural disasters are examples of natural evil, and are the results of a world in which people have rebelled against God and a world that is operating under the curse. God does not desire these evils, but permits them for two reasons (1) because they are a natural result of a world in which sin exists, and (2) because he permits them in a way that will be used to fulfill his good purpose, which culminates in reconciling the world through Christ.
Discuss the Biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation.
The Bible teaches that God elects some to salvation before the foundation of the world, and that he predestines us to be adopted as sons of God, and it presents it to us as assurances of God’s grace. Election and predestination is based solely on God’s grace and not on works. Reprobation, on the other hand is God’s passing over others who justly deserve God’s displeasure for their own sin.
What is the difference between Reformed and Arminian approaches to election?
Reformed approach is based solely on the wisdom and counsel of his own will. Arminian approach is based on God’s foreknowledge of human choices.
Are these doctrines compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility?
Yes. God sovereignly governs and upholds all things and his election comprehends the means in connection with the ends. Only God has libertarian free will, humans have contingent free will, meaning our will is bound by our nature and our desires.
What are the practical results of believing in election?
Elections fosters humility and gratitude; encourages assurance and security in your salvation, and motivates a life of holiness and evangelistic zeal, recognizing that God has ordained the means and end of salvation.
Is there a real and personal devil?
Yes. The devil is real and personal, according to Job 1, Mathew 4, 1 Peter 5, and Revelation 12.
What is the chief end of man?
To glorify god and enjoy him forever.
What is the supreme activity of man?
God requires our obedience to his revealed will.
In what way is man created in the image of God?
In Knowledge, Righteousness, and Holiness. We share in his communicable attributes.
What does the Bible teach about the creation of human beings?
Genesis 1 teaches that we were created male and female, in the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Are all men in the image of God? If so, to what extent?
Yes, all men are created in the image of God, which means they possess inherent dignity, moral capacity, and relational abilities, reflecting aspects of God’s character and enabling them to have a unique relationship with Him and with others.
How does the doctrine of the image of God influence debates about gender roles?
The doctrine of the image of God maintains that men and women were both created in the image of God, and share equally in inherent dignity and worth. Complementarity is understood on this foundation in light of biblical teaching.
Where did man’s soul come from? When?
God breathed life into Adam, making him a living being (Genesis 2). Psalm 139 teaches we all are individually knitted together by God.
Discuss guilt and corruption of sin.
The guilt of sin refers to the legal responsibility and condemnation incurred for violating God’s law, while the corruption of sin involves the moral defilement and perversion of one’s nature, affecting both actions and desires.
Discuss Original Sin
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. (Get 3, Psalm 51)
How can original sin be reconciled to the canons of justice, either human or divine?
Original sin can be reconciled to the canons of justice by understanding it as the inherent result of human free will misused in Adam, where divine justice is met through the provision of redemption in Christ, thus upholding both justice and mercy.
Is there any good remaining in fallen, sinful man? Explain?
Yes. While sin reaches every aspect of fallen human nature, humans still retain the dignity and goodness of the image of God, and may be redeemed by union with Christ.
In what ways does man sin?
By actively transgressing God’s law, and by passively failing to keep the obligations of God’s law.
What are some 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 in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
Is the will of man free? Explain
Man’s will always acts according to its nature (John 8, Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin; Romans 8, The mind set on the flesh is hostile to God)
Was Adam’s will free before he sinned?
Adam’s will was free, meaning he had a choice to obey God’s command in Genesis 2, but his freedom is not absolute, but still limited by his nature and his desires.
Can a sinner do anything good? Explain.
Sinners can do outwardly good things, but those good deeds are corrupted by their sinfulness (Isa 64, Rom 3)
Is a sinner free to believe?
John 6- No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. Eph 2, you were dead in your trespasses and sins.
Does a believer have free will?
Believers are free to act according to their new nature. Phil 2, God works in you, to will and work his good pleasure. Rom 6, being set free from sin, we have become slaves to righteousness.
What is a covenant?
A covenant is a solemn binding agreement between God and man, or between individuals based on mutual commitments and promises.
What is the covenant of works/life?
Parties are Adam and God. Obedience grants life, and disobedience results in death.
Is there a present validity to the covenant of life? What is it?
The covenant of life is the covenant relationship we have with God in Adam, which we are incapable to keep because of our fallen nature and our own sins. (1 Cor 15)
What is the covenant of redemption?
God’s before time determination to save a people for himself. John 6 All the father gives me will come to me. Rev 13, the lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. The parties of the covenant of redemption are the individual members of the Trinity.
Discuss the covenant of Grace
God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer.
How is the covenant of grace related to the covenants of (1) Abraham, (2) Moses, (3) Noah
The covenant of Grace is expressed in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12, Gal 3). The Mosaic covenant reveals the need for redemption and points to fulfillment in Christ (Gal 3). The Noah covenant provides a foundation of God’s gracious provision for all creation (Gen 9, Luke 17).
What is the relationship between the old and new covenants?
The New covenant fulfills and builds on the promises of the old covenant (Jer 31, Feb 8). Hebrews 10 shows that the Old Covenant points to the new covenant in types and shadows. The New Testament teaches that while there are outward discontinuities in form, the New Covenant is in harmony with the law and prophets (Luke 22, Rom 3)
What is the orthodox doctrine of the person of Christ
Christ is one person with two natures, fully divine and fully human, without division, change, confusion, or separation. (John 1, Heb 2, Col 2, Luke 2, Phil 2, Heb 13, Acts 20)
1. Dual Nature of Christ: * Divine Nature: John 1:1, 14 affirms Christ’s divinity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” * Human Nature: Hebrews 2:14 states, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things,” indicating Jesus took on human nature. 2. Unity of Person: * Colossians 2:9: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,” which shows the fullness of the divine nature dwelling in the bodily human form of Jesus, affirming the unity of His Person. * Luke 2:52: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man,” demonstrating His full humanity and growth while maintaining one unified Person. 3. Without Confusion or Division: * Philippians 2:7-8: “But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” showing how the divine and human natures operate in the one Person of Christ without confusion. 4. Without Change or Separation: * Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” affirming the unchanging nature of Christ despite His dual natures. * Acts 20:28: “The church of God, which he obtained with his own blood,” indicates the unity of Christ’s divine and human actions in the one Person.
Discuss the nature of Christ. Was he a human person, Does he have a soul?
How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
What is kenosis
Phil 2:7 says Jesus Christ emptied himself: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Did Christ lay aside any of his divine attributes at the incarnation?
He did not lay aside any attributes of his divinity, but instead he made himself subject to the conditions of this life for a time.
Defend and explain - Docetism
Christ’s body was an illusion // 1 John 4, John 1 - christ’s physical suffering is essential to the gospel
Explain and Defend - Arius
Jesus Christ is a created being // John 1, Hebrews 1 - christ is divine and of the same essence as the Father
Explain and defend - Nestorius
2 separate persons in Christ // Col 2, Luke 2 - Jesus is one person with two natures
Explain and defend - Eutyches
Christs divine and human natures were fused together into one. // 2 For 5 - In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself - he couldn’t do this if Christ were a new third thing different from both God and the World
Explain and defend - Apollinarius
Christ’s divine mind and will replaced the human one. // Heb 2, Phil 2, Christ shares fully in the human experience
Does anyone today hold these christological heresies?
Docetism is reflected most often in new age ideas. Arianism is held by Jehovahs witnesses, and Mormons. Others may inadvertently hold false ideas about Christ
Communication of Properties
Means that we can speak of christ’s one person in terms of both his divine nature and his human nature without implying confusion or separation (John 1, Acts 20)
Extra Calvinisticum
While Christ’s divine nature is united with his human nature in one person, his divine essence remains transcendent and not confined to his human limitations.
Define Jesus
Jesus means The Lord Saves.
Define Christ
Christ means Messiah or anointed one. It indicates that Jesus is the promised anointed king, the son of David, who will fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah
Define Lord
Lord refers to the authority or sovereignty that belongs to Jesus Christ, and refers both to the title master or lord in a temporal sense, and also translates the Divine Name.
Define Son of Man
Son of Man refers to the prophetic fulfillment of the messianic Son of Man mentioned in Daniel
Define Son of God
It indicates Jesus’ unique relationship with God the Father, and indicates his divine nature.
Define Lamb of God
Indicates Christ’s substitutionary role. He is the sacrificial offering that takes away the sins of the world. The Passover Lamb. The Lamb offered on the Altar.
How was Christ Born?
Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
Explain and defend the virgin birth with scripture proofs.
Matthew 1 (Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son) Luke 1 (How will this be since I am a virgin? The Holy Spirit will come upon you)
Trace the revelation of the person and work of Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation.
The revelation of Christ begins with the promise of a redeemer in Genesis 3, prophecies of his coming in Isaiah 53, His incarnation and ministry John 1, his death and resurrection, 1Cor 15, and his final victory and eternal reign (Rev 19).
