Sources: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Bible Doctrine:Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne Grudem edited by Jeff Purswell

  GENERAL Revelation of God and Truth  Also called natural revelation  Given to all men in the facts and workings of nature  Given to all men through morality and conscience  SPECIAL Revelation of God and Truth  Also called supernatural revelation  Jesus Christ, the Gospel for salvation (Jn 1; Rom. 10; Heb.1)  The Bible is God’s primary means of special revelation Two Kinds of Revelation

  Jesus Christ – John 1:1; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13  Speech by God  God’s Powerful Decrees “Let there be light”  Personal Address “And the Lord God commanded the man saying, ‘You may eat from any tree in the garden, but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”  Through Human Lips “Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, ‘behold, I have put my words in your mouth.”  Written Form (Ten Commandments; Scriptures) The Word of God

  Turn to the person next to you and tell them one interesting thing you learned in your reading this week.  Discuss with your partner why you believe that studying the core doctrines of Christianity are important for every believer. 10 minutes Homework Report

  The list of all the books that belong in the Bible  Old Testament  books (39 in modern Bibles) written over 1,100 years  Closed approximately 435 B.C. with the ministry of Malachi as prophet in Israel. Malachi predicted the return of Elijah. Approximately 5 B.C.  Law, Prophets and Writings (Law, History, Poetry, Wisdom & Prophets) The Canon

  What About the Apocrypha?  1 Maccabees 9:27 … “no prophet in Israel..”  Josephus (A.D ) – Jewish Historian  Council of Jamnia A.D. 90  Jerome (A.D ) – Hebrew scholar translated Hebrew Scriptures into Latin. Apocrawhat?

  The books of the Apocrypha do not claim the same kind of authority as the Old Testament.  The Jewish people did not (do not) recognize them as God’s word.  Neither Jesus nor the New Testament writers quoted from the Apocryphal writings as Scripture.  Apocryphal writings contain teaching that is inconsistent with the rest of the Bible.  They are not to be considered “God Breathed” but they do have historical value. The Apocrypha

  “For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from, and contradicting one another: [as the Greeks have:] but only twenty two books: which contain the records of all the past times: which are justly believed to be divine.” --Flavius Josephus in Against Apion Gen; Ex; Lev; Num; Deut; Joshua; Judges-Ruth; Samuel; Kings; Chron.; Ezra-Nehemiah; Psalms; Prov; Eccl; Song of Solomon; 12 Minor Prophets; Isaiah; Jeremiah- Lamentations; Daniel; Ezekiel; Job and Esther. 22 Books

  New Testament  27 Books written over approximately 100 years  Gospels, Acts, Epistles, & Revelation  2 Peter 3:15-16 and 1 Timothy 5:18  Test for Canonicity  “Apostolic” – their writings equated with scripture 2 Pet 3:16 and  The apostles claimed authority for their writings (2 Thes. 3:14  Mark, Luke, Jude, Hebrews  Council of Athanasius (A.D. 367) The Canon

  “Thus says the Lord” – Ex. 4:22; Deut. 18:18-20; Josh. 24:2; 1 Sam. 10:18; Is. 10:24  Inspired -“God Breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16)  All of Scripture in its original language (Plenary Inspiration)  Every word, not just the ideas they convey (Verbal inspiration) “The biblical sense of inspiration means God so superintended the writers of Scripture that they wrote what he wanted them to write, disclosing the exact truth he wanted conveyed.” Paul Little, Know What You Believe God Speaks

  Authority  If God claims that the words of Scripture are his own, then there is no higher authority.  The claims of Scripture become personal conviction through the work of the Holy Spirit in an individual’s life. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Objection: Isn’t this just circular reasoning? “We believe Scripture to be God’s Word because it claims that. We believe what it claims because it is God’s Word.” Five Characteristics

  Yes, it is circular reasoning. However…  All arguments for Absolute Authority must appeal to that authority as proof. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be Ultimate Authority.  “My reason is my ultimate authority because that is what seems reasonable or right to me.”  “The findings of human sensory experiences are the ultimate authority to discover what is real because our human senses have never discovered anything else: thus, human experience tells me that my principle is true.” Circular Reasoning?

  Because Scripture is the Word of God /the Authority for life… …We seek to understand and actively apply God’s word in our lives. (Deut. 30:11-14; Lk. 6:46-49) …We recognize that God delights in those who endeavor to keep and obey His word. (Jn. 14:15) …We expect a loving God to discipline His children when unrepentant. (Heb. 12:5-11) Practical Application

  Truthful and Inerrant  If the Word of God, then it will be consistent with His character.  Truth itself (not just true). Scripture is the final authority.  No scientific or archeological discovery has ( or will) ever proved the Bible in error.  “Inerrancy means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything which is contrary to fact” - Wayne Grudem  Allows for limitations attached to ordinary language and speech as well as limitations in scientific knowledge. Character of Scripture

 True and Inerrant does not mean that Scripture must speak in scientifically accurate detail. Scripture is written in an ancient context. Observations about the world were described as they appeared. For instance, does the sun truly “rise” and “set”? This also, does not mean that the Bible must tell us everything that can be known about a subject or even speak to every subject. You’ll not find a study in advanced mathematics in the Bible. And, you’ll not find everything that can be known about parenting or managing finances. Sun Rises and Trig

  Because Scripture is Truthful and Inerrant… …We do not automatically assume some failure of Scripture when we don’t understand but instead continue to seek for understanding. …We trust God and how he has revealed Himself to us in Scripture rather than trusting our own perceptions. Practical Application

  Clarity  The Bible is written in a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God’s help with a willingness to obey.  While some parts of Scripture may be a mystery to us or difficult to understand, Scripture states an expectation of understanding, obedience and resultant growth. (Deut 6:6-7 & 30:11-14; Ps 19:7)  Intellectual ability is not the primary need in understanding scripture. New life in Christ is. (1 Cor. 1:18-25; James 1:5-6) Character of Scripture

  Because Scripture is characterized by Clarity… …We recognize what we do understand and seek to implement it in our lives. …We refuse to give up trying to understand difficult passages. Instead we work hard and ask for God’s help. Practical Application

  Necessity  The Bible is necessary to know the gospel, to maintain spiritual life, and for certainty of God’s will. (Romans 10:13-17, Matthew 4:4; Titus 1:15  It is not necessary to know that God exists or for knowing certain aspects of God’s moral law. Character of Scripture

  Because Scripture is necessary to the Christian life… …We regularly engage our minds in reading, meditating and studying it. …We refuse to allow our spiritual life to be marked by shallow cliché or what we’ve “heard” from others. Practical Application

  Sufficiency  Scripture contains all the words of God that He intends for His people to have at each stage of redemptive history. (Deut. 29:29)  Scripture contains every word a person needs to become a Christian, live as a Christian, and grow as a Christian. (2 Tim 3:15-17; Ps 119:1 and 119:9)  Scripture will provide us with everything we need for guidance in “every good work” (2 Tim 3:17) Character of Scripture

  Because the Scripture is sufficient… …We should search it for direction and guidance. …We should never add to Scripture. No other writings are equally valuable (ex. Book of Mormon or Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures ) No one’s unique ideas about God or heaven should be considered authoritative apart from the clear witness of Scripture …We should never consider personal revelation or guidance as equal to Scripture in authority. Practical Application

  Why is it important that the Bible be the basis for our beliefs?  Will the Bible definitively answer every question we bring to it? Why or why not?  What is one issue that the Bible speaks clearly on? What is one issue that the Bible does not speak clearly on? How does this affect the emphasis you should place on these issues? Review and Application

  Read Chapter 9 and 10 of Grudem: “The Existence of God” and “The Knowability of God”  Answer questions #5 on page 145 and #4 on page 153.  Be prepared to discuss with eachother next class. Homework