A Guide to Christian Theology

There are two approaches to systematic theology: the deductive approach and the inductive appearoch. Find out how these two approaches differ and you need to understand each one.

God has revealed himself to all people in all places through creation and conscience.

Special revelation is the way God reveals himself and his truth through his plan of redemption.

A commitment to inerrancy is, "an advance commitment to receive as truth from God all that Scripture is found on inspection actually to teach."  (J.I. Packer)

In the Bible, God speaks authoritatively to his people.

This is an optional lesson on why Gerry uses different translations, and why that is a good thing. Please answer the quiz question even if you don't listen to the lecture.

The characteristics of God's nature determine the type of relationship we can have with him.

How God describes himself gives us a significant insight into his character.

God is unchanging, and never has to abandon a plan because He hasn't sufficient power to accomplish it.

In the unity of God's essence, there subsists three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who are consubtantial and coeternal, yet distinct in the personal mode of their existence, living eternally in loving relationship.

The way we interepret the biblical teaching about God's sovereignty and human freedom affect how we view God and how we live our lives. 

All persons are separated from God and under condemnation in sin. All humans are drawn to God because he truly wants them to come to him. Some respond to God and some resist him.

All things were created in a free, personal act of the triune God. Creation is distinct from, and dependent upon God. [The last 10 minutes of audio is not playing at this time, either in the audio or video option. We will fix this as soon as we can.]
 

Providence is God working out his good plan through the upholding of creation, and direction of all things toward his ultimate goal.

God is persistent and faithful to bless his sinful people because he has chosen them. He won't go back on his promise.

The first humans originated from the direct creative activity of God.

The expression of the image of God in people can be described as two interacting essences, material and immaterial, distinguishable in life but only divisible in death.

People have proposed various explanations for the origin of sin.

The effects of sin are pervasive.

The essentials of incarnational Christology are that Jesus is: 1. One eternal person, the Logos, 2. The same eternal deity as the Father, 3. The same temporal humanity as we are, and 4. The full unity of the person of Christ.