Systematic Theology, Chapter 34

Regeneration, an act of God where he imparts a new spiritual life in us.  (also called being born again).

Just like we did not choose to be physically born, so do we not take an active role in regeneration.   Both the New Testament and Old Testament speak of this....

Ezekial says, "A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you."
John 1 says, "we were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of God , but born of God."

Regeneration occurs first, and then effective calling.

Effective calling is God speaking powerfully to us, and regeneration is God working powerfully in us, to make us alive.

Heard of the word, irresistible grace? This is similar, and shows the power of God to reach into our lives and change us from the inside out.

We were spiritually dead, and also "dead in our sins," and later we are a new creation, alive in Christ.

Whether you are raised in a Christian family or go from ragged sinner to saved, there is a point of salvation on both situations, wher eGod awakens spiritual life within.

THAT change will become evident over time in patterns of behavior and desires that are pleasing to God.

What kind of results?

• heartfelt trust in Christ for salvation, 
• assurance of forgiveness of sins
• desire to read the Bible and pray
• delight in worship
• desire for Christian fellowship
• desire to be obedient to God's word in Scripture
• desire to tell others about Christ. 

John 6, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." 

Acts 16, "The Lord opened her (Lydia's) heart to give heed to what was said by Paul." 

1 John 3, "no one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born again of God." 

Grudem says, "when we are asked to characterize a regenerated persons life, the adjective that comes to mind should not be "sinner," but rather something like, "obedient to Christ or obedient to Scripture."  

As regenerated, there is also protection from Satan, as 1 John 5 says, "the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." 

Systematic Theology, Chapter 33

The Gospel call and effective calling.

Romans speaks of how God first predestines, then calls, then justifies, then glorifies.  Is there a definite order in how salvation should go about?

God calls us in a way that is not a mere human calling, but a sort of "summons" from the King of the universe.  It is an act of God that guarantees a response, as God does the work in justifying us.

Effective calling, an act of God, through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which HE summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.

A general gospel call is the crying out to all people to repent and believe in the gospel, offered to all people, even to those who do not accept it.

The elements of the gospel call:
1. Explanation of salvation.  (All have sinned, penalty is death, Christ died to pay that penalty)
2. Invitation to respond personally in repentance and faith. (Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest).   We cannot cling any more to our sin, but willingly renounce it in genuine repentance.
3. Promise of forgiveness and eternal life.

Are there points that we have missed normally in sharing the gospel? Do we know the key verses needed to share clearly?

Next week, regeneration.

Systematic Theology, Chapter 32

Election and Reprobation.

Election occured when God decided to choose us to be saved before the foundation of the world.

They are not elected because of any foreseen merit, but only because of his sovereign and good pleasure.

Is predestination in the Bible?
Acts 13:48, "And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
Romans 8:28-30, "Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son...."
God chose Jacob over Esau, according to Paul, not because of anything they had done, but that God's purpose of election might continue.

Eph 1:4-6, "He chose us in him before the foundation of the world,"

And the list goes on....

Election should be a:
1. comfort.  An assurance. Past, present, and future, God has acted for our good.
2. A reason to praise God. We cannot take pride, but simply thank God for saving us.
3. An encouragement to evangelism. We may go forth confidently, knowing that God has chosen some people to be saved from every folk and people.

Misunderstandings of election.
1. Is it fatalistic? (i.e., we have no choice in the matter) In a true fatalistic system, our humanity is destroyed as our choices mean nothing, and there is no motivation for moral accountability. The Bible speaks many times about "come to me," or "they refuse to come," thus putting a personal willful choice into the mix.
   God doesn't just know a person is "elect" because he can see in the future, but rather that he knew from the beginning of the world.
   Scripture shows that we are not elect because of any redeeming factor in us, but rather purely for Christ and what he did.  We are chosen by grace, so that we can see that there is no merit in us or as God's basis for choosing us. Salvation is all about grace and not about human ability!

If God makes us in a certain way and then tells us that our voluntary choices are real and genuine choices, then we must agree that they are.  God is the ultimate definer of truth.

When people "who never had a chance to believe" rejected God, then he blames them in their willful choice to reject him.   "You refuse to come to me that you may have life."

Election is unfair?  True fairness would be for God not to save anyone.   This question reaches deep into our understanding of ourselves as creatures and of our relationship to God as our creator.   We have no right to tell God what he should be doing in our finite person.

God says in his word that he wills to save everyone.
1 Tim 2:4, God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Ezekiel 33:11, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked will turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, o house of Israel?

next week, The Gospel call and effective calling.

Systematic Theology, chapter 31.

Common grace, those undeserved blessings given to all people.

"How can God continue to give blessings to sinners who deserve only death?"

Yes, God gives innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation to all people.

In the Physical realm, God's provision through nature, plants, etc.  Matthew 5 says, "He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

In the intellectual realm, God allows knowledge, truth, and even an awareness of God's existence for all mankind.

In the moral realm, common grace restrains people from being as evil as they could be. Their conscience provides some moral restraint.

In the creative realm, we can see artistic and musical skill poured out on both believers and unbelievers.

In the societal realm, family structure, human government, and other organizations are a way of holding order, and expressions largely of the common grace of God.

In the religious realm, God may out of his common grace answer the prayers of unbelievers, and asks us to love and pray for those who persecute us.

Common grace and special grace (to salvation) influence each other.  By common grace, our churches could be built, our Bibles printed, etc.  And by special grace, believers can influence and bless their communities.

YET, Common grace does NOT save people, i.e. it does not change the heart or bring repentance and faith.

Why should non believers get God's grace?
1.  To let them live and have time towards salvation, and also that their children might be saved.
2. Demonstrating God's goodness and mercy.   When God is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish, his kindness is revealed in the universe, to his glory.
3. Demonstrating God's justice. God gives many opportunities to come to him, and thus no one will be able to object that God was unjust.
4. Demonstrating God's glory. We reflect the wisdom of our creator, in our skills, moral virtue, etc.  These are tainted by sinful motives, but the original creator reflection shines through.

"As i live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn back from his way and live. "   Ezekiel 33:11.

"God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  1 Timothy 2:4.

What is our response?
When we see our non believing friends do good, we should see God's hand in it and be thankful for common grace.  At the same time, we should realize that no amount of God's common grace is equivalent to saving grace.
Not just the immediate nature and creation of God, but all that has come from the abilities given by common grace allow us to thank God.  He created the flowers, yes, but he also gave the talent to the carpenter who made our house, etc.  And we don't deserve any of it!

Systematic Theology, chapter 30

The work of the Holy Spirit.

Always an interesting topic!

Definition:  The work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in his church. ....the one present to do God's work in the world.

Already in Genesis 1:2, "the Spirit of God was moving on the face of the waters."

The Holy Spirit manifests Gods presence in the new covenant age.

The Holy Spirit brings God's blessing in the following ways:

1. Empowers.
   Gives and sustains both physical life and spiritual regeneration.
   Empowers God's people for service.
       Although the Holy Spirit was involved in Old Testament people's lives, it is much more clear in the New Testament.  "You shall recieve power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...."
      Gives spiritual gifts to Christians for service.  "When spiritual gifts are active, it is another indication of the presence of God the Holy Spirit in the church."

2. Purifies.
   The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and cleanses us from sin.  He gives us the fruit of the spirit, which makes us more Christ-like.

3.  Reveals.
   Revelation of God's words to the apostles and prophets.
   Gives evidence of God's presence.  
   Guides and directs God's people. We as Christians need to take the example of the New Testament as the Holy Spirit clearly led his people, and have the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives.  This is not just a matter of following scripture and common sense, but also being aware of the blessing or lack of peace as one goes about life.
   He provides a Godlike atmosphere when he manifests his presence.
   He gives us assurance.
   He teaches and illumines. He helps us remember his word, and helps us understand God's word.
   The Holy Spirit unifies.
   The Holy Spirit gives stronger or weaker evidence of the presence and blessing of God according to our response to him.  (are we sinning and quenching the spirit). 

Systematic Theology, chapter 29

I just want to say first, that I am pretty surprised at myself that I have made it more than halfway through this massive book!  621 pages down....


Now we are at chapter 29, The Offices of Christ.

Among the people of Israel, there were three major offices, prophet, priest, and king.

Christ fulfills all three of these offices.


1. Prophet:
    Prophets in the Old Testament spoke God's words to the people.  Often people in the New Testament spoke of Jesus as a prophet when they didnt know much about him, but saw something great from him.

The Epistles never call Jesus a prophet, but points out that Jesus is special as he is "the son."

They almost avoid calling Jesus a prophet, as he is so much more than that.  He is the one that all the prophets spoke about who was coming, thus putting him on a whole different level.  Jesus was also not merely a messenger of God's revelation, but the source of revelation from God.

Instead of saying, "thus says the Lord," but Jesus could say, "I say unto you."

2.  Priest
   In the Old Testament, priests were the ones who offered sacrifices on behalf of the people.  They made the people acceptable to come into God's presence.

As priest, Jesus offered a perfect sacrifice for Sin.   He continually makes it possible for us to come into God's presence.

As priest, Jesus continually prays for us. He is the only one who is perfectly suited as man and God, to understand and pray on our behalf.

3.  King.
Jesus was king, but his kingdom was not "of this world."  He is the king of kings and lord of lords.

There are parallels for us.  Adam was a prophet in that he had true knowledge of God and spoke truthfully about God and his creation.  Adam was a priest who could come before God (before the need for a sacrifice for sins).   Adam and Eve were also king/queen in the sense that they ruled over the creation around them.

After sin entered, those three offices were removed from Adam and Eve. Others took up the role throughout history, but often they were also sinful and corrupt in their jobs.

When Christ came, he did and does perfectly fulfill those three roles.

As Christians, we can imitate Christ in these roles, as we "prophetically" proclaim the gospel to the world, and prophetically proclaim God's truth to others.  We also are priestly in the sense that we can offer sacrifices of praise to God and come before him.   We are also kingly in that we share the kingly reign with Christ, and have been given limited authority.

Systematic Theology, Chapter 28

Resurrection and Ascension

Jesus resurrection was not the same as Lazurus, in the sense that his resurrected body would never again taste decay or death.  He was the first fruits of a new kind of life, in which the body was made able to live eternally.

His body was human in the sense that he could touch, be touched, eat, etc.   Yet he could also appear and disappear quite suddenly.

Could it be, as Murray Harris suggests, that Jesus' resurrection body could go between physical and immaterial at will?  One minute he is flesh and blood, another minute walking through walls?

Scripture does not require this, and does not expressly say so, so we are walking a tight line if we make this conclusion ourselves.   The main point of scripture seems much more focused on how the resurrection body and Christ's later return are of a physical body.

Furthermore, the "new Jerusalem," is often focused on as a place for real physical bodies to be, not just spirits and angels.  What God made in the beginning, physical bodies, was very good, and we should not think necessarily that heaven and the new Jerusalem will be "body-less."

What significance does this have to us?  Paul says that the power by which God raised Christ from the dead is the same power at work within us.  "you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

Christ's resurrection insures our justification, and also that we will receive a perfect resurrection body.

The resurrection of Christ gives us also a future hope, and encourages us to live with this heavenly reward as our goal, continuing steadfastly in the Lord's work.

As Jesus ascended to heaven in his physical resurrection body, we can affirm that he went to a "place."   "...In my father's house there are many rooms," etc.   We cannot say where heaven is, but we can see indications that heaven is a place in the space-time universe.

Christ sits at the right hand of God in heaven, showing his dramatic completion of redeptive work, and also an indication that he has authority over the universe.

What a glorious Christ we serve. 

Wayne Grudems systematic theology, Chapter 27

The Atonement.

Did Christ really need to die?

Atonement: the work Christ did in his life and death to earn our salvation.

God's love and justice made it necessary for the atonement to happen.  God loves us and wanted to spare us his wrath, but his justice requires that somebody pay the penalty.

The fact that God wants to save us at all shows a great mercy on his part. He was not so merciful to the rebellious angels, for example.

Jesus life and words show that his death as a propitiation was absolutely necessary.  Christ obediently obeyed the law in our place, and suffered for us to take the penalty due to us.

Man does not just need a moral neutrality (i.e. the slate has been wiped clean by Christ's suffering), but also a righteousness, which comes through faith in Christ's obedience to perfectly follow the law.  Together this gives us entrance to heaven through faith.

Jesus suffered in four different ways:
1. Physical pain and death
2. The pain of bearing sin (all that he hated most deeply (sin) was poured out fully upon him.)
3. Abandonment (my God my God, why have you forsaken me?)
4. Bearing the wrath of God.  God put forward Christ as a propitiation, which is, "a sacrifice that bears God's wrath to the end and in so doing changes God's wrath towards us into favor."  wow.

God the father inflicted the penalty knowingly on his beloved son.
It was not an eternal suffering in penalty, but a complete payment was made by Jesus.  (If we had to pay the penalty for our sins, it would be eternal, but Jesus could pay completely by his perfect life and death on the cross).

Four terms can show how Christs death met the four needs we have as sinners.
1. we deserve to die as penalty for sin
2. we deserve to bear God's wrath against sin
3. we are separated from God by our sins
4. we are in bondage to sin and to the kingdom of Satan.

Christ's death responds to these needs in the four following ways:
sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation, redemption.

Some other views throughout history:
1. Ransom to Satan theory.  (Christ's death was to redeem us from Satan who rules over us).
2. Moral Influence theory. God was not paying any penalty, but rather showing a loving example through his death on the cross.
3. Example theory. Christ's death is just a nice example for us...
4. Governmental theory. God demands payment, but since he is omnipotent, Jesus payment didnt cover our sins but rather showed that God's payment was paid.

Did Christ descend into hell? The apostles creed says yes, the Bible says....,

As the apostles creed was formed, this phrase originally meant, "was buried or descended in the grave."

1 Peter 3 speaks of how Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison...  This is not a "second chance for redemption for those who have already died, but rather an encouragement for us to witness boldly to those who are hostile around us.

Does this passage mean that Christ spoke to demonic spirits/fallen angels, or to proclaim release to Old Testament saints?  Probably not.

A more satisfying explanation is that the spirit of Christ was speaking through Noah during the time of the building of the ark to seek unbeliever's repentance.

Wayne Grudem even suggests that this phrase should be removed from the apostles creed.

Did Jesus die for the entire human race, or only for the "elect?"   Non-reformed  people say that Christ's atonement must be available to all, and if it was limited, then the gospel is limited.

Reformed people say that if Christ truly died for all, then all should be cleansed and go to heaven.  We dont know who the elect are, but God did, and many passages point out that Christ died for "his sheep," etc.   This is also called limited atonement, or particular redemption.

A non-reformed view speaks often of Bible verses that point out Jesus dying for the whole world.

Both sides agree:
1.  Not all will be saved.
2. A free offer of the gospel can be made to every person ever born.  All agree that Christ's death is of infinite merit.

Let's be careful to respect our brothers and sisters who take each side, and strive to share the gospel to all and all alike!

Systematic Theology, Chapter 26 (part 2)

We have just looked at the humanity of Christ, and now will look at the Deity of Christ. 

The word God (Theos), which is usually reserved for God alone, is used to refer to Jesus Christ several times. 

The word Lord (Kyrios) is also used of Christ.  (See Grudem's book for all the details). 

Other claims to deity include: 

when Jesus says, 

"before Abraham was, I am." 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega...the beginning and the end."  

"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word WAS God." 

The phrases "son of man," and "son of God," had significant meaning in their contexts. 

Jesus possessed attributes of deity:

Omnipotence (stilled the storm with his words, changed water to wine, etc)

Eternity (when he speaks of his existence throughout time)

Omniscience (knowing people's thoughts)

Omnipresence (not during his lifetime, but he says, "where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.)

Sovereignty (ability to forgive sins)

Immortality (inability to die finally) Christ does die, but has an active role in his own resurrection!  "I will raise it up." "I have the power to lay it (Jesus life) down and I have the power to take it again." 

Worthy to be worshiped, something due only to God alone. 

Did Jesus give up some of his divine attributes while on earth?  Grudem argues that Jesus changed his roles and status, but his essential attributes as a part of the deity remained while he lived on earth.  Jesus gave up his status and privilege. So, Jesus is fully divine. 

In 1977, a group of recognized church leaders in England published the book,"the Myth of God Icarnate,"  which makes some foundational assumptions. 

1. The bible is NOT an absolute divine authority for us today

2. Christianity is evolving and changing over time.

We see a dividing point here.  Either we believe in Christs full deity and the authority of scripture, or else we begin on a slippery slope of being able to deny everything in scripture as we choose. 

Here are three other historical views of the person of Christ that are inadequate.

1. Apollinarianism.  Christ had only a human body, his mind/spirit were divine.  (rejected in AD 362)

2. Nestorianism. Divine and human Jesus were two separate persons! (condemned in the 400's AD)

3. Monophysitism (Eutychianism).  Jesus divine and human nature are separate, yet combine to create a new third type of nature. (Denied, because in this case Christ cannot be truly God nor truly man.)

451 AD, the Chalcedonian definition was made, and is a standard, orthodox definition.  

"....truly God and truly man, consubstantial with the Father according to the God head....to be acknowledged in two natures, indivisibly, inseparably, the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one person..."

We are able to point to aspects of the human nature and the divine nature with no problem between them.  For example, Jesus lay sleeping in the boat when the storm hit.  He was tired, YET he showed omnipotence by stilling the storm.  Tired yet all powerful!

To say that we cannot understand it is appropriate humility. To say that it is not possible seems more like intellectual arrogance. 

In general, what happens to either aspect of Jesus can be said of him as a whole.  Thus can Paul say, "they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."  The divinity of Christ cannot die, yet as a whole and in his human nature, Christ did die. 

This topic is the most amazing miracle in the whole Bible; that the infinite, omnipotent, eternal son of God could become man and join himself to a human nature forever....what a miracle and mystery. 

Next time, chapter 27, the Atonement. 

Systematic Theology, Chapter 26

The Person of Christ, how is Jesus fully God and fully man in one person?

He WAS fully God and fully man in one person, and WILL be so forever.

Starting with his humanity:
1. Christ is born of a virgin; conceived in the womb of his mother Mary by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, without a human father.   This shows us that salvation must come from the Lord, a virgin birth is an impossibility for man.  It unites humanity and deity in a perfect way.

Being born of a virgin allows Christ to have true humanity without inherited sin.  The angel Gabriel even pronounces to Mary, "therefore the child to be born will be called holy."

2.  Jesus had human weaknesses and limitations.
A human body, the need to grow up.  He became tired, thirsted, hungered, he eventually died.

Jesus also rose from the dead in a physical human body, which had been made perfect. He ascended into heaven with that body, to show a continuity between his existence in a physical body.

He had a human soul and emotions. "Now is my soul troubled." "He was troubled in spirit."  He marveled, he wept with sorrow, he learned obedience.  Yet in all this he never once sinned.

"In every respect he has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

People near him saw him only as a man.  Jesus did a lot of miracles, yet when he approached his hometown, the people said, "where did this man get his wisdom and these mighty works?  Isnt this the carpenter's son?"

He was human, yet without sin.  When he says, "I am the light of the world,"  he points to pefect truthfulness and moral purity.  He says of his Father, "I am always doing what is pleasing to him." (we cannot say the same of our relationship with God!)

Was it possible for Jesus to sin? as a human, it is in his nature to be able to sin, but since he has a divine nature, we know that God cannot be tempted.  They somehow work in unity.
If Jesus had sinned, then he would cease to be God.  Yet his temptations were very real.
He stood fast to the end and triumphed over temptations, and in this way felt the full weight of these temptations.

Why was it necessary for Jesus to be fully human?
1. He was our representative, and obeyed where we and Adam disobeyed.
2. to be a substitute sacrifice.  Only by becoming one of us could he be an acceptable substitute for our sins and its punishment.
3. The one mediator between God and men.
4. Man was made to rule over creation, and only through Jesus is this put to right again.  "given all authority over heaven and earth..."
5. to be our example and pattern in life.
6. To be a pattern for our redeemed bodies.
7. To sympathise as high priest.  He has gone through the same temptations as we and knows what it is like.

Jesus will be a man forever. In his resurrection body, he ate, and had flesh and bones. And it is promised that he will come back in the same way we saw him go into heaven.  Fully God and fully man, yet one person, forever.

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology Chapter 25.

The Covenants between God and man.

Throughout history, God has had a “you do this, I’ll respond with this,” relationship with man, and that is solidified through covenants.  By definition, “A covenant is an unchangeable, divinely imposed legal agreement between God and man that stipulates the conditions of their relationship.”

Both parties are active, but because it is divinely imposed, man cannot negotiate or change the terms of the agreement.  Covenants never change, but they may be superseded or replaced by another covenant.

At the heart of all covenants is this one, “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Even Adam and Eve can be said to live in the first covenant relationship, “you obey and I will bless you in the garden.”

Other covenants usually have an outward sign attached to them, such as circumcision, baptism, the Lord’s supper.  God was not forced to make a covenant, and indeed he made no such covenant with the animals he created, but shows his love for his people when he enters into covenant with them.

The covenant with Adam is still in force with us today, in the sense that perfect obedience leads to life, and “the wages of sin is death.”

Another covenant is called the covenant of Redemption.  In this covenant, the trinity agrees that the son will become man, be our representative, pay our penalty for our sin.

Many scriptures point to how the Father prepares a chosen people for the son, sends the son as a representative, prepares a body, accepts him, gives his all authority, etc.

The son agrees to become man, and become obedient, even to death on a cross, and the Holy Spirit agrees to do the will of the Father and empower Christ to carry out his ministry on earth.

The next covenant is the covenant of Grace. God and man have an agreement, and in this case Christ acts as mediator to fulfill the conditions of the covenant.  The condition for man is faith in the redeemer.  The promise of blessing in the covenant was a promise of eternal life with God.  In the Old Testament, this was shown by the sign of continuing to observe festivals and ceremonial laws, and is now shown through participation in the Lord’s supper.

This covenant of grace was in place from the time of Abraham.  Galatians 3:8 says,” The scripture preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham…”

The “old covenant,” which is spoken of in the New Testament, points to the Mosaic law, which was a restraint and custodian pointing people to Christ.

So Old Testament people looked in faith to the promised Messiah as a step in their redemption.  The sacrificial lambs in the Mosaic covenant did not actually take away sins, but foreshadowed the bearing of sin by Christ.

What a joy to be part of the new covenant (and the other covenants) of God!

Systematic Theology, Chapter 24 continued...

Sin (Part 2).

Are some sins worse than others?

Before God, even one sin makes us legally guilty and thus worthy of eternal punishment.  Adam and Eve's one act of disobedience is a perfect example, introducing death into the world and separating their relationship with God.

James 2:10-11, Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it....

Some sins have more harmful consequences, both between us and our fellow man, and between us and God.   The Bible speaks of "greater sins," but in general, we can see sins that are done willfully, repeatedly, knowingly, with a calloused heart, are more displeasing to God than others.

Unintentional sin is still sin. (Just like speeding when you didnt know the speed limit is still punishable).

Coveting a neighbors car is a sin before God.  Stealing the car and killing the owner of the car is obviously a more "serious" sin.   The same goes for a new believer losing their temper and striking someone compared with a Mature pastor doing the same.

James 3:1, those whoe teach will be judged with greater strictness.  Teachers and those in leadership spiritually will be held to a higher standard of accountability.

What happens when a Christian sins?  We are still in the legal sense forgiven before God, for Christ's death paid for our past, present, and future sins.  We are still children of God, members of his family.

BUT, our fellowship with God is disrupted and our Christian life is damaged.  God still loves us but is displeased with us.  He disciplines us, because he loves us.

Hebrews 12:10, He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

When we sin as Christians, our Christian life and fruitfulness in ministry are also damaged.  "As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."  John 15:4.

Peter says that sinful desires that remain in our hearts "wage war against your soul!" 1 Peter 2:11. To give into those sinful desires is to welcome enemies into the camp.

The danger of unconverted evangelicals.  A genuine Christian who sins does not lose their justification before God, BUT people who are "playing church," and not true believers should not be lulled into complacency that their sinfulness is ok.

A consistent pattern of disobedience to Christ coupled with a lack of the elements of the fruit of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, and so forth, is a warning signal that the person is probably not a true Christian inwardly, that there probably has been no genuine heart faith from the beginning and no regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. !

What about unpardonable sin?  Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, what is that?

There are several possibilities, but Grudem leans towards a willful rejection and slander against the Holy Spirit's work attesting to Christ.  The example in the Bible was when the pharisees claim that Jesus is casting out demons by Beelzebul's power.

This requires a clear knowledge of who Christ is and the power of the Holy Spirit working through him, a willful rejection of the facts about Christ, and attributing that work/power to Satan.  

God does not just punish sin to help us to grow and learn from our sins, but rather because God's righteousness demands it, so that he might be glorified in the universe that he has created.

Next time, "The covenants between God and man." 

Systematic Theology, Chapter 24

Sin.

What is it, where did it come from, did we inherit it?

Biblical human history is basically man in sin and rebellion against God, and God's plan of redemption for man.

Sin:  failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.

Clearly, our attitudes, and not just our actions, can be sinful.  And in contrast, the greatest commandment of all requires that our heart be filled with an attitude of love for God (Love the Lord your God with all your heart...)

The Bible also points out several times that our nature or character is fundamentally sinful.
"We were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."  Eph 2:3.

Commonly, it is said that the essence of sin is selfishness, but this is unsatisfactory, incomplete in it's definition.   The Bible, in 1 John 3:4, says, "sin is lawlessness," meaning both the written law of God and the unwritten law of conscience.

Sin is not just destructive to us, but wrong, opposite to the good character of God, a contradiction of God's holiness, and he must hate it.

Man and angels voluntarily sinned, and God is not to blame for sin, nor a cause of sin.
James 1:13, God can not be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one.

The power of evil is in no way equal to God or even surprising to him.

The original sin struck at several basic points..
"what is true?" (knowledge), is God true or the serpent?
"what is right?" (morals),  Eve's evaluation or God's words. "She saw that the tree was good for food,"
"who am I?" Am I a creation of God, or do I want to be like God?

All sin is ultimately irrational.  It did not make sense for Adam and Eve to try to exalt themselves above God, or that there could be true gain in disobeying their creator.   Proverbs often speaks of "the fool," who engages in all kinds of sins.

We have inherited from Adam in two ways:
1. Inherited guilt.  We are counted guilty because of Adam's sins, and human death is a confirmation of that.

We might complain, "is that really fair?"  But God will primarily "render to every man according to his works" on Judgement day (Romans 2:6), so regardless of our inherited guilt, we have done plenty of sins ourselves.

More persuasively, if we think it is unfair to be represented by Adam, we should also think it is unfair for us to be represented by Christ and to have his righteousness imputed to us by God.

2. Inherited corruption.  We have a sinful nature because of Adam's sin.  This begins from conception (according Psalm 51:5).

Various restraints, like civil law, family expectations, human conscience, keep us from being as terrible as we could be.  Because of God's common grace, society has been able to advance.

Although we might do some "good," every part of our nature is affected by sin.  Paul says, "to the corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted." Titus 1:15.   We cannot please God on our own strength.  Isaiah says, "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." Isaiah 64:6.

All people are sinful before God.
"They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt, there is none that does good, no, not one." Psalm 14:3.

Our sinfulness is not based on our ability to do good, but rather the measuring line is God's perfect holiness and moral law.

Are infants guilty, or do they have to reach an age of accountability? Clearly children are sinful and rebellious, already in their first year or two of life.  But what is a child dies before they are old enough to understand the gospel?  In that case they would not be saved on their own merits, but rather on the basis of Christ's work of redemption.  Both John the Baptist and David speak of belonging to God, or being filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.  This may be so with infants.  God's "normal" example is to save the children of believers in Biblical history, so in regards to children of believers who die very young, we have no reason to think that it would be otherwise.

But that is not God's normal way of salvation.  It is by believing in Christ's atoning work we are saved, and always because of God's mercy and not our merits.

Legal guilt means that even one tiny sin can make us guilty before God, and therefore worthy of eternal punishment.

More to come next week....

Systematic Theology, chapter 23.

The essential nature of man.

Who are we?  We have a physical body, ok.  We have a soul, allright.  What about the spirit of a man?

The soul includes: intellect, emotions, and the will. Everyone has a soul...
But the spirit, that comes alive when a person becomes a Christian.   OR, are the spirit and soul one thing?


Grudem takes the latter view, that of dichotomy. (We have two parts, a body and a spirit/soul).

Just as God created Adam in one breath, in unity of his body and soul, so are we made grow in Godliness both in body and soul.

2 Cor 7:1, we are to cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Scripture uses the words soul and spirit interchangeably.  Also at death, the soul/spirit departs, according to the Bible.  They have the same "functions" and "abilities."

When Paul says, "my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful," he means that there is nonphysical element to our existence that can function apart from our conscious awareness of how it is functioning.

We are different from animals in the sense that we can have a spiritual life in fellowship with God.  Our souls and bodies/minds can relate to God in ways animals never can.

Animals, do they have a soul?  If you mean intellect, emotions, and will, then yes.  If you mean soul as spirit, such as suggested here, then no.



Can we see our soul/spirits?  Not quite, but that allows us to depend on Scripture which explains and expresses the existence of our soul and spirit.

In this life there is a unity where the body and spirit act together as one person, yet after death they will be apart.

When do we get our soul?  Does God give it to us, is it inherited from our parents at conception?

Zechariah 12:1, God is the one who forms the spirit of man within him.

We are also born with the tendencies to sin that are passed on through our family generations.

Systematic Theology Chapter 22

Man as male and female.

Grudem summarizes nicely here:
"The creation of man as male and female shows God's image in,
1. Harmonious interpersonal relationships
2. Equality in personhood and importance, and
3. Difference in role and authority."

Marriage is a main example of interpersonal unity , where two persons become one.  You give up control to share it, it is not temporary but lifelong, and a profound picture of Christ and his church.

Secondly, men and women are made equally in God's image...equally important to God, equally valuable to him.  Women and men should not boast over each other but give honor to each other, just as a man does in Proverbs 31.

Both have received spiritual gifts to be shared in the church, and it is pointless to compare, "who can be more spiritual, etc"

In the Old Testament, the sign of membership of God's people was circumcision, and now through baptism, both men and women can be seen as fully and equally members of the people of God.

Just as the trinity is equal in importance yet with differing roles, so is it with men and women.  God the Father has had a leadership role, he speaks and initiates, Jesus carries out the work, and the Holy Spirit sustains it.

In marriage, the man parallels the Father's role, and the women parallels the son's role.   Some people say that a man's leadership over a women is a sinful result of the fall of Adam and Eve, yet even before that they had very distinct roles.  He was created first, she was created as a helper for him, Adam named Eve.

God named the human race man, not woman.  (similar to a woman taking a man's last name when she marries to signify his headship in the family.)

The serpent came to Eve first.  (was he attempting to institute role reversal by tempting her to lead)?

God spoke to Adam first after the fall.  He was ultimately called to account for their sin.

Adam, not Eve, represented the human race.  She sinned first, but history speaks of "because of Adam's sin"

The curse brought a distortion of previous roles, not the introduction of new roles.  Adam is still responsible, but will have pain in raising crops, and Eve would have pain in bearing children.  There was also introduction of conflict into their harmonious relationship; "your desire shall be for your husband and he will reign over you."   It has been translated, that her desire is to rule over her husband, and yet he will dictatorially rule over her.  What a distortion of the harmonious working together that it should have been.

Redemption in Christ brings us to a place where the original harmonious order is encouraged.  Glad submission to their husbands, lovingness and not harshness to wives.


Husbands who act selfishly, domineering, or cruel/abusive, are acting in sin, contrary to God's purposes for them.  They should rather live up to the New Testament commands to honor, love, be considerate of their wives.
When wives feel rebellious, resent their man's leadership, compete, etc, that is also a result of sin and destructive.
The other extreme of this error is laziness, passivity, wimpiness.  A man who forces his wife to make all the decisions doesnt help her.  A wife who is passive, not involved in decisions and the discussion is also unhelpful.

In following a Biblical pattern, husbands and wives will discover true biblical manhood and womanhood in all their noble dignity and joyful complementarity, as God created them to be, and will thus reflect more fully the image of God in their lives. 

Systematic Theology, Chapter 21.

The Creation of Man.

First of all, why didnt Grudem use a gender neutral term like, "The creation of mankind/humanity?"  He responds clearly that God himself sets this precedent to call all of his created humanity as "man" and this theologically even has significance to show roles of men and women from the start.

God did not "need" us, or create us because of "loneliness," but rather quite simply for his own glory.


Our purpose in life is to glorify him. We are significant IN that purpose.  We are also to enjoy God and take delight in him and our relationship to him.

John 10:10, I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.

As we rejoice in God, so he rejoices in us. "He will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love...." Zeph 3.

We are in the image of God, i.e. we are like God and represent God.  Throughout scripture we see an explanation of this idea.

Even after Adam and Eve sinned, man was still called to be "in God's image."  James 3:9 says that men generally, and not just believers, are made in the likeness of God.  Sin has distorted many aspects that were before more "like God."

When we are redeemed by Christ (become Christian), we can grow more into the likeness of God.  God's goal for redemption is that we might be "conformed to the image of his Son." Romans 8:29.

God's purpose for creating man in his image was completely realized in the person of Jesus Christ. 

How does mankind differ from the rest of creation?
1. We are morally accountable.
2. We have a spiritual aspect, we can pray, hear God speak to us, etc. And we have spiritual immortality.
3. We have mental aspects.  we can reason, speak various languages, we have creativity and inventiveness, we have much more complex emotions than animals.
4. We have a deeper relational ability than animals, such as a church which can be closer than family through the bonds of Christ, in marriage, and man's given right to rule over creation.
5. Our physical bodies allow us to reflect God's character through our actions.

All of creation in different ways reflects God, but only mankind is so like God that he can be said to be "In the image of God."

Since we humans are created in the likeness of God, we must treat each other with dignity and respect that is due to God's image bearer. That means that the elderly, ill, retarded, and those infants yet unborn, deserve full protection and honor as human beings.


Next week, "Man" as male and female. 

Systematic Theology, chapter 20

Satan and Demons.

They were angels, who sinned against God, and who now continually work evil in the world.

They are separated from God and in "eternal chains." (Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4).

Satan is the head of the demons, which means adversary in Hebrew.

Satan is the first one to sin historically.

Demons oppose and try to destroy every work of God.  They use lies, deception, murder, etc to try to cause people to turn away from God and destroy themselves.

Demons are limited in power, and can be successfully resisted by Christians through the authority Christ gives them.  They do not know the future, only God knows the future, and they cannot read our thoughts.

In the Old Testament, the false gods that people worshipped were demons, "they sacrificed to demons which were no gods." Deut 32.

Just as pagan worship of demonic idols leads to destructive practices such as sacrificing children, inflicting bodily harm, cult prostitution, so will worship of demons regularly lead towards immoral and self destructive practices.

Jesus was doing something new in history by casting out demons with authority, and this is a mark in history to bring in the reign of the kingdom of God in power.  Jesus speaks of "binding the strong man,"  Matt 12, and indeed Jesus triumphs over Satan.

There will be a final judgement, where Satan and his angels are decisively defeated and thrown into the lake of fire.

Are Demons active in the world today?   Modern society has a hard time admitting to something they cannot see or touch.
"However, if Scripture gives us a true account of the world as it really is, then we must take seriously its portrayal of intense demonic involvement in human society."
How do we recognize demonic activity today?

Demonic influences are far reaching around us, and yet the power of God and the gospel is what we are often encouraged to go to in the New Testament.

1 John 3:8 says, He who commits sin is of the devil....and yet the context is comparing who are children of God, those who do right, love his brother, etc.

Satan is the originator or father of lies, murder, deception, false teaching and general sin.  Not all sin is cause by Satan or demons, but it factors into almost all destructive activity that opposes the work of God in the world today.

The responsibility is ours as Christians to give no opportunity to the devil (Eph 4:26),  and also in 1 John 5:18 it says,  He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.  Demons can indeed influence us in our sinful areas, and we need to seek God's help.

No Christian can be so influenced by a demon (some say demon possessed) to the point that they dont have any power to chose to do right and obey God.   Romans 6:14 says, Sin shall have no dominion over us since we have been raised with Christ.

The question of how much a demon can influence a Christian is similar to the question, how much can a genuine Christian let his life be dominated by sin and still be a born again Christian? Yes, both sin and demonic attacks can happen to true Christians.

How do we recognize it?  Satanic  activity always tends toward the ultimate destruction  of parts of God's creation and especially of human beings who are made in the image of God.  Demonic influence will lead to blatantly false doctrinal statements, such as exclaiming "Jesus be cursed."

The Bible mentions a spiritual gift to be able to discern between spirits.  Sometimes Christians can sense both other Christians and distinct evil before discussing what it is.

Jesus gives all believers authority to rebuke demons and command them to leave.
Many examples are given of believers casting out demons in Jesus name.
Eph 6 says, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The work of Christ on the cross is the ultimate basis for our authority over demons.  Because of Christ's death on the cross, our sins are completely forgiven, and Satan has no rightful authority over us.  We are also members in God's family, and when Satan picks on one of us, he picks on God our father!

1 John 4:4, You are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Why should Christians get involved at all?  Can't God just solve it if we pray to him?  (in the same thought line, why do we need to speak to people in evangelism and not just pray for them from a distance?)  The answer is that God has given us a very active role in carrying out his plans.

Paul speaks about not just wrestling with flesh and blood but also against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6).

When dealing with evil spirits, we shoudl remember that we who have the Holy Spirit have a spirit of gentleness and peace (1 Cor 14:33). If we pray for a person and command an evil spirit to leave, often the person can express a feeling of relief, freedom, joy, and peace.  The power to cast out demons comes not from our own strength or power of our own voice, but from the Holy Spirit.

A non-Christian who has had an evil spirit removed should be encouraged to come to Christ as soon as possible, so there is no foothold for the devil to return.

In summary, demons are around, and God is triumphant over all of them and protects his children.  He has given us weapons and power to stand fast in Christ Jesus.

Next week, "The creation of man."

Systematic Theology, Chapter 19

Angels.

They are:  created, spiritual, have moral judgement, have high intelligence, but without physical bodies.

1. Created. All things except God himself were created.
2. Moral judgement. We know they have ability to choose, because some of them chose to rebel.
3. High intelligence. We can see through how they speak to people and sing praises to God.
4. Spirits.  God can and has given them the ability to be seen, but they otherwise guard and protect us and worship God in a way that is invisible to us.

Three other types of heavenly beings include:
1.  Cherubim,who guard the garden of Eden and work in God's "chariot" often in scripture
2.  Seraphim, worship God.
3. and the Living creatures, lion, ox, man, eagle, etc, who worship God.


Michael is an archangel, in a higher rank.

Angels are not omnipresent, but can be in one place at a time. There is a large number of angels (scripture often says, "thousands of thousands."

Guardian angels may exist, but there is no convincing support that each and every person have their own specific angel for life.

Angels do not marry.  They are very powerful. They were made sometime before the first 7 days of creation were done.

The "Angel of the Lord," in scripture, seems to be God himself revealing himself to people, especially in the old Testament.

Humans compared to angels.
We are created in the image of God, not necessarily angels.
We procreate and have families, not angels.
God shows a salvation plan for us but not the angels (who were rebellious).

When we compare God's mercy on mankind, that he would save some of us, even though ALL have sinned, while meanwhile he does not have that same mercy on the angels, should make us more and more thankful for God's graciousness.

Angels are an example to us, in their glad immediate obedience and joy in worshiping God as they do in heaven.

Angels are messengers for God, bring God's judgement on people, and will accompany Christ in his return.  They also patrol the earth and fight the enemy.  They glorify and worship God, and rejoice over new believers.

How does this apply to our daily lives?  When we worship, a whole group of angels worships with us, they are watching our obedience or disobedience, and they are also cheering along in our service of God.  Our hospitality to all could be some angel unaware, they guard us and bear us up so we don't fall.

The Bible also warns of false "angels." Any new insight or revelation contrary to Scripture should be suspect. (Moroni angel to Joseph Smith).  We should not worship, pray to, or seek angels.


Angels may make appearances today, as they did throughout the Bible.  If God could send a human being to warn us of danger or encourage us, there is no reason he could not send an angel, but we should be very careful to discern if this is from God and in accordance with scripture.

Wayne Grudems systematic theology, Chapter 18

Prayer.

What is it, why do we do it?

"Prayer is personal communication with God."

He already knows what we need, BUT prayer can express our trust in God, and a way to increase trust in him.

In true humble dependence, we can show we truly believe in the good and true attributes of God, and God delights in this.


The Lord's prayer starts by putting things in the right perspective.  We are praying to God, a loving and wise Father who rules over all.

Prayer then takes us into a relationship of love and fellowship with God.

And finally, we can thus be involved in activities of eternal importance.

How effective is prayer?
1. It changes the way God acts.
2. Jesus Christ is an effective mediator between us and God. ....can God then hear the prayers of those who do not trust in Jesus?  Although God hears everything, and might act in mercy to non-believers' prayers, he speaks clearly that his will is for us to pray with Jesus as a mediator.
3. Praying in Jesus name, what is that? It is not just a magical line at the end of a prayer, "in Jesus name, Amen," but rather to pray in accordance with his will, and under his authority.

The Holy Spirit has a big role in prayer, as Romans 8 expresses, "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs to deep for words."

We need to pray in accordance with God's will.

When the Bible is clear on a topic, it is easy to know God's will, for he always wants his word to be obeyed and commands kept.  When it is not so clear, we may add in our thoughts and words, "if it is your will,"which shows our submissiveness to God's will over all our own wishes.

Praying with faith.
   God wants us to pray in the knowledge and and assurance of his ability and omnipotence.  We cannot force these feelings, but God can give us a sense of assurance and readiness to rest in Him.

Obedience. Things that displease God are a hindrance to prayer/relationship with Him.  Prayer and holy living must go together.

Confession of Sins. It is a good habit to pray in confession of sins when we pray, and even remember James 5, which encourages us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another."


Forgiveness.  We can not be holding a grudge or stand in unforgiveness and approach the throne of God.

Humility. This is the right attitude to have in praying to God.

Continuing in prayer over time. Repetition of the same prayer requests is shown in several examples in scripture to be ok.  Persistence shows God that we truly take the issue/prayer request to him in his sovereignty.

Praying earnestly. As we read many Old Testament prayers, we can almost hear the intensity of their hearts as they pour out their prayers to God. We cannot fool God by faking this genuineness, but when we start to see the world which is hurting and dying, we often cannot help but have an emotional involvement in what God is doing.

Waiting on the Lord. What a joy when we can come before the Lord, and wait in his presence after we have spoken to him.  Sometimes we are rushed, but in general, this is an ideal way to come before the Lord.

Praying in private. There are many examples of this, and it is important that we are not out to impress others through our public prayers and words.
 

Praying with others. There are also many examples of group prayer in the scriptures, and this is also right and good.

Fasting. This is often linked with supplication (asking the Lord for something).  We learn dependence on God in our weakness, self discipline which can branch out into other aspects of life, a focus less on the material things of this world, and an urgency in our prayers.

What about unanswered prayer? we cannot see God's plan in everything.  The Jews prayed and waited for centuries before the Messiah came. Sometimes what we don't understand, "God has meant for good." (Gen 50:20).

Regardless of if our "desired prayers" are answered, God's grace is sufficient for each day.

In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. Phil 4:6.

Next week, Angels.

Systematic Theology, Chapter 17

I am reorganizing the numbering of this little blog to match up with the chapter I am reading....in Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology book.

Chapter 17, Miracles

Miracle:  "A less common kind of God's activity in which he arouses people's awe and wonder and bears witness to himself."

Terms such as signs, wonders, miracles, or mighty works, are often used. And God himself is the one who does these.

Some miracles in the Bible are obvious, such as Jesus resurrection, Moses and the exodus from Egypt, Jesus healing the blind, lepers, etc.

An unusual answer to prayer can also be considered a miracle.   But we have to find the balance between making everything into a miracle, and not believing anything to be a miracle, thus failing to glorify and thank God for what he has done.

Miracles are characteristic of the New Testament church, and show the work of the Holy Spirit.  They may be expected to continue through the age of the church.



Cessationists hold that miracles were an affirmation of a true apostle, and died out with the death of the original apostles. But the Bible points out many times where non-apostles did miracles, even among the body of Christ generally.

Even if a person has an ability/gift of doing miracles, they will be dependant on the Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts "as he wills." 1 Cor 12:11.

What about false miracles, done by non-Christians? The Bible is clear that these false miracles will happen, but what is important is to see what happens to non-Christians who are deceiving others.  They will perish without Christ.  The power of God is greater than the power of Satan.

Should we Christians seek miracles today?  Not for our own advancement, not for entertainments sake, etc. Jesus never rebukes anyone who comes in faith, in need, seeking healing, deliverance, or another miracle.

Paul reminds us that signs and wonders do not save us, but the gospel saves people.

Let us have faith, seek God for miracles, and delight in what he is doing!