Class notes for November 5th, 2006

Here are the notes for our first class. I'll be creating a posting for questions brought up in class in a separate thread.

“Discover the Faith”

“Christianity is a way of life founded on a message”
J. Gresham Machen

Theology

1. What is “Theology” ?
A. Literally, “God-Study”
2. Where is it from and where does it lead?
A. St. Thomas Aquinas:
Theology is taught by God, teaches God, and leads unto God
Revelation -> Theology -> Knowledge of God
3. How does it fit in the “faith equation” ?
Faith = Knowledge + Assent + Trust
A. Louis Berkhof:
“Belief is sanctified human reason”

Knowledge – understanding information.
Assent – agreement with a perspective after thoughtful consideration.
Trust – assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; dependence on something future or contingent.

Uses and Abuses of Theology

1. Abuses of Theology – Theology done badly
A. Barren intellectualism
B. Confuses
C. Divides

2. Necessity of Theology – Theology done well
A. Rom. 10:9-10 <- Belief required for salvation
B. Titus 1:1 <- Knowledge leads to godliness
C. Titus 1:9 <- Sound doctrine needed to identify falsity

The “Golden Rule” of Theology

In Essentials, unity
In Nonessentials, liberty
In All Things, love

Examples
1. Hymns vs. Praise music in church
2. Consumption of alcohol
3. Infant baptism
4. Literal hell of unending torment
5. Belief in salvation by faith alone
6. Deity of Christ
7. Christ’s atonement for our sins

What is the Gospel?

In General:
All that Jesus and the Apostles taught
Specifically:
God’s answer to our sentence of death
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
1 Timothy 1:15-16

Components of Gospel Message

In Adam, all died to God
All* have actualized that sin
The Penalty of Sin is Death
We have no ability to redeem ourselves
Jesus the Christ lived a sinless life, and paid the penalty for our sin in full
Salvation is by Grace along, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Administrivia

Website:
http://discoverthefaith.blogspot.com/
E-mails:
glmeece@gmail.com
richard.lawson@verizon.com