Systematic Theology Part 11

Eschatology (What are the last things?) Listen to Part 1 here and Part 2 here

Eschatology – The study of last things


Definition: The consummation of human history.
Man’s purpose is eschatological. Adam pre fall was eschatological focused:
- Order of human history pre-fall, Creation, Justification, Dominion, Glorification.
- Order of human history post-fall Last Adam the first fruits and those that are His at His Coming. Eschatology predates Soteriology.

Personal eschatology
Death – The breath life ceases, the soul departs at death. 2 Cor 5:1-10,
Intermediate state – Believers are immediately in the presence of God
- Unbelievers are immediately judge in hades.
- Both await resurrection on the last day.

The different eschatological hermeneutics
Futurism
Preterism (correct)
Historicism
Idealism

Tribulation Past or Future
The tribulation in Christ’s generation Matt 24:34
The Day Lord happened AD 70 1 Thess 5:2, 2 Thess 2:2, 2 Peter 3:10
The Day of Christ did not. 1 Phillip 1:6,10

The different views of the Millennium
Amillennialism (correct)
Postmillennialism
Premillennialism

The Eschatology yet future
The Second Coming of Christ 1 Cor 15, Acts 1:11, 1 Thess 4:16
The Final Judgment (Judgment seat of Christ) John 5:29-30, Rev 20:6-12,
The General Resurrection John 5:29-30, Acts 17:31, Acts 24:15
The New Heavens and New Earth Rev 21


THE END

Systematic Theology Part 10

Ecclesiology – (What is the Church?) Listen to part 1 here and part 2 here


Definition: The Assembly
Those that have been redeemed by God in order to serve and worship Him, calling upon His name both individually and corporately this present evil age.

History of the church:

Old Testament and the church under age
The Sanctuary of God: Adam-Noah was Eden, Noah to Moses (None, but alter centered worship), Moses to David was the ark covenant and the tabernacle, David to Christ was the temple.

New Testament and church in maturity
Christ to Pentecost was Christ, Pentecost to Second Coming the cooperate body of Christ. Second Coming to endless eternity it will be the cosmos.

The Inauguration of the New Testament Church:

Pentecost the birth of New Testament of Church (see pneumatology)

The three Marks of a true Church:
Word, Sacrament and church discipline

Purpose of the Church:
Exaltation/Worship: The regulative principle of worship, not the nominative
Edification: Believer gifts and love build up the church
Evangelization: To preach the gospel to ever creature

The government of the Church:

Different views:
Episcopalianism
Presbyterianism
Congregationalism
Plurality of Elders

Offices of the Church:

Foundational/extraordinary office: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist
Continual/ordinary office: Pastor and Teacher/Elder, deacons, Missionaries (Apostolic/evangelistic)

Qualification and duties of an Elder:
1 Tim 3:1-8, Titus 1:5-9
Qualifications and duties of a Deacon:
1 Tim 3:9-12

Means of Grace:

Word
Mark 16:16-17, Matt 28:20, 1 Cor 1:17-23
Sacraments
Lord’s supper I Cor 11:17-26, Baptism Matt 28:19, 1 Peter 3:20, Heb 8 (credo position)
The Lord’s Day
Rev 1:10, Acts 20:7, Matt 28:1 The first day of the week.
Prayer
The Lords Prayer, Submission, Worship to God. Rom 8:26 pray according to His Will.

Systematic Theology Part 9

Soteriology (What is salvation?) Listen to part one here and part 2 here

Soteriology – The doctrine of salvation

What is salvation?
To be delivered from one’s sins as fallen creature in Adam into the Kingdom of God with all of its benefits by the reconciliatory work of Christ.

Plan of Salvation
God’s decrees
Supralapsarianism or infralapsarianism?
Covenant of Redemption (Heb 13:20)

Overview of redemptive history
The unity of the Covenant of Grace (Eph 2:12, 2 Cor 1:20):
Adamic (Gen 3:15)
Noahic (Gen 9:4)
Abrahamic (Gen 12:1-3, Gen 15:6, Gen 17:1-11)
Mosaic (Ex 24:6-8, Gal 3:23)
Davidic (2 Sam 7:14)
New Covenant (Heb 8:1-13)

Ordo Salutis:
Election (1 Peter 1:2)
Predestination (Rom 8:29, Eph 1:3-4)
Gospel call (Matt 22:14)
Effectual call (Matt 22:14)
Regeneration (Titus 3:5, Eph 2:3)
Repentance (Act 2:38 Heb 6:2)
Justification (Gal 2:16-18)
Adoption (Rom 8:14-16)
Sealing of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)
Sanctification (2 Cor 7:1, 1 Thess 5:23)
- Walking in the Spirit/the infilling of the Spirit Eph 5:17
- By faith in Christ. Col 3:16
Glorification (Rom 8:30)

Systematic Theology Part 8

Pneumatology (Who is the Holy Spirit?) Listen here for part one and here for part 2

Pneumatology – Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit as a distinct person within the Godhead
True and full deity (Act 5:3-4, 2 Cor 3:17)
Co-equal with Father and the Son (Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 12:4-6, 2 Cor 13:14)
Personhood of the Spirit: He (John 15:26) Will (1 Cor 12:11) Power (Rom 15:13, Eph 3:16) Love Rom 15:30

Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
- in creating the world (Gen 1:1-2)
- in salvation of the OT elect (1 Pet 1:12)
- in anointing OT saints (Num 11:24-30)


Prophesy of the eschatological outpouring of the Spirit
Joel 2:28-32 the Spirit coming to the people of God once and for all
In order to anoint and empower for ministry (Act 1:6-8)

The coming of the Spirit and Pentecost
Fulfillment of Joel (Act 2:16-18, John 7:39)
The inauguration of the church (John 16:7-11)
The birth of the body of Christ (John 14:16-18)
Apostolic Sign and Wonders (Heb 2:3-4)

The Holy Spirit in Salvation
- regeneration (Titus 3:5)
- sealing of the Spirit (Eph 2:13)
- the baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)
- the infilling of the Spirit (Eph 5:18)
- the Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11)

The Holy Spirit today
The cessation of the revelatory gifts/closing of the cannon (John 15:13, Jude 3)
The on going work of the Spirit through Word and Sacrament (2 Tim 4:2, John 6:63)
Prayer – in the Spirit/ the will of God (Jude 20, Rom 8:26,27)
The Spirit interceding for the saints (Rom 8:26)

Systematic Theology Part 7

Christology (Who is Christ?) Listen here for part 1 and here for part 2

Christology - The study of the person and work of Christ

Christ in eternity past
Christ is the eternal Son of God 1 John 4:9
Christ creates the universe Col 1:15-17

Christ in the Old Testament
No man has seen the Father but the Son John 1:18
Christophanies in the Old Testament – An appearance of Christ in human form
e.g. Jacob wrestled with Christ Gen 32:24-30, The elders see Christ Exodus 24:9-12
Christ was the Angel of the Lord - An appearance of Christ in human form in the role of a messenger.
e.g. Gen 16:7-14,Abraham, Gen 21:17 to Hagar twice, Exodus 3:14, 23:20-21 to Moses, Numbers 22:21-35 Balaam, Joshua, Judges etc

Christ’s incarnation and birth
By the power of the Spirit by means of a virgin: Isa 7:14, Matt 1:16-23, Luke 1:26-35. The purpose was to avoid original sin, he is the second man 1 Cor 15:47
Christ the God man –Theo-anthropos, The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. John 1:14, in the one person Jesus Christ, made like his brothers in every way Heb 2:14. Kenotic theory heretical

Why Christ had to be fully God and fully man
God to redeem and forgive sins i.e the covenant of redemption
Man to be our substitute in active and passive obedience

Christ’s secret years
Christ as child, Christ at 12 in the temple, Christ growing in favor with God and man. Luke 2:41-52

Christ’s public Years (the prophet)
Christ baptism and anointing, Christ mission, to save His people from their sins Matt 1:21 Christ’s ministry and miracles in order to usher in the eternal Kingdom of God. He was The Prophet Acts 3:22-23

Christ’s passion and atonement
The vicarious penal substitutionary atonement John 1:29 The Lamb of God
Propitiation and expiation Rom 3:23-26, 1 John 2:2, Heb 2:17
Forensic and reconciliatory 1 Cor 5:17-21 The Great Exchange

Christ’s Resurrection
Christ victory over the grave, the proof that His work was accepted by the Father
1 Pet 3:1 Rom 1:4

Christ’s Ascension (Priest and King)
Christ enthronement as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Eph 1:20-22, Rev 19:16) Entering the Priesthood in the order of Melchizedek Heb 5:5-6,7:21-23)
The coming of the eschatological Spirit and the inauguration of the church Act 1:5-11
Christ waiting for all His enemies to be made His footstool 1 Cor 15:25, Heb 10:13)

Christ’s Second Coming and the Final Judgment of the world
Christ’s return will consummate the Kingdom Glorying both creation and the saints 1 Cor 15:20-28, Acts 1:11, 1 Thess 4:16-19, Rom 8,:20-24. An end to sin and death I Cor 15:54, Rev 21:4. The end of redemptive history.1 Cor 1:24
Christ is the Judge of the ONE general resurrection of the dead John 5:25-29, Acts 17:31

Systematic Theology Part 6

Angelology and Demonology (What are Angels and Demons?) Listen Here for Angelology and here for Demonology.

Angelology – The study of Angels

The creation of Angels
Probably 1st day of creation with heavenly habitation (Job 38:6,7)
Innumerable with heavenly habitation (Heb 12:22) Non-corporeal, asexual, although with masculine qualities (Heb 1:14, Matt 22:30)
Immaterial, but yet having locality as a (Gen 28:12, Dan 10:13)
Celestial body – self conscious, volitional, moral (1 Pet 1:12, 1 Cor 15:40)

Rank of Angels
Michael the Archangel (Jude 9)
Seraphim, Cherubim (probably one and the same) Isa 6:3, Eze 10:1
Seen on the curtain of the tabernacle (Ex 25:17-22) and in heaven (Rev 5:11)
Thrones, Dominions, Principalities and Powers (Col 1:16)

Purpose of Angels
For God’s Glory – To display God’s Kingship in the heavens (Col 1:16)
To worship God (Heb 12:22 Rev 5:11)
To do God’s will (Matt 18:10 Ps 103:21)
Messengers (hence Angelos, Greek for messengers) i.e. Gabriel at Christ’s birth (Luke 1:19, 26), angels at the tomb (Matt 28:1-6, Luke 24:4, John 20:12).
Made morally upright – but not yet confirmed in righteousness (Jude 6, 2 Pet 2:4)
A under a type of covenant of works (1 Peter 1:12, Eph 3:10)


Demonology – the study Satan and His Demons

The origins of Demons
Non-elect angels (2 Peter 2:4)
Satan led rebellion in Heaven Rev 12– 1/3 of the angels fell. (Fallen Angels)

The activity of Satan and His Demons
To stop the cross/gospel (Matt 16:18)
To fulfill the will of Satan (Rev Matt 25:41)
To blind the minds of the reprobate (2 Cor 4:4)
To deceiving people into believing lies. (1 Tim 4:1)
To torment by means of possession (Matt 12:43-45,17:15)

Demon possession
Only possible by God’s permission – Job 1:12
A tool/instrument of God, in judging fallen Humanity Rev 9:4, 1 Sam 16:14
Supernatural in nature. Ability to control and torment victims
The casting out of Demons was public, immediate and by the authority of Christ.

The defeat and future of Satan and his demons
Satan and His demons defeated at the cross, chained in the abyss. 2 Pet 2:4, Col 2:15
There activity restrained/ no longer able to deceive the nations. (Rev 20:3-5)
Destined for the lake of fire/eternal punishment. (Matt 25:41)

Spiritual warfare and the present activity of Satan (Eph 6:11-18)
Satan was defeated at the cross but…he still has the power to deceive
Believers have to put on the full armor God:
“Helmet” of salvation, “breast plate” of righteousness, “belt” of truth, “shield” of faith, “sword” of the spirit and the “shoes” of the gospel.
Resist Satan and he will flee from, this is done by looking to the promise.

Systematic Theology Part 5

Hamartiology (What is Sin?) Listen Here for Part 1 and Here for Part 2

What is sin?
Hamartia - to miss the mark
Parabasis - to transgress
Anomia - lawlessness
Sin is the depravation of good.

How is sin in the Cosmos?
Satan rebellion in heaven Isa 14:13 Rev 12:8
Adam as Federal head transgresses in the garden

Free Will?
Adam’s will in the garden before the fall was morally upright.
Adam choice is self-determined
God had decreed Adam’s choice
Theodicy – God means for good, man means for evil, giving a sufficient moral reason for sin in the Universe known at least to God

Imputed sin
Sin is credited to every individual Rom 5:12-24
Adam sin becomes our sin; personally held responsible by way of imputation

Original Sin
A Sinful nature inherited from Adam. Eph 2:3, Psa 51
Enslaved to sin John 8

Result – Total depravity
Man’s choices outside of God’s Grace are inherently sinful and can not please Him.
Sin effects every part of man i.e. his mind, his affections, desires, worldview etc

God’s Judgment on Sin
Man’s sinful choices compounds their judgment rather then alleviate
God is infinitely holy and loves His Holy Name/Glory above all and most be vindicated.
Therefore God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness by giving people over to their sins. Rom 1:18-20 in order to demonstrate His power Rom 9:22

Systematic Theology Part 4

Anthropology (Who is man?) Listen here for part 1 Listen here for part 2

Anthropology – The study of man

Man’s creation
From the dust of the ground Genesis 2:7 – finite therefore never can be God
Man made the image of God Genesis 1:26 – Difference roles for male and female. Complementarianism not egalitarianism 1 Cor 11:3
Adam was the first man; Eve was the first women – Able to procreate, as the Imago Dei



Man’s constitution
Dichotomy Trichotomy - sub biblical
Man became a living soul (not received) - Soul is not a part of man – soul is man
One creative act – not two stage process

Life imagery
Spirit – life image centered in breath
Soul – life image centered in blood
Heart - Inner life, center (emotion, will, thought)
Mind Romans 11:34 – God has a mind (1 Corinthians 2:16) Luke 24:45 – focus upon thought, reason, rational faculty

Man’s capabilities and purpose

Man as a covenant creature, Adam as Federal Head of human race
- Covenant of Works, Covenant is a divine oath (Hosea 6:7) Man to take dominion as the Image of God
The Eschatology of the Image
– Man Promised glorified life upon obedience, eternal death upon disobedience
Works of the Covenant upon the conscience (Rom 2:14)

Systematic Theology Part 3

Theology Proper (Who is God?) Listen here for Part 1 Listen here for Part 2

Theology Proper - the study of the nature and person of God

God’s ontology

Spirit – invisible John 4:24, 1 Tim 1:17
Triune –Personal Matt 28:19, 2 Cor 13:12
Perfect –most wise, most righteous 1 Tim 1:17, Rom 11:33-36
Infinite – self-existing therefore incomprehensible Isa 55:9

Non communicable attributes (infinite attributes)

Omnipotent - Sovereign Jer 32:17-19, Ps. 115:3, Ps. 135:6, Isa. 46:10
Omnipresent – yet both transcendent and immanent Jer. 23:24, 1 Kings 8:27, Col. 1:16-17; Acts 17:28
Omniscient Ps. 139:1-4 1 John 3:20
Immutable Mal 3:6, Jam 1:17
Impassable Jam 1:17


Communicable attributes (moral attributes)
Holy Isa 6:3 – Love 1 John 4:16 Good Nahum 1:7, Just Rom 3:25, Merciful Psa 118, Titus 3:4-5

Systematic Theology part 2

Bibliology (What is the bible?) listen here

Bibliology - The Doctrine of the Written Word

What is the Bible? – The revelation of God to man that has been inscripturated

What is the revelation from God? – The disclosure and unveiling of propositional divine truth.

How did this process take place? – Through word of prophecy or direct communication from God at certain times in redemptive history

What is prophecy– The communication of God’s thoughts through man by the supernatural means of the Holy Spirit; hence Verbal Plenary

The Bible’s:

Necessity
Inspiration
Authority
Sufficiency
Perspicuity
Finality

Systematic Theology part 1

The prologomena (Introduction to the bible) Listen here

Prolegomena – First word

Definition of Systematic Theology – the categorization of topical biblical truth.

Why is it needed?
So that one can have true conclusions on whom God is and what He has done

On what authority can we systematize?
Scripture 2 Tim 2:14, 2 Peter 1:20

Subject – Theology is about God and His relationship with His Creation

Sources – Sola Scriptura – The final authority is the bible, but other sources are beneficial. i.e Church Teacher, Seminary School, Theological Books

What are means, method and process of Systematizing Theology?

The Bible: precondition is epistemology
EXEGETICS : precondition Hermeneutics
Biblical Theology : precondition is redemptive history
SYSTEMATICS : precondition is Historical Theology

Systematic Theology must be:

Comprehensive – covers all the main teachings of scripture
Coherent –teachings to be interrelated
Contextual – Applicable to the modern day