Topic 2 Revelation and God
I. Ranking Christian Doctrines Activity and Reflection
Without doing any prior research, use the chart below to organize the following 20 doctrines by placing them under the category you think they best fit.
Election Sinful Nature Baptism Rapture Church Government
Justification Hell Trinity Atonement Jesus’s Virgin Birth
Young Earth Predestination Inspiration Lord’s Supper Deity of Jesus
Demonology Millennium Sanctification Origin of Evil Gifts of the Spirit
Ranking Christian Doctrines Chart
First Order Second Order Third Order
After you have finished placing the 20 doctrines in the chart, do some research and reconsider where you placed each doctrine. If you decide to change a doctrine from where you originally placed it, cross it out using the strike through function and retype it in red in the category where it was moved. Also, feel free to add other doctrines that you might encounter. Place these additional doctrines in blue.
Finally, what did you learn as you thought through your original ordering? Are there doctrines you are still unsure where to place? If so, why? [100-150 words]
II. Key Issues Regarding the Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
Skim through pages 160-184 of Michael Horton’s The Christian Faith.
Outline some key issues regarding the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Why are these doctrines so important? What is at stake if these doctrines are not given priority? [150-200 words]
III. Five Strategies for Using Scripture in the Theological Task
Often Christians believe to be simply interpreting Scripture when they read the Bible. However, at times our intellectual presuppositions and prior denominational convictions prevent us from truly placing Scripture in the place of authority it deserves. Reflecting on this, think of five strategies you will use to help you discern if you are arriving at your theological conclusions through Scripture and to guard against the danger of reading into Scripture what you already believe. [100-150 words]
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IV. The Concept of Trinity in the Bible and Early Church Tradition
Choose and list three biblical passages that help define the concept of Trinity. Then, find a quotable quote from a theologian of the early church era who says something significant about the Trinitarian passage and briefly state the main insight it establishes. Make sure you provide a footnote reference in Turabian format to document the source. [150-250 words]
1) <<Scripture reference>>
According to <<replace with name of early church theologian>>, “Quotable quote”
Summary of main insight:
2) <<Scripture reference>>
According to <<replace with name of early church theologian>>, “Quotable quote”
Summary of main insight:
3) <<Scripture reference>>
According to <<replace with name of early church theologian>>, “Quotable quote”
Summary of main insight:
V. Outline of Three Trinitarian Heresies
Choose three Trinitarian heresies from the early church era. Use the chart below to outline the main understanding of each heresy along with the arguments Christian thinkers used to refute them. Make sure you include Scripture references. You are free to use bullet points in your outline.
Trinitarian Heresies Chart
Name of Heretical Movement and Main Proponent(s) Brief Description of Main Heretical Beliefs Main Arguments and Biblical References
Given to Refute Heresy
