Selected Essays And Book Reviews

1. List the arguments for the deity of Jesus Christ. Which argument is the strongest? Why? First, the nature of His claims attest to His deity. This is the strongest argument for His deity because no one could disprove His claims. Second, the Bible teaches that Jesus is God. Third, the pre-existence and eternality of Jesus attest to His deity. Fourth, the triune nature of God shows His deity. Fifth, the heavenly origin shows His deity. Sixth, the New Testament writers ascribe to Him the works of Creation. Seventh, the New Testament writers ascribe to Him the divine attributes of deity Eighth, worship was given to Him, and He accepted it. Ninth, the New Testament writers give Him divine titles.

2. What can be known about the character of Jesus from a study of His name? His names reveal the truth about Him, sometimes about His deity and sometimes about His humanity.

3. Why are the manifestations of God in visible and bodily form prior to the incarnation called Christophanies and not theophanies? A theophany is the Old Testament appearance of entities that were more than Christ. An angel could be a theophany. But a Christophany is an Old Testament appearance of Christ.

4. Why are the three-fold offices called anointed offices? The three-fold offices are prophet, priest, and king. These are called anointed offices because a person was inducted into one of those three offices when he was anointed. The second reason is that the word "Christ" means the anointed One.

5. What can be known about the nature of Christ from His three-fold offices? Jesus was a spokesman for God and fulfilled the office of prophet. He also taught the people the things concerning God. Jesus is our great high priest, constantly interceding on our behalf. So, He fulfilled the office of priest. Lastly, Jesus is a King. He has His kingdom and subjects within that kingdom. Thus, He also satisfies the office of king.

1. Why is the virgin birth considered a fundamental of the faith? Our faith will crumble if Christ was not born of a virgin. In such a case, He would have the same sin nature which other humans have, and He would not have been able to save us from our sins.

2. What would the result have been if Christ was not born of a virgin? He would have the same sin nature as others. He would not be able to save Himself, much less others.

3. What are the main arguments for the virgin birth of Christ? First, the virgin birth was prophesied by Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Second, it was reported as fact by Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John.

4. The kenosis is mentioned in only one verse. Why is this doctrine important since it is mentioned in only one verse? Theologians have questioned for a long time what Jesus poured out when that verse describing the kenosis says that He emptied Himself. At times during His earthly ministry, Jesus showed Himself to be tired or hungry. There were a few instances when He did not know some things. These behaviors imply that something was different about Him, but how can that something be described in terms that do not compromise His deity?

5. Describe the kenosis in your own words, including the three aspects discussed in the lesson. At times during His earthly ministry, Jesus showed Himself to be tired or hungry. There were a few instances when He did not know some things. These behaviors imply that something was different about Him, but how can that something be described in terms that do not compromise His deity? The kenosis suggests that Jesus: (1) veiled His divine glory, (2) subjected Himself to human limitations, and (3) voluntarily gave up the independent use of His comparative attributes.

6. How did the human nature and the divine nature unite? Through the hypostatic union, His human and divine natures united. He became one person, the God-man, but with two natures. The union was complete, constant, and eternal.

7. How do the two natures relate? First, the two natures relate in such a way that there is no mixture or loss of their separate identity. Second, the two natures cannot lose or transfer a single attribute. Third, the two natures are combined into one Person. Fourth, the attributes of both natures are properly attributed to His person.

1. Prove that Christ died for all people. You should have at least 5 points in your answer. First, Christ was the sin substitute for all people. Second, He redeemed all of us by His blood. Third, He was the propitiation, or satisfier, of the God's wrath against all of us. Fourth, by His death, the demands of the law were satisfied for everyone. Fifth, by His death, He reconciled all of us to God. Sixth, the sin nature is judged. Seventh, Satan is judged.

2. What are the two Greek words that are involved in the doctrine of substitution? "Anti", translated "for", means instead of. Huper, also translated for, means in behalf of. Anti can only be used in the one context, while huper can be used in either, depending on the context.

3. What are the three Greek words that are involved in the doctrine of redemption? Agorazo means to buy out of the slave market with te idea of reselling in the slave market. Ekagorazo means to buy out of the slave market to never be sold in that market again. Lutrao means to buy out of the slave market and to set free.

4. Which accomplishment of the death of Christ makes man "saveable"? Explain this doctrine. Reconciliation does not automatically save a person, but it does make that person saveable. Reconciliation restores divine favor.

5. Explain the phrase "judging the sin nature" and "judging Satan." How can these items be judged, yet still be operative? The judgment of the sin nature is a positional result where Jesus in His death paid the penalty for sin and dealt judicially with the believer's old nature. Christ's death declared the sin nature dead. Judging Satan means that Christ delivered the death blow to Satan at Calvary. Satan has been judged and found guilty. With both the sin nature and Satan, their end was not immediate, but it will be executed in time. For both, the seeds of destruction are there.

6. Give at least five false theories of the resurrection and answer them.

					Tom of Spotswood

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 
(I John 5:12)