Midterm Flashcards
(120 cards)
1
Q
What is the two ways God makes himself know to all people?
A
The Light of Nature in Man, and the Works of God.
2
Q
What are the uses of natural revelation?
A
Strips all excuses, reveal the divinity and excellency of God
3
Q
Is one able to construct a natural theology form General revelation?
A
Not sufficient to reveal God effectually to their salvation
4
Q
What are the two stages of special revelation?
A
verbal, Scripture
5
Q
What are the three ways God revealed h-Himself in the history of redemption?
A
visions dreams and face to face
6
Q
According to Calvin, why inscripturation necessary?
A
Necessary to know God unto Salvation
7
Q
Are there other places or means today by which God reveals Himself?
A
Those former ways God reveals his will unto HIs people being now ceased
8
Q
Define Scripture?
A
The Written Word of God
9
Q
Define Inspiration?
A
Supernatural control of the writer of Scripture so that what he writes is as though God is speaking.
Supernatural. God-breathed.
Dynamic-organic. The whole man is really involved.
Verbal
Plenary
10
Q
What should be your response to Scripture?
A
reverently embrace, obey, and treasure his word
11
Q
Wherein lies the authority of Scripture?
A
The Spirit of God bearing witness by and with Scripture in the heart of man
12
Q
What three types of evidence?
A
External (witness of the church), Internal (heavenliness of the matter, efficacy of the doctrine, majesty of the style, consent of the whole), Spiritual (The Holy Spirit bearing witness in and with our hearts)
13
Q
How does the witness of the church bear on the authority of Scripture?
A
causes the unbeliever to read the Scripture
14
Q
What are the internal evidences listed here?
A
(heavenliness of the matter, efficacy of the doctrine, majesty of the style, consent of the whole)
15
Q
What the ultimate proof? (of Scripture)
A
The Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man.
16
Q
How (does the Spirit’s testimony to Scripture) this work?
A
bearing witness in and with our hearts
17
Q
What two great areas to which God speaks in Scripture?
A
faith and practice (What man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man)
18
Q
What two-fold manner teaching?
A
Expressly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence deduced from Scripture
19
Q
What two aspects of church life emphasized here?
A
The worship of God and the government of the Church.
20
Q
What is taught in this paragraph? (WCF 1.7)
A
The perspicuity of Scripture, that all that we need to know for salvation can be understood by anyone who studies the Bible
21
Q
What re ordinary means?
A
Reading and meditating on Scripture with prayer. Along with the preaching of God’s word.
22
Q
In par. 7-10 what principles may we derive for interpreting the Bible?
A
Scripture interprets Scripture, the meaning of Scripture is single, and the more clear passages interpret the less clear.
23
Q
What is the most important rule of interpretation?
A
The Holy Spirit, speaking through Scripture, is the ultimate authority.
24
Q
Why must we learn Greek and Hebrew?
A
Because they are the original languages the Bible was written in.
25
What mean authentical?
The Bible contains the actual words of God. (Genuine, authentic)
26
Should we consider our English language Bibles as authoritative?
A translation that is faithful to the original is authoritative in content, but not the actual words.
27
What four things do Scripture teach us about God?
The scriptures make known what God is, the persons of the Godhead, his decrees, and the execution of his decrees.
28
In what ways does God reveal himself to us? How do we know him?
As one God in three distinct persons. Through God’s revelation of himself to us in Scripture.
29
What infinite mean? What mean without passions?
Infinite means without beginning or end. Without emotions provoked by events happening outside himself.
30
List and define those incommunicable attributes mentioned.
Aseity, immutability, infinity (eternity and immensity), and oneness (numerical oneness/unity and qualitative oneness/simplicity
31
List and define those communicable mentioned..
God’s communicable attributes are those which may be shared with man. His being a spirit (John 4:24), powerful (Rev 4:8), wise (Rom 16:27), holy (Is. 6:3), just (Deut 32:4), merciful gracious long-suffering abundant in goodness and truth (Ex 34:6).
32
What (WCF 2), par. 2 teach about God?
God is the fountain of all that exists, and needs nothing from any of his creation. He exists with all knowledge and power out of the abundance of his own being.
33
What is the second thing God reveals about himself?
That he exists in a godhead of three persons.
34
What is the traditional proof that there are three persons and each is fully divine. Give scripture for each one.
Names, attributes, works, and worship. Isa. 6:3, 5, 8 with John 12:41 and with
Acts 28:25; 1 John 5:20; Acts 5:3, 4 2
John 1:1; Isa. 9:6; John 2:24, 25; 1 Cor.
2:10, 11 3
Col. 1:16; Gen. 1:2, 4
Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
35
What s the personal attribute of each member of the Godhead?
The Father begets the Son, the Son is begotten of the Father, the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son
36
What is the third thing Scripture makes known about God?
That God decrees whatsoever comes to pass (plans and decrees of God)
37
What are some other terms for decree?
God’s eternal purpose. The Counsel of his will, foreordination, predestination
38
What are the attributes of God’s decree?
eternal, unchangeable, wise, holy
39
If decree is unchangeable, how explain Gen. 6:6; I Sam 15:11
God “lisps” with us, speaking in terms we can understand.
40
What is the relation between God’s decree and man’s will? What is the pastoral application?
God works by his Spirit to renew our will so that we are enabled more and more to live unto righteousness and die unto sin. Pastorally, this means that God did not elect us because we are holy, but to make us holy. And since this is his unchangeable purpose, we can rest assured that he will complete it.
41
Define election.
God’s appointing some to everlasting life.
42
What are some of the attributes of election?
It is eternal, before the foundation of the world. It is immutable.
43
Does election rule out means? Why not?
No because God has not only foreordained the elect to be saved, but also ordained all the means by which they will be saved.
44
Can someone desire to be saved but cannot because he is not elect?
No because it is God who works in us both to will and to do his good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13) (requires grace and God has provided that grace for the elect only)
45
Why should you pray for lost people?
because that is the means by which God determines to save
46
What is reprobation? What are the two parts?
They are ordained for dishonor. God passes over them and leaves them to the freedom
47
According to LC 14 and SC 8 What two ways God execute his decrees?
The works of creation and Providence
48
As we look at creation, what is the principle that must guide us?
faith, Hebrews 11:3
49
Demonstrate creation work by triune God.
Let “us” make man. The Spirit hovered over the face of the waters. All things created through the Word. [Scripture passages in support. Heb. 1:2; John 1:2, 3; Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Job 33:4.]
50
What expressed by term “in the beginning”?
Beginning of creation, before which nothing existed.
51
What Latin phrase made of nothing, ex nihilo. How reconcile with Gen. 1?
Ex nihilo means made out of nothing. Gen 1 seems to show God making things out of other things. But in the beginning he makes all the building materials he will use to make all other things.
52
What things each day? What is the climax?
1. Light
2. Firmament
3. Dry Land/ plants
4. Sun/moon/stars
5. Birds/ sea critters
6. Land anermals/us
7. Sabbath
The Sabbath is the climax
(I think he would say man is the climax)
53
What meant by phrase “In space of six days?”
ordinary progression of six days
54
How did God create Adam?
After his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness with dominion over the creatures. Of the dust of the ground
55
Why God make Eve in this manner?
of a rib, to show there was an order in their creation
56
How apply (Eve created second) to gender issues?
both created in the image of God (this is NOT the answer he is looking for)
"There are ontological differences. 1) That the woman is naturally submissive to her husband in the covenant. He is the leader and the head of the house. 2) God creating man and woman, and one for the other, demonstrate the kind of relationship that was intended for the humankind – not man and man, or woman and woman. "
57
What are the two parts of providence?
preserving and governing
58
How understand “laws of nature”?
by the same providence, He ordereth them to fall
out according to the nature of
second causes, either necessarily,
freely, or contingently.
59
What are the attributes of providence?
holy, wise, and powerful
60
Can anything occur that is not part of providence?
God governs all his creatures and all their actions
61
What relation providence to sin?
God’s providence extendeth …to all other sins…not by mere permission,…but powerful bounding…yet so as the sinfulness proceedeth only from the creatures.
62
What mean that God hardens sinners?
withholdeth grace, withdraws gifts, gives them over to their own lusts.
63
What are the purposes of God allowing the believer to fall into sin?
Chastise them, discover hidden sins, humble them, raise them to a closer dependence on him
64
What Eph. 1:22, 23 teach relation of Providence to the Church?
Christ is especially involved in the providential direction of the Church
65
What is sin?
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the Law of God
66
What the relation of God to the fall?
God permitted the fall, purposed to order it to his own glory.
67
What is our relation to Adam?
Adam is the root of all mankind, our first parent, and the federal head of humanity.
68
What are the consequences?
Mankind fell into an estate of sin and misery. The sin including Adam’s guilt, want of original righteousness, and the miseries including the loss of communion with God, miseries in this life, death, and the pains of hell forever.
69
What do we call this condition (of incurring Adam’s guilt, want of original righteousness, and the corruption of the whole nature)?
Original sin
70
In what way sin still in Christians?
The corruption of our nature remains though it is pardoned and mortified.
71
What are the punishments for sin?
the loss of communion with God, miseries in this life, death, and the pains of hell forever.
72
Define covenant. Why covenant necessary?
A providential exercise of God toward man of voluntary condescension.
It is necessary because God was pleased to to express his condescension toward man in this way.
73
Define Covenant of Works.
Life promised to man on condition of perfect and personal obedience.
74
In what way Covenant of Works a gracious covenant?
The covenant came after God had placed him in the garden, given him every tree but the one to eat of, put the creatures under his dominion, given him marriage for his help, communion with himself, and given him the Sabbath.
75
What the context of cov of works?
It existed in the Garden before the Fall.
76
What is the particular test?
Forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
77
Why this particular test?
Tested his will. Nothing immoral about the tree so it tested his will.
78
Define The Covenant of Grace
A voluntary condescension by God to offer sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ.
79
Why called the covenant of grace?
WLC 32 The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator,1 and life and salvation by him;2 and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him,3 promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit4 to all his elect, to work in them that faith,5 with all other saving graces;6 and to enable them unto all holy obedience,7 as the evidence of the truth of their faith8 and thankfulness to God,9 and as the way which he hath appointed them to salvation.
80
Why called testament?
In reference to the death of Jesus Christ as the testator and to the everlasting inheritance
81
What difference between covenant administration in Old Testament and New?
In the OT it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other ordinances foresignifying Christ to come. In the NT it is administerd under Christ as the substance of the covenant with preaching, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
82
What is free will?
The natural liberty of man that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil.
83
(Free will) Before fall?
Man had the power to will and to do that which was pleasing to God, but mutably so he could fall.
84
(Free Will) After the fall?
Lost all ability to any spiritual good accompanying salvation so that he is not able to convert or prepare himself.
85
(Free will) In renewed man?
Freed from the natural bondage of sin, able to freely will and to do what is spiritually good, but by reason of remaining corruption, not perfectly or only what is good, but also evil.
86
(Free will) In glory?
perfectly and immutably free to do good alone.
87
What does the term mediator mean?
The one to go between God and man to reconcile the enmity between us.
88
What three offices?
Prophet, Priest, and King
89
What three functions?
The head and savior of the church, the heir of all things, the judge of the world
90
Why according to Calvin three offices important? 2.15
In order that faith may find a firm basis in Christ
91
What five-fold purpose of mediator. What according to Calvin the purpose? 2:6
Redeem, call, justify, sanctify, glorify. Purpose???
92
Prove divine nature
John 10:30 I and my Father are One. [Phl 2:5-6 KJV] 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
93
Prove human nature.
[Phl 2:7-8 KJV] 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[Gal 4:2, 4 KJV] 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. ... 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
94
Why did he need to be God?
hat he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God and the power of death, give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience and intercession, and to satisfy God’s justice, procure his favor, purchas a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation. (WLC 38
95
Why did he need to be Man?
that he might advance our nature,1 perform obedience to the law,2 suffer and make intercession for us in our nature,3 have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities;4 that we might receive the adoption of sons,5 and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace. (WLC 39)
96
What Calvin say (about why Christ needed to be God and man)? 2.12
We could not ascend to God so he must come to us. He took our nature upon himself to impart to us what was his, and to become both Son of God and Son of man in common with us.
97
What qualified Christ to be mediator?
The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure;1 having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;2 in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell:3 to the end, that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth,4 He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and Surety.5 (WCF 8.3)
98
What distinct attributes to execute his task?
holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth
99
In what humiliation consists?
Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition,1 made under the law,2 undergoing the miseries of this life,3 the wrath of God,4 and the cursed death of the cross;5 in being buried,6 and continuing under the power of death for a time.7 (WSC 27
100
In what exaltation consists?
Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day,1 in ascending up into heaven,2 in sitting at the right hand of God the Father,3 and in coming to judge the world at the last day.4 (WSC 28)
101
What three benefits of ascension?
there to receive gifts for men,5 to raise up our affections thither,6 and to prepare a place for us,7 (WLC 53)
102
What work of prophet?
The revealing to us the will of God for our salvation
103
What are some consequences of Christ’s priestly ministry?
hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father;1 and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him (WCF 8.5)
104
What is active obedience?
Living a perfectly just and righteous life
105
What is passive obedience?
Enduring the punishment for sin
106
What the extent (of Christ’s passive obedience)?
Fully satisfied the justice of the Father
107
Why (Christ’s passive obedience) important?
Purchased reconciliation and inheritance
108
How is mediation applied before the incarnation?
the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof, were communicated unto the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein He was revealed and signified to be the Seed of the woman, which should bruise the serpent's head, and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world being yesterday and today the same, and for ever.1 (WCF 8.6)
109
How (is mediation) applied now?
We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us1 by his Holy Spirit.2 (WSC 29)
110
Who does the (effectual) calling? Who are effectually called?
God the Father does the calling. Those whom he has predestined to life, and those only, are effectually called.
111
What are the means? (of effectual calling)
The Word and Spirit
112
What is the work? What the result? (of effectual calling)
WSC 31, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills. The result is that we are persuaded and enable to embrace Jesus Christ.
113
What are two exceptions? Can anyone be saved apart from gospel?
Elect infants who die in infancy and those incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
114
What is justification? What is the nature of justification? What are two parts? What contributes to justification?
An act of God’s free grace. Our sins are pardoned and we are accepted as righteous. Nothing contributes to justification, it must be received by faith alone.
115
How men partake? What is the instrument? (of justification)
Faith is the instrumetn of justification.
116
What are the grounds? At what time in the experience of the elect person does he receive justification?
Christ’s obedience and death is the grounds of our justification. The elect experience justification only in the moment when the Holy Spirit effectually applies it to them.
117
If we are justified, why need to confess sins? How old covenant saints justified?
We confess our sins to have restored to us the light of God’s pleasure on us. Old covenant saints are justified in the same way as the New Testament saints are.
118
Whom does God adopt?
All they that are justified.
119
What does God do in adoption?
give us the rights of being the children of God, put his name on us, give us the Spirit of adoption,
120
What are the privileges? (of adoption)
give us access to the throne of grace, pity, protect, provide for, and chasten us.
