Oral Exam 1 Flashcards
(15 cards)
How can Christianity claim that it’s the only true religion? Isn’t that an arrogant thing to claim? I mean, I believe in Jesus and the Judeo-Christian religion works for my life and values, but I just don’t think I can tell my muslim neighbor that everything that they believe in is wrong and that they’re going to go to hell if they don’t believe what I believe. There seems to be One God and many ways to get to Him… am I wrong in thinking this way? (6)
Arrogant if it’s untrue.2 Tim 3:16 - All Scripture is God’s words. To disbelieve them is to disbelieve God.John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father except through me.Acts 4:11-12 - No other name by which men are saved.Rom 5:17-19 - Death through one man’s sin, Life through one man’s obedience.1 Tim 2:5-6 - One God, one Mediator between man and God.Mat 28:18-20 - Make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT.One savior is the reason for the great commission.
I’m a Christian and I grew up in church. I’ve had a nagging feeling in me that I just can’t shake. I know that when you boil down Christianity, it’s all about Jesus. It’s about how worthy He is, how holy He is, how amazing and impressive Jesus is… because He was God’s Son and lived a perfect life and was without sin and on and on… but if I’m honest with you, I just don’t think He’s that impressive. Jesus’ life seems like an NFL quarterback came down to join a peewee league and dominated, I don’t think it was hard for him at all! Sure, he never sinned, but he couldn’t sin if he was God. Sure he died on the cross, but he knew he was going to be come back alive right? (5)
Man being God is less amazing than God becoming man. Jesus calls himself the Son of Man. The NFL player BECAME a peewee player.Philippians 2:5-11 - Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbled himself and was obedient to the point of death on a cross.1 Pet 2:22 - He committed no sin.Mat 4:1-11 - Tempted by Satan, hungered, as a human.Heb 4:15 - Jesus is able to sympathize with us.
I have really been struggling to figure out what God’s will is for my life. I’m trying to get my life back on track and really just want to know what God wants me to do. I have a good friend who is in seminary, and he was telling me something about God’s revealed will and His hidden will. What does this mean for my life? I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Were those mistakes God’s will for my life, too? (9)
Having a desire to please God is in itself a gift from God, and it’s amazing to see God at work in someone’s life like this.Ask them what the seminary friend said about hidden/revealed will.Deut 29:29 - Secret things belong to the Lord, revealed things belong to us, so that we may do all the words of this law. - The Bible contains everything we need to know for living a life pleasing to God. 2 Tim 3:15-17 - The Bible contains God’s entire will for our lives.What does it say? Mat 22:37-40 - Love the Lord your God…, Love your neighbor…Mat 28:18-20 - Great commissionAs for past mistakes…Gen 50:20 - Joseph’s brothers’ and God both MEANT the actions against Joseph. The difference is the brothers meant it for evil, and God meant it for good. Rom 8:28 - God purposes all things for the good of those who love him.Rom 6:1 - Shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep working his purposes for our good? NO! Sin is exactly what God is saving us out of. Did God cause me to sin?James 1:13 - God himself tempts no one.Rom 8:28 - He works even our sins for our good.Everything in his will, whether hidden or revealed, is for our good.
I have a friend who is gay. He may be the most loving and caring person that I know and the best friend I’ve ever had. I grew up in church where the pastor said that all homosexuals are making a choice to disobey God and that they weren’t born that way because God wouldn’t create man that way. But having had many talks with my friend, I know that he was born gay, that God made him that way. So if God made him that way, how can God condemn him? Is God that cruel? If He’s really that way, I don’t think I can worship a God like that. (8)
. * I feel like this is not a question about homosexuality as much as it is a question about God’s goodness. * God is so good that he made us in his very own image. (Gen 1:27-28) * Then, through Adam, humanity fell short of his standard for how we should live as his image bearers. (Rom 3:23) (Rom 5:12) * Jesus took our sin, and reconciled us back to God. (2 Cor 5:17-18, 21) * Jesus will come again and complete the work he began in us, just like he promised. (Philippians 1:6) * It won’t matter how we were born, but how we were created. * Possible rabbit trail: * So it doesn’t matter if he sins until Jesus comes back? * It doesn’t affect his salvation, but his salvation WILL affect his sin. * 1 John 3:9-10 * Rom 6:1-4
I have this sin in my life that I just can’t get rid of. I’ve been struggling with it for so many years now. There’s been seasons of victory, but it seems like I always end up falling again. Does that mean I’m not really a Christian? Or is God making me sin so that I will keep being dependent upon him? Or will I just have to struggle with this for the rest of my life? Is it possible to have victory over sin in this lifetime? I just found out that I have cancer, did God give me cancer because I keep disobeying Him? (9)
Struggling with sin is by no means a sign that we are not saved by the grace of Jesus. It actually shows us that we need Jesus that much more.1 Kings 8:46 - There is no man who does not sin.1 John 1:8-10 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. Is it possible to have victory over sin in this life?Romans 8:1-2 No condemnation, Jesus has set us free from sin and death.Jesus, on the cross, paid the price once for all of our sin, past, present and future. We do have victory over sin because of Jesus, but there will be a fight against sin until Jesus completes his work in us of making us like him.James 1:13-15 - God tempts no one.Philippians 1:6 - He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.God is not making you sin. Rom 8:28 - God works even our sins for our own good.Rom 6:1-4 - Don’t keep sinning.Story of Job…Get accountability.Are you willing to tell me what this sin is?James 5:16 - Confess your sins to one another.
I need to confess something that I’ve never told anyone. I have struggled with pornography for years and I know I can’t tell my wife because that would absolutely destroy her. I feel guilty afterwards, but it’s not like I am having an affair. In some ways, pornography and masturbation has probably kept me from failing in my marriage. So I guess in that respect it’s not that bad. Would you pray for me? (3)
I will pray for you, that you will be strengthened in your battle against lust. But lusting over another woman IS failing in your marriage.Matt 5:28 - Whoever looks on a woman lustfully…Hiding sin from your wife stifles the gospel. It says that Jesus’ sacrifice is not enough to cover my sin, and it says that I care more about what my wife thinks than what Jesus thinks. Therefore I make my wife an idol because I can’t obey God because of her, and I idolize sin because I see it as more powerful than the gospel.There is a redemption and renewal in confession.1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins…Prov 28:13 - He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper…Get accountability.
I just found out that my wife miscarried. She is a complete wreck. I don’t know what to tell her, and to be honest, I am angry at God. I feel like we are always giving to God, and this is what we get in return. I don’t really know what to do. I just don’t understand why this had to happen. We have help up our end but apparently it’s not good enough… (5)
1 Chron 29:14-16 - Remember that even your good works you do for God are blessings from God. Your story reminds me a lot of Job. He was a very righteous man who God allowed to go through great suffering, and in the midst of it, he himself wished he had been miscarried. (3:16)Like with Job, I’m sure a lot of people would counsel you to “curse God and die” (2:9), but Jesus is the better Job, who suffered so much more suffering and still came out clean. All of his suffering revealed that he had no sin (1 Pet 2:22), and in his death, he gave that perfect obedience to us (Heb 4:15).
My whole life I have been told that I need to be having a quiet time. To be honest, I don’t really have the time. And when I do read, I don’t really get much out of it. I’d rather listen to a sermon from someone who really understands Scripture, I feel like that’s a more efficient use of time and more beneficial to me spiritually. Plus I can’t always discern what parts of Scripture are truth and what parts are just stories. The few passages that provide encouragement still don’t really help me with discerning God’s Will for my life. They don’t explain where I should live, who I should work for, … you know real-life stuff. I guess I just struggling right now… (6)
- It’s easy to know what in the Bible is truth and what isn’t. It’s ALL true! * 2 Tim 3:15-17 * 2 Pet 1:20-21 * Listening to sermons is very helpful, and it’s a great supplement to reading Scripture, but it’s not a replacement for it. * Matt 4:1-4 * Importance of Scripture to our spiritual lives * Jesus knew the will of God for his life at that very moment, because of one verse in the OT * 2 Tim 3:15-17 (foundation for necessity) * It makes us wise for salvation * It equips us for every good work * Heb 4:12-13 * The Scriptures examine us. * So take heart that we need nothing but the Bible to know all we need to do to please God.
Recently, I was deeply offended by a sermon where the pastor talked about God’s glory being His primary focus. To say that God doesn’t need us in order to be happy makes me feel unloved and insignificant. What happened to us being made in His image? Am I just a tool to make Him look good? That makes me feel used. Is God really that selfish? (5)
- God’s seeking of his own glory does not belittle us. It is what gives us eternal validity and significance. * * Isa 62:3 * * crown of beauty * Psalm 16:11 * * In is presence is fullness of joy * God would be a terrible God if he lead us to find joy in anything but himself. * John 13:31-32 * * The act of God seeking of his own glory is the reason that Jesus died for our sins. * * No one else’s seeking of their own glory would ever lead them to let their son die for the sake of their enemies. * James 1:27 (orphan and widow), Matt 25:40 (least of these) * * God is not only glorified when we sit in church on Sunday, but when we keep his commands, which are just as much for our good as for his glory.
My wife left me. She just bailed. I don’t even really know why. She won’t return my calls and she refuses to meet with a counselor or anyone from the church. She thinks the church is too controlling and will try to tell her what to do. She isn’t happy and wants to move on with her life. I don’t know what’s next, and I’m not sure if I know what I want anymore. (5)
- Mat 5:4 * Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. * Is your wife a believer? * 1 Cor 7:12-13 * You shouldn’t divorce even a wife who does not believe, as long as she consents to live with you. * Possible rabbit trail: “I, not the Lord”. * By “the Lord”, Paul meant Jesus. * When he says “Not I, but the Lord”, he means Jesus had a specific teaching about this. * In v.25, he says again that the Lord was silent on the subject, but he’ll give his own judgment, who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. * 1 Cor 14:37 - Command of the Lord * I know that she’s not currently willing to live with you, but I want to encourage you to continue to love her as Christ loved the church. This is a better opportunity than any to fully display that kind of love. * Eph 5:25-26 * Give yourself up for her * Speak the truth to her: wash her in the word. * This may require being willing to put up with a ton of rejection. * Psalm 16:11 * Find your greatest joy in the Lord. * In HIS presence is fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore.
I am a Jehovah’s witness. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He lived in heaven before coming to earth and after his sacrificial death and resurrection, he returned to heaven. He is the cornerstone of my salvation. He is “the firstborn of all creation.” (John 1:34; Colossians 1:15; Acts 5:31) As a created being, he is not part of a Trinity. “The Father is greater than I am,” said Jesus. (John 14:28). How is what we believe different? (9)
- First of all, do you believe that the whole Bible is the true and authoritative word of God? * 2 Tim 3:15-17 * 2 Pet 1:20-21 * What’s different is that I believe that Jesus was fully God. * First, respond to the verses given: * John 1:34 - “Son of God” * Col 1:15 - “Firstborn of all creation” * Read context - “…for by him ALL things were created…in him the FULLNESS of God was pleased to dwell.” * Firstborn means in terms of inheritance, like in Heb 1:1. * Acts 5:31 - “God exalted him” * John 14:28 - “the Father is greater than I” * I believe that Jesus and the father are equal in being and power, and have different roles in authority. That’s what I think Jesus is referring to here. * Now, verses to support what I believe: * 2 Pet 1:1 - “our God and saviour, Jesus Christ” * Heb 1:1-3 - “the exact imprint of his nature” * John 1:1-3 - “all things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made.” * He couldn’t have been created through himself.
I recently learned that Austin Stone believes that the Bible is inerrant. Does that mean you believe that Adam and Eve really happened? What about all the things that the Bible says that are clearly crazy? (5)
- 2 Tim 3:16 * ALL Scripture is God-breathed * 2 Pet 1:20-21 * All prophecies are a matter of God’s decree, and the men were carried by the Spirit as they spoke from God. * Heb 6:18 * Everything God says is true, since it’s impossible for God to lie. * Highest authority * Higher than science * Higher than human reasoning * Without Scripture, we would not be sure of anything. * Without knowing everything, we can’t be sure about anything. * Birthdate, for instance. * Unless we know someone who knows everything AND is perfectly truthful, and that being reveals something to us. * That is what Scripture is. * Deut 29:29
How can you say that God is unchanging, when He changes His mind several times in Scripture? Exodus 32:14 is a good example of what I’m thinking about? (8)
- Definition: God is unchanging in his being, perfection, promises and purposes, yet he does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations. * Response to Scriptures * Ex 32:9-14 - Moses’ prayer changes the outcome of events * Isa 38:1-6 - Hezekiah’s prayer changes the outcome of events * In both of these situations, God makes a true declaration that something will happen as long as the situation doesn’t change. * Prayer changed both situations. * The point is that prayer matters. * Gen 6:6 - God was sorry he made man * The language in these texts aren’t strong enough to suggest that God would have done things differently if he could go back. They just mean that his previous actions lead him to temporary times of sorrow, but were necessary for the ultimate fulfilling of his good purposes. * Jonah 3:4-10 - God relented from seemingly promised destruction against Ninevah * This is not God’s purposes changing, but his acts and emotions. * His initial statement was a warning. The possibility of God withholding judgment is implicit. * Like a father telling his son, “I’m gonna spank you…” * Supporting Scriptures * Mal 3:6 - I, the Lord, do not change… * Jam 1:17 - …with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. * Num 23:19 - …or a son of man that he should change his mind. * I’m so thankful he is unchanging. * We can trust he will always be loving and merciful. * We can trust that the cross has once and for all settled the debt between us and God, and he will never decide to add more to our penalty. * All his promises are trustworthy.
I heard you explain to me God’s eternity. But It’s confusing to me. I thought God had forgotten my sin, but now you’re telling me it’s always in front of him? How am I supposed to move forward knowing this? (4)
- It seems like your getting a lot of peace from Isaiah 43:25, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t want to negate that. * Study Isaiah 43:25 * This taken by itself could mean, “For my sake, I will forget your sin, but if I ever were to remember them I would again hold you accountable.” * But because of other Scriptures we can see, thank God, that this isn’t the case. * Define Eternity - God has no beginning, end or succession of moments in his being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet he sees events in time and acts in time. * Psa 139:1-4 - You have searched and known me… * 2 Pet 3:8 - 1,000 yrs = day, day = 1,000 yrs * 1 John 3:20 - …and he knows everything. (written long after Isa.) * In light of these verses, Isa 43:25 can’t mean that he has literally become unaware of our sin. * The point is not that God will always be equally vividly aware of your sins, but that at the moment Jesus died on the cross, he saw your sin just as vividly as the moment you committed it, and he says, “I will no longer hold ___ accountable for that sin. Jesus has fully paid for it.” * But what if God, at some point in eternity future in heaven, were to bring up my sin to me? That would be an unfathomably shameful and painful experience, to look in the face of God, as he remembered all my past sins. * And THAT is what Isaiah is saying WON’T HAPPEN! * By not remembering our sin, he looks at us and sees Jesus. * He didn’t blot out our transgressions with some sort of intentional amnesia, he blotted them out with the blood of his Son. * That brings more peace than the thought of God forgetting our sins.
I know that God’s forgiven me, but I can’t forgive myself. How should I work through this? (3)
- I think I can relate somewhat with what you’re going through. I have definitely felt condemnation for my sins before, even though I know I’ve been forgiven in Christ. * I know it has helped me to understand just how much Jesus has repaired our relationship with the Father. * Our sin had made us God’s enemies, but Jesus’ work on the cross not only reconciled us to God, but brought us closer to God than ever before, as adopted sons and daughters. * Rom 5:10 - If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God… * Rom 8:15 - Not received spirit of slavery by which you fall into fear, but the spirit of adoption by which we cry, “Abbah! Father!” * In light of this, in moving forward, * Celebrate the fact that you’ve been adopted as a son/daughter, and not just forgiven. * Approach him as a perfect, loving father, because he approached you as a son/daughter. * Celebrate Jesus, who forever lives for your reconciliation. In his death, we were reconciled, and in his life, we’re constantly reconciled.
