Answer Key for Students

Transcription

1 Answer Key for Students Course MRG: Man s Ruin God s Redemption Lesson 1 Man s Ruin and God s Wrath Romans 1:16-18 Man s Awful Ruin Questions 1-4 pertain to chapter We have rebelled against the sovereign God, and became gods unto ourselves. We have left the only true God and turned to our own way, to do what seems right in our own eyes. 2. a. 1) Men are by nature in an awful state of sin. 2) Men bring upon themselves the reprobation of God. 3) Men left to themselves will only grow worse and worse in sin. 4) The power of sin over men is greatly demonstrated in verse 32, where there is a terrible downward spiral into greater and greater sin. 5) No man can deliver himself from his ruined state. 6) Man abides under the righteous wrath of God, and God s judgment will fall upon him. b. personal answer 3. a. All men stand guilty before God, because they have sinned, and therefore are under the wrath of God. page 6 b. All! Yes! (This is, of course, the first and most major step toward turning to God in humility and repentance: recognizing that we are sinners in need of salvation. If you are not able or willing to recognize this fact at this point, then please investigate some additional literature and reread the scriptures mentioned in the text.) 4. a. God has provided a righteousness for us which He will accept: His own, as revealed in His only Son, Jesus Christ. b. God has made Christ to be sin for us in our place, and we take on His righteousness. The wrath of God Romans 1:18 Questions 5-8 pertain to chapter ) The gospel of the grace of God, 2) the new birth, 3) the Holy Spirit s work in us, 4) believing this gospel, and 5) to tell God that we are sinners and need Him. 6. a. It is one of God s attributes that includes His righteous hatred of sin, and His need to punish it. b. personal answer (at this point in the course), but will hopefully allude to God s holiness manifesting itself against sin. (Both love and wrath are valid attributes of God as revealed in the scripture, and in some sense beyond human understanding.) 7. a. Men who are ungodly and unrighteous. b. Because they hold the truth of God in unrighteousness; that is, they hate Him and sin against Him. 8. a. To pick and choose among Bible passages to decide for ourselves what we will believe. To reject the revelation of divine truth. To know truth and not bow to it s authority, Jesus Christ. b. personal answer Lesson 2 The Guilt and Depravity of Man Romans 1:19-21 They are without excuse Romans 1:19-20 Questions 1-3 pertain to chapter a. Holding God s truth in unrighteousness, Not bowing to God. b. It is what God tells us by means of creation, nature, history, and inner conscience. c. God s nature and attributes, ie, that there is a Supreme Being. 2. That all mankind has written in their hearts and upon their conscience what is required in the law of God. 3. personal answer. Their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 Questions 4-7 pertain to chapter The heart is deceitful and desparately wicked. Men have known God from the beginning, but they will not bow down to His authority to recognize Him as God in their lives. Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 1

2 5. a. 2 Tim. 3:7 we are learning about some things, but not able to really see the truth. 2 Tim. 2:26 we are totally depraved, and taken captive by the devil at his will. Isaiah 1:5-6 our whole head is sick, our whole heart is faint, our whole body is not sound--only wounds and sores in God s sight. Rev 3:17 we are wretched and miserable without Christ b. personal answer 6. He can not do it himself; instead it is a work of God by the Holy Spirit, which is called regeneration. 7. a. - irresponsible: totally sovereign and totally beyond man s control - irresistable: with overwhelming power, it overcomes all opposition - irregular: sometimes gentle, sometimes powerful and radical and revolutionary - invisible: its work is unseen (in the hearts of men) - inscrutable: unable to be explained - indispensable: without it, all would die! b. Because man is spiritually depraved, he is unable to turn to God. But God does all the work by His Spirit: who has all the capabilities needed to do it. Jesus describes regeneration as the wind, before He mentions man s response in believing. Lesson 3 The Truth and the Lie Romans 1:23-28 Worshipped... creature more than the Creator Romans 1:23-25 Questions 1-5 pertain to chapter a. They worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. b. Men do not like the truth of God; they love darkness, not light; they are totally depraved. 2. a. Cain wanted to worship God in the way that he willed, apart from a blood sacrifice. b. Today s counterparts are those who believe in God according to their own reasoning. 3. a. 1) That God is sovereign in salvation, 2) That they are totally depraved. b. personal answer, hopefully to reflect the answer from question 1b. 4. personal answer. If you have questions about free will versus God s sovereignty in election, please write for some of the related material available from Chapel Library (same address). 5. a. - they say God is love, and will demand no punishment for sin, - they substitute form and ceremony for the substitutionary death of the Savior, - they look on mankind as something wonderful, arisen by way of evolution, - they have substituted human philosophy for divine revelation, - they have substituted free will decision for the regeneration by the Spirit in salvation, - they have substituted the carnal Christian theory for God s holiness in life, - they have a form of godliness, but deny the power of it to save them. b. personal answer. Changed the truth of God into a lie Romans 1:25 Questions 6-8 pertain to chapter a. The Truth: all good things are in God the Father, given to us by the Son, applied by the Spirit. The Lie: there is something good in man that will somehow get him into heaven. b. James 1:17: everything good comes from the Father Romans 3:10-12: no one is righteous, seeks after God, or does anything good. 7. a. The absolute sovereignty of God over all His creation and creatures; that is, His right to do as He pleases. b. Man has total inability to do anything spiritually good in God s eyes; we are instead enslaved to our sinful nature without Christ. c. God has a righteous wrath against sin, and will cast the unrepentant sinner into hell. d. God is trinity in unity, three in one; all comes to us from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit, acting as one God. pages personal answer. If you recognize bowing down to reasoning, then please confess this to God in prayer, and commit to turn away from it to seek God s ways (this is biblical repentance). Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 2

3 God gave them up Romans 1: 24, 26, 28 Questions 9-12 pertain to chapter a. They are left alone to follow what their depraved hearts so much desire, to have their fill of sin. b. At physical death, they will fall into an eternal hell. 10. The blinding of the mind to the soul s need, and being given over to the depraved nature. 11. a. The preaching of the holy law of God has almost vanished from the churches of today, in favor of comfortable messages, b. Men are no longer called upon to repent from their sins and turn to God; instead, it is receive Christ. c. Men preach man s so-called free will instead of God s sovereign will, which just encourages man in his lost state, d. Man has made a god out of education; schools have become centers for atheistic humanism void of God. 12. a. Easy-believism is the doctrine that only a decision to intellectually receive Christ is necessary for salvation, without any turning from sin or commitment to Christ as Lord, which are inherent in saving faith. The carnal Chistian theory is the attempt to explain the sinful lifestyles lived by these professing believers, that they are saved because of their decision, but sin just because its normal and they are not yet mature enough. b. personal answer: please utilize materials from CL which are available for further reading. Lesson 4 God s Judgment upon the Lie Romans 1:24, Uncleaness Romans 1:24 Questions 1-5 pertain to chapter 8 1. God gives men over to be controlled by the sinful things, which they prefer above Him. Lusts refers to immorality--debased and evil living. 2. Men are so given over to their own lusts that they go to the extreme and become beastial, ie, violent, totally selfish, operating out of emotional desire without restraint for what they want. 3. personal answer: please be encouraged here toward righteousness. Change is not easy, but it is worth it! 4. a. It is a holy salvation. b. 1 Peter 1:15-16 We are to be holy, because we are to be like God in order to be with Him, and He is holy. 5. a. - taking pleasure in the sins of others, - reading filthy things about others, - watching movies or TV with pleasure, when they portray immorailty and violence and rebellion - putting our stamp of approval on sin by being entertained by it, thereby revealing our own heart s true deep desires! b. personal response. If you are convicted and desire to change, it is important to be in a good Bible-teaching church, and to become accountable to a mature Christian. Vile affections Romans 1:26-27 Questions 6-8 pertain to chapter People have perverted the natural use of their bodies which God designed. It also goes totally against His holiness. 7. Deut. 23:17 there will be no homosexuality in God s kingdom, Lev. 18:22 homosexuality is an abomination to God, and is forbidden, Lev. 20:13 the penalty for it is death! 1 Cor. 6:9-10 they will not inherit the kingdom of God (ie, they will not be saved), 1 Tim. 1:9-10 the law of God is against them. 8. He must face the fact that what he is indulging in is sin, and confess it to God in repentance. Reprobate Mind Romans 1:28 Questions 9-15 pertain to chapter a. Man has set himself up to judge if the way in which God is dealing with him, is acceptable to him. When he decides he doesn t like God s way, then he chooses to live his own way instead. b. God has given him over to a mind which is incapable of discharging the functions for which a mind is meant; ie, he becomes unable to discern the things of God and they become foolishness to him! 10. The divine distinctions of right and wrong are lost; they become filled with every kind of sin, and do not see it as sin! Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 3

4 11. Your free will can only choose what your mind and emotions tell you to do, and when your mind is given over to sin, you will choose sin every time. Our mind was given over to sin in Adam at the Fall. 12. a. A complete surrender of the whole man to the whole Christ, bowing to Him as Lord. b. Because they demand a complete forsaking of sin and selfishness, which man loves. 13. Four effects are: abortion, craze for drugs, pornography, false preachers filling the pulpits. 14. False preachers and teachers lead men to deny: the holiness of God, the awfulness of sin, the state of depravity all men find themselves in, and the sovereignty of God--putting man on a level with God. 15. personal answer. If you have questions about this, please begin to study the question based on scripture. We have other courses which may be helpful after you finish this one: The True Gospel versus the False Gospel of Carnal Christianity and Biblical Repentance. Lesson 5 Catalog of Sins I Romans 1:29-30 Unrighteousness...wickedness, covetousness Romans 1:29 Questions 1-6 pertain to chapter Filled means all men are permeated and saturated with sin; ie, that men only have sin inside [without any spark of goodness by which they can turn to God on their own via their own free will ]. 2. Ungodliness denotes our sin in vertical relationship toward God (in the first table of the law). Unrighteousness is injustice in our dealings in horizontal relationship with man (in the second table of the law). 3. Fornication is sexual lust in thought and deed. Unless it is repented of, it shall bring you down to hell. 4. Wickedness is evil purpose, iniquity, and delight in doing what is wrong. It comes from the heart. 5. a. Covetousness is greed, craving for more and more. b. Idolatry is the worship of something other than God. The idol of self is giving yourself to whatever self desires and lusts after; it is a sin directly against God. 6. personal answer Maliciousness; full of envy, murder Romans 1:29 Questions 7-9 pertain to chapter Maliciousness is ill will, desire to injure, merciless disposition, not ashamed to break the law. 8. Envy is to feel displeasure at the superiority of another. It breeds jealousy and resentment, and leads to hatred. 9. a. Yes, and then a personal response, which might include the following: because Gen. 9:6 says that the shedding of man s blood (unto death) is murder. Today, even most doctors agree that life begins at conception. b. - Psalm 127:3-5 children are a heritage of the Lord - Exodus 21:22-25 the unborn child was protected by God from harm: there were prescribed penalties. - Psalm 139:13-16 the unborn child is a marvelous work of God, and known by Him! Debate, deceit Romans 1:29 Questions pertain to chapter a. To think that man is naturally good, that there is something in him that can satisfy God. b. personal answer 11. Debate is striving, contention, fighting, because we do not like to be told to obey. Instead, we must take the blame for our sin, and always take the low place in humility. 12. a. Deceit is meaning something different than we say, in order to lure and ensnare; hypocrisy, deceptiveness, treachery, lying. b. Because they do not want to face the truth of their deceptive hearts. 13. a. - there has never been a work of grace in their soul - their life has never born fruit of the Spirit - they are devoid of holiness, and have no desire to live a holy life - thinking they are saved, while living in the lust of their own heart. b. personal answer Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 4

5 Lesson 6 Catalog of Sins II Romans 1:29-31 Malignity; whisperers,... proud Romans 1:29-30 Questions 1-6 pertain to chapter They are bitter, without mercy, who slander and defame, and are hurtful toward others. It wrecks lives, especially in the home. 2. a. Both are sins of the tongue. What whisperers do in secret, backbiters do in the open. b. - the one who is slandered--causing hurt and division - the one to whom he reports the slander--by causing uncharitable thoughts - the slanderer--by breaking the Ninth Commandment against false witness. 3. a. - God s holiness, justice, sovereignty, and mercy; because man will do anything before submitting to God s rule over them. b. personal response. This sounds like a major sin,and it is. It hides at the heart of us all in our flesh. 4. Despite shows itself in contempt for fellowmen, in resentment, betterness, disdain. 5. a. - haughtiness, arrogance, conceit, vanity, inordinate self-esteem. b. The proud shall be humbled, so that God alone is exalted. c. Pride keeps a man from admitting that he is lost, believing all is well, while his heart is closed toward God. 6. a. To humble ourselves under God s authority; then God will revive our spirit. b. personal answer: please seek to understand your stated reason for having not humbled yourself up until now. Is it worth spending eternity in hell for? Boasters,... without understanding Romans 1:30-31 Questions 7-11 pertain to chapter a. Man is proud of who he is and what he has done; therefore he begins to boast. b. Because whatever talents he has, have been given to him by God, and whatever he accomplishes is completely by God s authority. (Man can be grateful for talent, and even for health to be diligent and to work hard, but in all of this, he has only done his duty and must give all glory to God alone.) 8. a. Where men find new ways to sin, ie, new ways to try to find satisfaction in the world apart from God. b. Without God there is no peace, only a constant restlessness. The reason is because the world was never meant to satisfy us; only God can satisfy the inner longings of our soul. 9. a. The Bible is not read, the commands of Christ are laughed at, children grow up godless, and society becomes lawless. b. - Exodus 20:12 honor parents that you may live long. - Proverbs 20:20 if you curse your parents, you will be put out into darkness - Matthew 15:4 honor parents, if not, then it is death - Ephesians 6:1-3 obey your parents is commanded 10. Spiritual things are foolishness to the natural man; he is without spiritual or moral understanding. 11. a) Our sin is awful, and we are under God s righteous judgment, so that we might cry to Him for forgiveness and salvation in Christ. b) Only God can deliver us from the penalty due us for our sin, by His coming to earth in Jesus Christ, and dying for our sin in our place, out of His infinite love. Lesson 7 Catalog of Sins III Romans 1:31 Without [spiritual] understanding Romans 1:31 Questions 1-7 pertain to chapter 16. The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. 1. a. That the Holy Spirit has nothing to do with our salvation, that He comes to us only after salvation. b. personal answer. 2. Because scripture speaks of it in spiritual terms: a new birth, new heart, new nature, etc. 3. a. Man without Christ is dead in his sins. b. He cannot on his own; it is only by a complete work of God done spiritually. 4. a. - Daniel 4:35 God does His will; none can stop Him or question Him - Romans 9:16,18 Salvation is not for the man who wills it, but it is of God. He has mercy on some, and hardens some. Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 5

6 b. personal answer. 5. This is basically a personal answer. It should include that men do not want to bow to God s authority, but instead prefer to live their lives for themselves, doing what they want (ie, sin). 6. Nothing but the blood of Christ can satisfy God s broken law. Nothing but the righteousness of Christ can justify us before the courts of heaven, allowing us into God s holy presence. 7. a. He is renewed by God s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit. b. That person has the same views, feelings, thoughts, purposes, and acts by the same prnciples, as God. He does not do it perfectly, but he desires to do so. Covenant-breakers,... unmerciful Romans 1:31 Questions 8-11 pertain to chapter Being untrustworthy, disloyal, false to their word, hypocritical. 9. Being heartless, ruthless, unforgiving, without love, and only concerned about self, ie, selfish through and through! 10. a. You are under the wrath of God, on the way to an eternal hell. b. To seek Christ and put your trust in Him, to hide you from the day of wrath which is surely coming. (plus personal answer). Lesson 8 The Worst of Sins Romans 1:32 The judgment of God... worthy of death Questions 1-5 pertain to chapter a. It ignores the absolutes of God s moral standards, and asserts your will over His will. b. You end up under the judgment of God in the lake of fire. The Word of God says so, and it is certain. 2. Even though sin has caused man to become estranged from God, he is still conscious of the reality of sin in him, because there has been written upon his heart the very moral law of God. 3. The law of God is written upon the conscience of the entire human race (via general revelation). 4. Jesus cried there because of what sin had done to the human race, bringing about death and suffering. 5. Because sin had to be punished. It was imputed [given by God] to Him, so that His righteousness could be imputed to us. They which commit such things... Questions 6-11 pertain to chapter a) Men s hearts are consequently distant from God. They continue in their own way instead of coming to the Lord. The heart is utterly deceitful and wicked. The carnal mind is set against God and lawless. Their conscience doesn t tell them what is right anymore! b) Men are slaves to sin they love it naturally and have no will or strength to leave it. c) Their deeds are evil: they love the pleasures of choosing what they want, rather than the light of God s ways (what God wants). 7. a) Men have an inner knowledge of what is right, b) men know that God hates sin, c) men persist in their own sin anyway, d) men condone, then approve, then actually aid others in their sin, e) finally, men sponsor, support, and encourage sin. 8. Agreeing with and consenting to their sins; to delight in and applaud those who do the same things. 9. Fans for movie and TV immoral lifestyles; legislatures legalizing gambling; churches who promote the carnal Christian theory. 10. Yes, exactly, that is why we need a Savior! 11. Our only hope lies in the shed blood of Christ, and in the power of the grace of God to change the hearts of men. Our only hope is in the mercy and grace of God, that He would deliver us from the way of sin, and bring us into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 6

7 Lesson 9 The Marvelous Work of Christ Romans 1:16-17 Christ s Substitutionary Death Romans 1:16 Questions 1-8 pertain to chapter a) Only a fit subject for the righteous wrath of God, b) has no spirtual life in him, and c) does not desire any light, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit upon his soul. 2. To show how our hearts desparately need the grace of God, righteousness in Christ, and experiential knowledge of the life of faith. 3. Christ became a substitute and died in the place of sinners. 4. a. It has requirements for receiving God s blessing, and it imposes penalties for disobedience. b. personal answer. We must all come to the place where we have to say no. If we still think we can, ten we are deceived, and we still have pride; we want to be independent from God. c. In the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus on the cross, and in His resurrection from the dead. 5. a. Romans 3: Please write out the verse completely. b. The swallowing up of God s wrath in the Person of Christ, so that our sins could be covered from the face of God. Propitiation has to do with the satisfaction of the Father with the sacrifice of the Son. God righteous wrath against sin was totally satisfied at the Cross. 6. a. Colossians 1: Please write out the verse completely. b. The removing of God s alienation from hell-deserving sinners, because God took the initiative. Everything that separates the believer from God is gone our relationship is restored! 7. a. Romans 3:24. Please write out the verse completely. b. The delivering of sinners from bondage (slavery) to the law, sin, and Satan, because God paid the required price. 8. a. Hebrews 10:12. Please write out the verse completely. b. The removing of our guilt before God via blood sacrifice, so we can stand before Him in the pure garment of Christ s righteousness, with no condemnation. God s Justice and Righteousness Romans 1:17 Questions 9-15 pertain to chapter a. He always acts justly toward men. b. He cannot deny Himself, ie, He must be consistent with His attributes, because He is Truth, Holy, and Unchangeable. c. Deut. 32:4 A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He Psalm 89:14 Justice... [is] the habitation of Thy throne Gen 18:25 Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Rom. 9:14 Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid!! 10. a. Because His justice is displayed in the vindication of His righteousness in the punishment of sin. b. Exod. 34:7 He will not leave guilt unpunished. Psalm 5:5 God hates unrepentant sinners! Rom. 2:5-6 God s righteous judgment is to render to everyone what he deserves. c. The punishment for sin is death! 11. a) He must be perfect, b) have no sin of his own, c) able to bear the full punishment deserved by all substituted for. 12. a. To impute His perfect righteousness to our account in heaven, so that we could stand before Him with oursindebt paid in full. b. Jesus Christ, the Son of God c. Because He must identify with them (mankind) completely, to overcome the power of death over mankind, and so He could become a High Priest for us, able to reconcile and represent us with God. 13. a. Sin was to be laid upon Him who knew no sin; a blemished sacrifice would not satisfy God s holiness. b. 2 Corinthians 5:21. (Write it out.) 14. Because there are only two things in the entire universe that could meet all the requirements for God s justice: 1) the death of all those who have sinned against God, or 2) Christ s death, a sinless and divine substitute, able to bear all our sin. (Death was required to vindicate His justice.) Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 7

8 15. a. Nothing, because God freely gave His Son to us. (If we could pay for it, then God would owe it to us, and we could have pride in earning it!) b. No. c. God chose to have Christ suffer and die in our place to pay for our sin; Christ has in fact born our sin; but we did not value it; yet by His suffering and sacrifice, we are forgiven!!! Lesson 10 Holiness and Salvation The Requirements of God s Holy Law Questions 4-9 pertain to chapter Because the moral law of God is binding upon all men, because all are image-bearers of God. 2. We cannot stand in the presence of God, and are condemned to hell [unless we repent of our sin and pu our whole trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ as our sin-substitute on the Cross - see question 4]. 3. a. It is where one hundred percent of you, keeps one hundred percent of His holy law, one hundred percent of the time. [No one can do this, therefore all stand guilty before God (Rom. 3:23), and all are in need of a savior from the penalty for their sin.] b. personal answer. If you still do not agree, please read over the scriptures mentiioned in this chapter once again, asking God to show you their true meaning as they apply to you. 4. I must have someone to stand for us, who has personally, perfectly, and perpetually obeyed the holy law of God, so that this substitute can bear the full penalty which I deserve. 5. The Son of God lived a perfect life, fulfilling all of God s holy law, and died in our place under the curse of the law the death that we deserved, so that we might live with Him eternally! 6. a. personal answer. b. personal answer. Dear reader, do not delay! The Precious Blood of Christ Questions pertain to chapter Christ poured out His blood as an atonement for our souls. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 8. a. It is the means of God s passing-over, or forgiving us of, our sins. b. Heb. 9:22 without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Heb. 9:12-14 if the blood of animals purified the Israeites [temporarily], how much more will the perfect blood of Jesus redeem us from sin, to secure our permanent service to the living God. 9. a) a righteousness whereby God has justified us freely from all things. b) a standing in Christ where no condemnation can touch us. c) a change in our lives down here on earth Colossians 1:20 Christ has made peace for us, and removed our separation from God (presently as well as after our physical death). - Hebrews 10:19 we can have boldness to enter into the holiest place: the presence of God! - Revelation 12:11 we are able to overcome the wicked one. 11. a. Because we are brought into a holy relationship with a holy God. b. a) By the cross, we belong in newness of life to another world; b) Our former life and ways are dead to us - they do not hold power to attract us; c) The slavery to the power of indwelling sin has been broken - we are free to say no to sin, which we desire to do; d) We desire to follow after holiness and hate every evil and false way. 12. a) the death of my old man, b) the death of Satan (to be cast into the lake of fire at the end of time), c) the death of sin, when we die physically, d) a new body, at the resurrection. 13. personal answer. If you believe God is speaking to your heart to come to Him, then we highly recommend that you review your answers on this question, and some of the other personal response questions, with a mature believer in Jesus Christ. Christianity is not so much a religion, but a love-relationship with a living Savior and Lord. Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 8

9 Mount Zion Bible Institute 2603 W. Wright Street. Pensacola, FL USA (850) fax: (850) a ministry of Mount Zion Bible Church Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Student s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 9

10 Answer Key for Graders Man s Ruin God s Redemption Course MRG Mount Zion Bible Institute Note to Graders Own words: The student has been encouraged to use his own words while formulating his answers from the textbook. It is OK when he occasionally quotes from the book directly. If, however, the student is just copying directly from the text repeatedly, then it is suggested to give a comment to him, to the effect that he is encouraged to use his own words, to describe his own understanding of what the author has said in the textbook. We have often quoted from the book directly in this answer key. This has been done in order to have an accurate standard of comparison (from the text) for the student s answers in his own words. (Otherwise, the grader would be comparing the student s answers in his own words to our answers in our own words, and there would be a drift away from the author s original meaning in the text.) Therefore, please accept the student s answers when they are a reasonable representation of the general gist of the text; do not require an exact match with our answers provided herein. Personal responses: The MAKING IT PERSONAL questions ask for personal application. Please give special attention to these--they will often generate rare opportunities for an intimate glimpse into another human soul. We must be prepared to respond with both compassion and exhortation. Literature: Wherever appropriate, please ask us to send specific related Mount Zion literature titles from our catalog to the student as an encouragement, which we can easily enclose along with his graded answer sheets when they are returned to him. Many of the student s personal answers will reveal real needs, and this is our best opportunity for discipleship. Note: please use a small post-it note in the upper right corner of the Lesson Response Form, to mention titles or topics to be sent to the student. [This allows us 1) to see the name and address during administrative processing of the lessons, and 2) to remove the note and fix it to the outside envelope when we send it to the literature department to enclose the literature.] Encouragement: Please write a sentence or two of discipleship comment at least on every two or three pages of the student s answer sheets, directly onto the student s answer sheets. This course often requires in depth analysis and integration of ideas in order to answer the study questions. Some students may find this a challenge. In giving feedback, we should find a path which both 1) corrects errors which might lead to false Christian concepts, and 2) encourages

11 the student for the effort they have made. As this is an advanced course, our responses can be more bold and directive when needed. Note: Please do not use post-it notes on the student s answer pages to add comments. Many prisons do not allow these because some inmates use the glue on them to make weapons! The prison mail room will only return the lessons to us. When you need more space for comments, simply add a piece of folded notebook paper, noting before each comment the lesson and question numbers. Answers are in italics. From this place forward, the entire Study Guide text is included everything the student has seen there, as a reference for the grader. Lesson 1 Man s Ruin and God s Wrath Romans 1:16-18 Man s Awful Ruin Questions 1-4 pertain to chapter 1. Introduction 1. Describe the awful plight and degradation of the human race today, which this portion of God s Word shows. We have rebelled against the sovereign God, and became gods unto ourselves. We have left the only true God and turned to our own way, to do what seems right in our own eyes. Very Important Note: We ask you to always use your own words in your answers. The answers to the Response questions are found in the textbook, but please do not merely quote the book for your answer. Rather, read what the text says, think about the meaning of what it says, and summarize its meaning in your own words for your answer. In this way, you will learn much more than simply a search/find/quote method for answering the questions. Obvious Facts 2. a. What are the six very obvious facts set forth about mankind in Romans 1:16-32? 1) Men are by nature in an awful state of sin. 2) Men bring upon themselves the reprobation of God. 3) Men left to themselves will only grow worse and worse in sin. 4) The power of sin over men is greatly demonstrated in verse 32, where there is a terrible downward spiral into greater and greater sin. 5) No man can deliver himself from his ruined state. 6) Man abides under the righteous wrath of God, and God s judgment will fall upon him. b. Making It Personal: Do you agree that these are true? Explain your answer. personal answer God s Wrath and Gracious Redemption 3. a. What is the meaning of the larger context of these verses, which goes on to verse 18 of chapter 3? All men stand guilty before God, because they have sinned, and therefore are under the wrath of God. b. What portion of mankind is included? Are you among this number? All! Yes! (This is, of course, the first and most major step toward turning to God in humility and repentance: recognizing that we are sinners in need of salvation. If the student is not able or willing to recognize this fact at this point, then please encourage some appropriate additional literature and scriptures.) 4. After shutting us up completely to our helplessness and hopelessness: a. What is the way of escape that God has provided, so that you can be saved? God has provided a righteousness for us which He will accept: His own, as revealed in His only Son, Jesus Christ. b. How did God do this? Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Grader s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 2

12 God has made Christ to be sin for us in our place, and we take on His righteousness. The wrath of God Romans 1:18 Questions 5-8 pertain to chapter 2. For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Our Only Hope 5. What are the five things mentioned as man s only hope to deliver him from the deep pit of human confusion? 1) The gospel of the grace of God, 2) the new birth, 3) the Holy Spirit s work in us, 4) believing this gospel, and 5) to tell God that we are sinners and need Him. 6. a. What is God s wrath? It is one of God s attributes that includes His righteous hatred of sin, and His need to punish it. b. In your own words, how does it go together, for a loving God of mercy to also have wrath? personal answer (at this point in the course), but will hopefully allude to God s holiness manifesting itself against sin. (Both love and wrath are valid attributes of God as revealed in the scripture, and in some sense beyond human understanding.) Only Wrath Remains 7. a. Who is God s wrath against? Men who are ungodly and unrighteous. b. Why is God s wrath against them? Because they hold the truth of God in unrighteousness; that is, they hate Him and sin against Him. Man by Nature 8. a. It is a terrible thing for you to cast away the Word of God.... What are the awful things mentioned? To pick and choose among Bible passages to decide for ourselves what we will believe. To reject the revelation of divine truth. To know truth and not bow to it s authority, Jesus Christ. b. Making It Personal: Please take a few minutes now honestly to examine yourself. Ask God to search your heart to reveal if you are practicing any of these sins, or those which the author asks about in the closing paragraph of chapter 2. This is deep and searching--are you guilty of any of these? Write a personal response on your answer sheet. personal answer Lesson 2 The Guilt and Depravity of Man Romans 1:19-21 They are without excuse Romans 1:19-20 Questions 1-3 pertain to chapter 3. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it to them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and God-head; so that they are without excuse. All Mankind Is Guilty, What All Know 1. a. What is all mankind guilty of? Holding God s truth in unrighteousness, Not bowing to God. b. What is general revelation? It is what God tells us by means of creation, nature, history, and inner conscience. c. What do we know by general revelation? God s nature and attributes, ie, that there is a Supreme Being. Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Grader s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 3

13 2. What do we learn from Romans 2:14-15 about man s inner conscience? That all mankind has written in their hearts and upon their conscience what is required in the law of God. Personal Application 3. If those who have nothing but general revelation will be punished for not obeying and worshipping the true and living God, what punishment are you worthy of, who have had the light of revelation from the written Word of God? After searching your heart, please write your own answer to this question. personal answer Their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 Questions 4-7 pertain to chapter 4. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Deep Depravity of Heart 4. The scripture says their foolish heart was darkened. What does the author mean when he describes this as the deep depravity of men s hearts. (Please include Jeremiah 17:9 in your answer.) The heart is deceitful and desparately wicked. Men have known God from the beginning, but they will not bow down to His authority to recognize Him as God in their lives. 5. The author asks: What about you who read and hear God s Word preached from week to week, but will not bow before the sovereign God? a. In your own words, please write the reference and key point for each of the four scriptures mentioned. The key point of a verse is the meaning of the relevant phrase in the verse as it applies to the topic at hand. Please do not merely quote the verse. Rather: 1) read the verse several times meditatively, 2) pick out the key phrase as it applies to the question in this study guide, 3) think over the meaning behind the words what is the author really trying to say, then 4) write this meaning (the key point ) using your own words. 2 Tim. 3:7 we are learning about some things, but not able to really see the truth. 2 Tim. 2:26 we are totally depraved, and taken captive by the devil at his will. Isaiah 1:5,6 our whole head is sick, our whole heart is faint, our whole body is not sound--only wounds and sores in God s sight. Rev 3:17 we are wretched and miserable Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:7) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:26) Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. (Isaiah 1:5-6) Because thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (Rev 3:17) b. Making It Personal: How does this apply to you personally? personal answer Regeneration by the Holy Spirit 6. If man s heart is deceitful above all things, how then can man be born again? (This is what our Lord taught very clearly to Nicodemus in John 3.) He can not do it himself; instead it is a work of God by the Holy Spirit, which is called regeneration. 7. a. What are the six characteristics of the Holy Spirit, as illustrated by the wind? List and briefly explain each one. - irresponsible: totally sovereign and totally beyond man s control - irresistable: with overwhelming power, it overcomes all opposition - irregular: sometimes gentle, sometimes powerful and radical and revolutionary - invisible: its work is unseen (in the hearts of men) - inscrutable: unable to be explained - indispensable: without it, all would die! b. How does this show that regeneration (the spiritual new birth ) is all a work of God, and not something that man can do on his own? Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Grader s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 4

14 Because man is spiritually depraved, he is unable to turn to God. But God does all the work by His Spirit: who has all the capabilities needed to do it. Jesus describes regeneration as the wind, before He mentions man s response in believing. Lesson 3 The Truth and the Lie Romans 1:23-28 Worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator Romans 1:23-25 Questions 1-5 pertain to chapter 5. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen. Men Worship the Creature 1. a. What is the lie that men change the truth of God into? They worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. b. Why do men do this? Include the meaning of John 3:19-20 in your answer. Men do not like the truth of God; they love darkness, not light; they are totally depraved. The Way of Cain 2. But the occult... is not the worst thing... The worst thing is this world-wide idol worship of man s will. a. What is meant by this way of Cain (ie, why did Cain kill his brother Able)? Cain wanted to worship God in the way that he willed, apart from a blood sacrifice. b. Who are those who walk in the way of Cain today? Today s counterparts to Cain are those who believe in God according to their own reasoning. 3. a. What are the two doctrines in the Bible that men hate with all their soul? 1) That God is sovereign in salvation, 2) That they are totally depraved. b. Making It Personal: In your own words, why do you think this is so? personal answer, hopefully to reflect the answer from question 1b. 4. Making It Personal: We learn that Cain is a representative of all those who worship God within their own free will through their own reason, efforts, and desires, rather than bowing to His sovereign rule in their life as their Lord. They worship God in their own way, as Cain did. Do you agree or disagree that a person s free will can be a problem that keeps them from God? Why? personal answer: please give some constructive feedback to those who are holding on to free will. 5. a. What are seven traits of those who have gone the way of Cain? - they say God is love, and will demand no punishment for sin, - they substitute form and ceremony for the substitutionary death of the Savior, - they look on mankind as something wonderful, arisen by way of evolution, - they have substituted human philosophy for divine revelation, - they have substituted free will decision for the regeneration by the Spirit in salvation, - they have substituted the carnal Christian theory for God s holiness in life, - they have a form of godliness, but deny the power of it to save them. Note: Trait #6 mentions the carnal Christian theory. This theory is a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 3, which says that a person may be truly saved, and yet live in sin as a lifestyle, never growing in holiness. A correct interpretation of 1 Corinthians 3 applies these verses only to those who have backslid temporarily into sin, but not continued in sin as a lifestyle. Scripture teaches that all those who are truly saved will grow to become like Christ in a continuing process of sanctification Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Grader s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 5

15 (Rom. 8:29, Phil. 1:6, Heb. 13:21). If they choose to continue with some old sinful habits, the Lord lovingly will chastise (discipline) them to cause them to lean upon Him and grow. b. Making It Personal: Do you see some of these people around you? Are you now (or have you been) like this yourself? Explain. personal answer: please give constructive feedback to the student. Changed the truth of God into a lie Romans 1:25 Questions 6-8 pertain to chapter 6. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen. Changing Truth into a Lie 6. a. There is the truth of God and there is the lie. Explain what is the truth and the lie. The Truth: all good things are in God the Father, given to us by the Son, applied by the Spirit. The Lie: there is something good in man that will somehow get him into heaven. b. In your own words, what are the key points for each of the following: - James 1:17: everything good comes from the Father - Romans 3:10-12: no one is righteous, seeks after God, or does anything good. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17 AV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:10-12 AV) Which Truths Denied 7. What are some of the truths of God, which man maligns and defames? Four major truths are described in the text. Please list and briefly explain them in your own words. a. The absolute sovereignty of God over all His creation and creatures; that is, His right to do as He pleases. b. Man has total inability to do anything spiritually good in God s eyes; we are instead enslaved to our sinful nature without Christ. c. God has a righteous wrath against sin, and will cast the unrepentant sinner into hell. d. God is trinity in unity, three in one; all comes to us from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit, acting as one God. Personal Application 8. Please answer the author s questions to you at the end of chapter 6: Have I bowed to the God of the Bible, as He is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ from the Holy Scriptures--the inspired Word of God? Or am I bowing down to the idol of my carnal reasoning, and turning the truth of God into a lie? personal answer. If admitting to bowing down to reasoning, encourage the student toward biblical repentance. God gave them up Romans 1: 24, 26, 28 Questions 9-12 pertain to chapter 7. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient God Gave Them Up 9. a. According to the text, what is meant by God gave them up? They are left alone to follow what their depraved hearts so much desire, to have their fill of sin. b. What is the ultimate consequence a person will face if God should give him up? (Before answering this question, please carefully read again Romans 1:24, 26, 27, and 28.) Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Grader s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 6

16 At physical death, they will fall into an eternal hell. God Gave Them Up Today 10. In verses 29-31, you find the highest faculty of man, his mind, his understanding, receiving the greatest judgment of God... What is this greatest judgment of God upon a man in this life? The blinding of the mind to the soul s need, and being given over to the depraved nature. The Cause of Degradation 11. List the four causes of this degradation that have brought man to this state. Describe each one briefly. a. The preaching of the holy law of God has almost vanished from the churches of today, in favor of comfortable messages, b. Men are no longer called upon to repent from their sins and turn to God; instead, it is receive Christ. c. Men preach man s so-called free will instead of God s sovereign will, which just encourages man in his lost state, d. Man has made a god out of education; schools have become centers for atheistic humanism void of God. Easy Believism and Carnal Christian Theory 12. a. What is meant by Easy-believism and the carnal Christian theory (the third cause )? Describe these issues. Easy-believism is the doctrine that only a decision to intellectually receive Christ is necessary for salvation, without any turning from sin or commitment to Christ as Lord, which are inherent in saving faith. The carnal Chistian theory is the attempt to explain the sinful lifestyles lived by these professing believers, that they are saved because of their decision, but sin just because its normal and they are not yet mature enough. b. Making It Personal: Do you agree with the author s assertions, and why? personal answer: please utilize other materials which are available for further reading (see Appendix Two in the Study Guide). Lesson 4 God s Judgment upon the Lie Romans 1:24, Uncleaness Romans 1:24 Questions 1-5 pertain to chapter 8. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves Uncleanness through the Lusts 1. What is meant by the expression uncleaness through the lusts of their own hearts? God gives men over to be controlled by the sinful things, which they prefer above Him. Lusts refers to immorality- -debased and evil living. Dishonor Their Own Bodies 2. What is meant by to dishonor their own bodies between themselves? Men are so given over to their own lusts that they go to the extreme and become beastial, ie, violent, totally selfish, operating out of emotional desire without restraint for what they want. 3. At the end of this section, the author asks Are you saying Lord, Lord, and all the while.... Please write on a separate piece of paper, which of the sins mentioned you are practicing. (Do not mail this separate sheet with your answers keep it for yourself.) Without mentioning these sins individually, explain on your answer sheet how you truly feel about them in general, and what you hope to do about breaking off the practice of them in the future. personal answer: please give the student here encouragement toward righteousness. Change is not easy, but it is worth it! Personal Application 4. a. What is the word used to describe the salvation that God gives in Christ? It is a holy salvation. b. In your own words, please also write the key point of 1 Peter 1: Man s Ruin--God s Redemption (revised edition): Grader s Answer Key as of 7/15/2015 7