Theology of Soul Care Week 1: The Word of God 1) Why Study Theology? a) Because Jesus commanded us to study and teach the scriptures (Mtt 28:!9-20). The doctrines we will study are the Bible s teachings about specific topics collected and organized and summarized into various categories. b) The time will come a day when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Tim 4:3) 2) Presuppositions: a) That the Bible is true and that it is, in fact, our only absolute standard of truth; b) That the God who is spoken of in the bible exists, and that He is: the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all things in them. (Grudem, Systematic Theology pg 26) 3) The Authority of the Bible a) The Bible s words are God s Words i) Old Testament Ex: (Ex 4:22; Josh 24:2; 1 Sam 10:18; Is 10:24; Deut 18:18-20; Jer 1:9) ii) NT Ex: 2 Tim 3:16 ; 2 Pet 3:-15-16 iii) 1 Tim 5:18 (Deut 25:4; Lk 10:7) b) General vs Special Revelation i) General Revelation (Rom 1:18ff) ii) Special Revelation (2 Pet 1:19-21) 4) The Clarity of the Scriptures a) To the simple (Ps 19:7; Ps 119:130) b) To believers spiritually discerned more than intellectually discerned (1 Cor 2:14ff) i) Some misunderstandings are due to (1) Difficult teachings (Mtt 15:16; 2 Pet 3:-15-16) (2) Hardened Hearts (Lk 24:25) (3) We are in a different context (and language) than the hearers it was originally written to (4) Differing interpretations (Acts 15) (5) Lack of carefully applied hermeneutics (a) proof-texting (b) Faulty Teaching (c) Reading selectively the scriptures (d) Poor application c) The problem does not lie with the scriptures or their clarity, but with us 5) The Necessity of the Scriptures a) To know Salvation (Rom 10:14; 2 Tim 3:15; Jn 20:30-31; Jas 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23) b) For Sanctification (Mtt 4:4; Deut 8:3) c) To keep us from sin (Ps 119:9, 11) d) To know what God would have us do (Ps 119:105; Tim 3:17; Pr 3:5-6) e) For knowing God (Lk 24:27, 32; 1 Cor 2:11-13) f) For realizing our freedom (Jn 8:32; Ps 119:32) 6) The Sufficiency of the Scriptures a) 2 Tim 3:16-17 b) Warnings to not add to it: (Deut 4:2; 12:32; Prov 30:5-6; Rev 22:18-19) c) No other writing is equal to it. d) It doesn t mean that it answers every one of our questions, but it does answer all of what we need to know. e) God does not require us to believe anything about himself or his redemptive work that is not found in the scripture. Greg Cook CCBC God s Word Page 1
7) Applications and Implications for Soul Care a) We cannot know the Living Word without the Written Word and we cannot know the Written Word without the Living Word b) The Intersection of God s Story and Ours. i) Ephesians 3:8-11, Rev. 5:8-14 ii) The plot always revolves around reveling in Christ (enjoying Him), revealing Christ (exalting Him) and reflecting Christ (emulating Him). (Dr. Robert Kelleman modification) c) Be a wise builder, and encourage others to do likewise (Mtt 7:24-29) 8) Q & A (See Grudem, pg 20) a) (See also Appendix 1 The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (ppg 140-146) b) Will the Bible definitively answer every question we bring to it? (Why or why not?) c) What is one issue that the bible clearly speaks on? What is one issue that the Bible does not speak clearly on? How does that affect the emphasis you should place on each of these issues? d) Which of these four areas of regarding the scriptures do you struggle with? (Authority, Clarity, Necessity or Sufficiency) e) What about those you minister to? i) What do they think about the scriptures? Can they understand it? How do they view it? CCBC Constitution Article II, SECTION 1. The Scriptures We believe that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God," by which we understand the whole Bible is inspired in the sense that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writing - historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical - as appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error. We believe that all the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work in His first and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read or understood until it leads to Him. We also believe that all the Scriptures were designed for our practical instruction. (Mark 12:26, 36; 13:11; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 1:16; 17:2-3; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:13; 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21). The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q 1: What is the chief end of man? A: Man s chief end is to glorify God, (1 Cor. 10:31, Rom. 11:36) and to enjoy him for ever. (Ps. 73:25 28) Q 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, (2 Tim. 3:16, Eph. 2:20) is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. (1 John 1:3 4) Q 3: What do the scriptures principally teach? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. (2 Tim. 1:13, 2 Tim. 3:16) 1 1 The Westminster shorter catechism : With Scripture proofs. 1996 (3rd edition.) (Question 3). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. Greg Cook CCBC God s Word Page 2
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH CHAP. I. - Of the Holy Scripture 1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; (Rom. 2:14 15, Rom. 1:19 20, Ps. 19:1 3, Rom. 1:32, Rom. 2:1) yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. (1 Cor. 1:21, 1 Cor. 2:13 14) Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manner, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; (Heb. 1:1) and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: (Prov. 22:19 21, Luke 1:3 4, Rom. 15:4, Matt. 4:4,7,10, Isa. 8:19 20) which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; (2 Tim. 3:15, 2 Pet. 1:19) those former ways of God s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased. (Heb. 1:1 2) 2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these, OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth I Samuel II Samuel I Kings II Kings I Chronicles II Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes The Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi OF THE NEW TESTAMENT The Gospels according to Matthew Mark Luke John The Acts of the Apostles Romans Corinthians I Corinthians II Galatians Ephesians Phillipians Colossians Thessalonians I Thessalonians II Timothy I Timothy II Titus Philemon The Epistle to Hebrews The Epistle of James The first and second Epistles of Peter The first, second and third Epistles of John The Epistle of Jude The Revelation of John All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life. (Luke 16:29,31, Eph. 2:20, Rev. 22:18 19, 2 Tim. 3:16) 3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings. (Luke 24:27,44, Rom. 3:2, 2 Pet. 1:21) 4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. (2 Pet. 1:19,21, 2 Tim. 3:16, 1 John 5:9, 1 Thess. 2:13) 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the Holy Scripture. (1 Tim. 3:15) And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts. (1 John. 2:20, John 16:13 14, 1 Cor. 2:10 12, Isa. 59:21) 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men. (2 Tim. 3:15 17, Gal. 1:8 9, 2 Thess. 2:2) (Sufficient) Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: (John 6:45, 1 Cor 2:9 12) and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. (1 Cor. 11:13 14, 1 Cor. 14:26,40) 7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: (2 Pet. 3:16) yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly Greg Cook CCBC God s Word Page 3
propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them. (Ps. 119:105,130) 8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; (Matt. 5:18) so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them. (Isa. 8:20, Acts 15:15, John 5:39,46) But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, (John 5:39) therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, (1 Cor. 14:6,9,11 12,24,27 28) that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner; (Col. 3:16) and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope. (Rom. 15:4) 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. (2 Pet. 1:20 21, Acts 15:15 16) 10. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture. (Matt. 22:29,31, Eph. 2:20, Acts 28:25) 2 2 The Westminster confession of faith. 1996 (Chapter I, 1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. Greg Cook CCBC God s Word Page 4
He Is by Aaron Jeoffrey In Genesis, He's the breath of life In Exodus, the Passover Lamb In Leviticus, He's our High Priest Numbers, The fire by night Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice In Joshua, He is salvation's choice Judges, law giver In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer First and Second Samuel, our trusted prophet In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign Ezra, true and faithful scribe Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage In Job, the timeless redeemer In Psalms, He is our morning song In Proverbs, wisdom's cry Ecclesiastes, the time and season In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace Jeremiah, the weeping prophet In Lamentations, the cry for Israel Ezekiel, He's the call from sin In Daniel, the stranger in the fire In Hosea, He is forever faithful In Joel, He's the Spirits power In Amos, the arms that carry us In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior In Jonah, He's the great missionary In Micah, the promise of peace In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage In Zechariah, our fountain In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven In Romans, He's the grace of God In Corinthians, the power of love In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin Ephesians, our glorious treasure Philippians, the servants heart In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity Thessalonians, our coming King In Timothy, Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant In James, the one who heals the sick. In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Prince of Peace The Son of man The Lamb of God The great I AM He's the Alpha and Omega Our God and our Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord and when time is no more He is, HE IS! Greg Cook CCBC God s Word Page 5