Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 1

Introduction to Christian Doctrine

Syllabus for J-Term 2011

January 10-15

COURSE DESCRIPTION An introductory course in systematic theology from an evangelical,

Wesleyan perspective that seeks to give students a clear foundation in Christian doctrine to

further their personal discipleship and enable them to minister with theological integrity and

biblical faithfulness. This course will cover such topics as God, the Bible, Sin, Salvation, the

Church, and Eschatology.

INSTRUCTOR Russell J. Veldman III

13018 S 400 W

Kokomo IN 46901-7513

cell: (765) 210-3355

russveldman@gmail.com

REQUIRED TEXTS

Demaray, D. (1996) Basic Beliefs. Indianapolis, IN: Light and Life Communications. Available

used online.

Purkiser, W.T. (Ed.) (1978). Exploring our Christian Faith. Kansas City: Beacon Hill. Make

sure you get the 1978 edition! Also available used online.

Thoennes, E. (2008) Biblical Doctrine: An Overview (13 articles), in The ESV Study Bible (pp.

2505-2534). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. Provided FREE in class. NOTE: this

good resource is evangelical, but differs from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective at certain

points. It will be used in comparison with our other texts to help us see differences

between Wesleyan-Arminian doctrine and doctrine from another evangelical viewpoint.

Veldman III, R. (2006). Classic Catechism. Indianapolis, IN: Light and Life Communications.

Contains an appendix with the Free Methodist Articles of Religion. Available at

Wesleyan Publishing House

(http://www.wphonline.com/product.asp?sku=2158_FM0416) and Amazon.com

A copy of the Bible, preferably the English Standard Version or the New American Standard

Bible ('95 update).

GRADING

Assignments 40 points

Class Participation 30 points

Final Exam 30 points

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 2

NOTES ON COURSEWORK

1. Under each major topic below, read the assigned pages in Exploring Our Christian Faith

(hereafter Exploring), Basic Beliefs, Biblical Doctrine: An Overview (hereafter Biblical

Doctrine), and the Classic Catechism and answer the questions for that topic. Answers

should be concise and cover essential points, relying primarily on the textbooks. Include

biblical references were possible. Do not simply copy words from the textbooks, but do

the reading, study the questions, and put answers in your own words with as much

precision as you can muster. Answers count for 40% of course grade.

2. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class. Participation in class discussions counts

for 30% of course grade.

3. Lessons will be handed in at the end of each class. During class you are welcome to add

to your answers as you gain insights from lectures and discussion. You will want to keep

a copy for yourself. You will have time in class to ask the instructor any pertinent

questions you may have about the subject matter.

4. This study is foundational to your walk with Jesus and the integrity of your present and

future ministry. Determine to give your best effort to the glory of God. Be persistent and

disciplined. You can do it!

5. On each homework page please define the lesson topics being worked and number your

answers. Please write the questions on your answer sheet. If assignments are handwritten

instead of mechanically generated, make sure that the handwriting is legible. Illegible

answers are automatically considered incorrect.

6. There will be a take-home final exam, worth 30% of the course grade.

7. If you adequately complete the homework, participate in class discussion, and take the

exams, then you will pass the class, I promise! More importantly, you will have a

foundation for your faith and walk that can last a lifetime, and will hopefully inspire you

to continue a serious study of theology to further your own worship and service to God.

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 3

ASSIGNMENTS

Date Topics Work Due

Pre-

Class

Work

(all due

on

Monday

evening,

January

10.)

Study

All of Basic Beliefs

Biblical Doctrine: An Overview, pages 1-5

Exploring Our Christian Faith, chapters 1,2, 4, 5

Questions to answer (numbers in parentheses are page numbers

of Exploring Our Christian Faith unless otherwise specified):

1. Briefly explain three ideas that were new to you from Basic

Beliefs.

2. What section or topic from Basic Beliefs was most

confusing to you?

3. What section or topic from Basic Beliefs most intrigued you

and left you wanting far more information about it?

4. Give your best definition so far of theology.

5. Why do you think or not think it is important for Christian

leaders to study theology?

6. Is learning theology good for a believer's walk with God?

How so? (see Biblical Doctrine, page 1)

7. Briefly define what it means to have faith.

8. What are some of the forms of monotheism? Briefly define

each. (30-31).

9. What are some evidences for theism? (35-50). Briefly

define each.

10. In reaction to your reading in Exploring, why do you think

it is important for a Christian to be familiar with other

religions?

11. What other two major world religions are monotheistic

besides Christianity?

12. Who are the "church fathers?" (74-81)

13. What two key doctrines were formulated during the

patristic period? (77).

14. What are the four major movements that formed the

Reformation? (81-84)

15. What was the key truth that Martin Luther recovered? (82)

16. State the basic principles that came out of the Protestant

Reformation. (81-82)

17. What is Arminius famous for rejecting and reformulating?

(84-86)

18. What two distinct doctrines did John Wesley develop an

emphasize? Briefly explain each. (89-91)

*** Due to the fact that our first class session on Monday

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 4

evening will end later than the other nights and will thus reduce

the time available that evening to complete the work due for

Tuesday morning, it is highly recommended that students

complete a portion of Tuesday's work before J-Term begins. ***

Mon.,

Jan. 10 Why study

theology?

&

Prolegomena

Pre-class work due.

Tues.,

Jan. 11 Bibliology:

the study of

God's

revelation

&

Theology

Proper: The

study of the

person of God

Study:

Basic Beliefs, chapters 2, 4

Exploring, chapter 3, 6, 7, pages 179-182

Biblical Doctrine, pages 6-8, 11-21

Classic Catechism, questions 157-161, 1-29

Articles of Religion (in the back of Classic Catechism),

¶108-109

Questions to answer:

1. List the three major ways that God has chosen to reveal

Himself to humankind.

2. Discuss briefly the way God chose to reveal himself in

history. (54-56)

3. What does God's self-revelation in Christ tell us about God?

(56-57)

4. Discuss briefly the biblical doctrine of the inspiration of the

Scriptures and note the several factors related to inspiration.

(57-60)

5. Regarding the method of the inspiration of the Scriptures,

discuss briefly the relationship of the divine and human

elements. (60-64)

6. Briefly distinguish between "infallibility" and "inerrancy."

7. How does the Free Methodist Church's statement about

biblical inspiration compare to the description of biblical

inspiration in Biblical Doctrine: An Introduction? How are

they similar and different?

8. What is your own understanding of biblical inspiration thus

far? Are you in full agreement with the Free Methodist

Church's position?

9. What is the difference between the incommunicable

attributes of God and the communicable ones? (Biblical

Doctrine, pages 13-14)

10. What is meant by the sovereignty of God? (117) Is the

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 5

definition of this substantially different in the Biblical

Doctrine: An Introduction document (p. 16)? How so?

11. Explain what it means that God is transcendent and

immanent. (119; see also Biblical Doctrine, page 47)

12. Briefly define omnipotence, omniscience, and

omnipresence in reference to God (120-121).

13. What does it mean to say that God is a "person"? (122)

14. What does it mean for us to call God "Father"? (124-125)

15. What does it mean that God is holy? (125-127)

16. Briefly state the doctrine of the Trinity.

17. What are the four biblical, essential affirmations that lay the

foundation for the Trinity? (see Biblical Doctrine, page 17)

18. List and briefly define the "Historical Misunderstandings of

the Trinity." (Biblical Doctrine, pages 20-21)

19. Which one of the "Practical Implications of the Trinity"

grabs your interest the most? Why? (Biblical Doctrine,

page 21)

20. What is a "mystery" in theology? (Classic Catechism, page

13) Wed.,

Jan. 12 Christology:

the study of the

person of

Christ

&

Pneumatology:

the study of the

person of the

Holy Spirit

Study:

Exploring, chapters 8, 9

Basic Beliefs, chapter 7

Biblical Doctrine, pages 21-34,

Classic Catechism, questions 97-104, 24

Articles of Religion, ¶103-104

Questions to answer:

1. Why was it necessary for Christ to be born of a virgin?

(148-151)

2. What does Exploring mean when it says that "Biblical

Christology is confessional"? (148)

3. How did Jesus reveal his purpose and mission to

humankind? (151-154)

4. What four essential, biblical affirmations about the nature

of Christ must be grappled with to truly understand his

nature? (Biblical Doctrine, pages 21-22) Give several

Scripture references for each.

5. Name two things Christ could not do for us if he was not

fully divine. (Biblical Doctrine, page 24). Explain why

these are important.

6. Name two things Christ could not do for us if he was not

fully human. (Biblical Doctrine, pages 26-27)

7. Briefly list and define the various errors regarding Jesus'

humanity, deity, and the relationship of his two natures.

(154-159)

8. What are the three offices of Christ? (Biblical Doctrine,

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 6

page 34-38) Briefly describe each office.

9. What insights do you gain about Christ's ministry from

studying the humiliation and exaltation chart on page 39 of

Biblical Doctrine?

10. Has the Son of God always existed? (Biblical Doctrine,

page 40)

11. Did Christ retain his physical body after his ascension?

(Biblical Doctrine, page 41) What implications does this

have?

12. What is the "heavenly session" of Christ? What is He

currently doing? (Biblical Doctrine, page 42)

13. What was the nature of the Holy Spirit's ministry in Old

Testament times? (165-170)

14. Give one piece of biblical evidence that demonstrates that

the Holy Spirit is a distinct personal being. (Biblical

Doctrine, page 30).

15. What are the groups or categories of OT references to the

Holy Spirit? (166-170)

16. Name five of the personal actions of the Holy Spirit.

(Biblical Doctrine, page 31)

17. Briefly explain two of the implications of the Spirit's work.

(Biblical Doctrine, pages 33-34)

18. What is one thing that is "often too quickly assumed" about

Jesus' holiness? What does that have to do with believers

today? (Biblical Doctrine, page 34) Thurs.,

Jan 13 Anthropology:

the study of

humanity

&

Hamartiology:

the study of sin

Study:

Exploring, chapters 10, 11

Basic Beliefs, chapter 5

Biblical Doctrine, pages 43-51

Classic Catechism, questions 34-46, 52-61

Articles of Religion, ¶111

Questions to answer:

1. What does it mean that God created humankind "in his

image"? (190-193)

2. Briefly explain two of the implications of "Being Created in

God's Image for His Glory." (Biblical Doctrine, pages 44-

45)

3. What are some of the implications for the value of human

life since humanity is made in the image of God?

4. Briefly describe the three major theories of how human life

(soul or spirit) is passed on from parent to child. What

theory seems most biblical to you? Why? (189-193)

5. Regarding the make-up of human beings, what do the terms

"trichotomy" and "dichotomy" mean? Thus far, to which do

you hold? (Biblical Doctrine, page 46).

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 7

6. How extensive were the effects of the Fall on humankind?

What is the present spiritual condition of human beings

apart from a saving relationship with Christ? (214-215, and

Biblical Doctrine, page 51, and Classic Catechism,

question 60)

7. Briefly describe several non-biblical theories of the origin

of sin. (201-207)

8. Briefly state the biblical teaching of the origin of sin. (207-

210)

9. Summarize briefly the biblical teaching on the nature of sin.

(210-203)

10. List 10 of the biblical terms for sin. (Biblical Doctrine,

page 49)

11. Sin has "brought about" what two key things in all humans?

(Biblical Doctrine, page 50) Fri., Jan.

14 Soteriology:

the study of

salvation

Study:

Exploring, chapters 13-15

Basic Beliefs, chapters 9-11

Biblical Doctrine, pages 34-38, 51-52

Classic Catechism, questions 94-135

Articles of Religion, ¶111, 114-119

Questions to answer:

1. Give a general definition of the term "atonement" in the

biblical context. (217)

2. List Old and New Testament terms relating to the

atonement. Give a basic definition for each. (218-219)

3. Why is the resurrection of Christ the central theme of the

preaching and teaching ministry of the New Testament

Church? (236-244)

4. List the general categories of biblical evidence used to

refute the limited atonement theory of historic Calvinism.

Give at least one biblical reference for each. (253-256)

5. What is meant by "prevenient grace"? Why is prevenient

grace necessary in order for a person to be saved? (260-

268)

6. List the steps to salvation according to the Calvinistic

understanding and according to an Arminian

understanding. (260-268)

7. What are the two conditions for salvation? (268-273)

8. Give a brief definition of repentance. (269-272)

9. Give a brief definition of "saving faith." (272-274)

10. Briefly define the major results of salvation: justification,

regeneration, adoption. (276-285)

11. What three "witnesses" provide assurance of salvation to

the believer? (286-290)

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 8

12. What is the typical Calvinistic definition of sin? (291-292)

13. Briefly summarize the teaching on "Deliverance from Sin."

(295-305)

14. When does sanctification begin in the believer? (322-323)

15. Give a brief definition of "entire sanctification." (323-326)

16. Briefly discuss how a Wesleyan understanding of

sanctification involves both process and a crisis experience

of a definite time in which the fully consecrated believer is

entirely sanctified. (330-337)

17. What are some practical results of cleansing from sin in the

life of the believer? (347-356)

18. How can a believer know that he or she has been entirely

sanctified? (356-359)

19. What are the two elements of the "chief end of man"? (461-

465, see also Classic Catechism question #41)

Sat., Jan.

15 Ecclesiology:

The study of

the Church

&

Eschatology:

The study of

last things

Study:

Exploring, 19-20, 22-23

Basic Beliefs, chapters 12-14

Biblical Doctrine, pages 53-57

Classic Catechism, questions 136-178

Articles of Religion, ¶121-131

Questions to answer:

1. List several different ways people use the word "Church" or

"church"; that is, what different things can this term be used

to refer to?

2. What are some of the New Testament metaphors used to

describe the Church? Give biblical references. (363-365)

3. Why is Pentecost often considered the birthday of the

Church? (363-365)

4. How does a person become a part of the Church?

5. What is the essential purpose and major function of the

Church? (367-369)

6. Briefly explain the three major types of church government

in today's Church. Which one does Free Methodism

employ? (370-373)

7. Briefly explain the Free Methodist position on baptizing

infants. (Articles of Religion, ¶124)

8. Briefly explain the Free Methodist position on the presence

of Christ in the Lord's Supper. (Articles of Religion, ¶125)

9. List the "means of grace." (377-393)

10. Briefly describe the relationship between the Church and

the Kingdom of God. (397-404, 408-410)

11. Describe the pre-, post-, and a-millennial positions. (405)

Introduction to Christian Doctrine, J-Term 2011, page 9

12. What is meant by the "here and now" and "there and then"

nature of the Kingdom of God? (405-408).

13. Give some biblical evidence that the immanent return of

Christ was a vital belief and earnest expectation of New

Testament believers. (413-420)

14. Why is the parousia (second coming of Christ) referred to

in Scripture as "the blessed hope"? (427-432)

15. Name four things that return of Christ will be. (see Biblical

Doctrine, bottom of page 54)

16. What is the "resurrection hope" of the believer? (432-437)

Why is it such an important truth?

17. List some biblical truths about God's judgment of sin. (437-

440)

18. What is the biblical teaching on the final destiny of

unbelievers? (440-443)

19. What is the biblical teaching on the final destiny of

believers? (443-446)