Oh no, not doctrine!
Studying Christian Doctrine is like learning to enjoy broccoli or Brussels sprouts (still not a favorite) or Feta cheese when you're a child. You know it's good for you, but, you know...
When you study Church History, you learn that a tremendous amount of Doctrine or Teaching was being developed and codified. Our early Church fathers spent a great amount of time choosing very specific, very succinct words to "flesh out" what the Holy Spirit was teaching them.
Understanding Christian Doctrine isn't difficult, it just takes a little bit of thought mixed with some logic, sealed with a lot of prayer: Prayer asking God to illuminate your mind and heart (in that order). Pray also that the evil one would be kept from interfering in your study.
As we understand the Doctrine of our Faith, I can almost guarantee you that your thirst to know God better will begin to increase. Jesus said that we are blessed when we hunger and thirst after righteousness and that we will be filled. Matthew 5:6. And when God fills us with Himself, it is usually to overflowing. We overflow with thankfulness as we are rooted and built-up in Christ. Colossian 2:7. That's where God wants us; desiring more of Him, more of the time. That is how we affect the world around us for God.
The 4 Essential Doctrines that we will look at examine the "Who", "What", "Why" and "How" of Christianity.
The primary resources for this study are the Bible, Charles Ryrie's, "A Survey of Bible Doctrine" and J. I. Packer's classic, "Knowing God." Ryrie is one of our time's best theologians and Biblical scholars. His "Survey" is easy to read and absorb. "Knowing God" is one of those books that you will mark up and reread time and again. If you only had 2 books for further study, I strongly recommend both for any believer's resource shelf.
Other materials were garnered from such teachers as R. C. Sproul, Brian Branam, Brian Borgman, Christianity Today, and other tomes. Their work is appreciated and acknowledged. A big thanks also to our Pastors, David McIntyre and John Roy who encouraged us to persevere in the preparation of this series. Along with my teaching partner and collaborator Bob Brooks, it is our prayer that this study will be a great step in understanding who God is, why He loves us, and what He is willing to do to draw us close to Him. We welcome your comments as well as your prayers.
All Scripture quote are taken from the New International Version, 1984.
All downloads are in Adobe PDF format. Here's a link just in case you need it. It's FREE!
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Doctrine: Word are important. Words have meaning. Words that become terms provide the mind picture to understand a thought or thought process. Start with some clear definitions, & you're ready to go. Think about God first. Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 1 - Intro to Doctrine.
Lesson 2 - The Tri-Unity of God, Part 1. Although difficult to understand, we believe in the Tri-Unity of God. Christians believe in ONE God having 3 distinct Personalities, living and eternally existing in perfect Unity. Who is God? Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 2 - Who is God.
Lesson 3 - The Tri-Unity of God, Part 2. As we begin to understand Who God is, we discover what makes God, God. God is Father, God is Jesus the Son, God is the Holy Spirit. However, the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Father or Spirit, etc. Who are they & what are their Biblically revealed roles? Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 3 - Attributes of God.
Lesson 4 - The Deity of Jesus the Christ, Part 1. One of the most difficult doctrines to understand, yet one of the most important to grasp. Jesus was not just a "great" teacher or holy man. He is God. Not was, IS. And yet he was fully man. Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 4 - Jesus the God-man. Download Lesson 4 - Nic Athan Creed.
Lesson 5 - The Deity of Jesus the Christ, Part 2. Where most people have the biggest problem with Jesus is His claim of Deity or being God - FULLY God. As God clothed Himself in flesh and dwelt among His creation, what were proofs that we can look at proclaiming His Deity? Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 5 - Jesus is God.
Lesson 6 - The Doctrine of Salvation, Part 1. The study of Salvation or soteriology reveals that man can do nothing to bring himself close to God. Man is utterly feeble and inadequate. Why did God do what He did? Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 6 - Complete Salvation. Download Calvinism vs Arminianism.
Lesson 7 - The Doctrine of Salvation, Part 2. As we look more at the "Why" of Doctrine, we plunge deeper into God's thinking. God wants us to be ASSURED of Salvation. Learn how. Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 7 - Assurance of Salvation. Download Assurance of Salvation - Verses - Facts. A little extra to keep in your pocket or purse courtesy of the Navigators Download Salvation Assurance Verses.
Lesson 8 - The Doctrine of Grace, Part 1. A simple word. We Christians say that Grace is "God's Riches At Christ's Expense." That may be true but it's only part of what Grace is. Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 8 - Understanding Grace.
Lesson 9 - The Doctrine of Grace, Part 2. Grace is both noun and verb. We understand it best by contrast. Link to Blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 9 - Attributes of Grace. Download Ungrace v Grace.
Lesson 10 - Just the Beginning. Once you begin studying Christian doctrine, you will most likely want to continue; just because. Let's look at where to go next. Link to blog notes and commentary. Download Lesson 10.
Click here for more Bible Study Series.
Words of the Week - Understanding the words is important to understanding Doctrine. The words that our forefathers chose to describe God, Jesus, and everything about them are exact and can't be parsed.
A Survey of Bible Doctrine
By Charles C. Ryrie / Moody Publishers
Ryrie's A Survey of Bible Doctrine offers an easy-to-understand overview of the various doctrines of the Bible written especially for the layperson. Ryrie examines a wide range of topics, including: the nature of God, the inspiration of Scripture, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the angelic world, the nature and depravity of humans, salvation, the church, and the last things. Ryrie argues for the contemporary relevance of the Bible in this accessible and engaging survey of its key teachings.
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What's So Amazing About Grace? By Philip Yancey / Zondervan Grace is the Church's great distinctive. It's the one thing the world cannot duplicate, and the one thing it craves above all else for only grace can bring hope and transformation to a jaded world. What is grace? If grace is God's love for the undeserving, then what does it look like in action? If Christians are its sole dispensers, how are we doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and un-forgiveness than it does of mercy? What's So Amazing About Grace? |
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Knowing God By J.I. Packer / Inter-varsity Press J. I. Packer's Knowing God has become a classic of the Christian faith. Why? While it gives us information about God with clarity and grace, it does much more---it aids us in actually knowing him, in building our relationship with him, and helps draw us closer to him in love and worship. This 20th anniversary edition of Packer's classic has new Americanized text, reader-friendly type, and a new preface. Study guide not included. |
