About Essential Bible Doctrines
The Apostle Paul told church leader and Paul’s “son in the faith”, Timothy, that there would come a time when “people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths.” But what is sound doctrine? And, why is it important to know and study these tenets of the faith? This class will explore 5 major doctrines of the Christian faith. You can expect illuminating and helpful homework that includes Bible study and Theology readings. And, you can expect deep and exciting discussions in class as we go in-depth into certain controversial areas that pretty much all Christians wonder about. We will explore and discuss God’s sovereignty and His Trinitarianism, why only certain books made it into the Bible, what does it mean that Jesus was fully human and fully God, Calvinistic and Arminian views of salvation and man’s free-will, what are the different views on baptism and communion and other significant topics that are the foundation of the church of Jesus Christ.
Class Content
Week One: “Why are doctrinal studies important?”
Week Two: “Who is God & what’s He like?” (His character, sovereignty, etc.)
Week Three: “Who is God & what’s He like?” (Trinitarianism, etc.)
Week Four: “Can we trust the Bible & what about the books that didn’t make it?” (The Canon & the Apocrypha)
Week Five: “What is meant by ‘Sola Scriptura’ & How do we practice this truth?” (Where does tradition fit in, etc.)
Week Six: “Who was Jesus & how should we understand incarnation?” (The great controversies of Christology in the early centruies)
Week Seven: “How does Jesus’ death save me?” & “What does it mean to be saved?” (Different views of atonement)
Week Eight: The Christian’s hope & “Can we lose our salvation?” (Also, a comparison of Calvinistic & Arminianistic soteriology)
Week Nine: “Why is the local church so important” & “Why does the local church need leaders?”
Week Ten: Church Practices: Baptism, Communion, and church discipline
Week Eleven: The Holy Spirit: Who or what is He? & how do I receive Him?