1. The Essential Christian Worldview–We all have a worldview, whether we realize it or not. This section asks and answers two questions–this set of questions and answers constitute the Christian Worldview. (a) What is Truth? and (b) Why are we alive?
* a)… the Bible is the Word of God and is Truth and that Truth is personified in Jesus Christ. To know Truth face-to-face is to know Christ personally. (John 17:17) (John 14:6)
* b)… we are created for God’s pleasure and to bring him glory in all that we do and say. Revelation 4:11, Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31.
2. The Inspiration, Inerrancy (which means “without error”), and Authority of the Scriptures–This is the most basic of doctrines for the believer. If we do not understand that the Scriptures are our final authority, then we can never be certain about the other teachings of the faith.
* The Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Matthew 5:18, 2 Tim 3:15-17, 1 Thes 2:13,1 Peter 1:21)
3. The Nature of God–What kind of God do YOU worship? The modern “god” is too small, he has no definite doctrines, his plans and providence are subject to man’s whims and desires, he is a cosmic wimp. The God of the Bible is The Absolute God, who is:
* Sovereign, (Rom 9:1-25; Psalm 115:3; 135:6)
* Holy, (Psalm 99:9; 33:21; 77:13; John 17:11)
* Omnipotent, (Isaiah 43:13; Job 42:2)
* Omniscient, (Psalm 147:4-5; Isaiah 42:9)
* Omnipresent, (Psalm 139:7-12)
* Immutable, (James 1:17; Hebrews 1:10-12; Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6)
* Wrathful, (Psalm 95:11, Rom 1:18 ,)
* Merciful, (Genesis 19:16; Exodus 34:6; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 8:12) and
* Loving (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 4:19; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 1:4-5).
4. The Doctrine of the Trinity–(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) as defined in the historic creeds of the Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to biblical Christianity: no Trinity–no Christianity. No Trinity–No salvation!
Deut 6:4, Deut 32:6, Jer 3:19, 2 Cor 6:18, John 1:1, John 14:9, Acts 5:1-5
5. The Person and Work of Christ–”What think ye of Christ . . .Who do men say that I am?” The answer to this question is the heart of hearts of the faith. Christ is Pre-existent, God Incarnate, Crucified, Risen, Coming Again. There is salvation in no one else.
Matt 1:23; Heb 1; John 1:1; 14:6; Acts 2:22; 4:12; 1 Cor 15:15-21; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 1:15-20; 1 Thes 4:16-17; Rom 8:23; 2 Pet 2:13
6. Salvation: (a) By Grace, through faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing. This is one of the major teachings that distinguishes biblical Christianity from all other religions–Man cannot work his way to God, God must do it all. (b) Justification by Faith, plus nothing. The corollary to 6a–we contribute nothing to our salvation; we respond in faith to the finished work of Jesus Christ.
* a) Ephesians 2:8-10; Phil 2:12-13
* b) Romans 3:21-24, 28;
*c) Romans 4:1-5
Taken from Christian Basic Training by Charles Buntin
Howdy Okie, I started blogging for my family, mainly to start conversations with my children, a few weeks ago and I’m amazed at the volume of folks out here blogging. I like this post very much and appreciate your perspective.
I consider myself relatively a-political, I’m a staunch conservative second and a follower of Christ first.
I’ll be reading more. Thanks.