Thursday, January 08, 2009

Things I Believe

In just over a week, I have to turn in my statement of faith to the Seminary to be reviewed before graduating.

That means that I have to think through each of the areas listed on the outline below. If you are interested in any of those areas and what my beliefs in them are and why, feel free to comment and I will likely dedicate one of my future posts to it.

I. Scripture

a. Revelation

b. Inspiration

c. Illumination

d. Authority

e. Inerrancy

II. God

a. Attributes or qualities

b. The Trinity

c. Works of God

i. Creation

ii. Providence

iii. Angels and demons; Satan

III. Humanity

a. The makeup of human nature

b. The purpose or destiny of humanity

IV. Sin

a. The nature of sin

b. The effects of sin

c. The nature and extent of original sin

V. Jesus Christ

a. The humanity of Jesus Christ

b. The deity of Jesus Christ

c. The atonement

VI. Holy Spirit

a. Person

b. Work

c. Gifts

VII. Salvation

a. Union with Christ

b. Grace

c. Faith/Repentance

d. Regeneration

e. Justification

f. Sanctification

g. Glorification

VIII. The Church

a. Nature, Mission and Function of the Church

b. Offices of the Church

c. Ordinances of the Church

IX. The Last Things

a. Death

b. Intermediate state

c. Second coming

d. Resurrection

e. Millennial and tribulational views

f. Eternal states

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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:35 PM

    I am curious about your beliefs on angels. Are angels only in heaven or do we have guardian angels? What scripture supports the idea of angels on earth with us?

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  2. Anonymous6:26 PM

    What is meant by 'Grade' in your outline?

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  3. nathan.kemper7:06 PM

    "Grade" was a typo, it was meant to read "Grace" and was mistyped when I transfered it onto the blog.

    I've corrected it in the post.

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  4. Anonymous10:52 AM

    fun stuff.

    looks like you will have a lot of fun going through your systematic papers.

    Is Bethel inerrancy driven?

    And do they leave room for other theological interpretations in your faith statement? or is it a re-hashing of what they just taught you?

    Do you think this statement is more about them trying to gauge if your theology is correct or more about you struggling through it and hopefully landing, theologically?

    This is a great assignment, although it would be hard for me to articulate one/concrete theological position for some of those areas. anyways....i would love if you posted sections of your faith statement.

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  5. nathan.kemper2:53 PM

    Bethel is far more concerned that you can articulate your theology from a biblical point of view. They don't grade at all on the areas that you choose to defend, but demand that you give biblical support for what you believe.

    Most of the Theology professors are good at articulating the views that are held abroad, while of course defending their own, but they in no way care if you come to the same conclusion in your statement of faith.

    I will be sure to post some of the conclusions after the assignment is complete.

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