World Christian Midterm

Gary Jackson

Define S.T.A.R.T. and give a brief explanation of each point

• Saved

• Transformed

• Aware (of needs)

• Rely (on God)

• Taking steps

Explain the difference between bios and zoe

Zoe = life in the spiritual sense

Bios = life in the biological (natural) sense

Give the main points of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (5)

• Guides us into all a truth and reminds us of it

• Empowers us to be witnesses

• Transforms us into the likeness of Christ

• Makes us bold

• Enables us to put to death the misdeeds of the body

 What are some of the implications of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (3)?

• The power is not in us, but in the HS

• He works in spite of our weaknesses

• Your sin is impotent in the sight of God’s Spirit

Give the four layers of Kwast’s worldview (Questions and answers?)

• Worldview - What is real?

• Beliefs - What is true?

• Values - What’s good or best?

• Behavior - What’s done?

Using Kwast's Four Questions, explain how this changes when someone has been transformed by the Holy Spirit and brought in line with Truth. Use Scriptures to illustrate and prove these points

When someone is transformed by the Holy Spirit, their worldview is transformed. Their worldview is that God is the creator, and everything is subject to Him and His power. (Genesis 1:1) Their belief is that Jesus is the son of God and the only means of salvation. (Acts 4:12) They value that it's best to glorify God in spirit and truth, with the Holy Spirit being our guide. (John 7:38-39) Their behavior is obedience to Christ. It is to "deny myself and seek after Him" (Luke 9:23)

Definition of Culture

the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group

Definition of worldview

the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing the entirety of the individual or society's knowledge and point of view

Definition of syncretism

blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system, compromises dominant religion's integrity

Definition of “Excluded Middle”

the area between the natural and the supernatural where we realize that these two realms coexist and work together

In about 100 words, explain what Truth is and how we determine Truth. Use Scriptures to support your points. What does the nature of God have to do with this topic? How does the person of Jesus relate to this topic?

Truth is what God what reveals to us through His word about Himself, His creation, and His will. Truth is what IS, which is God. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." You can only know the truth by knowing Jesus. Truth is God embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, which is reflected in his actions/teachings. Truth is also the way we respond to God in worship. (John 4:24) To have the truth, we must have the spirit of God, believe in the truth, listen to the spirit, listen to the voice of truth, and abide in Jesus' teachings. (John 3, 8, 14, 16, 18)

What are the three models of truth? What are the three characteristics of each?

Legalistic

• Rule of law, truth is static, search for loopholes

• Lawbreaker should be punished

• Outward conformity is good enough

Relativist

• Rules are suggestions, truth is relative to me

• Lawbreaker should be reformed

• Idealistic; wishes everyone would just “be nice”; middle ground

Spiritualistic

• Not under law but rather grace, truth is relative to God

• Lawbreaker should be transformed

• Only full-blown rebirth can bring one into conformity with the truth

Using the principles from our discussion about Truth as something based upon the nature of God, explain God's heart and will concerning premarital shrex and doing everything short of intercourse in a relationship with someone who is not your mate

God's will is for us to abstain from premarital shrex. Abstaining from sex should be a matter of a pure heart. The question is not "How far can I go?", but it should be "Am I glorifying God in this?" What feels good does not mean that it is good. Doing everything short of intercourse without overstepping is outward conformity, something that is far from the Truth and heart of God.

Using the model of Truth emanating from the heart of God and the principles of Romans 14-15, discuss the question of acapella vs instrumental music in the assemblies of churches. Be sure and note what is most important to God in this discussion. Also, discuss the Christian's responsibility to have a conviction on this subject and how we are to treat those who disagree with us.

From the standpoint of the heart of God, it is important that we are worshipping Him in spirit and truth and not focused on what is best for our needs or our own preferences. We are convicted to not cause others to stumble and not bring condemnation above ourselves. It is a matter between ourselves and God. It is important to not pass judgement, act in love, and treat others with respect.

Recite John 7:38-39

Whoever believes in me, as the scriptures have said, “Out of his heart will flow living water”. Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified

Recite Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of the living God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect

Recite Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved

Recite John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth

Recite Galatians 3:14

…so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Recite Ephesians 1:9-10

…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Recite Isaiah 52:8

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his wounds we are healed