The World Christian: BMIS-3000 Midterm w/ Gary Jackson

Acts 4:12

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 1:9-10

“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

Galatians 3:14

“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

Isaiah 53:5

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

John 1:14

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 7:38-39

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him wee later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you brother and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

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

• Saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God

• Transformed by the Holy Spirit

• Through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, becoming aware of the needs of the world around.

• Relying on God’s power and under his leading, 

• Begin taking steps as the Lord’s change agents in the lives of people of this world.

Explain the difference between bios and zoe.

Bios is Physical or biological life, whereas Zoe is the deeper, spiritual life that comes from God.

Bios

Bios: Physical or biological life

Zoe

Zoe: The deeper, spiritual life that comes from God

Give the main points of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

• Transforms us

• Renews our minds

• Produces Christlike character

• Guides us into truth

• Convicts us

• Empowers us for mission

• Helps us understand God and Scripture

• Makes us more like Jesus

Galatians 5:22–23 shows the fruit of the Spirit, while Romans 12:2 describes transformation.

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

 If the Holy Spirit is really transforming us:

• Our lives should look different from the world.

• Our values should increasingly match God's values.

• We should care about other people and their needs.

• We should participate in God's mission.

• Our character should show the fruit of the Spirit.

• We should rely on God's power, not just ourselves.

Transformation should produce visible change!

Give the four layers of Kwast’s worldview. Give the questions and the answers.

What is done? Behavior

What is good or best? Values

What is true? Beliefs

What is real? Worldview

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.

Their worldview changes in that they now realize God and His Word are real and true. Because this person had this realization, they now believe in God and His truth. This person will now begin to value a necessary relationship with their Creator, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit so they can grow in this new identity (2 Cor. 5:17). They will then set things aside and make way for these relationships to grow in their lives, so they can be transformed (Romans 12":1-2)—this looks like needed quality time with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.

Be able to identify the definitions of “culture”, “worldview”, “syncretism” and the idea of the “excluded middle.”

• Culture: the shared way of life of a group of people

• Worldview: the overall set of beliefs, values, and mental models a person or culture uses to understand reality and interpret life.

• Syncretism: the blending of different cultures into a new, single system

• “Excluded Middle”: states that two things cannot be true at the same time; truth cannot contradict itself

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 not simply whatever an individual believes or whatever society decides. Truth ultimately comes from the nature and character of God. Because God is truthful and does not lie, what agrees with God's character is true. Jesus makes this even clearer because He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” in John 14:6. Jesus does not merely teach truth; He perfectly reveals God's character. John 1:14 describes Jesus as full of grace and truth. Christians therefore determine truth through God's nature, Jesus Christ, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than relying only on feelings, culture, or personal preference.

Study the three models of truth chart and be prepared to fill in blank areas of that table.

Legalist

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

• Law breaker should be punished

• Outward conformity is good enough

Relativist

• Rules are suggestions, truth is relative to me

• Lawbreaker should be reformed

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

Spiritual

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

• Lawbreaker must be transformed

• Only full-blown rebirth can bring one into conformity to 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 intercourse and doing everything short of intercourse in a relationship with someone who is not your mate.

Using a God-centered model of truth, the question is not simply, “How close can I get to a boundary without crossing it?” Instead, Christians ask, “What reflects God's character and His purpose for relationships?”

Biblically, sexual activity is treated as belonging within the covenant of marriage. Christians are therefore called to pursue purity, self-control, respect, and love rather than looking for technical loopholes. First Thessalonians 4:3–5 connects God's will with holiness and self-control, while 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 teaches Christians to honor God with their bodies.

The main principle is:

Don't ask only, “Is this technically allowed?” Ask, “Does this honor God and the other person?”

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 what we is stated in Romans 14-15, we can infer that God’s heart is not either acapella or instrumental worship, but rather it is the heart posture that we ourselves have towards Him in our worship–this being, are we doing our best from what we can infer from Scripture to please and love God the most? Additionally, if we have a brother whose consciousness is wavering due to the style of worship presented, we should love our brother and not do what makes him feel that he is sinning. Though it may be right in your mind, be courteous and love your brother in this way by doing what does not cause him to stumble–this is God’s second greatest command.

Using a minimum of 100 words, give a detailed explanation of the Work of the Holy Spirit as the Engine in Missions and in the transformation of Christians. Use Scripture to substantiate your points, explaining how the relationship of Subject/Object in regard to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the engine of missions because He gives Christians the power, direction, and transformation necessary to participate in God’s mission. Christians cannot truly transform themselves or the world through their own strength. Romans 12:2 teaches that believers are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Acts 1:8 says that believers receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them so they can be witnesses. The Spirit also produces a changed character in Christians, shown by the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23. The Holy Spirit is the Subject, meaning He is the one actively doing the transforming. Christians are the object of His transforming work. As He changes us, He then works through us to impact others.