Biblical Theology Test 2

Fruits of the Spirit

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

Inerrant

Without error

Inspired

Literally “God-breathed”. Refers to the Holy Spirits work of revealing and preserving God’s word in the Bible. Because of inspiration the Bible is the very word of God.

Natural Knowledge of God

A limited knowledge of God gained apart from scipture

Revealed knowledge of God

knowledge that is not gained from observation or nature or any part of creation but is revealed directly by God. Jesus Christ: and his word are God’s chert means of self-revelation

Election

the doctrine that from eternity God chooses people to be saved

Double Predestination

the belief that God not only predestines the elect to salvation, but also predestines others to damnation. This position is most strongly associate with John Calvin and the churches that follow his teaching.

Arminianism

a Protestant Christian theological system that emphasizes human free will, universal divine love, and personal responsibility in salvation, contrasting with the unconditional predestination of strict Calvinism.

Fideism

faith that does not have Christ as its object but rather trusts in itself. “faith in faith”

Contrition

True sorrow and repentance over sin

Monergism

description of conversion that maintains that the Holy Spirit works conversion and faith in a person without their cooperation, the opposite of synergism

Pelagianism

It teaches that human nature was not tainted by Adam and Eve's original sin, and that people possess the free will and moral ability to obey God and achieve sinless perfection without requiring supernatural grace.

Synergism

false view of conversion that depicts God and human beings “working together” to enact conversation.

catholic

small c - universal all times,

Invisible church

All believers united to Christ by faith - faith, hidden church

Visible Church

All who profess belief in Christ - blessing community

Fellowship

it is shared participation in a common life, purpose, and relationship rooted in God

Sacrament

A sacred act instituted by God promising forgiveness // connected with a visible element

Donatism

Making the validity of the sacrament depend on the holiness of the pastor

ex opere operato

benefit of a sacrament is received without faith

Baptism

A sacred act instituted by Christ in which water is used with God’s Word to give forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life

Real Presence

Teaching that Jesus body and blood are present in communion with the bread and wine

Transubstantiation

The teaching that the substance of the bread and wine changes into the substance of Christ’s body and blood, even though their outward appearances remain the same

closed / close communion

the practice of restricting participation in the Lord’s Supper to members of the LCMS and church bodies with which the LCMS shares formal altar and pulpit fellowship

Open communion

the practice where anyone who desires to partake may come to the Lord's Table regardless of their specific church membership or doctrinal confession

What is a charismatic church?

A church that emphasizes extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy, and miracles.

What is speaking in tongues?

Speaking in languages or speech given by the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, tongues are not proof that someone is more spiritual or saved.

How should speaking in tongues be evaluated?

It must agree with Scripture, serve the building up of the church, and be practiced in an orderly way (1 Corinthians 12–14).

What is the threefold diagnostic of spiritual gifts?

1. Desire: What gifts do you desire to use? 2. Ability: What gifts has God enabled you to use? 3. Confirmation: What gifts do other Christians recognize in you? 

What does it mean that Scripture is efficacious?

Scripture is powerful and accomplishes what God intends. The Holy Spirit works through God's Word to create and strengthen faith.

What does Isaiah 55:11 teach about Scripture?

God's Word does not return empty but accomplishes the purpose for which He sends it.

What does Scripture say about the elect?

God chose believers in Christ before the foundation of the world, not because of their good works or worthiness, but because of His grace.

Does God elect people because He foresees that they will believe?

No. Election is based on God's gracious choice in Christ, not on foreseen human faith, merit, or good works.

What does Scripture say about those who are not saved?

Those who reject Christ remain in unbelief and are condemned because of sin and unbelief. God is not the cause of their rejection.

Does God predestine certain people to hell?

Lutheran theology teaches single election: God elects people to salvation but does not predestine anyone to damnation.

Who does God want to save?

All people. God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

What does 2 Peter 3:9 teach?

God does not desire anyone to perish but wants everyone to come to repentance.

What is the order of God's saving work in Romans 8:29–30?

Foreknew → Predestined → Called → Justified → Glorified.

What does it mean that God foreknew us?

	God knew and loved His people beforehand.

What does predestined mean in Romans 8?

God determined beforehand that those He foreknew would be conformed to the image of His Son.

What does called mean in Romans 8?

God calls people through the Gospel and the Holy Spirit brings them to faith.

What does justified mean?

God declares sinners righteous because of Jesus Christ, received through faith.

What does glorified mean?

God will bring believers into eternal glory with Him.

What is Arminianism?

A theological position that emphasizes human free will in accepting or rejecting God's saving grace. It commonly teaches that election is based on God's foreknowledge of who will believe.

What is single election?

The Lutheran teaching that God elects people to salvation through Christ but does not elect anyone to damnation.

What is double predestination?

The teaching that God predestines some people to salvation and others to damnation.

What is the Lutheran position on election?

Single election. Salvation is entirely God's gracious work, while condemnation is the result of sin and unbelief.

What is the difference between Arminianism and Lutheranism concerning conversion?

Arminianism gives the human will a role in accepting saving grace. Lutheranism teaches that conversion is entirely God's work through the Holy Spirit.

What is works righteousness?

The belief that people can earn, deserve, or contribute to their salvation through their own good works.

Why is Arminianism sometimes criticized for approaching works righteousness?

If human free will or a person's decision becomes the deciding factor in salvation, it can make salvation appear partly dependent on human action rather than entirely on God's grace.

Does Lutheranism teach that good works save us?	

No. We are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. Good works are the result of faith.

What are biblical images of conversion?

Being born again, being brought from death to life, being raised from the dead, receiving sight, being brought out of darkness into light, and being created anew.
What does being born again teach about conversion?	Conversion is a new birth that God creates in us, not something we accomplish ourselves.

What does being born again teach about conversion?

Conversion is a new birth that God creates in us, not something we accomplish ourselves.

What does being raised from the dead teach about conversion?

Sinners are spiritually dead and cannot make themselves alive. God gives them spiritual life.

What does being brought from darkness into light teach about conversion?

God brings people out of spiritual blindness and unbelief into faith and knowledge of Christ.

Is conversion monergistic or synergistic according to Lutheran theology?

Monergistic. God alone creates faith and brings sinners to conversion.

Can a person choose to believe in Jesus by their own natural power?

No. Because of sin, people cannot come to Christ or believe in Him by their own reason or strength. The Holy Spirit calls them through the Gospel.

What is the object of saving faith?

Jesus Christ and His saving work: His life, death, resurrection, and promises of forgiveness and salvation.

What does saving faith look at?	

Faith looks outside itself to Jesus Christ, especially His cross and resurrection, rather than looking at personal feelings or worthiness.

What are pictures of what faith sees?

The crucified Christ, the empty tomb, God's promises in Scripture, the water of Baptism, the words of Absolution, and Christ's body and blood in the Lord's Supper.

Why does faith look outside itself?

Because salvation depends on Christ's finished work and God's promises, not on the strength or quality of our faith.

What is infant faith?

The belief that infants can receive the Holy Spirit and have genuine faith, even though they cannot express or explain that faith verbally.

Can infants believe?	

Yes. Lutheran theology teaches that infants can have faith and receive God's promises in Baptism.

How is faith preserved?	

Through the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace: God's Word, Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.

Can we preserve our faith through our own strength?	

No. God sustains and strengthens faith through His promises and the work of the Holy Spirit.

What is the relationship between faith and good works?

Good works do not create or earn faith. They naturally flow from genuine faith as the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

In what sense is the church invisible?

The true church is invisible because only God knows perfectly who has genuine saving faith in their hearts.

What is the difference between the visible and invisible church?

The visible church is recognized by its outward gathering and use of God's Word and Sacraments. The invisible church is made up of genuine believers, whose faith is known perfectly only to God.

Can unbelievers belong to the visible church?

Yes. People can outwardly participate in a church without having genuine faith.

Can unbelievers belong to the invisible church?	

	No. The invisible church consists of genuine believers.

What is the Venn-like diagram of the visible and invisible church?	

The invisible church is contained within the visible church. The visible church includes genuine believers and those who outwardly belong but do not truly believe.

Does a pastor's sin invalidate Baptism?

No. Baptism is valid because of God's Word and command, not because of the pastor's personal goodness.

Who makes the Sacraments effective?

God does. Their power comes from His Word and promise, not from the holiness of the person administering them.

What are the means of grace?

The ways God delivers His forgiveness, life, and salvation to people: the Word of God, Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.

What do all the means of grace give?	

Forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation through Jesus Christ.

What is the unique gift of Baptism?

Union with Christ, new birth, the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and adoption as God's child.

What is the unique gift of Absolution?

The personal assurance and declaration that your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ.

What is Absolution?

The announcement or declaration of forgiveness spoken by an authorized pastor or Christian in Christ's name.

What is the unique gift of the Lord's Supper?

Christ gives His true body and blood for Christians to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

How does faith relate to the blessings given in the means of grace?

Faith receives and trusts the blessings God offers. Faith does not create the blessings or make God's promises true.

Do the means of grace work because of the strength of our faith?

No. They work because of God's Word and promise. Faith receives the gifts offered.

Why do Lutherans define sacrament the way they do?

A sacrament is a sacred act instituted by Christ, connected with God's Word and a visible element, through which God offers and gives forgiveness and salvation.

What are the three main characteristics of a Lutheran sacrament?

1. Instituted by Christ. 2. Connected with God's Word and an earthly element. 3. Offers and gives forgiveness of sins.

Why are the means of grace important?

They are how God comes to us with His promises instead of requiring us to earn or find salvation ourselves.

What is the difference between Law and Gospel in relation to salvation?

The Law shows our sin and condemns us, while the Gospel announces God's forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ.

How did the bronze serpent have the power to heal the Israelites?

God attached His promise to looking at the bronze serpent. The power was not in the bronze itself but in God's Word and promise, received through faith.

What is the connection between the bronze serpent and Baptism?	

Both involve God's promise connected to an outward, physical thing. The power comes from God's Word, not from the physical object alone.

What is an emergency Baptism?

A Baptism performed when someone is in danger of death and there may not be time to wait for a pastor.

How do you perform an emergency Baptism?

Use ordinary water and pour or sprinkle it on the person's head while saying the exact Trinitarian words: "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

What exact words should you say during an emergency Baptism?

"I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

What is necessary for a valid Baptism?

Water used together with God's Word and Christ's command to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Who does the work in Baptism?

God does the work. He gives forgiveness, life, salvation, and the Holy Spirit through His Word and promise.

Does the water itself save us?

No. It is water joined with God's Word and promise that makes Baptism a life-giving sacrament.

Why does Luther say "I am baptized" instead of "I was baptized"?

Because Baptism is an ongoing reality and promise. Its blessings continue throughout our lives, and we can continually return to God's promise.

How does Baptism relate to Christ's crucifixion according to Romans 6?

Through Baptism, we are united with Christ in His death. Our old sinful self is crucified with Him.

How does Baptism relate to Christ's resurrection according to Romans 6?

We are raised with Christ to live a new life, just as Christ was raised from the dead.

What does Romans 6:4 teach about Baptism?

We are buried with Christ through Baptism into death so that we may walk in newness of life.

What does it mean to live in our Baptism?

It means daily repentance, drowning the old sinful nature, and rising each day to live as a new creation in Christ.

What are the two parts of Baptism in daily Christian life?

Repentance, which drowns the old sinful nature, and faith, which rises to live a new life.

Does Baptism depend on the person's age or understanding?

No. God's promise is not dependent on age, intelligence, or the person's ability to understand everything.