THEO 210 - Faith & Life

Means of Grace, Theology of the Cross, Christology, Vocation, Vocation & Two Kingdoms, Vocation & Family Life, Vocation & Worship

What does justification mean?

That God declares sinners righteous for Christ’s sake.

How are we justiffied?

Through grace and faith because of Christ

How are we not justified?

Throughout our good works

What is the basis of our forgiveness?

Jesus’ perfect obedience, death, and resurrection

What is God’s role in justification?

Salvation through Christ, offers forgiveness through the Gospel, and creates faith through the Holy Spirit

What is our role in justification?

To receive God’s gift through faith. We do not contribute works or merit to earn justification

What are the means of grace?

The Gospel in God’s Word (Preaching & Absolution), Holy Baptism, Lord’s Supper/Communion

Why is “The Gospel in God’s Word (Preaching & Absolution), Holy Baptism, Lord’s Supper/Communion” called “means of grace”?

They are the instruments through which God gives us the benefits Christ won: forgiveness, life, salvation, and the creation or strength of faith. God actually works through them.

How do these means of grace work according to Veith/Luther?

God attaches His Word and promise to them. Their power comes from God’s promise, not from the worthiness of the pastor or from the outward elements by themselves

What is an example of God attaching His word to something?

Communion, when Christ joins His promise to the bread and wine, giving His body and blood.

1 Peters 3:21

This teaches how baptism saves. Ho

How does baptism save?

The water is not just washing dirt from the body, but also through Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Baptism is God’s saving action connected to His promise, not merely a human declaration of commitment.

Romans 6:3-5

Baptism unites us with Christ’s death and resurrection. We are buried with Him in death and raised to walk in new life. Baptism therefore connects us to Christ’s victory over sin and death and to the promise of resurrection.

What is Christology?

Study of the person and work of Jesus Christ - who He is and what He does for our salvation.

What are Jesus’ two natures?

Devine and Human

How are Jesus’ two natures joined in Christ?

They are united in one person, a union often called the hypostatic or personal union

Why is it important that Jesus has two natures?

Because our salvation is genuinely human and genuinely God, His suffering and death are not those of a mere human being, but of the incarnate Son of God, who saves us.

How is God revealed in Christ?

God makes himself known personally and concretely. Above all, Christ’s cross reveals God’s saving love: God comes to sinners through humility, suffering, and self-giving rather than only through displays of power.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

God is loving and good (a moralism that derives ultimately from Christianity), but this translates into just wanting us to be happy. He can help us with our problems (the therapeutic part) and wants us to be loving and good too. But He is not particularly demanding or judgmental (as with Deism). And He basically just leaves us alone” (Veith, 103)

What is the summary definition for Moralistic Therapeutic Deism?

View that God mainly wants us to be nice, feel happy, and ask Him for help when we have problems, while otherwise leaving us alone.

What does moralistic mean?

Religion is mainly about being good, loving, and nice.

What does therapeutic mean?

Religion mainly helps us feel better, become happy, or solve problems.

What does deism mean?

God is generally distant and uninvolved in everyday life, except when we need Him

What does Christianity center when talking about Christ?

Christ saving sinners and giving forgiveness - not merely on being nice or feeling happy

How does Jesus deal with Evil?

Jesus confronts sin and its consequences by bearing sin on the cross and overcoming death through His resurrection.

How does Jesus deal Suffering?

Jesus enters human suffering Himself; the crucified Christ shows that God is not distant from those who suffer.

What is the Christina hope when it comes to evil and suffering?

His resurrection promises that suffering and death will not have the final word. Christians may still suffer now, but suffering does not prove that God has forsaken them.

The theology of the cross emphasis what?

God meets us in suffering through Christ rather than promising an immediately trouble-free life.

What does vocation mean?

It means “calling”; it includes the roles and relationships through which God calls us to serve other people - not just our career or a church jobs.

What are some types of vocations?

Family: child, sibling, parent, spouse

Work/Education: student, employee, employer

Society: neighbor, public official

Church: pastor, congregation member

Do vocations have anything to do with our ordinary life?

Yes, it is where vocations happen, studying, working, caring for family, and helping neighbors are places where God works through us.

How do vocations allow us to serve God?

By faithfully serving the people He places in our lives. It is a response to God’s grace, not a way to earn salvation

How do vocations allow us to serve our neighbor?

They give us concrete responsibilities toward others. God provides for people through human service - for example, through parents, farmers, teachers, medical workers, and public officials.

What does Luther describe such vocations as “masks of God,” and what does that mean?

That God works through ordinary people to give His gifts.

Do we choose our vocations?

God calls us to our vocations; some roles are given without our choosing, such as being someone’s child. Others involve real decisions, such as work or marriage. The key point is that vocation is not simply inventing a personal mission; it is responding to responsibilities and neighbors God gives us.

How do we find/discern our vocations?

Look at our existing relationships/responsibilities, the needs of the people around you, your abilities, gifts, and opportunities, and ways that you can serve faithfully in family, work, church, and society

How is vocation typically discovered?

In ordinary responsibilities rather than through an extraordinary sign.

How does the theology of the cross apply to vocation?

A calling is not guaranteed to be easy, rewarding, or visibly successful. Loving and serving others may involve sacrifice, frustration, and suffering. Those difficulties do not automatically mean you have the wrong calling or that God is absent.

How does the theology of the cross teach us NOT to measure God’s presence?

only by success or comfort.

What is the doctrine?

God rules through two distinct kinds of government: Earthly/temporal kingdom & Spiritual kingdom

What does the earthly/temporal kingdom do?

Preserves outward order and protects life.

What does the spiritual kingdom do?

God gives forgiveness and eternal life through the Gospel.

How does God govern His earthly kingdom?

Through civil authorities, laws, institutions, and the enforcement of justice. Government restrains wrongdoing and protects people; it does not create saving faith.

How does God govern His spiritual kingdom?

Through His Word and the means of grace. The Church proclaims the Gospel and administers the sacraments rather than using coercive force to produce faith.

What is the relationship between the Christian and the earthly kingdom?

Christians are citizens with responsibilities to participate in society and support just order. Their ultimate hope, however, is in Christ rather than in a government or political movement.

What does “in the world but not of the world” not mean?

Withdrawing from civic responsiblity

What is the relationship between the Christian and God’s spiritual kingdom?

Christians belong to Christ through faith. They receive forgiveness and eternal life through the Gospel and live as members of His Church.

Why is it important to keep the two kingdoms separate?

Their responsibilities must not be confused,

• The Church does not use arrest, punishment, or force to make people believe.

• Government must uphold justice rather than replace legal accountability with the Church’s proclamation of forgiveness.

  • A person can receive forgiveness before God and still face civil consequences for a crime.

What does keeping the functions of the kingdoms distinct not mean?

That God is absent from government or that Christians cannot speak about public moral questions

What are the three reasons for marriage in Genesis 1–2 and 1 Corinthians 7?

1. Procreation and raising children—“be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis 1:28.

2. Companionship and mutual help—“it is not good that the man should be alone” in Genesis 2:18.

3. A faithful setting for sexual intimacy and protection against sexual immorality—1 Corinthians 7:2–5, 8–9.

What does 1 Corinthians 7 say about single vs. married life?

Both are gifts from God. Paul values singleness because it can allow undivided attention to serving the Lord. Marriage is also good and is not a sin. Those who do not have the gift of remaining single should not be forced into celibacy. Neither condition makes someone automatically more faithful.

What does Ephesians 5 teach about marriage?

Marriage pictures the relationship between Christ and His Church. Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, and wives are instructed to submit to and respect their husbands. The relationship is framed by self-giving love, faithfulness, and the one-flesh union.

How is a husband to act toward his wife?

He should love her sacrificially, nourish and cherish her, and care for her as his own body. Christ’s giving Himself for the Church is the model—not selfishness or domination.

How is a wife to act toward her husband?

She should respect her husband and willingly submit to him as the Church does to Christ. This must be read alongside the husband’s obligation to Christlike, sacrificial love; it is not permission for cruelty or exploitation.

Why should we honor our father and mother?

God commands it and gives parents an honored office through which He cares for us. Honoring them includes respect, service, and help—especially when they are old, sick, or in need. Honor is due because of their God-given office, not because they are perfect

What are the four classes of “fathers” in the Large Catechism?

1. Biological fathers: Parents.

2. Fathers of the household: Those exercising household authority, including the historical role of masters over servants.

3. Spiritual fathers: Pastors who guide people through God’s Word.

4. Fathers of the nation: Civil rulers and governing authorities.

What responsibilities do parents have toward their children?

• Provide for their children’s physical needs.

• Educate and guide them.

• Teach them God’s Word.

• Discipline them responsibly.

• Prepare them to serve faithfully in their own responsibilities.

How are Christians to Use OR Not Use God’s name?

Luther’s explanation of the Second Commandment teaches:

• Do not use God’s name to curse, swear falsely or frivolously, practice satanic arts, lie, or deceive.

• Do use His name to call upon Him in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

Why do Lutherans call their main church service “The Divine Service?”

Because its central action is God serving us with His gifts. Through His Word, absolution, and the Lord’s Supper, He gives forgiveness, life, and salvation.

The congregation responds with prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and offerings, but the foundation is what God gives—not what we do to earn His favor. “Divine Service” emphasizes the direction: God first serves us, and we respond in faith.