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A Pastoral Quiz (Longer)- by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Pastoral Theology and Expository Preaching Articles
Today, many Christians are turning back to the puritans to, “walk in the old paths,” of God’s word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies Jesus Christ. There is no new theology. In our electronic age, more and more people are looking to add electronic books (ePubs, mobi and PDF formats) to their library – books from the Reformers and Puritans – in order to become a “digital puritan” themselves. Take a moment to visit Puritan Publications (click the banner below) to find the biggest selection of rare puritan works updated in modern English in both print form and in multiple electronic forms. There are new books published every month. All proceeds go to support A Puritan’s Mind.

 Another Pastoral Quiz – A Directory for Elder Examination

Click here for the little “Quiz” for the Pastor who studies.

There is not an answer sheet to this pastoral quiz. Regularly the quiz is used in conjunction with the shorter quiz on the previous page to candidates who are entering pastoral ministry that are verbally tested. It is also assumed that those “quizzing” the candidate should “know” these answers already as a result of “being” in pastoral ministry already. Thus, there is no reason to have these set in a standard context or answer sheet, and one has not been put together. If you, the reader, decide to put one together, and it is comprehensive enough to post here at APM, I would welcome your aid in completing it for those who desire to further their biblical knowledge.

“A Quiz” For pastors entering the ministry.

  • You are not allowed to use the Bible or any other Biblical help; nor may you ask the opinion of others, nor in books unless otherwise instructed.
  • The only time the Bible may be used is when it explicitly tells you to read the passage and comment on it.
  • You have 2 days to complete it.

Elders are not elders because they are old, they are elders because they know the Bible well. There is a distinction between those who may be good preachers and those who are Pastors/Elders of a church. But even in humble beginnings, pastors know their Bible well.

Some young Preachers who knew their Bible well:
The Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ: 30-33 years old.
John the Apostle: Age? (His age may range from 17-31?)
Aurelius Augustine: 37
John Calvin: 22 (He had his first chaplainry at age 12)
Christopher Love: 27
Jonathan Edwards: 15
William Ames: 31
William Perkins: 24
John Brinsley: 23
Andrew Gray: 20-22
Samuel Rutherford: 25-26
James Ussher: 20-22

There are seven sections, with over 300 questions, 200 terms to define, and practical application questions at the end. Elders in our church go through being asked these questions in their examination.

SECTION 1

Biblical Knowledge

Old Testament Survey

1. On a separate sheet, write out all the books of the Bible in order.

2. Who wrote the first five books of the Bible and why?

3. Who did God create in His image?

4. What was the first sin?

5. What did God do for Adam and Eve after they had committed their sin?

6. What was the covenant sign that God made with Noah after He came out of the ark?

7. What was the covenant sign with Abraham in Genesis 17?

8. Why was the city of Sodom destroyed?

9. Read Genesis 50:19. What does this verse tell us about sin and about suffering? (Especially God’s involvement in working with the two?

10. Who was the first High Priest Appointed?

11. What was the provision God made for the hungry Israelites in the wilderness?

12. Write out the ten commandments in order?

13. Before the last plague was wrought on Egypt, what “everlasting ordinance” did God instruct Moses to do?

14. What two books of the Bible are the ten commandments written in?

15. What were the three sections of the tabernacle?

16. Which of the following did not belong in the tabernacle?

a) the ark b) the alter of incense c) the gold lamp stand d) the golden scepter e) the bronze laver

17. The ark of the covenant held:

a) the ten commandments b) Aaron’s rod c) the manna d) all of the above

18. What is the theme of Leviticus in one word?

19. On the day of atonement, who was affected by the sacrifice?:

a) the Israelites alone b) the whole world c) all the people who were in the camp d) all the people outside the camp e) just the High Priest

20. Who is Korah?

21. Who is the appointed successor of Moses?

22. Did Moses ever get into the promised land of Canaan?

23. Read Deut. 7:6. What do you think this means?

24. What is the theme of Joshua?

25. Name the two bodies of water that God parted.

26. What was the first city to be destroyed by Joshua’s army? And how did they do it?

27. What covenant did Joshua renew with the Israelites and why?

28. Name four judges from the book of Judges.

29. Read Judges 9:23. How does this change your perception of God–or does it?

30. Why is the book of Ruth important?

31. What nationality was Ruth?

32. What is a Kinsman Redeemer?

33. Why is Ruth herself important?

34. Who is Hannah?

35. What does the name Ichabod mean, and why is he important?

36. Who was the first king of Israel?

37. What king was deemed “a man after God’s own heart?”

38. What sin did this king commit? why? and at who’s expense?

39. Who was this kings prophet?

40. Who was struck dead because he touched the ark of the covenant?

41. Who succeeded David as king?

42. Read 1 Kings 8:53. What does this mean?

43. What great prophet is introduced in 1 Kings 17?

44. What crooked husband and wife team did battle against this prophet?

45. What happened with this prophet on Mount Carmel?

46. How did this prophet die?

47. Who was his successor?

48. Who is Micaiah?

49. Read 1 Kings 22:19-23. How does this affect your view of God?

50. Who is Namaan and what prophet ministered to him?

51. Name three kings who did great reforms in the book of 2 Kings:

52. who was the most evil king, who reigned the longest?

53. What king was the king of prayer?

54. Why did God exile Judah and when?

55. 1 Chronicles records for us–what?

55. What did Solomon ask for as a gift from God?

56. Who built the 1st temple?

57. What is Religious Syncretism?

58. What kingdoms did God use to exile the Israelites: circle all that apply:

a) Babylon b) Persia c) Egypt d) Chaldea e) Judah f) Rome

59. During what young king’s reign was the book of the law found.

60. What godly scribe has a book of the Bible named after him?

61. King____________was moved by God to have the temple rebuilt.

62. Who was king Artexerxes? and why was he important?

63. In the book of Ezra, what sin is dealt with in the last two chapters, and why is it a great sin?

64. Who was appointed to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem?

65. What book of the OT does not mention God’s name one time?

66. Why is the book of Esther important?

67. Who are the four main characters in the book of Esther?

68. What is the feast of Purim?

69. Who was Job’s adversary?

70. What were the names of Job’s comforters?

71. Were these men comforters?

72. What sufferings did Job endure and why?

73. Read Job 13:15. How does this verse help people deal with trials?

74. Did Job know he would ultimately be saved when he died? why or why not?

75. Read Job 21:30. What does it mean?

76. who offered the best comfort to Job (besides God) in the book?

77. Read Job 42:2. What does this say about the will of God?

78. How many Psalms are there?

79. How are the Psalm, which are men’s prayer and songs to God, be God’s Word to us?

80. What is a Psalm of ascent?

81. Give two examples (Scriptural ref.) of lamenting Psalms:

82. What is an imprecatory psalm?

83. What are three examples of prophetic Psalms concerning the Messiah?

84. Read Psalm 10:4. What is this saying?

85. Circle any of the following terms you are familiar with: inverted parallelism, acrostic, hallel psalm, antithetical parallelism, synonymous parallelism, selah.

86. Read Psalm 51:5. What is being expressed here?

87. Read Psalm 65:4. What is being expressed here?

88. What is your favorite Psalm and why?

89. Read Psalm 104:34. What does “meditate” mean?

90. Read Psalm 148:6. What is a decree?

91. What five books of the Bible are considered “Hebrew Poetry?”

92. Proverbs personifies something as very important. What?

93. What is the beginning of wisdom?

94. Read Proverbs 9:9. What is being expressed here?

95. What is the long Psalm?

96. What do the Psalms tell us concerning using instruments in worship?

97. Read Proverbs 16:4. What is being expressed here?

98. Read Proverbs 21:2. What is being expressed here?

99. Quote your favorite Proverb:

100. What is the theme of the book of Ecclesiastes?

101. Who wrote Ecclesiastes?

102. What is the key verse to the book of Eccl.?

103. What is the best description of the Song of Songs:?

a) a love song between a husband and a wife b) love between Christ and the church c) love between a king and his d) love between God and creation e) love between a horse and his master

104. Who are the two main characters in the Song of Songs?

105. Which prophet saw the Lord “high and lofty” and “seated on the throne?”

106. Write the chapter from the book of Isaiah which corresponds to each of the following descriptions:

Isaiah hears “holy, holy, holy” _____

The Immanuel prophecy _____

Wonderful, Counselor, etc. _____

The root of Jesse prophecy _____

Hezekiah’s life is extended 15 years _____

God’s people comforted as sheep _____

The Suffering Servant _____

107. Read Isaiah 66:2. What is being expressed here?

108. Read Jeremiah 1:5. What is being expressed here?

109. Read Jer. 9:23-24. What is being expressed here?

110. Where was Jeremiah when he prophesied?

111. Name three symbols, or object lessons, used by God for Jeremiah’s understanding a certain judgment or blessing.

112. Read Jeremiah 13:23 and 17:9. What is being expressed here?

113. Was Jeremiah popular? Why or why not?

114. What chapter is the prophecy of the Branch of Righteousness found in Jeremiah?

115. Read Jeremiah 31:15. What is the NT prophecy which is fulfilled from this verse?

116. In Jeremiah chapter _____, the New Covenant is spoken of.

117. Where is the Law written in the New Covenant?

118. Jeremiah was never placed in a dungeon, but just in a cistern. T or F?

119. Nediah was Jeremiah’s scribe. T or F?

120. Why is Lamentations important?

121. Where do we find this verse? “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness.”

122. What is going on in Ezekiel chapter 1?

123. Where was Ezekiel when he prophesied?

124. Read Ezekiel 34:1-16. What is being expressed here?

125. What is the message behind the valley of dry bones?

126. The last 8 chapters of Ezekiel deal with what?

127. What king captured the Israelites during the time of Daniel?

128. What gift did God give Daniel?

129. What five kingdoms did Daniel prophesy about?

130. Which is the greatest kingdom of the 5?

131. Who was Nebuchadnezzer’s son and why is he important?

132. Daniel was thrown into the lions den and the fiery furnace. T or F.

133. Who were the friends of Daniel?

134. Who is seen in Daniel’s vision of chapter 7?

135. What was the messenger’s name God sent to Daniel after 22 days of prayer?

136. What prophet was instructed to marry a harlot?

137. Read Hosea 6:6. What is being expressed here?

138. What “army” does Joel prophesy about?

139. What well known prophecy is contained in Joel 2?

140. What was Amos’ occupation?

141. Read Amos 3:2. What is being expressed here?

142. What, to who and why did Obadiah prophecy?

143. How long was Jonah in the belly of the great fish?

144. Many people think Jonah was just a fairy tale. Read 2 Kings 14:25. Why does this help us?

145. Who did Jonah prophesy against?

146. How does the book of Jonah end? Why?

147. Who was a contemporary prophet of Micah? a) Isaiah b) Jeremiah

c) Ezekiel

148. What is contained in Micah 5?

149. Who did Nahum prophecy against?

150. In what OT book is the quote, “The just shall live by faith?”

151. Zephaniah prophesied about many countries. Which country was he most concerned about?

152. Which governor of Judah did Haggai record, “I will take you, ____________

“I will take you, ____________

My servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and will make you a signet ring; for I have chosen you says the Lord.?”

153. Who had a vision of the High Priest being ridiculed by Satan?

154. In what OT book is this quote: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord?”

155. Malachi chapter 3 prophesies about John the Baptist. T or F.

156. Where are people robbing God in the book of Malachi?

New Testament Survey:

160. Name 5 of the 9 characters in the birth narratives of Christ.

161. How many Magi were there? (After you answer the question, look it up and find out).

162. What was Jesus’ home town?

163. Why did John Baptize Jesus?

164. Where did Jesus get his human nature from?

165. Who forced Jesus to go into the wilderness to be tempted?

166. What book and chapters do we find the sermon on the mount?

167. How many beatitudes are there?

168. What Gentiles did Jesus become amazed at, because he had more faith than Israel?

169. Who are the 12 disciples?

170. What three disciples made the inner-core?

171. What disciple was the “one whom Jesus loved?”

172. What two groups viciously opposed Jesus?

173. Read Matthew 21:22. Is this true, why or why not?

174. Read Matthew 10:34. What is being expressed here?

175. Read Matthew 13:11-15. How does this affect the universality of the Gospel?

176. Jesus fed 5000 and 4000. T or F?

177. What two figures appeared with Jesus during the transfiguration?

178. What is the importance of Matthew 16 and 18 when applying it to the church?

179. Read Matthew 19:17. Is Jesus not Good? What is being expressed here?

180. Read Matthew 22:13-14. What is being expressed here?

181. Are there greater punishments in hell for greater sin? Or is one sin just as bad as another?

182. Skim Matthew 24. What is the context?

183. Did Judas want to betray Christ? Why or why not?

184. Use a verse from Matthew’s gospel which proves the Trinity.

185. What is the purpose of a parable?

186. Jesus cast out demons (Mark 5), can we? Why or why not?

187. Use the Gospel of Mark and prove the doctrine of eternal punishment.

188. Read mark 10:26-27. What is being expressed here?

189. What garden was Jesus arrested?

190. What time of day did Jesus die?

191. What disciple (s) were present at the cross?

192. Of the sayings of the cross, what which impacts you the most and why?

193. who did Luke write his Gospel to?

194. Who was John the Baptist’s mother?

195. In Matthew 5 we have a sermon on a mountain, in Luke 6 it is on the plain. Is this a problem with the reliability of the Bible?

196. What woman got up and began household chores after Jesus healed her of a fever?

197. Which disciple walked on water?

198. What is the meaning of the parable of the good Samaritan?

199. …of the Mustard seed?

200. …of the Lost Son?

201. …of the persistent widow?

202. …of the Pharisee and the tax collector?

203. …of the parable of the Minas?

204. …of the wicked vine dressers?

205. What two men tried Jesus?

206. Read Luke 24:45. What is being expressed here?

207. What is an ascension?”

208. What was Jesus’ first miracle?

209. Read John 3:3. What is being expressed here?

210. Read John 5:21. What is being expressed here?

211. Read John 6:44, 6:65. How does this relate to the unsaved?

212. Read John 10:11-15. What is being expressed here?

213. Read John 15:16. What is being expressed here?

214. Who is the Comforter? Who is the second Comforter?

215. What does the second Comforter do for us according to Jesus?

216. What is the formal prayer Jesus prayed in John 17?

217. Read John 17:9. What is being expressed here?

218. During the crucifixion, name 3 things which were fulfilled from the OT.

219. Why did John write his Gospel?

220. who wrote the book of Acts?

221. What is the overall picture in Acts?

222. What 2 disciples stand out prominently in the book of Acts?

223. What disciple replaced Judas?

224. At Pentecost the 120 disciples spoke in what language?

225. What does it mean to “break bread?”

226. Read Acts 4:27-28. What is being expressed here?

227. Who is chosen to serve in Acts 6?

228. According to Acts 6, what is the biblical role of elders or ministers in the church?

229. What is a martyr?

230. Two people fell dead at Peter’s feet. Who and why?

231. How many missionary journeys did Paul take?

232. Paul was a mentor to what young Pastor (s)?

233. What person did Paul appeal to be tried before?

234. Paul was a a) Tarsians b)Romans c) an apostle d) Jew e) all of the above

f) just b, c, d.

235. How many NT letters did Paul write?

 

Epistle Content

236-281. Since the following are on the epistles, next to each chapter give a brief description of what is in each chapter. This is the “how well do I know the NT” section. (Do not use your Bible for this section.)

Romans 3

Romans 4

Romans 9

Romans 13

1 Cor. 5

1 Cor. 7

1 Cor 12

1 Cor. 13

1 Cor. 14

2 Cor. 2

2 Cor. 8

2 Cor. 12

Gal. 1

Gal. 3

Eph. 1

Eph. 6

Phil. 2

Phil. 4

Col. 3

1 Thess. 5

2 Thess. 2

1 Tim. 3

1 Tim. 4

2 Tim. 4

Titus 1

Philemon 1

Heb. 6

Heb. 7

Heb. 11

James 2

James 3

1 Peter 1

1 Peter 5

2 Peter 2

1 John 1

1 John 4

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation 1-4

Rev. 13

Rev. 19

Rev. 20

Rev. 21

282. What epistle did Paul write before he died?

283. Jude and 2 Peter have some identical content. T or F?

284. 1, 2, and 3rd John were written by John the apostle. T or F.

285. Who wrote the book of Jude?

286. What 2 epistles were written by brothers of Jesus?

287. Who do you think wrote Hebrews?

288. What is the Apocrypha?

289. What is Apocalyptic literature?

290. Where did John write Revelation from?

291. Of the 12 disciples, who was not martyred? (Judas does not count)

292. What lost letter of Paul is mentioned in Colossians?

293. Here are a few discrepancies in the bible. (??) One verse says one thing, and another seems to contradict. Read them and explain why they are not contradictions.

a) Matthew 20:20 and Mark 10:35

b) Matthew 26:34 and mark 14:30

c) James 1:13 and Genesis 22:1

d) Proverbs 26:4 and Proverbs 26:5

294. What NT book had the most difficulty being accepted into the canon?

295. What 3 languages was the Bible written in?

296. In what year did Moses build the ark?

297. Rest a while then go on to the next section.

SECTION 2

Theological Knowledge

Briefly define the following:

Soteriology-

Hamartiology-

Inerrancy-

Canonicity-

Trinity-

Providence-

Asiety-

Imago Dei-

Eschatology-

Dichotomy-

Theology proper-

Ecclesiology-

Hypostatic Union-

Pneumatology-

Infallability

Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes-

Omniscience-

Covenant-

Exegesis-

Eisogesis-

Hermeneutics-

General Revelation-

Special Revelation-

Cosmological Argument-

Teleological Argument-

Ontological Argument-

Incomprehensibility Of God-

Infinite-

Transcendence-

Religious Affections-

Sovereignty-

Decree of God-

Free will-

Limited Free will-

Liberty-

Miracles-

Angels-

Demons-

Satan-

Exorcisms-

Doctrines of Grace-

T.U.L.I.P.-

Imputation of Sin-

The Fall-

Total inability-

Original Sin-

Propitiation-

Covenant of Grace-

Covenant of works-

Incarnation-

Impeccability-

Logos-

Virgin Birth-

Definite Atonement-

Expiation

Particular Redemption-

Penal Substitution-

Reconciliation-

Redemption-

Resurrection-

Humiliation of Christ-

Intercession-

Mediator-

OT and NT Priest-

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit-

Baptism in the Holy Spirit-

Holy Spirit-

Son of God-

Father-

Common grace-

Election-

Predestination-

Reprobation-

Foreknowledge of God-

Effectual Calling-

External Calling-

Born Again-

Regeneration-

Conversion-

Faith-

Repentance-

Forensic Justification-

Adoption-

Sanctification-

Hell-

Heaven-

Death-

Glorification-

Spiritual Body-

Invisible Church-

Body of Christ-

Ekklasia-

Excommunication-

Keys of the Kingdom-

Apostle-

Elder-

Disciple-

Deacon-

Pastor-

Officer in the church-

Laying on of hands-

Credo Baptism-

Infant Baptism-

Covenant community-

Lord’s Supper-

Worship-

Parousia-

Immanent Return-

Second Coming-

Ammillenialism-

Premillenialism-

Postmillenialism-

Millennium-

Rapture-

Tribulation-

Final Judgment-

New heavens and new earth-

Lordship Salvation-

Regulatory principle-

 

 

SECTION 3

Deviant Theological Ideas

Define the following deviant ideas, most of which have been condemned by the church through church history at one time or another, and others are just passing trends.

Universalism-

Dictational Theory-

Annihilationism-

Dispensationalism-

Antinomianism-

Purgatory-

Arminianism-

The Mass-

Transubstantiation-

Consubstantiation-

Soul Sleep-

Limbo-

Doceticism-

Perfectionism-

Fatalism-

Dualism-

Deism-

Pelagianism-

Pantheism-

Theistic Evolution-

Evolution-

Arianism-

Monism-

Mormonism-

Jehovah’s Witnesses-

New Age-

 

 

 

SECTION 4

Church History

Briefly explain what you know about the following:

Origen-

Tertullian-

Josephus-

Philo-

Polycarp-

Ignatius of Antioch-

Chrysostem-

Aurelius Augustine of Hippo-

Pelagius-

Pope Leo I-

Pope Innocent III-

Arius-

Synod of Dort-

Thomas Aquinas-

Nicene Creed-

Apostles Creed-

Chalcedonian Creed-

Westminster Confession of Faith-

Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689-

3 Forms of Unity –

Ulrich Zwingli-

Martin Luther-

Diet of Worms-

Erasmas of Rotterdam-

John Wycliffe-

William Tyndale-

John Huss-

John Calvin-

Jonathan Edwards-

John Smyth-

Philadelphia Confession-

Charles Finney-

Jacob Arminias-

John Wesley-

George Whitefield-

Cotton Mather-

Puritanism-

Pilgrim’s Progress-

John Bunyan-

B.B. Warfield-

Charles Hodge –

Charles Spurgeon-

What are some differences in these movements?

Methodism-

Presbyterianism-

Southern Baptists-

“reformed” Baptists-

Congregationalists-

Charismatics-

Assemblies of God-

Holiness Churches-

Plymouth Brethren-

Roman Catholicism-

 

 

SECTION 5

Ethics and Practical Theology

This is the section to find out “what you would do” in a situation if someone asked you.

1. Let’s say a young woman came to you, who was not saved, and confided in you about her “live-in” boyfriend. They are being illicit. Her parents do not know about it and you know the family. The family is not saved either. What would you say to the girl, and would you say something to the family?

2. Would you marry two non-believers? Why or why not?

3. Use your Bible and prove that abortion is murder. But you cannot use texts which say that murder is wrong.

4. Use your Bible and prove Euthanasia is wrong.

5. What would you tell a close Christian friend who wanted to marry an unbeliever?

6. Use your Bible to help a young man understand biblical truth who thinks he is a homosexual because “God made him that way.”

7. A church member has just been in an accident. There is no brain activity and this person is being kept alive by a machine. The family asks you what they should do. Do you tell them to “pull the plug?” Why or why not?

8. A teen comes to you and asks you about abortion, and if it is wrong. You tell her yes. Then she asks, if abortion is wrong, and its murder, then what about capital punishment? How would you answer?

9. If murder is wrong, why did God command the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, to kill the inhabitants of Jericho, including women and children?

10. A person comes to you thinking they have committed the unpardonable sin. They are frantic and scared. What do you tell them?

11. A man come to you for counseling, and asks you to keep what he is about to say between you and him. Do you? Why or why not? What Biblical support (either way) do you give for your answer?

12. A woman tells you her husband is beating her. What is your counsel?

13. A woman comes to you and tells you that her husband says she cannot cut her hair to be too short, since the Bible says “a woman’s long hair is her glory.” What do you tell her?

14. Three teens stop you after church and tell you how awesome “Friday the 13th part 65” was. What do you say?

15. You are rebuked by “Bob” one Sunday morning for having gone to the movies the night before. Bob says movies are worldly and Christians have no business being in the world. What do you say?

16. Your at a friends home who is in trouble with a violent street gang. The street gang knocks at the door and you open it. They ask if the person is there. You know the person may hurt or even maimed from their confrontation. Do you tell them “Yes” or “No” and why?

17. Is gambling a sin? Why?

18. Some people like to smoke marijuana because all of God’s creation is useful for us in the right quantity. What do you say about it?

19. If the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit for Christians, and people keep telling the Christians community that smoking is a violation of your temple, then what do we do with eating fattening foods?

20. Can elders or deacons be elders or deacons if they have been divorced? Why or why not?

21. Should a woman keep silent in the church as 1 Cor. 14:34 states? What does that mean?

22. Can a woman be a pastor? Why or why not?

23. Another elder invites you to go to his house to play computer games. He starts up the game and you find out it is the game DOOM, or one of the like horror-games. Do you play? Why or why not?

24. A next door neighbor who is not saved invites you to watch a movie. (Let us say you asked what the movie was, but the neighbor wanted to keep it a surprise.) You go over and find out that when the movie starts, it is an adult movie. What do you do?

25. A six year old just found out that his grandma died. He wants to know what “being dead” means. What do you say?

26. A visitor comes to church and approaches you after the service. He claims to be a prophet, and then tells you that you need to improve your life in a variety of ways which he explains, and ends his list by a “Thus says the Lord.” What do you say?

27. During prayer in worship, a visitor begins speaking “in tongues.” As an elder in the church, what do you do?

28. A brother in the congregation does not believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit. He thinks the Holy Spirit is lesser than the Father and Son. And the Son is lesser than the Father. He has been teaching Sunday School for 2 years, which tells you something about the pastor there. What do you do?

29. A 20 year old woman and a 23 year old man come to you say that they have been living together for 3 years in a common law marriage. What do you say?

30. A husband and wife lose a child in a car accident. The child was 4 years old. Using the Scriptures, if they asked you where their child was, what would you say?

31. Bob is not a Christian, and everyone in the church knows this by his lifestyle. He has even told people he did not believe in God. He then dies one day in a plane crash. His wife is a devout Christian. She believes he is in heaven because God is all loving and forgiving. She comes to you to be assured of Bob’s resting place. What do you say?

32. A girl in the church comes to you and says that they feel like God made them a boy, trapped in a woman’s body. How do you counsel her?

33. Two political groups are factions in the church, how do you deal with that?

34. Using your bible, how would you counsel someone that is having problems on being assured of their salvation?

35. How would you deal with witnessing to a vocal atheist?

36. JI Packer, in the mid-1990s, signed “Evangelical and Catholics Together”. What would your assessment of that action be in relation to him as a biblical teacher?

37. A well-known church has a conference on biblical leadership, and one of the speakers of the conference is a woman. how would you biblical handle that?

38. Someone informs you as a member of the congregation, that they don’t believe in tithing, but they believing in giving, or giving and offering they determine. How do you help them understand the continuation of tithing, and how it relates or doesn’t relate to giving; or, how do you explain that “giving as one purposes in their heart” is acceptable in light of how the ministry “should be” supported? Is the ministry contingent on the “purpose” of men or the ordering of God in his own church? How or why?

 

SECTION 6:

Hermeneutics

1. What is hermeneutics? How is it defined?

2. How does 2 Tim. 2:15 relate to hermeneutics?

3. Biblical interpretation proceeds upon certain presuppositions that yield certain clear principles by which we must explain the word of God. TRUE OR FALSE?

4. Explain the inspiration of Scripture.

5. Explain the uniqueness of Scripture.

6. Explain the unity of Scripture.

7. What does the term “ad fontes” mean? And why is it critical to biblical interpretation?

8. What is the sensus plenior?

9. What is typology?

10. Explain why the “context” of Scripture is important.

11. Explain what morphology is in relation to hermeneutics.

12. Name 5 figures of speech the Scriptures use and give examples.

13. Explain the importance of symbolism.

14. Name 3 biblical books that are considered “wisdom literature?”

15. Name 2 biblical books considered as Hebrew Poetry.

16. What is apocalyptic literature?

17. Why are the Gospels called the synoptic Gospels?

18. What are parables?

19. What is the primary and basic need of biblical interpretation?

20. What are the qualifications of a biblical interpreter as it relates to skill?

21. What is an allegory and how does it relate to hermeneutics?

22. The bible has a moral,supernatural, and revelational aspect to it. TRUE or FALSE

23. What does it mean to “theo-centric” as it relates to hermeneutics?

24. What does it mean to be “Christo-centric” as it relates to hermeneutics?

25. What does it means that the revelation of God is accommodated?

26. What does it means that Scripture interprets Scripture?

27. Jesus said “hell” is the place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. What is he using to compare hell to metaphorical ideas? How do you arrive at your conclusion on your answer?

28. “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.” (Joshua 10:13). As it relates to hermeneutics, how does one exegetically deal with the idea that the sun revolves around the earth? How does hermeneutics help in understanding that the sun revolves around the earth, and that the sun stopped moving, not the earth? How does hermeneutics deal with relating a geocentric idea to Copernicus’ revolution?

29. When there is a question about what the bible teaches on any given verse or subject, where does the interpreter turn to find out the answers to more difficult questions about the text?

30. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται, ἀλλ᾽ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Can you translate this verse?

31. לְֽךָ־אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי . Can you translate this verse?

32. Christopher Love gave this argument in support of tithing in his work, “The Main Points of Church Government,” “Suppose Jesus Christ, being a member of the Jewish church, did not demand the tithes then due by God’s Law to the Levitical priests (Matt. 23:23, Heb. 7:5). Suppose also the Apostles being by their office to travel abroad, did not receive tithes, (no more than the Levites did receive them in their travel,) but were sometimes forbidden to take so much as a penny (Matt. 10:20), though at other times allowed it (Luke 22:35-36), and enjoined to live at the charges of the faithful (Matt. 10:10-11); and though Paul and Barnabas sometimes worked with their hands that they might not be chargeable (1 Cor. 9:6), yet Paul does expressly affirm, that tithes were not Aaronical, or proper to the Levitical Priests, but on the contrary proves the greatness of Melchizedec’s priesthood, by his blessing over Abraham, and tithing to him (Heb. 7:2, 4, 5, 7); the word δεδεκάτωκε (in Heb. 7:6) implies, requiring tithes, as well as receiving them, and on this he asserts our Savior to be a priest after the order of Melchizedec (Heb. 7:15-17); and therefore Christ must have power to tithe the people as well as to bless them, or else he does not come up to the type or figure.” How, hermeneutically, does Christ’s work as High Priest require a tithe? What is Love saying, and how do you think he arrives at his conclusion?

 

Sections 7 / 8:

The Westminster Standards

1. What is the main Westminster Standard, and what are the subordinate standards?

2. What is the Sum of Saving Knowledge and who wrote it?

3. Finish the thought from WCF 1:5: “We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, [?????].

4. Finish the thought from WCF 2:3: “In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, The Father is [?????].

5. WCF 3:7 is teaching the doctrine of [WHAT]? “The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.

6. According to WCF chapter 4, how did God create man and woman, and how were they endowed?

7. According to WCF 21:5, “The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching; and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God with understanding, faith, and reverence; singing of psalms with grace in the heart…” Is the stance of the Westminster Confession Exclusive Psalmody? Why or why not?

8. WCF 22:3 states, “Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully persuaded is the truth. Neither may any man bind himself by oath to anything but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform.” Is an oath binding upon the conscience? Why or why not?

9. WCF 22:4 states that an oath is not, “to be violated, although made to heretics or infidels.” Is this binding upon the conscience? And how does this relate to WCF 20:2, “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.”

10. WCF chapter 23 deals with the Civil Magistrate. Summarize the work of the Civil Magistrate as those appointed by God in places of power.

11.In WCF 19:4, what does general equity mean? “To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people, not obliging any other, now, further than the general equity thereof may require.”

12. What is the establishment principle? How does 1 Tim. 2:1-2 apply to this? Hoes does Question 191 in the WLC affect your answer?

Question 191: What do we pray for in the second petition.?

Answer: In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come), acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan, we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fulness of the Gentiles brought in; the church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances, purged from corruption, countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate: that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted: that Christ would rule in our hearts here, and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever: and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.

13. Gillespie’s Proposition 41 (of 111) that, “41. The orthodox churches believe also, and do willingly acknowledge, that every lawful magistrate, being by God himself constituted the keeper and defender of both tables of the law, may and ought first and chiefly to take care of God’s glory, and (according to his place, or in his manner and way) to preserve religion when pure, and to restore it when decayed and corrupted: and also to provide a learned and godly ministry, schools also and synods, as likewise to restrain and punish as well atheists, blasphemers, heretics and schismatics, as the violaters of justice and civil peace.” What is he teaching here and where is this found in the WCF?

 

 

Synod of Dordt

1. Do you agree with the Synod of Dordt when they said the following of Arminianism, that it “leads the minds of men away from all piety and religion; that it is an opiate administered by the flesh and the devil; the stronghold of Satan…” Dordt stated that in reaction to the Arminian and Remonstrant Articles and Opinions, that Arminius and the Remonstrants, “summon back from hell the Pelagian error.”[1] They said that Arminianism “deceive(s) the simple,”[2] “is an invention of the human brain,”[3] is a “pernicious error,”[4] “smacks of Pelagius,”[5] “runs counter to the entire Scripture,”[6] is “gross error,”[7] “militate(s) against the experience of the saints and is contrary to Scripture,”[8] “contradict(s) Scripture,”[9] “attempt(s) to give the people the deadly poison of Pelagianism,”[10] “contradict(s) the apostle” and “contradict(s) the Savior,”[11] “is an insult to the wisdom of God,”[12] “is opposed to the plain testimonies of Scripture,”[13] “is a teaching that is entirely Pelagian and contrary to the whole of Scripture.”[14] Christians should know that “the early church already condemned this doctrine long ago in the Pelagians,”[15] “is obviously Pelagian,”[16] and “nullifies the very grace of justification and regeneration.”[17]

[1] Synod of Dordt, Canon 2 Article 3 in the Rejection of Errors.
[2] Synod of Dordt, Canon 1 Article 1 in the Rejection of Errors.
[3] Synod of Dordt, Canon 1 Article 2 in the Rejection of Errors.
[4] Synod of Dordt, Canon 1 Article 3 in the Rejection of Errors.
[5] Synod of Dordt, Canon 1 Article 4 in the Rejection of Errors.
[6] Synod of Dordt, Canon 1 Article 5 in the Rejection of Errors, and Synod of Dordt, Canon 3 Article 4 in the Rejection of Errors.
[7] Synod of Dordt, Canon 1 Article 6 in the Rejection of Errors.
[8] Synod of Dordt, Canon 2 Article 1 in the Rejection of Errors.
[9] Synod of Dordt, Canon 2 Article 4 in the Rejection of Errors.
[10] Synod of Dordt, Canon 2 Article 6 in the Rejection of Errors.
[11] Synod of Dordt, Canon 2 Article 7 in the Rejection of Errors.
[12] Synod of Dordt, Canon 3 Article 1 in the Rejection of Errors.
[13] Synod of Dordt, Canon 4 Article 4 in the Rejection of Errors.
[14] Synod of Dordt, Canon 3 Article 7 in the Rejection of Errors.
[15] Synod of Dordt, Canon 3 Article 9 in the Rejection of Errors.
[16] Synod of Dordt, Canon 5 Article 2 in the Rejection of Errors.
[17] Synod of Dordt, Canon 5 Article 3 in the Rejection of Errors.

2. The orthodox professors, theologians, and ministers of Holland and England sought incessantly to suppress the teaching of the Arminians and to prohibit the exercise of that faith which they were firm in condemning as heretical. This they were able to do quite effectively by the convening of the Synod of Dort. Arminianism, for these reasons, has always been viewed as not only error, but heresy. Would you agree with this? Why or why not?

3. “Article 3: The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death: This death of God’s Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins; it is of infinite value and worth, more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world.” Is this a hypothetical statement, or an actual biblical statement? Is this helpful or not and why?

 

 

 

 

 

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