In this week’s episode, we are going to take a look at the pinnacle of God’s plan in creation, through the work of Christ Jesus.  This biblical truth tackles the most critical need of mankind, atonement for sin.  Simply put, this work of Christ Jesus is applied to those chosen by God, commonly known as the Doctrine of Salvation.  Join us in this journey through the uniqueness of the Christian worldview as we find eternal life through none other than the Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

One of the most significant effects Christians experience in their faith is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  This effect is revealed and experienced in many ways by the believer.  From subtle leanings to the cause of Christ with increased joy and humility.  To an irresistible pull in teaching and ministering to other believers, even evangelizing to the lost.  No matter how the effect is displayed in thought and indeed, there is little room for doubt among those who believe of the personal presence of God.  Please join us as we take a brief journey through the Bible concerning the third Person of the One true God; The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38

Christianity is not about four walls and a roof, nor is it about the governing ordinances of a church, or ritual, or ceremony, or membership of a denomination.  Christianity is not about being inclusive, or universal, or even tolerant.  And Christianity is definitely not about having your best life now.  Christianity is about an amazing Person, where both the fullness of deity and man reside, and in His ministry rests the good news from God.  This Person is the Holy Son of God, the Christ Jesus, and belief in Him is the doctrine Christians hold most dear. 

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.  These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

1 John 1:1-4

Episode five focuses on the Biblical Doctrine of Sin.  A set of beliefs describing the basic characteristics of sin; its essence, origin and effect.  As the concept of evil is any position taken against the will of God, so too is sin, any action or thought that is evil.  As a result, the Doctrine of Sin can be simply stated as replacing the will of God with something or someone else.

We hope you will join us on this journey into the Biblical truth of sin, and how we as Christians should view this work of evil which has permeated every aspect of our lives.

This week’s episode will focus on a distinct and special part of God’s creative work, the creature of man.  And how a set of beliefs concerning this creature, or the doctrine of man, has shaped the Christian worldview for centuries.

Over two thousand years ago, a young shepherd by the name of David penned a psalm as he marveled at the night’s sky.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
 The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
 What is man that You take thought of him,
 And the son of man that You care for him?

Psalms 8:3-4

So, the million-dollar question is, “who or what is man?”  And even more so, “why was he created?”  Well, it is difficult to argue that the man-centered, secular world has affixed a price to everything, but a value to nothing.  So, if we are in search of a purpose or value of mankind we would be well-advised to search the word of God, as man was created in His image.

Please join us as we view the simple, Biblical truths concerning the Doctrine of Mankind.

The subject for this week’s episode is a set of beliefs that if stated in the most general sense, is simply anything in opposition to the will of God.  This of course is the Doctrine of Evil, which by its very nature offers skeptics an opportunity in attempting to disprove, or at least call into question the existence of the all-knowing and all-powerful God of the Bible.  However, it is important to note that in the Christian worldview, the doctrine of evil is a significant element that requires our acknowledgement and understanding to the degree that it humbles our thoughts on God and man.

This episode will not exhaust ever aspect of evil or the theodicies leveled against the problem.  However, we will take a close look at how the foundational aspects of evil help to form the Christian worldview.  In doing so, we should take great care in keeping at the foremost point of our thoughts, just how God has described Himself through His word.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Genesis 50:20

In the second episode of Biblical Doctrine, we will look exclusively at God’s creative work, as all other doctrine flow from our knowledge of creation.  I emphasize the word creation in the context that God brought all things into being from nothing.  Afterall, a purely original, creative act could not take place utilizing preexisting materials, as what would be used would have already been brought into being.  

During this episode we will explore the significance of this doctrine in forming the Christian worldview, and how the biblical account of creation is viewed in contrast and comparison to God’s blessing of science.  Of course, there is much to discuss concerning the Doctrine of Creation, but we will explore this set of beliefs in the simplest of terms to fully grasp God’s word.

We encourage you all to join us in expanding our knowledge of this Biblical truth.

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

We do not live in a time where authority of any type is held in high esteem.  This is especially true for many Christian ministries today, setting biblical truths aside while basing their services on one shining object or another in hope of attracting a large crowd.  Yet, this should not be so, as the Holy Scripture forms the foundation of the Christian worldview and is the center piece of our knowledge of God, whether we approve of what is written or not.  As a result, no piece of history holds more authority to the Christian than the Word of God.  

It is in this first episode of season two where we lay the foundation for all the Biblical doctrine to follow, as the Holy Scripture is our final and absolute authority.  In this episode we will proclaim the theological and historical reliability of scripture through several connected items, setting this work of antiquity in a category far apart from all other ancient documents.

Please join us as we begin our journey into this inspired work of God.

 For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:21

The foundational and systematic approach I spoke of at the beginning of season one, utilizing Jesus’ parable of the two builders has now come full circle as we reflect on a sampling of what God has revealed to us of Himself.  Of course, when we study the attributes God has revealed of Himself we begin to develop a glimpse of who He is and what He is.  As a result, who God is and what God is will be on full display by what He does.

So, as you view episode 8 which is a summary of season one, and a sampling of a couple common disagreements concerning God, ask yourself a few questions.  Has God, through the holy scripture revealed a view of Himself that provides a better understanding of Him?  If so, how would you characterize God through His attributes, low or high?  Also, while reflecting upon these biblical truths, how do you prevent yourself from altering this perspective to suit our own desires?  This is essentially an after-action review or AAR.  This is an important tool you can use to maximize the information you have learned from scripture, always reviewing three basic questions, what I learned, why I learned it, and how can I apply it.

When we discuss what theologians refer to as the Trinity, we are not only addressing a Christian doctrine but an attribute of God.  We are also confronted with a principle that is distinctive to the Christian faith. No where among all the religions of the world will you find the claim that God is One, revealed as three distinct persons.

This Biblical principle is the cornerstone of Christian thought, while at the same time it is never mentioned specifically in any of the sixty-six historical documents assembled as Holy Scripture.  Nevertheless, the concept of the Trinity specifically addresses two basic thoughts on God:  Who He is, and What He is.

The concept of a Triune God is undoubtedly the most difficult concept to understand and equally difficult to explain, but that does not make the concept any less true. Given all the other attributes of God, one will quickly deduce that He is infinitely greater than we are, not limited by any restrictions, and entirely distinct from all of creation. 

As a result, while we are able to grasp a few truths revealed of the Trinity, it will forever remain a mystery this side of Glory.