LHIM Classes

God reveals who He is to His people through His name. When Moses asked for God’s name, the Lord answered, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). The name Yahweh shows that God is self-existent and faithful. Throughout Scripture, God sometimes adds descriptive titles to His name to reveal how He is working for His people.

One of those names is Yahweh-Nissi — “The Lord is my Banner” (Exodus 17:15). When Israel was attacked by Amalek, Moses stood on the hill with the staff of God. As long as his hands were raised, Israel prevailed. When they lowered, Amalek gained ground. Aaron and Hur helped hold his hands up, and Israel ultimately won the battle. In ancient warfare a banner was a rallying point that told soldiers where to gather and under whose authority they fought. Likewise, God’s people fight under His name and identity.

Another name is Yahweh-Shalom — “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24). When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was hiding in fear while threshing wheat in a winepress. Yet the angel said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). Though Israel was still oppressed, Gideon trusted God’s promise and called Him peace.

Ultimately these names point forward to Christ. Jesus said, “If I am lifted up… I will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32), and “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). Whether in battle or fear, Yahweh is both our banner and our peace.

Pastor Joshua uses the Bible version NET

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Recap of Class Journey

Covered interpreting Scripture: Primacy, perspicuity, textual criticism, translation bias, literary/historical contexts, application.

Surveyed theologies: Biblical, systematic, analytic, historical, comparative.

Ended with method to evaluate doctrines (objective rating on how well a doctrine is presented)

Addressing Criticisms of Restorationism

Criticism 1 (Kevin DeYoung): Don’t interpret apart from creeds/traditions.

Response: Luther challenged traditions; Protestants shouldn’t act like Catholics. Traditions ok, but Bible critiques them.

Criticism 2: “No creed but the Bible” is a creed.

Response: Everyone has creeds (beliefs); restorationists can use them but they should be editable

Criticism 3: Overturn historic consensus.

Response: Not chaos; Bible is authority. Historic views ok if biblical; burden on unbiblical traditions.

Criticism 4: Zipping back to 1st century ignores history.

Response: Not ignoring; learn from giants, but Bible first.

Benefits of Restorationism

Clarity: Methodical approach resolves confusion; evaluates doctrines objectively.

Unity: Denominations divide; restorationism unites via Bible.

Evangelism: Intriguing label – “Restorationist” sparks questions.

Conclusion: Changing the World

Restorationism combines inquiry/tech for authenticity.

AI levels field; anyone can explore options.

Time for disagreeing constructively: Debates, books, gatherings in love.

Move toward truth/unity: Christianismi Restitutio.

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Introduction

Pull together components; rate doctrines 0-100.

4 categories: Biblical (8 pts), logical (6), historical (3), practical (3).

Twenty-question diagnostic tool to evaluate doctrine

Examples

Strobel’s Case for Heaven: 30/100 (weak biblical/logical).

McCall’s Against God and Nature: 80/100 (strong, neutral survey).

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Defining Comparative Theology

Not well-known branch; historically used in several ways (apologetics, world theology, etc.).

Restorationist interest: Compare competing Christian theologies/doctrines (not other religions).

Opposes confessional approach (fides quaerens intellectum = faith seeking understanding).

Restorationist posture: fides quaerens veritatem = faith seeking truth.

Why Do Comparative Theology?

Not just understand others better; pursue actual truth.

Individuals, churches, denominations should do this regularly.

Current culture lacks this: Sunday services avoid debate; conferences rarely host real dialogue.

Goal: Find space to engage alternatives constructively.

Step-by-Step Method for Comparative Theology

Identify main alternative positions on the doctrine.

Gather best resources (steelman, not strawman):

Systematically evaluate reasons for other position(s):

Systematically evaluate defeaters against your position:

Revise doctrine if evidence demands; invite feedback (debate, send to opponents).

Practical Tips

Focus on reasons, not emotion or speaker charisma.

One strong reason > five weak ones.

Conclusion

Comparative theology essential for truth-seeking restorationists.

Churches/denominations need open dialogue across lines.

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Introduction and Purpose

After biblical, systematic, analytic, and comparative theology, test your doctrine in the “laboratory of history.”

If a belief is true, others likely saw it too over 2,000 years.

Massive Christian literature survives:

1st–15th centuries: 5,000–10,000 books

16th–19th centuries: 200,000–300,000

20th–21st centuries: 2–3 million + 20,000–25,000 new books/year

Goal: Find doctrinal precedents; legitimacy if early voices agree.

Why Care About Historical Precedents?

Restorationism is relentlessly past-focused: Aim to believe what apostles believed.

Advances ok in uncovered areas, but consistency with early church preferred over contradiction.

Full apostasy theory (whole church fell away) not supported: Jude 1:3–4 warns of intruders, but not total loss.

Data shows slow evolution toward Catholic/Orthodox forms, not complete break.

Historical theology explains how and why drift happened.

Defining Historical Theology

Gregg Allison: “The study of the interpretation of Scripture and the formulation of doctrine by the church of the past.”

Church history = events and people; historical theology = ideas/doctrines and how they changed.

Value of Historical Theology for Restorationists

Early agreement gives legitimacy (e.g., if no evidence before Nicea, less likely original).

No early articulation? Need explanation why not said in first centuries.

If majority today reject your view, explain how/why church went off track.

Protects against novel ideas; learns from past errors (e.g., indulgences, purgatory additions).

Alister McGrath: Historical theology positive (learn from giants) and subversive (shows how theologians go astray).

Method and Challenges

Use primary sources (original texts).

Critical scholarship helps: authorship, dating, interpolations.

Example: Victorinus’s Revelation commentary – Jerome edited out premillennialism; edited version copied more; original survives in modern editions.

Tools: ANF/NPNF series (with caution), critical editions, recent translations.

Conclusion:

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Introduction to Analytic Theology

Analytic theology: Newer field (since ~2009); applies rigorous logic, philosophy, and clear reasoning to theological questions.

Goal: Clarify doctrines, avoid fallacies, test arguments precisely.

Complements other theologies: Biblical (content), systematic (synthesis), historical (precedents), comparative (alternatives).

Key tool: Logic – careful reasoning that avoids errors and draws valid conclusions in pursuit of truth.

What Is Logic?

Informal logic: Everyday reasoning (e.g., “If I eat too much, I feel bloated”).

Formal logic: Symbolic, rigorous analysis using syllogisms.

valid vs. invalid arguments

Major Types of Fallacies (5 Categories)

Fallacies of Relevance: Premises irrelevant to conclusion

Ad hominem (attack person, not argument)

Appeal to authority/emotion/popularity

Red herring, straw man, genetic fallacy

Fallacies of Presumption: Assume what needs proving

Begging the question

False dilemma

Suppressed evidence

False cause (post hoc, correlation ≠ causation)

Fallacies of Ambiguity: Unclear language

Equivocation (word used two ways)

Amphiboly, composition, division

Fallacies of Weak Induction: Insufficient evidence

Hasty generalization

Slippery slope

Weak analogy

Appeal to ignorance

Formal Fallacies: Errors in logical structure

Affirming the consequent (If A→B, B true → A true)

Denying the antecedent (If A→B, A false → B false)

7-Step Method for Analytic Evaluation of a Doctrine

Clearly identify the doctrine

Express the doctrine’s logical structure (premises → conclusion).

Identify assumptions and define key terms

List main reasons supporting the doctrine

Identify difficult texts / counter-evidence

Identify logical defeaters (objections) and offer explanations/counter-arguments

Revise doctrine in light of objections; invite feedback

Benefits of Analytic Approach

Makes arguments precise and transparent.

Reveals hidden assumptions and weak links.

Hardens position against criticism or shows where revision needed.

Encourages humility: Logic shows where we might be wrong.

Conclusion

Analytic theology uses logic to evaluate doctrines rigorously.

Strengthens restorationist method by testing coherence and validity.

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Recap from Biblical Theology

Biblical theology highlights differences, developments, and author-specific emphases.

Systematic theology seeks unity/coherence across all books.

Quote (Köstenberger & Goswell): Bible’s unity grounded in God’s unity; diversity from time, genre, authors, circumstances.

Defining Systematic Theology

Wayne Grudem: “Any study that answers, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any topic.”

Summarizes Scripture in brief, clear, carefully formulated statements.

Focuses on present-day understanding for Christians.

May use terms/concepts not in single author but from combining teachings.

Key Assumptions of Systematic Theology

God inspired authors so Bible reflects what He wanted (no coercion).

Coherence exists: One divine mind behind Scripture → consistent thought.

Possible to identify “final form” (mature teaching) by considering all verses.

Progressive revelation means later texts clarify earlier (development allowed).

Bible shapes our thinking/categories (not vice versa).

Why Do Systematic Theology?

Organizes jumbled ideas into shelves (categories).

Helps detect contradictions or gaps.

Standard categories (traditional 8–10 volumes):

Bibliology (Bible)

Theology proper (God)

Angelology/demonology

Anthropology (humans)

Hamartiology (sin)

Christology

Pneumatology (Spirit)

Soteriology (salvation)

Ecclesiology (church)

Eschatology (end times)

Bible Is Organic, Not Systematic

Scripture grows naturally (like a tree), not in neat textbook chapters.

Our categories are helpful tools, not perfect boxes.

Rule: If forced to shoehorn Bible into doctrine OR accept less precision, choose Bible.

Never change Scripture to fit beliefs; change beliefs to fit Scripture.

Practical Value

First learned categories → organized chaotic ideas.

Allows deeper thinking on topics.

Reminds us doctrines approximate God’s mind; stay humble.

Conclusion: Systematic theology synthesizes whole Bible for coherence.

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Introduction to Theology Series

This begins a 5-part theology section (5th floor of the tower).

Theology = discourse about God (θεος + λογος); broadly any Christian belief/doctrine.

Preliminaries before doing theology

Pray for help/illumination from the Spirit.

Be willing to change beliefs if Bible evidence is strong.

Truth has nothing to fear; hold beliefs loosely.

Never force Bible to fit your theology (example: never alter 1 John 5:7).

Better to live with uncertainty than adopt a flawed position.

Defining Biblical Theology

Bible is not flat/one-time revelation (unlike Koran or single-lifetime texts).

Written over ~2,000 years; God progressively revealed Himself and His story.

Biblical theology studies both what Bible teaches and how teaching develops over time.

Key quote (Michael Lawrence): Bible reveals progressively; biblical theology traces developments in redemptive history.

Highlights diversity among authors (different focuses, emphases, vocabularies).

Two main ways to do it:

Study theology of one book/author.

Trace major themes across whole Bible (e.g., kingdom, covenant, sin, redemption).

Progressive Revelation Explained

God reveals more and more over time (e.g., OT shadows → NT fulfillment in Christ).

Not contradiction, but development and maturity.

Must read earlier texts in light of later revelation (final form matters).

Major Example: Kingdom of God

Begins in Eden (perfect rule).

Lost through sin.

Abrahamic promise: land, descendants, blessing.

Mosaic covenant: Israel as kingdom of priests.

Davidic covenant: eternal king.

Prophets: future restoration.

Jesus announces kingdom arrived (Mark 1:15); demonstrates it with miracles.

Cross/resurrection: victory over sin/death.

Church: partial presence now.

Future: full consummation in renewed world

Major Example: Abrahamic Covenant

Promises: land, many descendants, blessing to nations (Gen 12, 15, 17).

Initial fulfillment: Joshua conquers Canaan.

Exile disrupts; return partial.

NT: Jesus as Abraham’s seed; Gentiles blessed/grafted in (Gal 3, Rom 4).

Land promise expands to whole world (Rom 4:13).

Future: immense multitude inherits earth forever.

Purpose of Biblical Theology

Understand Bible on its own terms before systematizing.

Topical/thematic grouping stays close to biblical language and history.

Quote (Köstenberger & Goswell): Synthesize within original settings; systematic theology goes broader/conceptual.

Conclusion: Biblical theology respects development and diversity within unity.