INTRODUCTION

Part 1: Theological Introduction

1.      True Method in Theological Science

2.      Plan, Divisions, and Subdivisions

Description of Topics

Biblical, Systematic, and Polemical Theology

3.      Nature and Definition of Theological Science

Definition of Theology

Whether Theology Is a Science

Theology as an Absolute Science

Theology as a Positive Science

Part 2: Bibliology

1.      Revelation and Inspiration

General Revelation

Special Revelation

Nature of Inspiration

Nature of Revelation

Infallibility of Inspiration

2.      Authenticity of Scripture

3.      Credibility of Scripture

Credibility of the New Testament

Theories Opposing New Testament Credibility

Limitations of New Testament Evidence for Credibility

Credibility of the Old Testament

4.      Canonicity of Scripture

Part 3: Theology (Doctrine of God)

1.      Nature and Definition of God

God’s Spirituality

God’s Substantiality

God’s Personality

2.      Innate Idea and Knowledge of God

Evidence from Scripture for an Innate Knowledge of God

Arguments from Pagan Philosophers for an Innate Knowledge of God

Arguments against an Innate Knowledge of God

Monotheism as the Original Form of Man’s Innate Knowledge of God

Inadequacy of Natural Religion

3.      Arguments for the Divine Existence

Uses of Syllogistic Arguments for the Divine Existence

Ontological Argument: Statement of the Position

Ontological Argument: Examination of Objections

Cosmological Argument

Teleological Argument

Moral Argument

Historical Argument

4.      Trinity in Unity

Preliminary Considerations

Divine Unity and Trinality: An Overview

Scriptural Evidence for the Doctrine of the Trinity

Proper Use of Trinitarian Terminology

God Is One in Respect to Essence

God Is Three in Respect to Persons

Characteristics of Trinitarian Persons: Internal and External

Deity of God the Father

Deity of God the Son

Deity of God the Holy Spirit

5.      Divine Attributes

Divine Attributes: Methods of Classification

Self-Existence (Aseity)

Simplicity

Infinity

Immensity and Omnipresence

Eternity

Immutability

Omniscience

Omnipotence

Holiness (Including Justice)

Goodness (Including Benevolence and Mercy)

Truth

6.      The Divine Decrees

Preliminary Considerations

Characteristics of the Divine Decree

Efficacious and Permissive Decrees

Fate, Certainty, Compulsion, and Necessity

Predestination

Election

Reprobation

Arminian and Calvinistic Systems Compared

Objections to Election and Reprobation Answered

Decree of Election and the Decree of Redemption

Teaching and Preaching the Doctrines of Election and Reprobation

7.      Creation

Creation Ex Nihilo

Creation Account in Genesis

Harmony of the Biblical Creation Account with Physical Science

Eternity of Matter vs. Creation Ex Nihilo

Theory of Evolution vs. Creation Ex Nihilo

Antiquity of Man

8.      Providence

9.      Miracles

Part 4: Anthropology

1.      Man’s Creation

Preliminary Considerations

Theories of the Mode of Man’s Creation

General Approaches to the Doctrine of Original Sin

Scriptural Support for Traducianism

Theological Arguments for Traducianism

Physiological Arguments for Traducianism

Traducianism as Both Mysterious and Reasonable

Answers to the Principal Objections against Traducianism

2.      Man’s Primitive State

Preliminary Considerations

Two Phases of Holiness: Knowledge and Inclination

Proof That Man Was Created Holy

Voluntariness as Self-Determination

Refutation of the Theory That Freedom Consists in Indetermination or Indifference

3.      Human Will

Definition of the Will

Objections to the More Recent Psychology

Scriptural Passages and Terms Defining the Will

Inclination vs. Volition

4.      Man’s Probation and Apostasy

Adam and Eve as Mutably Holy by Creation

Covenant of Works

Nature of the First Sin

Death as the Consequence of the First Sin

Cause of the First Sin

5.      Original Sin

Preliminary Considerations

Adam’s Sin as Twofold: Internal and External

Imputation of Adamic Guilt

Original Sin as a Corruption of Nature

Corruption of Nature as Guilt

Original Sin as Voluntary Inclination

Original Sin and Moral Inability

Moral Inability and Moral Obligation

Part 5: Christology

1.      Christ’s Theanthropic Person

Preliminary Considerations

Christ’s Divine Nature and the Second Trinitarian Person

Incarnation vs. Transmutation

Christ as a Single Person in Two Natures

Divine Nature as the Root of Christ’s Person

Beginning and Continuation of Christ’s Theanthropic Personality

Incarnation and Divine Immutability

Incarnation as the Assumption of a Nature, Not a Person

Sanctification of Christ’s Human Nature

Self-Consciousness of the God-man

2.      Christ’s Divinity

3.      Christ’s Humanity

4.      Christ’s Unipersonality

Biblical Evidence for Christ’s Unipersonality

Predication of Divine and Human Qualities to the God-man

Christ’s Twofold Consciousness

Lutheran Doctrine of “Communication of Properties”

Hypostatic Union and the Two Wills in Christ

5.      Christ’s Impeccability

Christ’s Impeccability Proven from Scripture

Christ’s Impeccability Proven from the Constitution of His Person

Impeccability Consistent with Temptability

Sinful vs. Innocent Temptations

Reasons for Christ’s Temptations

Part 6: Soteriology

1.      Christ’s Mediatorial Offices

Some Characteristics of Christ as Mediator

Threefold Office

Christ’s Prophetic Office

Christ’s Priestly Office

2.      Vicarious Atonement

Atonement as Substitutionary

Atonement as Suffering and Forgiveness as Its Result

Atonement as Objective

Atonement as Subjective

Christ’s Sufferings as Penal Substitution

Christ’s Active and Passive Obedience

Atonement and Its Necessity in Relation to Divine Justice

Atonement in Its Relation to Divine Mercy

Possibility of Substitution

Extent of the Atonement

Universal Offer of the Atonement

3.      Regeneration

Various Uses of the Term Regeneration

Characteristics of Regeneration

Man’s Agency in Regeneration

4.      Conversion

5.      Justification

Preliminary Considerations

Justification: Its Characteristics and Results

6.      Sanctification

7.      Means of Grace

Preliminary Considerations

Lord’s Supper

Baptism

Part 7: Eschatology

1.      Intermediate or Disembodied State

Summary of the Doctrine

Pagan Influences on the Doctrine of Hades

Christ’s Alleged Descent into Hell

Scriptural View of the Intermediate State

Meaning of the Word Sheol

2.      Christ’s Second Advent

3.      Resurrection

Historical Considerations

Scriptural Teaching on the Resurrection

4.      Final Judgment

5.      Heaven

6.      Hell

History of the Doctrine

Biblical Argument

Rational Argument

     Bibliography

     Glossary 1: Technical Terminology, by Alan W. Gomes

     Glossary 2: Biographical Entries, by Alan W. Gomes