Exploring Christian Doctrine

Introduction 1 A. METHOD 1 Knowing God 11 2 The Bible 21 3 Speaking about God 31 B. CREATION 4 The creation of the universe 43 5 The spirit world 51 6 Humanity 59 C. SIN AND EVIL 7 Sin 69 8 The Fall and original sin 78 9 Providence 88 10 Evil and suffering (theodicy) 96 D. REDEMPTION: GOD AND HIS WORK 11 The law and the Old Testament 107 12 The work of Christ 118 13 The person of Christ (Christology) 128 14 The uniqueness of Christ 138 15 Holy Spirit 145

6 The Trinity 154 17 God 163 E. REDEMPTION: PERSONAL 18 Christian initiation 175 19 Baptism 184 20 Justification and assurance 194 21 Sanctification 203 22 Perseverance and reward 213 F. REDEMPTION: CORPORATE 23 Grace and election 225 24 The Church 1 (ecclesiology) 234 25 The Church 2 243 26 Holy Communion 252 G. FUTURE GLORY (ESCHATOLOGY) 27 The end times 265 28 Hell 274 29 Future hope 282 Questions to answer 293 Glossary 294 Copyright acknowledgements 299 Index of biblical references 301 Index of names and subjects 306