ETCF VII.57. PREDESTINATION

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

VII.57. PREDESTINATION

Summary

1. Predestination is a difficult doctrine and must be handled with care.
2. The Bible teaches the doctrine of predestination.
3. Many Christians define predestination in terms of God’s
foreknowledge.
4. The Reformed view does not consider foreknowledge to be an
explanation of biblical predestination.
5. Predestination is based upon God’s choice, not the choice of human
beings.
6. Unregenerate people have no desire to choose Christ.
7. God does not elect everybody. He reserves the right to have mercy
upon whom He pleases.
8. God treats no one unjustly.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Proverbs 16:4
John 13:18
Romans 8:30
Ephesians 1:3-14
2 Thessalonians 2:13-13

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ETCF VII.56 SALVATION

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VII. SALVATION
56. SALVATION

Summary

1. The broad meaning of salvation is “to be rescued from a threatening
situation.”
2. Ultimate salvation means to be delivered from the ultimate calamity of
God’s wrath.
3. The Bible uses salvation in several tenses, referring to God’s past,
present, and future work of redemption.
4. Justification is sometimes used as a synonym for salvation; at other
times it is seen as one aspect in the whole scheme of redemption.
5. Salvation is of the Lord and from the Lord.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Ezekiel 36:26-27;
Zephaniah 1;
John 3:16-17;
Romans 1:16-17;
1 Corinthians 1:26-31;
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10;

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ETCF VI.55 SYNCRETISM

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
55. SYNCRETISM

Summary:
1. Syncretism is the blending or mixing of alien religions or philosophies into one.
2. One of the constant problems of Israelite religion in the Old Testament was the intrusion of pagan religions.
3. The New Testament church struggled against the influence of Greek and Roman religion and culture.
4. Modern Christianity is threatened by attempts to combine Christian thought with pagan religion and secular philosophy.

Biblical passages for reflection:
1 Kings 16:29-34;
1 Corinthians 10:14-23;
2 Corinthians 6:14-18;
Galatians 3:1-14;
Colossians 2:8;
1 John 5:19-21;

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ETCF VI.54 THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
54. THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN

Summary:
1. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not to be equated with murder or adultery.
2. Blasphemy is an offense against God involving words.
3. Christ’s original warning was against attributing the works of God the Holy Spirit to Satan.
4. Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of blasphemers who were ignorant of His true identity.
5. Christians will never commit this sin because of the restraining grace of God.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Biblical passages for reflection:
Matthew 12:22-32;
Luke 23:34;
1 John 5:16;

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ETCF VI.53 HUMAN CONSCIENCE

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
53. HUMAN CONSCIENCE

Summary

1. The conscience is a good guide only when it is informed and ruled by God.
2. The conscience is a moral voice within us that accuses or excuses us of our actions.
3. It is a sin to act against the conscience.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Luke 11:39-44;
Romans 2:12-16;
Romans 14:23;
Titus 1:15;

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ETCF VI.52 HUMAN DEPRAVITY

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
52. HUMAN DEPRAVITY

Summary:

1. Humanism sees sin at the edge or periphery of human life. It considers human beings to be basically good.
2. Biblical Christianity teaches that sin permeates the core of our life.
3. Total depravity is not utter depravity. We are not as wicked as we
possibly could be.
4. Radical corruption points to the core sinfulness of our hearts.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Jeremiah 17:9;
Romans 8:11-11;
Ephesians 2:1-3;
Ephesians 4:17-19;
1 John 1:8-10;

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ETCF VI.51 ORIGINAL SIN

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
51. ORIGINAL SIN

Summary:
1. The universality of sin cannot be accounted for by pointing to societal
or environmental factors.
2. The universality of sin is explained by the Fall of mankind.
3. Original sin does not refer to the first sin, but to the result of that sin.
4. All people are born with a sinful nature or “original sin.”
5. We all sin because we are sinners by nature.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 3:1-24;
Jeremiah 17:9;
Romans 3:10-26;
Romans 5:12-19;
Titus 1:15;

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ETCF VI.50 SIN

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
50. Sin

Summary:
1. The biblical meaning of sin is to miss the mark of God’s righteousness.
2. All human beings are sinners.
3. Sin involves a failure to conform to (omission) and a transgression of (commission) the law of God.
4. Only moral agents can be guilty of sin.
5. Protestantism rejects the distinction between mortal and venial sin but affirms the gradation of sin.
6. Each sin committed incurs greater guilt.
7. Sin violates God and people.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Romans 2:1-11;
Romans 3:10-26;
Romans 5:12-15;
James 1:12-15;
1 John 1:8-10;

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ETCF VI.49 DEMONS

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
49. Demons

Summary

1. Demons are fallen angels under the rule of Satan.
2. Demons appeared in unusual force when Jesus was on earth.
3. Demons cannot possess a Christian.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Mark1:21-28;Luke10:17-20;Luke11:14-26;1Corinthians10:14-24;1John4:1-6;