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;

ETCF VI.47 HUMAN BEINGS AS FLESH AND SPIRIT

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
47. HUMAN BEINGS AS FLESH AND SPIRIT

Summary

1. The Bible rejects the Greek idea that the body is intrinsically evil.
2. Christians are neither to despise nor exalt the body. The body and the soul are in need of sanctification.
3. No Christian is completely carnal or completely free of carnality.
4. Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
5. The warfare between flesh and spirit is not a conflict between body and soul but a conflict between our fallen sin nature (old person) and our regenerated nature (new person).
6. The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit continues in the Christian life until glorification.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Mat 26:36-41 ; Joh 3:6 ; Rom 7:13-8:17 ; Eph 2:1-3 ; 1Pe 2:11

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ETCF VI.48 SATAN

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
48. SATAN

Summary:
1. Satan is not to be compared to mythical creatures.
2. Satan is a fallen angel with sophisticated powers to delude, tempt, and accuse people.
3. Satan is a finite creature without divine powers or attributes.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Job 1:6-12; Mat 4:1-11; Luk 22:31; 2Th 2:5-10; 1Pe 5:8-11;

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ETCF VI.46. HUMAN BEINGS AS BODY AND SOUL

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
46. HUMAN BEINGS AS BODY AND SOUL

Summary:
1. Human beings have a material body and an immaterial soul.
2. Human beings are a unity-in-duality. Christianity rejects the Greek notion of dualism.
3. The human body is part of God’s good creation. Though it is fallen, as is the soul, neither are inherently evil.
4. The human soul is not naturally eternal. It must be created and sustained by God.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 1:1-2:25; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:18-23; 1 Corinthians 15:35-55;

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ETCF VI.45. HUMAN BEINGS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

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
45. HUMAN BEINGS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

Summary:
1. God created human beings—both male and female—in His image and likeness.
2. There is some analogy between God and human beings that makes communication between them possible.
3. Human beings, like God, are moral agents with the faculties of mind and will.
4. Human beings are called to have dominion over the earth.
5. In the Fall, the image of God in human beings was marred.
6. Christ is the perfect image of God. He is restoring us to the fullness of the image of God.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 9:6; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:42-57; Colossians 1:15

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ETCF VI.44. KNOWLEDGE OF SELF AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

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
44. KNOWLEDGE OF SELF AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Summary
1. We cannot know God without first being aware of ourselves.
2. We cannot accurately know ourselves without first knowing God.
3. Human beings in relationship to God: Purposive origin + Purposive
destiny = Meaningful life.
4. Human beings without relationship to God: Meaningless origin +
Meaningless destiny = Meaningless life.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 51; Acts 14:8-18; Act 17:22-31; Romans 1:18-23

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