Theology 202
Mark Smith
Description
Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” This statement continues to be the mantra of our day as many struggle to accept that there is any definitive truth. How can we know what truth is?
In this course, we will investigate the need for and nature of revelation, the four characteristics of Scripture, the historical development of the Old and New Testament canons, the apocrypha, and Bible translation. In short, this class is about the Bible; namely who wrote it, what it is, where it comes from, when it was formed, and why we need it.
Course Objectives
In this course, the student will:
- Gain confidence in the authority and sufficiency of the Bible
- Gain a context surrounding the debate concerning Biblical Inerrancy
- Gain an overview of the canonization of Scripture
- Gain a more informed perspective concerning Bible translation
Class Outline
| Date | Description | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | Course Introduction Audio Motivation Review Syllabus |
|
| 1/16 | Human Intellectual Autonomy Audio The Enlightenment What is truth? The Nature of Revelation |
John 18:28-38 |
| 1/23, 30 | Characteristics of Scripture I Authority Audio & Necessity Audio |
2 Peter 1:16-21 |
| 2/6,13 | Characteristics of Scripture II Clarity Audio & Sufficiency Audio |
2 Timothy 3:10-17 |
| 2/20 | The Inerrancy Debate Audio | 2 Peter 3:11-18 |
| 2/27 | Canonization I Audio Introduction Old Testament I |
Psalm 119:1-40 |
| 2/27 | Canonization II Old Testament II Septuagint |
Psalm 119:41-80 |
| 3/6 | Canonization III Audio New Testament I |
Psalm 119:81-104 |
| 3/6,13 | Canonization IV Audio New Testament II |
Psalm 119:105-144 |
| 3/13 | The Apocrypha Audio | Psalm 119:145-176 |
| 3/20 | Bible Translation I Audio | 1 Corinthians 8:1 - 9:12 |
| 3/27 | Bible Translation II | 2 Timothy 4:9-13 |
Additional Resources
This book is available as a free epub or pdf. It contains the documents from the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI) and explanatory commentary of the documents.
Satanism, Starbucks, and Other Gospel Challengers Excellent interview with David Wells explaining some of the internal and external truth challenges the church faces in a hostile or indifferent culture.
The Therapeutic Gospel Excellent article by David Powlison explaining the temptation to substitute something more palatable, more like what the world wants, for the gospel.
On youtube Documentary traces the evidence of the Bible’s authority through interviews with some of the world’s most respected biblical scholars. This film answers common objections about the Bible’s reliability and equips believers to confidently base their lives on the power of God’s Word.
A Response to Philosophical Postmodernism
Norman Geisler describes the rise of postmodernism, what it is, and why it
fails.
Escape From Reason, Francis Schaeffer
Truth used to be based on reason. No more. What we feel is now the truest source of reality. Despite our obsession with the emotive and the experiential, we still face anxiety, despair, and purposelessness.
How did we get here? And where do we find a remedy?
In this modern classic, Francis A. Schaeffer traces trends in twentieth-century thought and unpacks how key ideas have shaped our society. Wide-ranging in his analysis, Schaeffer examines philosophy, science, art and popular culture to identify dualism, fragmentation and the decline of reason.
Schaeffer's work takes on a newfound relevance today in his prescient anticipation of the contemporary postmodern ethos. His critique demonstrates Christianity's promise for a new century, one in as much need as ever of purpose and hope.
TableTalk 1/12/2021 Coram Deo
"All human beings are made in God’s image, so fallen human nature is not totally bereft of reason, and rational arguments for Christianity are important. However, we must remember that apart from God’s grace, sinners will not affirm these arguments and bow the knee to the Lord. Let us bathe in prayer our efforts to proclaim and defend the gospel, for people will not believe unless the Lord opens their eyes."
The light has dawned
Andrew T. Walker observing the hunger for truth in the world around us. Comments on recent statements by Jordan Peterson.
“God told me” and the Sufficiency of Scripture Mark Dever talks about the sufficiency of Scripture and the erosion of that doctrine among evangelicals.
Providence Baptist Church Articles of Faith
1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
Bible Translation Resources
Steve Lawson: Tyndale and the English Bible Lecture
English Bible Translation Comparison Chart
Why the English Standard Version Should not become the Standard English Version, by Mark L. Strauss (Strauss is on the Committee for Bible Translation for the NIV)
Bible Translation Differences, by Leland Ryken (Ryken was a contributor to the ESV Study Bible)
Bible Translations for Muslim Readers, Vern Pythress on some of the difficulties of translation
NIV Gender Neutral Controversy
Bailing Out of the Stealth Bible: Zondervan's back pedaling on gender neutral
Decline of the NIV?: The rise of the HSCB and ESV to replace the NIV
Femme fatale: The original World Magzine article
The Stealth Bible: Phil Ryken on the trouble with gender neutral
Why I Cannot Recommend the NIV 2011: A good analysis of the gender problem
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruce, F.F., The Books and the Parchments, 3rd ed. Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1963.
Bruce, F.F., The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1980.
Frame, John M., The Doctrine of the Word of God (A Theology of Lordship), Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2010.
Grudem, Wayne., Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.
Hill, C.E., Who Chose the Gospels? Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy, New York: Oxford University Press. 2010.
Plummer, Robert L., 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2010.
White, James R., The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations?, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House. 2009.
White James R., Scripture Alone, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House. 2004.