theological position paper -geissler
Post on 21-Jan-2017
102 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
THEOLOGICAL POSITION PAPER
A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. MARY E. LOWE
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
RLGN 489 – MINISTRY PRAXIS CAPSTONE
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
BY
JEFF GEISSLER
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA
METAPHYSICS
Metaphysics proper
Metaphysics deals with the nature of reality and being. The metaphysical
assumptions of this theological position paper are that the material world exists
and it can be perceived through our senses and reason. Additionally, there are
other realms of existence, such as the sub atomic and the spiritual realm that exist,
but are not readily perceived in the material world. This paper assumes the
existence of God and a spiritual reality described by scripture. Additional
metaphysical ideas will be defined within their appropriate theological categories
below.
Theology proper
God is eternal and the uncaused cause of everything that exists, nothing
exists apart from God. God, being truly eternal, exists timelessly without
beginning or end. God is a personal, relational, creative, and intelligent being.
God is omnipotent in that he is able to do anything that is congruent with his
character. God is omniscient in that he knows all that can be known. God is holy,
in that he is supreme, whole, unique, perfect, and separate from all of creation. All
that God is and does is by its very nature good and pure. God is loving, everything
that he does is motivated by his faithful love, which is demonstrated by his
benevolence, grace, mercy, and personal revelation. 1 (Dt. 32:4, 33:27; Ps. 139:7-
1 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 416-419, 435-436,455. And, Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 149-151, 167-181. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 27,39-49.
Page 2 of 18
12; 2 Sam. 22:31; Jer. 17:9; Mt. 5:48; Acts 15:18; Heb. 4:12-13; 1 Jn. 1:5-7, 4:8,
16; Rev. 1:8, 19:6)
There is only one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three members of the Godhead are one in
substance but distinct in personalities. All three members of the Godhead have
different roles within the Godhead, but remain co-equal.2 (Gen. 1:1-2; Mt. 6:9-10,
22:41-46; Lk. 23:46; Jn. 1:1-9,7:17, 11:35, 14:26, 16:1317:1; Rom. 8:2; Eph.
4:30; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:5, 9:14; Rev 1:17)
Hamartiology
All the commandments of God can be boiled down to essentially loving
God entirely above all else, and loving others on par with oneself. Any deviation
from this principle should be considered sin. Sin, therefore, is rebellion against
the good and perfect will of God. Sin can either be one of commission or
omission. The sin of commission is doing what God does not want one to do. The
sin of omission is failing to do what God wants one to do. 3 (Ex. 20:3-17; Prv.
24:10-12; Is. 29:13; Mt. 22:37-40; Rom. 3:23, 12:1-2; Heb. 4:12)
2 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 547-549. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 58-62.3 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 756-760. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 239-256.
Page 3 of 18
Sin can also be an attitude of the heart, such as pride or hate or lust or
greed, which can manifest in sinful actions as well. Both the attitude of the heart
and a person’s actions can be equally sinful in God’s sight. (Gen. 6:5; Prv.15:11,
21:2; Is. 14:13, 29:13; Heb. 4:12)
Finally, sin has permeated the entire creation due the fall of mankind who
are God designated stewards of his creation. Everything, therefore, has fallen into
depravity with a desperate need of redemption. (Gen. 1:26-31, 3:16-19, 6:5-7;
Rom. 1:18-32, 3:9-26, 5:18; 8:18-22; Rev. 9:20-21)
Anthropology
Unlike the rest of creation, human beings are created in the image of God.
This means that every human being has a soul which possesses a free will. Every
human has intrinsic worth, dignity, and moral status along with the unique
spiritual capacity to relate with their Creator. (Gen. 1:26-27, 2:7, 9:6)
The purpose for mankind is threefold. First, to ultimately glorify God by
relating rightly with him. Second, to rightly relate with each other and the rest of
creation. Thirdly, to grow into maturity which is in the likeness of the Son of God.
(Ps. 86:9; Is. 60:21; Mt. 22:37-40; Rom. 8:20-21, 29, 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; Col.
3:10; Rev. 4:11) 4
Every human soul possesses a free will, by which he or she is held morally
accountable. Human will is not completely self-determined, however, in that the
sovereign will of God cannot be thwarted by human will. Due to the fall of Adam
and Eve, mankind has inherited a sin nature. This sinful nature essentially perverts
4 See also Westminster confession, http://www.reformed.org/documents/westminster_conf_of_faith.html.
Page 4 of 18
human Free Will with a bend towards sin. 5 (Gen. 2:9, 15-17, 6:5; Rom.1:18-32,
2:5-16, 3:9-12)
Since humanity was created for community, both with their Creator and
each other, God has therefore instituted marriage to be ideally between man and
woman in a covenant relationship. (Gen. 2:18-25)
Soteriology
The Gospel is message that the Son of God has come into the world,
conquered sin and death, and provides all who pledge their allegiance to him the
forgiveness of sin, empowerment for maturity in love, and the hope-filled promise
of everlasting life with him. (Mt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:46-49; Rom. 1:16-8:39, 12:1-
2; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Eph. 4:1-16; Col. 1:15-23, 2:9-15, 3:1-11)
God, by his grace, has elected to reveal himself to certain persons and
people groups for their salvation. Salvation is therefore an act of God’s grace and
received by the faith of individuals. God has consistently throughout the history
of mankind saved people by grace through faith.6 (Gen. 4, 12; Ex 4; Eph. 2:8-9;
Col. 3:12; 1 Pt. 1:1-5, 20-21; 2 Pt. 1:10-11)
Salvation consists of three aspects: justification, sanctification, and a final
glorification. In the work of justification, an individual is legally forgiven of sin
through the substitutionary atonement work of Jesus Christ. In the work of
sanctification, a person is set apart by God for the purposes of maturing into
Christ’s likeness. In the work of glorification, a person, either through the 5 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 721-728. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 217-220, 235.6 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 813-820, 842-850, 923-930. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 358-372, 387.
Page 5 of 18
resurrection or the rapture of believers, is saved from the judgment of God against
the wicked to experience a new heavenly existence in the everlasting presence of
God. (1 Cor. 15:42-54; Col. 3:10; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 20:5-6, 15)
Eschatology
God has appointed a future time upon the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
the judgment against all wickedness committed throughout the ages. All of the
dead will be resurrected, and the believers who alive upon the coming of Jesus
Christ will be raptured into his presence. God will then judge every individual
with justice. Every believer, by God’s grace, in Jesus Christ is promised a
salvation because of their forgiveness of sin through faith. (1 Cor. 15:42-54; 1 Th.
4:13-18; 1 Pt. 1:17; Rev. 20:5-6, 15)
Prior to the coming of Jesus Christ, there will be a time of great tribulation
upon the world and a great persecution of believers. Those who are faithful to
Jesus Christ during this time, will reign with him during the millennium. After
Christ’s millennial reign, there will be a new heaven and earth in which all
believers will live in constant fellowship with God. All those whom have not
believed in Jesus Christ or whom God rightly judges as unfit for his kingdom will
be doomed in the everlasting torment of separation from God and all his goodness
(Hell). 7 (Mt. 13:42-50, 24:1-31; Rev. 7:14, 20:7-15, 21:3-4)
Creation
The purpose of creation is to declare the greatness of God. He created the
universe from nothing by merely speaking all things into existence (Ex Nihilo).
7 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 1413-1420, 1450-1470.
Page 6 of 18
He established order to his creation and holds it together by the power of his will.8
(Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 4:17; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3)
In regards to the age of the universe and humanity, the biblical record is
silent in scientific terms. In order to adhere to a consistent historical grammatical
hermeneutic, the Genesis account cannot be read with a 20th century western
understanding. While the days should be understood in literal terms as 24 hour
solar days, there are certain modern presuppositions that must be dispensed with
in order to avoid an anachronistic reading of the account. Genesis must be
interpreted through the lens of an Ancient Near Eastern cosmology and
worldview. This implies that the creation account was never intended by Moses to
offer a scientific or material explanation for God’s activities in creation, i.e. how
the universe and its materials were made and when. Rather, it records God
bringing order out of chaos and thereby establishing his reign over creation. It is
the contention of the author that Moses composed the creation account as a
polemic against the polytheistic theologies of his day, never intending to
communicate a material creation or timeline. So, the earth age remains a mystery,
one which God has not clearly revealed by his word and of which the Genesis
account never seeks to explain.9 (Gen. 1:1-27, 2:1-3)
EPISTEMOLOGY
Epistemology proper
Epistemology deals with knowledge and understanding truth. Truth can be
understood as that which corresponds with reality. Humans can know some truths 8 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 615-628. 9 John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009), 8-53.
Page 7 of 18
through perception, revelation, and reason with certainty. It is important,
however, to maintain a theological humility.10 Of those truths that God has clearly
revealed, one can be reasonably certain. There are, however, other hidden things
which only God truly knows and understands and may or may not be fully
revealed to humanity in the fullness of time. It is therefore the position of this
paper to strike a humble and healthy balance between unwarranted dogmatism
and unreasonable doubt in its epistemology.11 (Dt. 29:29; Ecc. 3:11)
Bibliology
God has chosen to reveal himself in different ways. First, God has
revealed himself through his creation. Second, God has revealed himself through
angelic and human agency (prophets). Third, God has revealed himself through
his Son Jesus Christ. (Jn. 1:14, 16-18; Rom. 1:18-20; Ps. 19:1-6; 1 Pt. 1:10-12,
20; 2 Pt. 1:20-21; Heb. 1:1-2)
God has revealed himself through the nature of his creation in a general
way that is perceivable to mankind. The order of creation testifies about
omnipotence and omniscience of its Creator. The aesthetic beauty experienced in
creation testifies about the splendor and creativity of its Creator. The moral
compass of humanity testifies about the Creator as a moral law giver. The
goodness in life and love experienced in human relationships testifies about the
love and relational aspects of the Creator. 12
10 Russell Minick, Teaching on biblical theology at the Grove Fellowship.11 PaulR.Shockley, HowToResistUnnecessaryDogmatismAndUnhealthyDoubt: Understandingone’sfinitudeinrelationtotheGodoftheBible:, prshockley.org, Introduction to Theological Method, http://prshockley.org/introduction_to_theological_method. Accessed July 17, 2016.12 Ryrie, 31-33.
Page 8 of 18
God has revealed himself through his messengers; his angels and prophets.
This special revelation has been preserved in scripture. The canon of scripture, the
Old and New Testament, consists of sixty six books that were inspired by the
Holy Spirit who worked with human authors and their language, culture, and
personalities. The original autograph of scripture is authoritative and inerrant.
Most translations that are faithful to the text provide sufficient information to
reveal God’s instruction for his people to grow in faith and perceive the mind of
Christ for live and godliness. The Holy Spirit works in the heart and mind of the
believer to illuminate the inspired word and make it applicable for life.13 (Dt.
9:10, 18:18; Isa. 59:21; Zech. 7:12; John 14:15-27; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pt. 1:20-21; 1
Jn. 2:20; Rev. 1:1-2, 22:6)
Scripture, as any other piece of literature, is best understood in its
historical grammatical context. So, the proper hermeneutic is seeking the mind of
the author as well as the intended audience. It must be admitted that due to
antiquity of the scripture, some of the cultural and historical context cannot be
fully understood by the modern day reader, so there is a possibility of missing the
full meaning of the text or original intention of the author.
Christology
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is the incarnational revelation of
God to mankind. He has always existed as God, but emptied himself to take on a
human nature in his role as Messiah. Jesus is both fully God and fully human
simultaneously. During his ministry as Messiah, however, Jesus temporarily
emptied himself of some of his divine privileges. He voluntarily limited his
13 Geisler, 176.
Page 9 of 18
omniscience and omnipotence during his earthly ministry. In that way, he was
able to exercise his role as a true and humble servant, suffering a humiliating
death by crucifixion. Jesus, after his resurrection, is now exalted to his former
glory, with full divine privileges within his Trinitarian role.14 (Ps. 2; Is. 9:6, 53:4-
7; Jn. 1:1-17; Ph. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:1-2, 7:1-10:18)
Jesus Christ was a historical Palestinian Jew who was born of a virgin,
Mary, miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit. During his earthly ministry
he lived a sinless life and fulfilled the Messianic prophecies concerning his
miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection. He exhibited a perfect role model for
mankind in his perfect obedience, wisdom, love, and humility. 15 (Dt. 18:18; Is.
53:4-8, 61:1-2; Lk. 2:52; 1 Pt. 2:21; Heb. 2:5-18)
Jesus Christ made atonement for all of humanity through his sacrifice on
the cross. He now lives eternally making intercession for humanity to the Father.
Jesus Christ will return again at the appointed time, to fulfil the remaining
prophecies concerning the judgment of the wicked, the raising of the dead, and a
new glorious era of God’s everlasting reign over a new heaven and earth.16 (Jn.
3:16, 4:42; Rom. 3:25; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 2 Pt. 3:9; Heb. 9:15; 1 Jn. 2:2, 4:10; Jude
24)
14 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 1497-1499. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 273-308.15 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 1500-1504.16 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 923-953. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 367.
Page 10 of 18
AXIOLOGY
Axiology proper
Axiology deals with the concept of value, particularly with ethics and
aesthetics. It is the position of this paper, that the ideas of virtue and good are not
relative terms, but can be measured and expressed objectively. God has defined
what is good and beautiful and valuable. He has given humanity, being in his
image, the capacity to discern such things through reason and intuition. Therefore,
the theology presented in this section covers the beauty and power of God
expresses in the world.
Pneumatology
The Holy Spirit is the third divine person of the trinity, who is the eternal
spirit who proceeds from God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit’s role
in the trinity is performing work within his creation. The Holy Spirit participated
in the creation, he directed and inspired the biblical prophets, and is God’s
presence that dwells in the believer. The Holy Spirit is given to those who believe
in Jesus Christ, and performs the work of regeneration in their hearts. The Holy
Spirit provides gifts to the church through empowering believers. The Holy Spirit
guarantees the salvation for believers as well.17 (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30, 139:7; Isa.
63:10-11; Jn.14-16; Ac. 5:3-4; Rom. 8; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4; 1 Cor. 3:16, 12:1-
31, 14:1-25; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 9:14; 2 Pt. 1:20-21)
It is the view of the author that none of the gifts of the Holy Spirit have
ceased from operation, nor are necessarily limited to the Apostolic age. It must be
17 Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume, condensed. ed. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011), 1553-1554. And, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999), 395-416.
Page 11 of 18
emphasized, however, that this is an open but cautious viewpoint, since authentic
manifestations of charismatics have been limited through much of church history.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit must be operated properly and biblically, which does
not seem to be the norm among most modern charismatic traditions.18 (Mk. 16:15-
18; Eph. 4; 1 Cor. 12:1-31, 14:1-25)
Ecclesiology
The Church is a universal body of believers in Jesus Christ. It consists of
many local bodies of believers, but is united spiritually in Jesus Christ. Its purpose
is to glorify God by bearing witness of Jesus Christ to the world. The church is
said to be the body of Christ, meaning that it is the physical expression of Jesus in
the world. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, being the ultimate authority for
its direction. The Holy Spirit and the scriptures are given to the church to guide its
operations, and as the source for truth and power. (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 3:6,
4:12; Col. 3:15)
The local church has many expressions within different cultures and
societies. The preference of the author for the organization of a local church is
congregationally led, which seems to be align culturally in a democratic society
and biblically with the autonomous community model in the New Testament.
There are, however, other legitimate forms of church organization that can be
expressed in different cultures globally. (Act. 10:34-35, 15:28-29; Rom. 10:12;
Gal. 3:28-29; Eph. 4:17-5:33)
18 Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1053-1070.
Page 12 of 18
A local church should have a least one teaching pastor, ordained by God
and confirmed by the congregation. The church is a biblical community, so its
priorities should be first worshipping God and second, serving each other. The
church benefits when all of its members are involved with serving each other
using their spiritual gifts with the appropriate attitude of humility and love. (Jn.
13:34-35; 1 Cor. 12:1-14:26; Rom. 12:10-16; Tit. 3:1-7; 1 Pt. 4:8-10; Jas. 5:16)
While there many different forms of worship, the local congregation
should gather regularly to worship God in a culturally appropriate way. It must
prioritize prayer and the study of scripture in order to effectual and spiritually
alive. It must also minister to its community through service and evangelism.
(Act. 2:42-47, 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 14:26; Heb. 10:24-25)
There are two ordinances that a local church should practice regularly.
First, the ordinance of baptism in water should be used as a confession of faith for
a new believer. This ordinance usually certifies membership to the local church.
Second, the ordinance of communion that should be practiced regularly by
members of the church. This ordinance is designed to commemorate the new
covenant, by remembering the bread and wine during the last supper. (Lk. 22:17-
20; 1 Cor. 11:17-26)
Ethics
Christian ethics are typically based upon biblical principles and
commandments. So, a biblical ethic, first, should be deontological. It should make
ethical decision based on the laws of God expressed in his word. Additionally,
since society changes rapidly, principles derived from the laws of God should be
Page 13 of 18
applied with a deontological ethic as well. (Ex 20:3-17, 23:1-9; Mt. 5:17-20,
22:34-40; Acts 15:28-29)
Christian ethics are also based on virtues expressed in scripture. For this
reason, Christian ethics can also be based on the virtue or character of a person.
Many times it is what an act does to a person that makes it good or bad. In other
words, there may not be a principle or law for everything one encounters in life,
but one can make ethical decisions based on one’s virtue in that case. (Jos. 24:14;
Ps. 1:1-3; Prov. 3:1-6; Mt. 6:21, 15:18-19)
EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY
Educational Assumptions
God, through his revelation, chooses to educate humanity. He has revealed
much about himself and humanity’s role in his universe. It is the assumption of
this paper that most people are capable of learning. It is the position of this paper
that education changes people’s beliefs and values. People’s beliefs and values
determine much of their behavior. So, education is a vital part of ministry.19 (Ex.
4:12; Lev. 10:11; Dt. 11:19, 29:29; Jos.1:7-8; Jer. 9:24; Prov. 1:2-7; Mt. 28:18-20;
Jn.14:26; Act. 2:42; Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Role of Preaching for education
In is incumbent upon the teaching pastor or preacher to educate the
congregation in their understanding of scripture and how to apply it to everyday
life. Since, as mentioned earlier, the Bible is a book with foreign ancient cultures,
it is vital for the expositor to educate the congregation on biblical backgrounds
19 Octavio J. Esqueda in The Teaching Ministry of the Church, 2nd ed., ed. William R. Yount (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2008), Chapter 3.
Page 14 of 18
that lead to better interpretation or understanding. It is also vital for the teaching
pastor or preacher to help maintain the orthodoxy of the congregation by teaching
good doctrine that is based on solid exegesis of scripture and confirmed by early
Christian creeds. (Eph. 4:11-14; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 2 Tim. 2:15, 22-26, 3:14-17; 2 Pt.
2:1-3; 1 Jn. 2:20-23, 4:1-3; 2 Jn. 1:7-11; Jude 1:17-21)
Spiritual Formation of believer
The spiritual formation of believers is the primary responsibility of the
local church. The mature believers are commanded to teach / mentor less mature
believers. This process can be organic and also intentional. There is a role for the
Holy Spirit to play in leading people into spiritual maturity, but there is also an
organizational and education role as well. The church needs to provide Christian
education to help believers grow in maturity. This can be in the form of small
group studies or Bible studies for example. (Mt. 28:18-20; Act. 2:24, 18:26; 2
Tim. 2:1-2; Heb. 5:12, 10:24-25)
Nature of Teacher
The Holy Spirit is the primary teacher in the church. He has equipped
some and not all members with the gift of teaching. A teacher should be
spiritually gifted and biblically educated. Additionally, the teacher should be
spiritually mature with spiritual fruitfulness in their lives. The teacher should also
be accountable, either to the teaching pastor or the church elders. (Jn.14:26; 1
Cor. 11:4-11, 27-30; Eph. 4:11-14; 1 Tim. 3:8-; 2 Tim. 2:24; Tit. 1:9)
Page 15 of 18
Nature of Student
The Holy Spirit is the primary teacher, and therefore works in the heart
and mind of the student. The student is responsible for obeying the leading of the
Holy Spirit. The student should be first and foremost, teachable. So, an attitude of
humility is essential. The student should be diligent in performing the work to be
educated and integration new knowledge into his or her life. (Jn.14:26; 1 Jn. 2:20,
27)
LEADERSHIP MINISTRY
Personal Character of a leader
It is vital for a leader to possess maturity, humility, and integrity. A leader
bears much responsibility, so when his or her character fails, it as wider
consequences. A leader should be honest. A leader should be emotionally and
spiritually mature. A leader must be humble and receptive to other ideas and
criticism. A leader must not think too highly of him or herself. A leader must be
knowledgeable and spiritually gifted for leadership. (Ex. 18:18-23; Num. 12:3;
Ps. 51:17; Mt. 20:25-28; Act. 6:3-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Pt. 5:1-3)
Servant Leadership
According to Christ’s example, a leader should most of all be a servant.
This requires the leader to consider others before him or herself. This requires
humility and most of all love. A leader must lead out of love. It is the guiding
principle of scripture, love is supreme. (Mt. 20:25-28; 1 Cor. 12:28, 13:1-7; 1 Jn.
3:16-18; 1 Pt. 5:1-7)
Page 16 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Bibliography
Geisler, Norman L. Systematic Theology: In One Volume. condensed. ed. Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, ©2011.
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
Minick, Russell, teaching on biblical theology at the Grove Fellowship
Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999.
Shockley, Paul R. HowToResistUnnecessaryDogmatismAndUnhealthyDoubt: Understandingone’sfinitudeinrelationtotheGodoftheBible:, prshockley.org, Introduction to Theological Method, http://prshockley.org/introduction_to_theological_method. Accessed July 17, 2016.
Walton, John H. The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009.
Yount, William. The Teaching Ministry of the Church. 2nd ed. Edited by William R. Yount. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2008.
Page 18 of 18
top related