Abbreviations |
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xii | |
Preface to the Second Edition |
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xiii | |
Preface to the First Edition |
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xv | |
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1 Introduction to Systematic Theology |
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1 | (20) |
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What is systematic theology? |
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Why should Christians study it? |
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PART 1 The Doctrine of the Word of God |
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2 The Authority and Inerrancy of the Bible |
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21 | (27) |
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How do we know that the Bible is God's Word? |
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Are there any errors in the Bible? |
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3 The Clarity, Necessity, and Sufficiency of the Bible |
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48 | (25) |
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Can only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly? |
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For what purposes is the Bible necessary? |
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Is the Bible enough for knowing what |
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God wants us to think or do? |
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PART 2 The Doctrine of God |
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4 The Character of God: "Incommunicable" Attributes |
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73 | (21) |
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How do we know that God exists? |
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How is God different from us? |
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5 The "Communicable" Attributes of God |
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94 | (23) |
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117 | (30) |
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How can God be three persons, yet one God? |
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147 | (33) |
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Why, how, and when did God create the universe? |
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180 | (21) |
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What is the extent of God's control over creation? |
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If God controls all things, how can our actions have real meaning? |
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201 | (12) |
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Why does God want us to pray? |
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How can we pray effectively? |
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10 Angels, Satan, and Demons |
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213 | (20) |
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How should Christians think of Satan and demons today? |
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PART 3 The Doctrine of Man |
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233 | (13) |
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How did God make us like himself? |
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What does Scripture mean by "soul" and "spirit"? |
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12 Man as Male and Female |
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246 | (13) |
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Why did God create two sexes? |
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Can men and women be equal and yet have different roles? |
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259 | (22) |
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Do we inherit a sinful nature from Adam? |
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PART 4 The Doctrine of Christ |
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281 | (22) |
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How is Jesusfully God andfully man, yet one person? |
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303 | (16) |
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Was it necessary for Christ to die? |
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What really happened in the atonement? |
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Did Christ descend into hell? |
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16 Resurrection and Ascension |
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319 | (12) |
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What was Christ's resurrection body like? |
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What is its significance for us? |
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What happened to Christ when he ascended into heaven? |
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PART 5 The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption |
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331 | (9) |
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What are the undeserved blessings that God gives to all people, both believers and unbelievers? |
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340 | (16) |
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When and why did God choose us? |
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356 | (5) |
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What is the gospel message? |
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How does it become effective? |
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361 | (8) |
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What does it mean to be born again? |
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21 Conversion (Faith and Repentance) |
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369 | (12) |
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Jesus as Savior and not as Lord? |
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22 Justification and Adoption |
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381 | (18) |
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How and when do we gain right legal standing before God? |
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What are the benefits ofbeing a member of God sfamily? |
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23 Sanctification (Growth in Likeness to Christ) |
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399 | (12) |
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How do we grow in Christian maturity? |
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What are the blessings of Christian growth? |
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24 The Perseverance of the Saints (Remaining a Christian) |
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411 | (15) |
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Can true Christians lose their salvation? |
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How can we know if we are truly born again? |
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25 Death, the Intermediate State, and Glorification |
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426 | (17) |
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What is the purpose of death in the Christian life? |
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What happens to our bodies and souls when we die? |
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When will we receive resurrection bodies? |
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PART 6 The Doctrine of the Church |
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26 The Nature of the Church |
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443 | (24) |
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How can we recognize a true church? |
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What are the purposes of the church? |
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What makes a church more or less pleasing to God? |
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467 | (13) |
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480 | (10) |
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What is the meaning of the Lord's Supper? |
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How should it be observed? |
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29 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I): General Questions |
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490 | (17) |
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What are spiritual gifts? |
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How do we seek and use spiritual gifts? |
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30 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (II): Specific Gifts |
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507 | (26) |
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How should we understand and use specific spiritual gifts? |
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PART 7 The Doctrine of the Future |
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31 The Return of Christ: When and How? |
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533 | (15) |
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When and how will Christ return? |
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Could he come back at any hour? |
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548 | (18) |
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Will Christians go through the great tribulation? |
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33 The Final Judgment and Eternal Punishment |
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566 | (14) |
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34 The New Heavens and New Earth |
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580 | (9) |
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How will the earth be renewed? |
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What will it be like to live in the new heavens and new earth? |
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Appendix 1 Historic Confessions of Faith |
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589 | (8) |
Appendix 2 Glossary |
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597 | (22) |
Appendix 3 Annotated Bibliography of Evangelical Systematic Theologies |
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619 | (8) |
Author Index |
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627 | (2) |
Subject Index |
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629 | (8) |
Scripture Index |
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637 | |