1. THEOLOGY 101 Session Three: Humankind – Sin, Salvation, Service

2. Humankind Image Bearers of God Covenant Priesthood of believers Heidelberg Catechism: structure and themes Sin Salvation Service

3. Image Bearers of God Biblical foundations: Genesis 1-2 Theological Reflection: Characteristics Structurally and functionally Fourfold estate

4. Image Bearers of God Scripture: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1: 26-27 Discussion: What are the characteristics of humankind according to the following verses?

5. Image Bearers of God Scripture: God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Gen. 1:28 Discussion: What are the characteristics of humankind according to the following verse?

6. Image Bearers of God Scripture: Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. Gen. 2:19-20 Discussion: What are the characteristics of humankind according to the following verses?

7. Image Bearers of God As image bearers of God we are to: Reflect God: created to mirror God’s righteousness. Represent God: created to be represent God sinlessly and obediently. Create on behalf of God: “As image-bearer of God, man possesses the possibility both to create something beautiful, and to delight in it” (Abraham Kuyper).

8. Image Bearers of God We reflect God structurally and functionally. Structurally: the mind has the capacity to reason and think morally Functionally: individuals are able to serve, sacrifice, and govern

9. Fourfold Estate of Humankind Innocence: Able not to sin - good, but able to fall, creation Misery: Not able not to sin - bad, not able to do good, fall Grace: Able not to sin – mixed, able to do good or evil, redemption Glory: Not able to sin - good, not able to do evil, eternity

10. Humankind Image Bearers of God Covenant Priesthood of believers Heidelberg Catechism: structure and themes Sin Salvation Service

11. Covenant: Introduction An agreement or contract… What agreements or contracts are operating in your life? Which ones seem most important and why? Do you have any examples of a covenant being broken? Can you think of a time when keeping a covenant required extraordinary sacrifice or courage?

12. Covenant Defined: General "a written agreement or promise... between two or more parties, esp. for the performance of some action" (Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary). "The covenant... is an act of grace on God's part for reconciling man to himself, but man's response should not be overlooked" (Smith's Bible Dictionary).

13. Covenant: Old and New Testaments "Covenant" expresses the fundamental meaning agreement or shared testimony in both the Old Testament Hebrew word "berit" (Gen. 15-17, Jer. 34) and the New Testament Greek word "diatheke“ (Matt. 26, Heb. 8-12). In the Old Testament the Hebrew word “berith” refers to a contract or agreement between two parties. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Genesis 15, Jeremiah 34: 18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is “diatheke,” which is generally translated “testament” (Matt. 26:28, Heb. 8-12).

14. Covenants in the Old Testament With Adam & Eve: Genesis 2 & 3 – tree, life With Noah: Genesis 9 – flood, rainbow With Abraham: Genesis 17 – descendents, blessing, circumcision With Moses: Exodus 19, Galatians 3 – law, obedience, kingdom of priests With God’s people: Jeremiah 31:33-34 – new covenant, law on their hearts

15. Covenant in the New Testament A "new covenant“ is foretold in Jeremiah 31:31- 34. “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” The books of Matthew and Hebrews provide much of the New Testament commentary. For example “this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear” (Heb. 8:13)

16. Discussion What does the concept of “covenant” teach us about who we are? What does the concept of “covenant” teach us about Jesus?

17. Humankind Image Bearers of God Covenant Priesthood of believers Heidelberg Catechism: structure and themes Sin Salvation Service

18. Priesthood of Believers What words to you associate with the terms “priest” or “priesthood”? What examples do you have of someone acting priestly?

19. Priesthood of Believers Defined The term was coined by Martin Luther (1483-1546), but it was a doctrine preached by all of the primary reformers. It is the view that each individual believer has direct access to God, can interpret the Bible on his or her own without external authority, and that individuals did not need intermediaries between themselves and God (priests, bishops etc.) This doctrine was a direct threat to the European control being exercised by the Roman Catholic Church which based much of its authority on its self-proclaimed right to interpret and act as an intermediary to the word of God.

20. Jesus is the Great High Priest "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:14-16).

21. Every Believer is a Priest And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. (1 Peter 2:5) He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

22. Humankind Image Bearers of God Covenant Priesthood of believers Heidelberg Catechism: structure and themes Sin Salvation Service

23. Creeds and Confessions What is a creed or confession? “A creed or confession is an officially adopted statement that spells out a church’s interpretation of what it means to be faithful and obedient Christians. A creed is a brief statement; a confession of faith, a more developed one. Both are confessional statements.” (Shirley Guthrie, Christian Doctrine, Westminster John Knox, revised version, p. 20) Most Christian churches in one way or another have made statements of faith. What are the statements of faith with which you are familiar?

24. Heidelberg Catechism (1) Who wrote the Catechism and when? The Catechism was written by two men: Zacharius Ursinus (1534- 1583) and Caspar Olevianus (1536-1587). Both men were in their twenties. It was completed in 1563. Who commissioned the Catechism and why? The Catechism was commissioned by Elector Frederick III (1516- 1579), ruler of a region in Germany known as the Palatinate. Frederick ordered the Catechism to be written in order to instruct the citizens of his realm in the Reformed faith. Why is it called the “Heidelberg” catechism? It is called the Heidelberg Catechism because it was written in Heidelberg, Germany. Heidelberg was a major university town during the time of the Reformation (and still is today).

25. Heidelberg Catechism (2) How is the Catechism organized? The Catechism is divided into 52 parts that are called “Lord’s Days.” Why are these divisions called “Lord’s Days”? They are called “Lord’s Days” because they were intended to be preached every Lord’s Day of the year (there are 52 Sundays in a year).

26. Heidelberg Catechism (3) What are the main themes of the Catechism? Lord’s Days 2-4: Sin / Guilt Lord’s Days 5-31: Salvation / Grace Lord’s Days 32-52: Service / Gratitude

27. Heidelberg Catechism (4) What book of the Bible follows a similar division? The Book of Romans Rom 1:1-3:20: Sin / Guilt Rom 3: 21-11: 36: Salvation / Grace Rom 12: 1- end: Service - Gratitude

28. Heidelberg Catechism (5) What is the best known question and answer of the Catechism? Question and Answer One: Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, [1] am not my own, [2] but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, [3] who with His precious blood [4] has fully satisfied for all my sins, [5] and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; [6] and so preserves me [7] that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; [8] indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation. [9] Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, [10] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him. [11] [1] Rom 14:7-9; [2] 1 Cor 6:19-20; [3] 1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14; [4] 1 Pt 1:18-19; [5] 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2;[6] Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8; [7] Jn 6:39-40, 10:27-30; 2 Thes 3:3; 1 Pt 1:5; [8] Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18; [9] Rom 8:28 ; [10] Rom 8:15-16; 2 Cor 1:21-22 5:5; Eph 1:13-14; [11] Rom 8:14

29. Heidelberg Catechism (6) What are examples of topics and questions and answers that are related to the main themes of the Catechism? Sin: Salvation: Service

30. Heidelberg Catechism (7) Sin/Guilt – Q & A 3 & 4 Q. How do you come to know your misery? A. The law of God tells me. Rom. 3:20; 7:7-25 Q. What does God's law require of us? A. Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22— Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Deut. 6:5, Lev. 19:18

31. Heidelberg Catechism (8) Salvation/Grace - Q & A 21 Q. What is true faith? A. True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in his Word is true; (1) it is also a deep-rooted assurance, (2) created in me by the Holy Spirit (3) through the gospel, (4) that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, (5) not only others, but I too, (6) have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation. (7) (1) John 17:3, 17; Heb. 11:1-3; James 2:19; (2) Rom. 4:18-21; 5:1; 10:10; Heb. 4:14-16; (3) Matt. 16:15-17; John 3:5; Acts 16:14; (4) Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21; (5) Rom. 3:21-26; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10; (6) Gal. 2:20; (7) Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:10

32. Heidelberg Catechism (9)

33. Heidelberg Catechism (10) Service/Gratitude - Q & A 86 Q. We have been delivered from our misery by God's grace alone through Christ and not because we have earned it: why then must we still do good? A. To be sure, Christ has redeemed us by his blood. But we do good because Christ by his Spirit is also renewing us to be like himself, so that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all he has done for us, (1) and so that he may be praised through us. (2) And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, (3) and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ. (4) (1) Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:5-10; (2) Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; (3) Matt. 7:17-18; Gal. 5:22-24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; (4) Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2

34. Humankind Image Bearers of God Covenant Priesthood of believers Heidelberg Catechism: structure and themes Sin, Salvation, Service What reflections do you have about the nature of humankind?

35. Next Class Session: The Church Church: Purpose Distinctives Marks Government Sacraments Worship