Resources by Topic: Doctrine and Theology

Our theology tends to come from whatever we trust. The fact that a writer or teacher has some good insights along the way makes the heresy all the more effective.

I really like this segment from Kevin DeYoung's new book Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology. I’ve been reading it, and it is outstanding. The following article is adapted from the book, and is unusually steeped in doctrine—one of the most important doctrines, in fact.

Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, preached a prototype gospel message, asserting three times the happiness of the one who is at the center of the gospel—Jesus. Yet how many people, unbelievers and believers alike, have ever heard a modern gospel message that makes this point? 

I’ve heard critics of biblical inerrancy say, “I believe the Bible was written by human beings, not God.” This statement shows a fundamental ignorance of what people who affirm biblical inspiration and inerrancy actually believe.

This is one of those topics that we have to hold loosely in both hands because it involves paradox. In God’s mind, two things can be true at once even though to us they appear to be at odds. Scripture puts several such concepts before us.

When people say something like, “Your loved one in Heaven held your baby before she/he was born,” I’m sure they are trying to provide well-meaning comfort. But this sentiment is not supported by Scripture.

Some people say it really doesn’t matter since it’s all God’s Word anyway, but I do think that we should try to figure out which human being actually said the words of God.

God calls us to be like the Bereans, who checked the Apostle Paul’s teachings against Scripture (Acts 17:11). So I commend you for asking questions and seeking input. 

Randy believes Israel holds a special place in God’s heart and plan (yet acknowledging that Jewish people, like all others, need to come to faith in Christ to be saved). He also firmly believes that God’s ultimate plan is showcased in Revelation: for people of every language, nation, and tongue to be united in praise to King Jesus.

God feels love, compassion, anger, and happiness. He’s never overwhelmed by unsettling emotions, nor is He subject to distresses imposed by others. But He does feel His children’s suffering deeply.

It is good that you are careful about your faith. I encourage you to please be careful, though, about sitting in judgment about the faith of others. Only God knows the heart, and we are each responsible for the “light” we are given.

A great deal of evidence argues for God’s existence. In my book If God Is Good, I summarize just a few of these arguments.

There are only seven copies of Plato’s writings, the first of which was copied by a scribe 1,200 years after Plato died! Yet the vast majority of people are confident that what we have is what Plato wrote. In contrast, there are about 5,686 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament and over 19,000 in Syriac, Latin, Coptic, and Aramaic.

Scripture says Christ gave “himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:6, NIV). Like many biblical terms, such as hope, love, and joy, we have to define what Scripture means by ransom.