Wayne Grudem - Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith

Bible Doctrine

Zondervan Books by Wayne Grudem

Bible Doctrine

Systematic Theology

Counterpoints/Are

Miraculous Gifts for

Today? (Editor)

Bible Doctrine

Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith

Wayne Grudem

Edited by Jeff Purswell

ZONDERVAN

Bible Doctrine

Copyright 1999 by Wayne Grudem

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Grudem, Wayne A.

Bible doctrine : essential teachings of the Christian faith / Wayne Grudem.

p. cm.

Condensed version of... Systematic theologyPref.

Includes .

ePub edition September 2014: ISBN 978-0-310-51587-6

1. Theology, Doctrinal. 2. BibleTheology. I. Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic theology. II. Title.

BT75.2.G 1999

230.04624dc21 98-35127

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. However, the author has, with permission, modernized archaic personal pronouns and has changed the verbs accordingly. Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972 by the Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. Used by permission. Those marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Use of italics in Scripture quotations indicates Wayne Grudems emphasis.

To

Dave and Peggy Ekstrom, Tom and Kaye Forester,

and

Michael and Susie Kelley

whose friendships are special gifts from God

Contents

What is systematic theology? Why should Christians study it? How should we study it?

How do we know that the Bible is Gods Word? Are there any errors in the Bible?

Can only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly? For what purposes is the Bible necessary? Is the Bible enough for knowing what God wants us to think or do?

How do we know that God exists? Can we really know God? How is God different from us?

How is God like us?

How can God be three persons, yet one God?

Why, how, and when did God create the universe?

What is the extent of Gods control over creation? If God controls all things, how can our actions have real meaning?

Why does God want us to pray? How can we pray effectively?

What are angels? Why did God create them? How should Christians think of Satan and demons today?

Why did God create us? How did God make us like himself? What does Scripture mean by soul and spirit?

Why did God create two sexes? Can men and women be equal and yet have different roles?

What is sin? Where did it come from? Do we inherit a sinful nature from Adam?

How is Jesus fully God and fully man, yet one person?

Was it necessary for Christ to die? What really happened in the atonement? Did Christ descend into hell?

What was Christs resurrection body like? What is its significance for us? What happened to Christ when he ascended into heaven?

What are the undeserved blessings that God gives to all people, both believers and unbelievers?

When and why did God choose us? Are some not chosen?

What is the gospel message? How does it become effective?

What does it mean to be born again?

What is true repentance? What is saving faith? Can people accept Jesus as Savior and not as Lord?

How and when do we gain right legal standing before God? What are the benefits of being a member of Gods family?

How do we grow in Christian maturity? What are the blessings of Christian growth?

Can true Christians lose their salvation? How can we know if we are truly born again?

What is the purpose of death in the Christian life? What happens to our bodies and souls when we die? When will we receive resurrection bodies? What will they be like?

How can we recognize a true church? What are the purposes of the church? What makes a church more or less pleasing to God?

Who should be baptized? How should it be done? What does it mean?

What is the meaning of the Lords Supper? How should it be observed?

What are spiritual gifts? How many are there? Have some gifts ceased? How do we seek and use spiritual gifts?

How should we understand and use specific spiritual gifts?

When and how will Christ return? Could he come back at any hour?

What is the millennium? When does it occur? Will Christians go through the great tribulation?

Who will be judged? What is hell?

What is heaven? Is it a place? How will the earth be renewed? What will it be like to live in the new heavens and new earth?

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