2.01: Why Doctrine Matters
This first lesson briefly considers why doctrine is important, reviewing in part what we studied in Lesson 2 of the “Foundations” course. We also survey what we will be covering in the lessons that follow.

2.02: God, Part 1: The Existence and Knowability of God
The main arguments for the existence of God are presented non-technically. Emphasis is also placed on the uniqueness of God (i.e., He is not “one among many”) and His eternal nature. He is a personal and moral Being who can be known through His self-revelation (Hebrews 11:6).

2.03: God, Part 2: The Non-Moral Attributes
This study defines the so-called “non-moral” attributes of God: His spiritual essence, eternity, self-sufficiency, immutability, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and sovereignty.

2.04: God, Part 3: The Moral Attributes
This study defines the “moral” attributes of God: His holiness, justice, goodness, love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, and truthfulness.

2.05: God, Part 4: The Names of God
Names are meant to reveal character, and the names of God are therefore important for us to understand. This lesson focuses on the three great names of God given to us in the OT (Elohim, Adonai, and Yahweh) and variations on these names. We also look at how God proclaims His name to Moses in Exodus 3:14 and 34:6-7.

2.06: God, Part 5: The Unity and Trinity of God
God is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) and Three in One (Matthew 28:19). The doctrine of the Trinity is progressively revealed in scripture, and it is essential to our understanding of Christ and the Holy Spirit. This lesson establishes why the Trinity is central to the Christian faith.

2.07: God, Part 6: The Works of God
God is active in the world and can be known by His “great works” (Psalm 111:2) of Creation, Provision, Redemption, and Judgment. God is also a maker and keeper of covenants. We will define what a covenant is and look at the theme of covenants in the Old and New Testaments.

2.08: Man and Sin, Part 1: The Creation, Nature, and Purpose of Man
Man was created by God for a purpose. Man did not evolve from the lower forms of life. God created us to know Him and to reflect His glory. Genesis 2:7 suggests that man is tripartite in nature, consisting of body, soul, and spirit.

2.09: Man and Sin, Part 2: The Fall of Man
Sin is rebellion against God and what God has revealed to man. This lesson will study key texts that define what sin is (Genesis 3, Romans 5, James 1, 1 John 2). Special focus is given to the consequences of sin: death and separation from God. Why is the doctrine of sin important to understand? Because if we are not sinners, then we do not need a Savior.

2.10: Christ, Part 1: OT Prophecies of Christ
This lesson begins with Genesis 3:15 and the promise of a Messiah that was first given after sin entered into the world. We will trace this promise through the key Messianic texts in the Old Testament to show that Jesus was the Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Savior.

2.11: Christ, Part 2: The Deity of Christ
In this lesson we will begin with the Virgin Birth and examine why the deity of Christ matters to our faith. Next, we will examine some of the key NT texts that proclaim the deity of Christ: John 1, Philippians 2, Colossians 1, Hebrews 1, and Revelation 1.

2.12: Christ, Part 3: The Deity of Christ (continued)
The deity of Christ is also demonstrated in what Jesus did and said. In this lesson we will study the claims of Christ through an exposition of key passages in the Gospels. We will also study how Christ’s actions are evidence of His deity (receiving worship, forgiving sins, etc.).

2.13: Christ, Part 4: The Humanity of Christ
The humanity of Christ is as important as His deity. We will look at the key texts in the Gospels that present to us the humanity of Christ. We will also examine His sinlessness in the face of temptation (Hebrews 4:15). We will see that Christ is able to be our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and intercessor because He took on human flesh.

2.14: Christ, Part 5: Pre-Existence of Christ
Since Christ is God, He has always existed. In this study we will look at what the Bible says about the pre-incarnate ministry of Christ. He is the Creator and the One who sustains all things. He is the Wisdom of God (Proverbs 6, John 1, and Colossians 2). He appeared at various points in the OT as “the Angel of the Lord.”

2.15: Christ, Part 6: Earthly Ministry
Christ’s earthly ministry, as recounted in the Gospels, was the direct fulfillment of OT prophecies. By healing the sick and proclaiming the Good News, Jesus demonstrated that He is the Christ. We see Jesus in a prophetic role in His earthly ministry.

2.16: Christ, Part 7: Redemptive Ministry
The principal reason Jesus came to earth was to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins (Mark 10:45). This study will examine how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah 53. We will look closely at what Jesus Himself said in the Gospels about his redemptive ministry. We will also study key passages in the epistles that interpret the significance of Jesus’ death (e.g., Romans 5 and 6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). We see Jesus in a priestly role on the Cross (Hebrews 7:26-27).

2.17: Christ, Part 8: Resurrection and Exaltation
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. We will study the significance of the resurrection for who Christ is (Romans 1-4) and what Christ does (Galatians 2:20). We will also examine the central passage on the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). Finally, we will look at the significance of Christ’s ascension and exaltation (Acts 1 and Philippians 2:9).

2.18: Christ, Part 9: Present and Future Ministry
Christ is active today. We will study His present ministry as the Head of the Church who equips and gives gifts to the Body (Ephesians 4), intercedes for us (Romans 8:34), and prepares a place for us (John 14:1-3). Finally, we will look at Christ’s future ministry as He returns for His Church, defeats His enemies, judges the world, and reigns in glory.

2.19: Salvation, Part 1: God’s Role in Salvation
In this study we will look at how each Person of the Godhead participates in our salvation. The Father plans for our salvation and calls us to Himself (Ephesians 1:4-5). Christ offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, brings understanding to the Word of God, and regenerates the heart through faith.

2.20: Salvation, Part 2: Our Response in Salvation
We are saved “by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This study will examine the question of man’s freewill in accepting by faith the offer of salvation in Christ. In particular, we will look at how Scripture “balances” the foreknowledge of God with the freewill of man.

2.21: Salvation, Part 3: Justification by Faith
Justification by faith is the foundational doctrine that we are declared righteous by God through faith alone, not works. This study examines Paul’s teaching in Galatians, Romans, and Hebrews to show that salvation has always been by faith. We will see how Abraham was justified before circumcision and how Old and New Testament believers are saved the same way through faith in Christ’s work.

2.22: Salvation, Part 4: Key Concepts of Salvation
In this study key doctrinal concepts of salvation are defined according to how they are used in scripture: atonement, propitiation, justification, reconciliation, regeneration, sanctification, adoption. Finally, we will consider what scripture teaches about the security of our salvation.

2.23: Holy Spirit, Part 1: The Person and Nature of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force, feeling, or presence. Scripture describes the Holy Spirit as having mind, will, and emotion. This study will focus primarily on what Jesus tells us in John 14-16 about the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.

2.24: Holy Spirit, Part 2: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit when He returned to heaven. But what was the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? In this study, we will look at the OT passages that describe how the Holy Spirit has always been active within the world-in-creation, in “coming upon” God’s servants for ministry, and through inspiring the prophets of God. We will focus on the differences and similarities between the OT and NT ministry of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing how the Holy Spirit now dwells within the believer and empowers him for service and godly living.

2.25: Holy Spirit, Part 3: The Holy Spirit and the Believer
This study will examine the key texts concerning the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the life of the believer: regenerating and sealing our salvation, illuminating and transforming our minds through God’s Word, empowering us to be witnesses to the lost, and equipping us for ministry to the Body. Particular attention will be paid to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as God’s means of empowering us for ministry.

2.26: Bible, Part 1: Doctrine of Revelation
This study examines the different ways that God has revealed Himself to us-through nature, through conscience, through Christ (the complete revelation of God), and through scripture. In particular, we look more closely at how God “has spoken” (Hebrews 1:1) through the prophets and apostles. We emphasize that God has already spoken fully in Scripture (i.e., we should not look for any new scriptural revelations), but that God continues to reveal Himself and His will to us through the working of the Holy Spirit.

2.27: Bible, Part 2: Inspiration and Illumination
The central doctrine of biblical inspiration is the focus of this study. We examine closely the key NT texts on biblical inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:2), as well as the witness of the Old Testament. False views on inspiration appear in light of scripture. The doctrine of inerrancy, which flows naturally from inspiration, also appears.

2.28: Bible, Part 3: Canon and Authority
How does the Bible come to be? What is its origin? Who decides which books are inspired and which are not? In this study we examine the biblical basis for the canon of scripture, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in “guiding” the church “into all truth” (John 16:13). We briefly look at how the early church recognizes the inspired and authoritative books of the Bible. We also discuss the important doctrine of biblical “authority,” which means that only scripture is the “rule” for life and faith.

2.29: Church, Part 1: Nature, Origin, Mission
Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. This study examines how the church was founded and given its mandate by Christ Himself. We look at the central texts that teach about the church-in the Gospels (Matthew 16), Acts (chapters 1 and 2), and the epistles (Ephesians 4)-to understand what the Bible teaches about the nature, origin, and mission of the church.

2.30: Church, Part 2: Offices and Structure of the Church
We see the development of the church in the pages of the New Testament. This study looks at the passages in Acts (e.g., chapters 5, 6, and 20) that teach about the structure and offices of the early church. We also examine in detail the offices presented in Ephesians 4 and the qualifications for elders and deacons presented in the pastoral epistles. Different types of church structure also briefly appear and analyze in light of scripture.

2.31: Church, Part 3: Ordinances
Jesus gives two “ordinances” to the church-Baptism (or, “believer’s baptism”) and Communion (or, the Lord’s Supper). We examine how both ordinances commemorate the Lord’s work on the cross. Baptism is a public witness of our identification with Christ, while Communion is a private act of remembrance and consecration. We discuss false views of the ordinances, in particular the unbiblical view that baptism is essential to salvation.

2.32: Angels and Demons
Angels are beings created by God to serve and worship God. In this study we look at what scripture says about the nature and ministry of the angelic hosts. We also look closely at the key passages that describe Lucifer’s rebellion against God (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28). We discuss the reality and extent of demonic activity in the world, Christ’s power over Satan both in His earthly ministry and in the church today, and the eventual judgment of the fallen angels. We also discuss false teachings concerning Satan’s power and dominion.

2.33: End Times, Part 1: Old Testament Background
In this study we look at the OT background to the doctrine of the end times. We see that the prophecies of the end times always focus on the work of Christ, the Messiah, and His righteous reign. We look closely at what Jesus teaches (Matthew 25-26). We see that the “last days” begin with Christ’s ministry and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), and they continue through the present Church Age.

2.34: End Times, Part 2: The Day of the Lord
In this study we focus on the Rapture, the rise of Antichrist, and the Tribulation. Specifically, we see how the Old Testament and New Testament prophecies must be placed side by side and read together-especially the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. This study presents and defends a premillennial interpretation, but also considers some of the different ways Christians have understood these prophecies.

2.35: End Times, Part 3: Christ’s Victory
In our last study, we look at the last chapters of Revelation and focus on the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Reign, the Final Judgment, and the Eternal State. We emphasize how these events complete the work of God begun in the first pages of Genesis. We also consider the practical question of how we are to live in the present age as we look for the imminent return of Christ.