Compose a personal statement of faith on each of the following: Revelation, Sin, Reconciliation, Creation, and Eschatology. The content in every case should reflect the material covered in readings and class sessions, should be situated within Scripture by citing at least three key biblical texts as support, and should be in dialogue with Christian tradition as encapsulated in two reference works/theological treatises. Over the span of the doctrinal statements, the student must exhibit familiarity with at least five reference/theological titles; i.e., while each statement will cite two works, they must not be the same pieces in every case. A minimum of five titles in total must appear to earn highest marks on the project.
When God created humanity, He provided them with a way that would help them in becoming pious so that when they left the mortal coil, they would rejoin Him in heaven. However; some people forgot their promise with Him and went astray, so He sent humanity Jesus Christ who saved them by taking their sins. This whole process is divided into five stages; Revelation, Sin, Reconciliation, Creation, and Eschatology. Together these make the statement of faith, this paper will explain them in detail.
Revelation:
When God decides to reveal Himself to people then he presents divine signs; these signs are revelations that open the eyes of these people to the truth of God. In simpler words, when a person becomes aware of a higher being then the divinity is being “revealed” to him. The truth of revelation is known by everyone but their sins come in their way of this divine awakening, however; the chosen few can receive these revelations gaining the ability to become closer to God (Wesley, 1818) (Zaspel, 2010).
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Mathew 5:8
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” Romans 1:19
Sin:
When the forbidden fruit was eaten by Adam and Eve then “sin” came into existence. From there, the sin evolved into more heinous and cruel acts. Sin encouraged humans to do evil for short-term satisfaction and it put them on a path to hell, separating them from God. If a man sins then he can no longer identify with the message of God and he either keeps on sinning or starts to find a way back to Him (Erickson, 2015) (Rutledge, 1999).
“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 1:6
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133
Reconciliation: After sinning, humanity and God become estranged, however; God could not ignore his creation that had gone astray, so he blessed humanity with Jesus Christ who willingly took upon all the sins of humanity. After that he gave his life to save the people from their sins, opening up the reconciliation. Now man could return to God and ask for his forgiveness. He can also help other people reconcile with God and walk the right path (Mickelson, 1998) (PACKER, 1973).
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” Luke 17:3
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34
“For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Romans 11:15
Creation:
First heaven, sea, and earth were created by God then he took six days to make the rest of the creation, however; He rested on the seventh day which became a holy day for humanity. The man was created in God’s image and then from the ribs of the man, God made a woman. Creation is a natural outcome for God for He is eternal. Then when man sinned and corrupted God’s creation, Jesus Christ came forth to renew God’s creation (Nazianzen, 380 C.E.) (Wright, 2020).
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8
“For in six days, the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11
Eschatology:
After the humans have led their lives, death will take them and then one day “the end of times” will come and humanity will be judged according to their deeds on earth. This will only happen when the cycle of life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ would have been completed. He will save more people before Judgment day and God will then create a new Kingdom in which he will live along with the humans that he had created (Calvin, 1581) (Agapegeek, 2010).
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
References
Agapegeek. (2010, April 18). What in the World is God Waiting For? 3 Things God is Waiting for Before Jesus Returns! The Agapegeek Blog. https://agapegeek.com/2010/04/18/what-in-the-world-is-god-waiting-for-3-things-god-is-waiting-for-before-jesus-returns/
Calvin, J. (1581). Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. 368.
Erickson, M. J. (2015). Introducing Christian Doctrine. Baker Publishing Group.
Mickelson, M. (1998, April 7). Reconciliation: A Vital Part of Christ’s Message [Text]. United Church of God. https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/reconciliation-a-vital-part-of-christs-message
Nazianzen, G. (380 C.E.). CHURCH FATHERS: Oration 38 (Gregory Nazianzen). https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310238.htm
PACKER, J. I. (1973). “The Logic of Penal Substitution” by J.I. Packer. https://www.the-highway.com/cross_Packer.html
Rutledge, F. (1999). The Living Church. Morehouse-Gorham Company.
Wesley, J. (1818). Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament (p. 721). J. Soule and T. Mason. https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=joM9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA721&dq=Wesley,+J.+(1818).+Explanatory+notes+upon+the+New+Testament.+Retrieved+from+http://books.google.com&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZk6nY2-r1AhVKOBoKHZEWAOwQ6AF6BAgLEAI#v=onepage&q=Wesley%2C%20J.%20(1818).%20Explanatory%20notes%20upon%20the%20New%20Testament.%20Retrieved%20from%20http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com&f=false
Wright, N. T. (2020, January 29). Beginning to Think About the New Creation. N.T. Wright Online. https://www.ntwrightonline.org/beginning-to-think-about-the-new-creation/
Zaspel, F. G. (2010). The Theology of B. B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary. Crossway.
