A new Series - Understanding Theological Terms

Today I have finally made a decision... I am going to start a series on Theological Terms. I will begin presently.


Harmartology - The term used to refer to the theological investigation of sin. Harmartology concerns itself with understanding the origin, nature, extent and consequences of sin. Furthermore, harmartology seeks to understand how sin is transmitted throughout the human race and how sin opposes God's purposes for creation.

These Definitions will be coming from several theological terms dictionaries I have.

Ceder Mills Bible Church - Statement of Faith

One thing I enjoy doing when I go to other churches is looking at the statements of faith. Yesterday I was at Ceder Mill Bible Church. So I picked up their statement of faith, read through it... thought this is pretty Good. I will give two example directly from the Statement of Faith, one good and one questionable.

We Believe in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired of God and inerrant in the original writing, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. (II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:21)

This is a Good example of a clear statement. It gets the the point, it is supported by Scripture and it oozes confidence. Well done.

This next example is from the same Church.

We Believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with sinful natures, and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word and deed. (Genesis 1:26,27; Psalms 14:1-3; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 3:8)

There is a lot to unpack here. I would put into the 5 statements I see.

1. We are made in the image of God
2. Adam sinned and Earned Physical and Spiritual Death
3. Spiritual Death is separation from God.
4. All men are Born with a sin nature.
5. We only become sinners once we reach 'moral responsibility.'

First, I want to say that the wording of this is somewhat unclear. It isn't simple, like there other statements. It lacks the clarity of the previous statement. In fact, when showing this statement to two pastors they both said they were unclear on the exact meaning, and timing of said moral responsibility.
Second, this is my major point of contention. I believe that they have failed to provide any clear reference from scripture to support statement 5. Not that I think it is wrong, per se, but I think it is unsupported. Perhaps the addition of a scripture like James 4:17 and 1 John 3:4 could clear up what sin is and when it is committed. I see No biblical warrant for statement 5. Sin is Breaking the Law of God at any age.


I think that if they support there statement that this could be a very good statement of faith.

Jan Hus Sermon.

Well, it has been a Very long time sense I have taken the Time to write a Blog. I apologize for that. I have been occupied with other things...

One of which I will be discussing and posting about here, in the post you are reading.

I have been preparing a message about Jan Hus (John Huss) the reformer. It was kind of like my first "adult" sermon... as I preached a couple of times in High School. So I addressed the Youth Group tonight and it was Great. I will Post the Outline here, for you to read, and Will soon post the full length Video.

Jan Hus Sermon Outline

• Who was Jan Hus? b.1369(1374)-July 6th 1415.

  • Rector of the University in Prague.

  • Follower of John Wycliffe

• What did He Teach?

  • Christ is the Head of the Church (Not the pope - Picture)

    • Christ Alone can forgive Sin.

    • Bible is the Authority ( Bible to be read by the People)

  • No Indulgences ( What is an Indulgence?)

    • Pay money or Do something to get forgiveness for sin

• What happened (The Story)?

  • Promise of Safty

  • Fake Trial

  • Burned (twice)

• How do this relate to us?

  • Living For Christ – ( You call yourself a radicle Christian??)

  • Are you really a Christian?

• Gospel Message.

  • Law – Ten Commandments

  • Grace – Jesus Died on the Cross for Sinners

Scriptures

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1 ESV)