Concise Theology

by Packer, J. I.

• ISBN13: 9780842339605
• ISBN10: 0842339604
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS

Summary

This summary of Christian teaching covers nearly 100 major theological points from a biblical Reformed perspective. Brief, easy-to-understand chapters offer precise descriptions without sacrificing depth.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
ONE: GOD REVEALED AS CREATOR
Revelation Scripture Is the Word of God	3	(3)
Interpretation Christians Can Understand the Word of God	6	(3)
General Revelation God's Reality Is Known to All	9	(2)
Guilt The Effect of General Revelation	11	(2)
Inward Witness Scripture Is Authenticated by the Holy Spirit	13	(3)
Authority God Governs His People through Scripture	16	(3)
Knowledge True Knowledge of God Comes through Faith	19	(2)
Creation God Is the Creator	21	(2)
Self-Disclosure ``This Is My Name''	23	(3)
Self-Existence God Has Always Been	26	(2)
Transcendence God's Nature Is Spiritual	28	(3)
Omniscience God Sees and Knows	31	(2)
Sovereignty God Reigns	33	(2)
Almightiness God Is Omnipresent and Omnipotent	35	(2)
Predestination God Has a Purpose	37	(3)
Trinity God Is One and Three	40	(3)
Holiness God Is Light	43	(2)
Goodness God Is Love	45	(3)
Wisdom God's Twofold Will Is One	48	(3)
Mystery God Is Surpassingly Great	51	(3)
Providence God Governs This World	54	(3)
Miracles God Shows His Presence and Power	57	(2)
Glory God's Glory-Showing Requires Glory-Giving	59	(3)
Idolatry God Demands Total Allegiance	62	(2)
Angels God Employs Supernatural Agents	64	(3)
Demons God Has Supernatural Opponents	67	(2)
Satan Fallen Angels Have a Leader	69	(2)
Humanness God Made Human Beings in His Image	71	(3)
Humankind Humans Are Body and Soul, in Two Genders	74	(5)
TWO: GOD REVEALED AS REDEEMER
The Fall The First Human Couple Sinned	79	(3)
Original Sin Depravity Infects Everyone	82	(3)
Inability Fallen Human Beings Are Both Free and Enslaved	85	(2)
Covenant God Takes Sinful Humans into a Covenant of Grace	87	(4)
Law God Legislates, and Demands Obedience	91	(3)
Law in Action God's Moral Law Has Three Purposes	94	(2)
Conscience God Teaches and Cleanses the Heart	96	(2)
Worship God Gives a Liturgical Pattern	98	(4)
Prophets God Sent Messengers to Declare His Will	102	(2)
Incarnation God Sent His Son, to Save Us	104	(4)
Two Natures Jesus Christ Is Fully Human	108	(3)
Virgin Birth Jesus Christ Was Born by Miracle	111	(2)
Teacher Jesus Christ Proclaimed God's Kingdom and Family	113	(3)
Sinlessness Jesus Christ Was Entirely Free from Sin	116	(2)
Obedience Jesus Christ Fulfilled His Father's Redemptive Will	118	(3)
Vocation Jesus Christ's Mission Was Revealed at His Baptism	121	(2)
Transfiguration How Jesus Christ's Glory Was Revealed	123	(2)
Resurrection Jesus Christ Was Raised from the Dead	125	(2)
Ascension Jesus Christ Was Taken Up into Heaven	127	(2)
Session Jesus Reigns in Heaven	129	(2)
Mediation Jesus Christ Is the Mediator between God and Man	131	(3)
Sacrifice Jesus Christ Made Atonement for Sin	134	(3)
Definite Redemption Jesus Christ Died for God's Elect	137	(6)
THREE: GOD REVEALED AS LORD OF GRACE
Paraclete The Holy Spirit Ministers to Believers	143	(3)
Salvation Jesus Rescues His People from Sin	146	(3)
Election God Chooses His Own	149	(3)
Effectual Calling God Draws His People to Himself	152	(2)
Illumination The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Understanding	154	(3)
Regeneration The Christian Is Born Again	157	(2)
Works Good Works Are an Expression of Faith	159	(3)
Repentance A Christian Changes Radically	162	(2)
Justification Salvation Is by Grace through Faith	164	(3)
Adoption God Makes His People His Children	167	(2)
Sanctification The Christian Grows in Grace	169	(3)
Liberty Salvation Brings Freedom	172	(3)
Legalism Working for God's Favor Forfeits It	175	(3)
Antinomianism We Are Not Set Free to Sin	178	(3)
Love Loving Is Basic to Christian Behavior	181	(2)
Hope Hoping Is Basic to the Christian Outlook	183	(2)
Enterprise A Christian Lives to Please God	185	(2)
Prayer Christians Practice Fellowship with God	187	(3)
Oaths and Vows Christians Must Be Truthful	190	(3)
The Kingdom of God Christians Must Manifest Kingdom Life	193	(3)
Apostles Jesus' Representatives Exercised His Authority	196	(3)
Church God Plants His People in a New Community	199	(5)
Word and Sacrament How a Genuine Church Is Identified	204	(3)
Elders Pastors Must Care for the Church	207	(2)
Sacraments Christ Instituted Two Seals of God's Covenant	209	(3)
Baptism This Rite Exhibits Union with Christ	212	(5)
The Lord's Supper This Rite Exhibits Communion with Christ	217	(3)
Discipline The Church Must Uphold Christian Standards	220	(3)
Mission Christ Sends the Church into the World	223	(3)
Spiritual Gifts The Holy Spirit Equips the Church	226	(3)
Marriage Matrimony Is Meant to Be a Permanent Covenant Relationship	229	(3)
The Family The Christian Household Is a Spiritual Unit	232	(2)
The World Christians Are in Society to Serve and Transform It	234	(3)
The State Christians Must Respect Civil Government	237	(4)
FOUR: GOD REVEALED AS LORD OF DESTINY
Perseverance God Keeps His People Safe	241	(3)
Unpardonable Sin Only Impenitence Cannot Be Forgiven	244	(3)
Mortality Christians Need Not Fear Death	247	(3)
Second Coming Jesus Christ Will Return to the Earth in Glory	250	(4)
General Resurrection The Dead in Christ Will Rise in Glory	254	(4)
Judgment Seat God Will Judge All Mankind	258	(3)
Hell The Wicked Will Be Banished into Endless Misery	261	(3)
Heaven God Will Welcome His People into Everlasting Joy	264