Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Dr.
Stanford E. Murrell
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 1
1. Compare five presuppositions
of Arminian theology with the Scriptures.
2. List four common charges
against Calvinist.
3. List at least five passages
Arminians appeal to in support of their theology and five conclusions they come
to.
4. Describe the extreme and
desperate condition of man according to the Scriptures.
5. Prior to the Reformation who
debated the issues of human depravity?
6. Summarize the position held
by Erasmus and Luther on the freedom of the will.
7. List five themes of the
Reformation.
8. Who was Jacobus
Arminus?
9. What did the Synod of
10. What are three
distinguishing marks of Calvinism?
1. Why is the debate between
Calvinism and Arminianism so desperate and emotional?
2. Is the study of the debate
between Calvinist and Arminians important? Why or why not?
3. Are there any dangers in
appealing to past great church leaders for comfort and support of a particular
doctrinal bias?
4. What might be said to those
who suggest that true truth lies in a combination of Calvinism and Arminianism?
Is there such a thing as a Cal-Arminian?
5. In the ebb and flow of
history, which side dominates the discussion today, Calvinism or Arminianism?
Responsibility
Let your
speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that
ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col. 4:6) When religious debates are
engaged, there is a tendency to become intemperate in language. If you are
willing to abide by this biblical exhortation please write out a pledge to that
effect right now.
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 2
Review
1. Why is the study of the subject of total depravity important?
2. List three things that the
doctrine of total depravity does not mean.
3. What does the doctrine of
total depravity affirm?
4. How can man be responsible
for his sin when he is by nature born depraved?
5. Give the implications of the
doctrine of total depravity for the lost and on evangelism.
1. Is it morbid to think of the
depravity of the soul?
2. What might be said about
self-esteem theology?
3. Can there ever be proper
worship of the Lord apart from an understanding of the doctrine of total
depravity?
4. If you were in the Garden of
Eden, would you have eaten of the forbidden fruit?
5. Does the doctrine of
depravity honor the Lord more than emphasizing that man was made in His image?
In a time of privacy write down on paper those
secret things in your heart that you know
displeases the Lord. Bring the hidden things to light in order to confess them
and ask the Sanctifier of the soul to cleanse you for a greater measure of
holiness and service.
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 3
Who Made the First
Move?
Review
1. Who was Pelagius and what did he teach?
2. Provide a summary statement of the doctrine of unconditional election.
3. How is the love of God for Jacob over Esua minimized by some?
4. Did Jesus teach the doctrine of unconditional election? Support your answer with scripture.
5. List four theological considerations that support unconditional election.
6. What is the practical implication of unconditional election on evangelism?
7. What three issues are at state in the doctrine of unconditional election?
Reflection
1. Why do some people prefer “justice” to mercy in the divine economy?
2. What is the state of a person’s soul who is forced to concede that the Bible teaches the doctrine of election but does not want to accept it emotionally?
3. Can you see how election might make God appear “unloving” and “uncaring” in the eyes of others? What are your thoughts on this matter.
4. Are you able to think in relative terms like the man in the narrative by Dr. T.T. Shields. If so, can an example that would apply to the Christian life.
Responsibility
Do you believe that God has elected you personally to salvation? Write out the evidence for this conclusion. Avoid both pride and false humility in your answer.
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 4
Limited Atonement:
For whom did Christ Die?
Review
1. List as least ten scriptural references that refers to the doctrine of a definite redemption.
2. Define the nature of the death of Christ.
3. What are the universal benefits of the death of Christ?
4. How does the doctrine of a definite atonement harmonize with other scripture?
5. What are the practical implications of the doctrine of definite redemption?
Reflection
1. Do you think that definite redemption is better terminology than “limited atonement”? Why?
2. Why do some people feel more comfortable with the concept of a “corporate” love [God loves the church etc.] rather than a “particular” love of God?
3. What thoughts come to your mind when you think of God loving you in particular and Christ dying for you in particular?
Responsibility
In your Bible make a chain
reference for each of the doctrines of grace from the Scriptures presented in
this study. For example, for the doctrine of definite redemption go to Matthew
1:21. By that verse mark Acts 16:14. By Acts
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 5
Irresistible Grace
or Effectual Calling
Review
1. What four things does God require of man in order to be saved?
2. Define the word for “calling” in its general and special usage.
3. List at least ten scriptures that teach the doctrine of effectual calling.
4. Is salvation synergistic or monotheistic? Define the terms.
5. Give four practical considerations of irresistible grace.
Reflection
1. Do you think that logically, the Arminian system of theology robs God of ultimate glory? How?
2. Did you resist the gospel before you came to faith? How do you feel about that today?
Responsibility
In light of the doctrine you have just studied, write out how you anticipate you would like to respond the next time you witness and someone resists the gospel message of salvation.
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 6
The Final
Perseverance of the Saints
Review
1. List three systems of salvation.
2. By way of review define T*U*L*I*P.
3. List six reasons why the believer can have confidence in his final preservation.
Reflection
1. Do you have confidence or assurance of your own salvation? Why or why not?
2. What would you say to someone who thinks that it is presumptuous to have assurance of salvation?
Responsibility
Find someone who needs help with assurance of salvation and review the scriptures with them. Do not assume that everyone in the church or all you know have the same confidence as you do. Ask at least three people personally or let it be made known generally that you “need” to talk to someone about this matter as part of this course or just to review the topic. Indicate that this has been done on this paper at this point when the project is completed. ____
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 7
Biblical
Universalism
Review
1. Comment collectively on the following universal passages that are appealed to in order to teach that Christ for the sins of all men. John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 3:9
2. How is God pictured in Isaiah as presenting the gospel to the world?
3. What does the New Testament teach about offering the gospel to all men?
4. Is there any harmony between particularism and universalism?
5. Summarize the doctrine of biblical universalism.
Reflection
1. If you embrace the doctrines of grace, has it made you less willing to witness to others or more willing? Give the reasons for your response either way.
2. If a person did believe in offering the gospel only to the elect, practically how would they do it?
3. Comment on the conversion of Charles Spurgeon as it relates to the way you came to faith.
Responsibility
List all the methods you utilize (past and present) to get the gospel to as many people as you can personally. If you are not witness, then do so immediately, this week, in obedience to the gospel and indicate that you have done so and the method you have used to witness.
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 8
The Doctrines of Grace:
Review and Correlation
Review
1. In what five ways does Arminianism deny God the glory for man’s salvation?
2. Is there such a thing as hyper-Calvinism? Explain.
3. Show how the doctrines of grace have practical implication within society.
Reflection
1. Evangelist D. L. Moody once said that he never knew an effective Christian worker who did not have confidence of his own salvation. Would you agree or disagree with that thought?
Responsibility
Read all of the appendices and indicate that you
have done that. _______________
Five Doctrines of Divine Grace
Study Guide Answers
Chapter 1
1. Compare five presuppositions of Arminian theology with the Scriptures.
Answer.
A.
We all have sufficient power to come to
Christ by a choice of our own free will. cp. John 6:4
B.
God chose me because He foresaw that we
would choose Him. cp. John 15:16
C.
Christ died to render all men savable.
cp. John 10:15
D.
God draws all men equally; the ultimate
decision is ours. cp. John
E.
We may keep ourselves in salvation by
holy living. cp. 1 Peter 1:5; John 10:28
2.
List four common charges
against Calvinist.
Answer.
A.
It is said that Calvinist are people who
believe Christians do not have to witness. People will be saved whether they
hear the gospel or not.
B.
It is said that Calvinist believe that God is a tyrant. He causes people to sin in
order to send them to hell.
C.
It is said that Calvinist believe that the gospel is not to be given to everyone. Some
people cannot be saved whether they wanted to be saved or not.
D.
It is said that Calvinist teach that people are saved against their wills.
3.
List at least five passages Arminians appeal to in support of their theology and five
conclusions they come to.
Answer.
Answer.
A.
God wants all men to be saved.
B.
The grace of God has been given freely
and equally to all men.
C.
Christ is the Savior of all men reflected
in the fact that He has tasted death for all and has born the iniquity of all.
D.
Men can reject the gospel despite all
that Christ has done on their behalf.
E.
Christ has promised to draw all men unto Himself.
4.
Describe the extreme and
desperate condition of man according to the Scriptures.
Answer.
By
nature men are dead in trespasses and sin. (Eph. 2:1) The eyes of the natural
man are blinded to the truth so that he cannot “see” spiritual truth.. (Rom. 11:7) The will of the natural man
is enslaved to a harsh taskmaster. Satan takes men captive at his will. (2 Tim.
2:26) Therefore, Jesus was right when he looked at a group of religious leaders
one-day and pronounced judgment upon them saying, And you will not come to me that ye might have life. (John 5:40) Those
who do come to Christ realize that they did not come because of their will but
because of Sovereign grace. John speaks of those who are born, Not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor
of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13) The heart of the unregenerate
is as hard as stone. (Zech 7:12) The thoughts of the ungodly are evil
continually (Gen. 6:5 cp.
5.
Prior to the Reformation who
debated the issues of human depravity?
Answer.
Prior to the Reformation
period the issues of human depravity, the freedom of the will of man, and the
sovereignty of God were crystallized in the debate between Pelagius and
Augustine. Pelagius was a British monk (c. AD 354 - after 418) who arose to
deny the doctrine of original sin (that the human race had fallen in Adam). He
argued that man was not born corrupt, nor was man totally depraved. Moreover,
he was not predestined to heaven or hell. In contrast, Augustine of Hippo (AD
354-430), a town on the North African coast, taught that every man is conceived
and born in sin and can be saved only through the grace of God according to His
divine pleasure. Augustine was convinced that the Scriptures taught the bondage
of the will, not its freedom, in order that grace might be of grace.
6.
Summarize the position held
by Erasmus and Luther on the freedom of the will.
Answer.
For
Luther, the will was not something that was neutral. Man’s will is like a beast
driven by a master, either Satan or the Righteous God. Since the Fall man was no longer master of himself. He was enslaved
either to the Devil (John
7.
List five themes of the
Reformation.
Answer.
8.
Who was Jacobus
Arminus?
Answer.
James
(Jacobus) Arminius, born in the
9.
What did the Synod of Dort
decree?
Answer.
At the Synod of Dort,
November 13, 1618 to May 9, 1619 the views of Arminius were reviewed and then
condemned. The Reformation doctrines were reaffirmed in the Canons of Dort. (See Appendices)
10.
What are three
distinguishing marks of Calvinism?
Answer.
1. Why is the debate between
Calvinism and Arminianism so desperate and emotional?
2. Is the study of the debate
between Calvinist and Arminians important? Why or why
not?
3. Are there any dangers in
appealing to past great church leaders for comfort and support of a particular
doctrinal bias?
4. What might be said to those
who suggest that true truth lies in a combination of Calvinism and Arminianism?
Is there such a thing as a Cal-Arminian?
5. In the ebb and flow of
history, which side dominates the discussion today, Calvinism or Arminianism?
Let your
speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that
ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col. 4:6) When religious debates are
engaged, there is a tendency to become intemperate in language. If you are
willing to abide by this biblical exhortation please write out a pledge to that
effect right now.
Five Doctrines of
Divine Grace
Study Guide Answers
Chapter 2
Review
1.
Why is the study of the
subject of total depravity important?
Answer.
Because
of the pride and arrogance of the natural man (Mark 7:22) who is in need of
no-one and nothing, (Psa. 14:1) it is important to study the doctrine of man’s
sinfulness for two reasons: (1) it is foundational to the doctrine of salvation
and (2) it is essential to true worship.
2.
List three things that the
doctrine of total depravity does not mean.
Answer.
3.
What does the doctrine of
total depravity affirm?
Answer.
As a doctrine, total depravity affirms that judicially, in the sight of God (Isa. 64:6) and personally, in the sight of self, the soul of every man has been touched at the core so that every facet of the soul—the intellect, the affections, and the will—are sinful. Man can do nothing to commend Himself to God. (Gen. 6:5)
4.
How can man be responsible
for his sin when he is by nature born depraved?
Answer.
A. Man is responsible for sin because he loves to sin. (John 3:19,20; Rom. 3:11; Isa. 53:6)
5.
Give the implications of the
doctrine of total depravity for the lost and on evangelism.
Answer.
The words of the gospel are
designed for helpless sinners. The self-righteous and the self-sufficient have
no need of a Savior. But for those who are enslaved to sin and know it, for
those who have been hardened by sin and despair of their wickedness, there is
hope in Christ.
1. Is it morbid to think of the
depravity of the soul?
2. What might be said about
self-esteem theology?
3. Can there ever be proper
worship of the Lord apart from an understanding of the doctrine of total depravity?
4. If you were in the Garden of
Eden, would you have eaten of the forbidden fruit?
5. Does the doctrine of
depravity honor the Lord more than emphasizing that man was made in His image?
In a time of privacy write down on paper those secret
things in your heart that you know
displeases the Lord. Bring the hidden things to light in order to confess them
and ask the Sanctifier of the soul to cleanse you for a greater measure of
holiness and service.
Five Doctrines of Divine
Grace
Study Guide Answers
Chapter 3
Who Made the First
Move?
Review
1. Who was Pelagius and what did he teach?
Answer.
Pelagius was a well-meaning monk who lived in the 5th century AD. Appalled by the corruption within the Church and distressed by the teachings of Augustine, Pelagius argued that the Fall of man was not so complete as to render man incapable of obeying God. He began to teach a system of salvation and sanctification by good works.
2. Provide a summary statement of the doctrine
of unconditional election.
Answer.
Unconditional election is the act of God freely and sovereingly choosing those who are to be the heirs of salvation, neither because of foreseen faith or human merit, nor because of an innate ability to perform some predetermined standard. Rather, no conditions are placed upon mans election.
3. How is the love of God for Jacob over Esua minimized by some?
Answer.
It is argued that the love of God for Jacob must be thought of as simply a lesser love or a divine preferment, one for the other. Also, it has been argued that the objective in view was not salvation but service.