Greg Bahnsen – Has God Changed His Mind?
- 4 June 2017
Questions
1. Is there a DISTINCTIVE ‘Christian’ outlook in ALL areas of consideration?
2. Concerning Ethics as revealed in Scripture, ‘Has God changed His mind?’
3. May/Should we presume that OT standing laws continue to be binding in NT?
Bible Reading
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…..
[Matthew 5:16-20; 48]
4. What place is there in the Christian life for ‘Good Works’?
5. What is the characteristic of those Christians who love Christ? (Jn 15)
6. What examples of ‘moral duties’ does Dr Bahnsen illustrate from NT teaching?
7. What example does Bahnsen reference that shows cultural nuance?
8. Are there any NT ‘laws’? Give at least THREE examples
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9. What is ‘licentiousness’? Is there any place for licentious Christianity – even for so Christians that wish to follow exclusively the NT?
10. How much of the Scriptures is the Word of God? OT only, NT only or NT & OT?
11. If OT law is no longer binding TODAY, has the Lord changed His mind?
12. What are we to think (& practice!) regarding sexual relations with animals? What are we to think (& practice!) regarding witchcraft?
13. Are NT laws in harmony with OT laws or is there a new program for morality?
14. What’s the relevance of 2Tim 3:16?
15. Why is ‘bestiality’ a pertinent (if gross!) example for consideration?
16. Does Scripture provide moral instruction (moral principles) from which we can develop a Christian mindset on ‘genetic engineering’?
17. How needful is OT Scripture to the formulation of sound ethical practice?
18. What is the NT attitude regarding the OT in relation to moral instruction?
19. What is the distinctive ‘Theonomic’ assumption in relation to OT/NT?
20. How does the NT define sin? [1Jn 3:4]
21. Is ‘love’ an OT or NT commandment? From where did Jesus quote to exhort his followers to love God?
22. What, according to Bahnsen, is the best way to break Scripture?
23. Did Jesus quote God’s Law from beyond the Decalogue (10 Commands)?
24. Many Christians argue that only those laws from the OT REPEATED in the NT are binding for Christians today. What’s wrong with this?
25. How does Paul in 1 Corinthians, Romans 6 & 8,13, 2Cor 6, the author of Hebrews 8 & Revelation 12 contribute to this issue?
26. What warning does John issue in 1Jn 2:4?
27. What is the characteristic of a holy disposition? (Numb 15:40)
28. What is the characteristic of an unholy disposition? (Gen 3:5)
29. What does Mal 3:6 teach us about God & His holiness? Was His OT holiness different to His NT holiness?
30. Is God fickle? Does He change His mind?
31. Are ethical standards necessarily universal & timeless?
32. What does the psalmist say? (Ps 89:34)
33. What did the coming of Christ change?
34. Hebrews 8 & 10 rehearse Jeremiah 31. What specifically was promised there?
35. What does the New Covenant promise empowerment for?
36. What CANNOT the word ‘fulfil’ in Matt 5:17 mean? Why not?
37. What key hermeneutical principle is violated commonly by biblical scholars in relation to Matt 5:17?
38. Was Jesus intimating RELATIVE NEGATION in Matt 5:17?
39. Even if Matt 5:17-18 are awkward, is verse 19 (Matt 5) ambivalent at all?
40. What was Dr Copse’s conclusions regarding an orthodox Calvinistic (reformed) perspective regarding changes in the covenants?
41. Does the NT anywhere teach the requirement for repetition of an OT law before it becomes part of NT law?
42. What does Matt 4:4 contribute to this question/controversy?
