​​These simplified doctrines are taken from 'The Complete Topical Guide to the Bible', by Martin Hugh Manser (Editor), Alister McGrath (Editor), J. Packer (Editor), Donald Wiseman (Editor).  This material is being used in accord with the 'fair dealing' provision of the Canadian Copyright Act for the purpose of private study.  Individuals who engage this material are encouraged to purchase the primary source via the link provided.

 

God

The Creator and Redeemer of the world, who reveals himself in Scripture and in Jesus Christ, and who is loved, worshiped and adored by believers. Scripture stresses the personal nature of God, and also his total reliability and trustworthiness.  God is the Father of Jesus Christ and of all believers (1015).​​

​

Sovereign Creator

The fact that God is free and able to do all that he wills; that he reigns over all creation and that his will is the final cause of all things.  This is often expressed in the language of kingship (1130).

​

The created order, established as a sovereign decision on the part of God. 

The creation is dependent upon and under the authority of its Creator. Scripture affirms the role of both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the work of creation (4005).

​

Holy & Righteous

The moral excellence of God that unifies his attributes and is expressed through his actions, setting him apart from all others.  Believers are called to be holy as God is holy (1065).

​

An aspect of God's nature which expresses his unique moral perfection and his readiness to save sinners.  It is made known especially through the gospel of Jesus Christ (1125).

​

Justice & Wrath

The moral righteousness of God is revealed in his laws and expressed in his judicial acts.  God's commands and judgments meet perfect standards of justice, and his apportioning of punishments and rewards is also perfectly just.  God's justice is impartial.  Special praise is his for vindicating the penitent and the needy who have no human champions.  Ultimately, all God's ways will be seen as just and equitable (1075).

​

The punitive and vindicatory reaction, legitimate and controlled, yet awesomely empathetic, of God the righteous judge to unrighteousness in his human creatures.  Up to the present, the expression of God's anger and wrath has had the purpose of drawing sinners to repentance and conversion, but this will not be the case at the final judgment (1025).

​

Love

The deepest possible expression of God's character.  Though God loves all people, he is especially committed to sacrificial, loyal relationships with his people (1085).

​

Grace & Mercy

The qualities of God's character by which he shows himself compassionate, accepting, and generous to sinful human beings, shielding them from his wrath, forgiving them, and bestowing on them his righteousness so that they can live and grow in faith and obedience.  Grace and mercy are particularly expressed through God's covenant with his chosen people and through Jesus Christ's atoning death on the cross (1055).

​

Man

Human beings are the high point of God's creation.  They alone are created in his image.  As a result of sin they are alienated from God and from one another, and are unable by themselves to alter this situation.  The salvation of humanity rests totally upon the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, received by grace through faith (5001).

​

Creature

Although the human race is the pinnacle of God's creative work, it shares the inherent limitations of the physical realm.  Human beings are nevertheless given responsibility to manage and steward the world (5002).

​

Sinner

As a result of the fall, human beings have become separated from God through sin, and are divided among themselves.  All are in a condition of spiritual blindness, slavery and death, and are incapable of saving themselves from this situation (5004).

​

Negative Disposition to God

Scripture identifies a range of negative attitudes toward God, which believers are encouraged to avoid (5764).

​

The Problem of Sin
Primarily a wrong relationship with God, which may express itself in wrong attitudes or actions toward God himself, other human beings, possessions or the environment.  Scripture stresses that this condition is deeply rooted in human nature, and that only God is able to break its penalty, power and presence (6010).

​

Nature of Sin
Scripture portrays sin in terms of wrongness before God in a variety of different ways, such as uncleanness, guilt or rebellion (6021).

​

Causes of Sin
Sin is the result of the fall, at which the creation rebels against God its creator (6022).

​

Universality of Sin
All human beings sin and are guilty in the sight of God on account of an inherently sinful disposition, which can be tracked back to Adam.  Acts of sin thus arise from a sinful human heart.  The basis of cleansing and cancellation of "original sin" is the atoning death of Jesus Christ (6023).

​

Effects of Sin
Sin effects every level of human existence, including the sinner's relationship with God, with other human beings and with the environment (6024).

​

God's Character and Sin
In his righteousness and holiness, God detests sin and its effects upon humanity.  In his mercy and grace, he makes available a means of atonement, by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (6025).

​

God's Judgment on Sin
Sin comes under the judgment of God, in that it contradicts his nature and opposes his purposes (6026).

​

God's Remedy for Sin
Under the old covenant, sin was forgiven through sacrifice, prefiguring the atoning death of Jesus Christ, which brings forgiveness of sins under the new covenant (6027).

​

Atonement in the OT
Atonement for sins in the OT was through the shedding of blood (6027).

​

Atonement, Repentance, and Obedience
Sacrifices of atonement needed to be accompanied by repentance and a willingness to obey (6027).

​

The Death of Jesus
The death of Jesus Christ brings forgiveness for sin (6027).

​

God's Deliverance from Sin
The gospel reveals the purpose and power of God to deal with sin and all of its effects.  Scripture uses a range of images to express the comprehensiveness of salvation (6028).

​

Accepting Forgiveness of Sin
Sinners must respond to God's offer of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ", including conviction, faith, repentance, baptism, confession, restitution, and forgiveness of others (6029).

​

Avoidance of Sin
God calls his people to avoid sin, and through Jesus Christ gives them the inner power to be victorious over it (6030).

​​​