Bachelor of Theology Basic Christian Doctrine Flashcards

Which term describes the doctrine that God exists as three persons in one essence?

Answer: The Trinity

The Trinity teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons sharing one divine essence.

What does the doctrine of 'total depravity' primarily assert?

Answer: Every aspect of human nature is affected by sin

Total depravity means sin has corrupted every dimension of human nature—mind, will, emotions, and body—not that humans commit every possible sin.

The hypostatic union refers to which theological concept?

Answer: Christ's two natures united in one person

Hypostatic union is the Chalcedonian doctrine that Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human in one person without confusion or separation.

Which view of the atonement emphasizes that Christ paid the penalty owed to God's justice on behalf of sinners?

Answer: Penal Substitution

Penal substitution holds that Christ bore the punishment that sinners deserved, satisfying divine justice.

What is the significance of the term 'kenosis' in Christology?

Answer: Christ's emptying of certain divine attributes in the Incarnation

Kenosis, drawn from Philippians 2:7, describes how the Son voluntarily limited the exercise of some divine attributes in becoming human.

Which doctrine teaches that God decreed from eternity who would be saved, independent of foreseen faith?

Answer: Unconditional election

Unconditional election holds that God's choice of individuals for salvation is based solely on His sovereign will, not on foreseen human response.

The phrase 'extra Calvinisticum' refers to the Reformed teaching that:

Answer: The eternal Son remained omnipresent even while present in Christ's body

The extra Calvinisticum asserts that during the Incarnation, the divine Son was fully in the human body yet also beyond it, upholding divine immensity.