Jerry ’s Reviews > Systematic Theology for Beginners: A Thorough Introduction to Christian Doctrine—Built for Clarity, Confidence, and Lifelong Understanding > Status Update

Finished the Epilogue. The author states that the goal of this book is to help Christians gain knowledge while remaining loving to their neighbor. The more we learn about God, the humbler we should become. We should realize that other people are just like us: broken and in need of redemption.

Finished Chapter 23. We read that Heaven is not some boring, static place, but an upgrade. It's a return to the way things should have been from the very beginning. Eschatology is the study of the end of this current world and the beginning of a much better and longer-lasting world.

Finished Chapter 22. We read that the end of this current world is coming to an end. Jesus is going to return one day. This is the Christian Hope. This hope is not uncertainty, it is expectancy. Our redemption has already been paid, and the Holy Spirit is the down payment.

Finished Chapter 21. We read that Church is a place for community with other Christians. It's not a place for people to view others as less than but for those who realize they are broken and need a Savior. If you try to worship Jesus by yourself, your faith will grow cold. We should go to church to have fellowship with other like-minded people and support each other.

Finished Chapter 20. We read that the Church is not a building, it's the people. When Jesus said He was going to build the Church, He was talking about gathering people to Him. Christians all over the world are linked together by Christ.

Finished Chapter 19. We read that the Bible contains many different genres. Each of these genres should be read differently than the others. Also, we must remember that while the texts can be read by us, they were not written to us. We must understand what they meant to those it was written. Context matters.

Finished Chapter 18. We read that the Bible is to Christians what the Constitution is to the United States. It is the final word on which we conduct ourselves. The Holy Spirit guided the writers to write the Bible. Today, we have over 5,800 manuscript copies that are about 98% identical. The 2% is due to typos, spelling differences, added or removed words, etc.

Read a parenthetical about the Apostle's Creed. It is a statement of faith that summarizes the works of each member of the Trinity. The Father planned the Creation story. The Son paid the sin debt. The Spirit applies the materials and is building the Church.

Finished Chapter 17. We read that the Spirit is actively working to build your new nature. It's a work in progress. The 3 Persons of the Trinity can be described with the Father as an architect, the Son as the financier, and the Spirit as the Builder. Another job of the Spirit is to guide us. He illuminates the way for us so that we can see more clearly. He also enhances our fruit and gifts.

Finished Chapter 16. We read that the Holy Spirit isn't just some abstract force that does stuff, He is a person, He is God. What He does is illuminate Jesus in a way that we focus on Him. The Spirit inhabits us and helps guide us on the path of Regeneration.