The Bible’s fundamental truths
> The Christian faith is based on the belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that its teachings are the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Christians believe in one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. They believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all men from God. The following is a detailed explanation of each of the major categories of biblical doctrine, along with relevant scripture references:
1. Theology Proper:
This category deals with the study of God’s nature, attributes, and works. Christians believe that God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), loving (1 John 4:8), just (Romans 3:26), and merciful (Ephesians 2:4-5). They believe that God created the world (Genesis 1:1), sustains it (Colossians 1:17), and redeems it through his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).(Read More About the Trinity and Read More About the Authority of the Bible)
2. Christology:
This category deals with the study of Jesus Christ, including his nature, person, and work. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14) (Read More), that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (1 Peter 2:24), and that He rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). (Read More)
3. Pneumatology:
This category deals with the study of the Holy Spirit, including his nature, person, and work. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), gives gifts to believers for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), and produces fruit in the lives of believers (Galatians 5:22-23).(Read More)
4. Anthropology:
This category deals with the study of humanity, including the nature, origin, and destiny of human beings. Christians believe that human beings were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), sinned against him (Romans 3:23), and are destined to spend eternity with him if they believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). (Read More)
5. Soteriology:
This category deals with the study of salvation, including the nature, means, and extent of salvation. Christians believe that we are declared righteous before God by faith alone (Romans 3:28), are being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), and will be transformed into the likeness of Christ when he returns (1 John 3:2). (Read More About Grace and Read More About God’s Sovereignty)
6. Ecclesiology:
This category deals with the study of the church, including its nature, purpose, and function. Christians believe that the church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are signs and seals of God’s grace (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26), and that the church is to be governed by elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7). (Read More About the Church and Read More About the Sacrifices or Ordinances)
7. Eschatology:
This category deals with the study of the end times, including the nature and timing of the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. Christians believe that Jesus Christ will return to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42), that all people will be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:22-23), and that all people, whose names were not written in the book of life, will stand before God to be judged according to their deeds. (Revelation 20:12-15).(Read More About the Second Coming and Read More About Final Judgment and Eternal Life)
Conclusion
The above truth propositions summarize the major categories of biblical doctrine that Christians believe in. It is important to note that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and there is often overlap between them. They provide a useful framework for understanding the major themes and doctrines presented in the Bible.
Please note that this is a brief summary of these doctrines. There is much more to learn about each of these topics, and I encourage you to explore them further if you are interested. The Bible is a rich and complex text that covers a wide range of topics, and there is always more to learn about what Christians believe from what the Bible declares to be true.
Looking for answers to difficult questions about the Christian faith? Check out our companion website, Jesus Is Lord Blog. We tackled ten of the most challenging questions that people like you are asking. Visit our puzzling questions series.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 1/3/2024
(1) What is Christianity and what do Christians believe?. https://www.gotquestions.org/christianity.html.
(2) 8 Beliefs of a True Christian – Life, Hope and Truth. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/blog/8-beliefs-of-a-true-christian/.
(3) How Do We Know What Truth Is? – Christianity. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-do-we-know-what-truth-is.html.
(4) Lesson 16: True Versus Counterfeit Christianity … – bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-16-true-versus-counterfeit-christianity-philippians-31-3.
(5) How Do We Know the Bible Is True? – Ligonier Ministries. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/how-do-we-know-bible-true.
(6) What Are Christian Creeds and Confessional Statements? – Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/bible-basics/question16-christian-creeds-and-confessional-statements.cfm.
(7) What is biblical inerrancy? A New Testament scholar explains. https://theconversation.com/what-is-biblical-inerrancy-a-new-testament-scholar-explains-163613.
(8) The Essential Doctrines of The Christian Faith (Part One): A Historical …. https://www.equip.org/articles/the-essential-doctrines-of-the-christian-faith-part-one/.
(9) What is a Creed? Christianity Beliefs & Religion History. https://www.christianity.com/jesus/early-church-history/early-churches/what-is-a-creed.html.
(10) 5 Things You Should Know about Creeds – Ligonier Ministries. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-creeds.
(11) Biblical Support for Creeds, Confessions, and Statements of Faith. https://founders.org/articles/the-biblical-basis-for-creeds-confessions-and-statements-of-faith/.
(12) The Trinity (Triunity) of God | Bible.org. https://bible.org/article/trinity-triunity-god.
