Study Questions

The text on this page is not in the original book. This page is not only added here to give a proper hierarchy to the online version, but also to encourage you to work through the questions and then let others know about the online and paperback versions.

The following study questions are useful for Church, home study groups, or just your personal study. We encourage you to read the questions and write down your answers on a piece of paper or in a computer document. Then take the time to re-read those portions of the book that relate to the questions. Husbands and wives are encouraged to study and read the questions together. Great benefit will result from this effort. You will also gain a better understanding of the principles in this book by further discussion of these truths with others.

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We will also include links from the questions, to their respective chapters, allowing you to more conveniently find the answers to those questions.

Chapter One

  1. What is the primary necessity if we are to experience an intimate, personal relationship?
  2. Give several reasons why an individual may not want to pursue godly understanding.
  3. What conclusion can we draw about God if it is true that knowledge decreases faith?
  4. What are the two ingredients of true unity? What is the basic cause of disunity?
  5. What does it mean to "neglect" so great a salvation?
  6. Why did God create man?
  7. Give several evidences that would prove God has not endeavored to remain mysterious and aloof.
  8. Explain the statement "no man is deceived unless he wants to be deceived" in relation to truth and salvation. Include statements about the two universal sources of moral enlightenment.
  9. What is the basic difference between the deceived, the deceivers and the reconciled?
  10. In Jesus' parable of the sower, what is the sole difference between the man who is lost and the individual whose life bears fruit?
  11. Using the surrounding context, explain what God is saying in Isaiah 55:8-9 regarding His thoughts and ways.
  12. What is wrong with defining God's expressed feelings in the Bible as anthropopathisms?
  13. What is deficient about a desire to merely "experience" God?
  14. Describe the differences between God's being and His character.
  15. Which is more important to understand prior to relational committal: physical prowess or character traits?

Chapter Two

  1. What is God's expressed standard for His children?
  2. Name the two options open to those individuals whose lives do not correspond to the biblical standard.
  3. Give a brief definition of holiness.
  4. Why is God holy?
  5. On what basis does God require us to choose Him supremely?
  6. Define the relationship between our supreme, subordinate and simple choices. Which level does God evaluate to determine what is virtuous and what is sinful?
  7. What is the difference between Christ's righteousness imputed as a technicality versus as a reality?
  8. Explain the relationship between motive and conduct. What is the meaning of James 4:17?
  9. Is it possible to live supremely for God and yourself simultaneously? Give scriptural evidence for your answer.
  10. What is moral character?

Chapter Three

  1. What is the inherent danger in referring to sin as a sickness?
  2. Is sin itself a physical or a moral phenomena?
  3. If it is true that men can't obey God, then why should they be disturbed that they aren't?
  4. What are some of the weaknesses of the federal headship theory? What is the overriding message of Ezekiel 18?
  5. What exactly did Jesus come to earth to save us from?
  6. What is wrong with the idea that the only difference between the Christian and non-Christian lifestyle is forgiveness?
  7. Why can there be no ignorance involved in sin? Give scriptural references.
  8. Why does the Bible state that prior to salvation all our deeds, "good" and bad, are as filthy rags? Explain Matthew 7:17-18.
  9. What is the origin of the sinful nature spoken of in passages such as Ephesians 2:3? How do our thoughts and choices ultimately become our destiny?
  10. What is wrong with allowing our minds to become harnessed to our emotions?

Chapter Four

  1. Briefly summarize man's situation apart from God.
  2. What were the four major difficulties overcome through the atonement?
  3. Was it possible for God to accomplish many ends with just one action?
  4. Explain God's governmental problems in reconciliation. How did His problem correspond to Darius?
  5. What does law without sanctions amount to?
  6. What thoughts entered Adam's mind about God subsequent to his initial sin? How has this erroneous concept been carried on down through human history?
  7. How is this wrong concept transferred to various interpretations of Christ's work in the atonement?
  8. Why did God's love not need to be restored by any propitiation? Was the cross of Christ a stimulus to bring mercy about, or an expression of God's predisposition to mercy?
  9. What is wrong with the statement, "God is a God of love but He is also a God of justice?"
  10. Define the two types of justice. Which type allowed for forgiveness?
  11. Define "forgiveness." Why is it impossible to both receive payment on a claim and to forgive it?
  12. If the atonement satisfied retributive justice to the tiniest iota, what prospect are we faced with in relation to the Trinity? Where in the universe, if this theory be true, can we find an example of true agape love?
  13. Can God relate to man in intimate fellowship when that man thinks he's something he's not? Why is it important for man to see himself as he truly is in the matter
  14. Explain God's motivational problem in reconciliation. What was the key to maintaining the relationship against the magnetism of former, inflamed appetites and habit patterns?
  15. Do we possess any alluring qualities at all which would attract God to us prior to salvation?

Chapter Five

  1. Give several reasons why the atonement could not have consisted in Christ's obedience to the moral law on behalf of sinners.
  2. What is the difference between an allegory and a metaphor? What is important for us to remember about biblical analogies using transactionary terminology?
  3. Could redemption have involved Christ offering his blood as a legal "ransom" to God in order to get Him to release us? Explain.
  4. Explain the sense in which our salvation did cost something.
  5. If it is true that Jesus literally paid for our sins with His blood (a paid debt no longer being a debt), and He died for the sins of the whole world, what conclusions must we come to? What is the theological word for it?
  6. What is a "limited" atonement? Is it taught in the Bible?
  7. Why is it not possible that our salvation was secured through Christ suffering punishment? Explain the potential difference between suffering and punishment.
  8. What was the function of the Old Testament sacrificial system? What did the sacrifices not represent?
  9. Why was it important that the sacrificial animal be without spot or blemish?
  10. What does "blood" symbolize in the Bible? What is its importance relative to the atonement?
  11. What is the significance of the word "almost" in Hebrews 9:22?
  12. Was it possible for a sin offering to be efficacious if it did not produce a heart realization, humility and contrition? Give scriptural evidence for your answer.
  13. In what way was the Old Testament sacrificial system deficient?
  14. Explain how the sacrifice of Christ opened up a better hope—or a new and Living way to God.
  15. When the Bible talks about an imperfect law and replacing the old system, is it referring to ceremonial law or moral law? Explain.
  16. What biblical evidence do we have that crucifixion facilitated, rather than caused Jesus' death?
  17. What does the Bible mean when it states that Jesus "bore our sins?"
  18. Is there any evidence that profound emotional grief and heart trauma are related? How does this correspond with Isaiah 53:11-12?
  19. What is the biblical evidence for and significance of Jesus' premature death on the cross?
  20. Describe in detail how Christ's shed blood and substitutionary sufferings solved, once and for all, God's difficulties in reconciling man to Himself.

Chapter Six

  1. How can a church sanctuary become an effective hiding place for sinners?
  2. Can you be saved solely by repenting of sin? Can you be saved without repenting of sin?
  3. Is the critical factor in salvation whether we accept Christ, or whether or not He accepts us?
  4. Does it matter to God at the point of salvation if we have unconfessed, unrepented sin in our hearts?
  5. Is repentance a divine invitation or a divine commandment? Give supporting evidence for your answer.
  6. Is repentance essentially a surrender, or a cure? Explain.
  7. What do we indicate to God when we desire and determine to hold on to our sin?
  8. Explain the steps involved in true repentance.
  9. What is the difference between confession of sin and repentance?
  10. What happens to us when we realize the truth about our sin, and yet decide to remain unchanged?

Chapter Seven

  1. What is the basic distinction between intellectual faith and saving faith?
  2. Why is saving faith regarded as virtuous?
  3. Describe the elements of faith (substance and evidence) mentioned in Hebrews 11:1.
  4. What is the difference between Christian faith and existentialism?
  5. Is it possible to believe anything without evidence? Explain.
  6. Why does "yo-yo" Christianity not measure up to the biblical definition of saving faith?
  7. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of coming to a saving faith?
  8. Briefly define antinomianism. What is its error?
  9. What do we learn from a thorough reading of James 2:14-26?
  10. Are we saved by faith, or saved by grace?

Chapter Eight

  1. Describe the basic aspects of any good, personal relationship.
  2. What happens to a relationship when commitment is withdrawn?
  3. What is wrong with the statement: "He lost his fellowship with the Lord, but not his salvation?"
  4. Give a brief definition of the word truth.
  5. Based on the scriptural evidence in this chapter, how would you define the "if" condition?
  6. When Jesus came into the world He brought two equally significant messages—what were they?
  7. What are the two potential sources of condemnation?
  8. What is an "altar relationship"?
  9. Briefly define discipleship. Why is biblical discipleship not legalistic?
  10. Describe the process that takes place in the human heart when the rightful rulership of Christ is challenged.

Chapter Nine

  1. What is the basic difference between positional and experiential sanctification?
  2. What ultimately is the difference between a positionally sanctified carnal Christian living for himself supremely and an unregenerate, natural man living for himself supremely?
  3. Upon examining the 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 passage in context, what is the Apostle Paul actually stating? Do these verses establish a category for carnal Christians?
  4. What are the two main aspects of the new covenant?
  5. Give a brief definition of the word sanctified.
  6. What does it mean to abide in Christ?
  7. What is the difference between attempting to secure spiritual victory via abstinence as opposed to abiding in Christ?
  8. Why are we afraid to let go of our lives? What does this reveal to us?
  9. Why is it not a good idea to build our cross?
  10. What is the importance of spiritual vision and how is it to be obtained?

Chapter Ten

  1. Why is it important to share objective truth as opposed to subjective experiences in our evangelism?
  2. Give two reasons why every Christian needs to share the Gospel message with others.
  3. Is compassion for the lost sufficient motive for preaching the Gospel? Explain.
  4. What was Jesus really saying to Peter when He closed the book of John with the words "Feed My sheep?" Who do the sheep represent?
  5. What is the danger of misunderstanding what it means to be "not of this world?" What is apocalyptic fatalism?
  6. If we are going to conquer in this world with Christ, what three things do we need to allow Him to do? Explain in detail.
  7. What was the basic message in Jesus' parable of the pounds?
  8. Give your understanding of Proverbs 24:11.
  9. Why are all non-Christ-centered revolutions doomed to fail?
  10. What has proven to be the seed of the Church down through the centuries? Why?