Bible Question:
Dear Saints and fellows, Again I ask for help in creating a primer for new Christians and those 'on the brink.' The first class will be Christian-Bible terminology. I would like to give basic definitions pertinent to starting a life in Christ Jesus. Please rememeber that I am living in a country with less than 1 percent Christian population (Japan), and very little knowledge of things many would take for granted. A few terms I would like to bring up are: God, Holy Spirit, Trinity, Messiah-Christ, heaven, hell, salvation, justification, redemption, Bible-Old Testament-New Testament, prophecy, ministry, faith, baptism...etc. Please give me a definition of one or more of the above, with a clear Bible reference (Not too many!) Let me know what you might want to add to the above list. Please, do not 'wax poetic' or philosophize. Also, don't refer me to another book or web-site...tell me what YOU think. Be brief; I want to give a list of basic definitions, explain the basics, then have some free discussion, all in about 90 minutes. Think what is most important to you. Thank you all for you help. I plan on publishing the course outline on my homepage as an 'open source.' I pray that it will be a blessing to many in non-Christian nations, and maybe in some so-called 'Christian nations' as well. Blessing to all in Christ Jesus, charis |
Bible Answer: Charis: Not that I haven't read your request that we give OUR answers, but it does sound that what you are looking for is a catechism. Why "re-invent the wheel" when a catechism (such as the Westminster Shorter Catechism or one of the many other evangelical ones) serves the very purpose you are seeking? They are used as educational tools to help seekers/new converts/children grasp the basics of the faith in a manner that is easy to understand. Why don't you take a look and see if this will help, and I am sure that someone on the forum will work with you if that doesn't pan out. A whole host of catechisms can be found at www.reformed.org under the link "Historic Church Documents." Others can be found at www.reformedreader.org under "Baptist Documents." These are worth a looksie for everyone in my opinion, even if you don't agree with every last point of doctrine contained therein. --Joe! |