Covenant vs. Dispensational Theology

From 12/19/2008 (K. Lai)

COVENANT THEOLOGY

- old and new covenants are one long continuation

- new doesn't replace old but is a new form, like baptize babies is the new form of circumcision

- also promises of God's kingdom are completely fulfilled now; no notion of restoring Israel

- there's still the 2nd coming, to come, but promises have happened already

DISPENSATIONAL THEOLOGY

- i.e. Dispensationalism

- Classicial version: promises are yet to come (following 2nd coming); notion of Israel getting restored

- Progressive version: already not yet; subscribes to portion of covenant theology that some promises are now but also some are yet to come

Church Government and History

From 12/19/2008 (K. Lai)

Presbyterian - groups reporting to groups
Episcopalian - individuals reporting to individuals (pope)
Congregational - local branch doesn't report to anyone (like BOL)

            Roman Catholicism 
                   |
                   |
           (the Great Schism)
                   |
       ____________|____________
       |                       |
       |                       |
Roman Catholicism       Eastern Orthodox 
(west)                  (Greek, Russian)       
       |
       |
       |
_______|____________________________  
|           |          |           |
|           |          |           |
English    German     Dutch       Roman
Anglican   Lutheran   Calvinists  (stayed same)


Notes:
- St. Augustine organized and greatly influenced the theology of the early church (Roman Catholicism) before the Great Schism)
- The Great Schism was a split over whether the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father (west) or sent by the Father and Son (east) 

Paradise

Too many beautiful places to visit, with not enough time or money. But guess what? The most beautiful place ever is guaranteed in my future, and I don't need to worry about planning it, paying for it, making the most of it...

I’ve worked hard
And I’m ready for a long vacation
Got some money in my pocket
And I’m going down to the station
Saw a poster on a wall
And the place looked really nice
A man with a beard said follow me
I’ll take you to paradise

If you want to come with me there’s room
There are no legal limits
There’s always room for one more soul
So why not come and get it
I want to ride this train to gloryland
So why don’t you come up here
And join the band?

Met the man with the beard
Halfway through kentucky
He walked with me and he talked with me
Some people say I’m lucky
For that day the man I met payed the full price
Now I ride the train for free
The train to paradise

Gloryland (Audio Adrenaline)

Why Should We Love Each Other?

From 9/5/2010

Love each other ==> proclaims God / evangelism
Love each other ==> obeys God's command
Love each other ==> completes my joy

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 15:9-12: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

TULIP

Five points of Calvinism:

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)

More info