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Vox Institute – Christian Theology – Session 1

Written by

Jay Downes

in

Personal Notes – Led by Central Pastor Shawn Haggerty Vox Church

Introduction to the Course

This ten-week theology class is designed to ground believers in the foundational truths of the Christian faith. The course emphasizes the formation of a learning community—a space where students not only study doctrine but also share their personal stories as a means of ministering to one another.

Each session begins with a scripture reading, echoing the ancient practice of Orthodox Judaism, where communities would gather around the Torah as the central point of worship and teaching. The symbol of this practice, the Bema platform—a low platform placed in the center of the synagogue—reminds us that Scripture is alive, central, and accessible to all, not just the clergy. This principle frames the course: theology must remain biblical, rooted in Scripture, and open to thoughtful questions and discussion.

The Bema and the Centrality of Scripture

The ancient Bema platform was more than furniture; it was a theological statement. By placing the reading of Scripture at the center of the gathering, the community demonstrated that God’s Word is the center of life. Anyone—not just the rabbi—could read from the Torah, symbolizing that divine truth was meant for all.

This practice is echoed in Luke 4, where Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in a synagogue and declares the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy. This “mic drop moment” illustrates the transformative power of Scripture and reminds us that every theological pursuit must center on God’s Word.

The Parable of the Sower: Rooted Faith

Referencing Mark 4, highlighting the necessity of depth in faith:

  • Some hear the Word but Satan snatches it away.
  • Others receive it with joy but fall away under trial.
  • Only those with deep roots endure.

The goal of this course is to help believers cultivate a rooted faith—one that withstands persecution, temptation, and the distractions of life. Faith must be more than emotional enthusiasm; it must be anchored in truth.

Knowledge and Love: Inseparable Realities

“You cannot love what you do not know.” – R.C. Sproul

True love for God begins with knowing Him. Without a growing understanding of God’s character and works, worship becomes hollow and faith superficial. Charlotte illustrated this by recalling how 150 teenagers were unable to explain why they loved Jesus.

Knowledge is not the enemy of faith—it is its foundation. As Jonathan Edwards observed, the Holy Spirit takes what we know of God and makes it beautiful to our hearts.

Hearing and Understanding

Jesus emphasized the connection between hearing and understanding. Knowledge must move beyond information to transformation. Proverbs describes the “man of understanding” as steadfast amid life’s pressures. The Holy Spirit, as promised in John 14, brings truth to life within us, enabling understanding and endurance.

The Goal: Knowing God, Not Just Knowing About Him

Theology is not an academic exercise—it is a means to know God personally. Paul, who called his religious achievements “rubbish” in Philippians 3, desired above all to “know Christ.” Knowledge that does not lead to deeper love is empty.

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” – Paul

The Role of the Mind in Loving God

Real love is intentional and informed. Sproul warns that “mindless Christianity is no Christianity at all.” To love God more deeply, we must know Him more deeply. As knowledge expands, so does awe, worship, and obedience.

Navigating Cultural Confusion: Truth in a Relativistic Age

Our culture is deeply confused about truth, identity, and reality. A video of college students struggling to define reality illustrates this: they accepted subjective claims about gender and ethnicity but hesitated when confronted with obviously false claims about age or height.

This confusion stems from a fear of judgment and the rejection of objective truth. Society often embraces “lowercase t” truth—subjective, personal, and emotion-driven—over “Capital T” Truth, which is objective, absolute, and unchanging.

Epistemology and Foundations of Truth

At the heart of this discussion is epistemology—the study of how we know what we know. People rely on various “foundations” for truth:

  • Avoiding Offense: Truth is measured by whether it hurts someone.
  • Utilitarianism: Truth is defined by whether it causes harm.
  • Emotionalism: Truth is what feels right.
  • Personal Experience: Truth is based on one’s story.
  • Scientism: Truth is only what can be measured.
  • Hedonism: Truth is what brings pleasure.

But these are shifting sands. Feelings make great servants but terrible masters.

Christianity as a Worldview

Christianity is not just a religion—it is a worldview, a lens through which we interpret reality. It answers four fundamental questions:

  1. Who am I? (Identity)
  2. Why am I here? (Purpose)
  3. What’s wrong with the world? (The Problem)
  4. What’s the solution? (The Remedy)

This worldview is biblical, revealed, absolute, and propositional. Truth is not discovered within but revealed by God through Scripture.

From God to Self: The Cultural Shift

Over the last two centuries, society has shifted from God-centered thinking to self-centered thinking. The rise of modernism emphasized human reason; postmodernism reacted by rejecting absolute truth altogether. Literature, history, and even morality became subject to individual interpretation.

This shift is reflected in cultural trends: Life → People → Us → Self. Meaning is now self-defined rather than God-given.

Doctrine vs. Theology

  • Doctrine: The revealed truths of Scripture.
  • Theology: Human attempts to understand those truths.

Doctrinal debates are inevitable, but theology must always return to the unchanging truths of Scripture.

The Nine Major Doctrines

The course will cover the core “ologies” of Christian theology:

  1. Bibliology – Doctrine of Scripture
  2. Theology Proper – Doctrine of God
  3. Anthropology – Doctrine of Man
  4. Hamartiology – Doctrine of Sin
  5. Christology – Doctrine of Christ
  6. Soteriology – Doctrine of Salvation
  7. Pneumatology – Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
  8. Ecclesiology – Doctrine of the Church
  9. Eschatology – Doctrine of Last Things

Each explores foundational questions about faith, truth, and life.

The Nine Major Doctrines of Christian Theology

Over the coming weeks, the course will explore nine essential areas of Christian theology—each answering foundational questions about who God is, who we are, and how we are to live. These “ologies” are not just abstract categories; they shape how we understand the gospel, how we interpret Scripture, and how we live as followers of Jesus.

1. Doctrine of Scripture (Bibliology)

Core Questions: What is the Bible? Is it trustworthy? How did we receive it?

This doctrine deals with the nature, origin, and authority of Scripture. Christians believe that the Bible is inspired (“God-breathed,” 2 Timothy 3:16) and inerrant (without error in its original manuscripts). It is the final authority for faith and life.

  • Example: When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11), He responded to Satan not with logic or debate but with Scripture. This shows that the Word is our ultimate authority.
  • Example: The prophetic promises of the Messiah in Isaiah 53 were written 700 years before Christ and fulfilled precisely in Jesus’ death—demonstrating Scripture’s divine origin and reliability.

2. Doctrine of God (Theology Proper)

Core Questions: Who is God? What is His nature? How is He revealed?

This doctrine explores God’s attributes (such as omnipotence, omniscience, holiness, and love) and His triune nature—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Example: The Trinity is seen in Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16–17): the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends like a dove.
  • Example: God’s character is revealed in Exodus 34:6–7, where He declares Himself “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

3. Doctrine of Man (Anthropology)

Core Questions: What does it mean to be human? What is our purpose?

Anthropology teaches that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), giving every person inherent dignity, worth, and purpose. Yet humanity is also fallen, meaning sin has corrupted our nature and distorted our purpose.

  • Example: The imago Dei is why human life is sacred and why Christians oppose dehumanizing practices like slavery or abortion.
  • Example: Adam and Eve’s rebellion in Genesis 3 reveals our universal tendency to seek autonomy from God, a root cause of sin and suffering.

4. Doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology)

Core Questions: What is sin? Where did it come from? What are its consequences?

“Hamartia” means “to miss the mark.” Sin is not just bad behavior—it is rebellion against God’s holiness, resulting in spiritual death (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23).

  • Example: David’s confession in Psalm 51 (“Against you, you only, have I sinned”) shows that sin’s ultimate offense is against God, even when it harms others.
  • Example: Paul’s description of humanity in Ephesians 2:1–3 as “dead in trespasses and sins” emphasizes sin’s devastating effect on our relationship with God.

5. Doctrine of Christ (Christology)

Core Questions: Who is Jesus? Is He fully God and fully man? Why does that matter?

Christology focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ—His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and future return.

  • Example: In John 1:1 and 1:14, we see both His deity (“the Word was God”) and His humanity (“the Word became flesh”). Both natures are essential for salvation: only God can save, and only a human can represent humanity.
  • Example: The resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) validates Jesus’ divinity, proves His victory over sin and death, and guarantees our future resurrection.

6. Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)

Core Questions: How are we saved? What role do grace, faith, and works play?

Salvation is God’s rescue of sinners through Christ’s atoning work. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9).

  • Example: The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43) demonstrates salvation by grace—he could do no good works, yet Jesus assured him of paradise because of his faith.
  • Example: Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle (Acts 9) shows the power of grace to radically change a life.

7. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)

Core Questions: Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His role in the believer’s life?

“Pneuma” means “breath” or “spirit.” The Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, empowering believers, convicting of sin, guiding into truth, and gifting the church for ministry.

  • Example: At Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to speak in other languages and proclaim the gospel, leading to thousands being saved.
  • Example: Romans 8:26 teaches that the Spirit intercedes for believers “with groanings too deep for words,” demonstrating His personal and active role in our spiritual lives.

8. Doctrine of the Church (Ecclesiology)

Core Questions: What is the church? What is its mission and structure?

The church is not a building but the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), composed of believers united by the Spirit. Its mission is to worship God, make disciples, and bear witness to the gospel in the world.

  • Example: Acts 2:42–47 describes the early church’s rhythms—teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, generosity, and evangelism.
  • Example: The metaphor of the church as a body (1 Corinthians 12) highlights diversity of gifts and the necessity of every member’s participation.

9. Doctrine of Last Things (Eschatology)

Core Questions: What happens at the end of history? What is our ultimate hope?

Eschatology explores topics like the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, heaven, and hell. While details are debated, the central hope is clear: Jesus will return to make all things new (Revelation 21:1–5).

  • Example: Jesus’ promise in John 14:2–3—“I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and take you to myself”—anchors Christian hope in His return.
  • Example: Paul’s vision of the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17) comforts believers with the assurance that death is not the end and we will be “with the Lord forever.”

Why These Doctrines Matter

Each doctrine is more than an academic category; it’s a lens that shapes how we see God, ourselves, and the world. Together they form the theological backbone of the Christian faith—one that not only informs our beliefs but transforms our lives.

Understanding them helps us live more faithfully, worship more deeply, and share the gospel more confidently. As we explore each of these over the coming weeks, the goal is not just to know about these truths, but to know the God behind them.

Essential vs. Peripheral Doctrines

The church must distinguish between what is essential and what is secondary:

  • Absolutes – Core doctrines worth dying for (e.g., Trinity, salvation by grace).
  • Convictions – Important but non-essential issues (e.g., women in leadership).
  • Opinions – Matters of preference (e.g., worship style).
  • Questions – Unsettled topics (e.g., details of the end times).

Essential truths will appear repeatedly throughout Scripture. Beware of proof-texting—using isolated verses to support an agenda.

Belief and Action: An Inseparable Connection

What you believe shapes how you live. Belief is the river beneath behavior. Even in sin, we act out of a belief that our way is better—at least in that moment. Faith is not a compartment of life; it is the current that drives it.

Final Exhortations

  • Share your story—it can minister deeply to others.
  • Challenge anything not rooted in Scripture.
  • If something doesn’t resonate, keep coming back. Growth takes time.
  • Engage deeply with the reading material and class discussions.
  • Remember: theology is not about knowing about God—it’s about knowing Him.

Conclusion

Christian theology is not an academic subject to master but a living pursuit of God Himself. It is about grounding our lives in the truth of Scripture, deepening our understanding of who God is, and allowing that knowledge to transform our love, our worship, and our way of living.

The goal is not simply to think more deeply but to live more faithfully—rooted in truth, strengthened in love, and centered on Christ.

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