MAKING BIBLICAL DECISIONS
STUDY GUIDE 8.1
Lesson 8: The Existential Perspective: Being Good
Section 1: Creation

OUTLINE FOR NOTES

Introduction

I. Creation

A. God

  1. Being

  2. Goodness

B. Humanity

  1. Image

  2. Blessing

  3. Cultural Mandate
             
               
REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Make sure you have memorized Dr. Frame's definitions of ethics  and of an ethical judgment (see lesson 1).

2. Review the meaning of each of the three perspectives on ethics, as explained in this course. Which of the three ethical perspectives does this lesson emphasize?

3. All moral goodness is rooted in ____.

4. What does it mean to say that all of God's attributes are "immutable"?

5. What do theologians mean when they speak of the "simplicity" of God?

6. Explain the illustration of a gem stone. How does it illustrate how God's attributes relate to each other?

7. How does Dr. Frame explain what it means that man is the "image" of God. Mention the two uses of the word in ancient times.

8. What was man's moral nature at the time of creation?

9. Make sure you are familiar with the contents of the following Bible passages:

James 1:17
1 John 1:5-7
Genesis 1:27-28
Genesis 9:6
               
APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. Why is it important to you to know that God is "immutable"? Give an example of what difference it would make if He were NOT immutable.

2. How does the illustration of the gem stone help you understand and love God more? Do you sometimes tend to think of some of His attributes as being somehow in conflict? How can you avoid doing that?

3. What practical difference does it make to you to know that all people are made in the image of God? How does it change the way you think of "unlovely" people or people that you might normally consider your enemies?