AFFIRMATIONS AND DENIALS CONCERNING ESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES, PART II
FORTY-TWO ARTICLES OF THE ESSENTIALS OF A CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW
I. We affirm that there is only one living God who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, and absolutely distinct from His creation.
We deny any and all views of God that negate or deviate from the traditional Judeo-Christian concept of God, including Atheism, Deism, Finite-godism, Panentheism (Process God), Polytheism, and Pantheism.
II. We affirm that God is both transcendent over and immanent in His creation.
We deny that in His being God is totally Other or that He is identified with His creation.
III. We affirm that from time to time God supernaturally intervenes in the course of natural or human events to accomplish His redemptive purposes.
We deny any naturalistic view which either rejects a supernatural God or His miraculous intervention in nature or history.
IV. We affirm that God is a personal, infinite, eternal, self-existent, unchangeable, indivisible, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, spiritual being Who is the creator and sustainer of the universe.
We deny that God is impersonal, finite, temporal, changeable, divisible, material, or is limited in His power, knowledge, or presence in the universe.
V. We affirm that God is absolutely holy, just, good, true, loving, and merciful in His being and all His activities.
We deny that God is any less than absolutely and totally perfect in all of His attributes.
VI. We affirm that this one God exists eternally in three distinct Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), each of whom shares equally in all the divine attributes.
We deny that God is more than one Being (as in Tri-theism) or that He is less than three eternal Persons (as in strict Monotheism, Arianism, or Modalism).
THE NATURE OF THE UNIVERSE
VII. We affirm that the entire universe, including all finite beings, was created by God out of nothing (ex nihilo).
We deny that the universe is not created or that it was created out of God (ex deo) or out of pre-existing material (ex materia).
VIII. We affirm that the space/time universe is finite, temporal, and real.
We deny that the space/time universe is infinite, eternal, or illusory.
IX. We affirm that the entire universe is absolutely distinct from and utterly dependent upon its Creator-God.
We deny that the universe is in any way to be identified with God or that it exists independently of God.
X. We affirm that man (male and female) was specially created by God.
We deny that man evolved from or is genetically derived from the lower forms of life.
XI. We affirm that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and consequently is endowed by God with immeasurable dignity and worth.
We deny any view that tends to demean or diminish the God-given freedom, dignity, and value of man or reduce him to the status of a mere animal.
XII. We affirm that man as a rational and moral being is ultimately responsible and accountable to God.
We deny that man's moral actions are determined genetically or environmentally, or that his responsibility is limited to himself or society.
XIII. We affirm that because of man's rebellion against God, both he and his environment exist in a corrupted state and stand under the condemnation of God.
We deny that either man or the world in their present corrupted state may be perfected by natural or human agencies alone.
XIV. We affirm that man, from the moment of conception, is a creature who has individual conscious existence eternally beyond physical death.
We deny that man is a merely mortal creature whose individual conscious existence terminates at physical death, or that man's unborn offspring are less than human.
XV. We affirm that God is the ultimate author of all truth.
We deny that man can be the ultimate author and determiner of truth.
XVI. We affirm that truth is objective, absolute and ultimately non-contradictory.
We deny any view that reduces truth to a purely relative, subjective, experiential, or a paradoxical status.
XVII. We affirm truth to be that which corresponds to and accurately describes and explains reality.
We deny any view that conceives of reality as mere subjective experience, existential encounter, mere coherence, dialectical process, or that conceives of reality in any other relativistic manner.
XVIII. AFFIRM that insofar as God has revealed truth, whether in general or special revelation, it is knowable by man even though it is neither exhaustive nor comprehensive.
We deny that the limitations of man's knowledge of God's truth leave him incapable of knowing, communicating, or using that truth.
XIX. We affirm that all truth disclosed in God's special revelation, the 66 books of the Bible, is propositional.
We deny that the human language of the Bible is an inadequate vehicle for communicating God's truth to man.
THE NATURE OF TRUE VALUES
XX. We affirm that God is the source of all right and just values and that they reflect His moral character.
We deny that true values are ultimately derived from man or any other finite source.
XXI. We affirm that the basis of all true values are objective and absolute.
We deny that the basis of all true values is merely subjective, relative, or cultural.
XXII. We affirm that true values are determined by God and merely discovered by man.
We deny that it is legitimate for man to create his own true values on either the personal or societal level.
XXIII. We affirm the true values revealed by God place a prescriptive obligation on man by which he must order his life.
We deny that true values are merely descriptive of human behavior or that man is not obliged to live by them.
XXIV. We affirm that the only perfect, comprehensive, and complete expression of God's values is to be found in the Bible.
We deny that those who are unaware of the Bible are thereby excused from moral obligations revealed by God in the hearts of men.
XXV. We affirm that the ultimate source of authority is God.
We deny that man has the authority to create his own moral standards.
XXVI. We affirm that God has expressed His authority to His creatures in general revelation and most clearly and fully in special revelation.
We deny that human society, culture, or consensus is a legitimate basis for man's moral conduct.
XXVII. We affirm that God in his general revelation, through the works of creation and the consciences of men, have revealed His eternal power and deity with His moral law in the hearts of all men, even though they in their corrupted state suppress this truth in unrighteousness.
We deny that man is either an amoral creature or that he is inherently good or naturally perfectible.
XXVIII. We affirm that God's normative, special revelation is expressed in and limited to His authoritative, inerrant, written Word, the Bible, which is the final bar of appeal in all matters of faith and life and stands in judgment over all reason, revelation, and experience.
We deny that God has left man without any normative special revelation or that there is any other or additional normative special revelation from God.
XXIX. We affirm that the laws of man must be based upon the laws of God.
We deny that the laws of man have any inherent authority of their own or that their ultimate authority is rightly derived from or created by man.
XXX. We affirm that God alone is the source of man's salvation.
We deny that man can initiate or attain his own salvation.
XXXI. We affirm that Jesus Christ, the God-Man, by virtue of His perfect life, His substitutionary, atoning death, and His bodily resurrection, is the only Mediator between a Holy God and sinful man.
We deny that man can achieve salvation by means of secular education, social programs, political action, genetic engineering, psychology, or self realization, or by any other means.
XXXII. We affirm that Jesus Christ in His Incarnation is wholly God and wholly man, two natures in one person, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.
We deny that the two natures of Jesus Christ can be confused, changed, or divided, or that the one Divine Person can be separated from either nature.
XXXIII. We affirm that God's gift of salvation is supernaturally applied to those who believe by the gracious working of God the Holy Spirit.
We deny that in the matter of his salvation, man is left to his own resources or that he can merit this salvation by his own works.
XXXIV. We affirm that salvation is from the presence, power, and penalty of sin and to joyful obedience and service to God in His present and future kingdom.
We deny that salvation applies only to the eternal destinies of man.
THE NATURE OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT
XXXV. We affirm that the institution of human government has been ordained by God.
We deny that any form of government (or ruler) has authority from any source other than God or that God approves governments indiscriminately.
XXXVI. We affirm that God has established a multiplicity of human governments such as individual, familial, ecclesiastical, and civil.
We deny that any form of human government (or ruler) has valid authority from any source but God or that any human government has either absolute or complete jurisdiction over all other governments.
XXXVII. We affirm that it is the duty of all citizens to obey God ordained authority.
We deny that any citizen is obliged to obey any government when it transgresses its God given mandate or requires him to disobey God's Laws.
XXXVIII. We affirm that it is always the obligation of believers to participate in promoting good government.
We deny that a Christian can fully discharge his duty to God apart from social, cultural, and political action aimed at influencing society for God and for human good.
THE NATURE (AND PURPOSE) OF HISTORY
XXXIX. We affirm that the Sovereign God is providentially directing the course of human history and that the saving purposes of God in Christ are accomplished within the same history.
We deny any philosophy which espouses a naturalistic, chaotic, cyclical, dialectical, two-leveled or any other view that neglects or negates the directive activity of God in history.
XL. We affirm that the purpose and meaning history is to bring praise and glory to God and abundant life to His children.
We deny any view which rejects meaning or purpose in history or which has man, nature, or anything other than God enshrined as its ultimate object.
XLI. We affirm that although man may be the primary focus and subject of history, God is its ultimate author and finisher.
We deny any view in which man is elevated to the level of architect, director, or determiner of the course of historical events.
XLII. We affirm that the consummation of history is the final triumph of God over all death and evil and their consequences, and its ultimate goal is the manifestation of the glory of God.
We deny any view which embraces reincarnation, universalism, the ultimate overpowering of good by evil, the annihilation of man, or the elimination of a place of eternal punishment and separation from God.
ARTICLES OF AFFIRMATION AND DENIAL ON THE KINGDOM OF GOD: A SUMMARY OF THE BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL VIEW
GOD'S ETERNAL, SOVEREIGN REIGN
I. We affirm that the Triune God has reigned sovereignly as King of the universe throughout all time, both before and since the incarnation, and will continue to reign eternally.
We deny that the reign of Jesus Christ, the God-man, beginning in the first century, suspends the providential reign of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
DEFINITION OF THE KINGDOM
II. We affirm that the term Kingdom of God has several applications and may denote (a) the universal rule of Christ over all things, both redeemed and non-redeemed; (b) the special, saving rule of Christ over His people; (c) the life, wisdom, holiness, power, and authority that Christ grants to His people; or (d) the permeating influence of the Word and Spirit in the world.
We deny (a) that the term Kingdom of God refers only to the providential rule of the Triune God, and (b) that Christ's rule and realm are limited to the Church.
III. We affirm (a) that God purposed from the beginning to share His rule over the earth with man; (b) that God created man in His own image and endowed man with faculties for ruling the earth; (c) that God, in the Creation Mandate, commissioned man to rule the earth and granted him delegated authority to fulfill this commission; and (d) that man, by God's design, was made to be the highest created being in the universe because he is the only creature that bears God's image.
We deny (a) that man's fall into sin eradicates the image of God in man; (b) that the fall eliminates or reduces man's responsibility or mandate for exercising dominion under God over the earth; and (c) that all mankind, the righteous or the wicked, ever ceased to be responsible to live under the rule of God in grateful obedience to Him as Lord and King in every area of life.
INAUGURATION OF THE KINGDOM
IV. We affirm (a) that the New Testament phase of the Kingdom of God was inaugurated in fact and history at Jesus' first coming to earth, and (b) that it now operates in reality and power among men in this present age.
We deny that the Church must await the second coming of Christ for the Kingdom of God to be inaugurated on earth in time-space reality and in power.
CONSUMMATION OF THE KINGDOM
V. We affirm that the Kingdom of God will increase until it is consummated when Jesus delivers it to the Father and that, at the present time, this Kingdom is both already present and not yet consummated.
We deny that the Kingdom of God will be either consummated or realized totally, comprehensively, or perfectly on earth before the return of Jesus.
THE KINGDOM TOUCHES ALL SPHERES OF LIFE
VI. We affirm (a) that the Bible reveals God's intentions for the growth of His Kingdom in all nations of the earth during this present age through the proclamation and obedient application of His stated will in Scripture, and (b) that His intention includes the increasing manifestation of His rule over individuals, voluntary associations, families, the church, the state, and all spheres of human activity, some of which are law, government, economics, business, occupations, education, sports, medicine, science, technology, arts, and media.
We deny that God's rulership is limited to transforming only the private lives of individuals to His will.
MAN'S DOMINION OVER THE EARTH RESTORED
VII. We affirm that Christ alone, as representative man and last Adam, by His life, death, resurrection, and ascension to the throne at the right hand of the Father, accomplished redemption, the defeat of Satan, and the beginning of the restoration of man's godly dominion over the earth as God's vice-regent.
We deny that the restoration of man's God-ordained dominion (a) lies outside the scope of Christ's redeeming work as mediator on the Cross, or (b) awaits the physical presence of the returned Christ for its inauguration and expansion.
SATAN'S DEFEAT AND CHRIST'S RULERSHIP
VII. We affirm that Jesus Christ rules sovereignly over the kings of the earth not only as eternal God but also as the sole mediator between God and men, and that He lawfully defeated Satan de jure by His victorious life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
We deny that Satan is the ruler of this world in any sense that undermines the recognition of the rightful rule of Christ over the earth during this present age.
ALL AUTHORITY GIVEN TO CHRIST
IX. We affirm (a) that Jesus, the Son of David and Son of God, was given all authority in heaven and on earth by God the Father; (b) that after His ascension He sat down on the throne at the right hand of God; (c) that from this position of absolute authority in the universe He is bringing all things into submission under His feet, exercising His authority ever more widely and fully on earth as the gospel spreads and people are converted to Him; and (d) that His exercise of that authority will become more fully manifest after His second coming.
We deny that Christ will ever be given any more power or authority over the earth than He was given at His first coming.
EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW TO CHRIST NOW
X. We affirm (a) that now, even before Christ's second coming, every knee in every nation on earth should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of this universe and rightful Ruler of all lives, and (b) that only those who, trusting in His grace alone for forgiveness of sins, repent of their sinful rebellion and submit to Christ as Lord are justified and stand accepted at the bar of God's judgment.
We deny that anyone, Jew or Gentile, believer or unbeliever, private person or public official, is exempt from the moral and juridical obligation before God to submit to Christ's lordship over every aspect of his life in thought, word, and deed.
SUBMISSION TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST IS ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION
XI. We affirm that, because the King demands obedience from His subjects and children, (a) repentance is necessary for citizenship in the Kingdom of God, and (b) genuine repentance is evidenced by deliberate and continuing choice to submit obediently to the lordship of Christ.
We deny (a) that anyone can rightly claim Christ as Savior who does not submit to Him as Lord; (b) that Christ will save anyone who refuses to submit in grateful obedience to Him as Lord and King; (c) that this view embraces the idea of salvation by works; and (d) that Christians ever become sinless or outgrow the need for repentance in this life.
THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM
XII. We affirm (a) that the Church, which is Christ's Body and Bride, consists of the redeemed and is manifested in the community of believers; (b) that Christ's Kingdom authority is not limited to His Church but extends over all areas of life; and (c) that the Church is the focal point of Christ's Kingdom work here on earth.
We deny (a) that the Church is to be equated with any denomination; (b) that Christ's authority is limited to His Church or any group of believers; and (c) that any institution other than the Church is God's primary instrument for the spread of the gospel and the extension of Christ's Kingdom.
XIII. We affirm that the Church has an absolute responsibility to obey the Great Commission, and the task of the Church is: (a) to herald Christ as King over all the earth and Judge of all mankind, who now commands all men everywhere to repent; (b) to proclaim the good news of salvation by grace through faith in the atoning blood of Christ; (c) to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all of God's commands in the Bible that apply to us today.
We deny (a) that the Church can disregard the Great Commission and still walk in godly obedience; (b) that the Great Commission is restricted solely to proclaiming the good news of salvation without the accompanying call to repentance and faithful obedience; (c) that the deliverance believers enjoy from the condemnation of the moral Law exempts them from the obligation to obey it; and (d) that obedience to the Law is a means of salvation.
XIV. We affirm (a) that the intention of the Great Commission is essentially the same as the intention of the second and third petitions of the Lord's Prayer and the Creation Mandate, namely, that the Father's will should be done on earth as it is in heaven, and (b) that these instructions from God call believers to participate by both prayer and action in the expansion of His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven to whatever extent that is possible before Christ's second coming.
We deny (a) that anyone can pray the Lord's Prayer with sincerity and understanding without desiring that increasing numbers of individuals, private groups, and civil states should grow in obedience to the will of God the Father, and (b) that Christians need to agree in advance to what extent Christ's Kingdom will be operational on earth prior to His second coming before they can work together humbly and productively.
THE KINGDOM AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
XV. We affirm that the Kingdom of God, however guaranteed in the promises of the Father and embodied in the person of Christ, can never gain entrance or come to full realization in the fabric of human life apart from the agency of the Holy Spirit, who is indispensable to insure Kingdom entrance, to seal Kingdom membership, to implement Kingdom obedience, to build Kingdom character, to furnish Kingdom gifts, to empower to Kingdom outreach, to produce Kingdom growth, and secure Kingdom victory.
We deny that character strength, personal charisma, skillful management, creative imagination, evident talents, financial strength, political action, or educational prowess by themselves can build or advance the Kingdom of God.
THE CHURCH RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVANCING THE KINGDOM
XVI. We affirm that God holds the Body of Christ responsible for advancing His Kingdom on earth, to whatever extent God has ordained, by applying His biblical principles through service in all spheres of human activity in all nations, prior to our Lord's glorious return.
We deny (a) that any belief regarding the timing of Christ's second coming, the sequence of events leading up to it, and the possible extent of the Kingdom's growth prior to Christ's return releases anyone from such responsibility; (b) that seeking to apply biblical principles to the stewardship of all earthly creation detracts from the believer's heavenly hope; and (c) that one can properly lead without an attitude of humble servanthood.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HEAVEN
XVII. We affirm (a) that our primary citizenship is in heaven, though we are citizens of earthly nations as well; (b) that heaven is our true home and treasure; (c) that the Bible teaches us to be heavenly-minded and that only heavenly-minded men and women are useful for God on earth; (d) that we are seated in the heavenly places to rule in and with Christ; (e) that heaven is the pattern for earth; and (f) that we are to live in eager expectation of our being with the Lord in heaven and of Christ's second coming in glory, when heaven shall come down to earth in fullness.
We deny (a) that our heavenly citizenship reduces our responsibilities in society, and (b) that our expectation of heaven and of Christ's coming gives us permission to neglect our duties in this world.
THE BIBLE IS THE PLUMB LINE FOR ALL NATIONS
XVIII. We affirm that the Kingdom task of making disciples of all nations requires us to hold forth the Bible as God's standard and plumb line by which to measure the justice, morality, and practice of all human endeavors in all jurisdictionsindividual, voluntary association, family, church, and civil government.
We deny (a) that the Bible and its view of reality bind only those who voluntarily claim them as their own and are irrelevant to those who reject them, and (b) that unwillingness relieves anyone of the duty to believe and obey the Bible.
CAUSE AND EFFECT OF KINGDOM PRINCIPLES
XIX. We affirm (a) that when people—individuals or societies, Christian or non-Christian—generally follow, consciously or unconsciously, the moral, economic, and practical commands of the Bible, they tend to reap earthly blessings as a result, and (b) that when people generally fail to follow the moral, economic, and practical commands of the Bible, they tend to reap earthly judgments as a result.
We deny (a) that God will forever allow people to sow the wind without reaping the whirlwind, and (b) that obedience guarantees the believer whatever he claims from God.
SUFFERING AS PART OF KINGDOM LIVING
XX. We affirm that suffering and persecution are a normal part of the Christian life by which the believer participates with Christ in His sufferings, in selfless service for the advance of the Kingdom.
We deny (a) that suffering is always a sign of God's judgment or displeasure with sin, and (b) that suffering adds to the work of Christ in redemption.
CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS
XXI. We affirm that there is continuity between the personal and social moral principles of the Old and New Testaments.
We deny that the moral principles of the New Testament are different from the moral principles of the Old Testament, whether individual or social.
THE KINGDOM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
XXII. We affirm (a) that the Old Testament Kingdom of Israel was brought about and shaped by the acts of God in history; (b) that this Kingdom was to be based on the principles and laws given by God, but the people fell far short of the ideal and righteous Kingdom that those laws prescribed; and (c) that the development of the Davidic Kingdom was God's way to prepare His people for the coming Messianic Kingdom.
We deny (a) that the Old Testament Kingdom of Israel is to be understood only through naturalistic and nationalistic principles and had nothing to do with God's eternal principles and laws, and (b) that anyone could properly understand or anticipate the Messianic Kingdom apart from Old Testament history and the Davidic Kingdom.
XXIII. We affirm (a) that the biblically proper relationship between civil government and ecclesiastical government in any nation consists in each freely conducting its affairs in obedience to God's laws in creation and the Bible, without usurping the other's lawful jurisdiction; (b) that civil government is to enforce on all people laws of civil justice revealed in creation and restated in Scripture, with the physical sword, while ecclesiastical government is to enforce on the church redemption laws of personal and social morality revealed in Scripture, with the spiritual sword; (c) that the state must maintain religious liberty for its citizens without attempting to define correct religious doctrine; and (d) that religious liberty does not grant anyone the right to harm other people physically in their persons, liberty, or property.
We deny (a) that the church ought to rule over the state; (b) that the state ought to rule over the church; (c) that separation of church and state means separation of state and religiously motivated activity; (d) that it is even possible to separate religious motivation from activity in any sphere; and (e) that the church may properly use the coercion of the physical sword.
THE KINGDOM TRANSCENDS ALL NATIONAL ENTITIES
XIV. We affirm that the Kingdom of God transcends all national, political, and ethnic boundaries, uniting all believers in its King, Jesus Christ.
We deny that the Kingdom of God can be identified or equated with any geographical, national, political, or ethnic entity.
HISTORIC ORTHODOXY SUPPORTS THESE AFFIRMATIONS
XXV. We affirm (a) that the Kingdom of God is a central teaching of the New Testament and cannot be neglected without loss to the Church and the Church's influence upon society; (b) that millennial issues flow from the understanding of the Kingdom of God rather than vice versa; (c) that it is more important strategically for the Church to engage in building the Kingdom of God on earth than for it to resolve its disagreements about the millennium; and (d) that the foregoing affirmations and denials are consistent with the mainstream of historic orthodox Christianity.
