Case Study Number Nine

CASE STUDY NUMBER NINE

THE ATONEMENT

Reference, Grudem, Chapter 27

1. Grudem’s chapter 27, “The Atonement”, has these sub-headings: “Was it necessary for Christ to die? Did Christ’s entire earthly life earn any saving benefits for us? The cause and nature of the atonement. Did Christ descend to hell?” The section on the “descent into hell” is somewhat specialized, beginning with a chart on the gradual development of the Apostles’ Creed, and then a lengthy discussion. (Grudem has done major research on this question, especially in his commentary on First Peter.) That section, pages 583- 594, may not be one you get into thoroughly, but at least note his listing of various views and see what the Heidelberg Catechism (Question 44) says. Do you think Christ literally descended into hell? Would you omit the phrase from the Creed if you could?

2. At the back of the chapter write out the 20 “Special Terms” in your notebook. Then write, in your own words, a definition for each term. Don’t worry about length. Make appointments with two people in your church (not church staff) asking if you can try to explain to them the meaning of 20 theological terms in a special study you are doing. Your hope is that you can help them understand what each word means.

3. Now work through pages 568- 582, noting as many definitions as you find along the way. Write out and pray out your answers to application questions 1- 3 at the end of chapter 27. Write a short psalm of praise for Christ’s atonement. Who can you tell what you have learned about the atonement, and what it means to you? Do it.

4. The last section of the chapter, pages 594- 603, on the extent of the atonement, highlights where reformed people usually disagree with some other Christians. Write out- what is the reformed and the non-reformed view on general or particular (or limited) atonement? What Biblical passages seem to support each? Is this a new subject to you? How would you talk about it with your friends?

5. In Grudem’s Appendix of “Historic Confessions” read the Anglican “39 Articles”, Articles 10 and 17, and the Westminster Confession, Chapters 3, 9, 10. Compare them with the Belgic Confession, Articles 16 and 21 and the Canons of Dort , First Main Point of Doctrine. If you are using Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions note that the RCA, when it became 34

independent of the Dutch Church in 1792, did not include the “Rejection of Errors” which were directed at specific Dutch controversies at the time of the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). How can you praise God for his work of election?

6. Write out and pray out the remaining application questions at the end of chapter 27. Can you see why one theologian wrote: “If the cross is anything to the Christian it is everything”?

7. Who will you meet with to explain those terms which help describe Christ’s atonement?