Biblical education classes (BEC) by the team at Living Hope International Ministries (LHIM) are designed to provide you with comprehensible and comprehensive learning experience for books of the Bible, doctrines, and Christian living.
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I. Proverbs as a “Collection of Collections” Anthology Structure: The book is not a continuous narrative but an anthology gathered over hundreds of years. Shifts in tone, style, and structure indicate different historical and literary contexts. The Seven Key Superscripts (Headings): 1:1 – The Proverbs of Solomon (The Prologue). 10:1 – The Proverbs of Solomon (The Sentence Literature). 22:17 – The Words of the Wise. 24:23 – These sayings are also from the Wise. 25:1 – Proverbs of Solomon copied by Hezekiah’s men. 30:1 – The Words of Agur. 31:1 – The Words of King Lemuel. II. The First Two Solom
Download notes: Session 3 Notes 1 What are “Proverbs”? The Hebrew Concept (mašal): Fundamentally means “likeness,” “similitude,” or “representation.” Encompasses everything from one-line pithy sayings to long poetic discourses. The Goal of Interpretation: Recognizing that different forms function differently (declaring truth, persuading, or commanding). Appealing to both the intellect and the imagination to shape character. 2 Aphorisms or Adages Structure and Form: Short, pithy couplets (bicola) designed for memorability. Relies on Hebrew Parallelism: Antithetic: Contrasting ideas (e.g., hatre
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God reveals who He is to His people through His name. When Moses asked for God’s name, the Lord answered, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). The name Yahweh shows that God is self-existent and faithful. Throughout Scripture, God sometimes adds descriptive titles to His name to reveal how He is working for His people. One of those names is Yahweh-Nissi — “The Lord is my Banner” (Exodus 17:15). When Israel was attacked by Amalek, Moses stood on the hill with the staff of God. As long as his hands were raised, Israel prevailed. When they lowered, Amalek gained ground. Aaron and Hur helped hold his ha
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Recap of Class Journey Covered interpreting Scripture: Primacy, perspicuity, textual criticism, translation bias, literary/historical contexts, application. Surveyed theologies: Biblical, systematic, analytic, historical, comparative. Ended with method to evaluate doctrines (objective rating on how well a doctrine is presented) Addressing Criticisms of Restorationism Criticism 1 (Kevin DeYoung): Don’t interpret apart from creeds/traditions. Response: Luther challenged traditions; Protestants shouldn’t act like Catholics. Traditions ok, but Bible cri
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Introduction Pull together components; rate doctrines 0-100. 4 categories: Biblical (8 pts), logical (6), historical (3), practical (3). Twenty-question diagnostic tool to evaluate doctrine Does the presenter show how the doctrine directly follows from relevant biblical prooftexts? Does the presenter show evidence for the doctrine across multiple authors of scripture? If including prooftext with manuscript uncertainties, does the presenter make a case for why his/her preferred reading is likely to be original? If including prooftexts with translatio
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Defining Comparative Theology Not well-known branch; historically used in several ways (apologetics, world theology, etc.). Restorationist interest: Compare competing Christian theologies/doctrines (not other religions). Opposes confessional approach (fides quaerens intellectum = faith seeking understanding). Restorationist posture: fides quaerens veritatem = faith seeking truth. Why Do Comparative Theology? Not just understand others better; pursue actual truth. Individuals, churches, denominations should do this regularly. Current culture lacks th
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Introduction and Purpose After biblical, systematic, analytic, and comparative theology, test your doctrine in the “laboratory of history.” If a belief is true, others likely saw it too over 2,000 years. Massive Christian literature survives: 1st–15th centuries: 5,000–10,000 books 16th–19th centuries: 200,000–300,000 20th–21st centuries: 2–3 million + 20,000–25,000 new books/year Goal: Find doctrinal precedents; legitimacy if early voices agree. Why Care About Historical Precedents? Restorationism is relentlessly past-focused: Aim to believe what ap
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Introduction to Analytic Theology Analytic theology: Newer field (since ~2009); applies rigorous logic, philosophy, and clear reasoning to theological questions. Goal: Clarify doctrines, avoid fallacies, test arguments precisely. Complements other theologies: Biblical (content), systematic (synthesis), historical (precedents), comparative (alternatives). Key tool: Logic – careful reasoning that avoids errors and draws valid conclusions in pursuit of truth. What Is Logic? Informal logic: Everyday reasoning (e.g., “If I eat too much, I feel bloated”).
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Recap from Biblical Theology Biblical theology highlights differences, developments, and author-specific emphases. Systematic theology seeks unity/coherence across all books. Quote (Köstenberger & Goswell): Bible’s unity grounded in God’s unity; diversity from time, genre, authors, circumstances. Defining Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem: “Any study that answers, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any topic.” Summarizes Scripture in brief, clear, carefully formulated statements. Focuses on present-day understanding for Christians. May
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Introduction to Theology Series This begins a 5-part theology section (5th floor of the tower). Theology = discourse about God (θεος + λογος); broadly any Christian belief/doctrine. Preliminaries before doing theology Pray for help/illumination from the Spirit. Be willing to change beliefs if Bible evidence is strong. Truth has nothing to fear; hold beliefs loosely. Never force Bible to fit your theology (example: never alter 1 John 5:7). Better to live with uncertainty than adopt a flawed position. Defining Biblical Theology Bible is not flat/one-t
Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Humility in Application Be willing to change; Bible critiques us. Rules: Text can’t mean what it never meant; same particulars = same application. Application can’t contradict NT elsewhere. Avoid extremes (over/underspiritualize). Application Process Bridge gap: Comparable particulars vs. cultural customs (e.g., holy kiss = handshake). Specific to general principles. Problems Particularizing: Over-apply specifics. Generalizing: Ignore details. Misgrouping: Too few/many texts, wrong combos. Questions If people switched to this doctrine/practice how w
