The videos provide essential teachings of Reformed Theology and doctrine. They help candidates and pastors prepare for EPC written and/or oral ordination exams. Candidates and pastors should discuss the content with your DW mentor. You are required to write a five page paper that summarizes the distinctives of Reformed Theology and doctrine that includes a discussion of the Solas and sacraments. Submit the paper to your mentor and the Director of the Discovery Workshops.
Creation, the Fall, and Salvation
God created the first humans to have union with Him. They enjoyed not only harmony with God, but with creation and each other as well. Inspired by the Serpent, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, breaking fellowship with Him and losing all the benefits of divine Grace. Adam and Eve could no longer represent God on earth. Jesus Christ redeemed humanity through his perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead. The Ordo Salutis describes how He saves the Elect. (Approx. 20 minutes)
Heresies
Heresies distort the teachings of God. This presentation covers Docetism, Arianism, Apollinarianism, Pelagianism, and Donatism; each was addressed and corrected by the early Church. Orthodoxy helps Christians love God in His fullness and understand the grace of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (Approx. 25 minutes)
Covenant Theology
Covenants are God’s promises to his people, generally sealed with blood. The Covenant of Works is described in Gen 1 & 2. The Covenant of Grace begins in Gen 3 and continues in successive covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. Jesus Christ fulfilled the covenants of Works and Grace. The OT is fundamentally about Jesus, and the Bible is one story! (Approx. 8 minutes)
Sacraments
Baptism and Communion are signs and seals of God’s Grace. Baptism brings people into God’s community and communion nourishes them while there. Not all who are baptized are saved and those not baptized can be saved. (Approx. 11 minutes)
The Trinity
God is three Persons with one essence. Major heresies such as Modalism or Sabellianism, Arianism, Nestorianism, and Eutychianism challenged early understandings of the Trinity. Through discussions and debates at Councils, early theologians formulated the doctrine of the Trinity. (Approx. 11 minutes)
Catechisms
The Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Westminster Standards are simple ways to communicate Christian theology and the basics of Christian faith. They address the nature and works of God, his decrees, the biblical story, the moral law, salvation and sacraments, and prayer, specifically the Lord’s Prayer. (Approx. 7 minutes)
Law and Gospel
God’s work in His creation and His expectations of humanity through the Moral Law are given to restrain evil and to serve as a guide. The gospel makes it possible for Christians to obey the law. (Approx. 8 minutes)
The Five Solas
Sola Fide, by faith alone. Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone. Solus Christus, through Christ alone. Sola Gratia, by grace alone. (Approx. 11 minutes)
TULIP
The acronym TULIP will guide us to understand Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and the Perseverance of Saints. (Approx. 13 minutes)