COMPARATIVE ORTHODOX
PROTESTANT THEOLOGY

What is Orthodox Protestant Theology?

If one were to look in a dictionary, one would find many definitions of "orthodoxy." For the purposes of this web site, however, I consider Orthodox Protestantism to include belief in the following:

• God is Triune (i.e, a Trinity), which implies the Deity of Jesus Christ as well as the Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus Christ was literally, and physically, resurrected from death.
• The Bible is the Word of God, inspired and inerrant (although "inerrancy" is defined in various ways) in its original autographs.
• A person's salvation is entirely by God's grace, through that person's faith in Jesus Christ, and is not based on any works of righteousness, religious or otherwise, on the part of the individual.

There are, however, differences of opinion in certain doctrines which, although still important, would not put a system outside of the umbrella of orthodoxy. Such doctrines include the following:

• Election: Did God elect whom He would save from the foundation of the world (Calvin, Chafer), or does man have a free will in the matter (Arminius, Wesley)?
• Limited Atonement or Particular Redemption: Was Jesus' death only for the elect (Spurgeon), or was it for the sins of all mankind (Chafer)? Note that this question only pertains if one has accepted God's sovereign election of individuals who will be saved.
• Baptism: What is the proper mode of baptism?
• The Millennium: When Jesus returns, will He reign for a literal 1000 years before ushering in the eternal state (pre-millennialism)?
• Israel vs. the Church: Is Israel still God's chosen people, and does God have a separate program for them and another for the Church (Dispensationalism), or is the Church the "New Israel?"

On this web site, I will present arguments for both those doctrines which are essential to orthodoxy, and for some of the doctrines in which great orthodox thinkers have differed. I will use quotations from the Bible and from well-known authors as much as possible.

In addition to quotes related to different systems of Theology, this site has quotes related to the exposition of certain passages, and other Biblical subjects.

I will also include other items which may be of interest to those who enjoy studying God's word.

I sincerely hope that the issues presented on this site will stimulate, not confusion or argument, but diligent study of the Bible.

Quotations used on this web site are for purposes of review, demonstrating an author's views, and/or encouraging readers to procure their own copies of these works.