This summary of Christian teaching covers nearly one hundred major theological points from a biblical Reformed perspective, in brief, easy-to-understand chapters. By the author of Knowing God. How can I know God better? If only I had the time to study theology. . . . If only someone could explain the essentials of theology in bite-sized portions. If only there were a resource that went deeper without drowning the reader in page after page. J. I. Packer has done it! Finally, there's a book that explains the essentials of theology in a style and length that busy readers can appreciate. J. I. Packer, noted theologian and author of Knowing God, offers 94 concise studies. Each focuses on our great God and his wonderful plan for us. Where does the Bible say that? Each study is just a couple of pages long. That means you can find the answers you need quickly. But don't be fooled--there are plenty of Scripture references on every page. You can go as deep as you want at the pace you want. Short studies on the essentials. In these chapters, you'll find what Packer calls the permanent essentials of Christianity. The essentials are summarized so that you can find them quickly and easily. The essentials are expressed in such a way that you can both understand and appreciate the greatness of God. So jump right in. Discover for yourself how Christian theology is not just a system of beliefs, but a way of life. Preface xi ONE: GOD REVEALED AS CREATOR Revelation Scripture Is the Word of God 3(3) Interpretation Christians Can Understand the Word of God 6(3) General Revelation God's Reality Is Known to All 9(2) Guilt The Effect of General Revelation 11(2) Inward Witness Scripture Is Authenticated by the Holy Spirit 13(3) Authority God Governs His People through Scripture 16(3) Knowledge True Knowledge of God Comes through Faith 19(2) Creation God Is the Creator 21(2) Self-Disclosure ``This Is My Name'' 23(3) Self-Existence God Has Always Been 26(2) Transcendence God's Nature Is Spiritual 28(3) Omniscience God Sees and Knows 31(2) Sovereignty God Reigns 33(2) Almightiness God Is Omnipresent and Omnipotent 35(2) Predestination God Has a Purpose 37(3) Trinity God Is One and Three 40(3) Holiness God Is Light 43(2) Goodness God Is Love 45(3) Wisdom God's Twofold Will Is One 48(3) Mystery God Is Surpassingly Great 51(3) Providence God Governs This World 54(3) Miracles God Shows His Presence and Power 57(2) Glory God's Glory-Showing Requires Glory-Giving 59(3) Idolatry God Demands Total Allegiance 62(2) Angels God Employs Supernatural Agents 64(3) Demons God Has Supernatural Opponents 67(2) Satan Fallen Angels Have a Leader 69(2) Humanness God Made Human Beings in His Image 71(3) Humankind Humans Are Body and Soul, in Two Genders 74(5) TWO: GOD REVEALED AS REDEEMER The Fall The First Human Couple Sinned 79(3) Original Sin Depravity Infects Everyone 82(3) Inability Fallen Human Beings Are Both Free and Enslaved 85(2) Covenant God Takes Sinful Humans into a Covenant of Grace 87(4) Law God Legislates, and Demands Obedience 91(3) Law in Action God's Moral Law Has Three Purposes 94(2) Conscience God Teaches and Cleanses the Heart 96(2) Worship God Gives a Liturgical Pattern 98(4) Prophets God Sent Messengers to Declare His Will 102(2) Incarnation God Sent His Son, to Save Us 104(4) Two Natures Jesus Christ Is Fully Human 108(3) Virgin Birth Jesus Christ Was Born by Miracle 111(2) Teacher Jesus Christ Proclaimed God's Kingdom and Family 113(3) Sinlessness Jesus Christ Was Entirely Free from Sin 116(2) Obedience Jesus Christ Fulfilled His Father's Redemptive Will 118(3) Vocation Jesus Christ's Mission Was Revealed at His Baptism 121(2) Transfiguration How Jesus Christ's Glory Was Revealed 123(2) Resurrection Jesus Christ Was Raised from the Dead 125(2) Ascension Jesus Christ Was Taken Up into Heaven 127(2) Session Jesus Reigns in Heaven 129(2) Mediation Jesus Christ Is the Mediator between God and Man 131(3) Sacrifice Jesus Christ Made Atonement for Sin 134(3) Definite Redemption Jesus Christ Died for God's Elect 137(6) THREE: GOD REVEALED AS LORD OF GRACE Paraclete The Holy Spirit Ministers to Believers 143(3) Salvation Jesus Rescues His People from Sin 146(3) Election God Chooses His Own 149(3) Effectual Calling God Draws His People to Himself 152(2) Illumination The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Understanding 154(3) Regeneration The Christian Is Born Again 157(2) Works Good Works Are an Expression of Faith 159(3) Repentance A Christian Changes Radically 162(2) Justification Salvation Is by Grace through Faith 164(3) Adoption God Makes His People His Children 167(2) Sanctification The Christian Grows in Grace 169(3) Liberty Salvation Brings Freedom 172(3) Legalism Working for God's Favor Forfeits It 175(3) Antinomianism We Are Not Set Free to Sin 178(3) Love Loving Is Basic to Christian Behavior 181(2) Hope Hoping Is Basic to the Christian Outlook 183(2) Enterprise A Christian Lives to Please God 185(2) Prayer Christians Practice Fellowship with God 187(3) Oaths and Vows Christians Must Be Truthful 190(3) The Kingdom of God Christians Must Manifest Kingdom Life 193(3) Apostles Jesus' Representatives Exercised His Authority 196(3) Church God Plants His People in a New Community 199(5) Word and Sacrament How a Genuine Church Is Identified 204(3) Elders Pastors Must Care for the Church 207(2) Sacraments Christ Instituted Two Seals of God's Covenant 209(3) Baptism This Rite Exhibits Union with Christ 212(5) The Lord's Supper This Rite Exhibits Communion with Christ 217(3) Discipline The Church Must Uphold Christian Standards 220(3) Mission Christ Sends the Church into the World 223(3) Spiritual Gifts The Holy Spirit Equips the Church 226(3) Marriage Matrimony Is Meant to Be a Permanent Covenant Relationship 229(3) The Family The Christian Household Is a Spiritual Unit 232(2) The World Christians Are in Society to Serve and Transform It 234(3) The State Christians Must Respect Civil Government 237(4) FOUR: GOD REVEALED AS LORD OF DESTINY Perseverance God Keeps His People Safe 241(3) Unpardonable Sin Only Impenitence Cannot Be Forgiven 244(3) Mortality Christians Need Not Fear Death 247(3) Second Coming Jesus Christ Will Return to the Earth in Glory 250(4) General Resurrection The Dead in Christ Will Rise in Glory 254(4) Judgment Seat God Will Judge All Mankind 258(3) Hell The Wicked Will Be Banished into Endless Misery 261(3) Heaven God Will Welcome His People into Everlasting Joy 264