The Doctrines of God, Revelation, Humanity, and Sin

Course Description

Welcome to ITP 202! This course marks the beginning of a systematic exploration into the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Where other courses have surveyed the biblical narrative, this course organizes the Bible’s teachings into a coherent, logical framework. We will begin by examining how God has revealed Himself to humanity, focusing on the nature and authority of Scripture. From there, we will explore the very essence of God’s being—His attributes, His Trinitarian nature, and His sovereign work in creation. Finally, we will turn our attention to the biblical understanding of humanity as created in God’s image, the tragic reality of the fall, and the nature and consequences of sin. Get ready to build a solid theological foundation for your faith.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters, each building upon the last to provide a comprehensive understanding of the introductory doctrines of systematic theology. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.

• Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
• Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Articulate the Doctrine of Revelation: Explain the concepts of general and special revelation and defend the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture.
• Explain the Doctrine of God: Describe the communicable and incommunicable attributes of God and articulate the biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity.
• Understand the Doctrine of Creation: Detail the biblical account of creation and understand God’s ongoing work of providence in the world.
• Define the Doctrine of Humanity: Explain the concept of the imago Dei (the image of God) and describe the constitutional nature of human beings.
• Analyze the Doctrine of Sin: Define sin, trace its origin in the fall of humanity, and explain its pervasive effects on the human condition (hamartiology).
• Integrate Doctrinal Concepts: Synthesize these foundational doctrines into a coherent theological framework that informs a Christian worldview.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Prolegomena & The Doctrine of Revelation (Bibliology)

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Systematic Theology: What It Is and Why It Matters
• Lesson 2: General Revelation: The Witness of Creation and Conscience
• Lesson 3: Special Revelation: God’s Redemptive Words and Actions
• Lesson 4: The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Infallibility of Scripture
• Lesson 5: The Canon and Authority of Scripture

Chapter 2: The Doctrine of God (Theology Proper)

• Lesson 1: The Existence of God & His Incommunicable Attributes
• Lesson 2: The Communicable Attributes of God
• Lesson 3: The Trinity: One God in Three Persons
• Lesson 4: The Decrees of God: Providence, Sovereignty, and Foreknowledge
• Lesson 5: The Work of God: Creation (Ex Nihilo)

Chapter 3: The Doctrine of Humanity (Anthropology)

• Lesson 1: The Origin of Humanity: Created in the Image of God (Imago Dei)
• Lesson 2: The Constitutional Nature of Humanity: Body, Soul, and Spirit
• Lesson 3: The Essential Nature of Humanity: Male and Female
• Lesson 4: The Original State of Humanity: Righteousness and Relationship
• Lesson 5: The Purpose of Humanity: Stewards and Worshipers

Chapter 4: The Doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology)

• Lesson 1: The Origin of Sin: The Fall of Angels and Humanity
• Lesson 2: The Nature of Sin: What is Sin?
• Lesson 3: The Transmission of Sin: Original Sin and Imputation
• Lesson 4: The Extent of Sin: Total Depravity
• Lesson 5: The Consequences of Sin: Alienation, Condemnation, and Death

Chapter 5: Covenants

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Biblical Covenants
• Lesson 2: The Noahic and Abrahamic Covenants
• Lesson 3: The Mosaic Covenant
• Lesson 4: The Davidic Covenant
• Lesson 5: The New Covenant

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.