THEOLOGY FOUR - ANTHROPOLOGY + ESCHATOLOGY

What is Man?
Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology 

Course description

This course comes in two parts. First, it serves as an introduction to the doctrine of man. In every culture throughout history, people have asked questions such as, "Who are we?" and "Why are we here?" The Bible tells us that we are God's images, created to rule over creation on his behalf and to turn the world into his earthly kingdom. Second, it examines what the Scriptures teach about the last days, including a variety of challenging topics, such as the afterlife, the general resurrection, and the consummation of Christ's messianic kingdom in the new heavens and new earth. This course is based on two Thirdmill video series, What is Man?, as well as Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology produced by Third Millennium Ministries and presented by Dr. Greg Perry and Dr. Matt Friedeman with contributions from a variety of professors.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals

In this course, we would like to accomplish the following:

1. We hope you will better understand man's origin, composition and purpose, explore the origin of sin and its consequences, and examine humanity's covenant relationship to God as you develop a greater love and appreciation for man as you learn more about him.
2. We hope you will be able to trace God's goal for creation throughout history, know how to describe the present, intermediate and final states of human beings, and explore the final events of history from Christ's return and the millennium to the new creation.
3. We hope your greater understanding of man and our final states will lead to changes in your life, especially in the way you treat others and in your attitude toward yourself.

Objectives

When you have done the following, it will show that the goals are met:

1. Obtain satisfactory grades on the quizzes and test, demonstrating that you can identify
   • a) identify the biblical teachings about the origin of sin, its meaning, and its consequences,
   • b) identify the aspects of God's covenant with man, the work of Christ as mediator, and the unique character of each stage of its administration
   • c) express the Bible's teaching on the goal of creation and the afterlife
   • d) communicate the various biblical ideas concerning Christ's return and identify the biblical teachings on the last events of history that will finally end this age and fully consummate the age to come.
2. Complete the study guides and other assignments of the course, expressing your thoughts and attitudes regarding biblical anthropology and eschatology and show how you have applied the teachings of the course to your own life..
3. Participate in weekly discussions that both review and reflect up on the teachings of the Thirdmill videos, in order to more fully understand the concepts and apply them to your life and ministry.

Thematic Outline of the Course

1. In the Beginning
2. The Image of God
3. The Curse of Sin
4. The Covenant of Grace
5. The Goal of Creation
6. The Living and the Dead
7. The Coming of the King
8. The End of the Age

EXPLANATION OF ASSIGNMENTS

The Multimedia Lessons

1. Study the lessons, watching the video, listening to the audio, or reading the text.
2. Complete the Study Guide for each lesson. These study guides will prepare you for the online quizzes and help you apply the teachings of the lesson to your own life.
3. Take the online quizzes for each lesson. The quizzes may be taken as many times as you want, but you must wait one hour between each attempt. Your highest grade will be the official grade. We suggest achieving at least an 80% before participating in the weekly discussion to ensure you understand the concepts correctly.
4. Participate in the weekly discussions with your group and Trainer, utilizing that sessions Discussion Guide. These discussions are vital to your full understanding of the course material and your ability to correctly apply the concepts to your life and ministry. We recommend the discussion on the video lessons last at least one hour.
5. Take the Anthropology & Eschatology - Final Exam. You may take the test again as many times as you want for review, but you must wait one hour between each attempt. The official grade will be your highest grade and we recommend achieving at least an 80% before moving on to the next course.

??? Badge

1. One hour each week should be devoted to working through the ??? Badge Instructions. This one to two-page guide will provide a general direction for your trainer as you seek to develop this vital ministry skill.
2. In the first few weeks, spend the one hour you have that week walking through the Topics to Discuss given in the ??? Badge Instructions.
3. Once a solid foundation has been laid through the group discussion times, spend the remaining weeks working through the badge Action Steps.
4. You will be awarded the badge once your Trainer has determined the completion of the actions steps in light of the Badge Instructions. All badges will be visible in your student “backpack” in the online classroom.

GRADES

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

1. The quizzes on the lectures are each worth 30 points.
2. The final exam on the lectures is worth 100 points.
3. The ??? Badge Report won't affect your grade but must be submitted to complete the course.

A total course score above 80% is considered passing.

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List of Contributors to this course (institutions listed relative to the time of recording)

Andrew Abernethy, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Dr. Danny Akin is President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Randy Alcorn is Founder and Director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.

Rev. José Aristides is Dean of Miami International Seminary (MINTS) in Brazil.

Vincent Bacote, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Dr. Voddie Baucham, Jr. is Dean of Seminary at Africa Christian University in Zambia.

Dr. Gary M. Burge is Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Rev. Bill Burns was formerly a lecturer of Systematic Theology at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, TX.

Dr. Constantine Campbell is Associate Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Dr. D.A. Carson is Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Co-founder of The Gospel Coalition.

Dr. Matt Carter is the Pastor of Preaching and Vision at The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, TX.

Dr. Gareth Cockerill is Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Dr. Marc Cortez is Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Rev. Xiaojun Fang serves at Xuzhou Logos Grace Presbyterian Church in China.

Dr. Tim Foster is Vice Principal at Ridley College in Melbourne.

Dr. Matt Friedeman is Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Dr. Paul Gardner is Senior Pastor of ChristChurch Presbyterian in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Benjamin Gladd is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Dr. Jay Haley is Adjunct Professor at Birmingham Theological Seminary.

Dr. James Hamilton is Associate Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Preaching Pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church.

Dr. John Hammett is Associate Dean of Theological Studies and Senior Professor of Systematic Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dan Hendley is Senior Pastor of North Park Church in Wexford, PA.

Dr. Alan Hultberg is Associate Professor of Bible Exposition and New Testament at Talbot School of Theology.

Dr. Dennis E. Johnson is Academic Dean and Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California.

Dr. David W. Jones is Associate Dean for Graduate Program Administration and Professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Riad Kassis is International Director of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education.

Dr. Ken Keathley is Director of the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture and Professor of Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Prof. Mumo Kisau is Vice Chancellor of Scott Christian University in Kenya.

Dr. Peter Kuzmič is the Eva B. and Paul E. Toms Distinguished Professor of World Missions and European Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the co- founder and director of Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, Croatia.

Dr. Samuel Lamerson is President of Knox Theological Seminary and Professor of New Testament.

Rev. Peter Liu is Senior Pastor of Chinese Christian Church of Greater Jackson in Mississippi.

Dr. Keith Mathison is Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformation Bible College.

Dr. John E. McKinley is Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Talbot School of Theology.

Dr. Douglas Moo is the Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Dr. Josh Moody is Senior Pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL.

Rev. Timothy Mountfort is Academic Dean at Western China Covenant Theological Seminary.

Dr. Alvin Padilla is Vice President of Academic Affairs at Western Theological Seminary.

Dr. Greg Perry is Vice President for Strategic Projects at Third Millennium Ministries (formerly Associate Professor of New Testament and Director of City Ministry Initiative at Covenant Theological Seminary).

Dr. Richard Phillips is Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C. and Chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology.

Dr. Vern S. Poythress is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary and Editor of the Westminster Theological Journal.

Yohanes Praptowarso, Ph.D. serves at Batu Theological Seminary.

Dr. Charles L. Quarles is Director of Ph.D. Studies and Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Harry L. Reeder III is Senior Pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL.

Dr. Ramesh Richard is Professor of Global Theological Engagement and Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Prof. Brandon P. Robbins is Staff Apologist at the Apologetics Resource Center for Birmingham Theological Seminary.

Rev. Ric Rodeheaver is Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church in Laguna Hills, California.

Dr. Steven C. Roy is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Dr. Philip Ryken is President of Wheaton College.

Rev. Agus G. Satyaputra is President of Bandung Theological Seminary.

Dr. Mark Saucy is Professor of Theology and Theology Department Chair at Talbot School of Theology.

Dr. Glen G. Scorgie is Professor of Theology at Bethel Seminary, San Diego.

Rev. Canon Alfred Sebahene, Ph.D. is Dean at St. John's University in Tanzania.

Rev. George Shamblin serves at Birmingham Theological Seminary and The Center for Executive Leadership.

Rev. Vuyani Sindo is a lecturer at George Whitefield College in South Africa.

Prof. Hezhuang Tian is Dean of China Logos Theological Seminary.

Rev. Rico Tice is Associate Minister of All Soul's Langham Place in London and Founder of Christianity Explored Ministries.

Dr. Stephen Um is Senior Pastor of Citylife Presbyterian Church in Boston.

Dr. David VanDrunen is the Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at Westminster Seminary California.

Dr. Simon Vibert is the former Vicar of St. Luke's Church, Wimbledon Park, UK, and is presently the Vice Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and Director of the School of Preaching.

Dr. Carey Vinzant is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Prof. Jeffrey A. Volkmer is Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University.

Dr. Guy Waters is Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Dr. Stephen J. Wellum is Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Michael D. Williams is Professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary.

Dr. Sanders L. Willson is Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN and serves on the boards of The Gospel Coalition, Union University and Reformed Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. John W. Yates is Rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Raleigh, NC.