Institute Syllabus

Survey Studies In Reformed Theology
©2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 by Pastor Bob Burridge
(Permission to copy or reproduce must be obtained from the author)
A Syllabus of the Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies
Lessons from the Westminster Confession of Faith

Unit 1 - How We Know About God (Prolegomena)
Foundational studies. Scripture, the source of theological truth.
Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 1

1. Knowing Truth
2. Revelation
3. The Canon of Scripture
4. The Inspiration of Scripture
5. The Preservation of the text of Scripture
6. The Translatin of Scripture
7. the Interpretation of Scripture

Unit 2 - Theology Proper
The study of the nature and person of God
Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 2 - 5

1. Knowing God
2. The Revealed Nature of God
3. The Trinity
4. The Decrees of God
5. The Decree of Creation
   (including analysis of the days of Genesis One,
   Green's article on Primeval Chronology, PCA's Creation Report)
6. The Creation of Man and his Nature
7. God's Providence
8. Special Providence and Miracles

Unit 3 - Objective Soteriology
The study of the provision of salvation.
Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 6 - 8

1. Man's Fall Into Sin (It's consequences, God's curse and promises)
2. God's Covenant With Man
   (including: Original Sin, the Unity and Diversity of the Covenants)
3. Jesus Christ, the Mediator
   (including: Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King, the Hypostatic Union
   the states of Christ. Did Jesus Descend into Hell?,
   the work of Jesus in propitiation, atonement, expiation, reconciliation,
   and Christ's active and passive obedience)

Unit 4 - Subjective Soteriology
The study of the application of salvation.
Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 9 - 18

• Free Will
• Effectual Call
• Justification
• Adoption
• Sanctification
• Of Saving Faith
• Repentance Unto Life
• Good Works
• Perseverance of the Saints
• Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Unit 5 - Nomology
The study of God's law
Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 19 - 24

• The Law of God
• Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
• Worship and the Sabbath (1) The Regulative Principle
• Worship and the Sabbath (2) The Elements of Worship
• Worship and the Sabbath (3) The Sabbath Day
• Lawful Oaths and Vows
• Of the Civil Magistrate
• Of Marriage
• Of Divorce

Unit 6 - Ecclesiology
The study of the Church
Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 25-31

• The Church
• The Communion of Saints
• The Sacraments
• Baptism
• The Lord's Supper
• Church Censures
• Synods and Councils
  (Note: one part yet to be completed)

Unit 7 - Eschatology
The study of the fulfillment of the ages
Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 32-33

• Overview of Special Eschatology
• The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24
• The Millennium (1)
• The Millennium (2)

Editor's Notes:
When all chapters are completed there will be a global edit of the entire syllabus
to bring the format into a more unified presentation.