I had a college student recently ask me these four questions and this is my brief response. Who says collegians don't think theologically?
1. How relevant are the commands and ideas presented in the Old Testament?
Many people ask the question "should we as Christians obey all 600 Old Testament commands?" The answer depends on which commandment. Let me explain. The OT is a covenant between God and His People. Many OT commandments were stipulations God had for this covenant with His people. After Jesus, we entered a New covenant. Now, this New covenant (New Testament) has only renewed some of these Old Testament laws. For instance, civil law and ritual law provided in Leviticus, parts of Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers are not binding for us today. However, some parts of the OT were renewed by the NT including the Ten Commandments. Differentiating scripture doesn’t mean it isn’t the Word of God even thought some of it isn’t commanded for us today.
Simply Put, don't see the OT binding unless it was renewed in the NT.
2. Who is the Holy Spirit to you, and how does He work through you?
The right question is not “who is the Holy Spirit to me?” but rather “who is the Holy Spirit presented in scripture?” God is one in three persons in scripture. However, The Father is not the Holy Spirit and Christ is not the Holy Spirit. It’s important to note the Holy Spirit is not a “force” or “power” or “it”. He has a mind, will, and a feeling. The biblical names of the Holy Spirit such as counselor, comforter, etc., gives us indications to the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Other biblical activities of the Spirit include teaching, hearing, commanding, knowing, searching, convicting, bestowing gifts, interceding, helping, sanctifying, and applying salvation to the believer.
3. Do you believe in miracles in today's society?
Some biblical scholars argue that miracles were restricted to the days of the apostles (they misinterpret 2 Corinthians 12:12). Side note: This is why apostolic churches are typically churches that focus on the gifts of the apostles. However, because a concentration of miracles happened with the apostles doesn’t mean they can’t happen through others who weren’t apostles. At any rate, it is not right for Christians to seek miracles today in order to advance one’s status or be entertained by the Spirit. Do I believe in modern day miracles? Yes, but I am extremely cautious due to the abuse of this topic by many of today’s televangelists. So the two-word answer for your question is that I am “openly cautious”
4. Given the idea that you must know Jesus to be saved, do you believe that the unsaved that have never heard the name or anything of Jesus will be sent to heaven or hell?
Saying that John Doe who lives among a people group who has never of Jesus, but will be saved is called inclusivism. Inclusivism confuses Common Grace between Saving Grace. Common grace is the grace God provides everyone regardless of hearing the gospel, (Romans 1:18-20) but doesn’t have eternally salvific power. Saving grace is found only in the person of Christ by grace through faith of the hearer. Inclusivism has no biblical grounds if we rightly differentiate common and saving grace. My main objection to inclusivism other than biblical is practical; If inclusivism were true and God wanted everyone to be saved, it would make the most missional sense not to share Christ, but rather, be silent in order for many to be saved . This idea is certainly not biblical.
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