Ordination Questions for Theology Proper (God)

These questions have been compiled from 10 ordinations within Baptist Church in West Michigan. I trust these will help you prepare for ordination and appreciate the Truth of God and His Word!

Ordination #1

The Person of God

Give some non-Biblical indications of the existence of God. Of what value are they?

How does the Bible approach the existence of God?

What can a person learn about God apart from the Bible? (Romans 1:20)

His nature: Explain John 4:24.

Give Biblical proof that God is a personal being, not a pantheistic everything.

Distinguish between the attitude toward God in (Monotheism, Pantheism, Deism, Polytheism, Agnosticism, Atheism)

Explain Deuteronomy 6:4 so that a person who accepts only the O.T. will understand.

Define the Trinity of God.

Reconcile the Trinity with monotheism.

Give Biblical proofs of the Trinity.

Distinguish between the transcendence and the immanence of God.

Do all members of the Trinity posses identical attributes?

Do all members of the Trinity posses identical functions?

Define what an attribute is.

Distinguish between omniscience and foreknowledge.

What does it mean to say that God is just? (Romans 3:26)

What are some practical implications of the omnipotence, the omniscience of God?

Does God permit things to occur of which He does not approve? Give examples. Why? (Balaam, Israel in Egypt, etc.)

Reconcile the immutability of God with statements that “God repented.” (Genesis 6:5, Jonah 3:10)

What does Genesis 1 “in our image” “male and female” say about God’s nature?

Give Biblical proof for the 24 hour days of creation. Should it be a test of fellowship?

What part did each member of the Trinity play in creation?

Do you accept the gap theory? Why?

When do you believe the angels were created?

What is God’s relationship with the created universe at this present time?

Is God going to do any more creating?

When did God institute the plan of salvation?

Ordination #2

1. What book(s) of theology has helped your growing in your theology?

2. You used the word “Perfections” would it be better to use the word attributes?

3. Is redemption only in his humanity? His whole person?

4. Where would you go in scripture to describe the trinity to someone?

5. Did Jesus think He was God?

6. Do you think God is egotistical, wanting all the praise?

7. Is humanity only capable to reflect the attributes of God one saved? or can an unbeliever love?

8. Can a non-believer understand God’s attributes? (Love, kindness, etc)

9. Distinguish between good verses meritorious?

10. In what way is God is omniscient? (Knowing the future/Respond to the openness view of God)

11. What do you mean by the word “independence” under “Incommunicable attributes”

12. How would you work through Genesis 6, where God regretted making human beings? (Need to think about more)

13. Is God’s actions dependent upon how human’s act?

14. Talk about the trinity and how the dynamics between the Godhead impacts how we live?

15. In what ways are we like God?

16. We are created in His image. How do we reflect that in how we live out our Christian faith?

17. Talk about your prayer life and how the trinity impacts how you pray.

18. Explain how that sin (opposite of God’s Character) and how he can be the author of sin?

Ordination #3

1. The concept of “imminent” define?

2. Sovereignty vs Providence – please define in layman terms?

3. Incommutable attributes – Please define?

4. 2 Cor 5:20,21 what kinds of righteousness does God give us? Incommunicable vs Communicable?

5. Is the Trinity found in the Old Testament?

6. Is the Trinity taught or hinted at in the Old Testament?

7. How does prayer work? Does it change God’s Mind?

8. When did God institute the Plan of Salvation?

Ordination #4

1. Has your 4-year-old asked you about the Trinity yet?

2. Describe God’s transcendence?

3. Define the word impassable? Also reference Gen 6:6

4. Follow up: Is He grieved? Is He frustrated?

5. Is there a reason for the personhood of the Father? It seems to be missing.

6. God being omnipresent: What does this mean? What does this not mean?

7. General Revelation: What is it? What does it do? What are its limits?

8. God is Simple: Define and why is this important?

9. Does God still specially reveal himself today?

10. What do you think God’s relationship is to time?

11. Within God’s titles: is there one that you prefer or use in communication to God?

12. Share with us your personal struggles with keeping the First Commandment?

13. Do you agree that it is right to call Mary, the Mother of God?

14. Do you appreciate the language of the council of Chalcedon?

15. If Christ is co-equal with the Father, explain?

16. Can you speak to the impeccability of Jesus Christ?

17. Is there a hierarchy within the Trinity? In reference to 1 Cor 11 & 1 Cor 15.

18. What does it mean that “Jesus is the first born of all creation”?

19. What does incarnation begin and end?

20. Do you distinguish between the incarnation and his coming back?

21. Does the Holy Spirit live in you? how? Where is he located?

22. Does he change your face like Moses as you become more like Christ?

23. What is the difference between someone reading the scriptures with the Spirit/without the Spirit?

24. “Only Begotten Son” vs “Many Sons” – handle this discrepancy?

Ordination #5

- Explain omni-temporal

- Please explain the Trinity

- What passages you would use to explain the trinity? Old Testament & New Testament

- Can and should you pray to different persons in the Trinity?

- Explain “God is Simple”

- Why is “God’s Oneness” so important?

- Is God ever conflicted? How does this differ from you personally?

- Rev 22:4 – “They will see His Face?” Whose face will they see?

- Do you walk with… God, Jesus, etc?

- God of the New Testament(grace) vs God of the Old Testament(wrath) – Respond to this distinction

- List references to God’s grace in the Old Testament

Ordination #6

1. Explain General and Special Revelation, your thoughts

2. Briefly define the Trinity in layman’s terms.

3. Literal 6 day creation – how do you interact with others regarding differences.

4. Is there room for differences on creations – what is the minimum belief?

5. Why are you convicted that it is a 6-day creation? How does that impact your hermeneutic?

6. Different views on the attributes of God, Open Theis – did God take a risk when he created the world?

7. Believe in Literal interpretation – How does genre impact your interpretation?

Ordination #7

1. God’s Names: What are some of your favorite names of God?

2. How would you answer someone who says, “how is ‘ALLAH” equal to your God?”

3. “I really love Jesus but God the Father is angry and hard to approach.” How would you respond to that?

a. “God is a Child Abuser” respond to this??

4. How has fatherhood clarified your view and understanding of God the Father?

5. Does the Orthodox Jew pray to the same God we do?

6. Can you be a Christian and believe in the Trinity?

7. Can you be a true Christian and believe in the evolution of this world?

8. Is believing in the 6-day creation a requirement for them to join your church?

9. There are times in the OT where it seems like God is changing his mind, how do you explain that?

10. God is sovereignly acting in nature but when a tsunami comes (which is bad), how do you explain that to your students?

11. How do we respond to God’s goodness when bad things happen to people?

Ordination #8

1. List an attribute that is special and encouraging to you.

2. Lots of religions trace religion to Abraham. Do you pray to the same God that orthodox Jews pray to?

Ordination #9

·       Can you give me a metaphor for the Trinity?

·       Do you believe in the Trinity and why would that be important?

·       Why is the Trinity important or influences my theology?

·       What would you do if someone says ‘because Jesus is the Son and God is the Father, then Jesus is subordinate to the Father.”?

·       In heaven will we see others of the Trinity beside Jesus?

·       Walk through the issue of Evil, i.e. Abuse of a child and why would God allow that to happen and why should I not be mad at God?

·       What is God’s overriding attribute?

Ordination #10

What role does human responsibility play under the sovereignty of God?

When you speak generally of God, are you referring to the Father?

How do you explain the trinity?

Why is there evil in the world? If God is sovereign, why are some people going to hell?

Does God make mistakes? How do you explain Genesis 6:6?