Articles & Essays – fredzaspel.com

Christology Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

The Theology of Sacrifice

Definition The biblical idea of sacrifice concerns the way of approach to God, finding acceptance before him by means of an acceptable substitute offered in place of the sinner and bearing the curse of sin. Summary This essay surveys the idea of sacrifice through the Old Testament in order to determine its intended significance. Next, […]

Divine Attributes Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

The Righteousness of God

Definition The righteousness of God is the divine attribute that describes God as acting always in a way that is consistent with his own character. Summary This essay surveys the various dimensions of God’s righteousness as it relates to God himself and his demands and relations with his creatures. God is righteous in himself, he […]

Sanctification Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

The Doctrine of Sanctification

Definition While the language of sanctification in theological terminology has focused on the progressive aspect of growing holiness in the Christian life, the Bible uses the term sanctification to point towards the status as consecrated and holy that we have in Christ through our union with him. Summary In theological language, the term sanctification has […]

Misc Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

Salvation: An Overview

Definition “Salvation,” as the term implies, is “rescue” – rescue from hell but also from sin itself, its power and ultimately its very presence. Summary Salvation is a widely-encompassing theme in Scripture presented from a variety of perspectives and entailing a variety of benefits. What follows is a rather “birds-eye view” of the biblical presentation, […]

Eschatology Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

Preterism: Has All Prophecy Been Fulfilled?

Definition Full preterism teaches that all biblical prophecy has been fulfilled, including the second coming of Christ, Satan and the Antichrist being thrown into the lake of fire, the resurrection of the dead, and the full arrival of the kingdom of God. Summary While there is a partial variety of preterism that finds more agreement […]

Christology Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

Jesus’ Resurrection, Our Justification

Definition The resurrection of Christ is the divine announcement of Christ’s vindication as well as all those who are in Christ. Summary This essay will recap the doctrine of justification, primarily from Romans 3-4, and then examine the relation of justification to Christ’s resurrection according to Romans 4:25 and 1 Timothy 3:16. Romans 3-8 is […]

Christology Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

Jesus Christ, the Son of Man

Definition The designation Son of Man means, for Jesus, both that he is human as we are, a son of Adam, and that he is the coming Messiah, who has been given authority by the Most High and reigns over his kingdom through his weakness, seen most clearly at the cross. Summary While the expression […]

Misc Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

The Free Offer of the Gospel

Definition The gospel is freely offered to all people, regardless of whether or not they are elect, able to respond in their sin nature, included in the doctrine of the particular atonement, etc.; the free offer of election to man is not at odds with the sovereign election and omniscience of God. Summary The good […]

Christology Fred Zaspel | January 1, 2025

For Whom Did Christ Die?

Definition The question at issue here is whether Christ died with the intention of saving his elect only or if he had a wider intention in view. Summary After defining the question and the related terminology I will argue for “particular redemption” by surveying direct biblical statements and then the Bible’s related theological reasoning. Finally, […]