9/22-Midterm Flashcards
What should we observe about the “Edificatory Writings”?
- The full apostolic witness will be gradually clarified in the understanding and witness only over an extended period of time
- Misunderstandings appear in the new Testament times, even among the truly Christian, and we can expect that the post-apostolic era will be subject to perhaps even more severe misunderstandings
- Practice will remain consistent with the apostolic era longer than ideas.
- Eventually many aspects of practice will conform to erroneous ideas
- The written revelation always serves as a corrective for both ideas and practice.
What are the “Characteristics” of “Polemical Writings”?
- Have benefited from Christian culture
- See danger internally more than externally
- New Testament more dominant
- Idea of universal orthodoxy in opposition to heresy
- Focus on literal begins to replace allegory
- Reductio ad absurdum
Who are the three Polemicists?
- Irenaeus (ca. 135-203)
- Tertullian (ca. 160-ca. 225)
- Hippolytus (d. ca. 235)
What are the “Descriptions of the Heresies” given?
- Christological
- Gnosticism (Matter is evil)
- Marcionism (Two gods)
What are the categories of Christological heresies
- a) Alogoi - rejected Logos theology and authenticity of Gospel of John and Revelation
b) Dynamic Monarchianism (Or Adoptionism: God came on a regular human being, thus making him the Christ. Left him at the crucifixion. Answer to the problem “How can God die?”
c) Subordinationism (Christ and the Holy Spirit are subordinate to the Father rather than equal with Him)
d) Sabellianism (modalistic Monarchianism) (Affirmed the deity of Christ, but considered Christ as a revelation of the Father and not a separate person)
What are some of the heretical ways Marcion compared the god of the OT with the god of Jesus in his “Antithesis)?
(Not in notes but mentioned in lecture)
- Called fire down on cities while Jesus forbade this.
- Encouraged looting of enemy cities while Jesus taught humble submission
- Seemed to change his mind (Moses and Abraham)
- Was powerless to prevent Evil from entering the world While Jesus’ god was able to work all things for good
- OT Ceremonial Law was inferior for changing hearts compared to the teaching of Christ.
What are some ways that the Polemical writers “benefited from Christian culture”?
(Not in notes but mentioned in class. I missed a few. Email me if you have another and i’ll add it Sweiss996@students.sbts.edu)
- More coherent language
- Teaching is more precise
- More theological/not as moralistic
What are the two main “Tenets of Gnosticism”?
A. Matter is evil
B. Salvation comes through a privatized experience of secret knowledge
Who were the “Principle Gnostics”?
A. Cerinthus B. Basilides C. Tatian D. Saturninus E. Carpocrates F. Valentinus
What are the categories of the “Teachings of Gnosticism”?
A. Theology (Valentinianism) B. Cosmology C. Anthropology D. Soteriology E. Christology (division between Jesus and Christ: Docetism and Adoptionism ) F. Eschatology
Why didn’t Scott put in flashcards for the basics of Gnosticism?
using the picture is easier
What are the “Results of Conflict with Heresy”?
- Provided important descriptive literature
- Set in motion methods of argument that greatly altered church’s concept of authority
- Paved way for asceticism
- Required Christianity to define itself
In what four ways did “Christianity define itself”?
a) Canon
b) Creed
c) Systematic teaching
d) Authority of the bishop
What are the “Prior assumption” that were factors of “Canonical Development?”
A. Reality of divine revelation
B. A new covenant was to come
C. Fulfillment of Israel’s purpose and prophecies seen in the Messiah
D. Expectation of revelation perpetuated by writing
E. The establishing of truth in the mouth of two or three witnesses
What are the “External Influences” that were factors of “Canonical Development?”
A. Early Worship Practice in Scripture Reading B. Quotations from Christian Literature C. Presence of Heresy D. Persecution E. Codex Form of Book
