Essay 4 - Systematic Theology, Philosophy, etc.

Question 1

Define Biblical theology:

Answer 1

Is the study of the content of scripture organized by theme and arranged progressively.

It is a method of study. (not merely theology that is biblical)

Question 2

Define Systematic Theology:

Answer 2

Is the study of the content of scripture organized by topic and arranged logically.

Question 3

What is the definitional difference between Systematic and Biblical Theology?

Answer 3

Both are methods of Biblical study of the content of scripture.

Biblical theology is organized by theme and arranged progressively where Systematic Theology is organized by topic and is arranged logically.

(theme-> progressively vs Topic-> logically)

Question 4

What are the objections to Systematic Theology as it relates to Sola Scriptura?

Answer 4

One objection is that Systematic Theology doesn’t follow Sola Scriptura.

Sola Scriptura does not mean:
- scripture is the only source of knowledge of God.
- we have no need for teachers.
- no need for organization of the text

Sola Scriptura does mean:
* scripture is our only infallible source for the knowledge of God.
* Scripture is the principle (basis) of knowing.
* All knowledge of God must conform to God’s Word.

The NT Authors are doing Systematic Theology when they take passages in their context and reorganize them for teaching (i.e. Galatians)

Question 5

Describe the objection to Systematic Theology regarding the use of language.

Answer 5

Many terms we use are not “Biblical,” such as the hypostatic union, or the trinity.

All language about God is analogical.
-Systematic Theology understands that if we want to state succinctly what scripture says we sometimes need to use technical terms to catch some of the reality.

Question 6

Why is analogical language necessary for Systematic Theology?

Answer 6

If we don’t need to reinterpret the Bible (using analogical terms), we aren’t interpreting we are just reading.

• Philosophical terms are not divorced from scripture, they are an exercise of Biblical interpretation.

Question 7

What are the three types of language and why is it important to Theology?

Answer 7

1.) Univocal - where two things are exactly the same.

2.) Equivocal - where two things are not the same.

3. Anological - there is some overlap between the two things.

Question 8

Why is univocal language never used to describe God?

Answer 8

There can be nothing like God.

When we say God is “good,” it is not the same as saying we are “good.”

Question 9

Why is equivocal language never used to describe God?

Answer 9

When we say God is good, it would have no meaning since we cannot fathom the meaning of “goodness” as it relates to God.

Question 10

Is Systematic Theology “too based on reason and logic”?

Answer 10

Reason is the elicitive principle meaning, “to draw out.”

We are always using our rational faculties to draw out the meaning of scripture.

If scripture is our external principle of knowing then faith is our internal principle of knowing.

Question 11

What are three distinctions about how to use reason for biblical interpretation?

Answer 11

1.) Make a distinction between rational vs irrational.

2.) There is a distinction between the magisterial use and the ministerial use of reason.

3.) There is a distinction between Contra Rationem and Supra Rationem.

Question 12

What does it mean to make a distinction between rational and irrational use of reason?

Answer 12

Irrational theology means your theology has a clear contradiction.

Question 13

What does it mean to make a distinction between the magisterial and ministerial use of reason?

Answer 13

Rationalism states that reason stands above scripture. This is magisterial.

Ministerial use of reason stands alongside of scripture as an assistant to interpretation.

***Medieval theologians called reason the handmaiden of theology.

Question 14

What is the distinction between Contra and Supra Rationem?

Answer 14

Contra Rationem means “against reason.”

Supra Rationem means “above reason.”

If something is against reason it is contradictory.
if something is above reason it is not contradictory but rather reason cannot comprehend it.

Question 15

What are 4 reasons Extra-biblical language is helpful and necessary?

Answer 15

1.) You can’t explain something with identical terms.

2.) Heretics quote scripture.

3.) Scripture assumes philosophical knowledge.
- Paul and others use philosophical terms that are loaded with meaning.

4.) Scripture teaching often requires technical explanation.
(see notecard on this)

Question 16

Why does the teaching of Scripture require technical explanation (Extra-Biblical terms)?

Answer 16

How will we account for the fact that Scripture talks about “being fully God” and “the Word became flesh”?

For example, The church concluded that the way to describe this unique phenomenon was to describe Jesus as one person with two natures.

These technical terms do not fully comprehend the subject matter, but attempts to summarize and interpret the best we can.

***Quoting scripture verbatim is not exegesis.

Question 17

Why is Historical Theology important in hermeneutics?

Answer 17

1.) Historical theology is important because we are studying the work of the Holy Spirit in history.

2.) Creeds are important because they are Biblical, and they are our response to God’s revelation.

3.) Pagan works can be helpful because the Biblical authors use them, and because they discover truth using reason.

Question 18

What are 4 reasons Creeds and Confessions important to historical theology and hermeneutics?

Answer 18

Creeds are a product of a group of careful thinkers who came together and formulated a consensus doctrine.

1.) They do not add to scripture:
- Scripture is what God says, Creeds are our response to what God says.
(Creed means, “I believe.”)

2.) they summarize teachings of scripture in memorable ways.

3.) They are interpretive aids and boundary markers.

4.) Creeds appear in the Bible.

Question 19

In what way are Creeds and confessions interpretive aids and boundary markers?

Answer 19

Aids:
When you have the big picture, it is easier to understand the details.

Boundry markers:
They show the lines where Christian Orthodoxy is.

Question 20

How can Pagan works be helpful for hermeneutics?

Answer 20

Pagan works can be helpful because the Biblical authors use them, and because they discover truth using reason.

a.) Moses recognized through the Holy Spirit that the laws in the Code of Hammurabi were just. The Code of Hammurabi predated Moses.

b.) Moses, Solomon, and Paul, for example, were all influenced by surrounding cultures in their writings. Paul even quotes Greek writers.

Question 21

What are the parts of logic?

Answer 21

1.) Define the terms.
-We must ensure that throughout the course of the argument the definitions are not changing.

2.) Syllogism - this is where we have multiple statements and put them together to draw a conclusion.

3.) Argument - many syllogisms are put together to form a more complex set of syllogisms in order to argue for something.

Question 22

What are five points that are for the use of logic to interpret scripture.

Answer 22

1.) using logic to interpret scripture is necessary.

2.) using logic is human.

3.) using logic is biblical

4.) logic has been crucial to the history of the church.

5.) using logic to interpret scripture is limited.

Question 23

How is using logic biblical?

Answer 23

We see examples in scripture of authors using logic when they interpret passages.

• Isaiah says “Come, let us reason together.”

1 Peter 3:15 - “always be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you….”

There are numerous examples of authors using logic.

Question 24

What is the difference between reason and logic?

Answer 24

Logic is the right use of reason in the inquiry of truth.

Question 26

How has logic been crucial to the history of the church?

Answer 26

Logic has been used to formulate the doctrines of the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, etc.

The authors of scripture used logic put scripture together.