Exam 1 Flashcards
adoptionism
the heretical view that Jesus was “adopted” as the Son of God at some point during his ministry (usually his baptism), as opposed to the orthodox teaching that Jesus was Son of God by nature from the moment of his conception
anthropomorphism
the tendency to ascribe human features (such as hands or arms) or other human characteristics to God
apocalyptic
a type of writing or religious outlook in general which focuses on the last things and the end of the world, often taking the form of vision with complex symbolism. The book of Daniel and Revelation are examples of this type of writing
apologetics
the area of Christian theology which focuses on the defense of the Christian faith, particularly through the rational justification of Christian belief and doctrines
apophatic
a term used to refer to a particular style of theology, which stressed that God cannot be known in terms of human categories. Especially associated with the monastic tradition of the Eastern Orthodox church
atonement
an English term originally coined in 1526 by William Tyndale to translate the Latin term reconciliatio, which has since come to have developed meaning of “the work of Christ” or “the benefits of Christ gained for believers by his death and resurrection”
canonical
a word deriving from the Greek term kanon, referring to works that are included in the Christian Bible. Protestants and Catholics have slightly different understandings of which books are included in this collection
catechism
a popular manual of Christian doctrine, usually in the form of question and answer, intending for religious instruction
catholic
an adjective which is used both to refer to the universality of the church in space and time, and also to a particular church body
charisma, charismatic
a set of terms especially associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In medieval theology, the term is used to designate a spiritual gift, conferred upon individuals by the grace of God. it has also come to refer to styles of theology and worship which place particular emphasis upon the immediate presence of the Holy Spirit
athens
in what city is the apostle Paul preaching in Acts 17:16-34
the answering theologian
according to Tillich, in Acts 17:16-34 the apostle Paul is a prototype of this
theology
theos & logos. refers to the study of God and things of God
theology (Stephenson)
faith seeking understanding through second-order reflection by the community of God upon God’s revelation
second-order reflection
theology is not God’s revelation, but human’s appropriation of it. God’s revelation is the first-order; human reflection is the second-order
community of God
done in the context of the church, not in isolation
need for theology
beliefs shape relationships, poor theology harms spiritual lives, growth in discipleship and maturity (2 Peter 3:17-18), natural questions
divisions of theology
biblical, historical, systematic, practical
biblical theology
interpreting biblical texts, focuses on the questions the Bible raises and answers (not modern questions necessarily), exegetical, and observing authors, themes, etc
historical theology
historical progression of church doctrine, studies historical context of various discussions, bases contemporary theology on past reflection, descriptive rather than exegetical or constructive
systematic theology
constructive rather than exegetical or descriptive, asks how particular doctrines should look today, focuses on contemporary issues, addresses the connections of various doctrines, is organized around a unifying theme
practical theology
gives attention to everyday life of the church, consists of pastoral studies/care, preaching, counseling, admin, etc., primarily pastoral
is theology possible
despite human frailty, being a Christian requires us to do the best we can to speak about God
sources of theology
scripture, tradition, reason, experience
theories on the authority of scripture
documents of supernatural origin, historical sources, religious classic, private devotional text, witness to God’s acts
documents of supernatural origin theory
Scripture’s authority comes from God and its identification with the words of God
questions about documents of supernatural origin theory
does it place all scriptures on the same level of importance and does it promote the oppression of women and slavery, etc
documents as historical sources theory
emphasizes the texts’ historical contexts, reminds that the text is addressed to us second-hand, does not assume the validity of all scriptural statements but asks what really happened
questions about documents as historical sources theory
is the Bible limited to historians’ assumptions about reality and the nature of history
Scripture as a religious classic theory
a great work in literary history, authority is like that of any other “classic” in literature
questions about Scripture as a religious classic theory
Bible is literature, but is it more than that? overlook the specific role of scripture in the church?
scripture as a private devotional text theory
authority is in its saving value for the individual; more concerned with meaning than with bare facts
questions of private devotional text theory
lead to excessive individualism? can meaning and message be separated from so-called bare facts?
scripture as witness to God’s acts theory
authority is found in what scripture says; unique witness to God’s saving works; points to something greater than itself; Karl Barth quote
inspiration
“God-breathed” & “carried along”
authors on the topic of inspiration
bb warfield and michael lodahl
inspiration theories
intuition, illumination, dynamic, verbal, dictation
intuition theory
scripture is a human product resulting from human insight; inspiration is a natural ability and giftedness, authors were religious geniuses like Plato or Aristotle
illumination theory
Holy Spirit heightens the natural abilities of the writers; does not directly communicate ideas; author receives an increased ability to uncover truth
dynamic theory
balanced combination between human and divine; Spirit directs authors to truths, and the accurately express them with their own personality
verbal theory
Spirit directs writers to truths, and they use their own expression and influences (not dictates) word choice
dictation theory
spirit dictates verbatim all the words of scripture; writers do not use distinct styles
dual inspiration
spirit did not inspire once and for all, but continues to inspire its interpretation; John Wesley
scripture as a source of theology
the starting point for theology, a boundary for theology, asks questions in addition to those asked in scripture. doctrines should be constructed that represent a faithful trajectory from the starting point (scripture)
what is tradition
stream of christian reflection that precedes the contemporary thinker; every academic discipline has a tradition; it’s a large river with many tributaries
what is tradition NOT
merely the repetition of customary practices
single-source theory
tradition is not a source along with scripture; provides insights for theological reflection but is fallible
dual-source theory
some tradition is a source of revelation along with scripture; some tradition adds to God’s revelation in scripture and is infallible
tradition as a source for theology
contemporary theologians are not the first Christians to read scripture and ask questions about God; tradition must be consulted
consulting tradition for scriptural interpretation
suggests boundaries; regula fidei “the rule of faith”
consulting tradition for trajectories
tradition has done more than interpret scripture; it has asked questions the Bible has not raised; does not exclude new theological developments
reason as a source of theology
theology is a rational discipline; we assimilate revelation through the tool of reason; not the final test for faith, but should be used to support theology
fideism
refusal to accept input from sources outside of theology itself; lacks regard for whether beliefs are reasonable and coherent
rationalism
reason is sufficient by itself for obtaining all truths; no need for divine revelation; reached height during enlightenment
anglican three-legged stool
scripture, tradition, reason
wesleyan quadrilateral
scripture, tradition, reason, and experience
experience as a source of theology
must be interpreted; can bring fuller understanding to beliefs; can promote new beliefs
