Exam 1

Question 1

adoptionism

Answer 1

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

Question 2

anthropomorphism

Answer 2

the tendency to ascribe human features (such as hands or arms) or other human characteristics to God

Question 3

apocalyptic

Answer 3

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

Question 4

apologetics

Answer 4

the area of Christian theology which focuses on the defense of the Christian faith, particularly through the rational justification of Christian belief and doctrines

Question 5

apophatic

Answer 5

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

Question 6

atonement

Answer 6

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”

Question 7

canonical

Answer 7

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

Question 8

catechism

Answer 8

a popular manual of Christian doctrine, usually in the form of question and answer, intending for religious instruction

Question 9

catholic

Answer 9

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

Question 10

charisma, charismatic

Answer 10

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

Question 11

athens

Answer 11

in what city is the apostle Paul preaching in Acts 17:16-34

Question 12

the answering theologian

Answer 12

according to Tillich, in Acts 17:16-34 the apostle Paul is a prototype of this

Question 13

theology

Answer 13

theos & logos. refers to the study of God and things of God

Question 14

theology (Stephenson)

Answer 14

faith seeking understanding through second-order reflection by the community of God upon God’s revelation

Question 15

second-order reflection

Answer 15

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

Question 16

community of God

Answer 16

done in the context of the church, not in isolation

Question 17

need for theology

Answer 17

beliefs shape relationships, poor theology harms spiritual lives, growth in discipleship and maturity (2 Peter 3:17-18), natural questions

Question 18

divisions of theology

Answer 18

biblical, historical, systematic, practical

Question 19

biblical theology

Answer 19

interpreting biblical texts, focuses on the questions the Bible raises and answers (not modern questions necessarily), exegetical, and observing authors, themes, etc

Question 20

historical theology

Answer 20

historical progression of church doctrine, studies historical context of various discussions, bases contemporary theology on past reflection, descriptive rather than exegetical or constructive

Question 21

systematic theology

Answer 21

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

Question 22

practical theology

Answer 22

gives attention to everyday life of the church, consists of pastoral studies/care, preaching, counseling, admin, etc., primarily pastoral

Question 23

is theology possible

Answer 23

despite human frailty, being a Christian requires us to do the best we can to speak about God

Question 24

sources of theology

Answer 24

scripture, tradition, reason, experience

Question 25

theories on the authority of scripture

Answer 25

documents of supernatural origin, historical sources, religious classic, private devotional text, witness to God’s acts

Question 26

documents of supernatural origin theory

Answer 26

Scripture’s authority comes from God and its identification with the words of God

Question 27

questions about documents of supernatural origin theory

Answer 27

does it place all scriptures on the same level of importance and does it promote the oppression of women and slavery, etc

Question 28

documents as historical sources theory

Answer 28

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

Question 29

questions about documents as historical sources theory

Answer 29

is the Bible limited to historians’ assumptions about reality and the nature of history

Question 30

Scripture as a religious classic theory

Answer 30

a great work in literary history, authority is like that of any other “classic” in literature

Question 31

questions about Scripture as a religious classic theory

Answer 31

Bible is literature, but is it more than that? overlook the specific role of scripture in the church?

Question 32

scripture as a private devotional text theory

Answer 32

authority is in its saving value for the individual; more concerned with meaning than with bare facts

Question 33

questions of private devotional text theory

Answer 33

lead to excessive individualism? can meaning and message be separated from so-called bare facts?

Question 34

scripture as witness to God’s acts theory

Answer 34

authority is found in what scripture says; unique witness to God’s saving works; points to something greater than itself; Karl Barth quote

Question 35

inspiration

Answer 35

“God-breathed” & “carried along”

Question 36

authors on the topic of inspiration

Answer 36

bb warfield and michael lodahl

Question 37

inspiration theories

Answer 37

intuition, illumination, dynamic, verbal, dictation

Question 38

intuition theory

Answer 38

scripture is a human product resulting from human insight; inspiration is a natural ability and giftedness, authors were religious geniuses like Plato or Aristotle

Question 39

illumination theory

Answer 39

Holy Spirit heightens the natural abilities of the writers; does not directly communicate ideas; author receives an increased ability to uncover truth

Question 40

dynamic theory

Answer 40

balanced combination between human and divine; Spirit directs authors to truths, and the accurately express them with their own personality

Question 41

verbal theory

Answer 41

Spirit directs writers to truths, and they use their own expression and influences (not dictates) word choice

Question 42

dictation theory

Answer 42

spirit dictates verbatim all the words of scripture; writers do not use distinct styles

Question 43

dual inspiration

Answer 43

spirit did not inspire once and for all, but continues to inspire its interpretation; John Wesley

Question 44

scripture as a source of theology

Answer 44

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)

Question 45

what is tradition

Answer 45

stream of christian reflection that precedes the contemporary thinker; every academic discipline has a tradition; it’s a large river with many tributaries

Question 46

what is tradition NOT

Answer 46

merely the repetition of customary practices

Question 47

single-source theory

Answer 47

tradition is not a source along with scripture; provides insights for theological reflection but is fallible

Question 48

dual-source theory

Answer 48

some tradition is a source of revelation along with scripture; some tradition adds to God’s revelation in scripture and is infallible

Question 49

tradition as a source for theology

Answer 49

contemporary theologians are not the first Christians to read scripture and ask questions about God; tradition must be consulted

Question 50

consulting tradition for scriptural interpretation

Answer 50

suggests boundaries; regula fidei “the rule of faith”

Question 51

consulting tradition for trajectories

Answer 51

tradition has done more than interpret scripture; it has asked questions the Bible has not raised; does not exclude new theological developments

Question 52

reason as a source of theology

Answer 52

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

Question 53

fideism

Answer 53

refusal to accept input from sources outside of theology itself; lacks regard for whether beliefs are reasonable and coherent

Question 54

rationalism

Answer 54

reason is sufficient by itself for obtaining all truths; no need for divine revelation; reached height during enlightenment

Question 55

anglican three-legged stool

Answer 55

scripture, tradition, reason

Question 56

wesleyan quadrilateral

Answer 56

scripture, tradition, reason, and experience

Question 57

experience as a source of theology

Answer 57

must be interpreted; can bring fuller understanding to beliefs; can promote new beliefs