Exam 1 Flashcards
Definition of Biblical Theology
deals systematically with the historically conditioned progress of the self-revelation of God. Narrower focus then systematic theology and strictly dealing with the Scripture.
What are the three ways the Bible passages should be studied exegetically?
- According to the normal meaning of language
- According to the rules of grammar
- In its historical context
Order of disciplines in relation to Bible study…
exegesis, then biblical theology, then systematic theology and dogmatic theology, then historical theology and contemporary theology; practical theology; and apologetics
Differences between biblical theology and systematic theology…
Biblical Theology: Restricts its study to Scripture–Systematic Theology: seeks truth from Scripture and from any source outside the BIble
Biblical Theology: Examines the parts of Scripture– Systematic Theology: examines the whole of Scripture
Biblical Theology: Compiles information on a adoctrine from a specific writer or a particular era – Systematic Theology: Compiles information on a doctrine by correlating all the Scriptures
Biblical Theology: Seeks to understand why or how a doctrine developed – Systematic Theology: Seeks to understand what was ultimately written
Biblical Theology: Seeks to understand the process as well as the result or product – Systematic Theology: Seeks to understand the result or product
Biblical Theology: Views the progress of revelation in different areas – Systematic Theology: views the culmination of God’s revelation
Definition of Systematic Theology
the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.
Erickson’s view of theology
Theology is biblical, systematic, relevant, contemporary, and practical
Why is systematic theology necessary
It is an explanation of Christianity (fundamental beliefs), an apologetic of Christianity (defense for belief), and a means of maturity for Christians (protects believers from error)
Primary Sources of Systematic Theology
Scripture and nature
Secondary sources of systematic theology
doctrinal confessions, tradition, and reason (as guided by the Holy Spirit)
Definition of Theology Proper
study of God the Father
Cosmological Argument (for the existence of God)
Because something can’t come from nothing, there must be an original cause that is the reason the world exists.
Anthropological Argument (for the existence of God)
Man is not simply a physical being, but a moral being with a conscience, intellect, emotion, and will. A blind force could never produce this complexity.
Moral Argument (for the existence of God)
Man has a sense of morality, which can not be attributed to an evolutionary process.
Ontological Argument (for the existence of God)
If man can conceive of a perfect God who doesn’t exist, he can conceive of someone greater than God, which is impossible.
Practical Atheist
lives as if there is no God
Dogmatic Atheist
openly repudiates God
Virtual Atheist
rejects God by terminology (like denying a personal God)
Agnostic
one who says they cannot know whether or not God exists
Evolution
begins with the premise that there is no God, and seeks to explain life apart from God
Polytheism
belief in many gods
Pantheism
Everything is God and God is everything
Materialistic Pantheism (subcategory of pantheism)
belief in the eternity of matter and that matter is the cause of all life
Hylozoism (subcategory of pantheism)
belief that has a principle of life or psychical properties
Neutralism (subcategory of pantheism)
life is neutral, neither mind nor matter
Idealism (subcategory of pantheism)
ultimate reality is mind, either individual mind or infinite mind
Philosophical Mysticism (subcategory of pantheism)
absolute monism, teaching that all reality is a unity
deism
belief that an impersonal God created the world and then divorced himself of the human race, leaving man alone in his created world
general revelation
reveals aspects about God and his nature to all mankind so that all humanity has an awareness of God’s existence (e.g. heavens, earth, providential control, conscience)