Exam 2 Flashcards
Martin Luther on justification
Justification is a once-for-all declaration, Righteousness is external to us (alien righteousness), “Justification by faith alone” but justification leads to sanctification, We are assured of our salvation
Being made righteous in the sight of God, justification was imputed, a gift not earned, it is reckoned to us, it is external “alien righteousness”, and justification and sanctification are separate processes. Believed sinners are accepted due to the righteousness of God. Justification by faith alone
Anselm of Canterbury - Cur Deus homo - on atonement
Anselm of Canterbury viewed atonement through the satisfaction theory, arguing that humanity’s sin dishonored God, creating a debt that only a being both divine and human—Christ—could satisfy
John Calvin on scripture and tradition, providence, predestination, church and
sacraments
John Calvin emphasized sola scriptura, viewing Scripture as the supreme authority over church traditions. He believed in God’s providence, asserting that God actively sustains and governs all creation. Calvin’s doctrine of predestination taught that God elects some for salvation and others for damnation, emphasizing God’s sovereignty. Regarding the church, Calvin saw it as the community of believers, essential for spiritual growth, and upheld two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which he viewed as means of grace but not means of salvation in themselves.
The Council of Trent on scripture, tradition, justification and the church.
The Roman church did not encourage texts to be translated into the vernacular of the people. The stance at Trent was that the Latin text was good enough and did not permit the translations. People had to rely on their priests.
Council of Trent said there was tradition outside of scripture that had authority.
The Radical Reformers on scripture and tradition, church and sacraments
The Radical Reformers prioritized scripture alone (sola scriptura) and rejected church traditions not explicitly supported by the Bible. They believed in a pure, voluntary church made up of true believers who demonstrated their faith through repentance and commitment. They practiced believer’s baptism instead of infant baptism, viewing it as a symbol of personal faith
Huldrych Zwingli on the Lord’s supper and baptism
Huldrych Zwingli viewed the Lord’s Supper as a symbolic act rather than a literal presence of Christ, emphasizing it as a memorial to remember Christ’s sacrifice. He rejected the idea of transubstantiation and consubstantiation, focusing on the spiritual connection and communal remembrance. Regarding baptism, Zwingli saw it as an outward sign of an individual’s commitment to the Christian faith, not a means of salvation. He believed it marked inclusion in the faith community but did not impart saving grace.
Sources of theology (scripture and
tradition)
The primary sources of theology are Scripture and tradition. Scripture is considered the foundational and authoritative text for Christian beliefs and teachings. Tradition refers to the accumulated teachings, practices, and interpretations handed down through generations within the Church, providing context and depth to understanding Scripture. The balance between these sources varies across Christian denominations, with some prioritizing sola scriptura (Scripture alone), while others integrate tradition more equally in theological reflection.
The doctrine of grace (justification)
The doctrine of grace, particularly in the context of justification, asserts that humans are made righteous before God not by their own works but through God’s grace alone. Justification is received through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This teaching emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, unearned and freely given, highlighting the transformative power of divine grace in reconciling humanity to God.
The doctrine of sacraments
The doctrine of sacraments is about special religious ceremonies that Jesus started to help believers receive God’s grace. These are acts that use physical things, like water or bread and wine, to show deeper spiritual meanings. The most common sacraments are baptism, which welcomes someone into the Christian faith, and the Lord’s Supper (communion), which remembers Jesus’ sacrifice. In some churches, there are more sacraments, like marriage or confession. Sacraments are important for worship and help people feel connected to God and their faith.
The doctrine of the church
The doctrine of the church teaches that the church is the community of Christians who follow Jesus. It’s both a spiritual group and a place where believers gather for worship, learn, and support each other. The church’s purpose is to share Jesus’ message and help people grow in their faith.
- What is the connection between the human predicament and God’s reconciling action?
Use an example from the atonement theories we studied
The human predicament refers to humanity’s separation from God due to sin. God’s reconciling action, such as through the atonement, addresses this by restoring the relationship. For example, in Anselm’s satisfaction theory, humanity’s sin dishonored God, creating a debt that only Christ, being both divine and human, could pay, thus reconciling humanity to God. This act of atonement bridges the gap caused by sin and restores the connection between God and people.
- What are the differences between Luther’s account of justification and that given at the
Council of Trent?
Luther believed that people are made right with God by faith alone, not by doing good works. He saw justification as a free gift from God.
The Council of Trent, however, taught that both faith and good works are needed for justification. They believed justification is a process that involves faith, sacraments, and living a good life.
- What is the difference between the understanding of the role of tradition held by the medieval theologians and that declared by the Council of Trent?
Medieval theologians viewed tradition as an important source of authority alongside Scripture, with both Scripture and Church teachings guiding faith and practice.
The Council of Trent, however, declared that tradition, along with Scripture, is equally authoritative and that both together form the basis for Church teachings. Trent emphasized that Church tradition, particularly the teachings and practices passed down through the Church, had a vital role in interpreting Scripture.
- What is the difference between the understanding of the role of tradition held by the Reformers of the Magisterial Reformation and those of the Radical Reformation?
The Reformers of the Magisterial Reformation, like Martin Luther and John Calvin, saw tradition as important but believed it should be guided by Scripture. They accepted some church traditions, as long as they were in line with the Bible.
The Radical Reformation, on the other hand, rejected many traditional practices and church authority, emphasizing a return to the teachings of the New Testament. They believed that traditions could hinder true Christian practice and sought a simpler, more direct relationship with God based solely on Scripture.
- How does Calvin’s understanding of divine accommodation address the humanness of
the Biblical texts?
Calvin’s concept of divine accommodation suggests that God, in His wisdom, communicated in ways humans could understand. He believed that the Bible, while divinely inspired, was written using human language, culture, and concepts. This means that God adapted His message to the limitations of human understanding. Calvin argued that this humanness in the Bible did not diminish its divine authority but made it accessible and relevant to people of all times and places.
