Final Exam Flashcards
belief held and taught by church - specific between dominations
doctrine
The section of Christian theology dealing with the doctrine of salvation
soteriology
A term used to refer to the embodiment of God, in the person of Jesus Christ
incarnation
A Greek word meaning “word.” As in the gospel of John, the early church recognized Jesus as the “word of God.” Theology asks how the divine “logos” in JC is related to his human nature.
Logos
The humanity of Jesus is denied (fully divine) and his suffering is only apparent
docetism
denies divinity of christ. Jesus is only a supreme creature (fully human)
Arianism
A divine nature took the place of the rational human soul or mind. The humanity of Jesus is diminished (did not have human mind)
Apollinarianism
Of the same substance/being
homoousios
The union of divine and human natures in the person of Jesus Christ
hypostatic union
The condition or state of captivity in which the whole of humanity finds itself in after the Fall
original sin
A Renaissance movement that turned away from medieval scholasticism and revived interest in ancient Greek and Roman thought
humanism
Humanist slogan “back to
the sources”
Ad fontes
Theory of atonement based on Iraneus and Gregory the great’s belief that Jesus’ death is God paying the ransom to the devil because he is holding humans hostage in sin. The problem is: Why would God owe anything to Satan?
ransom theory
God tricks Satan- Jesus is the bait, Satan doesn’t know that jesus is divine
fishhook theory
Martin Luther: Christ’s triumphant liberation of sinners from bondage, another term for the ransom theory
Christus Victor
This theory was inspired by Anselm of Canterbury’s idea that Satan had no rights, only illegitimate power. God created us to be righteous, but it is jeopardized by our disobedience and threatens God’s purpose for creating us. God requires that we satisfy our purpose, but only Jesus is able to do that.
satisfaction theory
Being made righteous in the sight of God
justification
Being made holy; regeneration
sanctification
The process by which (according to Martin Luther and the Reformers) God reckons us righteous on account of Christ’s righteousness. it is imputed to us, given to us. justification happens, then sanctification happens. Le Mis & stolen silver. Pelagius and Luther believed this. we are assured of our salvation
imputation
the transfer of spiritual gifts or blessings from one person to another through God’s power.
impartation
The righteousness of Christ that is imputed to the believer, despite being external to him or her
alien righteousness
“Simultaneoulsy righteous and sinner”; Luther’s motto for justification
Simil justus et peccator
The belief that God communicates with human beings in a way we can understand despite God’s being beyond all human language and concepts
divine accommodation
refers to the divine guidance or influence through which God communicates truth, especially in the writing of Scripture.
inspiration
God’s unceasing governance of the world; Gods directing all things to their appointed goal
Providence
The view that in the Lord’s Supper, the elements of bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ in their substance, despite their accidents remaining unchanged. Catholic thought
Transubstantiation
A term used to describe Luther’s view that both the bread and wine and Christ’s body and blood are mysteriously present in the Lord’s Supper
Consubstantiation
Zwingli’s view that the elements merely signify Christ’s body and blood
Memorialism
Refers to the emphasis upon human reason and autonomy
Enlightenment
The difficulty of regarding a single individual man (Jesus) as being the savior for all men
“scandal of particularity”
A movement in nineteenth-century Germany which stressed the continuity between religion and culture
Liberal Protestantism
The teaching that all religious traditions are equally valid paths to the same core of religious reality.
pluralism
The teaching that Christianity is normative for understanding God, but salvation is possible for those who belong to other religions
inclusivism
The teaching that only those who hear and respond to the gospel may be saved.
particularism
study of the end times
eschatology
Know the significance of the following people and events: Arian controversy/Council of Nicaea 325
Argument between Arius and Athansius about whether Jesus was divine or not. Arius said the Father existed before the Son. Father and Son are on different levels. Son is a perfect creature
Know the significance of the following people and events: Apollinarian Controversy
Argument between Apollinaris and Gregory of Nazianzus about whether Jesus had a divine or human mind. Apollinaris said Christ was human but had a divine mind and soul so human nature of Christ was incomplete
Know the significance of the following people and events: Pelagian controversy
Argument between Pelagius and Augustine on whether humans have free will or not. Pelagius said humans have total free will, have no excuse for sin, refers to grace as natural human facilities and things such as 10 commandments, and says salvation is through good works
Know the significance of the following people and events: Anselm of Canterbury - Cur Deus homo - on atonement
Satisfaction theory which says that humans are made righteous but we are disobedient, so God needs to be honored. Humans can’t do it, so God-man is necessary to pay satisfaction.
Cur Deus Homo
Know the significance of the following people and events: Martin Luther on justification
Said that Justification is a once-for-all declaration, righteousness is external to us (alien righteousness), “Justification by faith alone” but justification leads to sanctification, and that we are assured of our salvation
Know the significance of the following people and events: John Calvin on scripture and tradition, providence, and predestination
Reading scripture- Word of God presides over the Church. Providence- said that God is not just a Creator, but has his hand in everything that happens. Predestination- Calvin declares that some are predestined to eternal life while others are predestined to eternal death.
Know the significance of the following people and events: The Council of Trent on scripture and tradition, and justification
Tradition: vital part of revelation and has equal authority with scripture. Justification: is a process of regeneration
Righteousness is internal to us.
Justification by faith is the beginning of human salvation, but obedience and spiritual transformation are required.
“Nobody can know…whether they have obtained the grace of God.”
Know the significance of the following people and events: Friedrich Schleiermacher and Liberal Protestantism
Friedrich Schleiermacher is known as the “Father of Liberal Protestantism,” focusing on personal experience of God.
Liberal Protestantism emphasizes adapting Christian beliefs to modern ideas and encourages questioning and personal faith.
Know the significance of the following people and events: Karl Barth and dialectical theology
Karl Barth was a Swiss theologian who rejected liberal theology and emphasized God’s revelation through the Bible.
Dialectical theology highlights the tension between God and humanity, stressing that humans can know God only because God reveals Himself.
Lay out Athanasius’ soteriological argument for Jesus’ divinity.
Athanasius argued that only God could save humanity from sin and death. Since humans needed divine intervention to overcome corruption, Jesus, who brings salvation, must be divine. If Jesus were merely human, he could not achieve the redemption of all creation. Therefore, Jesus’ divinity is essential for his work of salvation.
Briefly state Augustine’s positions concerning human freedom, sin, and grace.
Augustine believed that human freedom was corrupted by original sin, making it impossible for humans to choose good without God’s help. He taught that sin enslaves the human will, and only God’s grace can restore true freedom. Grace is a gift that enables humans to turn toward God and live righteously
How does Calvin’s understanding of divine accommodation address the humanness of
the Biblical texts?
Calvin explained that divine accommodation is God communicating in ways that humans can understand, considering their limitations. The humanness of the Biblical texts reflects this accommodation, as God uses human language and cultural contexts to reveal divine truth. This does not undermine the authority of scripture but shows God’s gracious condescension to human capacity.
Why is the doctrine of providence a comforting doctrine, according to Calvin?
For Calvin, the doctrine of providence assures believers that God is in control of all events, guiding history according to His good purpose. This belief offers comfort because it means nothing happens by chance, and God works all things for the ultimate good of His people. Trusting in God’s providence brings peace amid uncertainty.
Explain why the concept of revelation was scandalous to the Enlightenment mindset.
The Enlightenment emphasized reason, empirical evidence, and human autonomy. The concept of revelation, where truth is disclosed by God rather than discovered through human reason, challenged this worldview. Revelation was seen as scandalous because it implied dependence on divine authority rather than human intellect.
Name three different views on Christ’s resurrection from the dead and who held each
view
- Literal Bodily Resurrection – Affirmed by traditional Christians like Augustine and Aquinas.
- Metaphorical/Spiritual Resurrection – Held by some liberal theologians, such as Rudolf Bultmann.
- Visionary Experience – Suggested by some modern scholars, like Gerd Lüdemann, who argued the resurrection was a psychological experience. b
How does liberation theology shift or expand our understanding of the human predicament and the purpose of Christ’s reconciling work?
Liberation theology focuses on how people suffer from unfair systems and oppression, not just personal wrongdoing. It sees Jesus’ mission as freeing people from social, economic, and political injustices. This view emphasizes Jesus’ care for those who are marginalized and encourages working for social justice.)
What do Christian particularism and inclusivism have in common?
Both Christian particularism and inclusivism affirm that salvation comes through Christ. Particularism insists that explicit faith in Christ is necessary for salvation, while inclusivism holds that Christ’s saving work can extend to those who do not explicitly know Him. They share the belief that Christ is central to God’s plan of salvation.
How does God’s future restoration, according to scripture, go beyond individual
salvation?
Scripture teaches that God’s future restoration includes the renewal of all creation, not just individual souls. Passages like Romans 8:21 speak of creation being set free from corruption. This vision encompasses a new heaven and a new earth, where justice, peace, and the fullness of God’s kingdom are realized.
