Lecture 1 - Theological Method

Question 1

Divine Incomprehensibility

Answer 1

God is entirely distinct from you, so you cannot comprehend or understand him

Question 2

Creator-Creature Distinction

Answer 2

God is altogether distinct from the created (the not God) in kind, not just greater by degree

Question 3

Theology

Answer 3

The study of God and all things in relation to God

Question 4

Accommodation

Answer 4

God has gone about self-revelation in light of our limitations. We cannot comprehend him, but we can apprehend him.

Question 5

Theological Humility

Answer 5

The idea that everything we do grasp is by grace, so we do not look down on the understanding of others.

Question 6

Reasons to Study Theology

Answer 6

Everybody is a theologian. Theology helps you administer reality. Theology clarifies who God is. Theology edifies as it clarifies. God is glorified through theology.

Question 7

Administers of Reality

Answer 7

We see truth in theology to be able to refute lies and show others what is real.

Question 8

Biblical Theology

Answer 8

After what biblical authors think on a topic.

Question 9

Historical Theology

Answer 9

After what a certain era thought on a doctrine.

Question 10

Philosophical Theology

Answer 10

After the logic and consistency of theology.

Question 11

Systematic Theology

Answer 11

After the “so what” of theology, synthesizing the other disciplines to construct a fuller picture of one doctrine by placing it in light of other doctrines.

Question 12

Theological Method

Answer 12

Prayer, biblical theology, philosophical theology, historical theology, systematic theology, begin again. Both an art and a science.

Question 13

Ineffibility

Answer 13

Verbal limitation; we cannot describe God as he actually is.

Question 14

Univocal Language

Answer 14

Using the same word concerning two things meaning to communicate the exact same thing.

Question 15

Equivocal Language

Answer 15

Using the same word to describe two things meaning to communicate two different things.

Question 16

Analogical Language

Answer 16

Using the same word to describe two things meaning to communicate similitude and resemblance.

Question 17

Archetype

Answer 17

The real thing

Question 18

Ectype

Answer 18

An image or shadow of the real thing.

Question 19

Theology

Answer 19

Properly theological, about God himself

Question 20

Economy

Answer 20

The way God works in the world. The way he spends himself.

Question 21

Anthropomorphism

Answer 21

Ascribing creaturely features to non-creatures.

Question 22

Anthropopathism

Answer 22

Ascribing creaturely emotions to God

Question 23

Anthropochronism

Answer 23

Ascribing creaturely time to God.

Question 24

Location of Theology

Answer 24

On one hand, theology must be done by each person, but it should be done in community: in, with, and for the church.

Question 25

Theology

Answer 25

Study of God

Question 26

Soteriology

Answer 26

Study of Salvation

Question 27

Ecclesiology

Answer 27

Study of the Church

Question 28

Eschatology

Answer 28

Study of the Last Things

Question 29

Protology

Answer 29

Study of the First Things/Creation

Question 30

Anthropology

Answer 30

Theological Study of Mankind

Question 31

Paterology

Answer 31

Study of the Father

Question 32

Christology

Answer 32

Study of Christ

Question 33

Pneumatology

Answer 33

Study of the Spirit

Question 34

Hamartiology

Answer 34

Study of Sin

Question 35

Angeology

Answer 35

Study of Angels

Question 36

Diabology

Answer 36

Study of Demons

Question 37

Missiology

Answer 37

Study of Missions

Question 38

Theological Triage

Answer 38

Gives wisdom for the tone to match the discussion.

Question 39

Primary Issues

Answer 39

Orthodoxy at stake. Will put you outside the Christian faith.

Question 40

Secondary Issues

Answer 40

Fellowship at stake. Will determine whether you go to a specific church.

Question 41

Tertiary Issues

Answer 41

Preference at stake. You could worship with someone who disagrees, but one does not get their way.