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Doctrine > Questions > Flashcards

Questions Flashcards

1
Q

What is theology? Why is theology important?

A

The beliefs we hold about God AND the process for which we develop those beliefs. Theology is different from doctrine in that Doctrine is the beliefs of a community, whereas theology are the beliefs of an individual. Christian principles rest on Christian doctrines. All people hold ultimate beliefs

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2
Q

McGrath argues that theology (doctrine) serves four purposes and these help define what theology (doctrine) is. What are they? Why does McGrath think that theology (doctrine) is important?

A

Four Major purposes:
To tell the truth about the way things are
To respond to the self-revelation of God
To address, interpret, and transform human experience
To give Christians , as individuals and as a community, a sense of identity and purpose
Important: Allows us to know about God, and are thus empowered to put our faith in God - be transformed - and come to know God even more

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3
Q

What is revelation?

A

The disclosure of the character and purpose of God

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4
Q

What are some of the key models of revelation? (5)

A

(1) Authoritative Doctrine,
(2) particular historical events,
(3) special inner experience,
(4) dialectical presence - encounter with the word of God - mediated by scripture and proclaimed by the church,
(5) new awareness that leads to transformative action

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5
Q

Why do we need special revelation when we can discern God’s presence and character in creation?

A

Our universal sense of divinity is severely weakened by sin and is thus insufficient by comparison with the special revelation in scripture

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6
Q

What does Barth mean by the three-fold unity of the Word of God?

A

distinct but inseparable forms of the one Word of God - related to each other ole 3 concentric circles - innermost to outermost:

(1) Revealed Word of God in Jesus,
(2) written, the witness of scripture,
(3) proclaimed, by the church

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7
Q

What do we mean by the inspiration of Scripture?

A

The divine election and guidance of the biblical prophets for the express purpose of ensuring the trustworthiness and efficacy of their witness through the ages

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8
Q

What are some of the models of inspiration? (5)

A

(1) early church - scripture is God breathed,
(2) Calvin - Spirit lent direct authority to scripture by inspiring it,
(3) Herder - inspiration only in artistic or aesthetic sense - a human achievement,
(4) Hodge & Warfield - extraordinary influence exerted by Spirit on writers where their words were rendered also the words of God, therefore perfectly infallible,
(5) God’s guidance on the reader enabling them to recognize the word of God

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9
Q

What does Bloesch mean by the dual authorship of Scripture?

A

Not only human witness to divine revelation, but also God’s witness to himself - Not part God’s words and part human’s words - but in its entirety the very word of God and the very word of Man

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10
Q

Is Scripture infallible or inerrant or neither?

A

The bible contains a fallible element in the sense that it reflects the cultural limitations of the writers - We have the infallible, perfect Word of the living God enclosed and veiled in the time-bound, imperfect words of sinful men

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11
Q

Why and How is Scripture authoritative?

A

Because it is the written word of God

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12
Q

What is the role of tradition, reason and experience in theological authority?

A

Tradition: a process of transmission and a body of teaching, based upon scripture AND an unwritten tradition.
Human reason: (especially during enlightenment), an ability to philosophically consider and speculate about God
Experience: an accumulated body of knowledge, arising through first-hand encounter with life - the inner life of the individual

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13
Q

What does Bloesch mean by the “primacy” of Scripture?

A

Scripture is revelation itself mediated through human words. It is not in and of itself divine revelation, but when illumined by the Spirit become revelation to the believer

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14
Q

How are the OT and NT related? (3)

A

Continuity in 3 ways:
(1) immutability of the divine will,
(2) both celebrate and proclaim the grace of God manifested in Jesus Christ,
(3) both possess the same signs and sacraments bearing witness to the same grace of God - different administration, but same substance

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15
Q

How are theology (doctrine), the “Realities” theology indicates, and human experience of these “Realities” related?

A

“Deus Semper Maior” - God is always greater
We need to make a distinction between the divine realities, our participation in them, our experience of that participation, and our attempt to articulate our participation
We need to fixed on the divine realities of the faith - not just our experience and participation

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16
Q

Compare/contrast CHRISTOCENTRIC, CORRELATION, PRAXIS approaches to theological method.

A

Christocentric -
Theology as a discipline of the church in which the church continuously tests itself and its proclamation by its own norm, which is Jesus Christ as attested in scripture - Emphasis - the questions of theology must be disciplined by theology’s own subject matter and norm - Underscores the priority of the word of God
Correlation - Existential questions are formulated by an analysis of the human situation in a given period. These questions are correlated with the answers of the Christian message - Aim: create a genuine conversation between human culture and revelation rather than a driving wedge
Praxis - a way to knowledge that binds together action, suffering, and reflection - New form of theology - a critical reflection on Christian praxis in the light of the word - real commitment to and struggle for justice comes first

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17
Q

How does Bloesch view the hermeneutical task? (5)

A
  1. Come to the bible with an open mind and heart
  2. Don’t be content with historical-grammatical exegesis
  3. But most proceed to the theological exegesis - seeing the text in the light of its theological context
  4. The text becomes the dynamic interpreter
  5. Translate meaning of the text into the language and thought forms of modern humanity so that the hearers are presented with a coherent intelligible message
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18
Q

What are the fourfold “senses” of Scripture?

A
  1. Literal - taken at face value
  2. Allegorical - defining what Christians are to believe
  3. Tropological / moral - to produce ethical guidelines
  4. Anagogical - indicate grounds for hope
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19
Q

What are Migliore’s principles for interpreting the Bible? (4)

A
  1. Scripture should be interpreted with historical and literary sensitivity
  2. Scripture must be interpreted theocentrically
  3. Scripture must be interpreted ecclesially, that is, in the context of the life, worship, and witness of the church
  4. Scripture must be interpreted contextually
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20
Q

What did the Reformers mean by the “self-authenticating” character of Scripture and the testimony and illumination of the Holy Spirit?

A

The authority of the scripture cannot be guaranteed by the church. The scriptures, under the power of the HS are self-authenticating. Scripture’s authority is from the fact that God in person speaks in it - no human authority can guarantee the authority of scripture

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21
Q

Discuss McGrath’s understanding of the relationship between scripture and doctrine

A

Scripture is primary source for doctrinal reflection - doctrine interprets scripture - a way of interpreting scripture on the basis of scripture - Start with scripture -> then doctrine -> use doctrine to interpret scripture -> feedback loop - doctrine = systematic presentation as guide to scriptures

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22
Q

Discuss McGrath’s understanding of the relationship between doctrine and experience

A

Doctrine cannot be a substitute for experiencing the living God - Doctrine addresses and interprets experiences - Doctrine gives shape and meaning to what might seem meaningless

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23
Q

Discuss Bloesch’s understanding of the relationship between Revelation and scripture

A

Dual Authorship - Scripture is not only a human witness and medium of divine revelation but also a divinely inspired witness and medium - All scripture is breathed out by God, is a product of the creative activity of the Spirit of God - The writers were guided by the Spirit and what was actually written had the very sanction of God himself

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24
Q

What are the biblical roots of the doctrine of the Trinity? (4)

A
  • Matthew 28:19 - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
  • 2 Corinthians 13:13 - the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all
  • Baptism of Jesus
  • 3 Personifications of God in OT - Wisdom Word, and Spirit of God
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25
Q

How did/does the doctrine of the Trinity arise? (6)

A
  • Worship of Jesus in Christianity - though monotheistic
  • Irenaeus responding to gnostics who claimed creator God distinct from redeemer God (a single economy of salvation) - argued the distinct yet related roles of Father, Son, and Spirit
  • Tertullian - coined the term trinity, persona, substantia
  • Eastern thought - stressed individuality of persons of the trinity
  • Western thought - stressed unity of persons of the trinity
  • Cappodician’s claim spirit is divine - settled at Council of Constantinople in 381
26
Q

Explain the classical doctrine of the Trinity

A

Best understood as a defense of the divine unity with a recognition that the one Godhead exists in three different modes of being - one substance in three persons - one Godhead exists simultaneously in three different “modes of being” - Father is source or fountainhead - the son is begotten - the Spirit proceeds

27
Q

Why is the Trinity important?

A

God is relational, love, and freely giving as God relates to Godself

28
Q

What does Migliore mean by “trinitarian depth grammar”?

A

The wondrous divine love that freely gives of itself to others and creates community, mutuality, and shared life. In God’s work of creation, reconciliation and redemption, God is true to Godself. Loving in freedom is the way God is eternally God

29
Q

Implications of the Trinity for what it means to be a “person”

A

How are persons known? - analogy for God’s self-disclosure
* Attention to persistent patterns
* A person is free to do new and surprising things
* Continuous invitation to trust and to live in response to promises
* Rendered in a narrative form
Appropriation: Appropriation - can say something is primarily, but not exclusively, the work of any one person in the trinity

30
Q

How do we know what God is like or define God’s attributes? (3)

A

Absolute Attributes: (simplicity, infinity, immutability, impassibility, eternity) - reached by via negativa
Relative attributes: (holiness, love, mercy, justice, patience, wisdom) - reached by via causalitatis (way of causality - God is cause of all things) and via eminentiae (knowledge of God that begins with the virtues of the creatures and then infers their perfect of eminent realization in God)
Trinitarian understanding: God’s attributes are understood, not in isolation, but in dialectical pairs - point to the being and act of God as the one who loves in freedom

31
Q

Different answers to the question: “Can God suffer?” (5)

A
  • Classic view: the Impassibility of God - to be perfect is to be unchanging - can’t be impacted by outside stuff - can’t suffer
    Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther - God hidden in the suffering and humiliation of the cross
    Theology of Pain: Kitamori - true love is rooted in pain - God is able to give meaning to human suffering because God also suffers
    Modern consideration of the OT: OT often portrays God as sharing in the pathos of Israel
    The Crucified God: Jurgen Moltmann - God willed to undergo suffering
32
Q

What does it mean to call God “Father, Son and Holy Spirit?” Is this sexist? Why or why not?

A

Limitations of our language - more inclusive images of God in the biblical tradition - personal imagery - Father, Son, and HS should not be absolutized - new images complement rather than replace - all images for God receive a new and deeper meaning from God - can’t loose relational aspect

33
Q

How is the God of the Bible like or unlike the God of philosophy?

A
  • Body soul dualism influence of Greco / Roman philosophy
  • God of philosophy is immutable, impassible, and constant
  • God of the bible is present, reactive, loving, and takes on flesh
34
Q

What are the key attributes of God and what do they mean? (5)

A

Best interpreted in pairs:
* grace and holiness,
* constancy of purpose and new and changing actions,
* vulnerable yet unconquerable,
* power and love,
* wisdom and patience

35
Q

Moltmann’s CRUCIFIED GOD

A

A God who cannot suffer is a deficient, not a perfect God - can’t be forced - God willed to undergo suffering - cross is foundation and the criterion of true Christian theology - Father and Son both suffered from the cross, but distinctly - different involvement with the cross

36
Q

Proofs for the existence of God (4)

A
  • Anselm - ontological argument
  • Thomas Aquinas - Five ways
  • Kalam Argument - importance of causality - everything with a beginning must have a cause - thus God is the cause for the universe
  • William Paley - argument from design - things seemed designed - clockmaker
37
Q

Discuss Torrance’s doctrine of the Trinity

A

The doctrine of the Trinity holds the place of primacy in Christian theology in that:
1) it is the ground and grammar of all theological knowledge,
2) it declares that God is for us, and
3) it includes the doctrine of perichoresis, which declares that both God and humans are beings-in-relationship

38
Q

Discuss the doctrine of the three-fold unity of the word of God and identify one theologian who affirms this doctrine

A

Distinct but inseparable forms of the one Word of God - related to each other - 3 concentric circles - innermost to outermost:
(1) Revealed Word of God in Jesus,
(2) written, the witness of scripture,
(3) proclaimed, by the church
(Karl Barth)

39
Q

Discuss Migliore’s three additional thesis or interpretive statements about the doctrine of the trinity

A

To confess that God is triune is to affirm…
1) That the life of the one and only God is incomparably rich and uniquely personal
2) That God exists in communion far deeper than the relationships and partnerships we know in our human experience
3) That the life of God is essentially self-giving whose strength embraces vulnerability

40
Q

Discuss three distortions of the doctrine of the trinity

A

1) Unitarianism of the Creator - Father creator - over a particular people - little regard for sin and forgiveness - nationalism
2) Unitarianism of the Redeemer - Jesus is exclusive concern - only about you and your group’s salvation - no concern for earth
3) Unitarianism of the Spirit - spiritual experiences and gifts is everything

41
Q

Models of creation (5)

A

(1) Generation - procreation, parental love,
(2) Fabrication or formation - God as builder or potter,
(3) Emanation - water emanating from a steam - overflow,
(4) Mind / Body - creations as the body of God,
(5) Artistic Expression / Play - art is separate from the artist, but bears the image of the artist

42
Q

How should we understand the Genesis accounts of creation?

A

Not scientific descriptions competing with modern cosmological theories but rather poetic, doxological declarations of faith in God, who has created and reconciled the world and each one of us

43
Q

What are the implications of a good creation?

A

In all of its contingency, finitude, and limitation, creation is good - Reject every metaphysical dualism - Different from saying that the world around us is useful to satisfy whatever purposes we have in mind - Not to say there the world is “perfect” or deny fallenness

44
Q

Christian faith and the ecological crisis

A
  • Christine theology of creation has been abused - “Humanity has dominion over creation” - led to a major ecological crisis (spiritual, as opposed to technical) - dominion in conversation with God - call to care for and have responsibility for the earth - all of creation wrapped up in sin AND God’s promise of redemption.
  • Trinitarian doctrine of creation is vital because: Trinitarian theology holds together both that God is transcendent AND is immanent in creation
45
Q

Creation and modern science (3)

A

Creation doctrine is not a quasi-scientific theory, but an affirmation of faith in our creator.
Principles:
(1) science and theology employ two very distinct languages,
(2) while distinct, the two languages are not totally different or mutually exclusive,
(3) They need not be at way with each other but each can and should influence and enrich the other

46
Q

What are the basic options regarding the God/world relation? (8)

A

Pantheism, atheism, deism, agnosticism, polytheism, classical theism, panentheism, and trinitarian interactionist

47
Q

Does God intervene in the natural order?

A

Can be seen as a violation of freewill - instead consider God’s persuasion

48
Q

Where does evil come from?

A

Related to the question of theodicy - Augustine says fallen angel - others argue people needed to choose between good and evil for their to be free will, or for humanity’s growth - some say sin brought evil

49
Q

Migliore’s position on the Triune God and evil (3)

A

(1) The love of God the creator and provider is at work not only where life is sustained and enhanced but also where all that jeopardizes life and its fulfillment is resisted and set under judgment,
(2) The love of God the redeemer is at work both in the heights and in the depths of creaturely experience, both when the creature is strong and active and when it is weak and passive,
(3) The love of God the sanctifier is at work everywhere, preparing for the coming reign of God, planting seeds of hope and renewing and transforming all things

50
Q

Discuss and evaluate three recent theodicies

A

Liberation Theology: suffering as participation in the struggle of God against suffering in the world - conducted in the knowledge of God’s final victory
Process Theology: origins of evil is the self imposed limitation of God’s power - no coercion, only persuasion - no guarantee that God’s persuasion will lead to favorable outcome - God cannot prevent certain things from happening
Protest Theodicy: God protests against the presence of evil and suffering in the world (as seen in OT) - people should also be in protest

51
Q

Discuss three classic theodicies

A

Irenaeus / Greek Patristic Thought: human nature as a potential, rather than a fully developed actuality - called to achieve perfection - but growth process requires contact with good and evil
Augustine: Evil is a direct consequence of the misuse of human freedom - Evil had to be an option, thus located in satanic temptation - fallen angel
Karl Barth: Evil is a mysterious power of nothingness - in what God did not will in the act of creation - need confidence in the ultimate triumph of the grace of God

52
Q

What does it mean to be created in the image of God? (4)

A

(1) Is to be answerable and responsible to the creator,
(2) Existence defined in relation to God,
(3) Humans can transcend themselves and be self-conscious and self reflective,
(4) To be the image of God is to strive to life like Jesus through sanctification

53
Q

The nature or meaning of sin

A

Sin can be described as the resistance to our essential relation to God and our need of God’s grace - sin is fundamentally opposition to grace - dominance over others - a denial of human destiny as appointed by God

54
Q

Sin as an act and a state

A

Both things you do, and things as a state of our humanity

55
Q

How is sin transmitted? (2)

A

Two ways:
(1) Traduciansim - By the parents - passed onto kids. Either: All of humanity is present in Adam and Eve OR it is passed on from parents
(2) Creationism - God creates the soul anew at conception, but the body contains sin, so they become sinful

56
Q

The debate between Augustine and Pelagius (4)

A

Free will: Aug: free will has been tainted by sin, still exists - but severely weakened. Pel: human will not impacted, humans have capacity and obligation toward perfection
Nature of sin: Aug: innately sinful - universally affected by sin - only through God’s grace can sin be cured. Pel: human power for self-improvement not compromised - sin is an act committed willfully against God
Nature of grace: Aug: humanity totally dependent on God for salvation - needs grace for restoration - Grace is God’s generous and unmerited freely given gift. Pel: two things; grace is natural human faculties gifted by God that are not corrupted by sin AND grace is external enlightenment or instruction for how to live right, but not assistance
Basis for Salvation: Aug: justified by the free unmerited gift of God, Pel: justified on the basis of merit

57
Q

Modern optimism regarding the human condition

A

Enlightenment - humanity’s capacity to be good and create a good world - shattered by horrors of the 20th century

58
Q

Identify and discuss 3 different interpretations of the story of the fall

A

(1) Literal history - literal story of Adam and Eve,
(2) Myth - not a made up story, but a poetic story depicting universal truths,
(3) Saga - Karl Barth - historical basis, but not literal Adam and Eve - There were humans, who fell - So not literal Adam and Eve - but based on actual history

59
Q

Discuss Bloesch’s understanding of the nature of sin

A

The grandeur and misery of mankind: Made in the image of God, Yet in misery because of sin - Cannot return to God on own volition - But only God can come to humanity - which God does through Jesus

60
Q

Discuss Leith’s understanding of the nature of sin (8)

A

Sin is… (1) Unbelief, (2) Pride, (3) Rebellion, (4) Disobedience of God’s law, (5) Idolatry, (6) Apathy, (7) Privation of the good / nothingness, (8) Sensuality.
We do not know sin apart from God’s revelation in Jesus Christ

61
Q

Discuss Moltmann’s and Kitamori’s position regarding a suffering God

A

Theology of Pain: Kitamori - true love is rooted in pain - God is able to give meaning and dignity to human suffering on account of the fact that he also is in pain and suffers
The Crucified God: Jurgen Moltmann - a God who cannot suffer is a deficient, not a perfect God - can’t be forced - God willed to undergo suffering - cross is foundation and the criterion of true Christian theology - Father and Son both suffered from the cross, but distinctly - different involvement with the cross

Doctrine (2 decks)

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