Sources of wisdom and authority

Question 1

Nature and authority of bible:

evangelicals

Answer 1

fundamentalist view:
bible is infallible word of God 
contains no mistakes of any kind
authors were directly inspired by God
contradictions due to limitations of human intellect (ie not real contradictions) 
account of bible is true

Question 2

NaAotB:

Young earth creationists

Answer 2

creation occurred 6000 years ago (using bible geneology)
Literalists understanding of the text
creation was literally in 6 days
creation of every specie was a separate act of creation (ie not evolution)
scientific theories rejected as limited and mistaken human intelligence
fossil evidence planted by God to make earth look old and to test faith

Question 3

NaAotB:

Old earth creationist

Answer 3

accept universe 13.8 billion years old
not literalist
creation was in six states/epochs
acceptance of darwin evolution
humans are a special creation (ie separate from animals)
Genesis 1 ans science compatible:
– ‘let there be light’ refers to big bang
– ‘six days’ matches 6 stages of evolution of cosmos

Question 4

NaAotB:

Catholics

Answer 4

bible is inspired by god but written by humans
the whole bible is the word of god versus just individual passages and phrases
accounts of salvation=without error
accounts of individual authors=products of time and culture and need to be understood in that context
Genesis 1; not factual or scientific author used to convey truths about the nature of God as creator and the nature of humanity and created world
guidance in interpreting scripture comes from apostolic tradition and magisterium as well as conscience and reason.

Question 5

2 Timothy 3:16

Answer 5

“all scripture is God-breathes and is useful for teaching…”

Question 6

NaAotB:

Neo-orthodox Karl Barth

Answer 6

Bible:
not the word of god but contains the word of god
way through which humans may experience God, realising their need for forgiveness and divine mercy shown through JC
is not inerrant in respect to science, history and religion writers=products of their time and subject to limited intellect

Question 7

NaAotB:

Liberal

Answer 7

ranging views:

• those who wrote texts guided by God
• bible is entirely a human document, consisting of what writers believed was gods purpose
• individual authors = wrote as product of time and culture
• bible is not inspired but it may be inspiring to individuals (JC statement in Matthew 26:52 those who draw sword will die by sword may inspire pacifism)
• sea of faith network: faith is a purely human creation, bible= no authority other than what individual may choose to give it.

Scleiermacher:
theology cannot be study of god himself but should rather be understood as ‘the study of human experience of god’ in different ways and throughout different cultures.

Question 8

Authority of the church:

Protestant

Answer 8

Martin Luther:
Sola Scriptura: bible only source of religious authority
bible gives standard measurement of deciding truth of church teachings
no bible = no church
salvation comes through faith alone not through institutions of the church (all xtians can access god through prayer)
belief is known as ‘priesthood of all believers’– “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood” 1 Peter 2:9

Baptist church:
combine sola scriptura (special revelation) with general revelation (use of reason and conscience)
NT takes priority over OT and is inspired word of god provides standard by which all other teachings should be assessed
rejects authority of church as in institution

Question 9

AotC:

Catholics

Answer 9

Gospel passed on is two ways:
written form:
by apostles and other inspired religious teachers
once bible gained fixed form cannot be added to or anything removed

Oral form (eventually written down):
apostolic tradition
always in agreement with what is stated in bible but may contain truths not mentioned in bible
living form of truth that is added to by new insights
passing on and interpretation overseen by magisterium
magisterium: recieves authority from god to give an interpretation of both tradition and bible that is authentic thus must be obeyed

Question 10

Authority of JC:

JC authority as Gods authority

Answer 10

traditional view as stated in nicene creed
according to gospel JC claimed to have divine authority
authority seen in:
teachings
miracles
titles used by JC eg son of god, messiah (anointed one)

Question 11

Matthew 28:18

Answer 11

“all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me”

Question 12

JC divine authority seen in teachings

Answer 12

according to Mark:
those who heard JC speak were amazed by what he said and manner in which he taught
JC taught in new, direct and original way, and those who believed him were convinced his authority came from god

Question 13

Mark 1:22

Answer 13

“the people were amazed at his teachings, because he taught them as one who had authority”

Question 14

JC divine authority seen in his healing

Answer 14

healing centurion soldier:
centurion recognised absolute authority of JC over healing, comparing to authority over soldiers under him
eg one word enough for instant obedience
one word wrought for healing to take place
JC had unique authority

Question 15

Luke 7:6-8

Answer 15

“say the word and my servant will be healed”

Question 16

Jc as son of God

Answer 16

OT:
“son of” means “reflecting the nature of”/”like”
kings thought to have been adopted by God at secession
reflect Gods justice and mercy during rule

NT:
messiah indicates JC unique divine authority
Marks gospel: JC referred to as son of God and he is said to be “my beloved son” in visions of baptism and transfiguration

Question 17

Matthew 11:27

Answer 17

“…‘all things have been committed to me by my father.’…”

Question 18

JC as son of man

Answer 18

ambitious title
JC preferred title for himself, less likely he would be thought of as power figure and revolutionary
used it to describe his role as the ‘suffering servant’ and to his God-given authority in both the present and the future

Question 19

Mark 2:10

Answer 19

” i want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”

Question 20

JC authority as only human

Answer 20

Adoptionsim:
JC not divine by nature
God adopted him as his son at the baptism (Mark 1:9-11) in same way kings were thought to have been adopted by God when they ascended the throne

Unitarianism:
adopts deist view of the world
God created it then had no further involvement in it
JC = spiritual leader so his teachings may contain useful insights but no divine authority attached to them

Liberal:
JC teachings and stories have been passed down by word of mouth and would have been altered and exaggerated in the telling
can be seen in gospels by different accounts of the calming of the storm that are found in first 3 gosepls
influence of greek philosophy and mystery religions led to human JC being transformed into a divine figure
modern outlooks: rejects miracles for example
JC was then like all other human beings though his deeply spiritual nature gave his teaching authority

Question 21

Xtian responses to the teaching of JC

Answer 21

Sermon on the mouth Matthew 5:38-48

• “turn the other cheek”
• “love your enemies”
• “be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect”

Question 22

continued:

Answer 22

Jc stating an ideal, though realised it was virtually impossible to put in practice. was a standard to aim for.

as in parables JC was making an exaggerated point to make the point that revenge and harbouring hate impact negatively on person concerned. willingness to try and forgive and show love is essential to move on.

Jc intended disciples to be pacifists: xtians must go against natural inclinations and show unconditional acceptance for everyone///// JC used violence when overturning merchants table at temple- pacifism?

JC talking about others attitudes in everyday life and encouraging attitude that sought peace and love rather than revenge and hate

made sense under those living in roman persecution, when active resistance was dealt with violently. specific teaching for specific time

Xtians follow JC example, he practiced what he preached

Corrie Ten Boom: conc camp, went around and forgave nazi captors

Cannot pe perfect like god? “no one is good but god alone” Orignal sin “we all fall short of the glory of God”

Question 23

JC as role model

Answer 23

seek to emulate his life of self giving love which is reflected in golden rule “love god and love your neighbour”
non christians inspired by JC teaching of love eg Ghandi