Study Questions of Theology - Intro Flashcards
Why are regeneration and saving faith necessary for the true study of theology? What is the practical importance of these truths for us personally and with respect to our ministries?
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” We are spiritually blind. You must be born again if you would be a teacher in Israel. How can you teach something that you don’t believe?
Is theology a science? Explain different views on this subject and relate to the teachings of Scripture.
Yes. And No.
Pre-enlightenment reformers: ‘no’ Theology is spiritual wisdom, spiritual discipline how to live to God. (1 Tim. 6:3-5, Jn.17:3, 1 Tim. 2:5, 1 Cor.1-2). Thus, theology is theoretical and practical.
Post-enlightenment reformers: theology is more about the science of God which is neglect of practical side. As science does not consider ethics (practice or godliness).
What is the structure of the Westminster Confession of Faith?
Doctrine Of Scripture:
1. Holy Scripture.
Doctrine Of God;
2. God And The Holy Trinity
3. God's Eternal Decree
4. Creation
5. Providence
Doctrine Of Sin
6. The Fall Of Man, Sin And Punishment
Doctrine Of Salvation
7. God's Covenant With Man.
8. Christ The Mediator
9. FreeWill.
(Application Of Salvation)
10. Effectual Calling
11. Justification
12. Adoption
13. Sanctification
14. Saving Faith
15. Repentance Unto Life
16. Good Works
17. Perseverance Of The Saints
18. Assurance Of Grace And Salvation
Christian Ethics
19. Law Of God
20. Christian Liberty And Liberty Of Conscience
21. Religious Worship And The Sabbath Day
22. Lawful Oaths And Vows
23. Civil Magistrate
24. Marriage And Divorce
Doctrines Of The Church And Sacraments
25. The Church
26. Communion Of Saints
27. Sacraments
28. Baptism
29. Lord's Supper
30. Church Censures
31. Synods And Councils
Doctrine Of Last Things
32. The State Of Man After Death, And The Resurrection
33. The Last Judgement.Why do we believe that the Bible is God’s Word?
- the heavenliness of the matter,
- the efficacy of the doctrine,
- the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts,
- the scope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God,
- the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation,
- the many other incomparable excellencies,
- and the entire perfection thereof,
What is the “Reformed Faith?” (Explain as to a new Christian)
Reformed faith is a system of belief and practice that maintains: Absolute sovereignty of God. Covenantal doctrine of Scripture. Sufficiency of the work of Christ. Effectual work of the Holy Spirit Grace-centered life of man.
Why covenant theology is important? (Explain as to a new Christian)
Covenant theology is important because it maintains the unity and continuity of the Old and New Testaments and their respective families of faith. Covenant theology recognizes God’s sovereign oversight of history as an outwork-ing of his loving grace.
- What does it mean the Bible is self-authenticating and self-attesting? Why do we believe that the Bible is God’s Word?
Self-authenticating: It means that it carries in its pages the marks of his divine author.
Self-attesting: the bible says to say the word of God, Jesus said that, the apostle said. Mat 5:18 2 Pet 1:21, 3:16
What the two principia of Reformed theology? How do they relate to the Reformed system of theology?
principium essendi God as considered as the objective ground of theology, without whom there could be neither divine revelation nor theology
The doctrine of Scripture is the principium cognoscendi there could be no true knowledge of God and therefore no theological system Internum x externum
What is Prolegomena? Why is it important?
Prolegomena is the foundational principles, or principia, of theology. It is important because it build the presuppositions for a system of theology.
How does Systematic Theology relate to other theological disciplines?
Systematic Theology is the culmination and combination of all other theological disciplines.
- Systematic theology is grounded in exegesis and biblical theology because of Scripture.
- It is informed historically because the Holy Spirit continually teaches through the history of Church.
- It is practical and serves preaching because theology is closely related to the Christian ministry, and so it is possible to do study practically such as Christian ministry, Ecclesiology, Litrugics, Homiletics, and so on.
What is the analogia fidei? What is analogy Scripture?
Muller;
Analogy fidei: The use of a general sense of the meaning of Scripture, constructed from the clear or unambiguous loci (places)…, as the basis for interpreting unclear or ambiguous texts. It presupposes a sense of the theological meaning of Scripture.
Analogy Scripture: “The interpretation of unclear, difficult, or ambiguous passages of Scripture by comparison with clear and unambiguous passages that refer to the same teaching or event”
Why is divine revelation necessary for the true knowledge of God? Relate this to our creatureliness and to our sinfulness
Because as creatures we are not able to know the Almighty, as Job 11:7 explain and because we are sinner our knowledge is distorted after the fall. Our creatureliness/ Our sinfulness: Acts 17:30-31 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent
What are the divisions of Systematic Theology?
Scripture—God has revealed himself authoritatively through his word.
God—his being, attributes and works.
Man —Imago Dei, fall, redemption and restoration.
Christ (Person and work)—person, states, and offices.
Salvation—Application and the work of redemption.
Church—includes the means of grace.
Eschatology—Last things.
What is meant by “Systematic Theology?”
A discipline which seeks to give a systematic presentation of all doctrinal truth of the Christian Religion
Where did the 5 points of Calvinism come from?
The five points stem from the canons adopted by the Synod of Dort in response to the five points of Arminianism. (1618-1619)
