Test 1 Flashcards
Define biblical theology
The branch of theological science which deals systematically with the historically conditioned progress of the self-revelation of God as deposited in the Bible
Explain the 4 elements of biblical theology
- Systematization- concentrates on the emphasis of a given period of history as in the Old Testament or on the explicit teaching of a particular writer in the New Testament
- History- helps resolve the doctrinal emphases of a particular period or of a specific writer
- Progress of Revelation- Biblical theology traces that progress of revelation, noting the revelation concerning Himself that God has given in a particular era or through a particular writer.
- Biblical Nature- broader focus than biblical theology; draws its information from the Bible (and from historical information that expands or clarifies the historical events of the Bible. Exegetical in nature, examining the doctrines in the various periods of history or examining the words and statements of a particular writer.
What is progressive revelation?
an orthodox doctrine that God did not reveal all truth about Himself at one time but revealed Himself “piecemeal,” portion by portion to different people throughout history.
What are Enns’ 3 points regarding the importance of biblical theology?
- Shows Historical Development of Doctrine
- Shows Emphasis of the Writer
- Shows Human Element in Inspiration
Explain Enns’ view of the unifying theme of the OT.
Unifying theme of OT: “kingdom” The theme is emphasized throughout the OT in the Law, Prophets, and the Writings.
In this regard (unifying theme of OT), what is God’s ultimate purpose in His kingdom program?*
the holiness of God
To what 18th-century theologian can the modern beginnings of biblical theology be traced?
John Philip Gabler
Why does NT theology not concern itself with periods of revelation?
Because all the books of the NT were written within 50 years of one another
What methodology is preferable for NT theology, and why?
The analytic method (but not to the exclusion of the thematic method) because that method adequately reflects the diversity of the New Testament
What is the meaning of the Greek words theos and logos in theology?
theos: “God”
logos: “word” or “discourse”
What is the difference between the definitions of systematic theology given by Chafer and Hodge?
Chafer: “Systematic Theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.”
Hodge: “the science of the facts of divine revelation so far as those facts concern the nature of God and our relation to Him, as His creatures, as sinners, and as the subjects of redemption. All these facts, as just remarked, are in the Bible.”
What are Enns’ 3 points regarding the necessity of systematic theology?
- As an Explanation of Christianity
- As an Apologetic for Christianity
- As a Means of Maturity for Christians
How do Paul’s epistles show that doctrine is foundational to maturity?
It protects the believer from error.
Paul normally builds a doctrinal foundation in his epistles before he exhorts believers to live correctly.
What are Enns’ 7 requirements of systematic theology?
- Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture
- Application of Proper Hermeneutical Principles
- Scientific Approach
- Objectivity
- Progressive Revelation
- Illumination
- Recognition of Human Limitations
Explain the primary and secondary sources of systematic theology.
Primary: The Scriptures and nature are the primary source of man’s knowledge of God;
Secondary: Tradition and Reason.
What is the purpose of historical theology?
To describe the historical origin of the dogma of the Church and to trace its subsequent changes and developments.
What are the 4 main divisions of historical theology, with dates?
- Ancient theology (first century—A.D. 590)
- Medieval theology (A.D. 590—1517)
- Reformation theology (1517—1750)
- Modern theology (1750—present)
Explain what is meant by the continuity of the Bible as an “evidence” for its divine origin.
It was written over period of more than 1500 years, yet the Bible is a marvelous, unified whole. There are no contradictions or inconsistencies within its pages.
What does revelation mean and what is the important emphasis in the full definition of the term?
Revelation means “disclosure” or “unveiling.”
God discloses truth about Himself that man would not otherwise know.
Explain the differences between general revelation and special revelation.
General Revelation: Day to day and night to night revelation in nature - never ceases.
Special revelation: Involves a narrower focus than general revelation and is restricted to Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
What has necessitated special revelation, and what does this imply about the essence of that revelation?
Man’s sinful estate through the fall,
Implies that it centers on the person of Jesus Christ. He is displayed in Scripture as the One who has explained the Father
What 5 important elements belong in a proper definition of inspiration?
1) Inspiration of the whole.
2) Inspiration of the parts.
3) Inspiration of the words.
4) Inspiration of the letters.
5) Inspiration of the New Testament
Identify and explain the Greek term translated “given by inspiration” in 2 Timothy 3:16.
emphasizes the exhalation of God “God breathed” Scriptures are “breathed out” by God. Not breathed in
What is natural inspiration?
Teaches that there is nothing supernatural about biblical inspiration; the writers of Scripture were simply men of unusual ability who wrote the books of the Bible in the same way that an individual would write any other book.
What is the spiritual illumination view of inspiration?
Suggests that some Christians may have spiritual insight that although similar to other Christians is greater in degree. In this view any devout Christian, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, can be the author of inspired Scripture. Writers are inspired; not the writing
What is partial or dynamic inspiration, and how does Enns respond to this view?
The partial inspiration theory teaches that the parts of the Bible related to matters of faith and practice are inspired whereas matters related to history, science, chronology, or other non-faith matters may be in error.
In this view God preserves the message of salvation amid other material that may be in error.
The Problem: what parts of the Bible are inspired and what parts contain errors? Who determines what parts of the Bible are trustworthy and what parts contain errors? How can the Bible be trustworthy in one area while in error in the other?
What is conceptual inspiration, and how does Enns respond to this view?
According to this view there can be errors in Scripture because the choice of words is left to the writer and is not superintended by God
The Problem: If the thought communicated to man is divine and of the nature of a revelation, the form in which it is expressed is of prime significance. It is impossible to dissociate the one from the other.
What is the divine dictation overview of inspiration, and how does Enns respond to this view?
God dictated the words of Scripture and the men wrote them down in a passive manner, being mere secretaries who wrote only the words they were told to write.
The Problem: If the dictation theory were true, the style of the books of the Bible should be uniform
What is the neo-orhodox view of inspiration, and how does Enns respond to this view?
Emphasizes that the Bible is not to be exactly equated with the Word of God because God does not speak in mere propositions. God does not reveal mere facts about Himself; He reveals Himself. The Bible is not the substance of the Word of God but rather the witness to the Word of God. It becomes the Word of God as the reader encounters Christ in his own subjective experience.
Problem: The Bible is the objective and authoritative Word of God whether or not a person responds to it. Furthermore, there are no objective criteria for evaluating what would constitute a “legitimate” encounter with God. Additionally, who would be capable of distinguishing myth from truth?
What do the following verses indicate about Christ's view of the Bible? Matt. 5:17-18 John 10:35 Matt. 22:32 (Ex.3:6) John 14:26
Matt. 5:17-18*— Inspiration of the whole. Christ affirmed that not the smallest letter or stroke would pass from the law until it would be fulfilled.
Jn. 10:35*—”the scripture cannot be broken” “it means that Scripture cannot be emptied of its force by being shown to be erroneous
Matt. 22:32 (Exod. 3:6)—Inspiration of the words. In defending the doctrine of the resurrection to the Sadducees, Jesus quoted from Exodus 3:6 “I am the God of Abraham.” In affirming the resurrection Jesus reminded the Sadducees that Exodus 3:6 said “I am.” He elaborated: “God is not the God of the dead but of the living.” If the words of the OT were not inspired, His argument was useless; but if the very words of the OT were actually inspired, then His argument carried enormous weight.
Jn. 14:26—Inspiration of the NT. Jesus indicated that the Holy Spirit would provide accurate recall for the apostles as they penned the words of Scripture, thus guaranteeing their accuracy.
What does 1 Timothy 5:18 indicate about Paul’s view of the Bible?
The NT is just as much the inspired Word of God as the OT.
