Theology: Categories Flashcards
Are all views valid?
NO
Truth is singular. We cannot say that all views are valid, but it is possible to use ‘wrong’ views as a way to clarify the Christian view by contrast
Where do heresies come from?
Heresies, for the most part, come from the bible. It originates from an incorrect interpretation of scripture.
example the heresy of Modalism, Arianism, Partialism
The heresesy of modelism
God is not three persons, but rather reveals himself in three different forms, like the phases of matter
(ice, water, steam)
(husband, father, employer)
The heressy of arianism
Christ and the Spirit are creations of the father and not one in nature with the Father (
Light and Heat are products of the son, but not the son itself)
The heresy of partialism
Christ, The Spirit, and The Father are not three distinct persons of the Godhead but are different parts of God, each forming a 3rd of the Godhead.
(three leave clover, each leaf is a part of the clover, none is the clover itself)
(three layers of a cake)
6 Categorie of Theology
Systematic Biblical Historical Philosophical Creedal/Dogmatic Apologetic
Systematic theology
An approach that ‘systematizes’ truth.
Is scripture the only source of truth
No, it is the primary source of truth, other sources of truth includes experience, the world, history, reason, community.
The role of experience in theology
Our experience brings life and color to our theology
Why should we be interested in what the early church fathers had to say?
The Holy Spirit does not grow in His knowledge or experience. The same spirit that inspired st.Augustus or st. Thomas also inspires us today. Which means TRUTH never changes.
Sola Scriptura
“The scripture alone”
This does not mean that scripture is the only source, but that scripture is the only infallable source.
Prolegamena:
Literally means “things which are spoken beforehand.” Deals with the
foundational issues of theology such as theological methodology, sources, and
reasons for the study of theology.
Bibliology:
The study of the nature, transmission, canonization, and purpose of Scripture.
Theology Proper:
The study of God’s existence, nature, and attributes. Sometimes called
“Trinitarianism.”
.Christology:
The study of the person and work of Christ.
Pneumatology
The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Anthropology:
The study of the purpose and nature of humanity, both in its pre-fall and postfall state.
Hamartiology:
The study of the nature, origin, and effects of sin on all creation.
.Angelology / Demonology:
The study of the nature and works of demons and angels.
Soteriology:
The study of salvation
Ecclesiology:
The study of the nature of the Church.
Eschatology:
The study of the end times.
Ransom to Satan heresy
Is an example of how the early church did not always have a complete or systematized understanding of doctrine
The doctrine of Christ works on the cross and how He paid for our sins (to God), although present in the bible, was unarticulated for at least up until the 1200 years of Christianity.
For the first 500 years of the church, the church knew that Christ died for them, but believed that the ransom for their freedom was paid to Satan, instead of to God.
Did you know that the doctrine of the Trinity was not even in existence until the first century?
Half True. The doctrine wasn’t ARTICULATED in its current form until the 4th century but has ALWAYS been a reality since the beginning.
The basic theological process
- Exegetical Statement
- Theological Statement
- Homiletical Statement
The basic theological process
- Exegetical Statement
- Theological Statement
- Homiletical Statement
Why is it important to do proper exegesis?
Because the books in the bible were not written for us, it was written for people who lived in a different time. , and so it is important to consider the context within which the scripture was written.
Why is it important to do proper exegesis?
Because the books in the bible were not written for us, it was written for people who lived in a different time. , and so it is important to consider the context within which the scripture was written, because was not ours.
Words take on new meanings as time changes.
Difference between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law
the letter of the law is the WAY in which the law was expressed, the form or expression is usually dependent on the context
The spirit of the law is the principle behind the expression. The principle is timeless, meaning its expression will take on different forms depending on the time or context
Irrelevant theology
applying the word to our contemporary context without first extracting the timeless principle of the word
“woman should cover their heads”
Folk theology
Applying theology, without justification
subjective theology
relying only on personal experience.
Short-circuit theology/ academic theology
You know what it says but it is never applied.
Eisogetical Theology
Making scripture say what I want it to say. Making scripture conform to my experience.
Biblical vs Systematic
Biblical vs Systematic
Restricts the formulation of theology only the scripture, whereas ST formulates theology from all sources of theology, including Scripture
BT will sometimes examine the individual parts of Scripture in order to formulate a particular theology that is restricted to a certain time period and a particular people, whereas ST correlates the entirety of Scripture to formulate a general theology for all time and for all people.
BT sometimes examines the theology of a certain author and correlates information on a doctrine by examining the theology of all the authors.
Historical vs Systematic
HT restricts the formulation of theology only to the history of the Church, whereas ST formulates theology from all sources of theology
HT will sometimes examine the individual periods of Church history in order to formulate a particular theology that is restricted to a certain time period, whereas ST correlates all of Church history to formulate a general theology for all time and for all people.
Philosophical vs Systematic
PT restricts the formulation of theology only to that which can be ascertained by reason, whereas ST formulates theology from all sources of theology.
PT will sometimes examine the individual periods of philosophical history in order to formulate a particular theology that is restricted to a certain time period (enlightenment, modern, postmodern etc), whereas ST correlates all of philosophical history to formulate a general theology for all time and for all people.
Creedal vs Systematic
CT Restricts the formulation for theology only to that of a particular religious institution or denomination. Formulates theology from all sources of theology including the creedal statement of many institutions and denominations
Apologetic vs Systematic
AT formulates theology for the purpose of explaining and defending the faith to those outside the fait. , whereas ST formulates theology for the purpose of creating a comprehensive and coherent understanding of various doctrines
