Theology: Categories

Question 1

Are all views valid?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Where do heresies come from?

Answer 2

Heresies, for the most part, come from the bible. It originates from an incorrect interpretation of scripture.

example the heresy of Modalism, Arianism, Partialism

Question 3

The heresesy of modelism

Answer 3

God is not three persons, but rather reveals himself in three different forms, like the phases of matter

(ice, water, steam)
(husband, father, employer)

Question 4

The heressy of arianism

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

The heresy of partialism

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

6 Categorie of Theology

Answer 6

Systematic
Biblical
Historical
Philosophical
Creedal/Dogmatic
Apologetic

Question 7

Systematic theology

Answer 7

An approach that ‘systematizes’ truth.

Question 8

Is scripture the only source of truth

Answer 8

No, it is the primary source of truth, other sources of truth includes experience, the world, history, reason, community.

Question 9

The role of experience in theology

Answer 9

Our experience brings life and color to our theology

Question 10

Why should we be interested in what the early church fathers had to say?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Sola Scriptura

Answer 11

“The scripture alone”

This does not mean that scripture is the only source, but that scripture is the only infallable source.

Question 12

Prolegamena:

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Bibliology:

Answer 13

The study of the nature, transmission, canonization, and purpose of Scripture.

Question 14

Theology Proper:

Answer 14

The study of God’s existence, nature, and attributes. Sometimes called
“Trinitarianism.”

Question 15

.Christology:

Answer 15

The study of the person and work of Christ.

Question 16

Pneumatology

Answer 16

The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Question 17

Anthropology:

Answer 17

The study of the purpose and nature of humanity, both in its pre-fall and postfall state.

Question 18

Hamartiology:

Answer 18

The study of the nature, origin, and effects of sin on all creation.

Question 19

.Angelology / Demonology:

Answer 19

The study of the nature and works of demons and angels.

Question 20

Soteriology:

Answer 20

The study of salvation

Question 21

Ecclesiology:

Answer 21

The study of the nature of the Church.

Question 22

Eschatology:

Answer 22

The study of the end times.

Question 23

Ransom to Satan heresy

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Did you know that the doctrine of the Trinity was not even in existence until the first century?

Answer 24

Half True. The doctrine wasn’t ARTICULATED in its current form until the 4th century but has ALWAYS been a reality since the beginning.

Question 25

The basic theological process

Answer 25

1. Exegetical Statement
2. Theological Statement
3. Homiletical Statement

Question 26

The basic theological process

Answer 26

1. Exegetical Statement
2. Theological Statement
3. Homiletical Statement

Question 27

Why is it important to do proper exegesis?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Why is it important to do proper exegesis?

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

Difference between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Irrelevant theology

Answer 30

applying the word to our contemporary context without first extracting the timeless principle of the word

“woman should cover their heads”

Question 31

Folk theology

Answer 31

Applying theology, without justification

Question 32

subjective theology

Answer 32

relying only on personal experience.

Question 33

Short-circuit theology/ academic theology

Answer 33

You know what it says but it is never applied.

Question 34

Eisogetical Theology

Answer 34

Making scripture say what I want it to say. Making scripture conform to my experience.

Question 35

Biblical vs Systematic

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

Historical vs Systematic

Answer 36

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.

Question 37

Philosophical vs Systematic

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

Creedal vs Systematic

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Apologetic vs Systematic

Answer 39

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