Theology Exam 2

Question 1

Total depravity

Answer 1

-There is no goodness in human beings.
-We cannot take steps towards redemption, and can do nothing to save ourselves.

Question 2

partial depravity

Answer 2

-Human beings are still able to do good things, even after the fall.
-They are heavily inclined towards sinning.

Question 3

irresistible grace

Answer 3

-Human beings cannot resist the actions of God; we must do good and be saved if God chooses for it to be that way.
-This is carried out through soft violence, or when God moves the will so it accepts grace.

Question 4

free will in augustine

Answer 4

-Evil springs from freewill.
-This doesn’t make free will the cause of evil.
-Our freewill was severely corrupted by sin, so we can no longer choose good.
-God predestines some of us to be saved.

Question 5

philosophy and theology in aquinas

Answer 5

-There are two kinds of truths; those that can be understood by reason (Philosophy) and those that are beyond reason (Theology).
-Philosophy studies science, which can be in error. It reaches the ends of human logic.
-Theology studies revelations that cannot be doubted. Some theology is faith only.
-Some truths theology and philosophy both can reach. Reason is useful in both.

Question 6

pelagianism

Answer 6

-Pelagius believed humans have the capability to not sin since creation. sin didn’t remove this from us.
-Perfect holiness and righteousness is achievable without additional intervention on God’s part.

Question 7

evil of augustine

Answer 7

-Evil is only the negation of God.
-It is like a parasite.
-Evil is the corruption of the nature of a being.

Question 8

division of grace in aquinas

Answer 8

-There is two-fold grace: sanctifying grace (uniting self with God) and gratuitous grace (when you co-operate with others to be led to God)
-Prevenient grace is given at birth. Unlike augustine, ( who separates grace into common and prevenient) it is universal, it just needs to be accepted.

Question 9

The proof of gods existence of aquinas

Answer 9

1. Argument from motion: nothing can move from potential to action by itself, something must have first been moved. God moved it.
2. Argument of efficient cause: All things are caused by something else. Something must have caused the first thing. This was God.
3. Argument from necessity: All things are dependent and subject to change. They exist because they received existence from something else. The first thing to receive existence received it from God.
4. Argument from gradation of perfection in beings: Some things are better than others. In order for there to be a scale, there must be an ultimate good. This is God.
5. Teleological Argument or from Design: each thing moves towards an end proper for it. This cannot be by chance, God is the reason.

Question 10

the concept of grace(free will,predestination,human nature in Augustine

Answer 10

Grace: God’s grace is an unmerited gift necessary for salvation. God gives everyone common grace, or the ability to do some good things like feed the poor. Prevenient grace (saving grace) is given as He predestines it.
Freewill: essentially non-existent. Our freewill was corrupted by sin, so now we can only choose evil.
Predestination: God predestined us to either salvation or damnation. We somehow still have freewill.
Human nature: The human being is totally deprived. They can do no good without divine aid.

Question 11

the goal of ethics,the natural law,and Justice in Aquinas

Answer 11

Goal of ethics: Ethics is the foundation of moral theology and is found in the ultimate goal of human existence. Our end is happiness, ethics should take us there. Ethics is beyond our natural human powers. God only can give us happiness, but we must prepare ourselves through acts of merit.
Natural law: the manner in which creatures are able to participate in the Eternal law of God. The eternal law is God’s divine plan and ultimate purpose for each creation.
Justice: To render to each his right and respect the rights of others.