Theology Final (In Depth) Flashcards
What, according to Erickson, are the biblical elements of the doctrine of Creation?
There are 5 biblical elements:
- Creation out of Nothing
- Its All-Inclusive Nature
- Rejection of Dualism
- The Work of the Triune God
- Its Purpose: God’s Glory
Elaborate on the biblical element of Creation out of nothing.
Creation out of Nothing - (Ex Nihilo) - God created out of nothing, he didn’t use preexisting material, he spoke and his statement became reality
Elaborate on the biblical element of Its All-Inclusive Nature
Its All-Inclusive Nature - (Ta Panta) - God didn’t create a part of reality, he created all things. He created the heavens, earth & sea; and everything in them. Rejections the notion that something could have been made by someone or something other than God.
Elaborate on the biblical element of Rejection of Dualism
Rejection of Dualism - The biblical teaching prohibits dualism. The Creator is unique. Denies that there is an inherently evil segment of creation that was created by an evil force such as Satan.
Elaborate on the biblical element of The Work of the Triune God
The Work of the Triune God - The Father brought the created universe into existence but it was the Spirit and Son who fashioned it, and carried it out the details of the design. Creation is from the Father but it is through the Spirit and the Son.
Elaborate on the biblical element of Its Purpose: God’s Glory
Its Purpose: God’s Glory - God did not have to create, but He did it for good and sufficient reasons, which were fulfilled through creation. The creation glorifies God by carrying out His will. Each part of creation is capable of fulfilling God’s purposes for it, but each obeys in a different way. Inanimate objects do so mechanically, the animate creation does so instinctively, and humans and angels are capable of obeying God consciously and willingly, thus glorifying God most fully.
What, according to Erickson, are the theological meanings of the doctrine of Creation?
There are 7 theological meanings:
- No ultimate reality other than God
- Original act of divine creation is unique
- Nothing was created intrinsically evil
- Responsibility is thrust upon the human race
- Guards against depreciating the incarnation of Christ
- Connection and affinity among its various parts
- Rejects the world as an emanation from God
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that there is No ultimate reality other than God
No ultimate reality other than God - There is no room for dualism. God brought into existence the very material he employed throughout the creation because he is infinite. God is the only one who is, who was and who always will be.
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that the Original act of divine creation is unique.
Original act of divine creation is unique - God’s work is qualitatively different than anything humans can do. Since God is not bound by anything external to Himself, His only limitations are those of his own nature and of his own choices.
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that Nothing was created intrinsically evil.
Nothing was created intrinsically evil - Since everything was created by God and God said at the end of his creating that everything he had made was very good, the doctrine of creation affirms that there was nothing evil within God’s original creation.
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that Responsibility is thrust upon the human race.
Responsibility is thrust upon the human race - Human cannot justify their evil behavior by blaming the evil realm of the material world because it is not inherently evil. Human sin is an exercise of human freedom.
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that it Guards against depreciating the incarnation of Christ.
Guards against depreciating the incarnation of Christ - Since God has made all there is, and has made it good, it is redeemable. Salvation and spirituality are to be found, not by fleeing from or avoiding the material realm, but by sanctifying it.
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that there is a Connection and affinity among its various parts
Connection and affinity among its various parts - As a human being, I am a sibling to every other human being. Since God also created inanimate material, I am, at base, one with nature.
Elaborate on the theological meaning of the doctrine of Creation which states, that the doctrine of creation rejects the type of monism that regards the world as an emanation from God
The type of monism that regards the world as an emanation from God. - Since God simply wills things into existence out of nothing, the things that are created are clearly something other than God.
What, according to Erickson, are the practical implications of the Doctrine of
Creation?
There are 4 practical implications:
- Everything That Is, Has Value Because God Made It
- God’s creative activity includes not only the initial creative activity but also his later indirect working.
- There is justification for scientifically investigating the creation.
- Nothing other than God is self-sufficient or eternal
