Christian beliefs

These three are different categories of true christian beliefs, **dogmas** are what all christian traditions believe such as the teachings, doctrines and set of beliefs. **Doctrines** are what different christian traditions believe. Theyre important to a particular tradition-community of christians but are not essential. **Opinions** are what any individual christian thinks its where they’re not clearly taught in scripture.

What are the differences between: a) dogmas, b) doctrines, and c) opinions

are what all christian traditions believe such as the teachings, doctrines and set of beliefs.

dogmas

are what different christian traditions believe. Theyre important to a particular tradition-community of christians but are not essential.

Doctrines

are what any individual christian thinks its where they’re not clearly taught in scripture. 

Opinions

scripture, tradition, reason, experience

What are the four elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral

 the writings of the Hebrew prophets and early christian apostles

Scripture

the great tradition of chrisitianity, the consensus beliefs held in common by the early church fathers and the reformers

Tradition

logic, especially the rule of noncontadiction that forpiids equal affirmation of opposite propositions. Does not necessarily or usually include any highly developed complex philosophy

Reason

human experience and especially the religious experience of God’s people in the community of faith

Experience

the terms "special" and "general" revelation refer to two different ways in which God reveals Himself to humanity.

What is the difference between “special” and “general” revelation?

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1. refers to God's unique and specific acts of self-disclosure to particular individuals or groups of people. It is called "special" because it is distinct from general revelation and is typically understood to be more specific and detailed. Special revelation is often associated with the divine communication found in religious texts such as the Bible. According to Christian belief, special revelation includes God's direct communication through prophets, visions, dreams, miracles, and ultimately culminates in the person of Jesus Christ, who is considered the ultimate and complete revelation of God.

Special Revelation

refers to the ways in which God reveals Himself to all people through creation, human conscience, and history. It is called "general" because it is accessible to all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. According to Christian theology, God's general revelation is evident in the natural world, the order and beauty of creation, the complexity and design found in the universe, and the moral conscience that is inherent in human beings.

General Revelation

implies that the human authors of Scripture were not mere secretaries of the Holy Spirit, and the process of divine authorship through them was not mechanical. Instead *the authors were guided by the Spirit of God to the very words they freely chose to use*. 

Plenary verbal inspiration

Those who regard the authors and not the words or propositions of Scripture as inspired by God also tend to regard the process of inspiration as indirect and the words of Scripture as more the human authors’ than the Holy Spirit’s.

dynamic thought inspiration

refers to the belief that the Bible is without error or contradiction in its original manuscripts. Those who hold to biblical inerrancy argue that every word and detail of the Bible, including historical and scientific claims, is accurate and without any mistakes. This view asserts that God inspired the biblical authors to write in such a way that the final written text is completely free from errors.

Biblical Inerrancy

on the other hand, is a broader term that suggests the Bible is incapable of leading people astray or failing to accomplish its divine purpose. While infallibility does affirm the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible, it does not necessarily require the absence of minor errors or discrepancies in non-essential matters such as historical or scientific details.

Biblical Infallibility

tradition:

Catholic Perspective: Catholics view tradition as an authoritative source of divine revelation alongside Scripture. They believe that the Holy Spirit guides the ongoing development of tradition within the Church, which includes teachings, practices, and interpretations passed down through the centuries.

Protestant Perspective: Protestants, while acknowledging the value of tradition, place a greater emphasis on the authority of Scripture alone (sola scriptura).

scripture

Catholic Perspective: Catholics affirm the authority of Scripture but also uphold the authority of the Magisterium, which consists of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him

Protestant Perspective: Protestants uphold the authority of Scripture as the sole written revelation of God. They emphasize the priesthood of all believers,

How do Catholics and Protestants differ when it comes to their beliefs about the authority of tradition and the authority of Scripture?

Catholics view tradition as an authoritative source of divine revelation alongside Scripture. They believe that the Holy Spirit guides the ongoing development of tradition within the Church, which includes teachings, practices, and interpretations passed down through the centuries. Tradition is considered necessary for understanding and interpreting Scripture correctly.

Authority of Tradition:


1. Catholic Perspective

Protestants, while acknowledging the value of tradition, place a greater emphasis on the authority of Scripture alone (sola scriptura). They view Scripture as the primary and ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. While they may appreciate the insights of tradition, they believe that Scripture is sufficient for knowing God's will and that traditions should be evaluated in light of biblical teachings.

Authority of Tradition:

Protestant Perspective

Catholics affirm the authority of Scripture but also uphold the authority of the Magisterium, which consists of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. The Magisterium has the responsibility to interpret Scripture and tradition authentically, guided by the Holy Spirit. The teaching authority of the Church is considered necessary for maintaining doctrinal unity and preventing individual interpretations that could lead to error.

Authority of Scripture:


1. Catholic Perspective:

Protestants uphold the authority of Scripture as the sole written revelation of God. They emphasize the priesthood of all believers, meaning that every Christian has the ability and responsibility to interpret Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While recognizing the importance of scholarship and the insights of church leaders, Protestants believe that individual believers have the freedom to interpret the Bible for themselves.

Authority of Scripture:

Protestant Perspective

Council of Nicaea (325):


1. The council was called to address the controversy surrounding the teachings of Arius, a priest from Alexandria, who denied the full divinity of Christ.

Council of Constantinople (381):


1. The council was convened to address the teachings of Apollinaris, Macedonius, and other heretical movements that challenged the orthodox understanding of the Trinity and the nature of Christ.

What was decided about Christ’s nature during the two great ecumenical councils of 325 (in Nicaea) and 381 (in Constantinople)?

1. The council was called to address the controversy surrounding the teachings of Arius, a priest from Alexandria, who denied the full divinity of Christ.
2. The council affirmed the full divinity of Christ and rejected Arianism. It declared that Jesus Christ is of the same substance (homousios) as the Father, emphasizing their equality and shared essence.
3. The Nicene Creed was formulated at this council to express the orthodox belief in the divinity of Christ. It remains an important statement of faith for many Christian traditions.

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1. Council of Nicaea (325):

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1. The council was convened to address the teachings of Apollinaris, Macedonius, and other heretical movements that challenged the orthodox understanding of the Trinity and the nature of Christ.
2. The council affirmed and expanded upon the teachings of the Council of Nicaea. It declared the divinity and full humanity of Christ.
3. The council affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing the equality of the three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and their distinct but inseparable nature.
4. The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, often referred to as the Nicene Creed, was reaffirmed and further elaborated at this council. It became one of the most widely accepted and recognized creeds in Christianity

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1. Council of Constantinople (381):

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1. **The Definition affirms the two natures of Christ:**
2. The Definition affirms the unity of the two natures in one person:
3. **The Definition acknowledges the importance of the distinction between the natures:**

What does the “Chalcedonian definition” say about Christ’s nature

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* It declares that Jesus Christ is "truly God and truly man."
* It upholds the belief that Christ possesses a complete divine nature and a complete human nature, without mixing or confusion.

(Chalcedonian definition)

**The Definition affirms the two natures of Christ:**

* It states that these two natures, divine and human, are united "without division, without change, without separation, without confusion."
* It emphasizes that the unity of the two natures is not compromised or altered. Christ is one person, the "God-man," with both a divine and a human nature.

(Chalcedonian definition) 

**The Definition affirms the unity of the two natures in one person:**

* It affirms that each nature retains its distinct characteristics and properties.
* It emphasizes that the properties of each nature are preserved and that they come together in a perfect union in the person of Christ.

**(Chalcedonian definition)** 

**The Definition acknowledges the importance of the distinction between the natures:**

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1. this is a technical term in Christian theology for the doctrine of the incarnation of God in Christ by means of a union of two natures: human and divine.
2. It asserts that Jesus is both fully God and fully human.

What is the meaning of “hypostatic union”?

**Kenotic Christology** is based on the Greek word "kenosis," which means self-emptying. This view emphasizes the self-emptying or self-limitation of Christ's divine attributes during the Incarnation.

**Two minds Christology**, on the other hand, focuses on the duality of Christ's nature, emphasizing the coexistence of both a human mind and a divine mind in Jesus. According to this perspective, Christ possesses both a fully human mind and a fully divine mind.

What is the difference between “kenotic Christology” and “two minds Christology”?

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1. Docetism:Docetism is an early heresy that denies the full humanity of Jesus. Followers of this belief claimed that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body but was actually a divine being. According to Docetism, Jesus' human form was merely an illusion, and his suffering and death on the cross were not real.
2. Monophysitism: Monophysitism teaches that Jesus has only one nature, a divine nature, and that his human nature is absorbed or subsumed into the divine nature. This view denies the full humanity of Jesus and suggests that his human nature is essentially dissolved in his divine nature.
3. Adoptionism: Adoptionism proposes that Jesus was born as a fully human being and later "adopted" by God as his divine Son. According to this heresy, Jesus became divine through an act of adoption, rather than being eternally and inherently divine.

Name and describe at least three deviations from the Christian consensus aboutChrist’s nature

is an early heresy that denies the full humanity of Jesus. Followers of this belief claimed that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body but was actually a divine being. According to Docetism, Jesus' human form was merely an illusion, and his suffering and death on the cross were not real.

Docetism

teaches that Jesus has only one nature, a divine nature, and that his human nature is absorbed or subsumed into the divine nature. This view denies the full humanity of Jesus and suggests that his human nature is essentially dissolved in his divine nature.

Monophysitism

proposes that Jesus was born as a fully human being and later "adopted" by God as his divine Son. According to this heresy, Jesus became divine through an act of adoption, rather than being eternally and inherently divine.

Adoptionism

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1. **Creation in the Image of God**
2. **The Fall and Original Sin**
3. **Redemption and Restoration**

What are the three central ideas about human nature in Christianity according to Olson?

Christianity affirms that human beings are created in the image of God. This concept emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. Being made in the image of God means that humans have a unique capacity for rationality, moral responsibility, and relationship with God and others.

**Creation in the Image of God**

Christianity acknowledges that human nature has been affected by the Fall, referring to the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As a consequence of this disobedience, sin entered the world, and human nature became marred by sin and its consequences. This understanding recognizes that humans are prone to selfishness, brokenness, and a separation from God.

**The Fall and Original Sin**

Christianity teaches that through Jesus Christ, redemption and restoration are possible for humanity. The central message of Christianity is that God became incarnate in Jesus Christ to reconcile humanity to Himself. Through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, individuals can be forgiven of their sins and restored to a right relationship with God.

**Redemption and Restoration**

teaching that all people are born pure, pristine, un- corrupted and fully able *if they will* to live lives in perfect obedience to God’s revealed will without ever needing a special grace for forgiveness and restoration.

What did Pelagius teach about human nature and original sin?

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1. **Human Nature:** Augustine believed that human beings were originally created in a state of perfection and goodness. He affirmed the idea that humans are made in the image of God and possess rationality, freedom of the will, and the ability to love. Augustine emphasized the harmony between the soul and the body, asserting that both were created good and meant to work together.
2. **Original Sin:** Augustine taught that through the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world and profoundly affected human nature. He viewed original sin as a hereditary condition that is passed down from generation to generation. According to Augustine, all human beings inherit a sinful nature from Adam, and this nature inclines them towards selfishness, pride, and rebellion against God.
3. **Total Depravity:** Augustine argued for the concept of "total depravity," which does not mean that every human being is as evil as they could possibly be but rather that sin has affected every aspect of human nature. He believed that the Fall corrupted the will, intellect, and desires of human beings, rendering them unable to choose or desire the good without the assistance of God's grace.
4. **Need for Divine Grace:** Augustine emphasized the absolute necessity of God's grace for human salvation. He taught that humans, due to their fallen nature, cannot save themselves or earn salvation through their own efforts. Instead, they are wholly dependent on God's grace and mercy to be redeemed and reconciled to Him. Augustine argued that God's grace is necessary to restore and transform human nature, enabling individuals to respond in faith and receive salvation.

What did St. Augustine teach about human nature and original sin?

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1. Satisfaction model
2. Penal substitution model
3. Moral influence 
4. Ransom Moodel
5. Christus Victor model

What are the five major theories about atonement?

emphasizes the idea of Christ satisfying the demands of divine justice on behalf of humanity. It views sin as an offense against God's honor and dignity. According to this theory, Jesus' death on the cross serves as a satisfaction or payment for human sin, restoring the honor and justice of God.

Satisfaction model

Sin must be  punished and christ takes our place This theory emphasizes the idea that Jesus bears the penalty of sin in the place of sinful humanity, allowing for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Penal substitution model

God wants people to trust in him. Humans fear and hate God, they dont see him. God sends us Jesus to see how we should be.

Moral influence 

1. Earliest theory
2. Humans were taken by satan and God pays that “ransom” with Jesus.

Ransom Model

emphasizes Christ's victory over the powers of sin, death, and evil. It portrays Jesus' death and resurrection as a triumphant act that defeats the forces of darkness and liberates humanity from bondage. This theory emphasizes the cosmic dimensions of Christ's work, seeing it as a rescue mission to free humanity from the power of Satan.

Christus Victor model

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