historic pak test 1

outward general revelation

God making himself known in creation

inward general revelation

God making himself known in humans

conscience: our actions towards others

judicial: others actions towards us

conscience & judicial=moral law

theories of inspiration

intuition, illumination, dynamic, verbal, dictation

intuition

inspiration as a high degree of insight- mostly human influence

illumination

inspiration as an influence of the Holy Spirit upon the biblical authors in increasing spiritual perceptivity but no special communication of the truth

dynamic

historic Christian belief, inspired by Holy Spirit but has elements of human as well

verbal

each word exact word that God wants to use

plenary: full

dictation

God dictated every word to humans, no human influence

karl barth

Jesus as the ONLY revelation from God, scripture is only a witness of divine revelation

Became the recognized leader of a movement known as Dialectical Theology, which emphasized that God comes to us as the One who is beyond human comprehension and Who pronounces judgement on all human attempts to know Him.

acts of God in history view

the Bible only a witness to the past saving acts of God, not divine revelation. Bible as fallible human impressions of the meaning and significance of God's saving acts in history.

partial inspiration theory

distinguished words of Biblical authors and word of God. only statements concerning spiritual matters are inspired and true. Matters of history and science may be false.

biblical inerrancy

The doctrine that the books of the Scriptures are free from error regarding the truth God wishes to reveal through the Scriptures for the sake of our salvation.

absolute inerrancy

the Bible is 100% true and without any kind of error. scientific and historical data is exact. DICTATION

full inerrancy

the Bible is true and without and deceit, but historical and scientific data may be general approximations. DYNAMIC

limited inerrancy

all doctrine of the scriptures is true, but scientific and historical data is not. PARTIAL

inerrancy of purpose

the scriptures are full in their purpose to bring people to Christ, but does not share facts. ILLUMINATION

rejection of inerrancy

The bible was written by humans, and therefore, is flawed. INTUITION.

solutions to the challenges of inerrancy

doctrinal approach

harmonization approach

moderate harmonization approach

accurate reporting of original sources approach

rejection of inerrancy

doctrinal approach

maintains inerrancy based on doctrine of inspiration

harmonization approach

attempts to harmonize conflicting passages and suggest solutions

moderate harmonization approach

suggests solutions, but only within fact and reason

accurate reporting of original sources approach

holds that inerrancy extends to accurate reproducing of the sources. If the sources contained errors, the biblical writers recorded those errors.

rejection of inerrancy

we must acknowledge that the bible oes contain real errors

doctrine of inerrancy: theological importance

inerrancy follows divine inspiration

doctrine of inerrancy: historical importance

the orthodox christianity has historically held to the inerrancy

doctrine of inerrancy: Epistemological importance

if the Bible is proven false in areas of history or science where we can verify, on what ground can we hold that the Bible is dependable in spiritual areas?

allegorical interpretation

a system of interpretation in which one sees everything in the bible as an allegory. greek dualism.

grammatical-historical interpretation

LITERAL INTERPRETATION. takes it how it is.

historical-critical interpretation

historical Jesus turns out to be a human teacher once you peel away the husk of divine-human savior

cs lewis

He coined the phrase "Mere Christianity" which is basically Historic Christian Belief (also known as "orthodox Christianity")

thomas aquinas

Christian faith is a rational enterprise where human reason can be used to understand the revealed truths of Scripture

origen

helped form nt canon

His attempts to integrate greek philosophy with Christianity is frowned upon today

emasculated himself

taught that son and holy spirit were inferior to the father

Tertullian

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

coined term trinity

defined God as one substance, three persons

unity and diversity in the trinity

augustine

His views on predestination, the Trinity, the sacraments, Church discipline, and sanctification set the agenda for both the medieval Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation

The Heidelberg Catechism

Written by Frederic III wrote it with two other men.

It is a confession of faith that many reformed denominations hold to

john wesley

Founder of Methodism

Him and his brother are arguably responsible for the greatest revival in the history of English-speaking Christianity. Without it, England may have experienced a bloody revolution like the French Revolution

arius

believed the son was less than because he was created

canon

Earliest collection of words was the ten commandments

Grew throughout israel's history, first five books called pentateuch, written by moses

No additions after Malachi- knew it was finished because it was written by prophets and there were no more

By early in the 2nd C, most of the NT writings were considered canonical.

discerning nt canon: apostolicity

apostolic writings or apostolic endorsement (if it's written by an apostle, it is inspired by God)

discerning nt canon: orthodoxy

conformity to the rule of faith

discerning nt canon: universality

perception of a writing as "God-Breathed" on part of an overwhelming majority of believers

dead sea scrolls

About 825-870 separate scrolls were put together of the many pieces that were found (some were found in pottery jars, which is why they lasted from the dry climate)

All the books of the OT are represented possibly except Esther

Fills in the gaps of history (timeline wise) because of the date these were written bridged the gap in the dates making it more credible

arguments for the existence of God: cosmological argument

osmos (universe) looking at universe you can prove God

Unmoved Mover

Efficient first cause - everything in the world has a cause (ex. Parents to us)

Necessary being - contingent is us and God is the necessary piece

Most perfect cause

arguments for the existence of God: teleological argument

Telos (purpose or goal) observes order, complexities, etc. - nothing is random

Ex with arrow being shot to the target there is a force or start the arrow shot isn't random and the goal is to hit the center of the target

arguments for the existence of God: ontological argument

Existence of being - starts with definition of God as the greatest possible being

arguments for the existence of God: moral argument

observing moral law proves God

communicable attributes of God

Knowledge/Wisdom

Truthfulness/Faithfulness

Goodness

Love

Mercy/Grace/Patience

Holiness

Righteousness, Justice, Wrath

incommunicable attributes of God

Independence ("I AM")

Immutability/Unchangeableness

Infinity (omnipotent, omnipresent, omnitemporal)

Eternity

summary attributes of God

Perfection

Blessedness

Beauty

Glory

names of God

Elohim - God

El Shaddai - God almighty

El Elyon - God the most high

El Olam - God eternal

Yahweh (YHWH in Hebrew because they take out vowels) - "the LORD" - His name and is the most sacred word. Covenant promises with abraham

Adonai - Lord

Theos - God

Kurios - Lord

Pater (Abba) "Daddy" (Father) - intimate term

heresy of the trinity: modalism

God is one person existing in three different modes (water, ice, vapor)

heresy of the trinity: arianism

God the son is not fully God

heresy of the trinity: tritheism

three separate gods

Westminster Larger Catechism

mans highest end is to glorify God and fully enjoy him forever

literary framework theory

denies chronological order of creationism

gap theory

theory that many many years passed between gen 1:1 and gen 1:2

theistic evolution

God created living matters but they have since evolved

progressive creationism

instead of six days, creation happened over long periods of time

young earth creationism

earth created in six days

greek creationism worldview

God and matter- two eternal, self-existent principles. God is good and matter is intrinsically evil

pantheism

God is equal to everything else

Dialectical materialism

The idea, according to Karl Marx, that change and development in history results from the conflict between social classes. Economic forces impel human beings to behave in socially determined ways.

atheistic evolutionism

darwin: no purpose or goal in history, everything evolved

angels

They are created spiritual beings

They do not have physical bodies, but can take on bodily form

They have names

They are many in number

"The Angel of the Lord" is sometimes God himself.

Angels serve God's purposes

our relationship with angels

They are involved in our lives

We should be careful about deceptive angels

demons

They are angels who sinned

Their leader is Satan

They are active in human lives (opposition, tactics, blinding people)

They are limited in their power

They are active throughout history

our relationship with demons

Actively involved in human society

There can be varying degrees of demonic influence on people

Jesus gives all believers authority over demons

providence

God's foreknowledge, beneficent care, and governance (personal involvement)

fatalism

impersonal forces control our destiny; focus on the end result not process

deism

Emphasis on the role of natural law; dualism

preservation

God maintains the existence and properties of all created things

concurrance

God cooperates with all created things in every action

government

God governs everything to fulfill his purpose

general revelation

God sustaining the order of the universe in a general way

Use of natural laws and the moral law

By common grace

special providence

God's personal and all-inclusive governance

Nothing happens apart from God's sovereign will

God's permissive will (Wesley)

God's directive will (Calvin, Augustine)

benefits of providence

Assurance that God is present and active in our lives

Confidence that no harm can come to us contrary to the will of God

Confidence that there is a regularity in the created world

directive will (calvin &augustine)

God is in complete control. He is the author of everything that is and therefore the author of our sins.

Nothing happens outside of God's will (there is NO permissive will)

permissive view (wesley)

God gives us free will, He does not ordain all of our actions (those that are sinful), He does not cause us to sin.

God allows sin to happen (permissive will), while ordaining other things that happen (directive will)

chapter one: early christian martyrs

"Persecution, suffering, and death are at the heart of the Christian message." (pg 29)

Dying for Christ is irrelevant, how we live for Christ is the real issue.

Stephen was the first christian to be martyred

"They chose to accept death rather than renounce their faith because they believed something was more valuable than a long and happy life for which they longed for." (pg 33)

Pagans viewed Christianity as a strange and threatening cult.

Christians used imprisonment to minister to more people.

Rome tolerated many religions, but persecuted Christians

Rome tolerated religions as long as the real religion of Rome was honored.

chapter 2: the church

Even though Christianity was small in numbers, they made a noticeable impact on society.

"Economic nuisance"

Christians abandoned the temples and no longer performed sacrifices.

"Political Club"

The church attracted pagan converts proclaiming a new message, helping the sick, providing hospitality, etc. (pg 51)

"Christian belief departed sharply from the cultural norm."

Women held leadership roles in the church and all people were welcomed.

Christians welcomed outsiders, regardless of background, gender, etc.

Women were more respected in the church and were not forced to become married.

The Church cared for people during intense crises.

They respectfully buried the dead and cared for the sick when others stayed away.

"God calls the church to be a community of belonging for broken people." (pg 69)

chapter 3: desert saints

"Would it be right to choose to struggle?"

Desert Saints (4th and 5th century) believed the struggle is normal, necessary, and even healthy in spiritual life.

"Just as you cannot stop air coming out of your breast, you cannot stop [evil] thought coming into your mind. Your part is to resist them." (pg 75)

The desert implied isolation, loneliness, temptation, and combat.

Only by facing that darkness will we find true life and freedom.

chapter 4: rhythm

Though modern day Christianity has changed very much from the peak of monasteries, we are greatly indebted to the monastic tradition for their spread of Christianity throughout the western world, and also for their tradition and doctrine. Monasteries are a place of prayer and stillness, requiring a level of peace and slowness that is unsettling in our modern culture. This make monasteries a unique and healthy pause in the daily lives we live. Rhythm is ingrained in the Christian lifestyle, and from the beginning we have observed rhythm as the Lord intended it through the days, years, and months established by God. Basil the great established new normals for the monastic community. He believed and encouraged the Monks to be out in the world, serving and loving people instead of living in solitude all of the time. He founded soup kitchens, hospitals, and other ways to serve and love the people around them. Saint Benedict created a new "Rule" for Monks, which encouraged service, love and charity. This rule changed the way monasteries were operated. The modern world can learn many things from these monastic practices. They include service, rest, hard work, and rhythm.

chapter 5: icons and saints

Deification- Jesus intended to make us holy and to reflect the central truth found in the New testament

Points to the ultimate destiny of believers, share christ's resurrection glory and become "like him"

Saint- refers to all believers in the NT and to those who have demonstrated unusual faith and holiness in life.

We are Saints

Icons- "paintings that accomplish this purpose by inviting us to gaze upon the portraits of people whose human nature has already been transformed into something unspeakably glorious" (pg 121)

Iconography is intended to provide an artistic vision of our destiny.

The central Icon is Christ

Description of icon paintings and meanings pg 125

Icons manifest the results of sainthood

Hagiographies- biographies- tells stories of saints to show how transformation actually takes place in people who know Christ.

Spiritual biographies show the process of sainthood.