theology - sources of wisdom and authority

bible - EVANGELICAL PROTESTANTS

all scripture inspired by god so can be useful for teaching, reproof and correction

inerrant (w/o error) because inspired (god-breathed) by god

god dictated books and inspired authors to express his word in their own writing so TF should be taken literally

bible - CATHOLICS

bible inspired by god

church equal authority to bible bc bound together

magisterium and bishops interpret meaning and give new insights

scripture (speech of god) and tradition (active word of god) from same divine source to share same divine auth

must safeguard against private interpretation

tradition is living - new truths may be discovered as there may have been previous translation errors so must make sure interpretations are incorrect

bible - NEO ORTHODOXY

e.g. K. Barth and Tillick

reject inerrancy as there are many historical and scientific errors and some parts simply not true

not ‘word’ but contains word of god

scripture is a vehicle to experience god - personally meaningful so authoritative to individual

bible - LIBERALISM

reject bible as literally true

T Wright - like a play, must complete final scene

SOCIAL GOSPEL MOVEMENT - use christian and ethical principles to address social issues, bible has auth but social action more important

PROCESS THEO - rejects bible as factual, entirely human doc, inspired as may be found uplifting

church - CATHOLICS

apostolic tradition - stems from jesus’ apostles and his command to preach the gospels to all men - done orally, in writing nd by those associated w/ them - carried on to

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION - apostkes appointed bishops as successors, establishing a continuous line o succession and authority

holy spirit remains active in change

‘rule of faith’ is to embrace both scripture and tradition

church - PROTESTANTS

REJECT auth of church

relies on sola scriptura developed by martin luther during reformation - denied that scripture and church same

‘the sure rule of gods word’

shouldnt follow any other guidance

church in line with bible, all believers have equal access to god, can interpret bible and question truths

canon

books believed by the leaders of the early christian church to be inpired by god and TF authoritative

testament

agreement/ covenant

general revelation vs special revelation

GENERAL - the way in which god makes himself known to people through nature, reason and conscience

SPECIAL - the way in which god makes himself known in specific ways e.g. bible

nature of the bible - OLD TESTAMENT

firsts section - genesis

similar to hebrew bible with origins in ancient judaism

biography, narration, poetry, philosophy, psalms, proverbs, prophecy

nature of bible - NEW TESTAMENT

jesus’ life as messiah, fulfillment of prophecies

gospels matthew mark luke and john

pauls efforts to spread jesus’ teachings

27 books og in greek

gospels

oral trad of church

matthew mark luke and john 70-100ad

contradict each other and give different stories

nature of bible - BOOKS OF REVELATION

final book

apocalyptic literature predicting a final celestial war through prophecy

95ad on an island off coast of turkey

some believe less of prophecy, more of response to roman destruction of great temple and jerusalem

evangelical christians use to interpret current events in an expectation of end times

nature of bible - GNOSTIC GOSPELS

additional biblical texts e.g. gospel of mary 1896

50 by 1945

incl. gospel of thomas, previously hidden sayings and implies jesus and mary m marriage

book of jesus - secret convos

not official biblical canon but alternative views and stories

nature of bible - KING JAMES BIBLE

most widely know bible 1611

called for complete restructure of the church - commissioned 1604

earlier versions corrupt

contemp. lang, common recognisable terms

introduced new words and phrases

bible = collection of books

2 parts

66 books

jesus’ auth as gods auth

• miracles

  ‘i and the father are one’

• part of trinity

• fulfill prophecies

• incarnation, ascension

• nicene creed ‘begotten’ not made

‘word became flesh’

• conquered death

matthew 5:38 - 48

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[a] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[b] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect

interpretation of matthew 5:38 - 48

• do not resist an evil person

• turn the other cheek - let them slap

• hand over your coat

• go with them two miles

• give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow

• love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

• be perfect

how should matthew 5:38-48 be taken?

• literally e.g. all should be pacifist

• key morals

• parable

• stating an ideal

• biblical criticism - time/ content/ culture

  • no focus on action but rather intention

jesus as a role model

shouldnt fight violence with violence as this fuels the oppressors desires

retaliate, if needed, in love

protect neighbours over ourselves - be as unselfish as possible

wouldnt retaliate if secure in status