Theology Exam 2

Romans 1-3

Romans 1-3

• Paul's first letter to the Roman Church, Paul's systematic understanding of the Gospel, Paul wrote this to show the Roman Church his understanding of the Gospel firsthand, Gospel = Power of God unto salvation, Humans = Sinners, only with God + Human spirit can salvation be achieved, Salvation = Transformation of nature to coincide with divine will, Salvation is needed by all and is given to those who admit they need it and are receptive to divine power, Being conscious of the law (human or divine) does not bring salvation

Salvation

• The transformation of nature to coincide with divine will (or with what ought to be done), Needed by Gentiles and Jews alike, Only available to those who recognize their need for it

Gospel

• Power of God unto salvation, "Righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith"

Romans 1

• Characteristics of sins of the Gentile world (idolatry, intellectual pride, and sexual licentiousness), Jews (might) approve this message

Romans 2

• Paul says sike bitch, Hypocrisy of Jewish beliefs regarding the Gentiles (causes God's named to be "blasphemed among the Gentiles"), "You [too] are without excuse.", All fall short of God's holiness, Circumcision (outward marking of Abrahamic covenant) = less important that upholding the law, Circumcision is "of the heart," emphasizing the theme of inward righteousness

Law and Sin

• Human (Gentile) and divine (Jewish) laws did not stop sin from occurring, Only God's grace (received in faith) can bring salvation, Everyone is "justified freely by [God's] grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ", Justification overcomes estrangement and puts people into right relation with God, Law brings knowledge of sin, Salvation ---> New creature with new desires

Romans 5

• Aspects of Salvation: Past ("having been justified by faith"), Present ("we have peace with God"), and Future ("we shall be saved," in eternity), Adam led to sin impacting humanity, Christ led to salvation and redemption (new life) for humanity, Jesus' sacrifice > Adam's sin, "Pessimism of sin"—what human beings are in and of themselves, "Optimism of grace"—what human beings can be and will be through trust in Christ and the reception of God's grace

Romans 7

• Paul's experience with the law when he was young (demonstrating how it is ineffective at stopping sin), Trying to achieve salvation through obedience to the Law was a miserable existence (slave to sin), Sin = Addiction one cannot overcome alone, Self focus (self-life)

Romans 8

• Spirit focus (spirit-life, Holy Spirit), Who will save me? Answer: Jesus, "The law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death", The believer "groans" in prayer and in longing for the coming of the new creation, Despite the suffering in this world, the hope of final salvation causes the Christian to overflow in faith, Nothing can ever separate the believer from the love of Christ

Irenaeus

Against Gnosticism

Athanasius

Against Arianism

Augustine

Against Greco-Roman Paganism

Irenaeus (Quote)

"Vere Deus, Vere Homo [truly God, truly man]"

Athanasius (Quote)

"He was humanized, that we might be divinized"

Augustine (Quote)

• "You have made us for yourselves, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you"

• "The earthly city...lusts to enslave the world and...though nations bend to its yoke, it is enslaved by its own lust to enslave others"

Irenaeus (Background)

• Greek bishop noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in the southern regions of present-day France, Development of Christian theology (combating heterodox or Gnostic interpretations of Scripture as heresy and defining proto-orthodoxy), Wrote Against Heresies, a refutation of gnosticism, in particular that of Valentinus, Priest of the Church of Lyon (161-180), Became the second bishop of Lyon, Cited New Testament 1,000 times (1/3 times were Paul's letters)

Against Heresies

• Three pillars of orthodoxy: the scriptures, the tradition handed down from the apostles, and the teaching of the apostles' successors

Against Heresies Book 1

Valentinian Gnostics and their predecessors

Against Heresies Book 2

Proof that Valentinianism contains no merit in terms of its doctrines

Against Heresies Book 3

Purports to show that these doctrines are false, by providing counter-evidence gleaned from the Gospels

Against Heresies Book 4

Consists of Jesus's sayings, and here Irenaeus also stresses the unity of the Old Testament and the Gospel

Against Heresies Book 5

Focuses on more sayings of Jesus plus the letters of Paul the

Apostle

Gnosticism

• The (---) taught that the material world was the accidental creation of an evil god, from which we are to escape by the pursuit of gnosis. Irenaeus argued that the true gnosis is in fact knowledge of Christ, which redeems rather than escapes from bodily existence, Views the human body and the entire material realm as the abode of evil. Salvation occurs through a hidden knowledge, available only to and initiated elite, that enables them to ascend above the gross physical universe.

Irenaeus (Theology)

• Unity and the goodness of God, in opposition to the Gnostics' theory of God; a number of divine emanations along with a distinction between the Monad and the Demiurge, God began the world and has been overseeing it ever since this creative act; everything that has happened is part of his plan for humanity, God intended his creatures to take a long time to grow into or assume the divine likeness, Christ = New Adam (Christ = "recapitulating" or "summing up" of human life), Salvation occurs through Christ's Incarnation, Sacrifice of Christ being necessary for the new life given to humanity in the triumph over evil (also shown by Paul), Christ is the new head of humanity who fulfills Adam's role in the plan of salvation

Athanasius (Background)

• Christian theologian and the 20th pope of Alexandria, Exiled 5 times lmao ,Church Father, the chief defender of Trinitarianism against Arianism, Played a leading role against the Arians as a deacon and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, Struggled against the Emperors Constantine Constantius II, Julian the Apostate and Valens, "(---) Against the World", Wrote "On the Incarnation of the Word"

On the Incarnation of the Word

• Second treatise written to Marcarius, Athanasius addresses the creation of man and his fall into sin, which is necessary background for a proper understanding of the incarnation, Same agent through whom the world and mankind was created would become the agent of its deliverance and re-creation, The Word took on a body capable of death to face humanity's corruption in death for the sake of all, Famous line: "He became as we are, that we might become as he is", Defends the enfleshing, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection of Christ, confronting various arguments proposed by both Jews and Gentiles

On the Incarnation of the Word Arguments

• Criticisms against the crucifixion (why not another form of death?) Athanasius argues that Christ's death was public so that none might question the validity of His death and therefore the reality of His resurrection, The Resurrection: Argues from experience that the boldness of Christian martyrs facing death testifies to Christ's victory over death. Christ must be alive for He is working in this world expelling evil spirits, despoiling idols, and turning men away from paganism toward faith in Himself, Against the Greeks he makes philosophical arguments (if they recognize God's presence in the totality of His creation then surely they ought not detest His taking up a part of that) whole—a human body), Makes arguments based on experience (argues for the superiority of Christ based on Christ's universal appeal to all peoples as opposed to the pagan gods' struggle to gain loyalty from their own people)

Augustine (Background)

• Hippo dude

The City of God

• Response to allegations that Christianity brought about the decline of Rome, Expounding on many questions of theology, such as the suffering of the righteous, the existence of evil, the conflict between free will and divine omniscience, and the doctrine of original sin, An argument for the truth of Christianity over competing religions and philosophies, Argues that Christianity was not responsible for the sack of Rome and instead that Rome was brought down by its own desire for domination, Conflict between 2 cities (one made by Abel, the other Cain), Augustine depicts the history of the world as necessarily involving conflict between good and evil

City of God

Marked by people who forgo earthly pleasure to dedicate themselves to the eternal truths of God, now revealed fully in the Christian faith

City of Man

Consists of people who have immersed themselves in the cares and pleasures of the present, passing world

The City of God Book 1

• A critique of pagan religion (1-5)

• Criticism of the pagans who attribute the sack of Rome to Christianity

• Explains that good and bad things happen to righteous and wicked people alike, and it seeks to console the women who were sexually assaulted in the recent calamity

The City of God Book 2

Proof that because of the worship of the pagan gods, Rome suffered the greatest calamity of all, that is, moral corruption

The City of God Book 3

Proof that the pagan gods failed to save Rome numerous times in the past from worldly disasters, such as the sack of Rome by the Gauls

The City of God Book 4

Proof that the power and long duration of the Roman empire was due not to the pagan gods but to the Christian God

The City of God Book 5

• Refutation of the doctrine of fate and an explanation of the Christian doctrine of free will and its consistency with God's omniscience, Proves that Rome's dominion was due to the virtue of the Romans and explains the true happiness of the Christian emperors

The City of God Book 6

• A critique of pagan philosophy (6-10),Refutation of the assertion that the pagan gods are to be worshipped for eternal life (rather than temporal benefits),Even the esteemed pagan scholar Varro held the gods in contempt.

The City of God Book 7

Demonstration that eternal life is not granted by Janus, Jupiter, Saturn, and other select gods

The City of God Book 8

• Argument against the Platonists and their natural theology, which Augustine views as the closest approximation of Christian truth, Refutation of Apuleius' insistence of the worship of spirit beings (who are actually evil spirits or demons) as mediators between God and man. Refutation against Hermeticism

The City of God Book 9

Proof that all demons are evil and that only Christ can provide man with eternal happiness

The City of God Book 10

Teaching that the good angels wish that God alone is worshipped and a proof that no sacrifice can lead to purification except that of Christ

The City of God Book 11

• The origins of the two cities (11-14), Origins of the two cities from the separation of the good and bad angels, and a detailed analysis of Genesis 1

The City of God Book 12

Answers to why some angels are good and others bad, and a close examination of the creation of man

The City of God Book 13

Teaching that death originated as a penalty for Adam's sin, the fall of man

The City of God Book 14

Teachings on the original sin as the cause for lust and shame

The City of God Book 15

• The history or progress of the two cities, and the role of the Jewish people (15-18), An analysis of the events in Genesis between the time of Cain and Abel to the time of the flood

The City of God Book 16

Progress of the two cities from Noah to Abraham, and the progress of the heavenly city from Abraham to the kings of Israel

The City of God Book 17

History of the city of God from Samuel to David and to Christ, and christological interpretations of the prophecies in Kings and Psalms

The City of God Book 18

• Parallel history of the earthly and heavenly cities from Abraham to the end

• After the Jews received prophecy predicting Jesus, they were dispersed among the nations to provide an independent testimony of the Hebrew Scriptures

The City of God Book 19

• The deserved destinies of the two cities (19-22), The end of the two cities, and the happiness of the people of Christ

The City of God Book 20

The prophecies of the Last Judgment in the Old and New Testaments

The City of God Book 21

The eternal punishment for Satan for those who belonging to him

The City of God Book 22

The eternal happiness for the saints and explanations of the resurrection of the body

Apostolic Succession

• The unbroken line of bishops that has continued from the apostles appointed by Christ down to the present bishops of the church, Theory = bishop's validity depends on his having been consecrated or ordained to ministry through an unbroken chain extending back to the apostles themselves

Apostolic Succession (Eastern)

• The so-called "college of bishops" who together share the responsibility for transmitting the church's true tradition, rather than one single individual bishop or leader, The highest authority in the church is assigned to the decision of an Ecumenical Council of the Church

Apostolic Succession (Western)

• Roman or Petrine view is that it is one individual leader—namely, the bishop of Rome and his successors who carry the primary responsibility for continuing the true tradition of the church from generation to generation, The highest authority in the church is assigned to a decision of the Pope, even if the Pope acts apart from the other bishops and apart from an Ecumenical Council

Arianism

The opinion that Jesus was neither fully divine nor truly coequal with God the Father, but was an exalted being brought into being as the first of God's creatures

Atonement

The process by which the obstacles to the reconciliation of God and humanity are removed

Baptism

The washing or immersion of a person in water in the name of the Trinity, as an outward sign of God's promises of forgiveness and new life in Christ (faith, repentance, and new birth in New Testament)

Binding and Loosing

The exercise of disciplinary authority in the church, as Christ conferred this power on the apostles (Matthew 16:19) and their successors. Included here is the power of excommunication.

Bishop

Literally, "overseer." The (---) is in effect a "pastor of pastors," and this creates a hierarchy of differing levels of authority in the church.

Body of Christ

The actual flesh and blood of the man Jesus, now believed by Christians to be raised from the dead, and seated at God's right hand in heaven. The consecrated bread offered in in the celebration of the Eucharist, which manifests Christ's presence to believers.

Canon of Scripture

The set of books regarded by Christians as inspired and authoritative for faith and practice.(The Old Testament canon is a matter of disagreement between Protestants and Catholics)

Catholic

Literally, "all-pure." In its most general sense, "(---)" means "universal," and refers to the idea of a single, universal fellowship of all Christian believers, in all times and in all places.

Christology

The theological study of Jesus Christ, including his person, nature, teachings, deeds, and significance for believers.

Church

Literally, "Belonging to the Lord." 1) the entire community, in all times and places, of those who believe in and follow after Jesus. 2) a congregation of people gathered in Christ's name at a specific time and place, and professing to believe in Christ and to follow him.

Church and State

Indicates some relationship between Christians in their outward and institutional organization, and the mixed multitude of both believers and unbelievers in its political organization.

Clergy

Refers to those in the church who have undergone ordination, and hold particular offices for service.

Communion of the Saints

The fellowship of all Christians, which extends beyond the confines of place or time, and includes believers who have already died.

Concupiscence

A wrongful desire for things that are unlawful as well as harmful. Sometimes wrongly limited to sexual lust, concupiscence includes all the cravings of the fallen nature--ambition, greed, food, etc.

Confession

[1] Someone verbally declares their allegiance to God, Christ, and the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith (as, for example, in reciting creed. [2] Verbal acknowledging of sin, either individually or corporately, whether done solitarily with God, or, in the Catholic and Orthodox practice, to a priest as confessor, who hears someone's confession of sins.

Confirmation

In Roman Catholic churches and some Protestant congregations, the process by which persons already baptized are received into full membership in the church.

Congregation

A local community of Christians who come together regularly for worship, for fellowship, and to engage in service and witness.

Conversion

Literally, "turning." The human response to God in which one receives Jesus as Savior and re-orients his or her entire life around Jesus.

Creed

A formal statement of Christian belief, drawn up in the early centuries of the church.

Docetism / Docetic

• Literally, "seeming-ism." The viewpoint, rejected by the early church, but maintained especially in Gnostic groups, that Jesus was not truly human but only seemed to be so, Theological position that tends to deny the reality or goodness of the human body and the material realm

Eastern Christianity

Those Christian churches which emerged during the first centuries in the Eastern Mediterranean basin, using the Greek language. Today it includes the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and other smaller Orthodox churches.

Ecumenical Council

A gathering of bishops or representatives of the worldwide Christian church, to make decisions in matters of faith or practice.

Election or Predestination

Literally, "choosing." This term refers to God's choice of certain individuals for eternal salvation.

Eucharist

Also known as "Communion," "the Lord's Supper," and among Catholics as the centerpoint of worship or "the Mass." The Christian ritual in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed by believers in remembrance of Jesus' death upon the cross.

Evil, Problem of

The problem that arises from the conception of an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God, alongside a world filled with suffering and evil. According to the argument, God must either be limited in power, limited in knowledge, or limited in love, or else God would immediately abolish evil from the world. It is generally considered to be one of the most difficult objections to belief in the Christian God.

Fate / Fatalism

• Unseen power ruling over human destiny, and which cannot be changed by anything that human beings may do, worldview that results from belief in fate, according to which one must simply resign himself in believing that "whatever will be, will be"

Flesh

• Humanity in its character as weak and transient, Humanity in its fallen condition, as turned away from God

Gospel (Literal)

Literally, "Good News." The proclamation of God's redemptive activity in Christ on behalf of sinners.

Grace

God's unmerited favor, which brings the salvation of the sinner.

Heart

Refers to the inmost depth of human personhood. It is the basic orientation or inclination that governs the individual's thoughts, desires, feelings, and actions, what one "sets his heart upon."

Heaven

The presence or God, or God's dwelling place, where believers find the ultimate fulfillment of the love, joy, and peace they have begun to experience on earth. Though sometimes represented as lying "above" the earth, many Christian thinkers take this description as symbolic.

Hell

A place of punishment for the wicked dead, regarded as the result of God's withdrawal and abandonment.

Heresy

• Literally, "Choosing." Teaching that involves a rejection of central Christian beliefs. Refers to a deliberate denial rather than an inadvertent mistake concerning Christian doctrine

Homoousios

Literally, "Of the same nature." The Latin-based term is "consubstantial." A crucial term used in the early church period, and that is included in The Nicene Creed, implying Jesus' full divinity, being "of the same nature" or "of the same substance" with the Father.

Infallibility, Papal

A teaching that gradually arose in church history, and was first formally defined by the Catholic Church in 1870, that the pope cannot err in his teachings whenever he makes a declaration ex cathedra (lit., "from the chair), that is, in his official role as leader of Christendom.

Liturgy

The formal structure of a service of worship, including the basic elements of the service (invocation, singing, preaching, offering, etc.) and the words spoken in the course of the service.

Mediator

One who intervenes between two conflicting parties in order to promote reconciliation. One of the titles assigned to Jesus in the New Testament.

Nicea

The first ecumenical council in the history of the Christian church, convened by the Emperor Constantine to address the issue of Jesus' divinity as this had been called into question by Arianism.

Ordination

Literally, "Setting in order." The process whereby persons are set apart and consecrated to the work of ministry within the Christian church.

Original Sin

The predisposition or bent toward sin is traditionally understood as the consequence of the first human sin of Adam and Eve.

Orthodox

Literally, "right opinion." The opposite of (---) is heresy. [1] In general, this term refers to any Christian opinion that is regarded as theologically correct. [2] This word is also a general term for Eastern Christianity (e.g., the Greek and Russian Churches), in distinction to Western Christianity.

Papacy

The office of the pope, or Roman bishop. The term refers to the Roman bishop insofar as he is viewed as the successor of St. Peter, the spiritual leader of Christendom, and the unique representative of Christ on earth.

Patristic

Referring to the leaders of the early church, roughly from 100 to 600 A.D.