Systematic Theology 1

Anthropology, Theological

The doctrine of humanity, which views humans in terms of their relationships to God. It includes critical reflection on issues such as the origin, purpose, and destiny of humankind in light of Christian theological understandings. This is a broad category or "loci" (lit. "Place" or "topic") of Systematic Theology.

Christology

The study of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Theology Proper

The theological study of the doctrine of God.

Eschatology

Study of the "last things" or the end of the world.

Ecclesiology

The study of the church as a biblical and theological topic.

Bibliology

The teachings of churches about the nature of the Bible and ways in which it is to be understood.

Hamartiology

The study of the doctrine of sin.

Pneumatology

Theological doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

Prolegomena

Literally "to say beforehand." Those things that come before the main body of a work, preparing the way for the key topics.

Soteriology

The doctrine of salvation.

Demonology

The study of the doctrine of demons.

Angelology

The study of the doctrine of angels.

Biblical Theology

The attempt to arrange biblical teachings or themes in a more systematic way while maintaining biblical images, frameworks, and worldviews.

Christian Theology

The body of beliefs and doctrines that constitute the Christian faith. Theology has been understood as faith seeking understanding and the critical reflection on God's revelation.

Dispensationalism

A view of God's activities in history expounded in the Scofield Reference Bible and traced to John Nelson Darby. Each epoch is a different period in which humans are tested in responding to God's will.

Dogmatic Theology

Theological reflection on the beliefs of the Christian community, primarily though not exclusively through the study of Christian creeds and confessions of faith.

Fundamentalism/ Fundamentalist

Term for an evangelicalism in 20th-century America that sought to preserve conservative Protestant views and values against liberal theology and the higher criticism of Scripture. A strong focus was on the inerrancy and literal interpretation of Scripture.

Historical Theology

The study of the views of theologians, and of the Christian church, in their historical contexts. “The study of theology as it has developed through the church’s history” (The study of the interpretation of scriptures).

Liberal Theology/ Liberalism

A theological movement, stemming from F. D. E. Schleiermacher (1768–1834), that sought to reformulate Christian doctrine in contemporary terms. It emphasized the use of reason, science, freedom, and experience while focusing on human goodness, progress, and the continuities between the divine and human.

Liberation Theology

Various 20th-century theological movements that see the gospel as emancipation from all forms of oppression—economic, spiritual, political, and social.

Modernism/ Modernist Theology

A theological movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries among Protestants and Roman Catholics who sought to interpret Christianity in light of modern knowledge.

Philosophical Theology

The approach to theology that employs the methods, terms, and resources of philosophy for theological work.

Systematic Theology

The branch of Christian theology that attempts to present theological thinking and practice in an orderly and coherent way. It may be based on Scripture and expressed through doctrines. (Class def: The Study of God and all things in relation to God according to his word.)

Covenant Theology

A theological perspective most developed by 17th-century Reformed theologians. It focuses on the ways in which the divine-human relationship has been established by covenants. These include God's covenant of grace and works, though the latter is not recognized by all Reformed theologians.

Anthropomorphism

The attribution of a human quality to God, such as "eyes," "hands," or "arms." It uses analogous and metaphorical language (see Gen. 3:8; Ps. 18:15).

Authority

The power or right to command belief, action, and obedience.

Biblicisim

An unquestioning allegiance to the Bible and one's own understanding of it.

Creed

A formal statement of belief. Christian churches from the early church period to the present have often constructed summary statements of Christian beliefs.

Fideism

The view that faith rather than reason (Lat. ratio) is the means by which Christian truth is known.

Natural theology

Knowledge of God attained through God's revelation in nature and available to human reason.

Orthodoxy

That which is considered correct or proper belief.

To relate to God rightly, we must understand Him rightly

We can have true knowledge without having exhaustive knowledge

Revelation

("an uncovering") An act of self-disclosure and self-communication.

Revelation, General

God's self-disclosure and self-communication in the universe and created world (i.e., the "book of nature").

Revelation, Special

God's particular self-disclosure and self-communication at specific times and places and to particular people.

Scripture

A writing regarded as sacred. In the Christian tradition, the OT and NT are considered such in that they are, or convey, the self-revelation of God. The term may refer to a single verse or the whole Bible. PRIMARY SOURCE

Scripture, Authority of

In the Christian view, the conviction that the writings of the OT and NT have a unique status in being and/or conveying God's self-revelation. They are thus to be recognized as such and obeyed as reliable guides for Christian living.

Tradition

The transmission of a received teaching or practice.

Word of God

God's self-revelation as the incarnate Son (Jesus), the Holy Scripture, and through preaching.

A posteriori

Thought or knowledge that is based on, or arises after, experience.

A priori

Thought or knowledge arising from a concept or principle that precedes empirical verification, or that occurs independently of experience.

Agnosticism

The view that it is not possible to have any certain knowledge beyond ordinary experience, so that one cannot know whether or not God exists.

Analogy

The use of likeness or proportionateness to relate one known thing to another that is unknown.

Atheism

Denial of the existence and reality of a god.

Cataphatic Theology

a mode of theology used to describe God positively on the basis of the divine self revelation.

Cosmological Argument

Argument for God's existence that proposes that since all things in the universe must have a cause, God must exist as the ultimate cause of all things.

God, Incomprehensibility of

God's greatness as exceeding all human capabilities ever to understand God fully.

Moral Argument

An argument for the existence of God based on the view that there must be an ultimate explanation for why there are ethical values and a concern for ethical activity.

Ontological Argument

One of the classical arguments for the existence of God based on the powers of reason. As developed by Anselm, it considers God to be "that than which nothing greater can be conceived." As such, God must exist because to lack existence would be a defect.

Sense of Divinity

An innate, intuitive perception in all people of the existence of the Divine; it forms the basis for all religion and a natural theology. John Calvin recognized that sin distorts this knowledge and thus it cannot bring salvation. It leaves humans inexcusable before God.

Teleological Argument

One of the five arguments for God formulated by Thomas Aquinas. The order of the universe is said to imply a designer who has shaped the universe to fulfill divine purposes as a final goal.

Via Negativa

A way of speaking about God that takes human characteristics and describes God in terms of their opposites.

Univocity

A view of language in which names are seen as having the same meaning throughout their uses. Also the exact application of a name or term to two different things.

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

What is the central task of Matthew 28:16-20

“make disciples”

4 Sources for Systematic Theology

1. Scripture

2. Tradition

3. Reason

4. Experience

2 Modes of Theology

1. Symbol/Summary

2. Explanation

The Lord’s Prayer (2 modes of Theology)

The Prayer itself acts as a symbol/summary, but a non beliver could not simply say that and be saved let alone fully understand what they are saying. With explanation, the person can contextualize and grasp what they are reciting and therefore step into faith.

The Logic of Salvation

1. I am saved by Jesus Christ

2. How did Jesus bring about this salavation?

3. Who must Jesus be if He is capable of saving us in this way?

4. Who must God be if that is true of His Son, Jesus?

How do worship and theology relate? Doxology & Theology?

“Worship is rtualized theology; theology is reflective worship".” The quality of our worship is therefore an index of the quality of our theology (and vise versa). Dogmatics both begin and leads to doxology. The more we learn about God the more we come to love Him.

Double Knowledge of God

Calvin: “Wisdom… 2 parts: knowledge of God and of ourselves.” Isaiah 6

Locating Systematic Theology on Theological Map

Theology → Doctrinal Studies → Systematic Theology → God, revelation, Humanity, Sin, Christ, Salavation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things

The raw material of Systematic Theology

Biblical Theology

Biblical Topographical Map

Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation

Systematic Logical Map

God, Man/sin, Christ, Response

We need biblical theology to understand Systematic Theology

Value of Historical Theology

1. Reveals presuppositions

2. Study of how others have done it

3. Helps evaluate ideas

Reflection on Matthew 28:18-20 → GOD

1. He is triune “Baptize in the name of the (trinity)

2. He is soverign; omnipresent

3. The mission cammanded of us is blessed by Him

Reflection on Matthew 28:18-20 → US

1. We are called to a Mission

2. We are to live for God’s glory

3. We serve King Jesus “Authority given to me”

4. Go make disciples

Reflection on Matthew 28:18-20 → CHRIST

1. He is faithful/humble

2. Shows His humanity and divinity

3. He is Immanuel “With you always to the end of the age”

Reflection on Matthew 28:18-20 → What theology encaptures this verse

1. Eschatology (the end)

2. Eccleisology (The church’s job)

3. Pneumatology (Holy Spirit enabling us to do this)

4. Soteriology/Hamartiology (Salvation through Christ from sin)

Whar is the short path from Text → Us/Now

Contextualiztion

We are tempted to jump from Text → Christ thorugh Allergorizing: WRONG

We are tempted to jump from Them/Then → Us/Now through Moralizing: WRONG

Long Way from Text → Us/Now

From Text → Them/Then (Canonical): we use EXEGESIS

From Them/Then → Christ: Interpret/Theology comes in

From Christ → Us/Now: Application

Philosophical Theology Can…

1. Supply content for Theology- NO

2. Defend or Establish truth claims

3. Scrutinize concepts, arguments, and truth claims

Value of Philosophical Theology

1. Scrutinize terms for accuracy (Refinement)

2. Clarify argumentation for coherence

3. Sharpen message for clarity

Orthopraxy

Right living (Practice, discipleship)

Theology is directlt relared to being and making disciples

We aren’t done with orthodoxy until it impacts our lives

Wisdom as a key category (Virtuous, fitting response, even when we dont have exact chapter or verse)

Orthodoxology

Right worship

One cannot worship a God they don’t know,

Begins and ends with love for God, resulting in love for others

Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi → “The Law of prayer/worship is the Law of faith/belief of faith/belief”

Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

“The Law of prayer/worship is the Law of faith/belief of faith/belief” (Aquitaine)

Apologetics

Defending the faith against attacks

Objective faith versus Subjective Faith

Internal Attacks (Polemics-term) and External (Apologetics)

Objective Faith in Apologetics

Who is Jesus

The Importance of Theology

1. Orthodoxy

2. Orthopraxy

3. Orthodoxology

4. Apologetics

Subjective faith in Apologetics

Trust in Jesus

Difference between Apologetics and Polemics

Apologetics is a reasoned defense of one's own beliefs, while polemics is an aggressive argument or refutation directed against the opposing beliefs of others

Common Objections to Systematic Theology

1. Pietistic/Devotional Objection

2. Ethical Objection

3. “Doctrine = Conflict” Objection

The Pietistic/Devotional Objection

1. Theology misses the essence of religion, making matters of the heart and will a matter of the mind alone

2. Death by dissection

The Ethical Objection

1. Essence of religion = ethical teachings of Jesus and obedience.

2. Popularity: self-congratualing: “I just love Jesus and leave theology to those that just want to talk about Him”

“Doctrine = Conflict” Objection

1. Theology inevitble divdes

2. Therefore, we should avoide doing theology

Our Response to “Doctrine Equals Conflict” Objection

1. Poor execution doesnt mean it MUST be done poorly

2. Apologetic importance (sometimes conflict is good)

3. Irreducible doctrinal complexity of Gospel

4. Christian unity is rooted in doctrine

Our Response to the Ethical Objection

1. We don’t have to choose

2. Doctrine without practice or vise versea is a problem

Our Response to the Pietistic/Devotional Objection

1. True Christianity is not a doctrineless faith; John 4:23-24

2. Example: F.D.E. Schleiermacher doctrine→ “Feeling of absolute dependence on God.”

Theological Triage (From needed for salavtion to indifference but important)

1. Gospel Level/Orthodoxy (ex: Virgin Birth, Trinity, Substitutionary Atonement, resurrection of Christ…)

2. Denominational/”Partnership”/”Pastoral Crisis” (Baptism, women being pastors…)

3. Adiaphora → “Matter of indifference (Views of end times, interpretation of creation days…)

`Heresy

Anything that makes the Gospel incoherent or inaccessible

Wesleyan Quadrilaterial → Through Scripture we see…

1. Theology is only possible because God has revealed Himself to us

2. God’s Word went forth in both creation and salvation

3. Jesus → APEX of God’s self-Revelation (Heb 1:3; Jn 14:9)

4. Apostolic Authority (Commission→established the church) (Holy Spirit→Promise of indwelling presence) (O.T. Attestation/Correspondence→Evidence that affirms/confirms: “in accordance with the scriptures… as was prophesied”

5. Self-Authenticating (Our view of the Bible should be shaped by Jesus’ view of the Bible)

6. It’s authorit is localed in it’s source: GOD

Wesleyan Quadrilaterial → Tradition 1

One source of divine authority = Scriptures. Tradition is a tool to aid in faithful interpretation. (Ex. Protestant Reformation)

CORRECT out of the three traditions (1, 2, & 0)

Wesleyan Quadrilaterial → Tradition 2

Two sources of divine authority = Scriptures and church tradition. (Ex. RCC)

Wesleyan Quadrilaterial → Tradition 0

One source of divine authority = Scriptures.

Personal interpretation/contemporary interpretation is elevated above previous generations. (Ex. Parts of Radical Reformation)

Solo Scriptura

According to the Bible alone

Sola Scriptura

On my own with the scriptures

Reason: How do we understand God’s revelation rightly? We use our Minds?

1. Meditate on the Law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2)

2. Love God with your mind (Mark 12:30)

3. renew and bring every thought captive (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5)

4. Reason with others from the scriptures (Acts 17:1-4)

5. Provisonal Nature of Constructions

6. Truth is non-contridicting → Evaluate Logical consitency and coherence

What is the obstacle with Reason

Noetic Effect of Sin (Romans 1) → Effect of sin on our minds

Wesleyan Quadrilaterial → Experience

“Reality is what we run into when we are wrong” -Dallas Willard

The Holy Spirit’s Inner Witness

Test of Correspondence with reality and lioved experience

Religious expereince geniunely informs our theology

Culture

the context in which we do theology.

Does not provide straight content for S.T.- but we relate our theology to our culture