CT 2 Exam 1

Theology

Theos = God, Logos = concerning. Study of the nature of God

Doctrine

that which is taught; body of beliefs or ideas

Dogma

what is fixed/established (not open to discussion)

The Study of Theology flowchart

4. Systematic Theology
3. Biblical Theology
2. Exegesis
1. Hermeneutics

What questions does philosophy seek to answer?

Reality (metaphysics)
Knowledge (epistemology)
Values (Axiology)
Being (Ontology)

Prolegomena

Preface to theology (necessary presuppositions)

Bibliology

Study of the Bible

Theology Proper

Study of the doctrine of God (including specific attributes)

Christology

Study of Christ

Pneumatology

Study of the Holy Spirit

Angelology

Study of spirit-beings

Anthropology

doctrine of humanity

Hamartiology

doctrine of sin

Soteriology

doctrine of salvation

Ecclesiology

doctrine of the church

Eschatology

study of the end times

What 3 points are included in the study of Historical Theology?

a. key individuals in church history
b. documents produced by the church
c. church meetings/gatherings

Practical Theology

How the Bible is applied to life

Sociocultural Anthropology

evolution of human societies/cultures

Biological Anthropology

evolution of human species

Archaeological Anthropology

historical reconstruction of societies/cultures

Linguistic Anthropology

evolution of human languages

Ahteistic Evolution (Dysteleological evolution)

No purpose/design. The view that biological evolution occurs apart from any supernatural processes or interventions

Neo-Atheism

New, more militant atheism that sees Christians as the problem. The view that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered.

Theistic evolution (Evolutionary creationism)

Religious teachings about God are compatible with modern scientific understanding about biological evolution.

Conflict thesis

The idea that religion and science contradict each other.

Omega Point

Divine origin point from which everything evolved

Creative evolution

View that evolution is motivated by a vital impetus that can be understood as humanity's natural creative impulse.

Progressive creationism

All basic life forms were created directly by God at different times over millions of years (related to the Gap Theory's attempt to explain age)

Special Creationism (Ex Nihilo Creationism, Fiate Creationism)

Literal 6 day creation

Intelligent Design Movement (1980s)

Not a Christian movement, but scientists questioned the validity of evolution

ex nihilo

Theism (out of nothing)

ex deo

Pantheism (out of God)

ex materia

Atheism or Panentheism (out of something)

Kalan Cosmological Argument

1. Everything that has a beginning of its existence has a cause of its existence,
2. The universe has a beginning because of its existence; therefore,
3. The universe has a cause of its existence.

3 usages of the concept of heaven

Firmament (1st Heaven: sky/atmosphere)
Space (2nd Heaven: Celestial bodies)
Heaven (3rd Heaven: the abode of God)

Imago Dei

Creation of man in the image (likeness) of God. Includes functional, substantive, and relational likenesses

Functional likeness

Ruling or dominion aspect over the earth

Substantive likeness

Attributes or qualities consistent with God (capacity to love, make decisions, reason, etc.)

Relational likeness

Ability and capacity for deep and meaningful relationships

Other ways we image God (as discussed in class)

personality, morality, rationality, creativity, spirituality, sovereignty, dignity, aesthetical

Material aspect of creation of man

formed from dust of the ground (Gen 2:7)

Non-material aspect of the creation of man

breathed into man the breath of life (Gen 2:7b)

Egalitarian view

Equality between men and women in all aspects and roles, including church offices (woman pastors 😡)

Complimentarian view

Men and women are equal, but acknowledging male headship in areas of marriage and church leadership

What are the 2 biblical meanings of "flesh"

1. physical/material aspect, the body
2. spiritual/moral state related to our fallen condition

Soul

Hebrew "nephesh" meaning "living being"

Spirt

Hebrew "ruah" distinct from nephesh but used in parallel

Monism

The body and soul considered a united whole

Dichotomism

A human being is made up of two components: material (body/flesh) and spiritual (soul/spirit)

Trichotomism

A human being is made up of 3 distinct components: body, soul, and spirit

Pre-existence Theory

Your soul/spirit was created in the past, and at some point before birth God places it in your body

Creationism

The belief that God creates a soul/spirit for each body that is generated

Traducianism

"To transfer," the immaterial aspect is transmitted through natural generation along with the body.
aka your soul is derived from the souls of your parents

Determinism

Acts caused by another (free will is doing what we desire, God gives us our desires, therefore all good actions are caused by God)

Indeterminism

Uncaused actions (there is no cause by God or man for human actions, all is random chance)

Self-determinism

Self-caused acts (God gave man the power of choice)

Process of the temptation

1. instills doubt in man
2. direct contradiction of the truth
3. corruption and impugning of God's motives

Result of the temptation: what was the difference between Eve and Adam's sin?

Eve - deceived
Adam - high handed rebellion

Immediate consequences of the fall (3)

1. guilt (recognition of nakedness)
2. fear (presence of God)
3. blame (failure to take personal responsibility)

Judgement on the woman (2)

1. pain in childbirth
2. resistance to submission

Judgement on the man (3)

1. judgement on the physical earth
2. judgement to physical toil
3. realization of death

Proper concepts regarding human depravity (5)

1. all have sinned and are capable of the worst possible sin
2. extent of the fall is complete or total o humanity's personhood (intellect, emotion, will)
3. any good done by an unbeliever cannot merit grace or favor with God
4. Scriptures affirm that there is none who does good from God's perspective
5. humanity cannot recover apart from interdiction by God

Pelagianism

the belief that original sin (fall) did not taint human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without special divine aid

Arminianism (Semi-Pelagianism)

teaches that the latter half - growing in faith - is the work of God, while the beginning of faith is an act of free will, with grace supervening only later

Augustinianism

after Fall, mankind is unable to not sin (total depravity)