CS2 Study Guide

Theological Terms and Methodology

• Theological Method

  • Refers to the systematic approach theologians use to interpret religious texts and develop doctrinal beliefs.

• Kerygma

  • Greek term meaning "proclamation" or "preaching."

  • Core message of the early Christian Church about Jesus Christ, including his life, death, and resurrection.

• Orthodoxy

  • Adherence to correct or accepted creeds in religion.

  • In Christianity, this typically refers to acceptance of doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils, with different churches accepting different creeds.

• Orthopraxy

  • Study of correct conduct, both ethical and liturgical.

  • Emphasizes actions over beliefs (which contrasts with orthodoxy).

• Presuppositions

  • Implicit assumptions about the world or background beliefs assumed to be true in discourse.

• Lex Credendi Lex Orandi

  • The principle that "the law for prayer is the law for faith."

• Pax Romana

  • The period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire lasting approximately 200 years.

  • Important for the spread of Christianity as missionaries operated within this context.

• Homoiousia

  • A theological term indicating God the Son was of a similar essence to God the Father, though not identical.

• Homoousia

  • Used in the Nicene Creed to indicate Jesus is "same in being" or "essence" with God the Father.

Christian Theology

• Theology

  • The study of religious belief, focusing on the nature of divinity from a religious perspective.

• Patristic Theology

  • Study of writings and teachings of the early Church Fathers from around AD 100 to AD 451.

  • Key topics include the nature of Christ, the Trinity, and establishment of the New Testament canon.

• Medieval Theology

  • Focuses on the doctrine of the Trinity and the church’s exploration of biblical data.

• Reformation

  • Emerged during the 16th century, associated with figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin.

  • Emphasizes authority of Scripture, justification by faith alone, distinguishing from Roman Catholic teachings.

• Modern Theology

  • Development from the late Middle Ages into contemporary times, influenced by cultural and philosophical changes.

  • Includes liberal Christianity and fundamentalism.

• Biblical Inspiration

  • Doctrine that the writers of the Bible were divinely guided, leading to writings that can be considered the "word of God."

Canon and Doctrinal Standards

• Vincentian Canon

  • Authentic Christian faith must be believed "everywhere, always, and by all," used as a standard for assessing doctrinal orthodoxy.

• Materialism

  • The belief that matter is fundamental and that mental phenomena arise from matter; some theological perspectives combine this with Christian ideas.

• Pantheism

  • The belief that God is immanent in the universe, contrasting with traditional views that separate God from the world.

• Panentheism

  • The belief that the divine intersects every part of the universe while also extending beyond it.

• Gnosticism

  • A collection of religious ideas emphasizing personal spiritual knowledge over institutional authority.

• Dualism

  • Belief in opposing forces of good and evil governing the universe, contrasts with monistic beliefs.

• Deism

  • Emphasizes reason and observation of nature to understand a creator, as opposed to Christian teachings based on revelation.

• Creation ex nihilo

  • Doctrine that asserts matter is not eternal and must be created by a divine act.

Key Historical Figures and Concepts

• Arius

  • Founder of Arianism; argued Jesus was not coeternal with God the Father.

• Athanasius

  • Significant Christian theologian who affirmed Jesus's divinity and shaped the Nicene Creed.

• Hypostatic Union

  • The union of Christ’s humanity and divinity in one person; Jesus is both fully God and fully man.

• Council of Nicaea (325 AD)

  • Addressed the Arian controversy; established the Nicene Creed and confirmed Christ's divinity.

• Trinity

  • Doctrine defining one God in three coeternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Perichoresis

  • The relationship of the three persons of the Trinity to one another; emphasizes mutual interpenetration.

• Modalism

  • The view of God as a single entity, expressing himself in different modes.

• Tritheism

  • Denies the unity of the Trinity, viewing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three separate gods.

Divine Attributes and Theological Perspectives

• Holiness

  • Reflects God's absolute moral purity and separation from humanity due to sin.

• Glory

  • Manifestation of God’s presence and an important theme in Christian theology.

• Aseity

  • The belief that God exists independently without any external cause for His existence.

• Infinity

  • God's attribute of being free from limitations, including omnipotence and omnipresence.

• Eternity

  • God's eternal existence, outside human concepts of time.

• Omniscience

  • God’s attribute of being all-knowing regarding past, present, and future.

• Omnipotence

  • God’s unlimited power to act consistent with His nature.

• Moralism

  • The view that moral behavior is the basis for salvation, contrasting with grace through faith.

• Original Sin

  • The inherited condition of sinfulness from Adam and Eve.

• Grace

  • The divine assistance given by God that cannot be earned through human actions.

• Christus Victor

  • Concept of Christ's victory over sin and death, emphasizing liberation of humanity.