38 Questions
What is special revelation, according to Erickson's Christian Theology?
God's manifestation of himself to particular persons at definite times and places
What is one of the biblical passages that assumes the knowledge of God's existence?
All of the above
What is the concept that refers to the influence of the Spirit of God upon the authors of the Bible?
Inspiration
What is the 'dictation' theory of inspiration?
The concept that God directly dictated the words of the Bible to its authors
What is the concept that refers to the enlightenment and scientific advancements, leading to the denial of supernatural and miracles?
Age of Reason
What is the passage that is often cited when discussing the extent of inspiration?
2 Tim 3:16
What is the concept that refers to the Bible as a human response to the supernatural rather than supernatural involvement in the Scriptures?
Higher Criticism
What is the term that refers to the idea that the Bible is a product of human reason and intellect?
Liberals in Modern Theology
What is the primary view of the Bible in Fundamentalism?
The inerrant Word of God
What was the main goal of 'The Fundamentals' publication?
To reclaim the authority of the Bible as the Word of God
What is the term for the belief that the Bible is completely free from errors?
Inerrancy
What is the biblical evidence for the plurality of God?
The use of 'Let us' in Genesis 1:26
What is the significance of the 'shema' in Deuteronomy 6:4?
It allows for plurality within the one God
What is the biblical concept that is personalized in Proverbs 8?
Wisdom
What is an alternative understanding of the Trinity mentioned in the text?
Feminism
What is the name of the God revealed in the Old Testament?
Yahweh
According to the New Testament, who is the way to know God?
Jesus
What is the characteristic of God mentioned in the New Testament?
Fatherhood of God
What is the concept of God's nature explored in classical theism?
Inquiry into the nature of God
Who classified God's attributes into Communicable and Incommunicable?
Louis Berkhoff
What is the biblical background mentioned in the text for God's attributes?
Exodus 34:6-7
What is the concept of God mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:17?
King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only God
What is lacking in the New Testament regarding the doctrine of the Trinity?
Explicit formulations
Which biblical passage is associated with a Trinitarian view?
Matt 3:16-17
Who is credited with the concept of 'Trinitas' and 'tres personae, una substantia'?
Tertullian
What is the key issue in the Monarchianist controversies?
The 'sole sovereignty' of God
Who is associated with the 'two hands' analogy?
Irenaeus
What is the keyword in the Nicene Creed?
Homousios
What is the main concern of Arianism?
The salvation in Christ
Who responded to the Arian controversy with an orthodox view?
Athanasius
What was the challenge in understanding Jesus' nature?
To ignore humanity or blur the distinction between two natures
What is the focus of Soteriology?
The emphasis on theosis, divinization
Which heresy is associated with the Antioch school?
Nestorianism
What is the key word in John 1:14 that is relevant to Alexandrian Christology?
Logos
What is the main concern of Apollinarius of Laodicea?
To maintain the unity of Jesus' person
What is the consequence of Jesus having a human mind or soul, according to Apollinarians?
His sinlessness would be compromised
What is the nature of Jesus, according to the Bible?
Postlapsarian
Which heresies are inconsistent with the Biblical teachings on Jesus' natures?
Nestorianism and Apollinarism
Study Notes
Biblical Considerations
- Ps 19:1-4 and Rom 1:18-2:16 assume knowledge of God's existence without attempting to prove it.
- Acts 14:15-17 and 17:22-31 also assume knowledge of God's existence.
Special Revelation
- Special revelation refers to God's manifestation of Himself to particular people at definite times and places, enabling them to enter into a redemptive relationship with Him (Erickson, Christian Theology, 175).
- Jesus is the only source of special revelation, as the world made flesh (John 1:14).
- Anthropic and analogical approaches to understanding God's existence are mentioned.
The Concept of Inspiration
- Inspiration refers to the influence of the Spirit of God upon the authors of the Bible, making it a unique medium of God's special revelation (2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 3:16).
- Different theories of inspiration include the intuition, illumination, dynamic, and dictation theories.
Extent of Inspiration
- The concept of inspiration raises questions about its extent, as seen in 2 Tim 3:16.
- The concept of illumination is also related to inspiration.
Inspiration in Modern Theology
- Modern theology is divided between liberals and conservatives (fundamentalists) on the issue of inspiration.
- Liberals, influenced by modern philosophy and ideals, denied the supernatural and miracles, and saw no need for divine revelation.
- Conservatives, on the other hand, reacted to this influence and sought to reclaim the authority of the Word of God.
Fundamentalist View
- The fundamentalist view emphasizes the authority of the Word of God and includes the five points of Fundamentalism:
- Inerrancy of Scripture
- Deity of Christ
- Substitutionary atonement of Christ
- Christ's bodily resurrection
- Christ's literal (premillennial) second coming
Trinity
- The doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly stated in the Bible, but there are hints of plurality within the one God.
- Gen 1:26 and Elohim suggest a plurality of Majesty.
- Monotheism is emphasized in Dt 6:4, but allows for plurality within the one God.
- Personalization of Wisdom in Prov 8 and the concept of Trinity in the New Testament are discussed.
History of Trinity
- The early Christian Apologists focused on the Father-Son relationship, with an economic view of the Trinity.
- Irenaeus and Tertullian developed the concept of the Trinity, with Tertullian introducing the terms Trinitas and persona.
- Monarchianist controversies in the late 2nd century led to the development of the Orthodox response.
- Athanasius's orthodox response to Arianism is discussed, including the importance of the homoousios clause.
- The Filioque controversy is also mentioned.
Contemporary Issues in Trinity
- Social Trinity and perichoresis are discussed.
- Alternative understandings, such as feminism, are also mentioned.
God's Existence in the Bible
- God's existence is not explicitly proven in the Bible, but rather assumed through stories, narratives, and experiences.
- God's acts and name reveal His character, with metaphors of governance and sustenance.
- The struggle with God is a theme in the Bible.
- The New Testament perspectives on God emphasize the Fatherhood of God and the Kingdom of God.
Biblical Issues in God's Existence
- Two characteristics of God in the New Testament are the Fatherhood of God and the Kingdom of God.
- The already-not-yet tension is present in the Kingdom of God.
Classical Theism
- Another way of contextualizing God's existence is through classical theism, which roots itself in the New Testament and Old Testament.
- Inquiry into God's nature leads to discussions of attributes such as incomprehensibility, impassibility, indivisibility, self-identity, and infinity.
Classification of God's Attributes
- Different classifications of God's attributes are proposed by theologians such as Louis Berkhof, Stanley Grenz, Millard Erickson, and Pannenberg.
God's Attributes
- Biblical background for God's attributes is discussed, including Exodus 34:6-7 and the challenge of maintaining the distinction between humanity and divinity.
Incarnation and Hamartiology
- The Incarnation of Christ is discussed, with John 1:14 and Phil 2:7 highlighting God becoming human.
- The human nature of Christ is emphasized in Gal 4:4, Rom 8:3, and Heb 4:15.
- The question of whether Jesus' nature was postlapsarian or prelapsarian is raised.
- The heresies of Nestorianism, Apollinarism, and Eutychianism are mentioned as inconsistent with Biblical teachings on Jesus' natures.
Explore the concept of special revelation in the Bible, including passages from Psalms, Romans, and Acts, and its relationship to Jesus
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