Questions and Answers
Why do advocates for 'general atonement' usually reject the notion of penal substitution?
They believe Christ died for all of our sins, so He wouldn't suffer the penalty that we deserve for our sins again.
How has the verse 'Christ descended into Hell' been interpreted? (Select all that apply)
How do Greek dualism and Eastern pantheism differ from the biblical view of creation?
Greek dualism teaches that God and matter/creation are both eternal, Eastern pantheism teaches that everything is God, while Christians separate God from his non-eternal creation.
What do Dialectical Materialism (Marxism) and Atheistic Evolutionism (Darwinism) teach about the nature of the world?
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What six basic statements about angels are made in Dorman?
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How does Karl Barth define the Image of God?
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What is the difference between the creationist and traducianist view of the origin of the human soul?
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How does the writer of Genesis 3 show the biblical account of the Fall is historical, not a myth?
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What does the tree of knowledge of good and evil tell us about the fundamental essence of sin?
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What does Eastern vs Western view on original sin and original guilt entail? (Select all that apply)
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What is synergism?
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What is monergism?
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Distinguish between indeterminism and self-determinism.
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What is common ground between Arminians and Calvinists against Pelagians in sin and free will?
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Why were Cerinthianism and docetism such threats to the Christian faith?
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What are the different interpretations of 'kenosis Christology'? (Select all that apply)
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In which two senses do Christians speak of the sinlessness of Christ?
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How did the Greek hope for life after death differ from the Jewish hope?
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How did the ancient Jewish view of history differ from that of the early Christians?
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To what crucial event of recent history does Oscar Cullmann compare the resurrection of Jesus?
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What are the three principal strands of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus?
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Define ascension and two implications.
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What did Christ accomplish when he ascended into heaven?
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How does the Eastern version of the Nicene Creed differ from the Western version? (Select all that apply)
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What is Pentecostalism?
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What is the cessationist view?
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What is the Eastern Orthodox concept of 'theosis'?
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Why is the doctrine of particular election sometimes called 'unconditional election'?
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List the five elements of the Roman Catholic 'ordo salutis'.
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How did Martin Luther's view of justification differ from that of Roman Catholicism?
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What were John Wesley's three contributions to Arminian theology?
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What are 'indulgences' and why did Luther oppose them?
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What is the significance of the five Old Testament images of Israel that the New Testament applies to the Church? What do these images have in common?
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What is the mission of the Church, according to Matthew 28:19?
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What are the four traditional marks of the Church?
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What three 'marks' did the Reformers add to the four traditional marks of the Church? Which of these was central to the Protestant Reformation?
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What were the basic activities of the early Church in Jerusalem?
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What were the similarities and differences between the Eastern and Western interpretations of infant baptism from the fifth century onward?
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How do the Catholic, Lutheran, Anabaptist, and Reformed positions on baptism differ from one another?
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What is the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation?
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Describe the organization of the Roman Catholic Church versus Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Congregational forms.
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What is the function of purgatory in Catholic doctrine?
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What do Catholics mean by 'limbus patrum' and 'limbus puerorum'?
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How does historic premillennialism interpret the thousand-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20?
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How does postmillennialism's view of history differ from both amillennialism and historic premillennialism?
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What are the differences between historic premillennialism and dispensational premillennialism?
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How does the biblical vision of the 'New Jerusalem' coming down out of heaven compare to Neoplatonic dualism?
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Study Notes
Atonement and Substitution
- Advocates of general atonement reject penal substitution due to the belief that Christ died for all sins, negating the need for Him to suffer humanity's penalty again.
The "Descent into Hell"
- Interpretations of "Christ descended into Hell" vary widely:
- Ignored by some
- Considered as mere burial
- Viewed as a visit to Hades for proclaiming victory
- Thought to involve releasing Old Testament saints
- Metaphor for spiritual suffering
- Seen as a destruction of hell as a possibility for believers
Creation Philosophies
- Greek dualism posits that both God and matter are eternal.
- Eastern pantheism asserts that all is divine, while Christianity distinctively separates God from non-eternal creation.
Worldviews on Existence
- Dialectical Materialism (Marxism) links human history to economic progress.
- Atheistic Evolutionism (Darwinism) posits that life emerged by chance from inanimate materials, evolving randomly.
Understanding Angels
- Angels are defined as created spiritual beings, capable of appearing physically, serving God's people, existing hierarchically, possessing limited powers, and having free moral agency.
Image of God
- Karl Barth describes the Image of God as rooted in relational existence among people rather than in individual capabilities.
Human Soul Origins
- Traducianism posits that both body and soul develop from parents during gestation.
- Creationism asserts that God individually creates and instills a soul into each human before birth.
Historical Account of the Fall
- The genealogies linking Genesis 2 and 3 to subsequent chapters demonstrate the historicity of the biblical Fall rather than a mythical interpretation.
Nature of Sin
- The tree of knowledge of good and evil symbolizes the loss of moral autonomy, meaning humans can no longer make independent moral decisions.
Original Sin and Guilt
- Eastern church views original sin but not guilt, while Western theology includes both.
Synergism vs. Monergism
- Synergism, associated with Eastern thought, emphasizes human cooperation with divine will for salvation.
- Monergism, linked to Western thought, emphasizes God's solo action in salvation.
Free Will Perspectives
- Indeterminism (Eastern view) posits a free will that is not inclined towards good or evil.
- Self-determinism (Western view) suggests a will constantly in a decision-making state.
Common Beliefs on Sin and Free Will
- Both Arminians and Calvinists acknowledge a sinful human nature, contrasting with Pelagius' belief in humanity's ability to achieve perfection and self-salvation.
Threats to Faith: Cerinthianism and Docetism
- Both beliefs undermine the dual nature of Christ; Cerinthianism regards Jesus as fully human but only divinely chosen, while Docetism claims Christ was purely spirit, appearing human.
Kenosis Christology Interpretations
- Kenosis suggests various understandings:
- The Son may relinquish some divine attributes.
- He could delegate His divine duties to the Father.
- He might choose not to utilize His divine powers.
Sinlessness of Christ
- Two key perspectives include Christ as "able to not sin" and "not able to sin."
Afterlife Views
- Greeks viewed death as a release of the soul into immortality, while Jews believed in the resurrection of the whole person — body and soul.
Historical Perspectives on the Messiah
- Jews expect the Messiah's arrival to bring final judgment together, while Christians believe the Messiah has already come, awaiting the final judgment.
Resurrection Significance
- Oscar Cullmann likens Christ's resurrection to D-Day, marking the turning point in the battle against sin and death, with victory assured though the final conflict continues until the Second Coming.
Evidence of Resurrection
- Three principal evidences include:
- An empty tomb three days post-burial.
- Eyewitness accounts of the resurrected Jesus.
- The transformation of terrified disciples into bold witnesses.
Christ's Ascension
- Defined as Christ's visible upward journey, the ascension has two implications:
- It affirms Christ's human nature.
- It proclaims that the incarnation continues post-ascension.
Accomplishments of Ascension
- Christ's ascension confirms:
- His Lordship.
- The initiation of His high priestly ministry.
- The coming of the Holy Spirit.
- Preparation of a place for believers.
- Assurance of His visible return.
Nicene Creed Differences
- The Eastern version omits "Filioque" ("and the Son") to maintain the Father's supremacy, which western interpretations include, impacting theological views on the Holy Spirit.
Pentacostalism and Cessationism
- Pentacostalism emphasizes God's ongoing miraculous interventions.
- Cessationism claims certain spiritual gifts have ceased in contemporary times.
Theosis in Eastern Orthodoxy
- Theosis means deification and full restoration to God's likeness at Christ’s return, contrasting with Western salvation perspectives focused on legal terms like justification.
Doctrine of Election
- "Particular election" is termed "unconditional election" as it emphasizes God’s exclusive decision in electing individuals, independent of human merit.
Roman Catholic "Ordo Salutis"
- Five steps include:
- Baptism to remove original sin.
- Confirmation for spiritual strength and community affirmation.
- Eucharist as a means of grace.
- Penance for ongoing sin resolution.
- Extreme Unction for spiritual and physical healing.
Martin Luther's Justification View
- Luther framed justification as forgiveness of sins and divine declaration of righteousness apart from works, contrasting with Catholic teachings requiring good deeds.
John Wesley's Contributions
- Wesley advanced Arminian theology through:
- Emphasis on divine/prevenient grace.
- Clarification on justification.
- Insights into sanctification.
Indulgences and Lutheran Opposition
- Indulgences, paid acts of penance, conflicted with Luther's tenet that forgiveness comes solely through faith in Jesus.
Old Testament Images of Israel
- The Church is represented as the Bride, Flock, Vine, Royal Priesthood, and Temple, highlighting organic relationships rather than merely organizational structures.
Church's Mission According to Matthew
- The Church is tasked to "make disciples of all nations."
Marks of the Church
- Four traditional marks are unity, holiness, universality, and apostolicity.
Reformation Marks of the Church
- Reformers added preaching of the Word, sacraments administration (central to reformers), and church discipline to the traditional marks.
Early Church Activities
- Early Jerusalem Church engaged in:
- Apostolic preaching.
- Baptism.
- Teaching.
- Fellowship.
- Common meals.
- Prayer.
Infant Baptism Interpretations
- Western views link baptism to removal of inherited guilt, while Eastern perspectives focus on its role in sanctification and dedication, ignoring guilt concepts.
Baptism Positions Comparison
- Catholic teachings view baptism as conferring grace.
- Lutheran beliefs emphasize immersion symbolizing death to sin.
- Anabaptists reject infant baptism.
- Reformed theology connects faith to the sacramental sign of the New Covenant.
Transubstantiation Doctrine
- In Catholicism, bread and wine transform into the body and blood of Christ while retaining their outward appearance.
Church Organization Structures
- Roman Catholic hierarchy is Pope, bishops, archbishops, regional bishops, and priests.
- Episcopalian structure includes bishops, priests, and deacons.
- Presbyterian organization involves a General Assembly, presbytery, and session.
Function of Purgatory
- In Catholic doctrine, Purgatory serves as a purification for souls burdened with minor sins at death before entering heaven.
Limbo Concepts in Catholicism
- Limbus Patrum refers to the holding place for OT saints until Christ’s resurrection.
- Limbus Puerorum is for unbaptized children, who neither face punishment nor receive heaven's blessings.
Historic Premillennialism
- Interprets Christ's return as occurring before the Millennium, ruling on earth for 1000 years and allowing the Church to inherit Israel's promises.
Postmillennialism Perspective
- Foresees Christ's return after the Millennium, governed through the Church, unlike amillennialism’s symbolic view or historic premillennialism's pre-Millennial return.
Historic vs. Dispensational Premillennialism
- Historic premillennialism sees Church as inheriting Israel's promises post-tribulation, while dispensationalism maintains separate plans for Israel and the Church with a pre-tribulation rapture.
New Jerusalem vs. Neoplatonism
- The biblical vision of the New Jerusalem emphasizes God's descent to dwell with humanity, opposing Plato’s idea of souls separating from bodies and ascending to heaven.
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