Theology 1 Study Guide: The Idea of Theology

Because it purports to be a revealed faith.

In theology, \"dogma\" refers to an authoritative ecclesiastical affirmation.

\"Doctrine\" means \"teaching\" and refers to the raw material of the Word of God which theologians use in formulating theological truth in definitive form. Commonly understood by Christians, a doctrine is what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic. Can be very broad or very narrow.

Dislike of dogmatism --We live in an era of the cult of the open mind; people want dialogue, not instruction/indoctrination Hatred of controversy --everyone wants everyone else to mind their own business/keep their opinions to themselves Spirit of Ecumenism --the view that every denomination, whatever its doctrines, has its own \"insights\" into the truth and \"contributions\" to make --argument that for evangelical Christians to define some truths in a way which excludes others is damaging Today's behaviors/beliefs which stand in the way of church union --for example: ordination of women, ordination of practicing homosexuals to bishoprics, denial of cardinal doctrines of the faith by bishops

Yes, if they do so properly. --NOT arguing for the sake of argument's sake --be tolerant in spirit (be understanding), not in mind (of what God has revealed to be evil or erroneous) --church leaders have the responsibility to teach sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it --Jesus was controversial and regularly debated religious leaders of His day --apostles controversially urged their readers \"to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints\" (Jude 3)

To be tolerant is to be accepting of the beliefs/actions of others. Tolerance in spirit is good, as we are called to be loving, understanding, forgiving, and making allowances for others. Tolerance in mind, however, is not good when we encounter what God has revealed to be evil or erroneous.

biblical ecumenism - recognition of the one church made up of all who genuinely confess Christ as Lord and Savior. (Eph 4:4 - \"there is one body\") --this is the good kind of ecumenism the ecumenical outlook - the idea that every denomination, whatever its doctrines, has its own \"insights\" into the truth and therefore has its \"contribution\" to make. --this is the bad kind of ecumenism.

The study of God. --The careful, scholarly, scientific, discourse about God. --a collection, organization, and integration of the given data.

\"Systematic Theology is any study that answers the question, 'What does the BIble teach us today?' about any given topic.\" ... \"[I]t involves collecting and understanding all the relevant passages in the Bible on various topics and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know what to believe about each topic.\"

basically a synonym for systematic theo sometimes refers to a particular denomination or theological tradition --Calvinistic theo/Reformed theo, Arminian theo, Covenant theo, etc. are all \"dogmatic theologies\"

The ideal systematic theology should present the absolute truth. --an organized, interconnected system of all the truth of its sphere. --does not need and is not limited by a discriminating adjectival definition (e.g. Calvinistic, Arminian, Catholic, Lutheran, etc.) The many historical theologies are rival theologies --if one is true, the other must be false in some way

The fact of divine revelation The existence of the Triune God of the Bible The division of mankind into two classes The question of \"common ground\"

Common ground is neutral ground where believers can debate with unbelievers over neutral facts Yes and no there is/is not such a thing --Yes, fallen man is still made in God's image, though marred. Yes, because men are inconsistent with their \"autonomous man\" presuppositions - they think they are autonomous but act as though they live in a world of meaning --No, if we imagine there are neutral facts. Sinfal man is not autonomous; he is not neutral. Sinful man, according to Paul, deliberately represses the truth (Rom 1:18)

The unsaved man has poor vision, and cannot clearly see the meaning of Scripture. He needs glasses (the Holy Spirit) to see it clearly.

The existence of God --He is \"a hidden God,\" and can only be understood as far as He reveals Himself The Revelation of God --He has revealed Himself through Scriptures and can be known through searching them

an ectype is a copy of the archetype (the full and complete model, the original) --ectypal knowledge is the segment of the archetypal knowledge which God wishes man to know, the revelation of God to us of His self knowledge according to our capacity

general revelation is the revelation of God in nature, conscience, providence, and history. (by looking at the world around us, we can see that there is an eternal God who is all powerful) special revelation (God's Word) is the revelation that teaches us that God is a Person who loves man and has provided a way of access into His presence.

Theology demands a new life and a healthy life as well as a good mind Chafer: \"...divine illumination, by which alone the revelation may be comprehended, is made to depend on a state of heart which is not only yielded to God, but is ever ready to be conformed to the Word He has spoken.\" Warfield: \"The student of systematic theology needs a very sensitive religious nature, a most thoroughly consecrated heart, and an outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon him, such as will fill him with that spiritual discernment, without which all native intellect is in vain.\"

There is more to Christianity than a right grasp of doctrine. (amen!!) --if we act solely on head knowledge of doctrine, we can push people away from Christ, which is the opposite of advancing the gospel message --we must make it our primary goal to act in love towards others