Download - Thinkingaboutgod
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Thinking About GodThinking About GodThinking the Faith for
TodaySession ISession I
04/10/234
Tough SituationsTough Situations
• What are some difficult life situations that you have had to face?
• How did you go about making sense of these situations?
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WorldviewWorldview
Is the model by which we evaluate, Is the model by which we evaluate, interpret, and explain reality and interpret, and explain reality and allow it to inform our actions within allow it to inform our actions within this worldthis world
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Where is God in all of Where is God in all of this?this?
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OverviewOverview
I. What does it mean to Think About
God?II. Why do we Think About God?III. How do we Think About God?IV. How does what we Think About
God inform our decisions and actions?
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What does it mean to What does it mean to --
Think About God?Think About God?
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Thinking about God =Thinking about God =
A “fundamental attempt to make positive and constructive statements about who God is – and who we are in light of who God is”
Michael Jinkins
TheologyTheology
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Thinking about God = Thinking about God =
We can only fully understand who God is – and who we are in light of who God is - in community; in conversation with the other.
Communal ActivityCommunal Activity
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Thinking about God =Thinking about God =
Theology, when intentionally done within the community, and not secluded in academia, will inherently be contextual; addressing the communities realities – and therefore have a higher degree of relevancy.
RelevancyRelevancy
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Summary – Thinking About God Summary – Thinking About God means:means:
• Our attempt to know Our attempt to know whowho God is – and God is – and whowho we are in light of who God is. we are in light of who God is.
• A communal event in that we can only A communal event in that we can only truly know God and ourselves in truly know God and ourselves in Community. Community.
• Necessarily contextual – and relevant - Necessarily contextual – and relevant - when done in communitywhen done in community
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Thinking About GodThinking About GodThinking the Faith for
TodaySession IISession II
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Why do we Think Why do we Think About God?About God?
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Why do we Think About Why do we Think About God?God?• To make sense of our lived experience
We Think About God in order to We Think About God in order to not only better evaluate, interpret and not only better evaluate, interpret and
explain our lived experience explain our lived experience but also in order to inform our response to but also in order to inform our response to
our particular experienceour particular experience
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Why do we Think About Why do we Think About God?God?• Christian thinking is a dimension of
Christian being
Christianity isn’t a veil to shield us from Christianity isn’t a veil to shield us from the world, but rather a way to think the world, but rather a way to think
through the worldthrough the world
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Why do we Think About Why do we Think About God?God?• Christendom in modern (western world) is
no longer a reality
Christianity can no longer claim an Christianity can no longer claim an exclusive or even privileged position in a exclusive or even privileged position in a
postmodern (western) societypostmodern (western) society
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Summary - Why do we Think About Summary - Why do we Think About God?God?
1. To make sense of our lived experience2. Christian thinking is a dimension of
Christian being 3. Christendom in modern world is no
longer a reality
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How do we Think About How do we Think About God?God?
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Tell me about GodTell me about God How do we know these things about God?
From where did we get our information?
How reliable are your resources?
Which resources do we assign greater authority?
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How do we Think About God?How do we Think About God?
ScriptureScripture
•HistoricalHistoricalOlder and Newer TestamentsOlder and Newer Testaments
•Received by FaithReceived by FaithHuman ResponseHuman Response
•AuthoritativeAuthoritativeReveals the God of faithReveals the God of faith
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ScriptureScripture
Christianity contains a vital and Christianity contains a vital and indispensable historical component - indispensable historical component - The The
Bible. It is of immediate and primary Bible. It is of immediate and primary significance because it is the sole witness significance because it is the sole witness
to this foundational history. to this foundational history.
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The Role of Scripture and Thinking The Role of Scripture and Thinking About GodAbout God
• The Secularist View
• The Fundamentalist view
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The Secularist Charge:The Secularist Charge:
• The Bible cannot claim Ultimate Truth because it was written by human beings and therefore is relative by very nature
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We can insist that the Bible, being the only We can insist that the Bible, being the only or the primary testimony to occurrences or the primary testimony to occurrences
which we believe to be ultimately which we believe to be ultimately significant, is indispensable to our faith significant, is indispensable to our faith
and Thinking About Godand Thinking About God
Douglas John Hall
A response to the Secularist Charge:A response to the Secularist Charge:
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The Fundamentalist The Fundamentalist Charge:Charge:• Insists that the Bible be accepted literally
and uncritically; elevates the Bible to the level of absolute
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A response to the Fundamentalist A response to the Fundamentalist Charge:Charge:
The Bible points to the absolute – God – and The Bible points to the absolute – God – and is not an absolute itself.is not an absolute itself. The Bible is not
written in vacuum, but in certain contexts. Therefore we have to
understand what the context then, in order to fully understand what the text
mean to us now.
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How do we Think About God?How do we Think About God?
TraditionTradition
•DoctrinalDoctrinalCreeds and Creeds and ConfessionsConfessions
•DomesticDomesticReceived from church Received from church
and familyand family
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TraditionTradition
Tradition means to “hand over.” Christian Tradition means to “hand over.” Christian faith is an historical faith which is handed faith is an historical faith which is handed
over not only from the early church but also over not only from the early church but also from our parents and grandparentsfrom our parents and grandparents
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The Role of Tradition and Thinking The Role of Tradition and Thinking About GodAbout God
• The Modernist/Individualist view
• The Traditionalist view
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The Modernist/Individualist The Modernist/Individualist agenda:agenda: The modernist seeks to minimize, and in
extreme expressions, to eliminate the regulative role of tradition in Thinking About God. The modernist feels free to eliminate anything from the past that does not seem readily applicable to the present.
Douglas John Hall
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A response to the Modernist A response to the Modernist agenda:agenda:
It is impossible for one to escape the It is impossible for one to escape the informative and influential character of informative and influential character of
tradition upon all of our long-held tradition upon all of our long-held assumptions. Tradition has gone through assumptions. Tradition has gone through centuries of examination, therefore there centuries of examination, therefore there must be timeless truth in its foundation. must be timeless truth in its foundation.
Nevertheless, we need to be critical to Nevertheless, we need to be critical to tradition, to keep it relevant to our context tradition, to keep it relevant to our context
now. now.
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The Traditionalist agenda:The Traditionalist agenda:
• Sees its primary responsibility that of upholding in all of its purity the orthodox doctrinal teachings of their particular tradition
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A response to the Traditionalist A response to the Traditionalist agenda:agenda:
Unquestioning preservation of a given Unquestioning preservation of a given tradition not only discourages original tradition not only discourages original reflection upon our present context but reflection upon our present context but
also fails to recognize that even tradition also fails to recognize that even tradition itself is contextually informed itself is contextually informed
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How do we Think About God?How do we Think About God?
ExperienceExperience
•PersonalPersonalIndividual ExperienceIndividual Experience
•CommunalCommunalCultural ExperienceCultural Experience
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Personal ExperiencePersonal Experience
Experience is something that we do not Experience is something that we do not receive from others but rather something receive from others but rather something
we gain for ourselves we gain for ourselves
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Personal Experience and its Personal Experience and its relation to Thinking About Godrelation to Thinking About God
• Middle AgesMiddle Ages – universal categories of Man• RenaissanceRenaissance – the “re-birth” of the individual• ReformationReformation – transfer of authority to scripture opens door to
personal reception and interpretation• EnlightenmentEnlightenment - - made an absolute of the human intellect,
reducing essential humanity to sheer mind• RomanticismRomanticism - point of departure for faith is not reason nor
authority but experience, the feeling of absolute dependency • Post Modern - Post Modern - Thinking About God is not rational thought but Thinking About God is not rational thought but
broad experientially based intuition or “feeling”broad experientially based intuition or “feeling”
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Assessment of Personal Assessment of Personal ExperienceExperience
PositivePositive – A touch stone for truth; What corresponds to human experience is acceptable, what does not should be discarded as irrelevant
NegativeNegative - - experience becomes the primary canon of authenticity in theology – leaving no vantage point upon which to reflect upon… experience
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Communal ExperienceCommunal Experience
Is a society or community structured by Is a society or community structured by mutually accepted and agreed upon values, mutually accepted and agreed upon values,
beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
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ScriptureScriptureOlder Testament &Older Testament &Newer TestamentNewer Testament
TraditionTraditionDoctrinal &Doctrinal &DomesticDomestic
ExperienExperiencece
Personal &Personal &CommunalCommunal
Thinking Thinking About About GodGod
How do we Think About God?How do we Think About God?
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Thinking About GodThinking About GodThinking the Faith for
TodaySession IIISession III
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Thinking About God – the textbook Thinking About God – the textbook modelmodel
ScriptureScripture
has priority overhas priority over
TraditioTraditionnhas priority has priority
overover
ExperiencExperiencee
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Thinking About God – in Thinking About God – in realityreality
ExperienceExperience
TraditionTradition
has priority has priority overover
ScriptureScripture
has priority has priority overover
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ScriptureScriptureOlder Testament &Older Testament &Newer TestamentNewer Testament
TraditionTraditionDoctrinal &Doctrinal &DomesticDomestic
ExperienExperiencece
Personal &Personal &CommunalCommunal
Thinking Thinking About About GodGod
How do we Think About God?How do we Think About God?
TraditionaTraditionalistlist
ModernisModernistt
SecularisSecularistt
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
“Where do we go for truth?”
1500 1700 1900
Reformed Tradition
Arminian TraditionPen
tecos
tals
Meth
odist
s
Wes
leyan
s
Church of
Chris
t
Nazar
enes
Free-w
ill B
aptis
ts
Calvin
ists
Presb
yter
ians
Luther
ans
Reform
ed
Baptis
ts Fundamentalist Tradition
Liberal Tradition
Charismatic Tradition
Evangelical Tradition
2000
Brief History of the Protestant Brief History of the Protestant MovementMovement
Postmodern Tradition
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
John Wesley’s QuadrilateralJohn Wesley’s Quadrilateral
TraditionTradition ScriptureScripture
ReasonReason ExperienceExperience
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
1. Tradition2. Reason 3. Experience 4. General Revelation5. Emotions 6. Special Revelation (Scripture)
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
1. Tradition2. Reason 3. Experience 4. Emotions 5. General Revelation6. Special Revelation
(Scripture)
Stage of TruthStage of TruthBack
Front
Roman CatholicRoman Catholic
ScriptureScripture
ReasonReason
TraditionTradition
ExperienceExperience
General RevelationGeneral Revelation
Back
Front
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox Stage of TruthStage of Truth
ScriptureScriptureTraditionTraditionExperienceExperience
General RevelationGeneral Revelation
Back
Front
Protestant Reformation Protestant Reformation Stage of TruthStage of Truth
ScriptureScripture
TraditionTradition
ExperienceExperience
General RevelationGeneral Revelation
ReasonReason
Back
Front
Liberal Liberal Stage of TruthStage of Truth
ReasonReason
ExperienceExperience
General RevelationGeneral Revelation
EmotionsEmotions
Back
Front
Charismatic Charismatic Stage of TruthStage of Truth
Special RevelationSpecial RevelationExperienceExperienceEmotionsEmotions
Back
Front
Fundamentalist Stage of TruthFundamentalist Stage of Truth
ScriptureScripture
General RevelationGeneral Revelation
Back
Front
Postmodern Stage of TruthPostmodern Stage of Truth
Back
Front
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Tradition: Religious information that has been handed down to us from various sources.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
“Tradition is the living faith of those now dead.
Traditionalism is the dead faith of those now living.”
–Jarislav Pelikan
“Tradition is the living faith of those now dead.
Traditionalism is the dead faith of those now living.”
–Jarislav Pelikan
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Reason: Information that comes through the human mind’s capacity for logical, rational, and analytic thought.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
“All truth is given by revelation, either general or special, and it
must be received by reason. Reason is the God-given means for discovering the truth that God discloses, whether in his world or his Word. While God wants to reach the heart with truth, he does not bypass the
mind.” –Jonathan Edwards
“All truth is given by revelation, either general or special, and it
must be received by reason. Reason is the God-given means for discovering the truth that God discloses, whether in his world or his Word. While God wants to reach the heart with truth, he does not bypass the
mind.” –Jonathan Edwards
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
“The truth of the Christian faith surpasses the capacity of reason.”
–Thomas Aquinas
“The truth of the Christian faith surpasses the capacity of reason.”
–Thomas Aquinas
credo quia absurdumcredo quia absurdum““I believe because it is absurd”I believe because it is absurd”
This Latin phrase coined by Tertullian (150-225) evidences some of the early Church’s
disdain for the Greek philosophers’ reliance upon reason for truth. He said, “What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem, or the academy with the Church?” He sought to
return the element of mystery to the Christian faith.
This Latin phrase coined by Tertullian (150-225) evidences some of the early Church’s
disdain for the Greek philosophers’ reliance upon reason for truth. He said, “What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem, or the academy with the Church?” He sought to
return the element of mystery to the Christian faith.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Experience: Information that comes through direct encounter, participation, or observation.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Emotions: Information that comes through subjectively experienced psychological feelings.
sensus divinitatussensus divinitatus““Sense of the divine”Sense of the divine”
The sensus divinitatus is the inward persuasion all people have that directs them
to a belief in God and a propensity to worship. While the sensus divinitatas can
contribute to and shape our theology (natural theology), the information is insufficient to bring a person into a right relationship with
God.
The sensus divinitatus is the inward persuasion all people have that directs them
to a belief in God and a propensity to worship. While the sensus divinitatas can
contribute to and shape our theology (natural theology), the information is insufficient to bring a person into a right relationship with
God.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
General Revelation:Revelation about God given through the created order (Ps. 19:1–6 ; Rom. 1:18–20; 2:14–15).
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Special Revelation: Revelation given by God’s supernatural intervention in history through (1) miraculous events, (2) divine speech, and (3) visible manifestations.
norma normans sed non normatanorma normans sed non normata““A norm which norms but is not normed”A norm which norms but is not normed”
This is a Latin phrase of the Protestant Reformation that stresses the importance of
Scripture above all other sources of theology. The Scripture, according to the Reformers, is the standard (norm) against which all other
sources for theology must be judged, but this standard cannot be judged by them.
This is a Latin phrase of the Protestant Reformation that stresses the importance of
Scripture above all other sources of theology. The Scripture, according to the Reformers, is the standard (norm) against which all other
sources for theology must be judged, but this standard cannot be judged by them.
Sources of TheologySources of Theology
Proposed Stage of TruthProposed Stage of Truth
ScriptureScripture
TraditionTradition
ExperienceExperience
General RevelationGeneral Revelation
ReasonReason
EmotionsEmotions
Back
Front
• Historical interpretation• Grammatical interpretation
• Contextual interpretation• Literary Interpretation
11. Exegetical Statement
“What did it mean then?”
2. Theological Statement
“What is the timeless truth taught?”
3. Homiletical Statement
“How does it apply to us?”
Timeless AudienceTimeless Audience
Time-bound AudienceTime-bound Audience
Con
tem
pora
ry A
ud
ien
ce
Con
tem
pora
ry A
ud
ien
ce
An
cie
nt A
ud
ien
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An
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ud
ien
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TraditionTraditionEmotionsEmotionsExperienceExperience
ReasonReasonGeneral RevelationGeneral Revelation
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How Does What We Think About GodHow Does What We Think About GodInform Our Decisions and Actions?Inform Our Decisions and Actions?
04/10/2373
Thinking About GodThinking About God
We begin to engage God We begin to engage God through our lived experience through our lived experience and it is those experiences and it is those experiences that initiate our reflecting that initiate our reflecting upon where God is in all of upon where God is in all of
this.this.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
“What does it mean to ‘do’ theology?”
Protestant
Eastern OrthodoxEastern
Orthodox
Prophecy
Postmodernism
TruthRoman CatholicRoman Catholic
Cessationism
Relativism
EpistemologyEpistemology
Special RevelationSpecial Revelation
ExclusivisExclusivismm
ExclusivisExclusivismm
DenominationsTraditions of Theology
Protestant Theology
RationalismModernism
Cessationism
PluralismPluralism
Experience
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
“The study or science of God.” –Millard Erickson
Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22
“The study or science of God.” –Millard Erickson
Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22
“The Science of God and of the
relations between God and
the universe.” –A. H. Strong
“The Science of God and of the
relations between God and
the universe.” –A. H. Strong
“Rational discussionrespecting the deity.”
–Augustine
“Rational discussionrespecting the deity.”
–Augustine
“Thinking about God
and expressing those
thoughts in some way.”
–Charles RyrieBasic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9
“Thinking about God
and expressing those
thoughts in some way.”
–Charles RyrieBasic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology“The science of God or of religion;
the science which treats of the existence, character, and
attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are
to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) the
knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic
exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life.”
—Webster’s Dictionary
“The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the
existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and
government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are
to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) the
knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic
exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life.”
—Webster’s Dictionary
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
Who is a theologian?Who is a theologian?Anyone who has asked the ultimate
questions of life:• Why am I here?• What is life?• What happens after death?• What is the difference between right
and wrong?• Why is there something instead of
nothing?
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining TheologyThe question is not, “Who is
a theologian?” but “What kind of theologian am I
going to be?” Are you going to be a good theologian or a
bad theologian? This is a more accurate question
because, as one writer put it, “not all theologies are
equal.” –Source unknown
The question is not, “Who is a theologian?” but “What
kind of theologian am I going to be?” Are you going to be a good theologian or a
bad theologian? This is a more accurate question
because, as one writer put it, “not all theologies are
equal.” –Source unknown
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology“We live in what may be the most anti-intellectual period
in the history of Western civilization. . . We must have
passion—indeed hearts on fire for the things of God. But that
passion must resist with intensity the anti-intellectual
spirit of the world.”—R. C. Sproul
“Burning Hearts Are Not Nourished by Empty Heads,” Christianity Today 26 (Sept. 3, 1982), 100
“We live in what may be the most anti-intellectual period
in the history of Western civilization. . . We must have
passion—indeed hearts on fire for the things of God. But that
passion must resist with intensity the anti-intellectual
spirit of the world.”—R. C. Sproul
“Burning Hearts Are Not Nourished by Empty Heads,” Christianity Today 26 (Sept. 3, 1982), 100
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology“Theology is for everyone.
Indeed, everyone needs to be a theologian. In reality, everyone is
a theologian—of one sort or another. And therein lies the
problem. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian, but there is everything wrong with
being an ignorant or sloppy theologian.”
—Charles RyrieBasic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9.
“Theology is for everyone. Indeed, everyone needs to be a
theologian. In reality, everyone is a theologian—of one sort or another. And therein lies the
problem. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian, but there is everything wrong with
being an ignorant or sloppy theologian.”
—Charles RyrieBasic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
How do we “do” theology How do we “do” theology every day? every day?
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
How do we “do” theology every day? In other words, how does our theology influence our daily routine?
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
1. When we think about God. 2. When we share the Gospel. 3. When we interpret the Bible. 4. When we get sick.5. When we defend the faith.6. When we plan for the future.7. When we choose schooling for our
children.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
8. When we vote.9. When we attempt to deal with
sin in our lives.10.When we decide on who we
marry.
credo ut intelligamcredo ut intelligam““faith seeking understanding”faith seeking understanding”
This is a Latin phrase coined by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) meaning “faith
seeking understanding.” This is one of the earliest definitions of theology. It starts with the assumption that we are believers and, as
such, we are seeking to understand our beliefs better.
This is a Latin phrase coined by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) meaning “faith
seeking understanding.” This is one of the earliest definitions of theology. It starts with the assumption that we are believers and, as
such, we are seeking to understand our beliefs better.
Defining TheologyDefining Theology
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
1. Systematic2. Biblical3. Historical4. Philosophical5. Creedal/Dogmatic 6. Apologetic
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
Systematic TheologySystematic Theology• Prolegomena:
Literally means “things which are spoken beforehand.” Deals with the foundational issues of theology such as theological methodology, sources, and reasons for the study of theology.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
• Bibliology: The study of the nature, transmission, canonization, and purpose of Scripture.
• Theology Proper: The study of God’s existence, nature, and attributes. Sometimes called “Trinitarianism.”
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
• Christology: The study of the person and work of Christ.
• Pneumatology: The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
• Anthropology:The study of the purpose and nature of humanity, both in its pre-fall and post-fall state.
• Hamartiology: The study of the nature, origin, and effects of sin on all creation.
• Angelology: The study of the nature and works of demons and angels.
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
• Soteriology: The study of salvation.
• Ecclesiology: The study of the nature of the Church.
• Eschatology: The study of the end times.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
BiblicalBiblical• Restricts the formulation of
theology only to the Scripture.
• Sometimes will examine the individual parts of Scripture in order to formulate a particular theology that is restricted to a certain time period and a particular people (e.g., Pre-mosaic theology).
• Sometimes examines the theology of a certain author (e.g.,, John or Paul).
SystematicSystematic• Formulates theology from all
sources of theology, including Scripture.
• Correlates the entirety of Scripture to formulate a general theology for all time and for all people.
• Correlates information on a doctrine by examining the theology of all the authors.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
HistoricalHistorical• Restricts the formulation of
theology only to the history of the Church.
• Sometimes will examine the individual periods of Church history in order to formulate a particular theology that is restricted to a certain time period (e.g.,, Patristic, Medieval, Reformation).
SystematicSystematic• Formulates theology from
all sources of theology.
• Correlates the all of Church history to formulate a general theology for all time and for all people.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
PhilosophicalPhilosophical• Restricts the formulation of
theology only to that which can be ascertained by reason.
• Sometimes will examine the individual periods of philosophical history in order to formulate a particular theology that is restricted to a certain time period (e.g.,, enlightenment, modern, postmodern).
SystematicSystematic• Formulates theology from
all sources of theology.
• Correlates the all of philosophical history to formulate a general theology for all time and for all people.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
CreedalCreedal• Restricts the
formulation of theology only to that of a particular religious institution or denomination.
SystematicSystematic• Formulates
theology from all sources of theology including the creedal statement of many institutions and denominations.
Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology
ApologeticApologetic• Formulates
theology for the purpose of explaining and defending the faith to those outside the faith.
SystematicSystematic• Formulates
theology for the purpose of creating a comprehensive and coherent understanding of various doctrines.
04/10/23Thinking About God99
Thinking About GodThinking About GodBibliographyCharles Colson, Against The Night: Living In The New Dark Ages (Servant Publications, 1999)
Douglas John Hall, Thinking The Faith: Christian Theology In A North American Context (Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 1991)
Michael Jinkins, Invitation To Theology: A Guide To Study, Conversation & Practice (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2001)
Robert L. Kinast, Making Faith-Sense: Theological Reflection in Everyday Life (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1999)
James D. Whitehead & Evelyn Eaton Whitehead, Method In Ministry: Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry (Lanham, Chicago, New York, Oxford: Sheed & Ward, 1995)
Thinking the Faith for Today