thinkingaboutgod

04/10/231

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?

04/10/235

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

04/10/236

Where is God in all of Where is God in all of this?this?

04/10/237

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?

04/10/238

What does it mean to What does it mean to --

Think About God?Think About God?

04/10/23Thinking About God9

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


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


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

04/10/2312

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

04/10/2313


TodaySession IISession II

04/10/2314

Why do we Think Why do we Think About God?About God?

04/10/2315

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

04/10/2316

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

04/10/2317

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

04/10/2318

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

04/10/2319

How do we Think About How do we Think About God?God?

04/10/2320

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?

04/10/2321

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

04/10/2322

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.

04/10/2323

The Role of Scripture and Thinking The Role of Scripture and Thinking About GodAbout God

• The Secularist View

• The Fundamentalist view

04/10/2324

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

04/10/2325

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:

04/10/2326

The Fundamentalist The Fundamentalist Charge:Charge:• Insists that the Bible be accepted literally

and uncritically; elevates the Bible to the level of absolute

04/10/2327

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.

04/10/2328


TraditionTradition

•DoctrinalDoctrinalCreeds and Creeds and ConfessionsConfessions

•DomesticDomesticReceived from church Received from church

and familyand family

04/10/2329

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

04/10/2330

The Role of Tradition and Thinking The Role of Tradition and Thinking About GodAbout God

• The Modernist/Individualist view

• The Traditionalist view

04/10/2331

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

04/10/2332

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.

04/10/2333

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

04/10/2334

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

04/10/2335


ExperienceExperience

•PersonalPersonalIndividual ExperienceIndividual Experience

•CommunalCommunalCultural ExperienceCultural Experience

04/10/2336

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

04/10/2337

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”

04/10/2338

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

04/10/2339

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.

04/10/2340

ScriptureScriptureOlder Testament &Older Testament &Newer TestamentNewer Testament

TraditionTraditionDoctrinal &Doctrinal &DomesticDomestic

ExperienExperiencece

Personal &Personal &CommunalCommunal

Thinking Thinking About About GodGod


04/10/23Thinking Abot God41


TodaySession IIISession III

04/10/2342

Thinking About God – the textbook Thinking About God – the textbook modelmodel

ScriptureScripture

has priority overhas priority over

TraditioTraditionnhas priority has priority

overover

ExperiencExperiencee

04/10/2343

Thinking About God – in Thinking About God – in realityreality


TraditionTradition

has priority has priority overover

ScriptureScripture

has priority has priority overover

04/10/2344

ScriptureScriptureOlder Testament &Older Testament &Newer TestamentNewer Testament

TraditionTraditionDoctrinal &Doctrinal &DomesticDomestic

ExperienExperiencece

Personal &Personal &CommunalCommunal

Thinking Thinking About About GodGod


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



John Wesley’s QuadrilateralJohn Wesley’s Quadrilateral

TraditionTradition ScriptureScripture

ReasonReason ExperienceExperience



1. Tradition2. Reason 3. Experience 4. General Revelation5. Emotions 6. Special Revelation (Scripture)



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


General RevelationGeneral Revelation

Back

Front


Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox Stage of TruthStage of Truth

ScriptureScriptureTraditionTraditionExperienceExperience


Back

Front

Protestant Reformation Protestant Reformation Stage of TruthStage of Truth

ScriptureScripture

TraditionTradition



ReasonReason

Back

Front

Liberal Liberal Stage of TruthStage of Truth

ReasonReason



EmotionsEmotions

Back

Front

Charismatic Charismatic Stage of TruthStage of Truth

Special RevelationSpecial RevelationExperienceExperienceEmotionsEmotions

Back

Front

Fundamentalist Stage of TruthFundamentalist Stage of Truth

ScriptureScripture


Back

Front

Postmodern Stage of TruthPostmodern Stage of Truth

Back

Front



Tradition: Religious information that has been handed down to us from various sources.



“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



Reason: Information that comes through the human mind’s capacity for logical, rational, and analytic thought.



“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



“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.




Experience: Information that comes through direct encounter, participation, or observation.



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.




General Revelation:Revelation about God given through the created order (Ps. 19:1–6 ; Rom. 1:18–20; 2:14–15).



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.


Proposed Stage of TruthProposed Stage of Truth

ScriptureScripture

TraditionTradition



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

ce

An

cie

nt A

ud

ien

ce

TraditionTraditionEmotionsEmotionsExperienceExperience

ReasonReasonGeneral RevelationGeneral Revelation

04/10/2372

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.


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



“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


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



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?


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


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


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.



How do we “do” theology How do we “do” theology every day? every day?



How do we “do” theology every day? In other words, how does our theology influence our daily routine?



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.



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.



Categories of TheologyCategories of Theology



1. Systematic2. Biblical3. Historical4. Philosophical5. Creedal/Dogmatic 6. Apologetic



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.



• 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.”



• Christology: The study of the person and work of Christ.

• Pneumatology: The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.



• 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.



• Soteriology: The study of salvation.

• Ecclesiology: The study of the nature of the Church.

• Eschatology: The study of the end times.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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

thinkingaboutgod

Documents

god of faith21

absolute god andis

christian thinking

summary thinking

christian faith

historical faith

bible points

fundamentalist charge