Prolegomena (1-10)
What is Theology?
Add a second definition for an extra 100pts
Study of God; the science of living blessedly forever
Define Orthodoxy:
Right Teaching
Define Orthopraxy (for an extra 100pts)
Explain the two senses in which God is one:
God is one (simple) not the sum of parts
God is unique (ontologically different)
What does Aseity mean?
From or of himself
True or False: The Trinity is one in essence, in will, and in power.
True
What is Historical Theology?
Study of doctrine through history
What does the word “Canon” mean?
Rule or Standard
(for an extra 100pts) Did the church have the scriptures before the church voted on which books should be in the canon in the council of Rome (382AD)?
What does it mean to say that God is His attributes?
All that is in God is God. Goodness for example is part of God’s essence. It is not an attribute that can removed without also removing God.
Why is it dangerous to imply more than one will in God?
It imples a divided essence and you lose God's simplicity and end up with tri-theism.
What is the relationship between faith and reason?
We do not build Christianity upon reason, but we cannot comprehend the faith or expain it without using reason. Reason does not have the principal office in matters of faith, but an instrumental one. At the same time, we support and defend our faith by our reason. No truths are contrary to reason, although, some truths are above reason.
Explain the view of inspiration titled "concursive operation"
God acted upon men in an organic way, in the personality of fallible men to speak and write down what was entirely infallible. This would also allow for multiple authors (John 21:24, 2 Cor 1:1-2, CF 15) and editors (Order of the Psalms and Deut. 34).
Why is analogical language important for doing theology?
God is a different sort of being than we are. We need analogical language to be able to talk about who God is because God isn't these things in precisely the same way that we are. For exampe: God is good but not in precisely the same way that a man is good. Therefore we need this language to be able to talk about God and to help us understand that God is more than what we are saying.
(For an extra 100pts) Define apophatic theology:
Why is change for God impossible?
It would imply “becoming”—either a change from imperfect to perfect, or perfect to imperfect.
Extra 200pts (List two definitions for "Impassibility")
Extra 200pts (give two theological problems you run into if you posit a suffering God.)
In what sense is the human will free, and in what sense is it bound?
We are bound to sin because we want to according to our corrupt nature. Therefore we sin freely.
Our will is dependent on God's power and what we believe is best (rational necessity).
In short, there is a divine will prior to human willing, and the will of unregenerate man is enslaved by sin. At the same time, our wicked choices are really our choices, and they do have real world consequences.
Why not just do Biblical Theology? Or, better yet, why not just read the Bible? Why do Systematic Theology at all?
Systematic theology helps us understanding everything that the Bible says about a particular subject. That understanding then helps with a deeper understanding of the scriptures. All of that helps us to know God more deeply and enjoy him more fully and walk with him more obediently.
How are rationalism and mysticism similar?
Rationalism and mysticism place the authority with the individual instead of with the Scriptures. Either I sit and judge the Scriptures by my reason (making me the authority) or I rely on my feelings or experience for authority instead of the Scriptures.
Which characterizes the Quakers? (for an extra 100pts)
Give three reasons why God can have no accidents.
Because He is simple, He is infinite, and He is immutable.
Extra 100pts (what does it mean that God is "simple"?)
What are the five incommunicable divine attributes that Deyoung lists:
simplicity, aseity, infinity, immutability, and impassibility
Trinitarian Terms: What notions are proper to each person, and briefly what does each word mean?
We accept the authority of the Bible as God's word because of the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit. What are some ways that the doctrine of the Inner Testimony of the Holy Spirit could be misunderstood?
Some take the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit to be a replacement of scriptures rather than the efficient cause. We believe the scriptures through the testimony of the Holy Spirit. They also may take it to mean we should talk about any other evidence.
List and explain the perfections of Scripture (SCAN)
A classmate is shocked that you would use Greek philosophical terms to gain a better understanding of God. He says he just sticks with the Bible. What would you say to him? (need at least 3 reasons)
In is ubiquitous to western thought. It is ubiquitous to church history. It provides language for fine distinctions to show how two or more biblical truths can be affirmed at once. NT authors use these terms to explain theological ideas. It is preparatory to the gospel.
Why is to so important to hold transcendence and immanence together?
If you prioritize transcendence, you end up with an unknowable God and you essentially are in the same place as atheists. If you prioritize immanence, you end up with a creaturely god that is not worthy of worship.
Briefly describe 4 of the 6 attributes of the Divine Decree which reflect God’s own attributes? (+100pts because this one is hard).
1) Simple
2) Eternal
3) Immutable
4) Absolute (not contingent on creatures)
5) Wise (not arbitrary or capricious)
6) Good (God is not the author of sin, and He works good from evil)