living truth (doctrine): introduction

DOCTRINE: LIVING TRUTH

DOCTRINE: LIVING TRUTHA introductory course in Christian Theology

Based upon Alister McGrath's Theology; The Basics

“This short, basic introduction to Christian theology is aimed specifically at those who are approaching it for the first time, and who feel intimidated by the thought of studying theology. It sets out to introduce you to some of its basic themes, problems, and personalities, and to whet your appetite to know more.” Alister McGrath

WHAT IS THEOLOGY?

Write your own definition below:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

The word theology has been used for

centuries to mean “talking about God.” For

Christians we use this to mean talking about

God in a Christian way. We do this in two

ways,

- it is the process (series of actions or steps)

of thinking, and,

- it is also _____________________________

_______________________________________

The word theology has been used for

centuries to mean “talking about God.” For

Christians we use this to mean talking about

God in a Christian way. We do this in two

ways,

- it is the process (series of actions or steps)

of thinking, and,

- it is also _____________________________

_______________________________________the outcome, the result of our thinking.

We do this thinking about God in a

organised and planned way, so that

Christian theology can then be defined as,

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

We do this thinking about God in a

organised and planned way, so that

Christian theology can then be defined as,

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

“[The] intellectual reflection on the act, content and implications of the

Christian faith.”

This includes coming to an understanding

of what a doctrine means, e.g. what is thechurch?

This includes coming to an understanding

of what a doctrine means, e.g. what is thechurch?- all people, believers and unbelievers

(saved and unsaved), who attend a local

place of worship

This includes coming to an understanding

of what a doctrine means, e.g. what is the church?

- all people, believers and unbelievers

(saved and unsaved), who attend a local

place of worship

- those who have put their faith in Jesus

Christ as Lord

Do the two ideas have results that change

what we think church is? What is “good’

about each of them, do they affect the way

we live as Christians?

We might also ask,

- “Why believe in the Trinity and not just in

God?”

- Why is it important to believe Jesus was

fully God and fully human?

- Are we in danger of making Christian

belief too hard to understand?

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

We might also ask,

- “Why believe in the Trinity and not just in

God?”

- Why is it important to believe Jesus was

fully God and fully human?

- Are we in danger of making Christian

belief too hard to understand?

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

For us theology should explain the Christian faith and help us to

understand it better.

[THEOLOGY IS BASICALLY] “FAITH SEEKING

UNDERSTANDING” ANSELM OF CANTERBURY (1033-1109)

For Christians this should help to

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Theology is also important in church life—

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ are all changed by our theological view.

For Christians this should help to

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Theology is also important in church life—

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ are all changed by our theological view.

deepen our relationship with the Lord, and create a greater desire for him

within us

For Christians this should help to

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Theology is also important in church life—

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ are all changed by our theological view.

deepen our relationship with the Lord, and create a greater desire for him

within us

how we minister is affected by what we believe, so pastoral care, preaching,

how we walk with God etc.

Much of the Western world was shaped by

Christian thinking and so understanding

theology will help people to understand its

culture, art and literature.

“THEOLOGY CAN BE THOUGHT OF AS THE CHRISTIAN'S

DISCIPLESHIP OF THE MIND.” ALISTER MCGRATH

McGrath describes his intention in writing

the book—these are some of the reasons

we are studying it.

- To explore some of the basic ideas of

Christianity.

- To meet some of the leading Christian

theologians / thinkers.

- To introduce you to the basics of

Christian theology.

- By the way...The book assumes that you know nothing about theology. - It introduces and explains Christian

theological ideas as they are found in the

Apostles' Creed.

- It show how those ideas were developed

and justified.

- It gives the basic vocabulary, especially

technical terms, used in discussion of those

ideas

- It outlines some of the key debates that

have influenced Christian thinking

- It also encourages you to interact with

these ideas, by helping you to look at other

texts setting out some approaches to these

questions.

- To introduce you to a range of different

theological approaches, Protestant,

Pentecostal and Catholic theological

standpoints will be seen in the text.

- To avoid denominational bias and treat all

positions with respect and fairness.

THE APOSTLES CREED

This book is based loosely on the Apostles

Creed, which is widely used as a basic

summary of the Christian faith and included

as part of public worship in many places. It

is a simple statement that gives a good

framework for exploring central ideas of

Christian theology. The version below was

written in about the eight century,

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son,

our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy

Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered

under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,

and was buried; he descended to the

dead. On the third day he rose again; he

ascended into heaven, he is seated at the

right hand of the Father, and he will

come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy

catholic Church, the communion of

saints, the forgiveness of sins, the

resurrection of the body, and the life

everlasting. Amen.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy

catholic Church, the communion of

saints, the forgiveness of sins, the

resurrection of the body, and the life

everlasting. Amen.

Assignment: Memorise the

Apostles Creed as stated here.