theology 101 session one: theology and scripture

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THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

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Page 1: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

THEOLOGY 101

Session One: Theology and Scripture

Page 2: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Thinking about God

Page 3: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

What is theology?

A basic definition Theos + logos

Reasoning about God

More generally, reasoning about the entire body of beliefs

The study of “the faith”

Page 4: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Theology Defined

Theology: “the quest for the ultimate truth about God, about ourselves and about the world we live in.” (Christian Doctrine, S. Guthrie, John Knox Press, revised edition, 1994, p.1)

Page 5: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Why Do Theology?

Philippians 3:8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Hebrews 5:13-14For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Page 6: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever thought of yourself as a theologian? Why or why not?

2. Describe, if you are able, any distinctive aspects of Reformed theology.

3. Describe a positive and a negative experience of trying to tell someone else about your beliefs. What made these two experiences different?

Page 7: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Theology Helps Us Distinguish Between Essential and Non-Essential Beliefs

“For the Christian, beliefs matter, but not all beliefs matter equally.”

–Roger OlsenMosaic of Christian Beliefs (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002), 33

“For the Christian, beliefs matter, but not all beliefs matter equally.”

–Roger OlsenMosaic of Christian Beliefs (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002), 33

Page 8: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

What beliefs are essential and which ones are non-essential?

1. There is a God?2. That Christ rose from the grave?3. That God loves you?4. That a Presbyterian form of church government is implied in the New

Testament?5. That Christ is coming back?6. That the Bible does not have any errors? 7. That Adam and Eve were real people?8. That God created the earth in seven literal days?9. That infant baptism is the most biblical mode of baptism?10. That Christ died for you?11. That the Apocrypha (15 books in the Roman Catholic Bible) should not be

included in Scripture?12. That miracles happen today?13. That the gift of tongues ceased in the first century?14. Others?

Page 9: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

What is Systematic Theology?

Systematic Theology is the discipline of organizing or “systematizing” theological thought. Systematic theology should be ultimately biblical in nature but also taking into account the history of biblical and theological interpretation.

Page 10: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Approaches to Theology

Biblical Theology, “What does the Bible teach about… ?”Systematic Theology, “What do we know about this topic as part of the “whole” biblical knowledge… ?”Historical Theology, “What has the Church believed about… ?”Practical Theology, “How does the Church live

its belief about… ?” Pastoral Care/Counseling Christian Education Homiletics/Liturgics Evangelism/Missions Church Administration

Page 11: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Five Key Phrases of Reformation Theology

Sola Scriptura: Scripture aloneSola Fide: By faith aloneSola Gratia: By grace alone Solus Christus: Christ aloneSoli Deo gloria: Glory to God alone

Page 12: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Thinking about Scripture

Page 13: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

What do you believe about the Bible?

1. The Bible is the most treasured book of all.2. The Bible is a human book filled with contradictions and errors.3. We should be able to add more books to the Bible.4. It is important to understand the historical context of any text before

we apply it to today.5. The answer to every question and problem can be found in the Bible.6. We cannot understand the New Testament without understanding the

Old Testament.7. The Bible is too complicated.8. The Bible is best understood as a library of sacred books.9. It is important to read through the entire Bible at least once a year.10. The church should have the final word on how a text should be

understood.11. Other?

Page 14: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Approaching the Bible

We begin with the God of the Bible Who has made himself known to us This is taken as an axiom and presupposition by faith

We trust it as God’s Revelation “Scriptural authority comes from God. In its total extent

and in all its parts Scripture is the inspired, and thus also the infallible and authoritative Word of God. What Paul says, God says.” Spykman, Reformational Theology, 123

Reason is subordinated to Scripture Experience is validated by Scripture We begin with Scripture rather than our own assumptions

or biases

Page 15: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Revelation

General RevelationGod is revealed through the created order (nature)

Special Revelation God is revealed through supernatural intervention in history by means of (1) miraculous events, (2) spoken and written words, and (3) visible manifestations.

Page 16: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

General Revelation

God Reveals himself in nature Psalm 8 Psalm 19 Romans 1:18-20,

2:14-15

Page 17: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

General Revelation

There is a limited spiritual value to General Revelation The unbeliever suppresses revelation in nature, so the

practical import is that it has no value. “But although the Lord represents both himself and his

everlasting Kingdom in the mirror of his works with very great clarity, such is our stupidity that we grow increasingly dull toward so manifest testimonies, and they flow away without profit.” Calvin, ICR, I,v,11

Believers who have their eyes opened can see God in his works.

“the invisible divinity is made manifest in such spectacles, but [that] we have not the eyes to see this unless they be illumined by the inner revelation of God through faith.” Calvin, ICR, I,v,14

Page 18: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Special Revelation

Special Revelation is: The self-revelation of God Redemptive revelation The history of a Covenant

People The revelation of God in

word and deed

Page 19: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Tradition Reason Experience EmotionsGeneral Revelation

ObjectiveObjective SubjectiveSubjective

Acts 17:11 Acts 17:11 These Jews were more open-minded than those in

Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the Scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.

Revelation: Objective and Subjective Knowledge

Page 20: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Proposed Stage of Truth

ScriptureScripture

TraditionTradition

ExperienceExperience

General RevelationGeneral Revelation

ReasonReason

EmotionsEmotions

Back

Front

Page 21: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Special Revelation and Inspiration

“Inspiration is, therefore, usually defined as a supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, by virtue of which their writings are given divine trustworthiness.” Warfield, “Inspiration” in R&I, 77-8.

Page 22: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Sufficiency of Scripture

Belgic Confession, Article 7 - The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures to be the Only Rule of Faith

“We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein.”

2 Timothy 3:15, “…the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Page 23: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Discussion Questions

1. Now that we have reviewed the course, what are you thinking about the field of theology?

2. If you had to name one or two things you wished you understood better when it comes to God and how God interacts with this world, what would it/they be?

3. What reflections about the relationship of theology or Scripture to your life would you like to share with the group?

Page 24: THEOLOGY 101 Session One: Theology and Scripture

Looking Ahead

Next Session: God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Nature, names, and attributes of God Trinity Person, work, and offices of Christ Work of the Holy Spirit