Lesson 1 Flashcards
Describe how the study of theology flows from God
Explain the various aspects of theology
Summarize the purpose of studying theology
What is the definition of theology?
- A word from God about God that directs us to God
- “Holy Scripture, which is called theology”
- “Theology is wisdom concerning divine matters”
a. A “habit” (an intellectual/volitional disposition) planted by God in the soul through regeneration (1 Pet 1:23), cultivated and matured by divine teaching (1 Pet 2:1-2) toward its perfection in the beatific vision (2 Pet 1:19)
The knowledge or wisdom of the divine matters that God has revealed to people in this world through ministers of his word inspired by the prophetic Spirit, and that he has adapted to their capability, to lead them to the knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness and renders them wise unto their own salvation and God’s eternal glory.
What is the difference between archetypal and ectypal theology?
A. Archetypal theology – God’s theology - Is the knowledge whereby God “Knows himself and all divine things in his divine way.”
B. Ectypal theology—our theology - “is the wisdom of divine matters, fashioned by God from the archetype of himself, through the communicaiton of grace for his own glory.”
What is archetypal Theology?
A. Archetypal theology – God’s theology
1. Definition: Archetypal theology is the knowledge whereby God “knows himself and all divine things in his divine way.”
2. Archetypal theology belongs uniquely and exclusively to the triune God.
3. Archetypal theology is independent and infinite in nature
4. Archetypal theology is tripersonal in mode
5. Archetypal theology is the source of all other modes of theology.
6. “We stand in awe before this” archetypal theology “and do not seek to trace it out.” (Junius)
7. By beginning with archetypal theology, we begin with God and thus honor him as the source and goal of all theology: “of him and through him and to him are all things” – including theology.
What is ectypal theology?
B. Ectypal theology—our theology
1. Definition: Ectypal theology “is the wisdom of divine matters, fashioned by God from the archetype of himself, through the communication of grace for his own glory.”
2. Three modes of ectypal theology
a. Theology of vision: the wisdom concerning divine matters that belongs to the “blessed,” the saints and angels who enjoy the beatific vision (1 John 3:2; Rev 22:1-5; etc.)
b. Theology of revelation: the wisdom concerning divine matters that belongs to “pilgrims,” those travelling to their eternal home in God (1 Cor 13:12)
c. Theology of union: the wisdom concerning divine matters that belongs to the God-man, Jesus Christ. As a consequence of the incarnation, the Word who shares archetypal theology with the Father in the Spirit receives ectypal theology from the Father by the Spirit in his human nature in order to communicate that theology to us. This is the supreme mode of ectypal theology and the source from which all other modes of ectypal theology flow as from a fountain.
“Sacred science is a science, because it proceeds from principles established by the light of a higher science, namely, the science of God and the blessed.” (Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 1.1.2)
What does it mean for theology to be a “habit?”
- Theology is a habit of wisdom, planted in us by God in regeneration, developed and matured in us through divine training, perfected in us through the beatific vision.
- Does not mean that we form the habit.
- Instead, when God regenerates us, he implants within our souls the disposition to desire more knowledge about him.
- Second, our theological understanding can only grow through divine teaching, which is scripture.
- Third, the theological habit’s end is ultimately that we see the glory of God and worship HIm.
What are the three modes of ectypal theology? Briefly describe each one.
- Three modes of ectypal theology
a. Theology of vision: the wisdom concerning divine matters that belongs to the “blessed,” the saints and angels who enjoy the beatific vision (1 John 3:2; Rev 22:1-5; etc.)b. Theology of revelation: the wisdom concerning divine matters that belongs to “pilgrims,” those travelling to their eternal home in God (1 Cor 13:12) c. Theology of union: the wisdom concerning divine matters that belongs to the God-man, Jesus Christ. As a consequence of the incarnation, the Word who shares archetypal theology with the Father in the Spirit receives ectypal theology from the Father by the Spirit in his human nature in order to communicate that theology to us. This is the supreme mode of ectypal theology and the source from which all other modes of ectypal theology flow as from a fountain.
What is the genus of theology?
- Knowledge: Isa 53:11; Jer 3:15; Matt 11:27; John 17:3; 1 Cor 2:11-12; 2 Cor 8:7
- Wisdom: Prov 1:8; 1 Cor 1:21, 24; 12:8
- Training in godliness: 1 Tim 4:7-8; Titus 1:1
- Skill acquisition: Matt 13:52; Ezra 7:10; 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 2:15
What is the object of theology?
The object of theological wisdom is God and all things in relation to God as revealed by God in Holy Scripture (Thomas Aquinas; Herman Bavinck).
B. The material object of theological wisdom: God and all things in relation to God.
How does the study of theology affect the student of the subject?
1.Though we were created to know God, the fall has displaced the virtue of “studiousness” by the vice of “curiosity.”
- Through regeneration and the implanting of a new spiritual habit within us “intellectual greed is replaced by hunger for divine instruction.”
1. Psalm 119:15, 24, 66 - Religion provides the indispensable communal contet of within which the spiritual habit of theology may be cultivated and matured.
What are the ends of theology?
Theology, we have seen, has both theoretical and practical ends.
B. Various ends of theology
1. Godliness: “The foremost fruit and goal of Theology is knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness (Titus 1:1)” (SPT 1.18).
2. The enjoyment of salvation and its fruits: “The second use and goal of Theology is that it renders us wise unto salvation and to every good gift in the present life and the life that is to come (2 Timothy 3:15, 1 Timothy 4:8)” (SPT 1.20).
3. The maturity and unity of the church (now and not yet)
4. The glory of God
