Midterm

Question 1

What is Prolegomena? Why is it important?

Answer 1

“The introductory section of a treatise or system of thought in which basic principles and premises are enunciated” (Muller) Your assumptions dictate your conclusions.

Question 2

What the two principia of Reformed theology? How do they relate to the Reformed system of theology?

Answer 2

Principia Essendi, being, God Himself. Principia Cognoscendi, knowing, Scripture. These relate to Reformed systematic as there is a God to be known and he has revealed himself principally through Scripture.

Question 3

What is theology? Relate both to the term itself and to the idea as it is found in Scripture.

Answer 3

Theology is the doctrine of living to God through Christ by the Spirit. Must encompass both the objective, external knowledge of God, as well as the subjective, internal experience of the Spirit developing the quality of our experience living to God. 1 Timothy 6:3-5, John 17:3, 1 Cor 1-2

Question 4

Is theology a science? Explain different views on this subject and relate to the teachings of Scripture.

Answer 4

Theology is spiritual wisdom imparted to instruct us in living to God through Christ by the Spirit. Other views include intelligentia and scientia which largely deal with theology as a science detached from practical use. Or Ars, art of study that is largely practical without being theoretical. Also Religion/Piety which encompass the whole pursuit of true theology.

Question 5

What is Systematic Theology? How does Systematic Theology relate to other theological disciplines?

Answer 5

ST is the discipline of the orderly account of the doctrines of the Bible. It is the culmination and combination of other theological disciplines, but is not superior to them.

Question 6

Describe and evaluate one of the recent attempts at forming a new theological methodology (Frame, Horton, or Gamble).

Answer 6

Base this on one of the reviews…

Question 7

Why are regeneration and saving faith necessary for the true study of theology? What is the practical importance of these truths for us personally and with respect to our ministries?

Answer 7

Scripture can only be properly understood through the work of the Spirit revealing it to us through faith. John 16:13-14, 1 Cor. 2:10-12

Question 8

Why is divine revelation necessary for the true knowledge of God? Relate this to our creatureliness and to our sinfulness.

Answer 8

God is beyond all comprehension and we can only know him to the extent that he reveals himself to us. Our sinfulness especially corrupts our thinking so that we deny the truth in ungodliness. Matt 16:17, Romans 1:18-20

Question 9

What does it mean the Bible is self-authenticating and self-attesting? Why do we believe that the Bible is God’s Word?

Answer 9

Self-authenticating means that the Bible evidences itself to be the Word of God. Self-attesting means that the Bible claims to be the Word of God. We believe the Bible is the Word of God because the Spirit testifies of its truth in our hearts. John 16:13-14, 1 Cor. 2:10-12

Question 10

How do we respond to the charge that we are “bibliolaters?”

Answer 10

We do not worship the Bible, we worship the God revealed in Scripture. 2 Tim. 3:16, John 5:39

Question 11

To what does the divine inspiration of Scripture refer? How does this relate to the human authors of Scripture?

Answer 11

Divine inspiration means that God breathed out the Word. Every word of the autographs was the word God intended. But God used the style, vocabulary, and personality of the authors to craft Scripture. 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21

Question 12

To what does the inerrancy of Scripture refer? Demonstrate this view from Scripture. How does this relate to the original autographs of Scripture?

Answer 12

Inerrant means that Scripture has no errors in the original autographs. Matt 22, I am the God of Abraham…. Mark 12, “the Lord said to my lord…”

Question 13

What is the difference between inerrancy and infallibility? Demonstrate Scripture infallibility from Scripture.

Answer 13

Inerrancy has to do with the possiblity of errors in the actual words of Scripture, Infallible has to do with the possibility of errors in what the Bible teaches. John 10:35 “…Scripture cannot be broken.”

Question 14

To what does the perspicuity of Scripture refer? Why is this doctrine important? How does this relate to obscure passages of Scripture?

Answer 14

The clarity of Scripture. It is important to understand that anyone who comes to the Bible in faith can understand what Scripture is teaching. Obscure passages reflect not a fault in Scritpure, but a fault in us. Psalm 119:105, 130

Question 15

What is the analogia scripturae? What is the analogia fidei? How do they interrelate?

Answer 15

AS is the principle of comparing Scripture with Scripture. More clear passages interpret less clear. AF We read Scripture from accepted doctrines already established to interpret Scripture as we read it today. These work together in our understanding of Scripture.

Question 16

How do the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and perspicuity of Scripture relate to Scripture’s role as the supreme judge in all controversies? How do translations of Scripture relate to this question

Answer 16

Because the Holy Spirit testifies to the authenticity of Scripture, it is able to judge all controversies, we believe it is clear in judging all controversies, and it’s ruling is infallible. Translations are infallible in their content, but not in their words. 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matt 22:29 Jesus settles the argument on resurrection from Scripture

Question 17

What is the proper relationship between the church and the canon of Scripture?

Answer 17

The church recognized the canon, but did not create the canon. 2 Peter 1:19-20, 2 Thess 2:13

Question 18

What is the case for the cessation of the extraordinary gifts of this Spirit? How does this relate to our doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture?

Answer 18

The end of the extraordinary offices in the church brought the end of the need for the testimony of extraordinary signs/gifts. Scripture has always been sufficient for its purpose at the time. Eph 2:20, Heb. 1:1-2

Question 19

To what does the sufficiency of Scripture refer? What is Scripture sufficient for and not for? Demonstrate and explain from Scripture. What are the practical implications of the sufficiency of Scripture? Why is the sufficiency of Scripture one of the primary distinctive features of Reformed theology?

Answer 19

It is sufficient for teaching us all that we need to know for our faith and practice. Not a textbook on natural science, though it does regulate even those sciences. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 for sufficiency. This limits what Scripture is sufficient for. Practical implications is that no other tradition can rule the Christian. This is disctinctive in Reformed theology because it is so closely tied to the doctrines of worship and government.

Question 20

What are some objections against the sufficiency of Scripture? How does the sufficiency of Scripture relate to the need for a ministry in the church?

Answer 20

That God has always continued to unfold Scripture, necessity for continued individual guidance in our lives. The Scripture mandates a need for the ordinary offices of the church and our need for preaching. Our understanding happens in the context of the church.

Question 21

How are the principium essendi and the principium cognoscendi of theology related to one another?

Answer 21

principium essendi is the foundation of the study of theology. Principium cognoscendi then is what we know of him and how to live to him, from Scripture. Principium essendi must logically precede the principium cognoscendi because something must exist for it to be known.

Question 22

To what does divine incomprehensibility refer? What are archetypal and ectypal theology? What do these terms teach us about the nature of our knowledge of God?

Answer 22

Archetypal theology is all that God knows of himself. Ectypal is all that our finite minds can know. Incomprehensibility cannot be contained by anything or comprehended fully. God’s knowledge of himself is incomprehensible.

Question 23

How to the image of God and divine revelation relate to divine knowability?

Answer 23

God has all knowledge in and of himself and he chooses to reveal himself to those who are in his image. Genesis 1:27

Question 24

Explain the terms “univocal,” “equivocal,” and “analogical.” How do these terms relate to our knowledge of God?

Answer 24

Univocal means that when we talk about God and man or God and creation, the meanings are precisely the same, eg love is the same whether we are talking about God or man. Equivocal means that we use the same term to mean different things. Analogical means that the meanings are similar between God and man, but not identical. The analogy is God downward. We understand ourselves in light of God’s love, not the other way around. There is always a qualitative difference between God’s attributes and ours, not merely a quantitative. Psalm 91:4, Genesis 6.

Question 25

What are anthropomorphisms and anthropopathisms? Give Scriptural examples of both.

Answer 25

Anthropomorphisms are instances where God is spoken of as though he has human physical features. Eg. Pr. 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place. Describing God in human terms. Anthropopathisms is describing God as though he has human passions. Eg, 1 Sam 15:11 God regretted making Saul King.

Question 26

What is apophatic theology? Evaluate this view from Scripture? Explain the divine essence/energies distinction employed by some eastern orthodox theologians. What is theosis? Evaluate both positions from Scripture.

Answer 26

apophatic, the divine essence is completely unknowable. This makes it where God cannot be apprehended. The divine essence is unknowable, what God truly is. The divine energies are his works and attributes. Divine energies are knowable, but don’t necessarily reflect anything about the divine essence. 2 Peter 1:4 we become partakers of the divine nature. Theosis is a vague concept involved in becoming one with God’s energies.

Question 27

What is the Neo-orthodox view of the nature of faith in relation to the knowledge of God?

Answer 27

We have no certain knowledge of God so faith is just the blind leap.

Question 28

What are the primary methods of classifying the divine attributes? Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these methods. Why is it difficult to classify the divine attributes?

Answer 28

Relative and absolute (WCF), Communicable and incommunicable. Incommunicable: Aseity, immutability, infinity(eternity (infinite w/respect to time) and immensity (infinity w/respect to space)), and oneness(numerical oneness/unity and qualitative oneness/simplicity) (Strictly speaking all divine attributes are both) Rel/Abs provides a strong system for evaluating attributes, but some don’t seem to really fit in either category (Love, for example) Incomm/Comm distinguishes between characteristics that belong distinctly to God, but again all his attributes are strictly both. God is incomprehensible and so it defies perfect classification.

Question 29

To what to does the oneness of God refer? Explain in light of Scripture

Answer 29

Numerical Oneness/Uniqueness (WSC5), no distinction between his essence and attributes, has no “parts”. Deut 6:4 (Shema)

Question 30

What is the relationship between God’s essence and his triunity? What is the proper order in which to treat these topics in theology?

Answer 30

God is one in essence and three in persons. We should have an equal ultimacy between the two topics.

Question 31

What is the proper name of God? What does it teach us about God? Relate its use in Exodus to its use in Genesis.

Answer 31

Yahweh. Reveals his aseity and immutability, and summarizing all his attributes. First revealed in Exodus 3. The issue is that the name had not been used to this point, but that its fullness of meaning and applications come to pass in Exodus.

Question 32

List and explain 3 divine names that are compounded with El.

Answer 32

El Shaddai, God Almighty (Genesis 17:1), El Elyon – God Most High. Over the Kings of the Earth. Gen 14:18 (When Abram defeats the kings in battle) El Olam – Everlasting God, Psalm 90:2 “From everlasting to everlasting you are God…teach us to number our days…”

Question 33

Explain the name Yahweh Tsevaoth. Explain 2 other divine names that are compounded with Yahweh.

Answer 33

1 Sam 1:3 first use, but prominently in 17 David comes in the name of the Lord of Hosts. Also featured prominently in the post-exhilic minor prophets Yahweh Jireh – The Lord will Provide, Genesis 22 Yahweh Roi – The Lord is My Shepherd Psalm 23:1

Question 34

What are God’s personal names in the New Testament? How does this relate to the Old Testament name Yahweh? How do the New Testament names of God correspond to the Old Testament names of God?

Answer 34

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19) It relates the ontological identity of God rather than his attributes. So it is the fullest revelation of the names of God revealed in the Old Testament.

Question 35

To what does God’s spirituality refer? Explain from Scripture.

Answer 35

As an immaterial substance without body or bodily parts. John 4

Question 36

What is divine simplicity? What other attributes of God demand divine simplicity and how do they do so? Why is divine simplicity important?

Answer 36

God is indivisible and not made of parts. This relates to God’s immutability, eternality, and omnipresence. As a spirit he does not have material parts that can be divided. His eternality and immutability demand God is not divided in time.His omnipresence demands he cannot be divided in space. Simplicity is important because it is a part of the spirituality of God and his nature demands spiritual worship (John 4).

Question 37

What is the Aseity of God? How does this attribute relate to the divine persons?

Answer 37

The aseity of God is his self-existence, relating to his absolute independence. It must apply to all members of the Godhead equally or they are not equally God. Exodus 3, John 5 (…the Father has life in himself…)

Question 38

What does it mean for God to be infinite in all of his perfections? Show from Scripture.

Answer 38

God’s infinity means that he has no bounds or limits either actual or possible. God’s perfections encompasses all that he is. 1 Kings 8:27, Matt 5:48.