Test 1 Study Guide Flashcards
(120 cards)
1
Q
What are the two definitions of theology?
A
- study of religious faith, practice, and experience
- thinking about God
2
Q
What does theology incorporate?
A
philosophy
3
Q
What are the divisions of theology?
A
exegetical, historical, systematic, and practical
4
Q
Define exegetical theology.
A
study of text and related subjects aiding its restoration, interpretation, and illustration
5
Q
Define historical theology.
A
traces history of God’s people in the Bible and of the church since the time of Christ
6
Q
Define systematic theology
A
arranges findings of exegetical and historical theology in a logical order under headings (doctrine) of theological study
7
Q
What languages was the OT and NT written in?
A
OT- predominately Hebrew
NT- greek
8
Q
When was the Septuagint written?
A
198 BC
9
Q
When was the Latin Vulgate written?
A
4th Century AD
10
Q
What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?
A
- found by Arab shepherd in Qumran
- controlled by Israeli gov’t
- contained the oldest copies of the OT manuscripts
11
Q
What are the six characteristics of translation?
A
- preserves wording
- objective: precision
- always involves a change of language
- always an interpretation
- not always a word to word translation
- more or less literal
12
Q
What are paraphrases?
A
- preserves meaning
- objective: clarity (sometimes sacrifices precision)
- always an interpretation
- not condensing or summarizing
13
Q
How did we get chapter and verse divisions for the OT?
A
- verses came first then chapters
- Masoretes divided the scriptures into verses in 900 AD
- Archbishop Stephen Langton responsible for chapters in 1228
14
Q
How did we get chapter and verse divisions for NT?
A
- chapters came first then verses
- Archbishop Stephen Langton responsible for chapters in 1228
- Stephanus divided NT into verses in 1555
15
Q
What is an ‘autograph’?
A
means ‘self writing’ in greek; that which you have written in your own hand; original writing
16
Q
What is significant about the relationship between the DSS (400 BC) and the MT (900 AD)?
A
They were 95% the same even though they were written 1300 years apart and the DSS was unknown at the time of MT.
17
Q
What is a lectionary?
A
collection of scriptures organized for calendar year; “preaching plan”
18
Q
What is the purpose of textual criticism?
A
to recover original reading
19
Q
What specific characteristic did Dr. Parke give about textual critics?
A
they don’t elaborate.
20
Q
Does spelling and wording impact meaning?
A
noooooooooooo :)
21
Q
Define dittography
A
variations of spelling and wording, usually noted in footnotes
22
Q
What are the five principles of Textual Criticism
A
- “The reading that is to be preferred” is shorter
- ”’ is difficult
- ”” fits the context
- ”” explains all other variations
- ”” comes from a better manuscript
23
Q
Define Canon.
A
- List, standard, or measure
- collection of sacred writing
- List of authoritative books (books were authoritative before they were part of the list)
24
Q
How can the OT Canon be divided into past, present, and future?
A
Past- Genesis to Esther (History)
Present- Job to Song of Solomon (daily living)
Future- Isaiah to Malachi (prophets)
25
How do we divide the NT Canon?
Life and ministry of Jesus- Matthew to John
Life and ministry of Jesus' followers- Acts
Paul's letters- 1st to churches, 2nd to individuals
Hebrews
General Epistles- James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude
Revelation
26
What was the Council of Jamnia?
- 90 AD
- Rabbis debated Jewish Bible
- Didn't influence the church
- Almost included Ecclesiasticus
- Almost didn't include Esther, Ezekiel, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs
27
Which books of the NT were disputed?
- External criteria: things about the books (Hebrews- no idea who wrote it
- Internal criteria: things in the book (2nd and 3rd John- seemed too personal for us to read, 2nd Peter- don't know if Peter really wrote it, Jude- quotes 2 books not seen as Scripture, James- "faith w/out works is dead"
- Catholicity- a book that enjoyed widespread acceptance for a long period of time
28
What is the Hermeneutical gap?
The context of the Bible takes place in a time and place that is very much different from the time and place of today. To understand the Bible, we must understand the context. We must first exegete the passage and then apply the passage.
29
hermeneutics
- art and science of interpretation
- interpretations vary, not facts
30
What are the various hermeneutical gaps we must work through?
language, time, geography, customs
31
Define exegesis
Greek, exe- out of, gesis- to lead
32
what are the 3 text criticisms?
Historical criticism- must look back to get meaning
New literary criticism- meaning comes from within text
New literary criticism- meaning comes from within the reader not the text
33
What are the two biblical criticisms?
Historical and literary
34
What are the historical criticisms?
Source, form, redaction
35
What are the literary criticisms?
reader-centered and text-centered
36
Higher Criticism
focus: meaning and method of composition (message)
37
Lower Criticism
focus: spelling and wording (syntax)
38
Form criticism?
- looks at pieces and parts of a book
- assumes pieces and parts were written individually
- focus: process of oral to written
- sitz in leben: "setting in life"
39
Redaction criticism
- "editor"
- sees individuals as editor (not creator, but oversees finished product
- "cut-n-pastor"
- no creativity, no personal input
40
Source criticism
- "writer"
- is creativity and personal input
- personality to it
utilizes sources
41
Literary criticism
concerned with product and/or reader of product
42
2 source theory
Matthew and Luke used Mark and an unknown source referred to as "Q" to write their gospels
43
4 source theory
- Matthew and Luke used Mark and Q
- Matthew used an unknown source called "M"
- Luke used an unknown source called "L"
44
Why do people think Moses didn't write Pentateuch? What did this ultimately lead?
- use of different names of God: Elohim and Yahweh; two differing accounts of same event: doubling/doublets
- Darwin influenced the idea of multiple authors
- caused the Source Documentary Hypothesis (JEDP) embraced until 1970
45
Who created JEDP?
Julius Wellhausen and Karl Graff
46
"J source" (Gen, Ex, Lev, Num)
- Judah (southern kingdom)
- Jehovah (name used for God)
- document produced in SK between 950-850 BC
47
"E Source" (Gen, Ex, Lev, Num)
- Ephraim (northern kingdom)
- Elohim
- 850-750 BC
48
Combination of "J" and "E" (not a source)
- after 722 BC
- NK flees to SK and discover writing about same things
49
"D Source"
- Deuteronomy
- 621 BC
- Josiah and Jeremiah work in tandem and acted like they found it by accident but really they wrote and planned it
50
"P Source"
- Priestly
- 450 BC
- Add laws and genealogies
51
Strengths of the JEDP theory
- pentateuch did develop over time, not an "all-nighter" (Moses wrote it over time)
- pentateuch reflects sources (Genesis 1 to Exodus 1 precede Moses)
52
Weaknesses of JEDP
- Hypothesis: it lacks facts
- methodology is imprecise (theorists analyzing material come to different conclusions)
- violates unity of text (theorists recommend textual editing and altering evidence to fit theory)
53
What is the Isaiah source theory?
1. 2 source theory
- 1-39 was proto Isaiah
- 40-66 was Deutero Isaiah
2. 3 source theory
- Duetero Isaiah 40-55
- Trito Isaiah 56-66
3. Reasons for this theory
- writing style changes
- in first part Hezekiah mentioned and in 2nd part Cyrus mentioned
54
Exilic
What takes place during exilic period (587 BC- 540 BC)
55
Pre-exilic
before exile, before fall of Jersusalem
56
Post-exilic
after exile in 539 BC
57
Pre-Easter
before resurrection; Jesus of Nazareth
58
Post-Easter
after resurrection; Christ of Faith
59
theology
Doctrine of God
60
Christology
Doctrine of Christ (nature and works)
61
Pneumatology
Doctrine of Holy Spirit
62
Anthropology
Doctrine of Man
63
Soteriology
Doctrine of Salvation
64
Ecclesiology
Doctrine of the church
65
Eschatology
Doctrine of last things
66
orthodoxy
right belief
67
What's the difference between Systematic Theology and Biblical theology?
1. Systematic theology relies on philosophy and seeks to defend the faith (apologetics). It uses non biblical terms to do so (ex. trinity)
2. Biblical theology restricts itself to study only the content of Bible; describing and interpreting what we have in the Bible aka Exegesis
3. The two are complementary and work hand in hand to create a faith seeking understanding.
68
substance vs. witness
Substance- content of the Bible
Witness- what the content point to (GOD)
Witness is bigger than the content.
69
What are the branches of philosophy?
Metaphysics- what is reality?
Epistemology- what is knowledge and what is truth?
70
What does Descartes believe about reality?
Reality is reason. It's what we understand in our mind. His beliefs make humans the point of reference.
71
What does Hegel propose about reality?
Ideas are reality. He proposed what we call the Hegelian Dialectic (thesis leads to an antithesis which leads to synthesis).
72
ontology
study of being
73
Empiricism
experience is knowledge and truth
74
Rationalism
reason is knowledge and truth
75
Positivism
physical world is knowledge and truth
76
Subjectivism
knowledge and truth is subjective and intuitive
77
Existentialism
problem of human existence
78
What is the "theology" definition dilemma?
1. Theology is contained in the Bible (descriptive, historical); the theology of the authors.
2. Theology accords with the Bible/is compatible with the Bible (normative)
It is important to note that the Bible cannot mean what it never meant.
79
Which came first- Biblical Theology or Systematic Theology?
Systematic theology (dogmatics)
80
Post-Reformation Biblical Theology
BT is an independent discipline
81
19th and 20th century Biblical Theology
BT divides into OT Theology and NT Theology, search for a new philosophical framework
82
What is the crisis of methodology?
If you can't define what biblical theology is, how can yo do it? Secular ideologies morphed into BT methodology (darwinism, Hegelian Dialectic, Heynes growth of mankind through organic stages)
83
What was the proposal of Gerhard Ebling?
1. Theological unity of the OT and NT has become extremely fragile
2. Lack of unity within each testament. You must classify the theology of each author.
3. Study of OT and NT can no longer be limited to canonical scriptures
4. Substitute "religion" for "theology" in discerning contents of Bible
Conclusion: Biblical theology can't be done.
84
What was Brevard Child's response to Gerhard Ebling?
- join historical and theological elements
- reflect upon connection between OT and NT to account for understanding Bible as whole as well as inner unity
- proper context is canonical
- subject matter of Bible is a witness- testimony pointing beyond itself (God) not just cultural expression of ancient people
85
What was the dictum of the post- NT church?
The context of canonical writings if rightly understood was identical to dogma of church
86
How did Irenaeus interpret the Bible? What was his theology?
- He opposed philosophy.
- He believed that the content of scripture and what it points to includes church tradition as equal to truth and should not be silenced (apostolic succession)
- was concerned with orthodoxy
- he responded to the heresies of Gnosticism, Marcionism, and Montanism
87
How did Origen interpret the Bible?
Hermeneutics: pro-philosophy and allegorical method- scripture had a different meaning from what was expressly stated. He used the allegorical method to harmonize philosophy and scripture. Three levels of meaning: literal, moral, and spiritual
88
What were the consequences of Origen's hermeneutics?
- reading into scripture (what is not there)
-missing what text intended
- disparages historical level of interpretation
- limits # of people who can grasp scripture's "inner" meaning which creates biblical illiteracy and allows a major power grab from the church
89
What did Origen believe about reality?
Origen believed there was a spiritual world beyond the temporal, physical world. The physical world (where we live now) was created as a punishment for the spiritual beings who fell. Angels are less sinful, humans are more sinful, and demons are most sinful.
90
What does Origen believe about the trinity?
God- perfect, uncreated, over all
Jesus- eternally generated from God; co-creator; mediator between God and the temporary, visible world
Holy Spirit- created by God through Jesus; highest ranking being in creation
These three are not equal in authority
91
What did Origen believe about Logos?
spiritual wisdom that Christ embodied, inspired Moses, prophets, and Greek philosophers
92
What did Origen believe about Christ's death?
- emphasized the crucifixion as sacrifice
- Mousetrap Theory: to free mankind, God offered Jesus as a payment (ransom) to the devil, but God deceived the devil. The devil didn't know the impact of Jesus' resurrection and that he could not detain Jesus
93
What did Origen believe about universalism?
Heaven and hell are temporary places. Ultimately, mankind, Satan, and angels will be saved. All things will be restored b/c God is in all and over all.
94
What was Origen's hermeneutics?
- pro-philosophy
- uses allegorical method
95
What did Origen believe about sin and grace?
- Adam and Eve enjoyed free will. They could choose to sin or not to sin. They had been created innocent, not perfect.
- Descendants of Adam and Eve cannot enjoy free will.
- Salvation is God's grace; central and absolute but not available to everyone. God selects certain individuals to receive His grace.
96
What did Origen believe about church and sacraments?
He believed that the church dispenses God's grace; therefore, NO salvation apart from church membership or sacraments
97
What occurred during the reformation?
The reformers freed themselves from church tradition, which had risen to authority of scripture.
98
What was the difference between Calvin and Luther?
Calvin- he did not think the church could be reformed; he was a radical reformer; protestant
Luther- did not want to start a new church; he wanted to reform the church
99
What were the significant development of the reformation?
Developments- Chrismann coins "Biblical Theology" (BT is subservient to Dogmatics); BT and Dogmatics separated but equal
100
Overview of Age of Enlightenment
- rationalism (human reason)
- rejected supernatural
- Bible lost distinction and authority just another ancient text
- emergence of historical-critical method, new hermeneutics
- application of radical literary criticisms on Biblical studies
101
What happened to BT and Dogmatics in the Enlightenment?
they became rivals
102
Who changed the view of BT in 1787?
J.P. Gabler
103
What was J.P. Gabler's lecture about?
- inspiration is irrelevant
- task of BT: gathering ideas of each Biblical writer
- distinguish between periods of old an new religion: determine which apply and which have no validity
104
What was the impact of J.P. Gabler's lecture?
- BT became purely historical discipline
- G.L Baur: first to publish historical BT
105
What is the overview from enlightenment to dialectical theology?
BT as historical science and descriptive discipline.
106
Descriptive
What it meant
107
Normative
what it means
108
What is the closed box history theory?
cause -> effect/cause -> effect/cause
109
What is the open box history theory?
cause -> effect/cause <- God as cause
110
History of religions
Christianity and Judaism are cultural phenomena (expressions)
111
Hegelian Dialectic
Christianity and Judaism are evolution of ideas.
112
Salvation-history
-inspiration of the Bible
- History of God's people as expressed in the Word
- Result of history between God and Man Jesus Christ
113
heilsgeschichte
"salvation history"- God moving in history to reclaim his people culminating in Jesus
114
Dialectical Theology aka Neo-orthodoxy
- theology resulting from dialogue
- revolt against liberalism, especially its utopian ideas and optimistic view of mankind (Christian idea)
115
What are the factors of dialectical theology?
- loss of faith in evolutionary naturalism
- return to idea of revelation
- reaction against conviction that historical truth can be attained by scientific objectivity or that such objectivity is possible
- renewed interest in theology
116
What are significant developments because of dialectical theology? (6)
- Roman Catholics produces 1st BT
- BT movement (Childs)
- opposition to philosophical system
- contrast between Hebrew and Greek thought emphasis on unity of testaments
- uniqueness of Bible against environment
- reaction against older "liberal" theology revelation of God in history
117
What is Aquinas' hermeneuitics?
- pro-philosophy (esp. Aristotle)
- allegorical method
- "univocity of Biblical Words"
1. signs (letters, words) signify things
2. Things become signs of other things
- theorized that a word can mean only one thing, but an additional spiritual sense can derive from a thing which signifies a second thing
- his theory enact in a new and better way the intrinsic theological significance of the literal sense of the text without denying the continuing role of figurative senses
118
What was Calvin's theology?
- Calvin believed the authority of the Bible comes from within and not from the church.
- He believed the readers should take the words literally and search for the writer's intent. -
- The Spirit and the Word are inseparable. The understanding Word requires the Spirit. Grace enables a person to understand the word. Grace is the illumination of the Spirit.
- He also recognized a unity between the testaments, emphasizing the OT as a shadow and the NT as a reality, but how they talk about similar themes.
- He also talked about types typology. A person, institution, or event in the OT prefigures a person, institution, or even in the NT. Theology serves exegesis.
119
What was Luther's theology?
- Luther insisted that the link between biblical exegesis and theological reflection be indissoluble.
- Luther promoted a literal reading of the text and stressed scripture above all else. The literal reading grasped the spiritual meaning.
- Jesus is the witness of the Bible.
- He recognized the unity between the testaments. the content of OT and NT is law and gospel.
- He also emphasized Christology. It trumped all other doctrines.
- He downplayed the book of James because of the "faith without works is dead"
120
What was Luther's rationale for Christology trumping all others.
1. Nothing but a literal reading can access the christological subject matter of scripture.
2. the center of scripture is Jesus Christ
3. The "Theology of the Word" is Gospel, the proclamation of Jesus
4. the Bible is more than a story about Jesus; it is the source of Christ's actual presence
5. The true test of Scripture is whatever promotes Christ.
