Introduction To Theology (2004)

Introduction to
Theology
An Invitation to Theology?
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved.

“Jesus said to him, ‘Love the Lord your
God with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your mind.’”
–Matthew 22:37

Question Outline
• Who are you and why are you here? • What truths are essential for orthodoxy?
• What is The Theology Program? • How certain are you about your beliefs?
• What is theology? • What is the essential difference in Roman
• Who is a theologian? Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and
• How do we do theology every day? Protestantism?
• What are the different categories of • Why are there so many Protestant
theology? denominations?
• What is the Theological Process? • What are the different sources for truth?
• What is epistemology? • What are the benefits and deficiencies of
each source?
• What is postmodernism? • How do the different sources interact to
• What questions are postmoderns asking? form our theology?
• What is the postmodern view of truth? • Does God still speak today?
• What is the modern view of truth? • What is the Continuationist view of
• What is the Christian view of truth? prophecy?
• What truths are relative and what truths • What is the Hard Cessationist view of
are objective? prophecy?
• What is the Soft Cessationist view of
prophecy?
• How do we do theology in our emerging
context?

Course Outline
I. Introduction to The Theology Program
II. Defining Theology
III. Categories of Theology
IV. Postmodern Epistemology
V. Christian Epistemology
VI. Essentials of Theology
VII. Traditions of Christian Theology
VIII. Sources of Theology
IX. Does God Still Speak Today?
X. Unity and Diversity

Introduction to
the Theology Program
Defining the “Rules of
Engagement”

Question
Who are you and why are you here?

Introduction to
Who you are and why you are taking
this course?

Introduction to
Who are you and why are you taking
this course?
• Practical Pricilla: You are a person who
has never seen the practicality in deep
theological study. You are here to see if
we can change your mind.

Introduction to
this course?
2. Scared Susan: Big words scare you. You
don’t really think that you are smart
enough to be here. You are here this time,
but you may not be here the next.

Introduction to
this course?
3. Know-it-all Nick: You already know
everything. You are just here to see if we
do… and to pick up where we leave off.

Introduction to
this course?
4. Fundamental Fred: You are the God-
ordained guardian of orthodoxy. You are
here to sit, with arms crossed, and
protect.

Introduction to
this course?
5. Want-an-answer Will: You have a lot
of questions. You are here not to do
theology in community, but to write
theology down with a pen and paper.

Introduction to
this course?
6. Traditionalist Teri: You want to learn,
but your traditions and preconceived
notions bind you. You are here to have
your traditions confirmed to be true.

Introduction to
this course?
7. Confrontational Carl: You are not a
believer in Christ or the Bible and have no
intention of becoming one. You are here
to argue.

Introduction to
this course?
8. Struggling Sam: You are a believer in
Christ, but you have a lot of doubts and
struggles. You have never had a safe place
to express those doubts. You are here to
see if this is the place.

Introduction to
this course?
9. Curious Carla: You are not really sure
why you are here, but you’re excited to
find out.

Introduction to
We are all real people created by a real

God, and we all have real struggles,
real questions, and real convictions.
We are glad that you are here!

Question
What is The Theology Program?

Introduction to
The Theology Program is an intense theological
studies program, designed for busy people who may
never go to seminary but who want deep theological
training. While there are many great subjects, biblical
and spiritual, that Christians can and need to study,
our focus is on seven specific courses of systematic
theology. Our desire is to teach people how to think
by opening their minds to diverse views, learning
from history, wrestling with difficult issues, and
graciously engaging an increasingly relativistic and
postmodern world.

Introduction to
Mission: Renewing minds and changing
lives by purposefully guiding
people through a study of
historic and biblical Christian
theology.
Goal: “Our goal is not so much to

teach good theology, as
important as that is, but to teach
people to think.”

Introduction to The
Theology Program
What makes The Theology Program
different?
1. Intensity in studies
2. Irenic theology
3. Intentional program design
4. Comprehensive coverage
5. Doing theology in community

Intensity in Studies
The Church must have an avenue of intense,
interactive Christian education through a
program which gives people an opportunity to
learn at a level that other venues cannot
provide. TTP endeavors to be this avenue.

Fellowship/
Sermon Sunday School Interactive Classroom
Low Commitment High Commitment

Fellowship/
Low Expectations High Expectations
•Attendance
•Assigned readings
•Books
•Papers
•Case studies
•Memorization of Scripture
•Grades

Fellowship/
Devotional Foundational
(Brings encouragement for the week) (Builds theology for a lifetime)

Fellowship/
Short-term life change Long-term life change

Fellowship/
Exhortation Education

Fellowship/
The education program of the

Church needs to include all of
these in balance.
Irenic Theology
Key Terms
Irenic Theology: Theology that is done peaceably,
accurately representing all views,
even when you oppose them.
Polemic Theology: Theology that is done in a
warlike manner inside the Church,
prophetically speaking against
those with whom there is
disagreement.
Apologetic Theology: Theology that is done to defend
the faith against those who
oppose outside the church.

Irenic Theology
Irenic
Peace
War Defense
Polemic Apologeti
c
Intentional Program Design
Comprehensive Coverage
In the courses, we will address all the relevant
major issues, current and historic, of which we
think people need to be aware.

Doing Theology in a
Community
We believe that truth is not found in Spirit-
illuminated individuals, but in a community of
Spirit-illuminated individuals. Therefore, we
believe that the Body of Christ, both alive and
dead, must come together to understand
theology, shaping it from many perspectives
and differing experiences. This is doing
theology in a community.

Notice how the draft is incomplete and erased at
places. This illustrates how our theology is never
The “T” stands for finished in this life, but is always undergoing
“Theology” in The Theology change and development.
Program.
The tablet upon which we construct our theology

is broken. This represents an imperfect people,
broken by sin, doing our best to understand God
in our state of imperfection.
The column represents a pillar,

Notice how the draft goes outside the lines at communicating that our theology
times. This represents how our theology, while creates a strong foundation
having a great respect for tradition, must break upon which our life, purpose,
with tradition at times. This is the Reformers’ and actions exist.
principle of semper reformanda (“always
reforming”).
Discussion Groups

Defining Theology
“What does it mean to ‘do’

theology?”

Question
What is theology?

Traditions of Theology Experience
Epistemology
Denominations
Eastern Orthodox Cessationism
Pluralism Relativism
Protestant
Rationalism
Truth Modernism
Prophecy
Roman Catholic
Exclusivism
Special Revelation Protestant Theology
Postmodernism Cessationism
Defining Theology
What is Theology?
Write a one or two sentence definition of

theology:

Defining Theology
“The study or science of
God.”
–Millard Erickson “Rational discussion
Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22
respecting the deity.”
–Augustine
“The Science of God

and of the relations “Thinking about God
between God and the and expressing those
universe.” thoughts in some way.”
–A. H. Strong –Charles Ryrie
Basic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9

Defining Theology
“The science of God or of religion; the science which

treats of the existence, character, and attributes of
God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to
believe, and the duties we are to practice; divinity; (as
more commonly understood) the knowledge derivable
from the Scriptures, the systematic exhibition of revealed
truth, the science of Christian faith and life.”
—Webster’s Dictionary

Question
Who is a theologian?

Defining Theology
Who is a theologian?
Anyone who has asked the ultimate questions of life:
• Why am I here?
• What is life?
• What happens after death?
• What is the difference between right and
wrong?
• Why is there something instead of nothing?

Defining Theology
The question is not, “Who is a
theologian?” but “What kind of
theologian am I going to be?” Are you
going to be a good theologian or a bad
theologian? This is a more accurate
question because, as one writer put it,
“not all theologies are equal.”
–Source unknown

Defining Theology
“We live in what may be the most anti-

intellectual period in the history of
Western civilization. . . We must have
passion—indeed hearts on fire for the
things of God. But that passion must
resist with intensity the anti-intellectual
spirit of the world.”
—R. C. Sproul
“Burning Hearts Are Not Nourished by Empty Heads,” Christianity Today 26 (Sept. 3, 1982), 100

Defining Theology
There are basically six arenas in which
we can do theology:
1. Tabloid Theology
2. Folk Theology
3. Lay Theology
4. Ministerial Theology
5. Professional Theology
6. Academic Theology

Defining Theology
Tabloid Folk Lay Ministerial Professional Academic

Defining theology
Describe this chart in relation to practicing medicine

Defining Theology
Now describe this chart in relation to practicing theology

Defining Theology
Tabloid Theologian: One who constructs his or
her theology based upon
naïve hearsay information
that has no basis in fact and
very little, if any, evidence
to be believed. Many times
people are Tabloid
theologians because of the
theology’s appearance of
originality. As well, it can
be “cutting edge” in many
people’s minds.

Defining Theology
What are some examples of Tabloid
theology?

Defining Theology
• Tabloid theology examples

Defining Theology
• Hitchhiking angel
• Growing fire hose
• “I Saw Heaven”

Defining Theology
Folk Theologian: One who uncritically
and unreflectively
constructs his or her
theology according to
traditions and religious
folklore. The Folk
theologian is often very
dogmatic about his or
her beliefs.
Defining Theology
What are some examples of Folk
theology?

Defining Theology
Folk theology examples:

Defining Theology
• Views of Heaven (clouds, harps)
• Ghosts
• Angels’ wings
• Good works salvation
• All people are good at heart

Defining Theology
• Peter’s gate
• Devil’s pitchfork
• “God helps those who help themselves”
• Demon possession
• People who commit suicide automatically go
to Hell
• When you die there will be a screen in heaven
which shows to the world all the bad things
you have done
• Name-it-claim-it, health-and-wealth gospel

Defining Theology
Why do you think that it is so hard for
Folk theologians to learn?

Defining Theology
Lay Theologian: A layperson who constructs his
or her theology and who, unlike
the folk and tabloid theologian,
is . . .
(1) more reflective upon learned
theological concepts
(2) likely to formulate a system
of beliefs which distinguishes
between essential and non-
essential doctrine
(3) more critical of unfounded
traditions
(4) willing to use study tools
Defining Theology
Ministerial Theologian: A layperson who constructs his
or her theology and who, unlike
the lay theologian is . . .
(1) educated in theological
methodology
(2) able to use study tools and
resources at a more effective
level
(3) able to openly critique
personal theology against
competing models
(4) intent on devoting more time
to reflection so that theological
integration can take place

Defining Theology
Professional Theologian: One who constructs his
or her theology and
makes a living doing so.
They usually. . .
(1) are didactically
purposed toward lay and
pastoral theologians
(2) conduct practical
original research
(3) critically evaluate
common theological
trends and folk theology.

Defining Theology
Professional theologians are often
accused of “quenching the Spirit.” Why
do you think they receive this
accusation?

Defining Theology
Academic Theologian: A professional theologian
who constructs his
theology with an overly
speculative and critical
spirit. His dialogue can
usually come only with
other theologians. It is
often called “Ivory
Tower theology.”

Defining Theology
What are some examples of

Academic theology?
Why do you think someone would

want to be an Academic theologian?

Defining Theology
Naïve Skeptical
Sensational Critical
Gates wide open Gates permanently locked

Defining Theology
Acceptable range

Defining Theology
“Theology is for everyone. Indeed, everyone
needs to be a theologian. In reality, everyone is
a theologian—of one sort or another. And
therein lies the problem. There is nothing
wrong with being an amateur theologian or a
professional theologian, but there is
everything wrong with being an ignorant or
sloppy theologian.”
—Charles Ryrie
Basic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9.

Defining Theology
How do we “do” theology every day?

Defining Theology
How do we “do” theology every day? In other
words, how does our theology influence our
daily routine?

Defining Theology
1. When we think about God.
2. When we share the Gospel.
3. When we interpret the Bible.
4. When we get sick.
5. When we defend the faith.
6. When we plan for the future.
7. When we choose schooling for our children.

Defining Theology
8. When we vote.
9. When we attempt to deal with sin in our
lives.
10. When we decide on who we marry.

Defining Theology
What is theology?

Defining Theology
credo ut intelligam
“faith seeking understanding”
This is a Latin phrase coined by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

meaning “faith seeking understanding.” This is one of the earliest
definitions of theology. It starts with the assumption that we are
believers and, as such, we are seeking to understand our beliefs better.
Discussion Groups

Categories of
Theology

Question
What are the different categories of

theology?

Categories of Theology
1. Systematic
2. Biblical
3. Historical
4. Philosophical
5. Creedal/Dogmatic
6. Apologetic

Systematic Theology
• Prolegomena:
Literally means “things which are spoken
beforehand.” Deals with the foundational
issues of theology such as theological
methodology, sources, and reasons for the
study of theology.

• Bibliology:
The study of the nature, transmission,
canonization, and purpose of Scripture.
• Theology Proper:
The study of God’s existence, nature, and
attributes. Sometimes called
“Trinitarianism.”

• Christology:
The study of the person and work of
Christ.
• Pneumatology:
The study of the person and work of the
Holy Spirit.

• Anthropology:
The study of the purpose and nature of
humanity, both in its pre-fall and post-fall state.
• Hamartiology:
The study of the nature, origin, and effects of sin
on all creation.
• Angelology:
The study of the nature and works of demons
and angels.

• Soteriology:
The study of salvation.
• Ecclesiology:
The study of the nature of the Church.
• Eschatology:
The study of the end times.

Biblical Systematic
• Restricts the formulation of theology • Formulates theology from all sources of
only to the Scripture. theology, including Scripture.
• Sometimes will examine the individual • Correlates the entirety of Scripture to

parts of Scripture in order to formulate a formulate a general theology for all
particular theology that is restricted to a time and for all people.
certain time period and a particular people
(e.g., Pre-mosaic theology).
• Sometimes examines the theology of a • Correlates information on a doctrine

certain author (e.g.,, John or Paul). by examining the theology of all the
authors.
Historical Systematic
only to the history of the Church. theology.
• Sometimes will examine the individual • Correlates the all of Church history to
periods of Church history in order to formulate a general theology for all
formulate a particular theology that is time and for all people.
restricted to a certain time period (e.g.,,
Patristic, Medieval, Reformation).
Philosophical Systematic
only to that which can be ascertained by theology.
reason.
• Sometimes will examine the individual • Correlates the all of philosophical history
periods of philosophical history in order to formulate a general theology for all
to formulate a particular theology that time and for all people.
is restricted to a certain time period (e.g.,,
enlightenment, modern,
postmodern).
Creedal Systematic
• Restricts the formulation of • Formulates theology from
theology only to that of a all sources of theology
particular religious institution including the creedal
or denomination. statement of many
institutions and
denominations.
Apologetic Systematic
• Formulates theology for • Formulates theology for
the purpose of explaining the purpose of creating a
and defending the faith to comprehensive and
those outside the faith. coherent understanding of
various doctrines.
Question
What is the Theological Process?

Truth
Extract timeless
principles
2 Theological Statement
.
“What is the timeless truth taught?”
of Scripture
Analogy
Principles for today

Contextualize
Timeless Audience
Time bound Audience
1 Exegetical Statement
Contemporary Audience
. Ancient Audience
“What did it mean then?”
• Historical interpretation
•
3 Homiletical Statement
Grammatical interpretation
• Contextual interpretation
• Literary Interpretation
.
“How does it apply to us?”
Systematic
Theology
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Ancient Audience
Biblical
Hermeneutics Application
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
Ancient Audience
Liberal Theology
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
Ancient Audience
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Ancient Audience
Hypocritical Folk Theology
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Ancient Audience
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
Ancient Audience
Subjective Theology
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
Ancient Audience
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
? ?
Ancient Audience
Irrelevant Theology
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
? ?
Ancient Audience
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
Ancient Audience
Folk Theology
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
Ancient Audience
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Ancient Audience
?
Short-circuit Theology
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Ancient Audience
?
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
?
Ancient Audience
Eisegetical Theology
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
?
Ancient Audience
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
?
Ancient Audience
Exegetical Theology
?
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
?
?
Ancient Audience
Theology
of Scripture
Principles for today

Contextualize
Analogy
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
1. Exegetical Statement
“What did it mean then?” Ancient Audience
• Historical interpretation
• Grammatical interpretation 3. Homiletical Statement
Scripture
Biblical Theology
Historical Theology
Philosophical Theology
Systematic Theology
Apologetic Theology Creedal/Dogmatic Theology
Postmodern
Epistemology
Understanding Our
Changing Culture

Postmodern Epistemology
What is Epistemology?

“The theory or science of

the method or grounds of
knowledge.”
—Webster’s Dictionary

“The branch of philosophy that is
concerned with the theory of
knowledge. It is an inquiry into
the nature and source of
knowledge, the bounds of
knowledge, and the justification
of claims to knowledge.”
—Paul Feinberg
Walter A. Elwell ed., “Epistemology” in The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 382.

Key Terms
Relativism: The belief that all truth is relative, being determined

by some group.
Subjectivism: The belief that all truth is subjective, being defined by
the perspective of the individual.
Skepticism: The belief that truth cannot be known with certainty.
Perspectivism: The belief that truth is found in the combined
perspectives of many.
Pragmatism: The belief that truth is ultimately defined by that which
works to accomplish the best outcome. “The end
justifies the means.”
Objectivism: The belief that truth is an objective reality that exist
whether someone believes it or not.

Which best describes our culture
today?
1. Relativism
2. Subjectivism
3. Skepticism
4. Perspectivalism
5. Pragmatism
6. Objectivism

Which is true?
1. Relativism
2. Subjectivism
3. Skepticism
4. Perspectivalism
5. Pragmatism
6. Objectivism

Question
What is Postmodernism?

“Christian’s today cannot work with the same

assumptions that we did just 20 years ago. At
that time, people would join you in your search
for absolute truth. It is different now. Today,
before we begin to lead people to the truth of
Jesus Christ, we may have to lead them to the
truth of truth. Common ground must be created
before the Gospel can be proclaimed”

“Apologetically, the question which arises in the
postmodern context is the following. How can
Christianity’s claims to truth be taken seriously,
when there are so many rival alternatives, and when
‘truth’ itself has become a devalued notion? No-one
can lay claim to possession of truth. It is all a
question of perspective. The conclusion of this line of
thought is as simple as it is devastating: ‘the truth is
that there is no truth”
–Alister McGrath
A Passion for Truth (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996), 188

A Conversation Between Protagoras and
Socrates (4th Century B.C.)
Protagoras: Truth is relative. It is only a matter
of opinion.
Socrates: You mean that truth is mere subjective
opinion?
Protagoras: Exactly. What is true for you is true
for you, and what is true for me is true for me.
Truth is subjective.
Socrates: Do you really mean that? That my opinion
is true by virtue of its being my opinion?

Protagoras: Indeed I do.

Socrates: My opinion is: Truth is absolute, not opinion,
and that you, Mr. Protagoras, are absolutely in error.
Since this is my opinion, you must grant that it is true
according to your philosophy.
Protagoras: You are quite correct, Socrates.

Self-defeating Statements
“I cannot speak a word in English.”
“My wife has never been married.”
“We cannot know anything about God.”
“There is no such thing as truth.”
“Truth cannot be known with certainty.”

A short history of western civilization
Three periods:
1. Premodern (400-1600 A.D.)
2. Modern (1600-1900 A.D.)
3. Postmodern (1960-present)

Premodern Modern Postmodern

400 1600 1960
Back
Stage of Truth
Front
Postmodern
Transition
1960-?
Modern
Modern Generation
– Preboomers
53%
– Boomers
Postmodern Generation
– Busters (Gen X)
– Bridgers (Gen Y) 57%

Modernism Postmodernism
• Intellectual • Anti-intellectual
• Reason • Feeling
• Optimism • Pessimism
• Hope for the future • Despair for the present
• Objectivism • Subjectivism/relativism
• Exclusivism • Pluralism/inclusivism
• Science method • Distrust in science
• Man is evolving • Man is devolving
The Ideal Modern Man:
Mr. Spock • Spock is always logical and
objective.
• Never acts upon feeling,
because that would be
“illogical.”
“Physical laws simply cannot
be ignored. Existence cannot
be without them.”
“Pain is a thing of the mind.
The mind can be controlled.”
The Ideal Modern Man Mocked:
Data
• Data is the “perfect”
modern human.
• Despite his
“perfection,” Data . . .
1. Wants to be human.
2. Rebels against logic.
3. Attempts to develop
emotions and feelings
• Premodern: “There’s balls and
there’s strikes, and I call them as
they are.”
• Modern: “There’s balls and
there’s strikes, and I call them as
I see them.”
• Postmodern: “They ain’t
nothing ‘til I call ‘em.”
“In Postmodernism, there is no

objective, universal truth; there is only the
perspective of the group. . . . In
postmodernism, all viewpoints, all lifestyles,
all beliefs and behaviors are regarded as
equally valid. . . . Tolerance has become so
important that no exception is tolerated.”
–Charles Colson
How Now Shall We Live? (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), 23

Christian
Epistemology

Question
What questions are postmoderns

asking?

Christian Epistemology
Modernist Objections to Christianity

1. What about all the contradictions?
2. God is just a crutch. Religion was invented by
man.
3. Jesus was just a man.
4. The Bible we have today is not the same as when
it was written 2000 years ago.
5. I don’t believe in what I can’t see.
6. Evolution has proven Christianity to be wrong.

7. The Bible is a myth full of fairy tales.

8. How did Noah get all of the animals on the
Ark?
9. There are no such thing as miracles.
10. Do you really believe in the story of Adam
and Eve?

Postmodernist Objections to Christianity

1. If God exists, why is there evil?
2. The Inquisition and the Crusades show that
Christianity is oppressive.
3. Christianity is a way to God but not the only
way.
4. Christianity is arrogant and exclusive.
5. How do you know that your Bible is better than
other religious writings?
6. Why does God allow bad things to happen to
good people?
7. What about those who have never heard?

8. The church is full of hypocrites.
9. Why would God send anyone to Hell?
10. The God of the OT is cruel, partial, and
unjust.

Modernist Postmodernist
Facts Fairness
Rationality Relationships
Evidence Emotion

Question
What is the modern view of truth?

Correspondence view of truth: (1) Truth

is an objective reality that exists whether
someone believes it or not, (2) and that
objective reality is grounded in nature.

True statements are those which correspond

to that objective reality.
False statements are those which do not

correspond to that objective reality.

Law of non-contradiction applies
A ≠ -A
at the same time and in the same relationship.

Epistemology
Key Motto
“Man can and will know all truth.”

Question
What is the postmodern view of

truth?

Relative view of truth: (1) Truth is a

perspective reality that exists in the
perspective of the individual or group, (2) and
that perspective reality is grounded in time.

Law of non-contradiction does not
apply
A = -A
at the same time and in the same relationship.

Key Motto
“The truth cannot be known.”

Religious Spin on Postmodern Epistemology
Universalism: The belief that all people, good or
bad, will eventually make it to
Heaven.
Pluralism: The belief that there are many ways
to God that are equally valid.
Syncretism: The assimilation of differing beliefs
and practices.
Inclusivism: The belief that salvation is only
through Christ, but Christ may be
revealed in other religions.

Vatican II (1962-1965) and inclusivism
“But the plan of salvation also includes those who
acknowledge the creator. In the first place among
these there are the Moslems, whom professing to
hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the
one and merciful god, who on the last day will
judge mankind. Those also can attain salvation who
through no fault of their own do not know the
gospel of Christ or his church, yet sincerely seek
god and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to
do his will as it is known to them through the
dictates of conscience.”

Question
What is the Christian view truth?

Correspondence view of truth: (1) Truth
is an objective reality that exists whether
someone believes it or not, (2) and that
objective reality is grounded in an eternal
God.

The law of non-contradiction is a
foundational necessity to all truth.
God cannot even violate this principle since it is a

logical impossibility.

Key Motto
“The secret things belong to the Lord
our God, but the things revealed
belong to us and to our sons forever, that
we may observe all the words of this law”
(Deut. 29:29).

Christian truth must have a balance
between the “things revealed” and
mystery (“secret things”).

Apophadic Theology: Lit. “negative theology.”
Apophadic Theology emphasizes
mystery. Often called the “way of
negation” (via negativa) or
“negative theology,” apophadic
theology sees God, and much of
theology, as beyond our
understanding and, therefore,
beyond defining through positive
assertations. Finite people cannot
say what the infinite God is but
only what He is not. God is
“uncreated,” “immutable,”
“infinite,” “immortal.”

Cataphatic Theology: Lit. “affirmative theology.”
Cataphatic Theology
emphasizes revelation. Often
called “positive theology,”
cataphatic theology seeks to
understand God in positive
terms, understanding that
God communicates to us
through language and
concepts that are analogous
to who and what He truly is
(“analogy of language”).

Cataphatic Theology Apophatic Theology

“things revealed” “secret things”
Modernism Postmodernism
West East
Rationalists Mystics
Roman Catholic/Protestants Eastern Orthodox
Responsible theology
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
Perspicuity
Cataphatic Apophatic
Theology Theology
Soft Skepticism Perspectivism

Prov. 8:5 Prov. 12:15
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
“You who are naive,

discern wisdom! And
Perspicuity
you fools, understand
discernment!”
Theology Theology

Prov. 8:5
Copyright © 2004, The Theology Program. All rights reserved. Prov. 12:15
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
“The way of a fool is right

Perspicuity
in his own opinion, but the
one who listens to advice is
Cataphatic
wise.”
Apophatic
Theology Theology

Prov. 8:5
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
“Acquire truth and do
Perspicuity
not sell it . . .”
Theology Theology

Prov. 8:5
Defining Essentials
and Non-essentials

Question
What truths are relative and what

truths are objective?

Essentials and Non-Essentials
Discussion of paper “Representing

Christ to a Postmodern World”

Essentials and Non-essentials
Quadrant of Objectivity

True Relativity True Objectivity
Going to Drinking a
the glass of
movies wine/beer
Situational
Relativity
Wearing Home
a head schooling
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols

Going to Drinking a
the glass of
movies wine/beer
Situational
Relativity
Wearing Home
a head schooling
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Coke or Best kind of

Pepsi food
Autonomous
Relativity
Church Best song

music
Temperature
of a room (hot
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
the glass of
movies wine/beer
Situational
Relativity
Wearing Home
a head schooling
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Date of Views of
food Christ’s Predestinatio
Pepsi n
coming
Autonomous Non-Essential
Relativity Objectivity
Young Canon of
Church Best song earth/Old Scripture
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
of a room (hot of tongues
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
the glass of
movies wine/beer
Situational Essential
Wearing Home
a head schooling
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Date of Views of
Pepsi n
coming
Young Canon of
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
the glass of Existence of
movies wine/beer God
Wearing Home
a head schooling
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Date of Views of
Pepsi n
coming
Young Canon of
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
the glass of Christ’s Existence of
movies wine/beer deity God
Wearing Home
a head schooling
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Date of Views of
Pepsi n
coming
Young Canon of
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
Wearing Home Faith

a head schooling alone
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Date of Views of
Pepsi n
coming
Young Canon of
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
Wearing Home Faith

a head schooling alone
covering Eating Death,
meat burial, and
sacrificed resurrection
to idols of Christ
Date of Views of
Pepsi n
coming
Young Canon of
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
or cold)
Going to Drinking a
Wearing Home Faith The

a head schooling alone atonemen
covering Eating Death, t
meat burial, and
sacrificed resurrection
to idols of Christ
Date of Views of
Pepsi n
coming
Young Canon of
music
Temperature earth
Continuation
or cold)
Where would you place these on the

quadrant?
1. Belief in the doctrine of the Trinity? Why?
2. Smoking? Why?
3. Eating healthy and exercising? Why?
4. Getting intoxicated? Why?
5. Having your mind altered by anti-
depressants? Why?
Question
What truths are essential for

orthodoxy?

Concentric Circle of Importance

Pure Speculation
Not Important
Important, but
Not Essential
Essential for
Orthodoxy
Essential for
Salvation
“For the Christian, beliefs matter,

but not all beliefs matter equally.”
–Roger Olsen
Mosaic of Christian Beliefs (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002), 33

Question
How certain are you

about your beliefs?

“There are those dogmatic Christians who

seem to overdefine Christianity such that
being authentically Christian includes (for
them) firm adherence to a detailed set of
extrabiblical beliefs, some of which are quite
outside the Great Tradition itself.”
–Roger Olsen
Mosaic of Christian Beliefs (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002), 33

Essentials and non-essentials
“Certain” (Webster’s)
– Definite; fixed.
– Sure to come or happen; inevitable.
– Established beyond doubt or question;
indisputable.
– Capable of being relied on; dependable.
– Having or showing confidence; assured.

The Existence of God
Types of Certainty
1.Mathematical certainty (scientific method)
2.Empirical certainty (weight of evidences)
3.Logical certainty (what is reasonable)
4.Moral certainty (what is demanded)

Chart of Certainty

Chart of
Certainty
I Do not
believe I believe
1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91
0 0
– +
How certain are you that . . .
1. There is a God?
2. That Christ rose from the grave?
3. That God loves you?
4. That Christ is going to come and Rapture the Church before the Great Tribulaton?
5. That Christ is coming back to reign on the earth for a thousand years?
6. That Christ is coming back?
7. That God wants you to trust that He will protect you from all physical harm?
8. That God wants you to trust that He will protect you from all emotional harm?
9. That God wants you to trust in Him in every circumstance?
10. That the Bible does not have any historical errors?
11. That Adam and Eve were real people?
12. That there was really a snake in the garden?
13. That God created the earth in seven literal days?
14. The God created the earth?
15. That Christ paid for the sins of all mankind?
16. That Christ died for you?
17. That the Apocrypha (15 books in the Roman Catholic Bible) should not be included in Scripture?
18. That the book of 3 John should be included in Scripture?
19. That the book of Genesis should be included in Scripture?
20. That the gift of tongues ceased in the first century?

“When you overstate, readers will be instantly on

guard and everything that has preceded your
overstatement as well as everything that follows it
will be suspect in their minds because they have lost
confidence in your judgment or your poise.
Overstatement is one of the common faults. A
single overstatement, wherever or however it occurs,
diminishes the whole, and a single carefree
superlative has the power to destroy, for readers, the
object of your enthusiasm.”
–Strunk and White
Elements of Style, (Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon), 7.

“In essentials unity, in non-

essentials liberty,
in all things charity.”
–Rupertus Meldenius

Guiding Principles and Application:
1. Don’t divide over non-essentials no matter how
convicted you are about their truth.
2. Never compromise the essentials no matter what
the consequence.
3. There is no shame in being less certain about
some things than others. The Bible does not
teach all things with the same clarity.
4. Showing honest uncertainty about difficult issues
makes your witness more authentic and
powerful to a postmodern world.

Traditions in
Christian Theology

Question
What is the essential difference in

Roman Catholicism, Eastern
Orthodoxy, and Protestantism?

Traditions in Theology
Traditions in Christian Theology
1. Roman Catholic
2. Eastern Orthodox
3. Protestant

Protestant 349 million

Roman Catholic 943 million
Orthodox 211 million

Question
What is the Protestant view of

Church history?

Protestant View of Ecclesiastical History
Formulation Corruption Loss of Gospel Restoration
Gospel 1054 Protestant Church

100 AD 500 1200 1500
Greek Orthodox Roman Catholic

“Christianity stands or
falls upon the doctrine of
justification.”
–Martin Luther
“Justification is the hinge
upon which true Christianity
stands.”
–John Calvin

Question
What is the Roman Catholic view of

Church history?

Roman Catholic View of Ecclesiastical History
Formulation Establishing Corruption of Morals Restoration
Church 1054 Roman Catholicism

100 AD 500 1200 1500
Greek Orthodox Protestants

Five Bishoprics of the Early Church
Rome
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria
Five Bishoprics of the Early Church
Rome
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria
Rome
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Invasion of Islam
612 Alexandria
Fight for Supremacy
Split
Catholic
Rome 1054
Constantinople
Filioque Eastern Orthodox
Rome
Constantinople
Invasion of Islam
1453
Rome
Rome
Eastern Church moves north.

Russian Orthodoxy becomes primary
Orthodox Church.
Question
What is the Eastern Orthodox view

of Church history?

Eastern Orthodox View of Ecclesiastical History
Formulation Disruption Purification
East
Church Eastern Orthodox
100 AD 500 1200 1500
West
Roman Catholics
Protestants
Question
Why are there so many

Protestant denominations?

Sub-traditions:
– Reformed
– Arminian
– Liberal
– Fundamental
– Charismatic
– Evangelical
– Postmodernist

Brief History of the Protestant Movement
Liberal Tradition
Charismatic Tradition
Fundamentalist Tradition
Reformed Tradition
Evangelical Tradition
Postmodern Tradition
Arminian Tradition
1500 1700 1900 2000

Sources of
Theology
“Where do we go for truth?”

Question
What are the different sources of truth?

Sources of Theology
John Wesley’s Quadrilateral
Tradition Scripture
Reason Experience

Sources of Theology
1. Tradition
2. Reason
3. Experience
4. General Revelation
5. Emotions
6. Special Revelation (Scripture)

Sources of Theology
Sources of Theology
Stage of Truth
1. Tradition
Back
2. Reason
3. Experience
4. Emotions
5. General Revelation
6. Special Revelation
Front
(Scripture)

Roman Catholic
Back
Experience
General Revelation
Reason
Tradition Scripture
Front
Eastern Orthodox
Stage of Truth
Back
General Revelation
Experience
Tradition Scripture
Front
Protestant Reformation
Stage of Truth
Back
Experience
General Revelation
Tradition Reason
Scripture
Front
Liberal
Stage of Truth
Back
General Revelation
Emotions
Experience
Reason
Front
Charismatic
Stage of Truth
Back
Emotions
Experience
Special Revelation
Front
Fundamentalist Stage of
Truth
Back
General Revelation
Scripture
Front
Postmodern Stage of Truth
Back
Front
Question
What are the benefits and deficiencies of

each source?

Sources of Theology
Tradition: Religious information that
has been handed down to us
from various sources.

Sources of Theology
Examples:
Benefits:
Deficiencies:

Sources of Theology
“Tradition is the living faith of those now

dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of
those now living.”
–Jarislav Pelikan

Sources of Theology
Reason: Information that comes
through the human mind’s
capacity for logical,
rational, and analytic
thought.

Sources of Theology
Examples:
Benefits:
Deficiencies:

Sources of Theology
“All truth is given by revelation, either

general or special, and it must be received
by reason. Reason is the God-given means
for discovering the truth that God discloses,
whether in his world or his Word. While God
wants to reach the heart with truth, he does
not bypass the mind.”
–Jonathan Edwards

Sources of Theology
“The truth of the Christian faith

surpasses the capacity of reason.”
–Thomas Aquinas

Sources of Theology
credo quia absurdum

“I believe because it is absurd”
This Latin phrase coined by Tertullian (150-225) evidences some of the

early Church’s disdain for the Greek philosophers’ reliance upon reason
for truth. He said, “What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem, or the
academy with the Church?” He sought to return the element of mystery
to the Christian faith.
Sources of Theology
Experience: Information that comes
through direct encounter,
participation, or
observation.

Sources of Theology
Examples:
Benefits:
Deficiencies:

Sources of Theology
Emotions: Information that comes
through subjectively
experienced psychological
feelings.

Sources of Theology
Examples:
Benefits:
Deficiencies:

Sources of Theology
sensus divinitatus
“Sense of the divine”
The sensus divinitatus is the inward persuasion all people have that directs
them to a belief in God and a propensity to worship. While the sensus
divinitatas can contribute to and shape our theology (natural theology),
the information is insufficient to bring a person into a right relationship
with God.
Sources of Theology
General Revelation: Revelation about God
given through the
created order
(Ps. 19:1–6 ;
Rom. 1:18–20;
2:14–15).

Sources of Theology
Examples:
Benefits:
Deficiencies:

Sources of Theology
Special Revelation: Revelation given by
God’s supernatural
intervention in
history through (1)
miraculous events,
(2) divine speech, and
(3) visible
manifestations.

Sources of Theology
Examples:
Benefits:
Deficiencies:

Sources of Theology
norma normans sed non normata

“A norm which norms but is not normed”
This is a Latin phrase of the Protestant Reformation that stresses the

importance of Scripture above all other sources of theology. The
Scripture, according to the Reformers, is the standard (norm) against
which all other sources for theology must be judged, but this standard
cannot be judged by them.
Proposed Stage of Truth
Back
Experience Emotions
General Revelation
Tradition Reason
Scripture
Front
Question
How do the different sources interact

to form our theology?

Tradition Emotions Experience
Reason General Revelation 2 Theological Statement

.
“What is the timeless truth taught?”
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
1 Exegetical Statement
.
3 Homiletical Statement
Ancient Audience
“What did it mean then?”
• Historical interpretation .
• Grammatical interpretation
Objectiv Subjectiv
e e
Tradition
Reason
Experience
Emotions
General Revelation
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.
Excursus:
Does God still Speak Today?

Excursus:
Does God Still Speak Today?
Has Special Revelation ceased, or does

God still communicate to people through
prophets, dreams, visions, and audible
encounters?

Excursus:
Three positions:
1. Continuationism
2. Hard Cessationism
3. Soft Cessationism

Temporary Gifts Permanent Gifts
Supernatural Sign
Speaking Serving
Revelatory Confirmatory
• Apostleship • Healings • Evangelism • Service
• Prophecy • Miracles • Teaching • Showing Mercy
• Discerning of • Tongues • Pastor- • Giving
spirits teacher • Administration
• Word of • Exhortation • Helps
wisdom
• Word of
knowledge
• Tongues
• Interpretation
of tongues
Question
What is the Continuationist view of

Prophecy?

Excursus:
Continuationism: View that miraculous
sign gifts are still being
given and, therefore,
God still speaks directly
in various ways today.
Adherents: Wayne Grudem, Jack
Deere, Craig Keener,
Jack Hayford

Excursus:
Defense of Continuationism:

Excursus:
1. Acts 2:14-21 seems to teach that
supernatural occurrences such as tongues
and prophecy would be normative for the
Church era.

Excursus:
2. The entire book of Acts seems to show
that the supernatural gifts are common
within the Church.

Excursus:
3. All of Scripture supports the idea that it is
God’s nature to work in supernatural
ways.

Excursus:
4. The New Testament never explicitly states
that the supernatural sign gifts would
cease.

Excursus:
“If you were to lock a brand-
new Christian in a room with a
Bible and tell him to study what
Scripture has to say about healings
and miracles, he would never come
out of the room a cessationist.”
–Jack Deere
Surprised by the Power of the Spirit (Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 1997), 54

Question
What is the Hard Cessationist

view of Prophecy?

Excursus:
Hard Cessationism: View that miraculous sign
gifts ceased with the death of
the last apostle and the
completion of the New
Testament. Therefore, God
does not speak directly to
people today.
Adherents: Charles Hodge, John
MacArthur, majority of
Church history

Excursus:
Defense of Hard Cessationism:

Excursus:
1. The Bible implicitly supports the idea that
the supernatural sign gifts were for the
establishment of the Church era.

Excursus:
Eph. 2:19-20
“So then you are no longer foreigners and
noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with
the saints and members of God’s household,
because you have been built on the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus
himself as the cornerstone.”

Excursus:
2 Cor. 12:12
“Indeed, the signs of an apostle were
performed among you with great perseverance
by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.”

Excursus:
Heb. 2:3-4
“How will we escape if we neglect such a great
salvation? It was first communicated through
the Lord and was confirmed to us by those
who heard him, while God confirmed their
witness with signs and wonders and various
miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed
according to his will.”

Excursus:
1 Cor. 13:8-10
•“Love never ends. But if there are prophecies,
they will be set aside; if there are tongues,
they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will
be set aside. For we know in part and we
prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes,
the partial will be done away.”
”

Excursus:
2. It is agreed that the Bible never explicitly states
that the sign gifts have ceased. But the Bible
never explicitly states that Scripture is complete,
yet both cessetionists and non-cessetionists agree
that it is.

Excursus:
3. If God is still speaking supernaturally
through prophecy, tongues, word of
wisdom, etc., then the Canon of Scripture
is still open.

Excursus:
“It might, indeed, be a priori conceivable that God
should deal with men [individually], and reveal
Himself and His will to each individual,
throughout the whole course of history, in the
[depths] of his own consciousness. This is the
mystics dream. It has not, however, been God’s
way. He has chosen rather to deal with the race in
its entirety, and to give this race His complete
revelation of Himself in an organic whole.”
–B.B. Warfield
Counterfeit Miracles (Carlisle, PN: Banner of Truth, 1972), 26

Excursus:
4. If one were to examine the Scripture closely, it
becomes evident that God’s direct intervention
through prophecy and supernatural signs and
wonders was not the norm as it may seem. The
Bible, as theological history (not exhaustive
history), only records the times when God does
intervene, thereby giving the impression that
God’s direct encounters through prophets,
dreams, visions, etc. are God’s modus operandi
when they are not.

Noah Moses
2000+ yrs of apparent silence
Elijah & Elisha Christ and

900 yrs of apparent silence The Apostles
Excursus:
5. History convincingly suggests that the
supernatural sign gifts have ceased. We do
not see evidence of confirmed prophets
after the death of the last apostle. Only
fringe groups here and there have claimed
that God still speaks through prophets,
tongues, etc., until the 20th century when
the charismatic revival began.

Excursus:
“This whole place [1 Cor. 12 on spiritual
gifts] is very obscure . . . but the
obscurity is produced by our ignorance
of the facts referred to and by their
cessation, being such as then used to
occur, but now no longer take place.”
–John Chrysostom (347-407)
ECF 2.12.1.1.29.0

Excursus:
“In the earliest time the Holy Ghost fell upon them
that believed: and they spoke with tongues which
they had not learned ‘as the Spirit gave them
utterance.’ These were signs adapted to the time. For
it was proper for the Holy Spirit to evidence Himself
in all tongues, and to show that the Gospel of God
had come to all tongues [languages] over the whole
earth. The thing was done for a authentication and
it passed away.”
–St. Augustine (354-430)
Ten Homilies on the first Epistle of John VI, 10

Question
What is the Soft Cessationist view of

Prophecy?

Excursus:
Soft Cessationism: Or “Soft Continuationist.”
The view that the
miraculous sign gifts could
still be given today, but
believers need to be careful
about outright acceptance of
people’s claims of
possession.
Adherents: D. A. Carson, Robert Saucy

Excursus:
Defense of Soft Cessationism:

Excursus:
1. Neither side’s arguments are conclusive.
We must therefore proceed with great
caution.

Excursus:
2. While it may be true that Church history
has not seen the continuation of God
speaking directly, this does not mean that
it is not possible.

Excursus:
“God, in his ordinary providence,

makes use of means, yet is free to work
without, above, and against them, at
his pleasure.”
–Westminster Confession of Faith
5.3

Excursus:
3. Those who adhere to a futuristic
interpretation of Revelation must concede
that there are going to be prophets in the
future as represented by the Two
Witnesses (Rev. 11:3) and, possibly, the
144,000 Israelites (Rev. 7:4). Therefore,
we must be open to further direct
revelation from God.

Excursus:
Guiding Principles:
1. God’s Word is not something to be trifled with
(Ex. 20:7).
2. If you are a prophet, you must show convincing
signs of a prophet (Deut 18:15-22).
3. If you are a prophet, you must have orthodox
theology (Deut. 13:1-3).
4. If someone believes that they have a word from
the Lord, they had better be certain and be ready
to live by the consequences if it turns out false.

Unity and Diversity
Doing Theology in the

Emerging Context

Unity and Diversity
How do we do theology in our

emerging context?

Unity and Diversity
semper reformanda
“Always reforming”
This is the Reformation principle that Christian theology is always
undergoing change, enhancement, and development. the Reformers
understood that if theology was, at any point, thought to be solidified
and one person’s, group’s, tradition’s, or denomination’s perspective
was thought of to be “above all reproach” and, therefore, unable to be
developed, the task of doing theology would be severely grieved. Our
theology must be reforming itself continually.
Unity and Diversity
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into
the grave
The third day he rose again from the dead
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead
I believe in the Holy Ghost
I believe a holy catholic church; the communion of saints
The forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting. Amen.

Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity among the

Traditions

Unity and Diversity
Doctrine of Man and Grace

(fifth century)
Doctrine of Christ
Definition of Chalcedon (451)
Trinity (325) Doctrine of the Atonement
Counsel of Nicea (325) (eleventh century)
100 A.D. 400 A.D. 1100 A.D. 1600 A.D. 2000 A.D.
Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity among

Protestant Denominations

Unity and Diversity
Five “Solas” of the Protestant Reformation

Reformed Sola Scriptura Sola Christus Sola Gratia Sola Fide Sola deo Gloria
Understanding
Meaning The “Scripture The work of Justification is “Faith alone” is All is done for
alone” contains “Christ alone” by means of the only “God’s glory
primary is the basis for God’s “grace instrumental alone.”
authority to justification. alone.” cause of
dictate the lives justification.
of believers.
Unity and Diversity
Doctrine of Scripture
Doctrine of Man and Grace (sixteenth century)
(fifth century) Doctrine of Justification
Doctrine of Christ (sixteenth century)
Definition of Chalcedon (451)
Trinity (325) Doctrine of the Atonement
Counsel of Nicea (325) (eleventh century)
100 A.D. 400 A.D. 1100 A.D. 1600 A.D. 2000 A.D.
Unity and Diversity

Sexes

Unity and Diversity

Nations

Unity and Diversity

Peoples

Unity and Diversity
Luke 8:5-18

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We are all real people created by a real

We are glad that you are here!

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What is The Theology Program?

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Goal: “Our goal is not so much to

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Low Commitment High Commitment

Low Expectations High Expectations

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Short-term life change Long-term life change

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The education program of the

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The tablet upon which we construct our theology

The column represents a pillar,

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“What does it mean to ‘do’

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Write a one or two sentence definition of

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“The Science of God

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“The science of God or of religion; the science which

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“We live in what may be the most anti-

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Tabloid Folk Lay Ministerial Professional Academic

Describe this chart in relation to practicing medicine

Tabloid Folk Lay Ministerial Professional Academic

Now describe this chart in relation to practicing theology

Tabloid Folk Lay Ministerial Professional Academic

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