Christian Doctrine Exam 3
How does the Holy Spirit act as the personal presence of God in the world?
Active agent, mediator, intercessor, teacher, gifter
Explain the five competing explanations of how Adam's sin affects the rest of humanity: existential participation, federal headship (or legal), natural headship (or progenitor), exemplar, and 'voluntarily appropriated depravity."
Adam was not a real historical figure Existential participation Natural headship view (progenitor) All humanity was "in" Adam (Heb. 7:10) Federal headship view (legal) Adam represented the entire human race; thus his guilt was imputed to the rest of us Non-headship views Exemplar- Adam set a bad example for the rest of us to follow "Voluntary appropriated depravity"- Adam's guilt wasn't imputed to humanity but people no longer have the ability to obey God and thus will sin
How are people 'existentially estranged'?
All ppl are always already sinners even before one commits a conscious, willful transgression Human sinfulness is in some way inherited from original sinfulness Because all human are fallen, all need redemption
Why do some argue the death of Jesus was not sufficient?
Another savior is necessary to complete the atonement Example: the unification Church of Korea (Sun Myung Moon)
What is Pneumatomachians, and why is it unacceptable as Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit?
Any belief that denies the deity of the Holy Spirit or the distinct personhood of the Holy Spirit Critique: Though a possible understanding derived from the OT, fails to account for the NT's Trinitarian language
Identify and define the six Christological heresies discussed by Olson and the fundamental problem with each one.
Apollinarianism- god took on flesh but wasn't really human; "God in bod" Adoptionism- Jesus was "adopted" by God Arianism- Jesus is the 1st and greatest created being Nestorianism- Jesus was a vehicle of God Docetism- Jesus only appeared to be human Eutychianism- Jesus had 2 natures, but the divine one "swallowed up" the human one
What do renewalists affirm about the Holy Spirit's work? Why?
Believe in an experience with the HS subsequent to conversion and the continuing presence of the more supernatural gifts like those seen in 1 Cor 12-14 (e.g., speaking in tongues, prophesying, healing, miracles)
What do cessationists affirm about the Holy Spirit's work? Why?
Believe that the supernatural gifts of the HS, specifically prophecy, ended with the completion of the canonical writings
How does Gnosticism reject the Christian consensus on the nature of humanity?
Body is a prison of the spirit, flesh bad, but the spirit is good; "divine spark"
What phrase does Olson employ to describe the Christian consensus on the nature of humanity?
Christian humanism
What does Olson mean, "Christianity is Christ"?
Christianity is bound to the person of Jesus Christ. A proper understanding of His nature is imperative; if you don't get Jesus, then you have missed the whole point
What is monergism? Who are some proponents?
God does virtually all the work Advocates: John Calvin, jonathan edwards
What is synergism? Who are some proponents?
God's work takes precedence, but humans contribute to their own salvation Advocates: Erasmus, Jacob Arminius, John Wesley
Why reasons are there for understanding the Holy Spirit as God?
He has the attributes of God, does"God" types of work, is divine by association
What is the Christian consensus on the Holy Spirit?
He is 3rd divine person of God; eternally equal with Father and Son as to his deity; is God at work in the world as an agent
What reasons are there for understanding the Holy Spirit as a person and not an impersonal force?
He is described as having intelligences, will, and emotion
What are the three fundamental assertions about the person of the Holy Spirit?
Holy Spirit is a person. Holy Spirit is God. Holy Spirit is the personal presence of God with us.
How is the meaning, value, and purpose of all people rooted in our createdness?
Humans are dependent upon God - Humanity's quest for something beyond · Humans owe our origin to God - God is the reason for our existence and thus defines our purpose - God determines the meaning and value of being human · Humans have a purpose from God - Created for relationship with God - Called to recognize the unity of humanity
What does Olson mean by the expression of part one of the consensus, "Humans are animals and more"?
Humans are mortal, limited, physical beings - The physical aspect of humans is good, a part of God's good creation, not a fault or a liability. As more... - humans are composed of a physical body and a non- physical aspect (i.e., soul and or spirit) - Humans transcend nature; this is, the non-physical aspect is supernatural.
What is the name of the statement adopted by churches and identified by Olson as capturing the Christian consensus on the person of Christ?
Hypostatic union: the perfect union of 2 distance but never separate natures in 1 person
What is the phrase adopted by the World Council of Churches that churches are required to affirm to be included? Why is it significant?
Jesus Christ is God and Savior; it is significant because it puts emphasis on him being God
What is the Christian consensus statement on the atonement?
Jesus Christ is Savior (i.e., he made atonement) - The how question is debatable · Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection objectively and uniquely provided for reconciliation between God and humanity and make possible forgiveness and transformation to believers.
Does Olson argue that human nature is essentially good or essentially bad? On what basis does he make this determination?
Jesus demonstrates the essential goodness of human nature All humans "bear a unique stamp of God" (208). That is, the image and likeness of God marks humanity.
What three short sentences capture the Christian consensus regarding the person of Christ?
Jesus is fully human. Jesus is fully divine. Jesus is both human and divine.
Christus Victor theory of Atonement
Jesus won the battle for humanity against the evil powers of the world that affected us Gal 3:13 Martin Luther Pro: captures scriptural ideas of Christ's victory over evil Con: too objective
Ransom Theory of Atonement
Jesus won the victory for all creation over evil powers that enslaved humanity by giving Satan his own life as a ransom for humanity Mt. 20:8, Mk 10:45 Dominant view of the early church until the 11th century Pro: highly objective Con: too much credit/control to Satan
Penal substitution theory of atonement
Jesus' death on humanity's behalf satisfied the wrath of God due to humanity for our rebellion; Jesus's death as substitutionary (vicarious) and sacrificial as either proprietary (assuming God's wrath) or expiatory (covering humanity's guilt) Is. 53, Mt. 26: 28 John Calvin Pro: strongly objective and scriptural Con: portrayal of God too negative or divisive
Moral Influence Theory of Atonement
Jesus' death was not directed towards God but towards humanity to demonstrate God's great love for people inspiring us to love God's and not fear him (transforming influence) Jn 25:13 Peter Abelard Pro: emphasizes God's motivating love Con: minimizes the objective aspect of the atonement
How do the Scriptures affirm Jesus' divinity?
Jesus' sinlessness (2 Corin 5:21 "knew no sin") Jesus' teaching (Mt 7:29 "authority") Jesus' death (Mk 15:39"surely this man was the Son of God") Jesus' claims ("before abraham was born, I am" John 5:58 "I and the Father are one" Jn 10:22-39) Jesus' resurrection Ultimate vindication of his claims Mt. 28:18-20 Jesus is uniquely divine Jn 1:1-3, Phil. 2:5-11, Heb. 1:1-3 "Jesus is Lord"
Satisfactory theory of Atonement
Jesus' voluntary death as a sinless man satisfied God's honor marred by the rebellion of humanity Jn 10:18 Anselm Pro: conveys the objective aspect of Jesus' death Con: theory rooted in his cultural setting
Identify and define the two competing explanations of Jesus' two natures and one personhood
Kenoticism- Son of God voluntarily limited the use of his divine attributes 2 minds model- Jesus had 2 minds that operated independently but the divine mind contained the human mind; he didn't put aside things, he added humanity
Why do some argue the death of Jesus was not necessary, at least not for everyone?
Liberal Protestants- Jesus set an example of one willing to follow God to death (focus on his life and teachings)
What are the OT and NT words that can refer to the Holy Spirit? What is the semantic range of these words?
OT- ruach: wind breath, spirit, Spirit NT- pneuma: wind breath, spirit, Spirit
What aspect of the atonement does Olson argue is not only essential but primary?
Objective aspect
What is the objective aspect of the atonement? What is the subjective aspect of the atonement?
Objective aspect of the atonement Christ's accomplished atonement by achieving something or enabling something on behalf of humanity aside from any response of any person · Subjective aspect of the atonement -in some way, the work of Christ effects a transformation of humanity beings.
What is the universalist/apokatastasis understanding of salvation, and why is it not an acceptable understanding of salvation?
Overemphasis on divine agency excludes the necessity of human agency Example God's will will overcome human unwillingness Eschatological punishment is remedial, not punitive Christ died for the elect, and 'the elect' includes everyone Characteristics of unitarian-universalist; Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, John Hick, jürgen moltmann, rob bell Critique: does not allow that God has granted free will to humans, even the will to reject his gift
What is the Pelagian/Semi-Pelagian understanding of salvation, and why is it not an acceptable understanding of salvation?
Overemphasis on human agency excludes the necessity of divine agency ex... - People can move toward God in repentance on their own - People can do good works and live righteously on their own Characteristic of folk religion, revivalists like Charles Finney, and liberal Protestant theologians Critique: Fails to account for depravity; fails to accommodate divine initiative in salvation
How does Pelagianism reject the Christian consensus on the nature of humanity?
People do not inherit a disposition to sin and have the ability to be righteous (through most will not) Can appear as Christian moralism Critique: fails to account for the scripture's claim of universal depravity (e.g., ro 3:23) and humanity's inability to do right apart from God's gracious intervention
Why do pluralism and the moral-example theory go together?
Pluralists- Since devotion to one's religion provides access to God "Pluralism and moral- example theology go together" (282)
What is the difference between inherited guilt and inherited depravity?
Point of agreement: original sin involves "human inability with regard to righteousness apart from Jesus Christ and special grace from God" Inherited guilt and total depravity- people are born already sinners and guilty Inherited depravity- people are born with a propensity to sin and inevitably will do so and incur guilt A practical issue- what about infants who die?
How do Protestants in general see salvation as an event? How do Roman Catholics in general see salvation as a process?
Protestants: God take initiative RC: always having to maintain your salvation
How does secular humanism reject the Christian consensus on the nature of humanity?
Rooted in antirealism, humanity determines its own value, morality, and ethics Morality, value, and ethics are determined by what contributes to the greatest good Critique: fails to recognize the innate propensity of humans to do wrong and the inherent values of every person
Why does Olson recommend dropping the filioque clause?
Set aside fear of the renewalists, and embrace the person and work of the Holy Spirit
What did Augustine mean by 'original sin'?
So everyone is guilty because of Adam and eve? - "original sin"- technical theological term used by Augustine that entails original guilt (or liability) - Augustine- yes - Not only can people not choose to not sin, people cannot even choose to accept grace
To what does the acronym TULIP refer? How do the concepts expressed by this acronym hold together (i.e., logically consistent)?
T- total depravity; humans can't choose God unto salvation U- unconditional elevation; God has chosen those who are saved based on nothing other than his choice L- limited atonement; Christ's death was sufficient for all of the elect I- irresponsible grace; God's choice can't be resisted because of God changes the will P- perseverance of the saints; those whom God has elected can't fall away
Why are those who accept the prophetic gift of the Holy Spirit not necessarily guilty of Montanism?
The Holy Spirit is not separated from the Trinity
What is prevenient grace?
The calling, conviction, enabling, and assisting grace of God that overcomes the bondage of the will to sin and allows a person to respond freely to Christ and his HS
What is soteriology?
The doctrine of salvation
How is salvation a paradox?
The paradox of salvation is the understanding most faithful to the biblical text - The question of proportion constitutes the debatable aspects (involves the ordo salutis)
What does the phrase hypostatic union describe?
The perfect union of 2 distinct but never separate natures in 1 person Union of 2 natures" divine and human Expressed in 4 adverbs Without confusion Without transmuting (change) With division With contrasting
What does atonement mean?
The restoration of fellowship between a holy God and sinful people
What is the difference between trichotomy and dichotomy? What is holism?
Trichotomy (humans comprised of body, soul, and spirit) vs dichotomy (humans comprised of body and should/spirit) Holism (means humans are ensouled bodies or embodied souls; that there is an inseperable bond forming a person; death involves "soul sleep" or "immediate resurrection")
What have theologians suggested is entailed by people being made in the image of God (i.e., imago Dei)?
Upright physical posture Small minority opinion; surely incomplete Lordship or dominion over creating Humans are God's earthly sovereign representatives Solid texture arguments can be made from... but the NT makes no connection to dominion Reason, intellect, free will, and capacity for moral decision-making Capacity for relationships, especially with God Composition of some or all the above
What two questions capture the essence of the debates within the Christian consensus regarding salvation?
Why did Jesus come and what did He come to do? Why did Jesus die and why did He have to die?
How do the Scriptures affirm Jesus' humanity?
Why start with his humanity? This is how Jesus was encountered first (with the exception of Mary and Joseph) Matthew 2:1-18, 6:2-3, 8:23-27 John 10:31-33 Mark 15:29-32 Luke 24 Could he have just been sort of like a human? Precedents perhaps- Gn 18:1-33, Job 5:13-15 Jesus was not faking it, nor was it temporary John 19:28-34 Hebrews 5:1-8 Luke 24 He was really tempted Hebrews 2: 14-18 Luke 4:1-13 Jesus' humanity enjoys virtually universal acceptance among modern theologians
What does filioque mean, and how is this word problematic among Christians with regard to the Holy Spirit?
Word means "and the son" Added to the Nicene Creed by Western churches In the view of the Eastern churches, the West had unjustifiably tampered with Creed and had subordinated the Spirit to the Son in eternity Schism between East and West finalized 1054
Which atonement theory is the right one according to Olson?
not one is right or wrong; they are all about the equal The Effecting of Salvation (including Mosaic, Chapter 13)