Doctrine Exam 2

What did Arminians think about the distinction between divine cause and permission? Why?

Arminians emphasize free will, so they probably believed more in God giving permission to everything.

What views of freedom are held by Arminians and by Calvinists, respectively?

Arminians, as well as open-theists, hold a Libertarian view of freedom. Respectively, Calvinists hold a compatibalist view of freedom.

What is the conflict thesis?

Science and religion are always in conflict with each other.

Philosophical definition of libertarian freedom

"An agent is free with respect to a given action at a given time if at that time it is within the agent's power to perform the action and also in the agent's power to refrain from the action."

Another nineteenth century figure who promoted the warfare metaphor: Thomas Huxley

"Extinguished theologians lie about the cradle of every science as the strangled snakes beside that of Hercules; and history records that wherever science and orthodoxy have been fairly opposed, the latter have been forced to retire from the lists, bleeding and crushed if not annihilated; scotched if not slain."

Know this line from Apostle's Creed

"I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth."

Be able to discuss these Christian assumptions that facilitated the rise of early science: 1) the goodness of God's creation; 2) nature is coherent/intelligible; 3) human beings made in God's image

1) Creation is abundant, and it would be a shame to not try and learn everything about creation that is in our means. We cannot understand everything, but we can try to. That being said, one's work in science assumes theology, and we can assume that it is worth our time to understand matter. 2) We can assume this because God created the earth with a natural order that only He actually completely understands. The cosmos is not chaotic. 3) Human beings are made in God's image as it has been stated in God's word. We can assume this because of what the Bible says, plain and simple.

Know at least three examples of God's omnipotence displayed in the biblical narrative.

1. Exodus 14: Crossing the Red Sea//Moses is told by God to lift us his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea and divide it-God gives him this power. 2. Mark 4:35-41: Jesus calms a storm "he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea "peace! be still! and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." 3. Matthew 14: Jesus feeds the 5,000 AND He walks on water

What is a divine attribute?

A characteristic of God- an indication of what God is like.

Explain compatiblism using the concepts of "constraining causes" and "non-constraining causes"

A constraining cause is like someone is threatening a teacher with a knife to give them an A. This is not true freedom. Non-constraining causes are not forced against your will. Behind this is God's determination and sovereign will. Ultimately, there are choices to be made, and we make them. No matter what, God is sovereign over our choices.

What is Arminianism? (e.g., see Horton, p.463)

A movement that follows the teachings of Jacobus Arminius, who emphasized that God's election is conditioned upon foreseen faith, his grace can be resisted, and Christ's atonement was made on behalf of all humanity. This includes the five points of Calvinism.

What is the attribute of God's righteousness?

A right relationship. Holiness applied to relationship with others. Similar to justice, it is integrity, His inability to sin.

In light of the conflict thesis, what is the significance of these early scientists?— Johannes Kepler Blaise Pascal Robert Boyle Robert Hooke Isaac Newton

All of these early scientists were Christians. Therefore, no one can really say that the Christian faith and science are not connected/related because the theories, experiments, laws, etc that came from these early scientists also came from Christians. The history of science is biblical.

What is the relationship between early gnostic views and Christian asceticism?

Asceticism extends the gnostic views by actually taking the action of depriving the body of its physical needs so as to set the spirit free and let it get closer to God.

What are communicable attributes and give examples

Attributes that humans share with God. Mercy, grace, holiness, and righteousness are some examples.

What are incommunicable attributes and give examples

Attributes that only God can have. Omnipresence and omniscience are some examples.

What are the theological motivations for the open theist position?

Because we do have freedom, God only controls the general. He doesn't control particular events, which shows a limitation that we are attracted to because we do want freedom.

Understand the gnostic view of creation (and matter). This view is also known as dualism (in the cosmological sense)

Belief that matter is evil, our bodies are evil, and only the spirit/soul is good. They believe in a contrast between a warring OT God and a loving NT God. Contrast between matter being evil and spirit being good. Believe only they possess knowledge as the "spiritually elite" in order to be redeemed from evil.

What does Isaiah 6:1-5 teach us about the communicable attribute of holiness?

Creation also praises Him and calls Him holy.

What is the difference between divine "cause" and divine "permission"? (aka God's "decretive will" vs. his "permissive will")

Decretive will is "God made it happen," but permissive will is "direct result of creature's agency/God allowed it to happen."

As a way to frame the problem of God's sovereignty and human responsibility, Dr. Madueme used the analogy of an author and his/her characters in a novel—please explain.

Dr. Madueme used The Hunger Games as an example. Marvel kills Rue.. he asked the class if Rue's dead was the result of Marvel's actions or Suzanne Collins'. Naturally, it was Marvel, for he was the one that actually killed Rue. Suzanne Collins was just "sovereign" over it. That being said, God is also like an author of our lives.. He is not responsible, but He is sovereign over what happens, good or bad.

Madueme suggested that the adage "all truth is God's truth" is best understood eschatologically. What did he mean by that?

Everything is fallen, so we have a fallen interpretation of truth. The only truth that is true truth is God's truth. What humans may believe to be true, may not be 100% true because we are not all-knowing like God.

Dr. Madueme explained that a divine attribute is not contingent but necessary to his being—what does that mean?

God IS His attributes.

Why do many Reformed theologians find the language of divine "permission" helpful?

God cannot be blamed, but He is completely sovereign over everything.

How does Horton describe immutability?

God cannot change. Specifically, God is eternally perfect, so He simply cannot change because change involves either improvement or loss.

What is "open theism"?

God controls the general, but not the particulars. Meaning, He has a purpose and plan for our lives, but we are in control of the specific, everyday life choices we make, and they'll ultimately lead to what God has in store.

What is the meaning of creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing)?

God did not use preexisting matter to form creation. Hebrews 11:3 says "what is seen is not made out of what is visible"

What is the distinction between divine "cause" and "permission"?

God doesn't directly cause things to happen. He doesn't CREATE evil, but He allows evil things to happen.

What is the attribute of God's omnipotence?

God is all-powerful. He is "El Shaddai," the almighty God.

Have a thorough understanding of this quote from D. A. Carson in his book How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil—"God stands behind evil in such a way that not even evil takes place outside the bounds of his sovereignty, yet the evil is not morally chargeable to him; it is always chargeable to secondary agents, to secondary causes. On the other hand, God stands behind good in such a way that it not only takes place within the bounds of his sovereignty, but it is always chargeable to him, and only derivatively to secondary agents."

God is not responsible for evil, because there is no evil in Him. God is responsible, and can be credited for all good things because He, in Himself, IS GOOD.

How does Horton describe simplicity?

God is simple. His attributes are essential to who He is.

What is compatibilism?

God is sovereign over everything, and humans are free.

What was John Calvin's view of God's sovereignty?

God's sovereignty is emphasized, so it is super important to remember that in light of any bad thing that occurs.

Name some proponents of open theism

Greg Boyd (Is God to Blame?), Clark Pinnock (The Openness of God), John Sanders (Does God Have a Future?), Madeleine L'Engle (A Wrinkle in Time), and John Eldredge (Walking With God)

What was Marcion's view of God in the Old vs the New Testament?

He believed the OT God was evil, and the NT God was loving, compassionate, all His incommunicable attributes.

What is God's attribute of spirituality?

He is the invisible God and speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

Why did Madueme make reference to posthumanism (or transhumanism) when discussing the gnostic heresy?

He mentioned it because it sort of relates to the idea of gnosticism and asceticism since both believe in the body not being a proper vessel basically, that it needs to be escaped, and certain people who favor poshumanism/transhumanism want to live on forever, and do it by making their bodies the best they can be for when they go into the next form of living.

How should a compatibilist answer the question, "why should we pray if God is sovereign over all things?"

Humans are free to make requests to God in the hopes that God can use prayer requests to fulfill His purpose.

Open theism seems very helpful in explaining the practice of Christian petitionary prayer. How so?

If we are able to pray petitionarily, we have control in asking God for things, and we needn't feel bad making requests to God, and our requests can definitely be met.

How does Horton describe impassibility?

Immunity to suffering. An implication of God's independence from the world is that He is who He is eternally and will always be. God determines the world's course; the world doesn't determine God's course.

How was the church father Irenaeus significant to early Gnosticism? I am expecting you to know and understand the key doctrines that he appealed to against the gnostic heresies.

Irenaeus, in his Against Heresies, challenged the heresy of gnosticism, and it is the reason we have so much information about gnosticism today. He argued regarding the incarnation, since God TOOK ON flesh and remained WITHOUT sin while having a bodily form. To add to that, bodily resurrection took place, and we live in the hope that we will receive the same glorified bodies.

How dos Horton describe aseity?

It is God's self-existence or independence from creation. Creation exists as a result of God's word spoken freely, not as a necessary and external extension of God's being. God would be who He is without the world. The world adds nothing to God.

What is the attribute of God's grace?

It is not based on what we deserve, but is based on His generosity and compassion.

Rom 9:19-21 - "One of you will say to me: 'Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?' But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? 'Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" - how is this passage relevant to the debate about human responsibility and divine sovereignty?

It is relevant because although we desire our freedom to make our own choices, when bad things happen as a result of our choices we want to blame God- because why would He LET something bad happen?? But it's not like that.. humans are responsible for their actions, and God is always sovereign over it all.

What is "anthropomorphism" and how does it relate to God's spirituality?

It means to not think or take something literally, but to understand that that is just the best way it can be described. This relates to God's spirituality because we know that God is a spiritual being, so taking certain passages like Genesis 3:8 literally are not helpful to us.

Why are many Christians committed to a libertarian view of freedom? What do they see is at stake?

Libertarian freedom is used because we very much value our freedom to make our own choices. Freedom is at stake.

How does Horton describe eternity?

Marks the infinite-qualitative distinction between God and creation. God alone is eternal life.

What is the Mormon view of God's spirituality?

Mormons believe God is a physical being, especially because of Genesis 3:8, where it said God was "walking" in the garden and "we are made in the image of God."

What is Calvinism? (see Horton, p.464)

Often associated with the five heads of doctrine articulated at the Synod of Dort: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. Named after Jon Calvin.

How did Dr. Madueme talk about God's omnipotence in relation to our conversion and our sanctification?

Omnipotence includes God's power over our personalities. We are changed by Jesus. We needn't lose hope because He is omnipotent. People think you can't change if you're LGBTQ because "that's just how they are," but since God IS all-powerful, then anyone can change. It is much more complex than praying, of course.

Clearly understand how open theism affects our understanding of God's omniscience and God's omnipotence

Open theism would cause us to see a limit to God's omnipotence because we have a lot of control/freedom. It might make us appreciate is omniscience more, however, because despite our freedom, He still knows the plan He has for us, so we can still rest in knowing that.

Some Christians have appealed to "pantheism" or "panentheism" in light of the environmental crisis—what is pantheism, and what is panentheism? And why think that such views may help with taking care of the environment?

Pantheism is when nature is taken very seriously, and considered to be divine. The universe is God. Panentheism, on the other hand, is an understanding of the universe as God's body. These beliefs may be appealing because if God WAS the universe or the universe WAS His body, then we would need to take care of the environment so as to not harm God. It would hold people accountable and give a real reason to actually care about the environment.

If God is omnipresent, why does this doctrine not lead to pantheism?

Pantheism means everything IS God, and God IS everything. We know, however, that God is WITH every point, not AS every point.

Memorize 2 Bible passages that support God's exhaustive sovereignty

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Romans 9:18 "So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."

Carefully explain the medieval debate between the realists and the nominalists - and what does that tell us about God's righteousness?

Realists believe in universal aspects and particulars, but nominalists only believe in/recognize the particulars. God is righteous because despite these debates and inconsistencies in thought/rationality, He still loves us.

Dr. Madueme argued that the communicable/incommunicable distinction ultimately breaks down—why?

The attributes of God are the different colors of the spectrum. Like God's attributes - if you have light (God) you have all of Him, yet He is not like us.. we are like Him. God's essence is identical with His existence. If we say God has an (infinite) amount of holiness, then we're saying we can see Him without it, but that is not the case. God doesn't depend on anything other than Himself.

What is libertarian freedom?

The fact that we could choose differently, except we always choose what we do. Nothing causes you to do things; it's always YOU.

What was the via eminentiae?

The way of heightening to understand God's attributes.For example, humans have knowledge, but God is all-knowing. Also, humans are finite, so God is infinite.

What is God's attribute of omnipresence (also known as his immensity)?

There is no place where God is not present- He transcends. This is proven in 1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139, and Jeremiah 23:23-24

Many open theists describe God as the God who "takes risks" or "the risk taker" - what does that mean?

There is the idea that God limits His power and knowledge so we can have freedom. He takes a risk in letting us have such freedom, because we are bound to mess up and sin against Him.

Charles Spurgeon on how to reconcile God's sovereignty and human responsibility: "I wouldn't try—I never reconcile friends." What did Spurgeon mean by this?

They are two very different things.

The "warfare" metaphor describes the common view held by people like the New Atheist Richard Dawkins who think that Christian faith and science are (and have always been) in conflict with each other. Who originated this idea? (hint: John Draper and Andrew White)

This idea, which basically says that there is a battle between the two separate ideas of science and faith, was initially developed by Andrew White and John Draper in the 19th century.

Explain the difference between the older, medieval ways of treating the divine attributes vs. what Madueme called "the way of biblical revelation"

Through via eminentiae and negative, we heighten our attributes, or negate limitation with God. We see our attributes like finitude, suffering, and change, and compare them to God's infinity, impassibility, and immutability, yet in the Bible we see an opposite trend, in which God moves toward us. This may lead to underestimating Jesus' power since He lived as a human and died, He suffered, and felt human emotion.

What is the attribute of God's holiness? Give one or two Scripture passages.

To be set-apart. He has moral purity. It is a separateness from all unrighteousness and injustice; for God, it is Dothan ontological uniqueness and an ethical purity. We cannot understand His holiness until we understand our sinfulness. Ephesians 4:24 "and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" 1 Peter 1:15-16 "you shall be holy for I am holy"

What was the via negativa?

To negate limitation with God. Limitations that God doesn't have.

Why do we need to be especially careful when discussing communicable attributes?

We can dangerously be misled due to our earthly understanding of certain attributes.

If God is omnipresent, how can he be "absent from the wicked"?

We can infer that He is definitely present in the wicked, but not morally or spiritually indwelling.

Respond to the claim that God is unjust in not pouring out his grace on more people.

We have a world-view of what justice is. It is unfair of us to assume that the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator is being unjust because He knows everything, and He knows the reason as to why certain things happen.

In class, Madueme said that "God stands behind good and evil in slightly different ways; he stands behind good and evil asymmetrically." What is the theological significance of this statement? How does the experience of Jesus Christ help in understanding this statement?

We know that there is absolutely no evil in God. God is the indirect cause of everything, and that includes the good and bad. It is theologically significant because it relates to God's sovereignty, and how we cannot blame Him for evil things. Jesus Christ died on the cross. Could God have prevented it? Could Jesus have used His supernatural powers to escape the cross? Definitely. And yet, Jesus made the CHOICE to go through with it for God's will and purpose.

What is the divine decree?

Whatever happens has been ordained/purposed/planned already by God, with His exhaustive sovereignty being present.

What is a "theophany" and how does it relate to God's spirituality?

When God reveals Himself in human form. From this, we cannot infer an actual physical body. We, of course, have seen a shadow of ultimate theophany through the incarnation, however.

What is the complexity thesis?

Where Christianity and science do relate to each other, but it's complicated (Madueme's words). There are conflicts between young earth creationists, old earth creationism, theistic evolution, and intelligent design.

If God is omnipresent, is he in hell?

Yes, but He does not indwell there. It is an ontological presence, in which He is present, but it is not a moral or spiritual presence.

Have some familiarity with some of the major creation positions Old-earth creationism (e.g., Hugh Ross and Reasons to Believe) Evolutionary creationism (or theistic evolution) (e.g., BioLogos)

Young earth creationism: For example, 7th day adventists. Answers in Genesis; almost all Christians before the rise of geology. Ellen G White had visions --> George McCready Price --> Henry Morris & Whitcomb. Todd Wood wrote The Quest Soon: The Fool and the Heretic Old earth creationism: Hugh Ross wrote Reasons to Believe "Can't interpret days as 24 hours" - day-age perspective ties into this. Theistic evolution: Integrating theory of evolution into the Christian faith. Like to be called "evolutionary creationists." Bio Logos: 3rd president Deborah Haarsma. Intelligent design: Phillip Johnson: Darwin on Trial; Michael Behe: Darwin's Black Box; Stephen Meyer: Discovery Institute; William Dembski. Believe what they're doing is pure science irreducible complexity - can't reduce parts of nature.