REL 207 Final Exam

Theotokos

"bearer of God", used to name Mary, the mother of Jesus. Important to the divinity of christ and the unity of his person (divine and human). Alexandrians supported this because they were Opposed to the tendency to separate the divine and the human natures of Christ.

Kenosis

"emptying" Union of the Word of God and the humanity in Jesus Christ. Free self-limitation and free self-expenditure. Divinity and humanity of Jesus are neither confused nor separated. Mutually self-surrendering love. Jesus was the first to do this.

Kairos Document

"times of decision"; written by mainly black South Africans in 1985 from the townships of Soweto. Says that there should be just order and was meant to spur discussion about Apartheid. Name indicates a specific, important time of decision; special times change with important decision, ramifications for life during Apartheid. Talked about state, church, and prophetic theologies.

Abelard

(Who?) Moral Theory of Atonement: Humans are religiously and morally sick and Jesus is an example of what to do, through him and his teachings we can be transformed. This transformation occurs as we get closer to God and meditate on Jesus.

Anselm

(Who?) Satisfaction Theory of Atonement: Humans owe God an infinite debt for our sins. Therefore we needed Jesus to pay that debt for us. "Humanity must provide this satisfaction, only God can provide it" Therefore God became human.

Belhar confession

Christian statement of belief originally written in Afrikaans by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (1986), had its roots in the struggle against apartheid and focused heavily on unity, reconciliation, and justice. It speaks against segregation and divisions in the church, saying that unity is a gift and obligation for the church. The church may be unified not in one church structure, but rather unified in terms of institutions and policies. The church should provide the model to inspire broader society. The church should be in the ministry of Reconciliation = people to God and people to each other.

Anabaptists

Christians who believe in delaying baptism until the candidate confesses his or her faith in Christ, as opposed to being baptized as an infant. Instead of trying to transform the social order in line with Jesus's teachings, they withdrew and formed a sectarian community where they lived a radical way of life. Thought Catholics were corrupt...

Justification

God's acceptance of sinners due to God's grace embodied in Jesus Christ and received by faith. Important because it is the basis of the new life in Christ. Broken relationship with God has been restored by an act of free grace and forgiveness. "Is by grace alone, in Christ alone, received by faith alone (sola gratia, solus Christus, sola fide)

Docetists

Jesus is divine! those that claim that Jesus Christ only appeared to be human but was divine. He took on flesh in the incarnation. Does not separate the divine and human natures of Christ. (Alexandrian school of thought). Only appeared to suffer and die on the cross. Rejected by church because undercut reality of incarnation and efficacy of christ's saving work.

Ebionism

Jesus is human! the idea that Jesus was not really divine but fully human (Antiochian school of thought)

wonderful exchange

latin - admirabile commercium - related to the "exchange" of properties, where divine and human natures are perfectly united in the incarnate Lord, there is "exchange" or "communication" of properties. So Jesus can be human and divine, he can suffer even though suffering is a human nature and at the same time he is lord. (Ex. Jesus "becoming Son of man with us, he has made us sons of God with him; by his descent to earth, he prepared an ascent to heaven for us; by taking on our mortality, he has conferred his morality upon us.")

Christ the Victor

work of atonement is a dramatic struggle between God and the forces of evil in the world. Under the veil of humanity, Christ triumphs over the demons, the devil, and all the powers that hold human beings captive. Christ's cross and resurrection decisively defeats these powers.

Barmen Confession

written by Karl Barth in response to the Nazi takeover of the church. Call to resistance against theological claims of Nazi state, aims to unite the confessing churches in opposition to the Nazi's. An overarching theme is denouncing idolatry, accusing the state of totalitarianism and interfering in the autonomy of the church. This document affirms the Lordship of JC and rejects "alien principles" (contrary to true gospel).