Introduction to Theology

1. Introduction to Theology Renewing the Mind

2. “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

3. 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.

4. Question What is the Theological Process?

5. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Righteousness Through Faith 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

6. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

7. Truth compare compare Extract timeless principles Analogy of Scripture Contextualize Principles for today 2. Theological Statement “What is the timeless truth taught?” Justification by Faith Justification by Faith+Works Rom 3:20-28, Jam.2:14-26 Author's Intent Timeless Audience Time bound Audience 1. Exegetical Statement “What did it mean then?” • Historical interpretation • Grammatical interpretation • Contextual interpretation • Literary Interpretation Contemporary Audience author's Intent 3. Homiletical Statement “How does it apply to us?” Ancient Audience

8. TRIPERSONALITY OF GOD DUAL NATURE OF CHRIST

9. Systematic Theology Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience Biblical Hermeneutics Contemporary Audience Application Ancient Audience

10. Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

11. Liberal Theology (Academic) Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

12. ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

13. Hypocritical Folk Theology (No Basis) ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

14. Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

15. Subjective Theology (Morality, Suggestive, Common Sermon) Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

16. Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

17. Proof Text Theology (Incorrect Interpretation / Application, Cultic) Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

18. ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

19. Folk Theology ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

20. ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

21. Dead (Formal / Theoretical Theology) ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

22. ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

23. Eisegetical Theology ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

24. ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

25. Exegetical Theology ? Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience ? ? Contemporary Audience Ancient Audience

26. Analogy of Scripture Contextualize Principles for today Theology Author's Intent Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience 1. Exegetical Statement “What did it mean then?” • Historical interpretation • Grammatical interpretation • Contextual interpretation • Literary Interpretation 3. Homiletical Statement “How does it apply to us?” Contemporary Audience author's Intent Ancient Audience

27. Postmodern Epistemology Understanding Our Changing Culture

28. Postmodern Epistemology What is Epistemology?

29. Postmodern Epistemology “The theory or science of the method or grounds of knowledge.” —Webster’s Dictionary

30. Postmodern Epistemology “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.

31. Postmodern Epistemology 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.

32. Postmodern Epistemology Which best describes our culture today? • Relativism • Subjectivism • Skepticism • Perspectivalism • Pragmatism • Objectivism

33. Postmodern Epistemology Which is true? • Relativism • Subjectivism • Skepticism • Perspectivalism • Pragmatism • Objectivism

34. Question What is Postmodernism?

35. Postmodern Epistemology “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”

36. Postmodern Epistemology “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

37. Postmodern Epistemology 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? A Conversation Between Protagoras and Socrates (4th Century B.C.)

38. Postmodern Epistemology 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.

39. Postmodern Epistemology

40. Postmodern Epistemology A short history of western civilization Three periods: • Premodern (400-1600 A.D.) • Modern (1600-1900 A.D.) • Postmodern (1960-present)

41. 400 1600 1960 Postmodern Epistemology Premodern Modern Postmodern

42. Postmodern Epistemology Back Stage of Truth Front

43. Postmodern Epistemology Postmodern Transition 1960-? Modern

44. Postmodern Epistemology Modern Generation • Preboomers • Boomers Postmodern Generation • Busters (Gen X) • Bridgers (Gen Y) 53% 57%

45. Modernism Intellectual Reason Optimism Hope for the future Objectivism Exclusivism Science method Man is evolving Postmodernism Anti-intellectual Feeling Pessimism Despair for the present Subjectivism/relativism Pluralism/inclusivism Distrust in science Man is devolving Postmodern Epistemology

46. 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:Mr. Spock Postmodern Epistemology

47. Data is the “perfect” modern human. Despite his “perfection,” Data . . . Wants to be human. Rebels against logic. Attempts to develop emotions and feelings The Ideal Modern Man Mocked:Data Postmodern Epistemology

48. 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.” Postmodern Epistemology

49. Postmodern Epistemology “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

50. Christian Epistemology