introduction_to_theology_(2004) (3).ppt

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

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

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.

Low Commitment High Commitment
Sermon
Fellowship/
Sunday School Interactive Classroom

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

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

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

Exhortation Education
Sermon
Fellowship/

The education program of the
Church needs to include all of
these in balance.
Sermon
Fellowship/

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

Irenic Theology
Polemic Apologeti
c
Irenic
Peace
War Defense

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.

The column represents a pillar,
communicating that our theology
creates a strong foundation
upon which our life, purpose,
and actions exist.
The “T” stands for
“Theology” in The Theology
Program.
Notice how the draft goes outside the lines at
times. This represents how our theology, while
having a great respect for tradition, must break
with tradition at times. This is the Reformers’
principle of semper reformanda (“always
reforming”).
Notice how the draft is incomplete and erased at
places. This illustrates how our theology is never
finished in this life, but is always undergoing
change and development.
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.

Discussion Groups

Defining Theology
“What does it mean to ‘do’
theology?”

Question
What is theology?

Protestant
Eastern Orthodox
Prophecy
Postmodernism
Truth
Roman Catholic
Cessationism
Relativism
Epistemology
Special Revelation
Exclusivism
Denominations
Traditions of Theology
Protestant Theology
Rationalism
Modernism
Cessationism
Pluralism
Experience

Defining Theology
What is Theology?
Write a one or two sentence definition
of theology:

Defining Theology
“The study or science
of God.”
–Millard Erickson
Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22
“The Science of God
and of the relations
between God and
the universe.”
–A. H. Strong
“Rational discussion
respecting the deity.”
–Augustine
“Thinking about God
and expressing those
thoughts in some
way.”
–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 Lay Ministerial Professional Academic
Folk

Defining theology
Describe this chart in relation to practicing medicine
Folk

Defining Theology
Now describe this chart in relation to practicing theology
Folk

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

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

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
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

Defining Theology
Ministerial Theologian: A layperson who
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
Sensational
Folk
Skeptical
Critical
Gates permanently locked
Gates wide open
Naïve

Defining Theology
Acceptable range
Folk

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?

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.
Defining Theology

Categories of Theology

Question
What are the different
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
• Restricts the formulation of
theology only to the Scripture.
• Sometimes will examine the
individual parts of Scripture in
order to formulate a particular
theology that is restricted to a
certain time period and a
particular people (e.g., Pre-
mosaic theology).
• Sometimes examines the
theology of a certain author
(e.g.,, John or Paul).
Systematic
• Formulates theology from all
sources of theology, including
Scripture.
• Correlates the entirety of
Scripture to formulate a general
theology for all time and for all
people.
• Correlates information on a
doctrine by examining the
theology of all the authors.

Historical
theology only to the history of
the Church.
individual periods of Church
history in order to formulate a
particular theology that is
restricted to a certain time
period (e.g.,, Patristic,
Medieval, Reformation).
Systematic
sources of theology.
• Correlates the all of Church
history to formulate a general
theology for all time and for all
people.

Philosophical
theology only to that which can
be ascertained by reason.
individual periods of
philosophical history in order to
formulate a particular theology
that is restricted to a certain
time period (e.g.,,
enlightenment, modern,
postmodern).
Systematic
sources of theology.
• Correlates the all of
philosophical history to
formulate a general theology
for all time and for all people.

Creedal
• Restricts the
formulation of
theology only to that
of a particular
religious institution or
denomination.
Systematic
• Formulates theology
from all sources of
theology including the
creedal statement of
many institutions and
denominations.

Apologetic
for the purpose of
explaining and
defending the faith to
those outside the
faith.
Systematic
for the purpose of
creating a
comprehensive and
coherent
understanding of
various doctrines.

Question
What is the Theological
Process?

• Historical interpretation
• Grammatical interpretation
• Contextual interpretation
• Literary Interpretation
1. Exegetical Statement
“What did it mean then?”
2. Theological Statement
“What is the timeless truth taught?”
3. Homiletical Statement
“How does it apply to us?”
Analogy
of
Scripture
Truth
Extract timeless
principles
Contextualize
Principles
for
today
Timeless Audience
Time bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
Ancient
Audience

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

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
?
Ancient
Audience

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
?
Ancient
Audience
Liberal Theology

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
Ancient
Audience
?

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
Ancient
Audience
?
Hypocritical Folk Theology

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
Ancient
Audience
?
Subjective Theology

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

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
?
Ancient
Audience
?
Irrelevant Theology

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

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
?
Ancient
Audience
?
Short-circuit Theology

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

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

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

Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
Ancient
Audience
Theology
Analogy
of
Scripture
Contextualize
Principles
for
today

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

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.)

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

Stage of Truth
Back
Front

Transition
1960-?
Modern
Postmodern

Modern Generation
–Preboomers
–Boomers
Postmodern Generation
–Busters (Gen X)
–Bridgers (Gen Y)
53%
57%

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

• 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

• Data is the
“perfect” modern
human.
• Despite his
“perfection,” Data
. . .
1. Wants to be
human.
2. Rebels against
logic.
The Ideal Modern Man
Mocked:
Data

• 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?

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
Rationality
Evidence
Fairness
Relationships
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
“things revealed”
Apophatic Theology
“secret things”
Modernism
West
Rationalists
Roman
Catholic/Protestants
Postmodernism
East
Mystics
Eastern Orthodox
Responsible theology

Perspectivism
Prov. 12:15
Soft Skepticism
Prov. 8:5
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
Cataphatic
Theology
Apophatic
Theology
Perspicuit
y

Perspectivism
Prov. 12:15
Soft Skepticism
Prov. 8:5
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
Cataphatic
Theology
Apophatic
Theology
Perspicuit
y
“You who are naive,
discern wisdom! And
you fools,
understand
discernment!”

Perspectivism
Prov. 12:15
Soft Skepticism
Prov. 8:5
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
Cataphatic
Theology
Apophatic
Theology
Perspicuit
y
“The way of a fool is
right in his own opinion,
but the one who listens
to advice is wise.”

Perspectivism
Prov. 12:15
Soft Skepticism
Prov. 8:5
Objectivism
Prov. 23:23
Cataphatic
Theology
Apophatic
Theology
Perspicuit
y
“Acquire truth and
do not sell it . .
.”

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

Going to
the
movies
Wearing
a head
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Home
schooling
Drinking a
glass of
wine/beer
True Relativity
Situational
Relativity
Coke or
Pepsi
Church
music
Temperature
of a room (hot
or cold)
Best song
Best kind of
food
Autonomous
Relativity
True Objectivity

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

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

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

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

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

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

Going to
the
movies
Wearing
a head
covering Eating
meat
sacrificed
to idols
Home
schooling
Drinking a
glass of
wine/beer
True Relativity
Situational
Relativity
Coke or
Pepsi
Church
music
Temperature
of a room (hot
or cold)
Best song
Best kind of
food
Autonomous
Relativity
Christ’s
deity
Faith
alone
Death,
burial, and
resurrection
of Christ
The
atonemen
t
Existence of
God
True Objectivity
Essential
Objectivity
Date of
Christ’s
coming
Young
earth/Old
earth
Continuation
of tongues
Canon of
Scripture
Views of
Predestinatio
n
Non-Essential
Objectivity

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-

Question
What truths are essential for
orthodoxy?

Concentric Circle of Importance

Essential for
Salvation
Essential for
Orthodoxy
Important, but
Not Essential
Not Important
Pure Speculation

“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

1
0
0 1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
– +
I believe
Chart of
Certainty
I Do not believe

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
Roman Catholic
Orthodox
349
million
943
million
211
million

Question
What is the Protestant view of
Church history?

100 AD 1200 1500
500
Gospel
Formulation
Protestant View of Ecclesiastical History
Roman Catholic
Loss of Gospel
Corruption
Greek Orthodox
1054
Restoration
Protestant Church

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

Question
What is the Roman Catholic
view of Church history?

100 AD 1200 1500
500
Church
Formulation
Roman Catholic View of Ecclesiastical History
Establishing
Greek Orthodox
1054
Protestants
Corruption of Morals Restoration
Roman Catholicism

Rome
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria
Five Bishoprics of the Early Church

Rome
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria
Invasion of Islam
612

Rome
Constantinople
Filioque
Fight for Supremacy
Split
1054
Eastern Orthodox
Catholic

Rome
Constantinople
Invasion of Islam
1453

Rome
Eastern Church moves north.
Russian Orthodoxy becomes primary
Orthodox Church.

Question
What is the Eastern Orthodox
view of Church history?

100 AD 1200 1500
500
Church
Formulation
Eastern Orthodox View of Ecclesiastical History
Disruption
West
East
Eastern Orthodox
Purification
Protestants
Roman Catholics

Question
Why are there so many
Protestant denominations?

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

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

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

Roman Catholic
Scripture
Reason
Tradition
Experience
General Revelation
Back
Front

Eastern Orthodox
Stage of Truth
Scripture
Tradition
Experience
General Revelation
Back
Front

Protestant Reformation
Stage of Truth
Scripture
Tradition
Experience
General Revelation
Reason
Back
Front

Liberal
Stage of Truth
Reason
Experience
General Revelation
Emotions
Back
Front

Charismatic
Stage of Truth
Special Revelation
Experience
Emotions
Back
Front

Fundamentalist Stage of Truth
Scripture
General Revelation
Back
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
“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

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

Sources of Theology
Experience: Information that comes
through direct
encounter,
participation, or
observation.

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

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

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

orma normans sed non norma
“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.
Sources of Theology

Proposed Stage of Truth
Scripture
Tradition
Experience
General Revelation
Reason
Emotions
Back
Front

Question
How do the different sources
interact to form our theology?

2. Theological Statement
“What is the timeless truth taught?”
Timeless Audience
Time-bound Audience
Contemporary
Audience
Ancient
Audience
Tradition Emotions Experience
Reason General Revelation

Tradition
Reason
Experience
Emotions
General Revelation
Objectiv
e
Subjectiv
e
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
Confirmator
y
• Apostleship
• Prophecy
• Discerning of
spirits
• Word of
wisdom
• Word of
knowledge
• Tongues
• Interpretation
of tongues
• Healings
• Miracles
• Tongues
• Evangelism
• Teaching
• Pastor-
teacher
• Exhortation
• Service
• Showing Mercy
• Giving
• Administration
• Helps

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

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
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
The Apostles
900 yrs of apparent silence

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
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?

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
Unity and Diversity

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

Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
among Protestant
Denominations

Unity and Diversity
Five “Solas” of the Protestant Reformation
Reformed
Understandin
g
Sola
Scriptura
Sola Christus Sola Gratia Sola Fide Sola deo
Gloria
Meaning The
“Scripture
alone”
contains
primary
authority to
dictate the
lives of
believers.
The work of
“Christ
alone” is the
basis for
justification.
Justification
is by means
of God’s
“grace
alone.”
“Faith alone”
is the only
instrumental
cause of
justification.
All is done
for “God’s
glory alone.”

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

Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
among the Sexes

Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
among the Nations

Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
among the Peoples

Unity and Diversity
Luke 8:5-18

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