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Theology
A. What is theology?
definitionally - theologians usually look at the root of the word; in this case, a Greek word. The first half of theology is Theo-, which means God in Greek. The suffix -logy means “the study of,” so theology means “the study of god," but this usually expands to mean the study of religion when taken broadly. Theologians, aim to speak well of God in light of the fullness of divine revelation so that God can be worshiped rightly. Accordingly, the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas captures the essentials of the task in saying that theology, is taught by God, teaches of God, and leads to God.” In and of itself, theology is not just speaking about the nature of God but encountering him as the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Practically - in general terms, we have “Practical theology” which describes the mutually strengthening relationship between the theological learning and research of theological university-based academies, and the realistic experience and needs of Christian communities. It embraces a dynamic vision of the web of ecclesiastical, academic, and social institutions that multilaterally sustain excellent pastoral leaders and healthy, vibrant Christian communities.
How to do Biblical theology rightfully
B. How to do proper Theology?
3 Essential Principles:
From the writings of Alexander Hill, president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, Author of the recently released second edition of Just Business: Christian Ethics for the Marketplace.
For Alexander Hill, “the foundation of Christian ethics in business is the changeless character of God.” The character of God defines the commands or principles that humans should follow. Although Hill starts with God’s character, his method is not considered a form of character-based ethics, as will be described later. Hill's method is to develop rules and principles determining how humans should act. Rules and principles are the hallmarks of the command approach to ethics.
The Bible's most common recurring descriptions of God’s character are holiness, justice, and love. Therefore, our laws, rules, and practices should bring holiness, justice, and love. Hill maintains that Christian ethics requires that all three principles be considered all the time like a leg on a three-legged stool that balances the other two. Overemphasizing the importance of one at the expense of the others always leads to a distortion in ethical thinking. For example, an overemphasis on holiness can easily lead to rules that require Christians to withdraw from the world into a kind of impotent isolationism. An overemphasis on justice can easily produce harsh penalties for breaking the rules. An overemphasis on love can sometimes lead to vagueness and lack of accountability.
Hill’s approach would seem to provide a better balance than just focusing on a single principle. It does help to explore both personal and social-ethical dimensions. However, the concepts of love, justice, and holiness still need to be explained by referring to other principles.
The hope of reducing the vast mass of rules to a few master principles remains unfulfilled.
Religion
A. What is Religion?
Religion is human beings' relation to what they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of special reverence. It is also commonly regarded as people dealing with concerns about their lives and fate after death.
B. Why is there religion in human history?
For thousands of years, man had spiritual needs and yearnings, living with trials and burdens, doubts and questions, add to that the mystery of death. Consequently, expressing spiritual feelings in different ways turning to God or gods in search of answers, blessings, and comfort amid all the dilemmas.
Ellicott about Ecclesiastes 3:11, tells us that life exhibits a succession of weeping alternating with laughing, war with peace, and whatnot. For each of these God has appointed its time or season, and in its season each is good. But man does not recognize this; God has allowed the expectation and longing for the long-lasting continuance of the same in his heart, so man fails to understand the works of God in the world.
Having prepared a fitting habitation for man, and furnishing it with all things necessary for his use and comfort, God creates him in his likeness (image). That image implies personality, being conscious of self, the power to say ‘I,’ or free will. As per Ellicott, this means man may attain dominion: for dominion is God’s attribute, since He is the sole Lord. Man’s body, therefore, as that of one who rules, is erect, endowed with speech, that he may give the word of command. Firstly, having breathed life into him, man’s soul is in God’s image. This suggested likeness refers to man’s reasoning power, free will, self-consciousness, and awareness. But, secondly, it implies something closer and more inward, referring to man’s moral powers, having morality in him unto holiness. (Genesis 1:26-27)
Man’s dilemma started when he failed the test. Bible reference tells us Man’s provided habitat was a paradise wherein he could freely eat from every tree, except that of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. On that basis, God has bound man’s free will to obedience, whereby disobedience would bring him death. (Genesis 2:17) It seems a simple command vis-a-vis complete freedom. Simple though it seems, man still chooses to sin and so does the fall. With God’s omniscience, knowing he would fall, one can’t help but raise the question, why?
Of course, we are not qualified to answer why. However, God, doing this tells us some important things about His character and how He plans to have a relationship with man.
God intends to build it based on trust, demonstrating that trust through, obedience. This relationship requirement has always been there ever since time. On Adam’s failure, Abraham had to exhibit trust to fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant, hence he walked before God. (Genesis 17:1) This was similar to God’s proposition to Moses in adherence to the Old Covenant of Law, Obey, and I will give life and blessing. Disobey, and you will have none of it. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) In the same manner, under the New Covenant of Grace, we can’t be co-heir with Christ, lest we have the same faith as Abraham. (James 2:21-24)
Hence, under the New Covenant, there is only one commandment to fulfill, love one another. (John 13:34-35) For in this one command, the relationship is established. (1 John 4:8 Cf. Matthew 22:37-40)
C. Two Categories:
Revelatory religion - an example of general revelation is how God can reveal Himself through the natural world. The fact that nature is beautiful shows that God must be the creator, and what is important to God can be seen in the world. Just as artists are reflected in their paintings, God is shown in His creation. But Romans 1:21-24 (AMP- Amplified Bible) tells us:
21 Though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory, majesty, and excellence of the immortal God for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man, birds, and four-footed animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],
Philosophical religion - considers the meaning and nature of religion. Renders relevance to religious concepts, beliefs, terms, arguments, and practices of religious believers. Its scope has been limited to the various theistic religions.
Examples of Religious Philosophies include:
Aztec philosophy – School of philosophy that developed out of Aztec culture.
Buddhist philosophy – Buddhist philosophical tradition.
Islamic philosophy – Philosophical tradition in Muslim culture.
Christian philosophy – Philosophy carried out by Christians.
Outside of Christianity, all other religions attempt to have a good code of conduct to please their god. Still, within the religion of Christianity, it is different which is why it is unique. In James 1:26-27 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” The Bible mentions religions, those that please God (following Christ/ Christianity) and those that displease God (anything other than Christianity in this sense). Also, from an area of common sense, Christianity fits the definition of religion: the service and worship of God or the supernatural, or commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance. Ultimately though, to say that Christianity is a relationship and not a religion is a false dichotomy. In Christianity, one has a personal relationship with Christ, but there are necessary practices and obligations one must take to have that relationship, this is religion. God hates sin more than anything not the religion of Christianity, because it is Him who established this system in which we follow, to develop our relationship. This involves praying, fasting, reading your Bible, worship, evangelizing, baptism, communion, and repentance. (Aaron Akin -Christian Apologetics)
Revelation:
A. What is Revelation?
Revelation means to show something which is not known or seen before. In Christianity, revelation refers to how God reveals himself. Revelation does not only happen to saints or 'holy people', anyone responsible can know God's word and how God reveals himself, employing visions and symbolic imagery, God offers a view of His plan for His creation. Make known how the strange visions point to the fulfillment of God's promise to His people and His purpose for humanity.
B. Two Kinds of Revelation
General revelation - General revelation refers to the general truths that can be known about God through nature. Take into consideration Benson’s commentary in Romans 1:18, whereby, accordingly, the verse mentions a two-fold revelation, of wrath and righteousness: the former, of which little can be known to nature, is revealed by the law (Old Covenant); and the latter, wholly unknown to nature, is exposed by the gospel (New Covenant).
The wrath of God, due to the sins of men, is also revealed by divine providence; through the Revered Messages of God’s inspired prophets, whether under Jewish or Christian dispensations. Even the consciences of sinners teach that God will severely punish all sin, whether committed against God or man; from heaven — This speaks of the majesty of Him whose wrath is revealed through his all-seeing eye, his strict and impartial justice, and the extent of his wrath. And under heaven, He speaks chiefly of the nonbelievers; the term ungodliness seems especially to refer to their atheism, polytheism, and idolatry. Comprehending every kind and degree of sinfulness and profaneness; and unrighteousness including their other miscarriages and vices against, truth, justice, mercy, charity toward one another, with the various acts of self-indulgence and filthiness. According to which sense of the words, they are distinctly treated by the apostle in the subsequent verses: of which says, hold the truth in unrighteousness — Which word here includes ungodliness also; that is, who, in some measure at least, know the truth, but do not obey it, acting in opposition to their knowledge, and the conviction of their conscience.
That is to the unbeliever; on the other hand, to the believer, as Benson's commentary in Ephesians 2:1-5 tells us, through their conversion, and resurrection from spiritual death to spiritual life, by the gospel of grace, they have been quickened by the same power that raised Christ from the dead. The word "quickened," though not in the original text when associated with the last clause of the preceding chapter, (Ephesians 1:22-23) may be read, you have been filled, namely, with his gifts and graces, (Romans 6:23) and thereby have made you alive to himself (by faith); who was dead — Not diseased, but dead; devoid of all spiritual life, and incapable of quickening oneself, as persons dead literally, (Genesis 2:17) is restored to life. In this sense, Locke paraphrases the words: “You were so entirely under the power of sin, that ye had no more power, nor hope, nor ability, to get out of it, than men dead and buried have to get out of their graves.” Except for the gospel of grace that is.
Special revelation - is the belief that knowledge of God and spiritual matters can be discovered through supernatural means, such as miracles or the scriptures. It is a revelation of God's truth accomplished through means other than reason.
2 kinds of Special Revelation:
Canonical Special Revelation - canonical (i.e., the inspired) books of the Old and New Testaments are a complete rule and the only rule of faith and practice. They contain the whole special revelation of God to men. The New Testament Canon was formed gradually and believed under divine guidance, for example, John 20:31.
Note:
there are writings in the time of the Old Testament called, Apocryphal (mythical) books, written in the period referred to as “Silent Years.” These were not considered as part of the Old Testament scripture because they were not authored by such reliable prophets as Samuel, Daniel, and Jeremiah; more so, at the level of Moses. Hence, they are considered as non-canonical books. The so-called Silent Years pertains to the period between the time of Malachi, recognized by the established order as the last prophet in the Old Testament times, and the beginning of the New Testament. This leaves a gap of approximately 400 years. During this period, many questions were left unanswered due to the absence of historical and scriptural records, hence it is called the silent years.
Non-canonical Special Revelation - means special revelations not considered within the canon or group of rules. In such cases, special revelations in verse: John 20:30 are such, being referred to here. It would seem to follow from this that the said verse is the conclusion of the original Gospel and that John 21:25 is to be regarded as an afterthought or supplement; if it proceeds from the hand of the apostle John himself.
This does not include books known as "Apocryphal," written at the time of the Old Testament.
Three modes of Special Revelation:
Theophany - The word is of two Greek words, God and appearance. A theophany is an appearance of God. More precisely, it is a visible display to human beings that expresses the presence and character of God. Examples include the thunderous display at the top of Mount Sinai and the burning bush that spoke to Moses.
Prophecy - the foretelling or prediction of what is to come professed by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation. a divinely inspired utterance or revelation: enigmatic prophecies. the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.
A miracle - is an extraordinary, astonishing happening attributed to the presence and action of the ultimate or divine power.
Progressive Special Revelation - refers to the belief that divine truths and guidance are continuously revealed to humanity over time, rather than being fully revealed at one specific moment in history. This concept is often associated with progressive or liberal religious movements, emphasizing the ongoing development of religious understanding and interpretation. It suggests that as human society evolves and changes, so does our knowledge of spiritual truths and the nature of the divine. This idea allows for a more flexible and adaptable approach to spiritual belief and practice, as it acknowledges the potential for new insights and revelations to emerge, e.g., signs of the end times as in Matthew 24:6-13.
Scripture
A. What is inspiration?
The guidance of the Holy Spirit allows the human authors to record God's Special revelation without an error.
2 Points: Matter of the origin of the Bible - it was about 64 ADE when 2 Timothy 3:16 was written, The New Testament at this period was certainly not all written yet. For instance, John’s Gospel, John’s Epistles, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Revelation, and several of the Epistles at a later date than this letter, Therefore the massing together of a well-known number of writings under the term Every Scripture, refers to the Old Testament writings, the “canon” of which, at that time, was then determined. But such a declaration of those latter-dated writings that inspired Timothy and those associated with him would seem unnecessary and uncalled for. They would never dream of doubting the divine origin of these most prized and sacred texts. Therefore, on explanatory, as well as grammatical, considerations, it would be best to follow the thoughts of the said witnesses to understand the apostle Paul’s words here as asserting that every inspired writing, is inclusive of those recent sacred Epistles which—Gospels or Epistles—he had seen or written himself, were all of divine origin. The words, Inspiration of God—most likely include these writings, admirably paraphrased by the apostle Peter: “Holy men of God spoke as inspired by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The various uses of Holy Scripture in the training of the man of God are outlined in the enumeration that closes 2 Timothy (3:17). Therein, the apostle Paul urges that these sacred writings, in all ages, be the handbook of the Christian teacher to prove the doctrines he professes; hence, too, he must draw therein his reproofs for the ignorant and erring. This must be the only source whereby he may derive those instructions to teach the Christian to grow in grace.
Matter of the inerrancy of the Bible - is the belief that the Bible "is without error or fault in all its teaching"; or, at least, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything contrary to fact". Some equate inerrancy with biblical infallibility, while others do not.
It will be recalled that Jesus taught during His ministry regarding the Law of the Old Covenant. (Matthew 5:18) The words, till heaven and earth pass—were probably one in common use by our Lord to express the unchangeableness of the divine word, used by our Lord, with even augmented force, about His own words as in Matthew 24:35.
Jewish Rabbis used to caution their scholars against writing “one jot or one tittle,” to cause one letter to be mistaken for another, and to give examples of passages from the Law in which such a mistake would turn a divine truth into nonsense or blasphemy. The meaning is obvious enough,” Nothing truly belonging to the Law, however seemingly trivial, shall drift away and be forgotten until it has done all that it was meant to do.”
In the same way, we'll find that in verse Revelation 22:18. The words therein are a solemn protest against the spirit that handles recklessly or deceitfully the word of God, adding thoughts or making wishes to its interpretations, thereby diluting the force of its warnings, or impoverishing the fulness of its promises and meanings. Therefore, this rule applies to the whole book of the Bible, a compilation of 66 books, written at different times by different inspired authors of God.
B. Extent of the Inspiration - the writers of the Biblical books had all the thoughts, and even the very words, suggested to them by the Spirit of God and so, the scribes of the Spirit wrote just what He dictated. As prophets, they foretell future events, as well, laid out of reach of human foresight; of which the Holy Spirit left it to them to express in their own words and phrases the message, in which they give a faithful account of what the Spirit gave to them.
C. Nature/mode of the inspiration
Organic Inspiration:
The process by which God guided the human authors of Scripture, working in and through their particular styles and life experiences so that what they produced was exactly what He wanted them to say.
Types:
Mechanical inspiration – Accordingly, the human role was purely mechanical, their individuality was bypassed when they wrote, and neither did their cultural background affect what they wrote because the writers were under the control of God, e.g. Doctrinal, i.e, Book of Romans
Dynamic inspiration - the thoughts are inspired, but the words used were left to the individual writers. This suggests the underlying message of the Scriptures is inspired while the exact wording is dynamic, e.g., Prophetic, i.e., Book of Revelation
Naturalistic inspiration – the inspiration is based on intuition and rejects the supernatural element in Scripture. Its advocates, on the liberal end of the theological spectrum, argue that Scripture is a work of literature produced by authors with a high degree of religious insight, e.g., Contemplative, i.e., Book of Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Proverbs
D. Characteristics/Attributes of the Scripture
Authority:
As apostle Paul would urge, the scripture must be the handbook of the Christian teacher of all ages. The Christian teacher should use it to prove the doctrines they profess and to draw reproofs for the ignorant and erring. It should be the primary source from which they derive instructions to teach the Christian how to grow in grace. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Necessity:
Ellicott’s Commentary on John 5:37-40 shows why there are sudden changes in verb construction in the passage which will show the necessity of scripture to man. Observe that all the parallel verbs in context are in the indicative (suggestive): “You have neither heard” . . . “nor have seen” (John 5:37); “You have not His Word . . . you believe not” (John 5:38); “You think that . . . you have” (John 5:39); “You will not... you might have” (John 5:40).
Jesus conveyed the following thoughts in the order of thought:
1. The Old Testament has testified about Me (Jesus). However, with unreceptive hearts, you never heard a voice nor saw the image of God (John 5:37).
2. His word does not dwell in you, or else it would have testified about Me (John 5:38).
3. Instead of letting the Scriptures be a living power within you, you study and interpret the written word from an external perspective (John 5:39).
4. You believe that the Scriptures hold eternal life, and so you show reverence (John 5:40).
5. The Scriptures testify about Me, yet, while you seek eternal life in them, you are not willing to come to Me to have this life (John 5:40).
Clarity:
The natural man only possesses the powers of nature and the faculties derived from Adam, but not a supernatural principle of saving grace. He is a living soul but lacks divine inspiration in that soul. Due to the fall, he has no enlightenment and, no renewal by the Word and Spirit of God. And so, he lacks enlightenment except what can be gained through his senses and natural understanding.
True Christians, have God dwelling in them by the Spirit, He, had given them (1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:16), thereby obtaining knowledge of Him. He is therefore the temple of God, having the Spirit dwelling in him, (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:22). Thus, it follows that if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him, (Romans 8:9) and that only they who has the Spirit and led by Him are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).
In Christ's second coming, we are admonished to purity and godliness. This is the effect of real knowledge. Very exact and universal holiness is enjoined, not resting in any low measure or degree (Hebrews 12:14). True Christians seek new heavens and a new earth, free from the vanity and sin of the present world. Only those clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place. (2 Peter 3:11-18)
Dull listeners can make it tough to preach the gospel, and even believers may struggle to pay attention. Those who have received much are expected to give much in return. To be unskilled means lacking practice with gospel truths. Christianity involves appreciating the goodness of gospel truths through experience. (Hebrews 5:11-14)
The church must be well founded in the doctrine lest it be destroyed. What is the rock foundation of the church? Matthew 16:13-20 explains this: as Peter, for himself and his brethren, said they were assured of our Lord's being the promised Messiah, the Son of the living God, (verse 16) this showed that they believed Jesus to be more than a man. Our so Lord declared Peter to be blessed, God made him different from his unbelieving countrymen. Christ added that he had named him Peter, in allusion to his stability or firmness in professing the truth. The word rock is not the same as Peter's, but a similar meaning. Nothing can be more wrong than to suppose that Christ meant the person of Peter was the rock. Without a doubt, Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation; hence it would be a mistake to lay any other! Peter's confession is the rock foundation. Those who claim to know Him but do not regard Him as such are not of the church; they are deceivers and are deceived. Our Lord next declared the authority with which Peter would be invested. He spoke in the name of his brethren, and this relation to them. The character of men is liable to mistakes and they err in stating the way of acceptance and salvation apart from the rule of obedience is salvation, The believer's character and actions, show why unbelievers and hypocrites are doomed, All pretensions of any man in absolving or retaining men's sins, are blasphemous and absurd. No one can forgive sins but God only.
Because of ignorance, man was influenced and led astray to false gods. And so, we were given the Holy Spirit as a teacher to remind us of His word. There was one great test of possessing the Holy Spirit, if any man says “Jesus be cursed,” that is proof that he does not have the Spirit, if any man says “Jesus is Lord,” that is proof that he has the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
He then gave to the church, as per Ephesians 4:11, some to be apostles — these are His chief ministers and special witnesses, having seen him after his resurrection, and received their commission immediately from him. The office of an apostle was to declare, in an infallible manner, the whole gospel doctrine: to qualify them for which they were endowed with the full inspiration of the Holy Spirit, imparting to them a perfect knowledge of all those truths and mysteries which they were to publish to the world. And some he gave to be prophets — Whose office it was to explain infallibly the true meaning of the ancient prophecies, and to predict future events, by the extraordinary revelations made to them. And some to be evangelists —to preach the gospel in different Gentile nations, either before or after the apostles, under whose direction they seem generally to have acted. To fit them for this office Christ gave them the gift of tongues, plus other endowments necessary for the exercise of their ministry, and the confirmation of their doctrine. All these were extraordinary officers: some, pastors, and bishops, (Acts 20:28) watching over and feeding their several flocks. To fit them for which work, it appears from 1 Corinthians 12:28-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; 1 Corinthians 14:23-26, that Christ bestowed, at least on some of them, the gifts of miracles and tongues, also the gift of prudence, to enable them to govern their particular churches adequately. And teachers — Whether of the same or lower order, to assist them as occasion might require. It is probable the peculiar office of those here termed teachers, as distinguished from those called pastors, was to instruct the young and ignorant in the first principles of the Christian religion. And they likewise were doubtless fitted for their work, by such gifts as were necessary to the right discharging thereof; and some suppose from 1 Corinthians 12:28, that supernatural gifts, such as those of miracles and tongues, were also conferred on some of them.
Sufficiency:
From Matthew Henry: Those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures fully, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn, and those who would get true learning must get it out of the Scriptures. ("We must not neglect to look into these things; they are seldom or never examined by us.") The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received from God (2 Peter 1:21). It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life. It is useful to all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the Scriptures suitable for every case that we may love our Bibles more and keep closer to them. Only then shall we find benefit, and gain the joy promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; the main subject of both Testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the word of truth, and the greatest kindness we can do to children is to make them know the Bible early. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Finality:
The ancient people were spoken to by God in various ways, including personal directions, dreams, visions, and divine influences on the minds of the prophets. The gospel revelation is excellent because it is a revelation by God through his son, Jesus Christ; showing God's power, wisdom, and goodness. According to John 14:7, the fullness of the Godhead dwells not just symbolically in the Son. When the world was falling apart due to the wrath and curse of God after the fall of man, the Son of God, in his work of redemption, sustained it by His almighty power and goodness. Moving from the glory of the person and office of Christ, we can see the glory of His grace. The glory of his person and nature gave his sufferings such merit that they became a satisfactory atonement for sin, bringing glory to the Father. He suffered an infinite injury and affront due to the sins of men. The church can never be thankful enough that God, with increasing clarity, has spoken to us fallen sinners in so many ways about salvation. His act of cleansing us from our sins by himself is an incredible expression of love for which we can never adequately express admiration, gratitude, and praise. (Ellicott on Hebrews 1:1-3)
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