Transcript HOLY SPIRIT - Erskine College
Introduction to Systematic Theology
LUTHERAN THEOLOGY
• • Developed in opposition to R.C.
– Sinner is under the wrath of God – Church is institution of salvation Key Lutheran Formulations – Formal Principle Sola Scriptura – Material Principle Sola Fides – – Righteousness a gift from God- assurance not based on human merit (imputation/not infusion) Believer is simul iustus et peccator 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 2
LUTHERAN THEOLOGY
• Key Lutheran Formulations – Faith, the instrument of justification – – – – – Sharp antithesis between faith and works Believer not under the law (undermine justification by grace through faith) • • • Civil use to regulate society- OKAY Elenctic to show one’s sin- OKAY Normative to regulate life of the believer- IXNAY!
Law/Gospel dichotomy Two kingdoms Means of Grace- always effect salvation unless there is resistance 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 3
CALVINISM
• • Work of the Holy Spirit prominent – Works directly with individuals – Works with means- but not always • Lutheran per verbum • Calvinism cum verbo Doctrine of election prominent – Related to Total Depravity – – – Election worked out in definite atonement Grace irresistibly applied Summarized in sovereignty of God 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 4
CALVINISM
• Justification – Agrees with Lutheranism • Christ’s righteousness is the ground • Faith is the instrument – – Gospel brings two benefits (dupla gratia) • Justification and sanctification, 1 Cor. 1:30 • Soteriology not exhausted in justification- law has normative value Faith • Gift of God- based on God’s regenerating work that leads to repentance • Lutherans see this repentance as a work 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 5
CALVINISM
• World and Life View – – – – – Calvinism makes many of the same distinctions as Lutheranism But- not opposed antithetically; rather, viewed as complementary Thus- all of life religious and under the Lordship of Christ Thus- Calvinists are interested in all of life not just saving souls The Cultural Mandate!
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ARMINIANISM
• • • Developed on Reformed soil Jacobus Arminius (pastor of Reformed church in Amsterdam) was student of Beza and colleague of Gomarus (died 1609) Preached on Romans 7 – Decided this struggle was that of the unregenerate – Implication is that the unregenerate is able to believe the gospel 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 7
ARMINIANISM
• • 1610, Five Articles of Remonstrance – – – – – Election based on foreseen faith Christ died for every person Humanity depraved, grace necessary for believing Grace of God may be resisted Perseverance uncertain Condemned by Synod of Dordt, 1619 – TULIP part of Calvinist response 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 8
ARMINIANISM
• Evangelical Arminians (Wesleyans) – Largely influenced by Pietism – – – – Major emphasis on conversion, strong assertion of free will Often distinction between Christ as Savior, Christ as Lord (“carnal Christians”) Key Arminian theologians: Limborch, Episcopius, Curcellaius Key Wesleyan theologians: Watson, Miley, Wiley, Fletcher, Oden 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 9
BAPTIST THEOLOGY
• • Rooted in Anabaptist (ecclesiology) and Calvinist (soteriology) traditions Church – – – Consists of those regenerated by Spirit and baptized as covenanted community Cf. this to Reformed which identified believers and children as covenant partners Anabaptists scandalized over RC Church and infant baptism 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 10
BAPTIST THEOLOGY
• Hermeneutical Question – Continuity versus Discontinuity – – – – – Does NT contain same covenant promises as OT Does NT warrant discontinuance of OT covenant promises to children Does silence favor continuity or discontinuity?
Or, is the NT silent??
Does NT supersede OT excepting portions that are reiterated? Or is OT still in effect except those portions clearly fultilled?
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BAPTIST THEOLOGY
• • Historic Baptist Confessions – London Confession, A.D. 1677 – – Philadelphia Confession, A.D. 1688 New Hampshire Confession, A.D. 1833 Contemporary Trends – Largely Arminian, though some Calvinists – – Great tension between Fundamentalists/Moderates Many Baptists are Dispensational – Key theologians: Gill, Boyce, Strong, Erickson 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 12
FUNDAMENTALISM
• Roots of Name – – Five Fundamentals in PCUSA General Assemblies, 1910,1916,1923 • Inerrancy of Scripture • • • Virgin Birth Vicarious, Substitutionary Atonement Bodily Resurrection • Miracles The Fundamentals , 12 vols. from 1910-1912 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 13
FUNDAMENTALISM
• Roots of Name – World’s Christian Fundamentals Association (1910) • Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture • • • • • • • • Trinity Deity, Virgin Birth Creation, Fall of Man Substitutionary Atonement Bodily Resurrection, Ascension of Christ Regeneration of Believer Personal, Imminent Return of Christ Resurrection to Eternal Life, Death 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 14
FUNDAMENTALISM
• Theology of Fundamentalism – In many denominations/across denominations (cooperation) – Move a movement, ideology than theology – – Emphasis on doctrines of common faith Held to supremacy of Scripture – – Evangelistic outreach Many new denominations, schools 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 15
FUNDAMENTALISM
• Negatives of Fundamentalism – Reactionary re modernism, liberal theology – Reductionist in theology – – – – Obscurantist re theology, challenges of science Intellectual responses, precise formulas avoided in order to preserve unity, save souls Anti-intellectual de-emphasis on cultural mandate Embraced Arminianism and Dispensationalism 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 16
DISPENSATIONALISM
• Origins – – – – Begins with Plymouth Brethren movement John Nelson Darby, 1800-1882, leading figure Focus on purity of church, literal hermeneutic Peculiar doctrines • God has two peoples: Israel and Church • • God operates through “dispensations” (often, 7) Older dispensationalism said keeping of law necessary for salvation in Old Testament 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 17
DISPENSATIONALISM
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CHARACTERISTICS
– Israel/Church – Wife of Jehovah/Bride of Christ – Law/Grace – Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God – Two new covenants – Rapture/Revelation 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 18
DISPENSATIONALISM
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Modern Dispensationalism
– More circumspect- all saved by grace – Dominant form of evangelicalism in US – Three stages of development • Classical Dispensationalism- Darby, Scofield • Revised Dispensationalism- New Scofield Bible, Ryrie, Walvoord • Progressive Dispensationalism- less use of systematic dualities- Bock, Blaising 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 19
DISPENSATIONALISM
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Positive Contributions
– Literal Hermeneutic – – Teaching on Second Coming/Prophecy Emphasized Bible Study and Evangelism
Negative Contributions
– Israel/Church distinction absolutized – – Postponed Kingdom problematic Dispensations replace biblical covenants – Literal hermeneutic vs. analogy of faith 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 20
REFORMED THEOLOGY
• • It is a profound apprehension of God’s majesty and realization of creature’s relation to God Objectively: Theism come into its own • Subjectively: Religious relations attaining purity • Reformed Theology is Covenant Theology – Covenant is foundational – 4/24/2020 Covenant balances Immanence (Creator and Creature Relationship) and Transcendence (Creator and Creature Distinction) Intro to Systematic Theology 7 21
REFORMED THEOLOGY
• Characteristics – The sovereignty of God • No basis for human experience apart from the decree of God • The decree of God is the foundation for human freedom – The Creator/creature relationship • Based on the sovereignty of God • • It manifests itself in the form of a covenant between God and his image-bearers Relationship presupposed the distinction between the Creator and creature 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 22
REFORMED THEOLOGY
• Characteristics – The Grace of God • There are two sides of covenant relationship: Grace and Responsibility or Promise and Obligation • We have nothing we have not received • Grace expects us to respond (and enables us to respond) in faith, hope, and love • Uniqueness – Sensitive to story of unfolding of the covenant – – – Story consummated in the New Covenant Reformed theology is innately consistent Centrality of the Word 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 23
REFORMED THEOLOGY
• • Relation to other forms of Evangelicalism – A difference not of kind, but degree – The difference between more perfectly developed species and one less developed Reformed Theology and Irenic Goal – Reformed Theology does not needlessly polarize – – – Calvinism is not antithetical to or antagonistic against other kinds of evangelicalism Reformed theology wants to help implicit Calvinists become explicit Irenic Goal can be reached only on basis of a structured appreciation for the covenant 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 24
REFORMED THEOLOGY
• • And Lutheranism – Lutheranism polarizes; Calvinism views the New Covenant supplanting the Old in fulfillment, not in antithesis And Arminianism – Arminianism views election (“fatalism”) as opposed to human responsibility – Reformed Theology sees the decrees of God as the basis for meaningful human action – – Arminians work on a 100% solution; Calvinists on a 200% solution Covenant dynamic says covenant promise is basis of covenant response 4/24/2020 Intro to Systematic Theology 7 25
REFORMED THEOLOGY
• • • And Baptist Theology – Baptists want a regenerate church; Reformed churches maintain a regenerate church through discipline and catechetical instruction And Fundamentalist Theology – Reformed Theology affirms the “fundamentals” in context of covenant and refuses to ignore any doctrine: whole counsel of God!
And Dispensational Theology – Reformed Theology sees diversity in the administration of God’s grace, but sees only one Covenant of Grace and sees a unity between the Old Testament people of God and the New Testament people of God.
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