2012-2-28 14:27
2010-3-13 03:45
|
APRIL,1999 METHODOLOGY LITERALINTERPRETATION Literal interpretation is agrammatical-historical method to approach a text in the Bible. Itlooks for the original meaning of the author according to both thecustomary usage of its language and the historical contexts inculture, literature and theology. PROGRESSOF REVELAION The progress of revelation is the belief that Godgradually reveals his redemptive plan of mankind through history.Hence, the writers of early revelation did not have in mind the laterrevelation, and the later revelation is based on and consistent withthe early revelation. A section of the Bible should be understoodfirst in its own context before other revelation is brought together.Though the prophecies in the Old Testament may be fulfilled in theNew Testament, the New Testament theology cannot be interpreted bythe Old Testament theology. BIBLICALTHEOLOGY Biblical Theology is to base its study only on thehistorical context (history, society, culture, and politics),theological thoughts (God, man, blessings, sin, and redemption),terminology, literature (languages, meanings, structure, andcompilation) within the Bible. The Bible is the only source toformulate a world view. It emphasizes the perspectives of biblicalwriters, and the distinctions in the text. SYSTEMATICTHEOLOGY Systematic theology is an organized discipline topresent the coherent, topical and logical structure of the truth ofGod. It states Christian faith in contemporary idioms and livingissues, and to be validated in the contemporary philosophical andcultural environment or by any human source. It is a world view whichis founded on the Bible, serves as the validating filter of diverseextra-biblical sources, and emphasize contemporary application ofbiblical principles. BIBICALAND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Biblical theology is to expose the truthin the Bible, and systematic theology is to Harmonize the results ofbiblical theology into a world view and then apply them in today'slife. The former is the foundation of the latter, and the latter isthe application of the former. ADISPENSATIONAL APPROACH The dispensational approach amphasizesconsistent application of literal interpretation, distinction betweenIsrael and the Church, and doxological purpose of God. Though it mayadopt literal or allegorical interpretation, the nondispensationalapproach interprets the Old Testament text on basis of the theologydrawn out of the New Testament text, tends to weaken thediscontinuity of Israel and die Church, and places the individualsalvation as the focus of God's plan. Thedispensational approach to the Bible is to formulate a theology fromthe Old Testament based upon literal interpretation of the OldTestament text, and then formulate a theology from the New Testamentbased upon literal interpretation of the New Testament text and thebiblical theology of the Old Testament. Nevertheless, thenondispensational approach is to formulate a biblical theology of theNew Testament, and then formulate a biblical theology of the OldTestament based upon the New Testament understanding of the OldTestament. PRESUPPOSITIONALISM Evidentialism and presuppositionalism are two Christian apologeticapproaches. Evidentialism is a scientific-inductiveempirical-historical verification. It searches for the objectiveevidence outside of the Bible to prove a belief drawn out of theBible. Presuppositionalism takes the teachings in the Bible forgranted. It emphasizes that subjective faith to God is the key toapproach a belief of the truth. Evidentialism does not authorize theBible but authenticate, but presuppositionalism emphasizes the divineauthority of the Bible. Though evidentialism authenticates the eventsin the Bible, it ignores the fact of the human finite understandingand divine supernatural power, and raises the issues ofinterpretation and discovery of relevant evidence. <a name="chap-02"> CHAPTERII [Back to the index]BIBLIOLOGY I.REVELATION GeneralDefinition of Revelation Revelation refers to selfdisclosure of God to man about the truth he wants man to know. Itincludes the work and nature of God, and his redemptive plan formankind. God initiates the revelation, and man is to obey andproclaim the received revelation. NaturalRevelation Naturalrevelation is also called general or universal revelation. It refersthat God reveals himself through the nature, his creation (Acts14:15-17; 17:24-28; Romans 1:lg-21; 2:14-15; Job 38-39; Psalm19:1-6). It is designed for people to know the existence of Godthrough their surroundings. It gives the knowledge of sin rather thanthe knowledge of salvation through Jesus, which comes from specialrevelation (Romans 10:14-15). SpecialRevelation Specialrevelation is also called particular revelation. Special revelationis the manifestation of God to particular people. God chose people toreveal at particular time, location and situation for particularpurpose by particular means in order to communicate propositionaltruth with them concerning his redemptive plan (John 1:18; 5:39; Luke24:44; Galatians 1:11-12). The modes of special revelation may behistorical event, theophany, dream, written writings, or Christ (theliving word). The propositional truth is objective, and leads theparticular people to know of the redemption of God. II.INSPIRATION GeneralDefinition of Inspiration Inspirationis the process by which the Holy Spirit moved the human writers ofthe Scriptures to write the message of God for man to have properunderstanding (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:10).R is better to see inspiration as a long process in which Godprepared, chose and moved the writers to write the message expectedby God. VerbalInspiration Verbalinspiration refers that every word in the Bible was inspired. Thoughthey were written by the human writers, the Holy Spirit influencedand guided the writers to select the individual words which Godwanted from the vocabulary God gave to the inspired writers to use(Matthew 5:17-18; 22:32, 44; John 10:35; Galatians 3:16). It is notdictation in which the writers wereforced to use the words being told because some authors used thefirst person in the text, claimed themselves the authors of thewritings, and did the research for the writings (Luke 1:3; 1Corinthians 1:1; 16:2), and even there are different styles (1Corinthians 7:10, 40). PlenaryInspiration PlenaryInspiration refers that the whole of the Bible, not some parts, isinspired (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 24:44;John 10:35). Inerrancyof the Bible Verbalinspiration results in inerrancy of the Bible. Inerrancy of the Biblerefers that there is no error in the Bible. It refers to thecorrectness in all of teachings in the Bible. The Bible is truthfulin views of culture, communication and purposes, and it is written inphenomenal language rather than technical language. Historicityof the Bible Historicityof the Bible refers that all the events in the Bible are historicaland real facts. Jesus Christ treated the events in the OT ashistorical (Matthew 11:23-24; 12:39-40; 24:37-38). Integritvand Trustworthiness of the Bible Plenaryinspiration results in integrity of the Bible. Integrity of the Biblerefers to the unification of the Bible in purpose an message as abook written by an author. It refers to the consistence among all ofteachings in the Bible. Trustworthiness of the Bible refers that theBible is worthy of man's trust, to believe and follow. It is becausethe Bible is inspired to record the real revelation of God and revealthe truth of God. Authorityof the Bible Authorityof the Bible refers that the Bible is the authoritative word of God.The Bible has the authority of God as the written standards for manto listen and obey (2 Timothy 3:16). It has a definite and objectivemeaning for believers to understand in the power of the Holy Spirit(John 14:7, 17; 15:26; 16:8, 13; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 13, 15; Ephesians1:17-18; 3:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1Peter 1:11). III.THE PRESERVATION OF THE BIBLE Canonicity Definitionof Canon. The original meaning of "canon" inGreek is a measuring rod, rule, or standard. By the second century itwas used in the church as revealed truth or the rule of truth. Lateron, it refers to a list of books having divine authority andinspiration. Definitionof Canonicity. Canonicity is a process of recognitionof the official collection of inspired books in the mind ofChristians. Primaryin the Development of the OT Canon.(1) Authorship of a prophet of God (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). (2)Authority of God-- it claimed itself to be the word of God, and tellsthe truth of God and man. (3) Acceptance by the people of God-- it isaccepted by believers of God, Jesus, or an NT writer. PrimaryPrinciples in the Development of the NTCanon. The same principles for the OT canonmay be applied for the NT canon, but there are different principlesfor the NT canon. (1) Apostolicity--the book was written by an apostle or influenced by apostolicteaching. (2) Acceptance--it was accepted among the churches for the divine authorship wasrecognized. (3) Internalwitness-- it reflects the divine inspiration, and is consistent withthe doctrines in the acceptedbooks. Textualtransmission of the Text and Translations TheBible is a special revelation, not a general revelation for allpeople. It is unnecessary to preserve the Bible in the original formfor the unoriginal readers. Different readings among manuscripts maypresent the variety of readings of the original manuscripts ratherthan their meanings. The textual transmission in translations may bea vehicle to spread out the truth of God. Thoughthere is no autographs, the eternity of the word of God is claimed inthe Bible (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18; 1 Peter 1:23). Besidescanonicity, the word of God, his special revelation, is preserved inmanuscripts and translations. Thoughthere are no word-for-word agreement between two versions ofmanuscripts or translations, there is more than ninety percentage ofagreement among them to result in no change of biblical teaching anddoctrine. It is because the preservation of revelation refers to theendurance of the word of God rather than the perfection ofmanuscripts and translation. Thenature of the word of God transcends the limitations and deficienciesof the languages. For instance, the quotations of the OT in the NTwere written into the NT in Greek no matter what version of Bible,Hebrew Scriptures or Greek translation, the quotations were citedfrom (Matthew 3:3; 4:4, 6, 7, 10). On the day of Pentecost the twelvedisciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the worksof God (Acts 2:4, 8, 11). It shows that the truth of God can bereached by different translations of the Bible. The meaning of thetruth of God will not be distorted in the translations though thestudy of the manuscripts written in original languages may leads tomore precise understanding. PresentAccess to the Word of God Todaypeople can access the word of God by means of translations in theirmother tongues. Though to study the manuscripts in original languagesmay have more precise understanding, it is the Spirit of God whoguides believers to understand the word and will of God. CHAPTERIII [Back to the index]THEOLOGYPROPER I.MAJOR TERMS BRIEFLY STATED Thefollowing are the world views of the relationship of God and theuniverse. Atheism. A-the-ismliterally means a theory negating God This belief denies theexistence of God or gods. Agnosticism. A-gnostic-ismliterally means a theory negating knowledge. It believes that it isimpossible to know the existence of God. It covers any type ofskepticism of God. This belief denies the existence of God. Naturalism. Natural-ismis a theory affirming the natural law alone. It believes that allphenomena can be explained by the observable and verifiable laws inthe nature. This belief denies the existence of God and anysupernatural significance. Deism. De-ismis literally a theory of God. It believes that God created theuniverse, then left it alone, and gets involved in his creation nomore. This belief denies supernatural influence and divinerevelation. Monism& Dualism. Mon-ismis a theory of one substance. It believes that the universe is partof God and separated from God. There is only good substance in theuniverse. This belief denies die reality of evil. Dual-ismis a theory of two substances. It believes that in the universe thereare two ultimate forces coexisting: God and the material world. Thesetwo represent good and evil respectively. There is an eternalconflict between God and evil, and God cannot ultimately triumph overevil. This belief denies the lordship of God over his creation. Pantheism. Pan-the-ismis literally a theory that all are God. It identifies the universewith God, and believes that everything is God, and God is everything.The universe is a temporary and finite emanation of God. Panentheism. Pan-en-the-ismis literally a theory that all are in God. It denies thetranscendence of God because he should live in his creation. Theism. The-ismis the belief of God. God is existent, personal, infinite,transcendent and immanent. He created the universe, is distinct fromthe created universe, and rules over it.
II. THENATURE OF GOD
TheExistence of God. Godreveals his existence in his creation (Gen. 1:1; Romans 1:18-20). Mancan find enough evidence of God's existence out of the nature, whichsurrounds man and is a part of God's creation. He exists beforeeverything (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 3:4). His existence is self-existent(EX. 3:14; John 5:26) and eternal (Is. 26:4). The Bible presumes thatGod is existent (Genesis 1:1; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 11:6). TheEssence and Nature of God. Godis a spirit (John 4:24) and dwells in the light (1 Tim. 6:16). He isinvisible (John 1:18; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16). He is a person with hisown will, emotion and intellect (Genesis 6:6; Psalm 115:3;147:5; Proverbs 6:16). TheAttributes of God Theattributes of God constitute his essence, and they can be comparedwith human ones. Some of them are: (1)self-existence: God is independent of any thing but he is the firstcause of every thing (Gen. 1:1; EX. 3:14; Is. 45:4-7; John 5:26); (2)eternity: God is beyond the limitation of time and he is the first andlast (EX. 3:14; Deut. 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 102:11-12; Is. 40:28; John8:56-57; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 1:8); (3)omnipotence: God is able to do what he desires (Gen. 18:14; EX. 6:1;13:9; Num. 11:23; Psalm 115:3; Eph. 1:11; 3:20); (4)omnipresence: God is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12; Jer.23:23-24); (5)omniscience: God knows everything (Gen. 15:13-14; EX. 3:7; 2 Chron.16:9; Psalm 139:1-6; 147:4-5; Prov. 5:21; 1 John 3:20); (6)immutability: God's nature never changes (Num. 23:19; Psalm 33:11;102:26-27; Mal. 3:6; Acts 1:11; Heb. 1:10-12; 13:8; James 1:17); (7)infinity: God is not bound in any limitation (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm90:2; 147:5; Prov. 15:3; Is. 44:6; Matt. 10:29; Acts 17:24-28); (8)unity: God is one in essence (Deut. 4:35; Is. 44:6-8; 45:5-6; 1 Cor.8:4-6; 1 Tim2:5; Eph. 4:4-6).(7)love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8, 16; cf. Isa. 46:10); (8)grace (EX. 33:12-17; 34:6; Eph. 1:5-8; 2:7-9; Tit 2:11; 2 Pet 3:7-9); (9)mercy: God does not give the punishment which man deserves (EX.34:6-7; Psalm 103:8; 136:1-26; Luke 1:78; 1 Pet. 1:3). TheTranscendence and Immanence of God Godis transcendent because he is independent of; above and beyond fromhis creation (EX. 3:14; Psalm 113:5-6; Is. 46:8-10; 55:8-9). He isalso immanent because he is present everywhere in his creation (Prov.5:21; Jer. 23:24; Matt. 5:45; 6:25-30; 10:29-30; Acts 17:27-28; Rom.11:34-36). III.TRINITARIANISM Statementof the Doctrine TheTrinity of the Godhead is that there is the only one God who is onein essence but three of co-equal ones in personality. The threeidentities are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit These threeindependent persons are not three independent gods though they allhave the same divine characteristics. They are united in one divinebeing and have different tasks respectively. This doctrine is deducedfrom the teachings in the Bible, and has no straight evidence in theBible. It cannot be understood by human finite mind. OntologicalTrinity Theontological trinity describes the unity of God (Deut. 6:4), this is,that God is one and the only one. God is the unity of three co-equaland co-eternal persons. The eternal relationship between the threepersons are equal and not subordinate. EconomicTrinity Theeconomic trinity describes the diversity of God, this is, that God ismanifested in the three persons. The three decide theirresponsibilities for the creation of the universe and redemption ofman, and voluntarily subordinate themselves according to their uniqueroles. Forexample, the Father is the one of sending and directing, the Son isthe one to be sent and accomplish the redemption, and the Holy Spiritis the one to be sent and apply the benefits of salvation tobelievers. Thus, The Son subordinates himself to the will of theFather, and the Holy Spirit to the will of the Son and that of theFather. Trinityin the Old Testament TheOld Testament teaches the oneness of God (Ex. 20:3; Deut 4:35; 6:4;Is. 43:10; 46:9), but there are plural uses about God: plural form ofname (Gen. 1:1; Eccl 12:1; Is. 54:5), andplural pronoun (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Is. 6:8). Furthermore, thereis distinction between God andthe Son (')Psalm 2:1-9; 45:6-8; 110:1-5; 15. 9:6), and that betweenGod and the Spirit (Gen. 1:1-3; 15.48:16; 59:21; 63:9-1061:1). Trinityin the New Testament Godis claimed one (1 Cor. 8:4-6; Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Tim. 2:5; James 2:19).Nevertheless, each of the three is called God (1 Cor. 8:6; Heb.1:8-10; Acts 5:3-4). The Father is identified as God (John 1:18;5:18; 6:27; 6:45-46; 1 Pet. 1:2), Jesus the Son is equated with God(John 1:1-18; 5:18; 8:58; 10:30; 17:5; 20:28; Col. 1:16-17; Phil.2:6; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:8), and the Holy Spirit is interchangeablewith God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; 6:19). The three are associatedwith equality (Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:21-22; John 14:16; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1Pet. 1:2). IV.CREATION TheMethod of Creation TheFather, the Son and the Holy Spirit took part in the creation of God(Gen. 1:1-2; John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6). God did not use any preexistingmaterial to create (Rom. 4:17). God created all visible and invisiblein the universe out of nothing and no intermediate agency (Gen.1:1-2; Psalm 90:2; 15.45:5-8; Heb. 1:10; 11:3) for his own glory(15.43:7). TheAge of Creation TheBible does not offer a explicit time of God's creation. The recentcreation theory moves 6,000 to 10,000 years. Creationversus Evolution Thetheory of creation affirms that the account in Genesis is historicaland supernatural creation of the universe by God alone. The rest ofthe Bible confirms this account (EX. 20:11; 31:17; Deut. 4:32; Job38:4-7; Is. 42L5; 45:5-7, 12-18; Matt. 19:4-5; Luke 3:23-38; John1:1-18; Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 11:7-8; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). The theory ofevolution tries to explain the origin and development of the universeapart from the supernatural involvement of God but through naturallaws. It intends to deny the existence of God.Thedebate between creation and evolution is an issue of faith versusfaith rather than faith versus science. There are unexplainedcontra-evidence and missing evidence in evolutionism. On thecontrary, creationism offers a more reasonable explanation forgeological phenomena and archaeological discovery. V. THEDECREE OF GOD TheDirective Willof God Thedirective will of God claims that God is actively and freely directssome things to happen or to be (Psalm 115:3; 15.45:5-12, 18; Dan.4:35; Rom. 9:14-24). He is the sovereign of his creation and controlsand causes things to occur as his desires and pleasure (cf. Eph. 1:5,9; Phil. 2:1). For example, he created (Gen. 1; Rev. 4:11), reveals(John 1:1-18), saves (John 3:16; Eph. 1:11; 2:8-10), controls theworld (Dan. 4:35), establishes governments (Dan. 2:21), elects tosalvation (Eph. 1:4), and gives special commands (1 Thess. 4:3-7), Permissivewill of God Thepermissive will of God claims that God permits something to happen ata choice of a second party within his plan but he holds theresponsibility of the party. God gave Adam a prohibition, but Godleft him a choice to disobey and a warning for such disobedience(Gen. 2:17). God passively allowed Satan to test Job whoserighteousness God was pleased by (Job 2:3).He prohibits the bloodshed (Gen. 9:6), but he commanded Abraham tosacrifice his son to manifest his faith (Gen. 22:2, 12). Providenceof God Theprovidence of God claims that God created all things and alsocontinues to work in order to preserve and govern his creation forits intended purpose. He preserves all creatures and keeps themexisting and maintaining their created properties (Matt. 5:45; Heb.1:3). He concurs with them in every action and directs theirproperties to act as they should (Eph. 1:11). He governs them tofulfill his purposes (Psalm 103:19). His providence manifests hisimmanence. Godprovides for all things. God's providence is the continual supplyingof our needs. This is not limited to the obvious like food shelterand clothing. God even provides for his creatures such as the birds(Matt. 6:26; 10:29). |
No comments:
Post a Comment