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Contents
Contents
Contents List of Illustrations Pages Praise for previous editions of Christian Theology: An Introduction Figures Preface To the Student: How to Use This Book To the Teacher: How to Use This Book The Structure of the Book: The Fifth and Sixth Editions Compared Video and Audio Resources Introduction The Early Centers of Theological Activity An Overview of the Patristic Period Key Theologians Key Theological Debates and Developments Key Names, Words, and Phrases Set 1: Introductory Set 2: Standard Level Chapter 2: The Middle Ages and the Renaissance, c.700–c.1500 On Defining the “Middle Ages” Theological Landmarks in Western Europe Byzantine Theology: Major Themes Key Theologians Key Theological Debates and Developments Key Names, Words, and Phrases Chapter 3: The Age of Reformation, c.1500–c.1750 The Main Movements of the Age of Reformation Post-Reformation Movements The Copernican and Galilean Controversies Key Theologians Key Theological Debates and Developments Developments in Theological Literature Key Names, Words, and Phrases Questions for Chapter 3 Chapter 4: The Modern Period, c.1750 to the Present Theology and Cultural Developments in the West Key Theologians Major Modern Theological Movements Key Names, Words, and Phrases Questions for Chapter 4 Chapter 5: Getting Started: Preliminaries What is Faith? Defining Theology The Architecture of Theology The Question of Prolegomena Commitment and Neutrality in Theology Orthodoxy and Heresy The Theology of the Relationship Between Christianity and Secular Culture Questions for Chapter 5 Chapter 6: The Sources of Theology Scripture Tradition Reason Religious Experience Questions for Chapter 6 Chapter 7: Knowledge of God: Natural and Revealed The Idea of Revelation Models of Revelation Natural Theology: Its Scope and Limits Approaches to Discerning God in Nature The Natural Sciences and Christian Theology: Models of Interaction Questions for Chapter 7 Chapter 8: Philosophy and Theology: Dialogue and Debate Philosophy and Theology: The Notion of the “Handmaid” Can God's Existence be Proved? Four Approaches The Nature of Theological Language Questions for Chapter 8 Chapter 9: The Doctrine of God Is God Male? A Personal God Can God Suffer? The Omnipotence of God God's Action in the World God as Creator Theodicies: The Problem of Evil Questions for Chapter 9 Chapter 10: The Person of Jesus Christ The Place of Jesus Christ in Christian Theology New Testament Christological Titles The Patristic Debate Over the Person of Christ Medieval Christology: The Relationship Between the Incarnation and the Fall The Relationship Between the Person and Work of Christ Christological Models: Classical and Contemporary The Quest for the Historical Jesus The Resurrection of Christ: History and Interpretation Questions for Chapter 10 Chapter 11: The Nature and Basis of Salvation Christian Approaches to Salvation The Foundations of Salvation: The Cross of Christ “Can a Male Savior Save Women?” Feminists on Atonement Models of Salvation in Christ: Classical and Contemporary The Appropriation of Salvation in Christ The Scope of Salvation in Christ Questions for Chapter 11 Chapter 12: The Holy Spirit The Biblical Witness The Patristic Period The Filioque Controversy The Holy Spirit: Recent Discussions The Functions of the Spirit Questions for Chapter 12 Chapter 13: The Trinity Approaching the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity The Biblical Foundations of the Doctrine of the Trinity The Historical Development of the Doctrine Two Trinitarian Heresies The Trinity: Six Classic and Contemporary Approaches Some Discussions of the Trinity in Recent Theology The Trinitarian Renaissance: Some Examples Questions for Chapter 13 Chapter 14: Human Nature, Sin, and Grace The Place of Humanity Within Creation: Early Reflections Augustine of Hippo (354–430) and the Pelagian Controversy The Medieval Synthesis of the Doctrine of Grace The Reformation Debates Over the Doctrine of Grace The Doctrine of Predestination The Darwinian Controversy and the Nature of Humanity Questions for Chapter 14 Chapter 15: The Church Biblical Models of the Church The Early Development of Ecclesiology The Donatist Controversy Early Protestant Doctrines of the Church Christ and the Church: Some Twentieth-Century Themes The Second Vatican Council on the Church The “Notes” of the Church Priesthood and Ministry: Some Major Themes Questions for Chapter 15 Chapter 16: The Sacraments The Early Development of Sacramental Theology The Definition of a Sacrament The Donatist Controversy: Sacramental Efficacy The Multiple Functions of the Sacraments The Eucharist: The Question of the Real Presence The Debate Concerning Infant Baptism Questions for Chapter 16 Chapter 17: Christianity and the World Religions Western Pluralism and the Question of Other Religions Approaches to Religions Christian Approaches to Other Religions Questions for Chapter 17 Chapter 18: Last Things: The Christian Hope Developments in the Doctrine of the Last Things The Last Things Questions for Chapter 18 Jargon-Busting: A Glossary of Theological Terms Sources of Citations Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Acknowledgments Index Bookmarks
Questions for Chapter 7
What do you understand by the term “revelation”?
Many theologians argue that theology is fundamentally an exposition of the revealed truths found in the Bible. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach?
Why does Emil Brunner place such an emphasis upon truth as a personal notion? What points does he aim to make in this way? What criticisms might be directed against this position?
What impact does the idea of the “two books” of divine revelation have for the relationship between Christian theology and the natural sciences?
Give a critical assessment of the issues lying behind the debate between Barth and Brunner about natural theology.
How would you assess the merits of the basic approaches to the relationship between the natural sciences and Christian theology noted in this chapter?
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