Christian Theology - SABDA
ChristianTheologyMillard J. EricksonBAKER BOOK HOUSE DDGrand Rapids, Michigan 49506DD
‘lbBernard Ramm,my first theology professor;William E. Hordern,my doctoral mentor;and Wolfhart Pannenberg,whose theological scholarshiphas been an inspiration to meCopyright 1983, 1984, 1985 b yBaker Book House CompanyISBN: o-8010-3433-7Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 83-071868Originally published as three volumes: Vol. 1 (Parts l-4), 1983; Vol. 2 (Parts 5-8),1984; Vol. 3 (Parts 9-12), 1985Seventh printing, April 1990
ContentsPrefacePARTONE9Studying God1. What Is Theology?17The Nature of Religion 17The Definition of Theology 21Locating (Systematic) Theologyon the Theological Map 22The Need for Theology 28The Starting Point of Theology 30Theology as Science 33Why the Bible? 362. Theology and PhilosophyThe Theological Scene Today 59The Process of Doing Theology 66Degrees of Authority of TheologicalStatements 7981Form Criticism 84Redaction Criticism 95Guidelines for Evaluating CriticalMethods 1025. Contemporizing the ChristianMessage10539Types of Relationships BetweenTheology and Philosophy 40Some Twentieth-CenturyPhilosophies 42Theology’s Use of Philosophy 533. The Method of Theology4. Theology and Critical Studyof the Bible59The Challenge of Obsolescence 105The Locus of Permanence inChristianity 107TWO Approaches to ContemporizingTheology 112Criteria of Permanence 1206. Theology and Its Language127Theological Language and VerificationalAnalysis: The Accusation ofMeaninglessness 128Theological Language and FunctionalAnalysis 133Answers to the Accusation ofMeaninglessness 1351
2ContentsPARTTWOKnowing GodPARTFOUR7. God’s Universal Revelation153The Nature of Revelation 153The Loci of General Revelation 154The Reality and Efficacy of GeneralRevelation 156General Revelation and HumanResponsibility 171Implications of General Revelation 1738. God’s Particular Revelation175The Definition and Necessity ofSpecial Revelation 175The Style of Special Revelation 177The Modes of Special Revelation 181Special Revelation: Propositionalor Personal? 191Scripture as Revelation 1969. The Preservation of theRevelation: Inspiration199Definition of Inspiration 199The Fact of Inspiration200Issues in Formulating a Theoryof Inspiration 203Theories of Inspiration206The Method of Formulating a Theoryof Inspiration 207FARTMREEThe Extent of Inspiration 210The Intensiveness of InspirationA Model of Inspiration 214Various Conceptions of Inerrancy 222The Importance of Inerrancy 225Inerrancy and Phenomena 229Defining Inerrancy 233Ancillary Issues 238Moral Qualities 283God’s Love and Justice-A Pointof Tension?297The Best Mode of Investigating God’sAttributes 29936.5Reasons for Studying the Doctrine ofCreation 366Elements of the Biblical Teaching onCreation 367God’s Later Creative Work 373The Theological Meaning ofthe Doctrine 374The Creation Doctrine and Its Relationto Science 378The Uniqueness of God’s CreativeWork 384Implications of the Doctrine ofCreation 385PARTFIVE26314. God’s Nearness and Distance:Immanence andTranscendence301Immanence 302nanscendence 3 1228315. God’s Three-in-Oneness:The TrinityThe Biblical Teaching 322Historical Constructions 332Essential Elements of a Doctrineof theTrinity 337The Search for Analogies 33832118. God’s Continuing Work:Providence387Providence as Preservation 388Providence as Government 394Providence and Prayer 405Providence and Miracles 40619. Evil and God’s World:A Special Problem411The Nature of the Problem 411l)pes of Solutions 413Themes for Dealing with the Problemof Evil 42320. God’s Special Agents: AngelsHistory of the Doctrine 434Good Angels 437Evil Angels 445The Role of the Doctrine of Angels433451Humanity21. Introduction to the Doctrine of455HumanityImportance of the Doctrine ofHumanity 455Images of Man 462The Christian View of Man 470The Nature of Attributes 265Classifications of Attributes 266Attributes of Greatness 26713. The Goodness of God17. God’s Originating Work:Creation241Definition of Authority 242Religious Authority 244Establishing the Meaning and DivineOrigin of the Bible 246The Internal Working of the HolySpirit 247Objective and Subjective Componentsof Authority 251Various Views of Illumination 253The Bible, Reason, and the Spirit 256Tradition and Authority 258Historical and NormativeAuthoritativeness 258345Key Definitions 345The Biblical Teaching 347The Nature of the Divine Plan 351Logical Priority: God’s Plan orHuman Action? 355A Moderately Calvinistic Model 356Various Understandings of History 36210. The Dependability of God’s Word:Inerrancy22111. The Power of God’s Word:AuthorityWhat God Does16. God’s Plan212What God IS Like12. The Greatness of God3Contents22. The Origin of Humanity24. The Constitutional Natureof the Human473The Meaning of “Origin” 473The Status of Adam and Eve 474Views of Human Beginning 477The Age of Man 484The Theological Meaning ofHuman Creation 48723. The Image of God in theHumanThe Relevant Scripture PassagesViews of the Image 498Evaluation of the Views 510Conclusions Regarding the Natureof the Image 512Implications of the Doctrine 515519Basic Views of the HumanConstitution 520Biblical Considerations 527Philosophical Considerations 530An Alternative Model:Conditional Unity 536Implications of Conditional Unity 53825. The Universality of Humanity 541495496All Races 542Both Sexes 545People of All Economic StatusesThe Aged 551The Unborn 553The Unmarried 5565491
4ContentsPART SIX SinPART26. The Nature of Sin561The Interrelationship Between theDoctrine of Sin and OtherDoctrines 562The Difficulty of Discussing Sin 563Methods of Studying Sin 564Terms for Sin 565The Essential Nature of Sin 57727. The Source of Sin581Various Conceptions of the Sourceof Sin 581The Biblical Teaching 596Implications of the Various ViewsThe Cure for Sin 59928. The Results of Sin601Results Affecting the Relationshipwith God 602PARTSEVEN621661History and Christology 662The Person and the Work of Christ 675Incarnation Viewed as Mythology 67732. The Deity of ChristThe Biblical Teaching 684Historical Departures from Beliefin the Full Deity of Christ 693Functional Christology 698implications of the Deity of Christ33. The Humanity of Christ683703PART801723For Whom Did Christ Die? 825For What Did Christ Atone? 836The Holy Spirit41. The Work of the Holy Spirit865The Work of the Holy Spirit in theOld Testament 866The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Lifeof Jesus 870The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Lifeof the Christian 872The Miraculous Gifts Today 877Implications of the Workof the Spirit 882PART TEN Salvation42. Conceptionsof SalvationDetails on Which Conceptionsof Salvation Differ 888Current Conceptions of Salvation739The Basic Meaning of Atonement 811Objections to the Penal-SubstitutionTheory 815The Penal-Substitution Theory inRelation to the OtherTheories 8 19The Implications of SubstitutionaryAtonement 822806The Importance of the Doctrineof the Holy Spirit 846Difficulties in Understanding theHoly Spirit 846The History of the Doctrine of theHoly Spirit 848The Nature of the Holy Spirit 857Implications of the Doctrineof the Holy Spirit 862The Importance and Difficultyof the Issue 723The Biblical Material 724Early Misunderstandings 726Other Attempts to Solvethe Problem 730Basic Tenets of the Doctrineof Bvo Naturesin One Person 734The Significance of the lssue 739Evidence for the Virgin Birth 743Objections to the Virgin Birth 748The Theological Meaning of theVirgin Birth 754NINE78178140. The Person of the Holy Spirit 845The Sinlessness of Jesus 718Implications of the Humanityof Jesus 72135. The Virgin BirthBackground Factors 802The New Testament Teaching641705The Importance of the Humanityof Christ 706The Biblical Evidence 706I-arly Heresies Regarding the Humanityof Jesus 7 12Recent Depreciations of the Humanityof Jesus 7 1676139. The Extent of the Atonement 82538. The Central Theme ofAtonementThe Difficulty of RecognizingSocial Sin 642The Biblical Teaching 643Strategies for OvercomingSocial Sin 65534. The Unity of the Person ofChrist37. Theories of the AtonementThe Significance of the AtonementThe Manifold Theories of theAtonement 783The Person of Christ31. Contemporary Issues inChristological MethodThe Work of ChristThe Functions of Christ 762The Stages of Christ’s Work 769The Extent of Sin 621The Intensiveness of Sin 625Theories of Original Sin 631Original Sin: A Biblical andContemporary Model 63630. The Social Dimension of SinEIGHT36. Introduction to the Work ofChristEffects on the Sinner 615Effects on the Relationshipto Other Humans 61829. The Magnitude of Sin5Contents43. The Antecedentto Salvation:Predestination887891907The Historical Development of theDoctrine 908Differing Views of Predestination 914A Suggested Solution 924Implications of Predestination 92744. The Beginning of Salvation:Subjective Aspects929Effectual Calling 930The Logical Order:Effectual Calling, Conversion,Regeneration 932Conversion 933Regeneration 942Implications of Effectual Calling,Conversion, and Regeneration 94645. The Beginning of Salvation:Objective AspectsUnion with Christ 948Justification 954Adoption 961947
6Contents46. The Continuationof Salvation 967Sanctification 967The Christian Life 97459. Final States48. The Means and Extentof Salvation1003Views of the Means of SalvationThe Extent of Salvation 101547. The Completion of Salvation100398.5Perseverance 986Glorification 997PARTELEVENThe Church49. The Nature of the ChurchDefining the Church 1026Biblical Images of the ChurchSpecial Problems 1041Implications 10491 0 2 5 5 2 . The Initiatory Rite of the Church:Baptism1089103450. The Role of the ChurchThe Basic Views of BaptismResolving the Issues 1097109053. The Continuing Rite of theChurch: The Lord’s Supper1051The Functions of the Church 1052The Heart of the Ministry of the Church:The Gospel 1059The Character of the Church 1067Points of Agreement 1108Points of Disagreement 1112Major Views 1115Dealing with the Issues 112154. The Unity of the Church51. The Government of theChurch1069Forms of Church Government 1070Constructing a System of ChurchGovernment for Today 1083FARTTWEL’VE11071129Arguments for Unity of the Church 1130Conceptions of the Nature of Unity 1135The History and Present Statusof Ecumenism 1137Issues Raised by Evangelicals 1142Guidelines for Action 1146The Last Things55. Introduction to Eschatology 1149The Status of EschatologyThe Classification ofEschatologies 1153Modern Treatments ofEschatology 1155Conclusions RegardingEschatology 116456. Individual Eschatology114957. The Second Coming and ItsConsequents1185The Second Coming 1186Resurrection 1194The Final Judgment 1200Implications of the Second Comingand Its Consequents 12031167Death II68The Intermediate State 1174Implications of the Doctrines of Deathand the Intermediate State 118458. Millennial and TribulationalViews1205Millennial Views 1206‘Dibulational Views 12177ContentsFinal State of the Righteous 1226Final State of the Wicked 1234Implications of the Doctrineof the Final States 12411225Concluding Thoughts1243Scripture Index1249Name and Subject Index1271
PrefaceIntwenty-two years of teaching systematic theology, I haveoften wished for a recent introductory textbook written from an evangelical perspective. While the textbooks written by Charles Hodge,Augustus Strong, Louis Berkhof, and others served admirably for theirday, there was no way they could anticipate and respond to the recentdevelopments in theology and other disciplines. Christian Theology represents an attempt to fill that need for our day.This volume is intended to serve as a text for an introductory seminary course in systematic theology. It is designed to be supplemented bythe three-volume Readings in Christian Theology which I previouslyedited, but it can also be used independently of those sources. As astudent textbook it does not treat in depth all of the technical problemsthat advanced scholars would investigate, but it does deal with issueswhich lay persons will raise in the circles in which evangelical studentswill minister.I have found it necessary to resist the temptation to write an entirebook on the topic of each chapter. The negative result has been thedanger of being superficial. The positive result for me personally is thegaining of an agenda for several dozen more books. I have deliberatelyavoided making this work a bibliographical collection of references toall the available literature on each topic (although a certain amount ofguidance for further reading is provided). As a work in systematictheology, however, this treatise does utilize the results of a great deal ofthe work which evangelicals have done in the area of exegesis. Thus,9
10Prefaceordinarily we will not get ourselves involved in the type of detailedexegesis that swells the pages of a work like Karl Barth’s Church Dog-ma tics.This volume assumes the reader’s familiarity with the contents of theOld and New Testaments and with the history of Christianity. It alsoassumes that the reader possesses a rudimentary knowledge of NewTestament Greek. Those who lack this background will not, however,find this volume unusable, although they may at points need to consultreference works. No reading knowledge of biblical Hebrew is presupposed. The transliterations follow the nontechnical transliteration system found in the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament.’The discerning reader will soon discover that the organization andthe conclusions of this book are of the type sometimes referred to asclassical. Christian Theology, a volume edited by Peter C. Hodgson andRobert H. King, discusses several traditional doctrines of systematictheology in terms of their classical formulations, the challenge of modern consciousness, and modern reformulations.2 In doing theology today, one may refuse or fail to recognize this modern consciousness,acknowledge but not accept it, or fully accept it. I have chosen thesecond option. I believe that the theologian must be fully aware of thismodern consciousness, both in theological and broader cultural developments, respond to it, and utilize it where it is valid. Because thisconsciousness itself rests upon presuppositions which I do not personally accept and which at points seem to me to be untenable, particularlyin their ultimate implications, I find that many of its aspects are notcompelling.In particular, I attempt to approach the Scriptures postcritically,rather than critically, precritically, or uncritically. My reservationsabout the utility of the more extreme forms of critical methodology didnot originate with a naive biblicism. Rather, they have sprung from thestudy of ancient philosophy, particularly a course on Plato at the University of Chicago and a course on Aristotle at Northwestern University. Ineach case, the professor found fault with form-critical approaches todating and organizing the thought of the philosopher under consideration. This skepticism has been nurtured by the work of nontheologianssuch as Walter Kaufmann3 and C. S. Lewis.41. Theological Dictionury of the Old Testament, ed. G. Johannes Botterweck andHelmer Ringgren, 4 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975), vol. 1, pp. xx-xxi.2. (‘hristiun Theology, ed. Peter C. Hodgson and Robert H. King (Philadelphia: ForI I‘C’SS, 1982).3. W: ltc’r Kauf nann, C’ritiyuc o/ Religion und Philosophy (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubletl:lv. 1% I ), pp. 377-96.3. C‘. S. l.c.\\ i\,, “Motl r r ‘l’h ology and Biblical Criticism,” in Christiun Rellcctior1.s(( ;I klll(l klpitlv I rdlllarl\, I974), pp. 1.52-65.Preface11The theology of the author of this book is that of classical orthodoxy,Some have considered such a position to be merely the absolutizing ofone period in theology. Paul Tillich, for example, characterizes fundamentalism as speaking from a situation of the past and elevating something finite and transitory to infinite and eternal validity.5 Betterinformed is the observation of Kirsopp Lake that fundamentalism reflects the view of the biblical writers and was once universally held byall Christians.6 In attempting to maintain the delicate balance betweenbiblical authority and contemporary statement, I have chosen theformer at those points where a choice seemed to be necessitated.There is currently considerable controversy over the use of “sexist”and “nons8exist” language. While I share the concern for not excludinghalf the human race by the use of nouns and pronouns, it is well to bemindful of the fact that the English language still lacks an acceptedsingular common-gender third-person pronoun, and in some cases, theuse of “human being” or “humankind” is awkward. The reader should,however, understand that from the author’s perspective, gender and sexare not equivalent. Indeed, in some languages, there is little relationshipbetween the two. Thus, as some legal documents say, “The masculineshall be understood as representing the feminine, and the singular theplural, where appropriate.” Consequently, the third-person singularmasculine pronoun and the term man when used herein shall be understood as designating maleness only where the context clearly indicatessuch.Many persons have contributed to this book’s being brought intoreality. I owe an immense debt to numerous theologians whose writingsI have read and especially those with whom I have studied personally.Three of the latter stand out for their influence upon my theologicalunderstanding. Bernard Ramm, currently professor of systematic theology at American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, California, wasmy first theology professor. In his courses my interest in theology grewinto a love for the subject. William Hordern, now president of LutheranTheological Seminary, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was my mentor in thedoctoral program at Northwestern University and Garrett TheologicalSeminary (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary). Not only didhe introduce me to the intricacies of the issues of recent theology, but hisopenness to and appreciation for viewpoints other than his own permitted me the freedom to develop with integrity my own evangelical position. Wolfhart Pannenberg, with whom I was privileged to engage in5. Paul Tillich, Systemutic Theology(Chicago: University of Chicago, 1951), vol. 1, p. 3.6. tiit-aopp Lake, 7’11 ‘Rcligion o/ Esterduyund Tomorrow (Boston: Houghton, 1926), p.hl.
12Prefacepostdoctoral studies at the University of Munich, challenged me with hisclear, profound, and penetrating insight into theological issues. Thesethree men, representing widely varied theological positions, have contributed to my theological maturation and given me models as scholars,teachers, and persons. This volume is dedicated to these three theologians, in expression of my appreciation for what I have learned fromthem.Colleagues at my own institution and elsewhere have offered insightsand encouragement. Two suggestions by Clark Pinnock, professor ofsystematic theology at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario,were very helpful: “Don’t be a slave to exhaustiveness,” and “Let it singlike a hymn, not read like a telephone book.” I have striven to becomprehensive, covering all areas of theology, but without dealing withevery possible detail and point of view. I have also tried to include,wherever possible, practical applications and notes of doxology together with the factual material. While acknowledging gratefully theassistance of these several persons, I accept full responsibility for allshortcomings of the book.I wish to thank others who have helped expedite the publication ofthis volume. The administration and the board of regents of BethelCollege and Seminary granted me a sabbatical leave, which enabled meto do much of the writing. I especially wish to thank the faculty ofdivinity, New College, University of Edinburgh, and particularly itsdean, Dr. A. C. Ross, and its librarian, J. V. Howard, for providing mewith facilities for research and writing during the summer of 1983.Laurie Dirnberger typed most of the manuscript for parts 1-4, wit
developments in theology and other disciplines. Christian Theology rep resents an attempt to fill that need for our day. This volume is intended to serve as a text for an introductory semi-nary course in systematic theology. It is designed to be supplemented by the three-volume Readings
DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY, edited by T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner, 90-104. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsit, 2000. Systematic theology and biblical theology Systematic theology and biblical theology. the turning points that have given rise to dif-ferent apprehensions of biblical theology. In one sense, wherever there has been dis-
A Century of Protestant Theology / Table and Tradition Hogg, D. Anselm of Canterbury Holifield, E. B. Theology in America Hodgson, P. & R. King, eds. Christian Theology Jenson, R. Systematic Theology John Paul II, The Gospel of Life / The Splendor of Truth / Theology of the Body Journet, C. Theology of the Church Kelly, J. N. D.
Theology of Hope return to religion-online Theology of Hope by Jurgen Moltmann Jürgen Moltmann is a German theologian notable for his incorporation of insights from liberation theology and ecology into mainstream trinitarian Christian theology. He was Professor of Systematic Theology a
“The Resurrection of the Dead” Christian Philosophical Theology (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006). _. “The Wrath of God and the Blood of Christ,” Christian Philosophical Theology (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006). _. “Was Jesus Raised Bodily?” Christian Philosophical Theology
3 Christian - Anglican 25.06 Christian - Anglican 15.48 4 Christian - Uniting 5.44 Christian - Other Protestant 6.79 5 Christian - Other Protestant 2.55 Christian - Uniting 2.88 6 Christian - Presbyterian/Reformed 2.53 Christian - Presbyterian/Reformed 1.35 7 Christian - Other 1.83 Christian - Lutheran 0.87
This course surveys major topics in Christian theology using Alister McGrath's Theology: The Basics (4th ed.; Wiley-Blackwell, 2018) as a guide. Preliminary considerations will include surveying major periods in the history of Christian theology and identifying major resources for theology
theology came out of the struggle of concerned ·Korean Christians for social and political justice in Korea. This paper is written to introduce Mi:njung theology and to discuss its salient points. Since Minjung theology is a theology
ASTM A 6/A 6M ASTM A153/A 153M ASTM A 325 (A 325M) ASTM A 490 (A490M) ASTM A 919 ASTM F 568M Class 4.6 . Section 501—Steel Structures Page 2 501.1.03 Submittals A. Pre-Inspection Documentation Furnish documentation required by the latest ANSI/AASHTO/AWS D 1.5 under radiographic, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle testing and reporting to the State’s inspector before the quality assurance .
