THEOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Dogmatic Theology
A doctrine or body of doctrines of theology and religion formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a group.
Calvinist Theology
John Calvin (1509-1564) French
Institutes – 80 chapter document explaining his views
Presbyterian churches
Theodore Beza, Francis Turretin, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Hodge, William Shedd, Benjamin Warfield, Cornelius Van Til
Westminster Confession - 1647
Sovereignty... Predestination
TULIP – Synod of Dort (1619)
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints
Institutes – 80 chapter document explaining his views
Presbyterian churches
Theodore Beza, Francis Turretin, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Hodge, William Shedd, Benjamin Warfield, Cornelius Van Til
Westminster Confession - 1647
Sovereignty... Predestination
TULIP – Synod of Dort (1619)
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints
Arminian Theology
Jacob Arminius (1560-1609) Dutch
Remonstrance – 1610 document by followers of Arminius explaining his doctrine
Methodist, Wesleyan, Episcopalian, Anglican, Free Will Baptist churches
John Wesley, H. Orton Wiley
God limits His sovereignty in accordance with man’s freedom – all divine decrees are based on foreknowledge
Prevenient Grace – Prevenient grace has reversed the effects of original sin, enabling a person to respond in faith to the gospel. All men receive this grace but they also have the freedom to reject it.
Arminius: Man inherits a corrupt nature.
Christ removed the condemnation and guilt of original sin so man is condemned by his own sin.
Wesley: The gift of prevenient grace gives man the ability to cooperate with God with his free will.
Man is a sinner but not totally depravity
(Free Will)
Conditional Election based on the foreknowledge of God (God does not predestine all things)
Unlimited Atonement...Resistible Grace...Salvation Insecure
Remonstrance – 1610 document by followers of Arminius explaining his doctrine
Methodist, Wesleyan, Episcopalian, Anglican, Free Will Baptist churches
John Wesley, H. Orton Wiley
God limits His sovereignty in accordance with man’s freedom – all divine decrees are based on foreknowledge
Prevenient Grace – Prevenient grace has reversed the effects of original sin, enabling a person to respond in faith to the gospel. All men receive this grace but they also have the freedom to reject it.
Arminius: Man inherits a corrupt nature.
Christ removed the condemnation and guilt of original sin so man is condemned by his own sin.
Wesley: The gift of prevenient grace gives man the ability to cooperate with God with his free will.
Man is a sinner but not totally depravity
(Free Will)
Conditional Election based on the foreknowledge of God (God does not predestine all things)
Unlimited Atonement...Resistible Grace...Salvation Insecure
Covenant Theology
Johann Bullinger (1504-1575) Swiss
He was the sole author of Second Helvetic
Confession of 1566, which gives a clear statement of the Reformed doctrine.
Reformed churches
Johannes Wollebius, William Ames, Johannes Cocceius, Hermann Witsius
Westminster Confession – 1647
A system of interpreting the Scriptures on the basis of two covenants: the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. Some add the covenant of redemption.
Importance of grace – In every age, believers are always saved by grace.
God’s primary purpose on earth is redemptive.
Literal & Semi-literal or Semi-allegorical system of hermeneutics.
Covenant of Works – God entered into a covenant with Adam as the federal head of the human race in which He promised eternal life for obedience and eternal death for disobedience.
Covenant of Redemption – A covenant made between God the Father and God the Son in eternity past in which they covenanted together for the redemption of the human race.
Covenant of Grace – A covenant made by God with the elect in which He provides salvation to the elect sinner.
He was the sole author of Second Helvetic
Confession of 1566, which gives a clear statement of the Reformed doctrine.
Reformed churches
Johannes Wollebius, William Ames, Johannes Cocceius, Hermann Witsius
Westminster Confession – 1647
A system of interpreting the Scriptures on the basis of two covenants: the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. Some add the covenant of redemption.
Importance of grace – In every age, believers are always saved by grace.
God’s primary purpose on earth is redemptive.
Literal & Semi-literal or Semi-allegorical system of hermeneutics.
Covenant of Works – God entered into a covenant with Adam as the federal head of the human race in which He promised eternal life for obedience and eternal death for disobedience.
Covenant of Redemption – A covenant made between God the Father and God the Son in eternity past in which they covenanted together for the redemption of the human race.
Covenant of Grace – A covenant made by God with the elect in which He provides salvation to the elect sinner.
Dispensational Theology
A system of interpretation that seeks to distinguish differing stewardships whereby man is tested in respect to his obedience to the revealed will of God.
Dallas Theological Seminary – Charles Ryrie, J. Dwight Pentecost, John F. Walvoord, Lewis Sperry Chafer, (others: C. I. Schofield, J.N. Darby)
Justin Martyr (110-165) recognized 4 dispensations (Adamic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace)
Irenaeus (130-200) recognized 4 principal covenants (same as above)
Clement of Alexandria (150-220) recognized five dispensations (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace)
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) recognized 6 dispensations (Innocence, Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace)
John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) recognized 7 dispensations (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Israel [Mosaic], Gentiles [as opposed to Israel in OT], Spirit [grace], Millennium)
C. I. Scofield (1843-1921) recognized 7 dispensations (Innocence, Conscience, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace, Millennium)
Importance of grace – In every age, believers are always saved by grace.
The Three Sine qua non - “without which there is not”
1. God’s primary purpose on earth is doxological.
2. Consistent Literal method of hermeneutics.
3. Distinction between Israel and the Church.
Dallas Theological Seminary – Charles Ryrie, J. Dwight Pentecost, John F. Walvoord, Lewis Sperry Chafer, (others: C. I. Schofield, J.N. Darby)
Justin Martyr (110-165) recognized 4 dispensations (Adamic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace)
Irenaeus (130-200) recognized 4 principal covenants (same as above)
Clement of Alexandria (150-220) recognized five dispensations (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace)
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) recognized 6 dispensations (Innocence, Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace)
John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) recognized 7 dispensations (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Israel [Mosaic], Gentiles [as opposed to Israel in OT], Spirit [grace], Millennium)
C. I. Scofield (1843-1921) recognized 7 dispensations (Innocence, Conscience, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Grace, Millennium)
Importance of grace – In every age, believers are always saved by grace.
The Three Sine qua non - “without which there is not”
1. God’s primary purpose on earth is doxological.
2. Consistent Literal method of hermeneutics.
3. Distinction between Israel and the Church.
1. The Old Testament - The formulation of a biblical theology from the Old Testament based upon literal interpretation (grammatical-historical method of interpretation) of the Old Testament text.
2. The New Testament - The formulation of a biblical theology from the New Testament based upon literal interpretation (the grammatical-historical method of interpretation) of the New Testament text, which method includes the backgrounds arrived at via point 1 above.
3. System - The production of a systematic theology by harmonizing all inputs to theology including points 1
and 2 above.
2. The New Testament - The formulation of a biblical theology from the New Testament based upon literal interpretation (the grammatical-historical method of interpretation) of the New Testament text, which method includes the backgrounds arrived at via point 1 above.
3. System - The production of a systematic theology by harmonizing all inputs to theology including points 1
and 2 above.
Catholic Theology
Semi-Pelagian – the sin of Adam left him in a weakened condition but not spiritually dead. As a result, man can initiate salvation. Pelagius taught complete free will.
Tradition, Church, and Scripture (including apocryphal writings) are authoritative.
Council of Trent – 1546; tradition is authoritative, RC church is only interpreter of Scripture, adoption of Latin Vulgate as standard. Bible for preaching and teaching.
Church began with Peter – the papacy has the authority of Peter.
Papal Infallibility – when he speaks ex cathedra, “from the chair.”
Union with the RC church is essential to salvation: Pope Pius IX in 1854 declared, “It is to be held as a matter of
faith that no one can be saved outside the Apostolic Roman Church. It is the only ark of salvation and anyone
who does not enter it must sink in the flood.”
Mary is the co-redemptrix with Christ, the mediatrix of grace [provides motherly care for the church and reigns
with Christ], a perpetual virgin, and immune from all sin.
Purgatory – a place in which reside the souls of those who die in grace but with the temporal debt for sin
unpaid. Here the soul is purged, cleansed, and readied for eternal union with God in Heaven.
Seven Holy Sacraments
1. Baptism – Unites to Christ and His Church; Free man from original sin & sin to this point
2. Confirmation - reception of the Holy Spirit
3. Eucharist (Mass) – Ongoing sacrifice of Christ; transubstantiation
4. Confession – Absolution of sin by a Priest through sorrow, confession, absolution
5. Holy Orders – Apostolic succession: Bishop, priest, deacon
6. Matrimony
7. Anointing the Sick (formerly called Extreme Unction) – Removes infirmity and obstacles left by sin, which prevent soul from glory. Prepares the soul for eternity.
Tradition, Church, and Scripture (including apocryphal writings) are authoritative.
Council of Trent – 1546; tradition is authoritative, RC church is only interpreter of Scripture, adoption of Latin Vulgate as standard. Bible for preaching and teaching.
Church began with Peter – the papacy has the authority of Peter.
Papal Infallibility – when he speaks ex cathedra, “from the chair.”
Union with the RC church is essential to salvation: Pope Pius IX in 1854 declared, “It is to be held as a matter of
faith that no one can be saved outside the Apostolic Roman Church. It is the only ark of salvation and anyone
who does not enter it must sink in the flood.”
Mary is the co-redemptrix with Christ, the mediatrix of grace [provides motherly care for the church and reigns
with Christ], a perpetual virgin, and immune from all sin.
Purgatory – a place in which reside the souls of those who die in grace but with the temporal debt for sin
unpaid. Here the soul is purged, cleansed, and readied for eternal union with God in Heaven.
Seven Holy Sacraments
1. Baptism – Unites to Christ and His Church; Free man from original sin & sin to this point
2. Confirmation - reception of the Holy Spirit
3. Eucharist (Mass) – Ongoing sacrifice of Christ; transubstantiation
4. Confession – Absolution of sin by a Priest through sorrow, confession, absolution
5. Holy Orders – Apostolic succession: Bishop, priest, deacon
6. Matrimony
7. Anointing the Sick (formerly called Extreme Unction) – Removes infirmity and obstacles left by sin, which prevent soul from glory. Prepares the soul for eternity.
Liberal Theology
Liberalism places a premium on man’s reason and the findings of science.
Friedrich Schleiermacher (1763-1834) German, Albrecht Ritschl (1822-1889), Adolph Von Harnack (1851-1930), F. C. Baur (1792-1860), David Strauss (1808-1874), Horace Bushnell (1802-1876)
The Bible is an ordinary book (they deny inspiration [e.g. JEDP theory]).
Man is basically good (they reject original sin).
Christ was an ordinary human (they deny the deity of Christ).
Emphasis on the immanence of God, the view that God is everywhere and in everything (they do not distinguish between the natural and the supernatural – hence no miracles).
The kingdom will be brought in through human effort (social gospel).
Schleiermacher (1763-1834)... Emphasized feeling and experience: father of modern religious liberalism...Rejected the Fall, original sin, Virgin birth, and substitutionary atonement...Sin is interest in the world; faith is feeling, not response to what God says.
Ritschl (1822-1889)...Emphasized ethical and practical aspects; his teaching became the ground for the social gospel. Jesus died as a moral example...Rejected original sin, incarnation, deity, atonement, and resurrection of Christ. Denied sin as selfishness.
Harnack (1851-1930)...Taught that Paul corrupted the teaching of Jesus and Christianity...Taught “fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man.”...Denied the deity of Christ and His substitutionary atonement...The seeds of Bultmann’s demythologizing is seen in his theolgy.
Baur (1792-1860)...Developed the historical-critical method. Emphasized the historical evolution of the New Testament. The Bible is full of myths...Denied revelation, incarnation, and bodily resurrection of Christ...Taught Christianity was a conflict between Jewish (Peter) and Gentile (Paul) factions. He was a student of Mark Strauss.
Bushnell (1802-1876)...Children are born good and can be taught to grow into Christianity...Opposed sudden conversions...Denied substitutionary atonement of Christ; His death was only an example.
Rauschenbush (1861-1918)...Emphasized the social gospel; Jesus’ love would transform society...Taught the gospel is social concern, collective ownership of property (criticized capitalism), and equal distribution of goods...Rejected substitutionary atonement of Christ, His second coming, and a literal hell. Salvation is through Jesus’ love.
Friedrich Schleiermacher (1763-1834) German, Albrecht Ritschl (1822-1889), Adolph Von Harnack (1851-1930), F. C. Baur (1792-1860), David Strauss (1808-1874), Horace Bushnell (1802-1876)
The Bible is an ordinary book (they deny inspiration [e.g. JEDP theory]).
Man is basically good (they reject original sin).
Christ was an ordinary human (they deny the deity of Christ).
Emphasis on the immanence of God, the view that God is everywhere and in everything (they do not distinguish between the natural and the supernatural – hence no miracles).
The kingdom will be brought in through human effort (social gospel).
Schleiermacher (1763-1834)... Emphasized feeling and experience: father of modern religious liberalism...Rejected the Fall, original sin, Virgin birth, and substitutionary atonement...Sin is interest in the world; faith is feeling, not response to what God says.
Ritschl (1822-1889)...Emphasized ethical and practical aspects; his teaching became the ground for the social gospel. Jesus died as a moral example...Rejected original sin, incarnation, deity, atonement, and resurrection of Christ. Denied sin as selfishness.
Harnack (1851-1930)...Taught that Paul corrupted the teaching of Jesus and Christianity...Taught “fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man.”...Denied the deity of Christ and His substitutionary atonement...The seeds of Bultmann’s demythologizing is seen in his theolgy.
Baur (1792-1860)...Developed the historical-critical method. Emphasized the historical evolution of the New Testament. The Bible is full of myths...Denied revelation, incarnation, and bodily resurrection of Christ...Taught Christianity was a conflict between Jewish (Peter) and Gentile (Paul) factions. He was a student of Mark Strauss.
Bushnell (1802-1876)...Children are born good and can be taught to grow into Christianity...Opposed sudden conversions...Denied substitutionary atonement of Christ; His death was only an example.
Rauschenbush (1861-1918)...Emphasized the social gospel; Jesus’ love would transform society...Taught the gospel is social concern, collective ownership of property (criticized capitalism), and equal distribution of goods...Rejected substitutionary atonement of Christ, His second coming, and a literal hell. Salvation is through Jesus’ love.
Neo-Liberal Theology
Harry Emerson Fosdick, founding father, (1878-1969),
Walter Horton, World Council of Churches
Bible was taken more seriously but they denied inspiration
Man was basically good, but they were not interested in building a utopian earth.
They acknowledge the problem of sin but denied original sin and total depravity.
They speak of the divinity of Christ but not the full deity, deny the virgin birth, reject the substitutionary death of
Christ, but acknowledge that through JC’s death the church is infused with the power of God.
In comparison to older liberalism neo-liberals had a lower view of man and higher view of God, but they did
not return to orthodoxy.
Walter Horton, World Council of Churches
Bible was taken more seriously but they denied inspiration
Man was basically good, but they were not interested in building a utopian earth.
They acknowledge the problem of sin but denied original sin and total depravity.
They speak of the divinity of Christ but not the full deity, deny the virgin birth, reject the substitutionary death of
Christ, but acknowledge that through JC’s death the church is infused with the power of God.
In comparison to older liberalism neo-liberals had a lower view of man and higher view of God, but they did
not return to orthodoxy.
Neo-Orthodox Theology
Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)...Dane; founder of existentialism (emphasis on the spiritual encounter; it stresses the personal experience). Knowledge unimportant. Subjective experience is important. Salvation is a commitment to God in a blind “leap of faith” amid one’s despair. Emphasized transcendence of God; God cannot be known through “proofs.” Christ of history is unimportant one must experience Him in the present. Historicity of biblical events is unimportant.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)...Union Theological Seminar. Sin is basically social; society needs to be transformed from capitalistic greed. Man’s need of social justice must be advocated. Rejected liberal view of man’s goodness. Rejected historic view of sin and historicity of Adam. Not as conservative or biblical as Barth and Brunner.
John A. T. Robinson (b. 1919)...Sin He popularized Tillich’s philosophy/theology. God is more interchangeable with the word universe. God is not transcendant or self-existing. He has more of a pantheistic view of God
Paul Tillich (1886-1966)...Union Theological, Harvard and University of Chicago. He stood between liberal and neoorthodoxy theology. He would be more of a radical neoorthodoxy and Barth more conservative. God was not personal but a “ ground of Being.” Sin is an estrangement from one’s true self. Sin is disruption from the gound of his being. Salvation is the New Being evidence in the life of Christ. Christ is not a historical person, but a symbol of the New Being. Tillich is more a philosopher then a theologian.
Karl Barth (1886-1968)...Theology must be God-centered, not man-centered. Built on Kierkegaard’s subjective emphasis. Man encounters God in reduplicating the experiences of the biblical writers. Rejected general revelation.
Bible is important but he rejected inspiration and inerrancy; Bible is a witness to revelation. Revelation takes place when man receives it. Christ-centered; Christ is the revelation of God and all mankind is elect in Christ.
Emil Brunner (1889-1966)...God cannot be known through objective doctrine but through a subjective encounter with Christ. Emphasized a high Christology. God is known personally in an I-Thou relationship. Allows for general revelation. Rejected inspiration of Scripture and reality of hell. Rejected inherited sin and Adam as historical. Man sins because of choice, not inherited nature. Sin is self-centeredness. Denied the virgin birth. Held to incarnation, deity, and resurrection of Christ.
The Bible is a witness to the Word of God. The writers of Scripture simply related their spiritual experiences. In reading their account a person can also experience the revelation of God. At that moment the Scripture becomes the Word of God to that person.
They reject general revelation (Bible is the only witness).
Emphasis on the transcendence of God (He is not knowable).
Christ is knowable. A knowledge of Christ is both objective (based on historical events) and subjective (experienced internally by the believer).
All mankind is elect in Christ (universalism).
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)...Union Theological Seminar. Sin is basically social; society needs to be transformed from capitalistic greed. Man’s need of social justice must be advocated. Rejected liberal view of man’s goodness. Rejected historic view of sin and historicity of Adam. Not as conservative or biblical as Barth and Brunner.
John A. T. Robinson (b. 1919)...Sin He popularized Tillich’s philosophy/theology. God is more interchangeable with the word universe. God is not transcendant or self-existing. He has more of a pantheistic view of God
Paul Tillich (1886-1966)...Union Theological, Harvard and University of Chicago. He stood between liberal and neoorthodoxy theology. He would be more of a radical neoorthodoxy and Barth more conservative. God was not personal but a “ ground of Being.” Sin is an estrangement from one’s true self. Sin is disruption from the gound of his being. Salvation is the New Being evidence in the life of Christ. Christ is not a historical person, but a symbol of the New Being. Tillich is more a philosopher then a theologian.
Karl Barth (1886-1968)...Theology must be God-centered, not man-centered. Built on Kierkegaard’s subjective emphasis. Man encounters God in reduplicating the experiences of the biblical writers. Rejected general revelation.
Bible is important but he rejected inspiration and inerrancy; Bible is a witness to revelation. Revelation takes place when man receives it. Christ-centered; Christ is the revelation of God and all mankind is elect in Christ.
Emil Brunner (1889-1966)...God cannot be known through objective doctrine but through a subjective encounter with Christ. Emphasized a high Christology. God is known personally in an I-Thou relationship. Allows for general revelation. Rejected inspiration of Scripture and reality of hell. Rejected inherited sin and Adam as historical. Man sins because of choice, not inherited nature. Sin is self-centeredness. Denied the virgin birth. Held to incarnation, deity, and resurrection of Christ.
The Bible is a witness to the Word of God. The writers of Scripture simply related their spiritual experiences. In reading their account a person can also experience the revelation of God. At that moment the Scripture becomes the Word of God to that person.
They reject general revelation (Bible is the only witness).
Emphasis on the transcendence of God (He is not knowable).
Christ is knowable. A knowledge of Christ is both objective (based on historical events) and subjective (experienced internally by the believer).
All mankind is elect in Christ (universalism).
Radical Theology
Rudolf Bultmann (1884–1976) was the son of an evangelical Lutheran minister. He pursued his theological studies at Tübingen, Berlin, and Marburg, where he became professor of New Testament in 1921 and remained until 1951. It was at Marburg that he became interested in dialectical theology. Although he had studied under liberals like Hermann Gunkel and Adolph Harnack, he too, like Karl Barth, was influenced by Søren Kierkegaard toward dialectical theology.
Form critics approach the Bible like any other piece of literature, dissecting it from a purely subjective standpoint. Demythologization builds upon form criticism and further extends the subjective approach to the Scriptures. The underlying premise is that Scripture is filled with myth and must be eliminated because it does not correspond to the modern scientific mind.
If the true Jesus cannot truly be known, as Bultmann suggests, what is the benefit of proclaiming the gospel? The true Christian faith is anchored to history and has historical validity; Bultmann’s gospel is a proclamation of myth that offers little hope.
GOD IS DEAD THEOLOGY (Gabriel Vahanian, Paul Van Buren [b.1924], William Hamilton [b. 1924], Thomas J. J. Altizer) – Although there are shades of difference between the God-is-dead theologians, in general, the following points will apply to most of them. They built on the philosophical systems of Kant and Ritschl, both of whom denied that one could demonstrably prove the existence of God. They also borrowed from Nietzsche, who proclaimed, “God is dead.” Biblically, they begin with a Bultmannian approach in suggesting the Bible is myth; the accounts of Scripture are not to be taken seriously. Thus, as Vahanian, they see Jesus only as a human, not as God. They do not take the Bible seriously in its assertions about God, Jesus Christ, man, and the world. Because they ignore a biblical sense of sin, they ignore the biblical solution through Christ’s atonement. The solution and the essence of
“Christianity” is secularization—entering into the problems of the world, trying to solve them through the advantages of science and technology, but without any regard for God. Their “gospel” is man-centered rather than God-centered.
PROCESS THEOLOGY (Alfred North Whitehead [1861–1947], Charles Hartshorne [b. 1896], John Cobb [b. 1925], Nelson Pike, Schubert M. Ogden [b. 1928], Norman Pittenger [b. 1905]) - The personality and sovereignty of God is denied; He is seen only as a “force,” and a changing one at that. The supernatural and miraculous is abandoned in process theology. In evaluating process theology’s use of biblical terms, Carl F. H. Henry has stated: “Creation becomes evolution, redemption becomes relationship, and resurrection becomes renewal. The supernatural is
abandoned, miracles vanish, and the living God of the Bible is submerged in immanental motifs.” Process
theology is based on the Kantian principle of reason rather than revelation. Process theology does violence to
the immutability of God (Mal. 3:6; James 1:17) because it suggests God Himself is subject to change. Any biblical
concept of sin and atonement for sin is also ignored.
OPENESS OF GOD THEOLOGY (Clark Pinnock, David & Randal Basinger, John Sanders, Gregory Boyd, Richard Rice, Robert Brow) Names: Openess Theology, Freewill Theism, Open Theism Man has true free will and God does not control all events. This theology finds its appreciation in Wesleyan, Arminian and Pentecostal circles God’s feelings reveal that may alter his intentions or change (He is not immutable). God has limited omniscience. There are some things that are not known by God for they are not knowable or He allows limited sovereignty. Inerrancy is affected for God does control the future or future prophecy. They infer that God could make mistakes. Opponents of the view: Thomas Oden, D.A. Carson, Norm Geisler, Bruce Ware, John Piper, R. C. Sproul, Albert Mohler, John Frame.
Form critics approach the Bible like any other piece of literature, dissecting it from a purely subjective standpoint. Demythologization builds upon form criticism and further extends the subjective approach to the Scriptures. The underlying premise is that Scripture is filled with myth and must be eliminated because it does not correspond to the modern scientific mind.
If the true Jesus cannot truly be known, as Bultmann suggests, what is the benefit of proclaiming the gospel? The true Christian faith is anchored to history and has historical validity; Bultmann’s gospel is a proclamation of myth that offers little hope.
GOD IS DEAD THEOLOGY (Gabriel Vahanian, Paul Van Buren [b.1924], William Hamilton [b. 1924], Thomas J. J. Altizer) – Although there are shades of difference between the God-is-dead theologians, in general, the following points will apply to most of them. They built on the philosophical systems of Kant and Ritschl, both of whom denied that one could demonstrably prove the existence of God. They also borrowed from Nietzsche, who proclaimed, “God is dead.” Biblically, they begin with a Bultmannian approach in suggesting the Bible is myth; the accounts of Scripture are not to be taken seriously. Thus, as Vahanian, they see Jesus only as a human, not as God. They do not take the Bible seriously in its assertions about God, Jesus Christ, man, and the world. Because they ignore a biblical sense of sin, they ignore the biblical solution through Christ’s atonement. The solution and the essence of
“Christianity” is secularization—entering into the problems of the world, trying to solve them through the advantages of science and technology, but without any regard for God. Their “gospel” is man-centered rather than God-centered.
PROCESS THEOLOGY (Alfred North Whitehead [1861–1947], Charles Hartshorne [b. 1896], John Cobb [b. 1925], Nelson Pike, Schubert M. Ogden [b. 1928], Norman Pittenger [b. 1905]) - The personality and sovereignty of God is denied; He is seen only as a “force,” and a changing one at that. The supernatural and miraculous is abandoned in process theology. In evaluating process theology’s use of biblical terms, Carl F. H. Henry has stated: “Creation becomes evolution, redemption becomes relationship, and resurrection becomes renewal. The supernatural is
abandoned, miracles vanish, and the living God of the Bible is submerged in immanental motifs.” Process
theology is based on the Kantian principle of reason rather than revelation. Process theology does violence to
the immutability of God (Mal. 3:6; James 1:17) because it suggests God Himself is subject to change. Any biblical
concept of sin and atonement for sin is also ignored.
OPENESS OF GOD THEOLOGY (Clark Pinnock, David & Randal Basinger, John Sanders, Gregory Boyd, Richard Rice, Robert Brow) Names: Openess Theology, Freewill Theism, Open Theism Man has true free will and God does not control all events. This theology finds its appreciation in Wesleyan, Arminian and Pentecostal circles God’s feelings reveal that may alter his intentions or change (He is not immutable). God has limited omniscience. There are some things that are not known by God for they are not knowable or He allows limited sovereignty. Inerrancy is affected for God does control the future or future prophecy. They infer that God could make mistakes. Opponents of the view: Thomas Oden, D.A. Carson, Norm Geisler, Bruce Ware, John Piper, R. C. Sproul, Albert Mohler, John Frame.
Liberation Theology
Most popular in Central and South America. Focus is on the poor and oppressed (including blacks and women).
A theological movement that has attempted to unite theology with an ideology emphasizing social/economic concerns (usually Marxism). See Moltmann’s theology which advocates revolution for future hope.
It has borrowed from Kant and Hegel’s philosophy. He found in the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America.
Gustavo Gutierrez (b. 1928) Peruvian, Josè Miguez Bonino (b. 1924) Argentina, Juan Luis Segundo (1925-1996) Uruguay, Josè Porfirio Miranda (Mexico)
The Gospel helps the oppressed. God liberated Israel from oppression in the Old Testament. Jesus came to liberate the oppressed in the New Testament.
Christians are to be involved in creating governments. They are to follow the example of Jesus and liberate the oppressed.
Church must serve the world through love.
Primary focus is on peace, justice, and liberty.
Theology is not an academic subject but a revolutionary spirit that endeavors to change the world.
A theological movement that has attempted to unite theology with an ideology emphasizing social/economic concerns (usually Marxism). See Moltmann’s theology which advocates revolution for future hope.
It has borrowed from Kant and Hegel’s philosophy. He found in the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America.
Gustavo Gutierrez (b. 1928) Peruvian, Josè Miguez Bonino (b. 1924) Argentina, Juan Luis Segundo (1925-1996) Uruguay, Josè Porfirio Miranda (Mexico)
The Gospel helps the oppressed. God liberated Israel from oppression in the Old Testament. Jesus came to liberate the oppressed in the New Testament.
Christians are to be involved in creating governments. They are to follow the example of Jesus and liberate the oppressed.
Church must serve the world through love.
Primary focus is on peace, justice, and liberty.
Theology is not an academic subject but a revolutionary spirit that endeavors to change the world.
Black Liberation Theology
The leading proponent is James H. Cone (b. 1938), professor of Union Theological Seminary in NY. He has written A Black Theology of Liberation which identifies Christian theology with liberation theology. He says, “a rational study of the being of God in the world in light of the existential situation of an oppressed community, relating the forces of liberation to the essence of the gospel, which is Jesus Christ.” He basis his theology in Exodus of Israel where God was concern for the lack of social, economic, and political justice for the poor and unwanted in the society. Jesus did not come to bring spiritual liberation but to liberate the oppressed. The resurrection of Christ means “that all oppressed peoples become his people . . .”
Word of Faith Movement
FAITH – “Faith in faith” or your “word of faith” produces results.
LITTLE GODS – In God’s image we are in God’s class, we are little gods.
ATONEMENT – Jesus’ nature changed to be sinful on the cross, punished in hell for 3 days, was born again and then arose from the dead
WEALTH – God wants you to be wealthy; lack of it demonstrates a lack of faith
SICKNESS – God wants you to be healthy; lack of it demonstrates a lack of faith or sin in your life
LITTLE GODS – In God’s image we are in God’s class, we are little gods.
ATONEMENT – Jesus’ nature changed to be sinful on the cross, punished in hell for 3 days, was born again and then arose from the dead
WEALTH – God wants you to be wealthy; lack of it demonstrates a lack of faith
SICKNESS – God wants you to be healthy; lack of it demonstrates a lack of faith or sin in your life
The Emerging Church
A belief system emerging from the interaction with culture and ministry.
Mark Driscoll paredt company with the emergent organization and would be more conservative. Brian McLaren would be more at the liberal end of the movement.
The “emerging church” is more a generic term to indicate a prime mission to reach the postmodern culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The “emergent church” is an organization from the Emergent Village founded by Brian McLaren and others. He draws upon a diversity of theologies: Evangelical, liberal Protestant, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and denominations. In practice, many use the terms interchangeably.
They adopt more of a relativistic stand on doctrine and are not dogmatic on doctrine.
They tend to reject full, verbal plenary inspiration and inerrancy.
They see Scripture as “narrative,” which tells us what happened but not what should always happen.
In contrast to conservative and liberal views of Christianity, McLaren is missional: To make disciples of Jesus Christ in authentic community for the good of the world.
They reject the church of modernism, seeker-sensitive and megachurch.
Propositional truth is not the highest truth; the highest truth is personal. Therefore, multisensory and interactive
services are normal.
They are postmodern and focus on relationships, love, shared tradition, integrity in discussion.
The Jesus of Brian McLaren is an amalgam of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism both liberal and conservative.
McLaren rejects the substitutionary death of Christ.
Evangelism is very broadly and diversely defined.
If Jesus’ death was not a penal substitution and the gospel is broadly and diversely defined then the missional statement seems to be vague, which is typical of the movement.
They have tried to engage their culture, but it appears the culture has overwhelmed the emerging church both in method and foundational truth or doctrine.
Mark Driscoll paredt company with the emergent organization and would be more conservative. Brian McLaren would be more at the liberal end of the movement.
The “emerging church” is more a generic term to indicate a prime mission to reach the postmodern culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The “emergent church” is an organization from the Emergent Village founded by Brian McLaren and others. He draws upon a diversity of theologies: Evangelical, liberal Protestant, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and denominations. In practice, many use the terms interchangeably.
They adopt more of a relativistic stand on doctrine and are not dogmatic on doctrine.
They tend to reject full, verbal plenary inspiration and inerrancy.
They see Scripture as “narrative,” which tells us what happened but not what should always happen.
In contrast to conservative and liberal views of Christianity, McLaren is missional: To make disciples of Jesus Christ in authentic community for the good of the world.
They reject the church of modernism, seeker-sensitive and megachurch.
Propositional truth is not the highest truth; the highest truth is personal. Therefore, multisensory and interactive
services are normal.
They are postmodern and focus on relationships, love, shared tradition, integrity in discussion.
The Jesus of Brian McLaren is an amalgam of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism both liberal and conservative.
McLaren rejects the substitutionary death of Christ.
Evangelism is very broadly and diversely defined.
If Jesus’ death was not a penal substitution and the gospel is broadly and diversely defined then the missional statement seems to be vague, which is typical of the movement.
They have tried to engage their culture, but it appears the culture has overwhelmed the emerging church both in method and foundational truth or doctrine.